Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-06-20

We stopped at several stations, and
around each there was an air Of happy
Incidence that lent a charm to the d.
lapidated wooden sheds which stood
for depots, and in front Of these there
was always to be seen some antiquat.
ed wagon or carryall. These latter
were invariably filed with half grown
boys and girls laughing and chattering
like lot Of magpies as the train pull.
ed up. They were there presumably
to get the mail, but as thought more
likely to exchange bits of gossip and
to find out what was "going on" down
the road. gave myself up to listen
ing to their chatter, and found my.
self wondering as the train would start
again on its slow journey how many
Of these bright and innocent faces
there would be at the next station to
greet us. 1t would indeed take some
time, thought, to get proper esti-
mate Of these people. whose clothes
would indicate that they belonged to
the farming and laboring classes, but
whose conversation, accent and gram.
NAUTICAL phrasing would lead one to be.
lieve they represented class better
educated and with more culture than
one is likely to discover In such out Of
the way counties as those through
which we we're now passing.
BY degrees the few passengers who
had taken this train got of, and to.
ward the end Of the journey there was
no one in the coach but a venerable
looking old gentleman and myself. He
Wore d long frock coat and an old
fashioned silk hat. He represented q
type l had begun to know and recog.
nize. He seemed we'll known along
the road. It was "Howdy, Colonel
Turpin?" at every station now, and
some one always asked, Flows H.
len7" His clean shaven face would
wreath itself in smile al invariably
he would make answer:
"Ellen's well, but between the cook.
ing and the music she has little time
left to frolic with you young people,"
'Its her own fault" said some one
at one Of the stations, "for all she has
got to do 10 to choose which farm she
prefers, that Of Squire Hawkins or Jim
Wadley's Hollyhurst" At this there
was a burst of merriment from the
young people in the wagons.
Don't be putting such notions In
my Dllen's head just now," be would
laugh back. ELLEN and Bud have their
old father and mother to look after for
awhile yet, to say nothing Of the
Pines"
bud can do that by himself" called
opt one youth. Then be suddenly turn.
ed red and hung bis head as he saw
the girls casting their eyes from one
to the other and laughing.
: Il dare say there are others Of Us
who have used that argument to Ellen
before this and many a tme." added
another boy scarce out Of bis teens,
80 you need not bother to repeat II,
colonel"
BY the time our train had started
again l had determined to introduce
myself to the colonel, for I saw mate.
rial in him for letter. BY way Of
opening operations asked him the dis
lance to Oglethorpe station, where I
had expected to leave the train.
about Eve miles, SIR" he said, and,
with courteous, old fashioned bow
across the aisle, he added, May ask
II you are bound thereT'
told him that was my destination
he then continued:
III it be not too impertlnent, may
ask you what takes you to such an
out Of the way place? You are not a
lawyer from Atlanta, are you, sir?''
There seemed to me to be q note Of
alarm in the question, and he appear
ed greatly relieved and his face bright
ened visibly when told him that
was not lawyer and was visiting
Georgia for the first time. soon learn
ed the cause of his anxiety as to the
matter Of my profession, for in a con-
hdential whisper, which could have
been heard throughout the car had
there been others in it. he said:
when smart looking young men like
you come UP this road they bring Rou-
bic with them usually and 40 often
joave more behind, sir."