Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-01-05
QUEER HUMAN NATURE!
Inconsistency Not the Least Amazing o'
our Human Characteristics.

Inconsistency Not the Least Amazing OF
our Human Characteristics.
Thurman nature Is queer thins
and | got a glimpse OF phase OF IL
which set me thinking, not long ago
said the woman who has travelled.
1T was in he Allegheny Mountains,
where | spent summer with a Jolly
party One day. We drove up the
mountain TO see view which is noted
in the surrounding country. At the
foot Of the climb, which must be made
on foot, we left our carriages at a de-
lightful old-fashioned farmhouse where
we found that we could order meal,
TO be ready when We returned. You
know what a mountain appetite IS
and may be sure that we eagerly seized
the opportunity 10 satisfy the hunger
which might otherwise have made can
nibals Of us during the long ride home.
TWO of the party had chosen TO come
on horseback, and their steede had
either failed to fulfill the promise OF
the glowing eulogies OF their owners,
who had loaned them for considera-
ton. on else the twain had stopped
for little loyemaking by the way.
At any rate, they were not In sight.
and we decided 10 wait for them
While doing so. We strolled idly about
the fields surrounding the house. II
was Just after harvest, and the place
was in such perfect order that We COM
plimented the farmer as we went.
The house was set, among its gorgeous
old-fashioned flowers. at the foot OF a
slight rise and as We assembled this
we came to small enclosure, evident
ly the family burying ground. Up to
the very fence, The scythe had done It's
perfect work, but inside, was tangle
Of blackberry vines. weeds and dank
grass The few headstones were sunk
en- and neg 'ected and the graves utter
~ uncared for The whole place had
such "A neglected. desolate air that 1t
was a bio on the glowing August land
scape and We welcomed the shouts
which told OF the arrival of the truants
and called us to seek pleasanter sur
roundings.
The view was magnificent and we
fingered until the pangs Of hunger re-
minded u, Of the meal which was
doubtless awaiting US. When We
reached the farmhouse. We were d.
rected to the back door, where We
found to orr delight real old-fash-
toned water bench with pail and basin,
and here we made our primitive ablu-
tons drying our glowing faces on a
coarse but -potless roller towel. Then
We were ushered into the dining room.
long, low apartment, which was deco
rated with maps and ancient pictures
of simpering ladies, clad in scarlet
gowns, with wondrous coiffures and
eyes which were larger than their
mouths The table-shall / ever forget
twas spread with a variety OF food
which would have given dyspeptic
dreams for month. At one end was
a huge newly boiled ham, at the other
a lofty plate Of fried chicken; there
were two plates OF onions, peeled and
served who.e: two dishes of cucum-
bers dressed with cream, huge dishes
OF hot biscuits. and OF boiled corn;
glass dishcs OF honey and preserves
galore. and last but no. least, piles OF
buckWhcat cakes baked the full size
Of the griddlc and covering each "a din
ner plate
After the meal We repaired to the
parlor. fearful and wonderful in its
ornamentation Of worsted and bead
work. while horses and drivers were
fed. Two members of he party mad
brought guitars; these were
fished out while some sought the vine-
deCked porch to see the moon rise.
Soon the strains of popular song rent
! the air. and half dozen voices burst
/ into the rolickinS words. They had
scarcely sung a verse when the mas.
! ter Of the house. Il typicll farmer, with
| collarless shirt and 'Housers in boots
| appeared lie said 81 don want TO
spoil any O your fun. folks, but r"
! pious companion ant been dead a
! year an cant have no music but
! hymn Chunes eung in this house" A
| sympathetic silence reiened until h.
! had put his head into the door on.e
more % say, Sing AZ many hymn
! chuneS a you want Then some one
opened the ancient parlor organ I'm the
corner. and soon we all Joined in roll
ing notes of an old hymn.
1T was not until we had silently
entered the waiting carriages and lost
the last glimpse OF the old farmhouse
at the bend Of the road that some one
remembered the neglected burying
ground In which the pious companion
was taking her long rest. We knew
that she was laid there. for one of our
drivers had attended the funeral. and
have never been able TO understand
how the man who could give strangers
such meal as that for twent y-tive
cents. and allow only hymn chunes'
sung In HE house, could allow his
wife's grave TO he oyerrun with black
| berry vines and wccds-but thcn rs !
sad b-.og-, human la.Ir- i. lIeer
thing