The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1897-05-20
A Mountain Rose.



az reckon it's true that there is at
loast one romance in every life. From
norsopal knowledge can only cite my
avn case. but I'll venture that there
WAS never good, strong story written
,hst did not find its inspiration III
truth
orce sat with his children and his
crondchildren on one of those great,
yiDe.sbaded verandas that belong to
every pretentious country home in
Tennessee. He was a giant slowly
roing down under the weight of years,
vet to live in the past was to recall
some Of its vigor. Now his eyes
\ frightened, his form Strengthened, his
hroad shoulders went back and his
yoice was without quiver.
"You look the picture of her" he
said to the little tot on his knee as he
stroked her curls. Then it took re-
/ quest for the story to recall the old
man from his dearest memory. "ln
those days." he began, "there was
more family pride than there is now.
Perhaps l should say that family
prejudices we're stronger. We had
caste as we'll defined as that in India.
For one to marry in 'lower' class
vas social suicide, and my folks, being
of the so-called aristocracy, were
among the stalwarts of the stalwart In
upholding this intolerant creed.
became something of hereto while
completing my education, but it takes
time and experience to get rid OF
strong hereditary bias.
"We were fairly we'll off for those
Hines, but had an ambition to do
Something more than cumber the
world as mere consumer. This in
clination rather troubled the family,
but after numerous consultations it
vas reluctantly admitted that l might
Fuperintend the development of some
eoal and iron interests that we had in
mountainous section of the state,
md still maintain my social prestige.
81 went at the enterprise in earnest,
bringing lot of men from Pennsyl-
ania that understood the work and
punding primitive village of log
abins in region as desolate as any
ncountered by the original pioneers.
he miners had their families with
bem and all supplies had to be
rought fifty miles through the noun
IN roads. The foreman was big
parted but shrewd and fearless
cotch-Irishman who was just to the
en and loyal to my interests. His
pine was looked after by daughter
ho had lost her mother years be-
re. The men used to call her the
onntain Rose, for she had all its
|licate colorings aud was just as
psh and dainty and graceful.
Tough strong and 1.-the because OF
manner of her life. she looked the
trician from head to foot and had
innate refinement OF character that
culture can supply. Her voice was
sical and, to me, her simple songs
fe more charming than the usual
prts OF prima donna. Her educa-
= was of her own acquiring and was
Rngely out Of the conventional
es' Her knowledge in some direc-
ns only surprised you less than her
In acquiring information in
ers But would never tire OF
ing of her.
After our rough colony had be-
settled and was progressing fine
undesirable characters were at
ted to the vicinity. Some men
up shanty just off my land and
ked 1t with mountain dew. Num-
y rough looking characters came
2 for the ostensible purpose Of
ing and fishing. pitching their
IN our vicinity. heard storics
ambling and the men were not as
iar at their work as they we're be-
tnese Interruptions. Rosser, the
an wanted to ladopt heroic