Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1900-05-23
OLD AGE IN THE SOUTH,
Good Sporting Blood Thrilling
standby Even Tn DECLINING Years

standby Even In DECLINING Years
Some one has said.' remarked Jack
Toliifer, that the closing years In the
life OF n southern gentleman are sad
and lonely; that the man who leads
an out Of door life. hunting and horse
racing. has no resources left with which
to tighten his old age. Well IL may be
so. but II seems TO me that that's
rather sweeping statement. Just take
my Uncle Archie in Virginia. whom |
visited during the holidays three years
ago.
Why. Jackr ne exclaimed as he
met me At the door OF the square old
fashioned homestead. I am glad TO see
you. Come right in and make yourself
comfortable
Il followed bim into the dining room.
where the carved oaken legs OF the
old side table were almost bowed un-
der the game and fruits and wines.
Yes. Jack. my uncle said when
we were seated. 1T certainly does seem
good to see you. and only wish you'd
come oftener. But | suppose I'm get
TIN 10 be poor company for young
chap like you. The boys, they have
their huntin and ridin. but we old fel.
lows have 10 just sit round and think
Ii all over. No more foxes or coons
when your knees get feeIin that stiff
way guess there isn't much left
In this world for your uncle now. But
it's great comfort TO see you again.
Jack; deed il is
1T did seem hard for an old widower
TO be living that lonely life. too old to
take any 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 cen.
ter i'm his pet horse. who. like his mas
ter. was Of good thoroughbred stock.
but well on in years
Jack. my uncle said on the morn
ing OF my departure. Robert l. and I
may be well on past huuun aud ta~ln
days. but I'm goin To drive YOU down
10 the station behind him. aud. though
there may be horses In the country
that are faster now. I don't think well
miss that train Of yours 10y very much.
Joe. just let that shovelin rest awhile
and harness Robert l. to the light bug.
gy. | shall drive Mr. Tollifer 10 the
station
y
hobbled OF 10 the stable Soon he re-
turned. leading Robert |. with one
hand and dragging the clinking har-
ness with the other. In the road he
stopped. threw the lines over the horse
and hobbled back 10 fetch the buggy.
Just then we heard shouting and the
sounds OF gallOping hoofs up the road.
Nearer and nearer they came until a
small party Of horsemen dashed into
sight and did not stop until they drew
rein in front Of Uncle Archie.
Colonel Tollifer.' the leader began
breathleSsly. have you seen -er-the
boys - er - go by here lately? Just
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 f?
First in two years? No. Which way?
l haven't seen 'em. Goodby. .Iackl
God bless You. my boy, Joe he cried.
you drive Mr.. Tollifer 10 the stationr
"Sweeplng the harness off. he scram-
bled eXcitedly 10 Robert Is back and.
without saddle or stirrup. flew on with
the rest in their mad tear down the
road. Soon could only catch glimpSeS
between the clouds of dust of the white
whiSkers blowing back over his shouI-
derS-an impressive reminder of that
old age which. they say. so Saddens the
lives OF gentlemen of the South."-New
York Sun