Atlanta semi-weekly journal., 1912-08-23

My goodnight talk with Thee.
ROLAND RATHBURN.
Friday Mr.. and Mrs. Sinclair
brought me from Madison to Valdosta
in their car. As we left my sisters
home some OF the family said we
would have 10 hurry or a big rain
would overtaks us. We had not gone
more than three miles before we were
in one. and it finally got TO luridly
decorated with lightning that We stop
ped under a big umbrella china tree
and waited till the worst was over. I
suppose we went three more miles
and then We struck q section that had
been visited by a miniature cyclone.
There were trees Of all sizes across
the road. some times we could crash
through the bushes and leave the trees
for the road gang TO move. at other
places We pitched in and rolled logs.
moved stumps that had been dug out
OF the road. piled lightwood knots and
limbs in bitches until the car could
get across and go around the tree that
blocked our way. Fortunately the rain
had ceased before we reached that
part OF the way. or / suppose we
would have had TO go back and take
another road The national highway
through Madison and Lowndes coun-
ties is in good condition. excepting.
OF course. the places I mention and
the gang made that all right as soon
as reported. but between the two
counties there is a few miles belong
ing 20 Brooks county that would puz-
zle the most experienced traveller. It's
a pity. too. for this portion OF the Ra-
tional highway is a perfect thorough
fare ATy vacation has been passed
right beside il, and there are few
counties in. Florida that have not had
two or three cars at time on II.
some going TO summer resorts in the
east or central states and many only
going as far as Atlanta. There have
also been a great many going 10 JACK
sonville. home seekers and investors
who wanted to know just how hot II
gets in the south
have been amused at the questions
about insects and malaria Some peo-
pie think flies and mosquitoes abound
IN numbers sufficient to take one of
bodily. I've seen them ten times as bad
500 miles farther north. and every one
mas heard OF or had painful experiences
with the Jersey mosquito. Florida is
a very good state for an all the year
round home. The only fault one could
find with il is the length of the sum-
mer; one tires OF nine or ten months
summer. but it gives the poor man
chance to work. the cold often interfer-
ing farther north.
Vsldosta is 4 thriving place. and one
Is struck by the air OF prosperity that
seems TO permeate everything. The
stores are thoroughly up-to-date and
there are so many OF them. The school
houses are modern and the normal that
IS now in course of erection will be
one OF the best equipped in the state.
There is where the town ard county
show their wisdom. The teachers are
leaving a lasting impression on the
men and women OF the future. And il
they are not better educated than some
now drawing teachers pay. the state
viii be compelled to import some. When
one hears teachers saying Il seen" "he
taken" "she written letter. what can
one expect the children to say2 One
must not criticise the teachers in a
ehild's presence or that teachers in
iuence is spoiled; yet who can let tlls
children adopt such errors?
Sunday Mr.. and Mrs Sinclair and I
went to Mount Zion camp meeting. That
is a splendid location for a camp
ground. beautiful shade. a spring that
would not fail TO furnish a multitude
with the bestsort OF water. and COM
modious houses. There was a fine
crowd there Sunday and am quite sure
they never listened TO a more impress
sive sermon. In every crowd. whether