The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-08-10

and on the aloplng banks OF the stream
noted more for It's plentitude of Clubs
and sinners than the gamier two and
four-pound bass for which the season,
so many credulous anglers flock and lie
in wait, stands country residence. so
convenient to the stream, and so invit-
ing in its pleasant exterior and comforta-
BILE surroundlngs-barn, dairy, and
spring house-that the weary. sunburnt,
and disheartened fisherman, out from the
dusty town for a day Of recreation. is
often wont to seek its hospitality. The
house in style of architecture is some-
thing of a departure from the typical
farmhouse. being designed and fashion,
ed with no regard to symmetry or pro-
portion, but rather, as is suggested, built
to conform to the matter-of-fact and
most sensible ideas of its owner, who, II
1t pleased him, would have small windows
where large ones ought to be, and vice
versa, whether they balanced properly to
the eye or not. And chimneys-he would
have as many as he wanted, and no two
alike, in either height OF size. And II he
wanted the front Of the house turned
from all possible view. as though abash-
y
that was his affair and not the public's:
ana, with like perverseness, If he chose
to thrust his kitchen under the publio's
very nose, what should the generally
fagged-out, half-fannished representative
Of that dignifed public do but reel in his
dead minnow, shoulder his fishinE-rod,
Chamber over the back fence of the old
farmhouse and inquire within, or jog
back to the city, inwardly anathematiz-
Inc 1ot
whole rural district In general That is
just the way that farmhouse looked to
the writer of this sketch one week ago
80 individual 1t seemed-so liberal, and
yet so Independent. 1t wasn't even
weather-boarded, but, instead, was COW
cred smoothly with some cement as
though the plasterers had come while
the folks were visiting, and so, unable
to get at the interior, had Just plastered
the outside.
am more than glad that was hungry
enough, and weary enough and wise
enough to take the house at its first sug-
gestion; for, putting away my fishing
tackle for the morning, at least l went
up the slipping bank, crossed the dusty
road, and confidently clambered over the
fence.
Not even a growing dog to intimate
that I was tresspassing All was open
gracious-looking pastoral. The sward
beneath my feet was velvet-like In elas-
ticity, and the scarce visible path I fol-
lowed through 1t led promptly to the open
kitchen door. From within I heard
woman singing some old ballad In an I'M
dertone. while at the threshold a trim,
white-spurred rooster stood poised on one
foot. curving his glossy neck and cock
Ing his waited head as though to catch
the meaning of the words. I paused. It
was a scene 1 felt restrained from break
ing in upon, nor would l but for the
sound of a strong male voice coming
around the corner of the house:
Sir. Howdyl'
Turning, I saw rough-looxing but
kindly featured man of sixty-flve, the
owner OF the place.
1 returned his salutation with some con-
fusion and much Difference. II must
really beg your pardon for this intru-
sion," I began but I have been firing
myself out fishing, and your home here
looked so pleasant-and 1 felt so thirsty
and"
want a drink. I reckon 4" said the old
man, turning abruptly toward the kitch-
en- door, then pauslng as suddenly, with
a backward motion Of his thumb-"iust
fol1er the path here down to the little
brick-that's the spring-and you'll find
at you've come to the right place fer
drinkin' -woterl Hold on minute tell |
there but q tin"
Then don't trouble yourself any fur
ther." I said. heartily, for I'd rather
drink from tin cup than goblet OF
pure gold"
"And sod T." said the old man. re-
fiectively. turning mechanically, and fol-
lowing me down the path. "'Druther
drink out of a tin-er jest a fruit-can
with the top knocked off-er-er-er a
gourd," he added in zestful, reminiscent
tone of voice, and so heightened my i'm
patient thirst that I reached the spring.
house fairly In run.
'"Well-sirr" exclaimed my host In evil
dent delight as I stood dipping my nose
In the second cupful of the cool, revivi-
flying liquid. and peering in a congratu-
latory kind of way at the blurred and
rubicund reflection of my features In the
bottom of the cup, ''well-sir, blame-doni
eff 1t don't do Teller good to see you
enjoyin of 1t thataway. But don't you
drink too much O the woter!-cause
therere some sweet milk over there in
one o. them crooks, maybe and eff you'll
Jest, kindo' keerful-like, lift off the led
OF that third one, say over there to yer
left, and dip you out tinful er two O.
that, wy It'll do you good to drink 1t,
and it'll do me good to see you at IT.
But hold uphold up" he called alb
ruptly, as, nowise loath, bent above the
vessel designated. yer HOSSeS leT
q secondl Here's Marthy; let her git fer
We"
II was at first surprised and confused,
meeting the master Of the house. I was
wholly startled and chagrined In my
present position before its mistress. But
as 1 arose, and stammered, In my con-
fusion, some incoherent apology, | was
again reassured and put at greater ease
by the comprehensive and forgiving
smile the woman gave me- as l yielded
her nv place, and with lifted hat, await
ed her further kindness.
'I came just in time SIR she said,
half laughingly, as with strong, bare
arms she reached across the gurgling
trough and replaced the lid that l had
partially removed.-"I came Just In time,
I see to prevent father from having you
dip into the morning s-milk,' which, of
course, has scarcely veil of cream over
the face of 1t as yet But men. as you
are doubtless willing to admit" she went
on jocularly, don't know about these
things You must pardon father, as
much for his well-meaning ignorance of
such matters, as for this cup of cream,
which I am sure you will better relish.'
She arose, still smiling, with her eyes
turned frankly on my own. And I must
be excused when confess that as bow
ed my thanks, taking the proffered cup
and lifting 1t to my lips, [ stared with
an uncommon interest and pleasure at
the donors face.
She was a woman Of certainly not less
than forty years of age. But the figure,
and the rounded grace and fulness of 1t,
together with the features and the eyes.
completed as fine a specimen Of physical