The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1910-12-15

the admiration. Hickman people ars
renowned for their hospitality, as all
/ true Kentuckians are. Like their an
cestors on the big plantations, their
chief pleasure is the entertaining Of
others, and the cordially and charm
ing unaffectedness of manner always
impresses a stranger who is visiting
the little town with the feeling that
he is not only most welcome but that
he Is giving others pleasure by the
very fact OF his being there, and he
goes away no longer a stranger but
real friend to all, loving the place
more than ever, and with the knowl-
edge that for him the "latchstring is
always on the outside" Even the
soft, sweet breezes of Hickman have
strange, fascinating influence which
has never yet failed to capture the
heart of a visitor
Another characteristic of Hickman
life Is the unbounded love of pleas
ure and the care-free, happy natures
of the people. Although most of the
men have enormous business cares
and the women household responsible
tiles, nevertheless the majority never
seem to be weighed down or depress-
ed by cares and their bright sunny
dispositions will not permit of such
things as 'the blues" Each has a
merry word for the other, every one
Is kindly and sympathetically interest
ed in every one else's joys, pleasures
or sorrows, and alasl / must admit
II, everybody knows everybody else's
businessl Although pleasure is not
exactly put before business, 1t never
theless goes hand in hand with il.
and in a simple. delightful form il
certainly abounds in Hickman.
One other thing that / admire so
much in these dear people of mine
is their kind-heartedness, generosity.
and charity. Sometimes when by
chance | see or hear of the things
they have done, for they never tell
of their noble deeds and even make
light in speaking of them, really
wonder II the hearts of all Hickman
people are not made of gold. Above
all things they are honorable in ev-
cry sense of the word, for they be-
lieve firmly that a gentleman is not
a gentleman without unsullied and un-
stained honor. Chivalry, as in the
days of old, exists in its purest form,
and womanhood is held sacred and
honored in a way beautiful to see.
A beautiful tribute is paid the South
by the great love they bear the land
of their birth and the country Of their
ancestors. To them the word South
means home and all that is dear to
them. Yet in their tender loving
memories of the Lost Cause" and
their devotion to the sunny Dixie
Land" they are nearly all broad-mind-
ed and liberal enough not to be I'M
duly prejudiced against the North.
and as an old Colonel | once knew
said, her good, but misguided sons"
But l shall not go on commenting
on the things | love in Hickman and
probably boring those who are not
interested in the account of another
persons home. l shall stop with
this imperfect account of my home
people and be contented If | have
made you see one-half the lovable-
ness and charm of the place that
see, and If | have shown you that
one of Americas small towns can
have attractive and distinctive char
acteristics. If you are not yet con
WINGED. however, let me take you a
way with me to that little town be-
side "the great river" and it will
a. once capture your heart and show
you for yourselves that, ''be it ever
so humble" there is no place like
My Old Kentucky Home"
Emma French Tyler.
Stuart Hall, Staunton, Va, December
l, 1910.