The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-11-04

hills; we crossed the beautiful plains of
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri and
passed slowly but safely through the
wIids OF the notorious Arkansas. And
finally, just at the dawning of the fourth
day, we were ushered into the eastern
sand fields of the land of Texas. To
me this kind of sand was a new variety.
1t fioated around in the parched air as
readily as a swarm of mountain mos
qultos. 1t found Judgment in my eyes,
nose, throat and lungs, much to nv dis
comfort. If were to recite to you nv
estimation of Texas at that time. YOU
would all petition the next legislature
to change the name of the State to
Ar ansas No. ,. But as | came south
ward, things began to look better, and
by the time | reached the cotton belt
proper, | was reconvinced, and more. I
was sure that | wa entering the agri-
cultural garden spot of the world. And
while covering the last fifteen miles Of
my journey, notwithstanding the dis
comfort that comes from being heavy
laden inside and cut with coal dirt. sand
and Corsicana black soil dust, could
scarcely remain in my seat as the last
rays Of the sinking sun revealed to me
the grandeur Of the endless prairie
with its alternate fields of corn and cot
ton. The next morning when | got nv
bearings and had viewed the situation
over carefully, found an ideal school
town with an ideal school. Three DAYS
later | publicly declared lin your pres
ence) that believed that we had an
ideal student body and excluding the
male members an ideal faculty.
| feel very much at home here now.
just as much so as though | had always
lived here. | confess that at first |
found it difficult to enjoy some of the
Texas Injuries; for instance. to substi-
tutd thin pale solution of salts and
lime for sparkling mountain water.
screaming mosquitoes for the wild birds
Vesper hymn and knee deep sand for
the lightly driven snow. But now all
these things have taken on different
and less dreadful dimensions. Already
they form part of the things that con-
tribute most to my comfort and happi-
ness have learned that in spite of
its temperature, taste, odor and color
arteslan well water is wholesome and
healthy. | cannot close my eyes in
peaceful slumbers until lulled to sleep
by long billed mosquito. Indeed each
evening | dope" my face and hands in
antl-mosquito juice to encourage those
sweet throated reptiles to sing rather
than eat.
In all seriousness, | must say that my
first impressions of Texas and especial
ly of Blooming Grove, are most favor
able. The people here possess some
royal characteristics, the equal to which
have noticed in no other community
in any state. Without exception,
find the people generous, intelligent
and interesting in conversation and al
ways with a cordial greeting whenever
met, either on the street or in the pub
lie gatherings. The idea of work is the
best founded here of any place of which
know. 1t was marvellous the other
Saturday, when the president announced
that there was work for any of the
young men who wished to spend their
holiday in that way, to see every male
student come out and engage in honest
toll. A great luture is in store for
school and a State with such loyal and
manly constituents.