The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-02-23

quire There was much discussion over 1t, I now recall" 'Evidently history was q useless Itopic. The chaffeur turned the conver- sation. That is the New Exchange Hotel going up on your right" he said pointing to the imposing front of the building. The stranger looked at | it in wonder. Larger than Indepen- ldence Hail," he murmured. How many inhabitants has Montgomery" he asked suddenly.
 Patriotic citizens will tell you 6O,- 000." answered the host "but be- tween you and me-" he added peculiarly, there are only about 5O,0O0.'
 T shall not betray your confidence. returned the stranger with a smile, and again the auto shied. | There Is the federal building, on your right, 1t is closed now, on account 1 of Washington's birthday" | "The stranger exhibited sudden in- terest.
 "washington's birthday" he asked in some surprise. Do you celebrate birthdays here? How old is he7' | Well. if he were living he would be i7S years old today" | His companion started. | why, that is strange" he said, He Is dead then? Who was this Washington?
 The host became humorous.
 First In war. first Tn peace, first i1 the hearts of his countrym r." | An expression of pain crossed the face of the old man. | "Ah, now I know what you mean. That expression was current in my day"
 Did he think I was passing him something new?" soliloquized the joker | indignantly.
 The old man was the first to resume the conversation. You say Montgom cry has a population of 50,00O?" he questioned. 'Tt is really remarkable that l never heard of the city before It must he larger than New York and Philadelphia. That was a nice town Philadelphiar--he added reminiscently
 Plenty of beautiful women and gaiety
 in my day, for all it's Quaker origin l What has become of it?'
 Gone to sleep" replied his com panion irreverently. And then, to fore
 stall the question foreshadowed in his
 friends expression. he drew attention to the building ahead of them. "Ther'
 is the Capitol building"
 "The Capitol?" The old man was
 apparently displeased "I had hoped Il
 would be on the shores of the Poto'
 mac. Tom gave me to understand h'
 would try to have 1t placed there"
 "Oh, the National Capitol building iI
 at Washington, explained his friend
 'sThis is only the Capitol of the State.
 But his explanation was cut short.
 Washington" eagerly asked tn
 stranger ITS there a Washington city
 too?"
 "Yep." affirmed his host. Named af
 ter the man whose birthday we ar
 celebrating There Is Washington monument too. erected in his hono' more than 500 feet high" The ol , man seemed pleased and the speake went on. oh he is not forgotten
 There isn't town in the countr which has not it's Washington street
 or it's Washington school building. Q 1 it's Washington Park, or It's Washing } ton something or another There one department though in which hi , place has been taken. There isn't Washington public librare' in the whol l country Carnegie has corner ol } Ethem."
 The last remark passed unnoticed. "Thlngs have indeed greatly change , since my time" said the stranger rh
 country must be prosperous what d you grow in this neighborhood! cotton. timber. fruit, berries ee reals" The old man interrupted ] ''Fruit?' he inquired. "Fruit?' Do yo
 grow cherry trees about here?" HI | guide confessed that there were no many. "I should have liked to see cherry tree?" murmured dthe ancient } wistfully. T used to be very fond O cherry trees. There is story-bu , it will tire you, and I'll not tell ii
 We-often used to laugh over 1t, thougf Father and r.
 By this time the auto had left tn l city. A high fence attracted the atten l tion of the stranger, That is the Ath ? ] letic Park, where baseball is played,