The comet. (Johnson City, Tenn.) 1884-1916, 1899-08-24

was novel sight to Southerner who
had been used to snow one day, sun
shine the next, followed by a cold
dreary rain fall, then biting winds,
muddy streets, and warm balmy drops
to put all these discomforts out of sight
and mind for time. Not long since
during some of our hottest weather
here was forcibly reminded Of the
and inconsistency of
the human heart by hearing young
lady exclaim as she vigorously piled
her fan in the coolest spot she could
find: "Oh, for good old-fashioned
blizzard; if one would only strike us
for few hours" Then remembered
hearing one of our saintliest ministers
exclaim that he actually felt almost ag
grivated against his Creator that spring
was so slow in coming, and that the
chill of winter was so hard to shake off.
Surely Gods patience is long suffering
when he notes the cravings and discon-
tentment of the creatures he has form
ed in his own image. This is city
where restlessness and discomfort is
more prevalent than in many others.
On Sundays the crowds that throng
the parks and so rushing in search of
recreation and pleasure but reflects
their daily lives and makes busy
town. Always moving on, never at
rest, like the tides of the ocean they
move back and forth, as though incom-
petent to settle down for few quiet
hours of stiffness and rest. The term
rest to them seems embodied in man
ner at variance with the indolent South
erner idea. The devout people attend
sometimes as .many as five services,
even in the hottest weather on Sun
days. l know many here who do
this, for them the Sabbath is their
busiest day of the seven, and when
questioned about it they tell you it is
the sweetest, most restful day of the
whole week; they find rest and peace
only in Gods service. Another feature
I have particularly noted is the way
the people patronize the shows of every
kind. Even the poorer classes, who
must pinch and save to enable them to
go to places OF amusement, will spend
their last fifty cents perhaps with all
the abandon of a prince and enjoy to
the utmost the passing hour, taking no
thought of the morrow; and this for
them is rest, comfort, happiness. When
Gov. Taylor gave his lecture here in
the Musical Academy, the large audi
ence OF the city's best people that greet
ed him gave him the satisfaction Of
knowing how popular the gifted, Laurel
crowned hero of Tennessee could be
who could step down out Of the highest
seat of his native state, and like king
abdicating his crown and throne to &C
forth shedding sunshine and Joy in the
hearts of the people over this wide
world, teaching them the grandeur anG
nobility of life, breaking open for then
the bars that shut away the sunlight
aud letting it fall in upon their droop
ing thirsty souls, chasing away the
gaunt sombre spectres of malice, envy,
despair and sorrow, and flooding theil
hearts with the intoxicating wines O
new hopes, new resolves, and th,
blessed sunshine of the effort resolved
to turn a new page in their lives. an(
live purel and better lives in the future
When he stood up before the admirins
tlrong in all his knightly grace, and de
c!ared with the opening words of hi
lecture, "I am king" every hear
echoed his assertion, and were liftet
out of the sordid trials of life and carri
ed away with him through the beauti
full rose tinted realms Of thought tina
taught them the granduer of life an,
the wisdom of God and the perfection
Of their creation. oh, whose pen, dip
ped in the ink of conventional praise
could unite the letters of living ligh
that shall burn on after his voice i
hushed forever in this life? How quee
it is that we fear to voice our true az
probation of our country's immortG
sons and daughters until the ears ths
should most delight to read and hea
this praise are deaf to oil earthly SOUND
I've often wondered if George Wasl
iagton's spirit could hear and know {
oil the bursts of praise and song thu
are sent up by human agency ever
year. How slow we are to besto'
honors upon our own heroes. I hear
, an old Scotchman say not long sine
that the Americans would not give Ii
men who stood at the helm and safel
steered the mighty ship of war success
fully over the turbid tides Of opposin
forces to victory, the greatest the worl
had ever known, due honor until d
cades of years should go by, and the
the grandchildren of the present gene
alton should sing and awake the echo
with their bursts of Joy and praise the