Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-08
DR.. POSSUM.


decade after the close of the civil war, 1 was
making trip through central Kentucky by stage,
for the wonderful canyon had not then been
spanned by the great High Bridge over the Ken
tuck river,-so high, looking up from the river
bed,-that the rails seems like threads and the
cars cavaran of ants creeping slowly across.
Crossing by ferry and climbing the steep cliffs,
by stage, after about ten miles travel, on smooth
turnpike over uplandS and lOwlands; through
graceful forests carpeted with the vevety turf Of
the famous blue green grass; skirting fields OF
waving grain, now ripening for the harvest. we
emerged from deep wooded valley to find that
the sun having already retired behind a bank of
clouds tinged with yellow, and violet hues, was
drawing after MIN from every quarter great cor
dons Of gold, converging to the point of his set
ting a93aS
1 occupied the box, with McClusky, the driver,
whom found congenial companion; behind
sat finelooking fellow whom 1 took to be
drummer so familiar did he seem with the coun-
try and the people, wherever we halted.
1--WE will have rain tomorrow said the driver,
gathering up the reins more closely in order to
hold the horses we'll in hand descended the
hill pointing to the West.
We had the long twilight in which to finish our
journey, and the horses responsive to a gentle
touch of the whip trotted easily along low strip
of land, odorous with the scent of new mown hay
spread out to dry then climbed slowly another
slight hl when 1 saw nesting in a valley before
us a picturesque little ge,-"HarrodstoWn
the most ancient in the state.
Away to the right, upon small knoll could
discover the city of the Dead, the white marble
tombstones and tall shafts showing distinctly
amid the green foliage. Then turning curve
in the road we entered of the principal streets
of the town.
Pretty vine-wreathed cottages Of modern date
stood side by side with old-fashioned homesteads
on either side of the street. and the air was filled
with the dew-distilled odors of thousands OF
fowers,-the most delicate tea roses, jasamin,
honeysuckle,-all the sweet flowers of the south,
it seemed, growing in the gardens or over
running the trellses and pazzas yielding their
combined fragrance to the twilight air.
In light airy garments the ladies swung to and
fro in their rockers upon their porches; the chill
dren bright of eyes, and merry as the crickets that
were beginning to chirp in the grass, swung on
the gates, while the men leaned over the fences
to talk to their neighbors, all of them watching
the stage come in" With deep breath of en-
joyment took in the whole charming picture,
uttering never word.
"Whah you goin' to stop?" at length queried the
driver. "There's Peter'ses Tavern and Miss
Peggy's."
"Peter's, by all MEANS" I answered, "for
judge there must be at the head"
II dunno bout that. Thar's man at both, but
the women does the bossing at both places. Miss
Peggy's is a mighty nice quiet place." he added in
rather an insinuating tone of voice.
rather thought would like it, but the drum
mer thought otherwise. Remembering his won
derful versatility and great familiarity with all
subjects broached yielded and consented to stop
at "Peterses,' the historic old hostelry situated
on the main street Of the little village
Down Lexington Avenue" the entering
road was called ratified in fine style, the horses
plunging as eagerly forward as If fresh put to
harness, McCloskey having walked them up the
Ixy fnrh ar6 nnfro