Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1900-02-14
OLD AGE IN THE SOUTH.
Good Sporting Blood Is Always q
Ready Standby Even In De-
clininE Years.

'Some one has said," remarked Jack
Tollifer, "that the closing years in the
life of a southern gentleman are sad
and lonely; that the man who leads an
out-of-door life, hunting and horse
racing, has no resources LETT with
which to tighten his old age. Well, 1t
may seem so, but it seems to me that
that's a rather sweeping statement
Just take my uncle Archie, IN VIZ
ginia, whom I visited during the hoh-
days, three years ago.
"'Why, Jack!' he exclaimed, as ne
met me at the door of the square, old
fashioned homestead, I am glad to
see you. Come right in and make
yourself comfortable
II followed him into the dirs1g-
room, where the carved oaken legv of
the old sidetable were almost bowed
under the game and fruits and wines.
"'Yes, jack my uncle said, when
we were seated, it certainly does seem
good to see you, and only wish you'd
come oftener. But suppose I'm get
tim to be poor company for a young
chap like you. The boys, they have
their huntin' and ridin', but we old fell
lows have to just sit round and think
it all over. No more foxes or coons
when your knees get feelin' that stiff
way; I guess there isn't much left in
this world for your uncle now. But
it's a great comfort to see you again,
Jack; deed it ISL
"It did seem hard for an old widow.
er to be living that lonely life, too old
to take part in the hunting that he
| was so fond of, and with no one to
talk to but old Joe and Aunt Sally.
His one remaining interest seemed to
| center in his pet horse, who, like his
master, was of good thoroughbred
stock, but well on in years.
"*Jack,' my uncle said on the morn
ing of my departure, Robert and I
! may be we'll on past huntin' and rae
in days, but I'm going to drive you
down to the station behind him,
and, though there may be horses in
! the county that are faster now, don't
think we'll miss that train of yours By
very much. Joe, just let that shoveliD'
rest awhile, and harness Robert L to
| the light buggy. I shall drive Mr.. ISL
| LITER to the station
''The old darkey touched his hat and
hobbled off to the stable. Soon he re-
| turned leading Robert L with one hand
and dragging the clanking harness
| with the other. In the road he
stopped, threw the lines over the horse
and hobbled back to fetch the buggy.
Just then we heard a shouting and
the sounds of galloping hoofs mp the
road. Nearer and nearer it came, I'M
i'll a small party of horsemen dashed
| into sight and did not stop until they
drew rein in front of Uncle Archie.
"'Col. Tollifer,' the leader began,
breathlessly, have you seen-er-the
boys-er-ago by here lately? Jest
scared up big red fox-er--biggest
ever seen here-started up back Of
"'What!' shouted Uncle Archie, his
eyes suddenly swapping. Big red fox?
First in two years. No. Which way?
haven't seen 'em. Good-by, Jack.
God bles you, my boy. joe he cried,
you drive Mr.. Tollifer to the station
"Sweeping the harness off, he
scrambled excitedly to Robert LIS
back, and without saddle or st1rrup
few or with the rest in their mad
tear down the road. Soon could only
catch a glimpse, between the clouds of
DUST of the white whiskers blowing
back over his shoulders-an impress
sive reminder of that old age which,
they say, so saddens the lives of gen.
| tlemen of the sQuth IN Y SIM