The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1909-07-23

tried ever so hard, We could not call
back a single step we have taken, but
there is plenty OF time in the passing
moment to be gentle and kind and po-
lite, and to say word that would be
helpful. and I believe these sour peo-
pie who have never a kind word and
who pass their fellowman without a
word Of greeting and of cheer will
some day regret it. for they sooner or
later will surely realize that they are
the ones who will suffer. Maybe this
is none Of my business and possibly I
should not write it. but it is writ, and
it is up to the editor to blue pencil
it if he wants to.
I heard some one the other day
speaking Of some afflicted persons
who had not been out Of their rooms
for years, say that even though this
were true. yet they we're as bright and
cheerful as if they we're enjoying the
best of health. In fact it was re-
marked that they were the sunshine
; not only Of their own homes but Of
the entire community. Now will
guarantee that they never try to pun
ish people by casting up their heads
and refusing to speak.
The editor was telling me this week
that gentleman from way up in No.
7 came in the office Of The Herald and
News and wanted to know who The
Idler is. but the editor said he could
not tell him. Well, whenever the 7di-
tor makes known my identity then |
will cease to grind for this column. It
makes little difference who I am. But
I understand this gentleman wanted
to shake my hand for something I
had said. I thank him and would ask
him to push it along if it was a good
thing and if it WASH t why then knock
it.
7 see from the Observer that the
mile of experimental road has been
completed and that it cost about $43O.
Now. I understand that there are peo-
pie who are kicking about this ex-
penditure Of the. labor Of the convlctS,
and who claim that this was good
road already. Well. I have been on
this road once Or twice during my
residence in Newberry. and if this
could be called a good road would
hate to see bad road. Of course, as
I remember it. it never was muddy,
but I would rather have a little mud
sometimes than to have heavy sand
all the time. And the experiment was
to be made with clay and sand road.
I have not seen the road since it has
been worked by the expert but I un-
derstand that it will have to have at
tention until it gets thoroughly mixed.
That is, until the sand and clay get
mixed.
So far as am concerned I believe
that a mile Of good road anywhere IN
the county will help me, and, as
I have before remarked, neither own
an automobile. nor a horse, nor a
mule, nor an OK, and it is very rare
thing that anybody who owns one ever
asks me to ride in or on one, but | re-
peat. that YOU can't build mile Of
good road in this county without
helping me. And it is strange how
some people can muster mp the cour-
age to proclaim that they want good
roads and then oppose any method
that anyone suggests to get them.
Why, if there should be a little
bridge washed away in some remote
corner Of the county that would take
probably half hour to repair, IN
stead Of doing it, word will be sent
to the supervisor to send the chain
gang and away it goes.
Now I don't know much about f.
nancing anything, and especially as
big a thing as Newberry county, and
the running Of chain gang, but do
believe as at present managed, and
as for that matter rs 1t has been
managed since it has existed, or has
been, that the chain gang is about the
most expensive luxury the county has
ever INDUCED in. It seems to me that
a year or two ago the legislature pro-
vided by act that the chain gang
should be put on permanent work and
designated what roads should be
worked and the order Of the working.
I would be glad to have some one tell