The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-13
A TRIP THHRouGH ARKANSAS IN
 1S45.
Selma Had One of the "Miller' Scares When the Country Was Excited Over the Predictions of
 the Boston Fakir.
BY N. A. AGEE.

BY N. A. AGEE.
 Some of my friends suggest that write tor publication "reminiscences personal or impersonal-of former years and earlier periods in Alabama history, which may interest the young generation. True, I am an old man, and have passed through many event. full periods in our country's history. but never had many adventures or hair breath escapes by land or sea.
 I was never shipwrecked, never de- voured by Russian wolves. never held up by stage robbers on the plains, nor fieeced by the Wall Street robbers. Yet could not help to see and observe some things passing around me. could tell much. but it may not do to tell all I know. It might get me into hot water and The Advertiser into a libel suit. Libel suits are not always so costly, but are vexatious. I may be able to write something that will in- terest few, if not the many ."Senex" has heretofore been somewhat remin- iscent.
 Being now in a reminiscent mood, as reporters have it:
 T was on travelling tour in Arkansas. It was in the sum- mer of 1s45. By business took me from Camden. on the ouachita River. to Pine Bluff. on the Arkansas River, distance of ninety miles. got full directions, as I thought, as to route. etc. The objective point to reach and cross was the Saline (not Sabine) River.
 Riding Through Arkansas.
 rode horseback and alone, the houses and settlements were few and far-between. After the first days jour ney. I began to inquire at every cot tage I passed and every stranger I met, How far is to to Saline River?" At last, reached the coveted place. I followed the blind path. or road. to the Bluff I saw on the other side of the street a dilapidated fiat, but no ferry man. hallooed, screamed and bawled, but no response. No sign of human life on the opposide shore. But I could hear the barking of dogs and the roosters crow. That was the only sound or sign of life. After waiting an hour or more, became impatient stamped my feet and gritted my teeth {; my horse began to fret and paw the ground, and was not in a pious mood. Did I use any explosives. any cuss words? Did you ever hear the story of the country man taking a cart load of apples to market? He was noted for his popularity--cursing every thing and everybody. The boys thought 1t would be fine fun for them to take the hind gate from his cart and see the apples roll out as he went up the hill and hear him swear. So they took it off, the apples split out and the boys expected to hear him use some "cuss" words. but were disappointed. He surveyed the scene, saw the apples roll down the hill, but stood with com posture, and said, Tt is no use to 'cuss;' I can't do justice to the subject"
 At last a man came to the opposite bank and bawled: What do you want?" I said, T want to cross this river, that's what I want" Why in the h-i," he said, don't you go down to the ford and come over?" Ford! where Is any ford?" I replied in a changed tone of voice. Turn back a little and take the right hand path. which leads 10 the ford" I did so and plunged into the stream with many misgivings. The water was on- ly saddle skirt deep. I crossed this salt river and was cross n1yself-amad. but nobody to be mad with but myself ! had expected to see @ river like the Alabama or Ouachita, and was disap- pointed to find only a creek. l pur- sued my journey a wiser man.
 Moral-When you start on journey