The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-01-23
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OLD AGE IN THE SOUTH.
Good Sporting Blood IL Always a
Ready standby Even In De-
cIining Years.

"Some one has said," remarked Jacl
Tohker, shat 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 left with
which to tighten his old age. Well, II
may seem SO, but it seems to me that
that's rather sweeping statement.
Just take my uncle Archie, in vir-
ginia, whom I visited during the holi-
days, three years ago.
"'Why, Jack!' he 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
II followed him into the dining
room, where the carved oaken legs of
the old sidetable were almost bowed
under the game and fruits and wines.
ayes, 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
tin to be poor company for young
chap like you. The boys, they have
their huntin' and ridin', but we old fel-
lows have to just sit round and think
it all over. No more foxes or coons
when your knees get feelin' that stiff
way; 1 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 J.
may be well 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
tie county that are faster now, don't
think we'll miss that train of yours by
very much. Joe, just let that shovelin'
rest awhile, and harness Robert L to
the light buggy. I shall drive Mr.. Toll
lifer 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 clanl1ing 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 up the
road. Nearer and nearer it came, un-
i'll small party of horsemen dashed
nto sight and did not stop until they
lrew rein in front of Uncle Archie.
"'Col. Tollifer,' the leader began,
have you seen-er-the
ooys-er-ago by here lately? Jest
scared up a big red fox-er-biggest
.ver seen here-started up back Of
"'Whatl' shouted Uncle Archie, his
yes suddenly swapping. Big red fox?
First in two years. No. Which way?
haven't seen 'em. Good-by, Jack.
iod bles you, my boy. joe he cried,
you drive Mr.. TolIifer to the station"
Sweeping the harness off, he
crambled excitedly to Robert LIS
'ack, and without saddle or stirrup Z
lew on with the rest in their mad
ear down the road. Soon I could only
atch a glimpse, between the clouds of
ust of the white whiskers blowing I
ack over his shoulders-an impres-
i've reminder of that old age which, :
hey say, so saddeDs the lives of gen.
emen of the south-"-N. Y. Sun.