The Delta independent., 1897-02-03

pleading wcariness as an excuse for not
investigating the subject on the spot
Fench folded his map and rested his
case with the promise; but he Kept up
a running fro of encom;ums on the new
south and Allacoochec, which the effort
at pos.porement had only changed from
particulars to genera,ities, while Philip
leaned back in the corner OF the seat
ana gave himself up to on ecstasy of
loathing. While the endless tale of
prosperity continued the Light went
out Of the sky, and it was quite dark
when the brakeman thrust his face into
the car 10 call "Aliaccochee!"
Thorndy.;e gathered up his hclcng-
ipgs with sigh of relief and presently
found himself standing under the glare
of TN electric lamp on the station plat
form, trying to hazard guess at the
best hotel in the place as the names
were shouted out by the knot of yelling
hackmen.
"uere you are for the Allacoochec
Inn!"
Fright dis-away for de Mountain
housc!"
"Sbut yo' flsi-trap, niggah!-yass,
sai', right hyah, sab; bus TO dc Hotel
Jolannisberg."
Notwithstanding the poets foubtipg
question, there is always more or less
in n ZANE; and the Hotel JoharriSlcrS
gained guest that night upon no bet
ter grounds than that the word awoke
pleasant memories in the mind of n
man who knew Europe rather better
than he did his own country. As the
omnibus jounced along over the un-
paved streets, Thorndyke amused him
self by picturing the probable contrast
between the backwools tavern and its
hish-sourding appellation. He was
rather more than surprised, therefore.
when the omnibus stopped in front Of
q three-storied building standing in
a park-like inclosure md ablaze
with gas ard electric lights; and as
tonishnent rose into admiration wien
livcried eervant uahered him into the
magnificent rotuntia loored with mar
be mosaic and wailscotcd in quarter
sawed oak. Everything about thc place
was cosmopolitan and modern, from
the Convenient telegraph Office in the
corner to the suave clerk. who might
have been n swift i'm portation from tile
best-appointed hoste!ry in New York.
"Glad to welcome you to Allacoochee,
Mr.. Thorndyke," he said. Hospitality,
when Philip had registered. "We're a
little crowded tonight, but I can give
you q good room on the second floor,
if that will answer"
I'm not particular. SO that it's COM
Portable" replied Thorndyke, glad to
have his forcbodings dispel!ed. lis
supper served?'
"Dinncr, IL you please" corrected the
clerk, nffably, summonirg a cnll-boy.
SHOW Mr.. Thorndyl.e to his room-No.
&c." And Philip followed his cofrce-col-
ored guide to the elevator with an un-
comfortable conviction growing upon
him that he lad somehow stamped him.
self as provincial by suggesting supper
instead Of dinner.
Ths meal was excellent and we'll
served; and tho comfort Of his room,
after two weary nights in the sleep
ing car, made Thorndyke q late riser on
his first morning in Aliacoochee. After
breakfast he went out upon the vernnd1
to give the feeling of spprcciat:vc sur
prise q chance to expand with a wider
view. The Hotel JohannisbeTg was
owned by the Town company. and its
situation on a slight knoll ut the foot
Of Johns mountain had been choser
with q view to the prospect. Standing
on the steps of the veraEdn, Philip Gaw
. background Of wooded slopes rising
in green bravery to the line Of rugged
cliffs at the summit OF Jubal noun
tain; n middle distance of valley where
the course of the Chiwasscc river wns
defined by bed of feecy mist ruffed
into semi-transparencyb by the warmth
OF the morning sun; 10 the left, he
yond the narrower strip of mis-, mark
ing the windings of the Little Chiwas-
sec, the bold forehead of Bull noun
tain overlapping the town. These were.
the frame for the picture which human
activity was etching into the level area
incloecd by the two streams. Long
vistas Of streets marked by furrows
turned at tho curb lines; open spaces
dotted with the stakes of the surveyor
and hcaped with piles of brick ard lum-
ber; uncounted numbers Of half-fin-
ished buildings upon which the work
men clustered like swarmipg bees: the
muffled drumming of hoisting engines.
the strident exhausts of the locomo-
tives in the railway yard; the clrng OF
hammers in a boiler shop-everywhere
the sights and sounds of restless in
dustry and impatient progress.
Under such circumstances the gre
garious impulse asserts itself irresisti-
bly,. ThorHdyke looked about him for
. possible sympathizcr. and. by Proc-