The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-07-12
WHAT TOWN is THISe
Getting Religion and Running to Fire
the Chief Amusement


Written by Helen Morris Lewis
The country folk and working class OF
our Republic are considered by the world
at large to be deficient in the art of anus
ing themselves. Pleasant, harmless rec
reation is a necessity. especially is 1t so to
those whose associations are monotonous
and mechanical
The countries of Europe set delightful
example in the scope and character of III
versions intended to enllven the work a day
world. Such forms of amusement are al
most unknown among us. and with the ex-
ception of Sunday railroad excursions. the
jewellers of the fields and villages are mi
nus any kind of pleasurable entertainment.
The time that should be spent in recreation
Is more than wasted in brooding over the
sings and arrows OF outrageous fortune.
The pessimistic spirit thus engendered oft
leads to crime suicide
It is a pitiful sight in many of the
country homes of our state to observe the
inmates on some holiday. They usually
string out upon the piazzas The old man
smokes his pipe. the others cape at each
other in lstless WEAKNESS Holidays are
generally more tedious than a hard days
grind, and the family. instead of being
cheered and strengthened for toilsome du-
ties are only too thankful when the day
of rest has come to an end.
Happily this sodden apathy does not pre-
vail everywhere, for the most unique and
original of South Carolina county
yeats has selected class of amusement
that harmonlzes we'll with it's many other
idiosyncracies. and is far more stimulating
10 the energies of its people than smoking
and gaping. A community that posse
strenuous bodies and brains never gapes.
Even though deprived of the commotion
and hilarity of Sunday railroad excursions.
they refuse to NOPE. They are determined
TO be amused.
1t is not surprising then that they have
chosen a style OF entertainment compatible
with their surroundings. and that getting
religion" and running to fires never fail
TO create a renewed interest in life.
Julian Hawthorne describes very re-
markable character, who falls into fits ev-
cry seven years, and relapses to his condi-
tion of the seven years previous. AS 1t
would be impossible In limited population
for persons to continue getting religion
forever. subjects can only be acquired by a
continuous system of relapse. The Diff
ference of these individuals from that of
the character drawn by Julian Hawthorne
Is that. instead OF relapsing every seven
years. the relapse seems every seven days.
when they Immediately return to their nat
ural stage of iniquty.
The unnitiated are prone to think that
this getting religion" is a peaceful affair
the heart. as dew drop sinks into the
heart of a lily. 1t is really astonishing
how much ignorance is manifested on this
subject. There is nothing placid or quiet
in getting religion" 1t splits and Kisses,
as does watered fat when placed upon a
red hot griddle. 1t is ushered in with
howls and shrieks. with kicks and stamps.
It calls for much muscular energy as
q game OF foot ball a wrestle with one
OF the gladiators OF the arena Its dur
ability is great. 1t has been known to
last for seven days. when one can have the
delirious joy OF getting 1t" over again ANY
community given to getting religion
must necessarily be a very wide-awake one
Another class of entertainment calculated
TO give much zest to the beholder is run
ming to fires. Fortunately for the enter
tainment OF the villagers incendiarism
f1ourishes. The changing of bells the
shrill footing OF whistles. the fierce. clam
orous shouts Of men, awaken householders
10 the facts that a neighbours premises are