The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-01-26

Editor Tho Advertiser:
 Your reference some days since to Chief Geralds having celebrated his '6lst that occurred in Montgomery more than a half century ago. /
 At the mature age of five and half w. Dachney. as a contestant for literary honors. The school building was situ- ated on the corner lot, where the. resi- dence of Dr. Baldwin is now located. had already taught a number of years In Montgomery. She had made a reputa- ton as a strict disciplinarian, and for being very successful in training the
 My father lived eastward from Mont gomery, at the place afterward occupied by Colonel Arlington as residence. The distance being too far for me to walk, I rode behind my brother on a pony. My brother was three years my senior and had previously attended Mrs. Dach- ney's school for two years.
 Dolph Gerald towered head and shcnl, as, I. birthday 1st of last August. If he is younger than I am, I must say he was . big little boy. Gus sayre and front bench in school were the same age and size, were classmates, and were we'll mated as to literary. attainments- neither knew the letters of the alphabet. Our literary 1abors were not onerous. and being enterprising Gus and I were ever in quest of new worlds to explore One day, during the session of school, I asked Gus to play that he was my pony. He consented. harnesscd up my pony for a drive. encircled his waist with a string and held an end in each hand. My pony had never worked in harness, but he performed beautifully. Such ca- pers! wouldn't have swapped him for a circus pony. was delighted. I forgot there was such thing as school ifl the world I forgot there WIS anybody t. nt,1r aa1 y1afy I became excited; I jerked the lines to encourage my pony to renewed effort.
 By an unlucky movement 1 upturned my jacket pocket, loaded with marbles. They fell to the floor and scattered aH over the room. The chatter the marbles made when they struck the floor restored me to a consciousness of my surround ings. The children were laughing. Wild To my relief, she was laughing. too. l thought they were laughing at the mar bes. Now, I know 1t was my wild look that amused them I recall that, on oc- casions, my mother would behave in the same way.
 During the Presidential campaign of "A there was much political excitement in Montgomery. That was the first time l ever took stock in politics. I was Polk man and canvassed my "beat" for my candidate. Several weeks after the gated, and everybody else had quieted down, I, almost breathfess from excite ment, rushed into my mothers pres ence, and exclaimed: Ma, Poke's 'lect- ed! Poke's 'lectedw The earnest man ner of the little courier, bringing up the rear, with his belated news, was too much for my mothers risib1es. To my chagrin she laughed immoderately. I was so disgusted at my inability to create an excitement over the election of my candidate that I withdrew from politics.
 Gus is an old man now. I wonder if he rar xxyhnr a f2ya
 Dana Hubbard and I were about the He had been to school before, had learned to read; had Caught on." and was so knowing that thought he was ? sort of big boy. I wouldn't have dreamed of asking Dana to be my pony.
 Fillmore Mayhew used to spend all Of his recess playing soldier. With head erect, and with measur ed step. around and around the yard he would march, whistling at the top of his voice, and beating an improviscd drum. wonder whether the martial or the musical pre- domir ated in his nature!
 I loved all the girls They were so kind to me- I was devotedly attached to Miss Macon Ball. She was some years my senior. and made a pet of me. One day she gave me a toy soldier-the first "soldier' I ever saw. It was rigged out in regimentals of guy colors. l was charmed with it. I have since seen my riads of soldiers, surrounded by all the "pomp, pride and circumstance of glo- rious war" None have ever elcited the admiration my first "soldier" did. The many kindnesses shown the timid little boy, by that most amiable young girl