The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-19

aged couple; but now eager to hasten on, we bade them adieu with many heartfelt wishes for their future well fare and happiness. Leaving Fayette- vile to the right we halted at sunset at the gate of an old familiar friend, Mrs. Smith. whose hospitabie home had oft afforded the writer a, delight full retreat in by-gone days when our Confederacy had reputation and name" Alas! now 1t was but ''nameIess nothing and we, her once proud soldiery, returning beggared fu- gitiyes to our impoverished homes. An how changed the scene! the clr- cumstances how different! that marx ed our former visits, yet It requlreo but a word-that i've were southern soldiers" and the heart of this noble Exs.ifriisttaa xssi iristtaafnf woman ever open to re- ceive us. In her delightful company and that of her interesting niece, Miss J. Betsill, we for a while, threw aside dull care and "Richard was hlmseiI again" At this point of our journey several of the comrades had reached the 'xurning off place" to their respective homes, causing general "preaK up of our travelling party. It was solemn moment and as we grasped the
 
 adieu the idea irresistibly arose, "when shall we all meet again" An! doubtless not before passing the con- fines of that happy shore where fare well tears are never shed.
 Left alone "in the grandeur of soil tude," MT. Scaggs and your humble servant pursued the journey at leisure save with one Interruption when party of blue coats" robbed s of the ''last cent" even taking pocket pistol of mine he chanced to have in his pos session. Now, for the first time we felt perfectly independent-little caring "which way the wind blew" and rode along the high way" as lords, con- fident of being above further depletion. May the 14th we partook our 1rugai lunch beside the sun-lit waters of the winding Chattahoochee. Alas! what pleasant "reminiscences did the sight of this lovely stream recall; yet We fingered not to muse on past memories for the one idea of home absorbed all other contemplations.
 Soon after crossing this river the course of young Scaggs and your humble servant took diverging lines, each to his respective home. It was a long uninviting journey to a solitary traveller riding through the pine re- gions that bound the northern portion of our State Not a single feature worthy of interest presented itself. and the moaning wind ever signing through the lofty pines rendered the solitude utterly unenduraDle.
 How l Ionged to catch a glimpse of my own native hills, which, however, did not gladden. my anxious eyes until the close of the second daysaAs twi- light shades were gathering the wesS, throwing long lines of shadows adown the old familiar lane fence, 4s:y heart bounded with delight at sight of the dear loved homestead. and the first sound that greeted my eager ear was Jeffs faithful voice. An!
 Iris sweet to hear the watch dogs honest bark
 Bay deep mouthed welcome as we draw near home
 Iris sweet to know there is an eye will mark,
 Our coming, and look brighter when we come"
 Cautiously from behind the lattice neered each loved ones anxious face as if fearing an approaching foe, but soon perceiving who it was, the welkin loudly rang with cries of joy that Papa had come home" And now, indulgent readers, permit me to draw the curtain" OCT the sanc- titv of the closing scene"
 It will doubtless be many days Qf ever) ger the writer will again intrude himself upon your presence.
 Like all good rebels" having thrown aside the sword for the ''plow share, " he has gone to work in earnest. mak- | ing a seeqnd staEt in- life. .spd, theGes