The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-03-01
REAL MRS. wIGGS OF
 THE CABBAGE PATCH

not popular. This statement may seem incredible after reading the list of popu- tar books from the Atlantic seaboard to the Golden Gate It is, nevertheless. true, and the place is-the Cabbage Patch.
 It Is not generally known outside of Louisville, Ky, the ho ne of the brilliant young authoress. Mrs. Gale Young Rice much better known under her maiden name of Alice Caldwell Hogan, that the Cabbage Patch IS not fictitious local. ity, happily named from the writer's irn- agination. but a genuine settlement. nes- tied in the suburbs of Louisville, yet re- taining a distinct entity of its own and bearing more the aspect of a country hamlet than a struggling city outskirt.
 And the characters who have charmed so many and whose wide optimism and misfortunes, bravely borne, have touched with mingled mlrth and tears the thous- ands of novel readtrs are to large ex- tent real people. But thereby hangs a tale. A serene quiet has reigned over the little village within city ever since an lrchitect who had lost some tools je-Ked his thumb over his shoulder and ordered his men to go and hunt for them Tin the cabbage patch where cottage had gone up in the middle of truck garden. That Ees the christening of the commons,
 where the houses play hop scotch over he railroad tracks" and though the city directory and the real estate mems rent
 sts call is Burckhardt's Addition, it is he name that has stuck and the one by which 1t will live.
 Indignant Natives.
 But the quiet that has reigned so long unbroken is turned to turmoil, and in the little grocery store. where the folk of the Cabbage Patch gather. there are many expressions of indignation. made by people who have not read the book. but understand that they have been painted for the world as community of poor people, and who relish not being taket. 5ut of oblivion to entertain the reading public.
 And ar old lady, vho has been pointed out as the original Mrs. Wiggs, goes with d chip on her shoulder and a feeling of wrath in her heart. because she mas been pointed out as the old woman who ''Didn feel like nuthin' belonged to her till she had oassed it on to somebody else
 To ask the original model if she is Mrs. Wiggs" is a mortal insult. and if my son Jimmy happens to be pres ent it IS one not entirely free from per sonal peril. This condition of revolution will in all probability pass away fin time. but no it is at fever heat and when the writer presented himself at the head of the rickety stairway. up which 'Straly and the others are supposed to have climbed so often, and announced himself to the old lady who came to the door, he was ordered off of the premises with scant courtesy and fervid injunctions to stand not upon the order of his going. but go at once,' lest Jimmy should happen in and wreak upon him vengeance he has in store for all "newHpa per editors ws- paper men are all editors with Mrs. Wiggs.
 The characters in the story are all com oosite. and the woman who resents the posite, and the title role to herself is lht model in only few of the polnts. rhe authoress asked that the real name of this part original of her heroine be withheld, be ,ausc of sympathy with her modest shrinking from publicity. The wishes of one who has SO materially ad- ninistered to our delight must be re- xarded as commands to he obeyed The name would mean nothing. for the req Mrs. wiggs boasts a limited circle of ac' qusintances.
 Cabbage Pstch's Individuality.
 The Cabbage Patch sprayIs oyer six xteer acres of commons, and boasts no bri2s house in its borders. while two-sfoll frames are scarce enough to be regarded with awe. All about the little community stretch vacant lots. brown with briers and, wnAn visited the now historic sp0, was C,lstaning with slset crystals. A broad unpaved Main Street. which is a continuance of Twelfth Street, runs through the center. and the cottages aa- sert an independence which scoTns any idea of symmetry, planning or unity O: position. Two public pumps furnish the water supply. and in the summer man, of the little places are hidden hehinc ruddy ranks of hollyhocks and giar.n2 sunf1owers.
 The house occupied by the woman whc says she is not Mrs. Wiggs. and who. in- deed. Is only a part of Mrs. wiggs. stands 3n the cornar of Tenth and Hill Streets. 1t is a black looking domicile, and from without carries out ones ideas Of what Mrs. wiggs' home should be. Up mar row flight of stairs one goes to the rooms Nhero the family lives.
 The writer climbed these stairs with some forebodIng. He had been warned that his mission was concerning a very sore subject with the old woman he sought. Indeed. this was so well under stood that several of the neighbors stroll cd to the porch of a littlo store across the street and waited curiously to note the outcome of his visit. When he emerged safe from the premises they trailed across the thoroughfare with signs of relief and questioned him eagerly as to his reception.
 Not Cordially Received.
 A knock at the door, ont Of which came the merry chatter of the little golden haired boy, brought a little woman who eyed the visitor suspiciously She was sight and thin and her face was much Iurrowcd but showed the quizzical ex- ,lression of inc unconscious humorist and stiH more unconscious optimist. She was clad in d dark dress and wore d quaint, shawl of triangular-cut pinned about her shoulders
 T am from The New York Herald. @ csan the visitor. with no hope of con- cealng his identity and a resolve to bo very frank.
 Immediately tho old lady grew rigid. She pointed one thin hand 10 her door, a nd with snapping eyes she replied: "Thcn there's the door. and the sooner you get cut through II tho better
 This reception was met with smile intended to disarm hostility,
 And" went on the woman angrly, its just as well for you my son Jimmy's not here. because he told mo this mornin' ned let blood out of the next newspaper -ditor that camo here"
 Not knowing Jimmy hours, this was not reassur!nE. and was less so ~nen she went on: Jimmy may happen in any time. and if he catches you here it vii! Dc mighty bod for you
 This from the genial Mrs wiggs of the Cabbage Patch. But newspaper notoriety a... ..nt ,-.nIl n,, oil rnannln nd hn