The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-04-21
Gontinued.)

VCOnClnueQ.)
 We stopped at several stations, and around each there was an air of happy incidence that lent a charm to the di- lapidated wooden sheds which stood for depote, and in front of these there was always to be seen some antiquat- ed wagon or carrya1l. These latter were invariably filled with half grown boys and girls laughing and chatterihg like lot of magpies as the train pull ed up. They were there presumably to get the mail, but as I thought more likely to exchange bits of gossip and to find out what was ''going on" down the road. I gave myself up to listen ing to their chatter, and I found my self wondering as the train would start again on it's slow journey how many of these bright and innocent faces there would be at the next station to greet us. It would indeed take some time, I thought, to get a proper esti- mate of these people, whose clothes would indicate that they belonged to the farming and laborfng classes, but whose conversation, accent and gram nautical phrasing would lead one to be- lieve they represented 8 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 were 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 a long frock coat and an old fashioned silk hat He represented a type had begun to know and recog-
 
 thesr road. 1t was ''Howdy, Colonel T1Fpin g at every station now, and some one always asked. ''How's FL len?' His clean shaven face would wreath itself in a smile as invariably he would make answer:
 'Ellen's well, but between the cook ing and the music she has little time eft to frolic with you young people,
 Its her own fault said some one at one of the stations. flor all she has got to do is to choose which farm she prefers. that of Squire Hawkins or Jim Wadley's BoIlyhnrst.'' At this there was a burst of Inerriment from the young people in the wagons.
 Don't be putting such notions in my Ellen's head just now.' he would laugh back. 'ElIen and Bud have their old father and mother to look after for awhile yet. to say nothing of the I'ines''
 Bud can do that by himself" called nut one youth. Tben he suddenly turn ed red and hung his head as he saw the girls casting their eyes from one 10 the other and laughing.
 .-I dare say there are others of us who have used that argument to Ellen before this and many q dme." added
 
 so you need not bother to repeat it. -oIonel.'
 By the time our train had started again I had determined to introduce myself to the colonel. for I saw mate 'iaI in him for letter By way of opening operations I asked him the dis ance to Oglethorpe station, where l had expected to leave the train.
 About five miles, sir,'' he said, and with a courteous, old fashioned bow across the aisle. he added, May I ask if you are bound thereT'
 told him that was my destination He then continued:
 If it be not too impertinent. may l ask you what takes you to such an put of the way place? You are not lawyer from Atlanta. are you, sir?"
 There seemed to me to be d note of alarm in the question. and he appear d greatly relieved and his face bright ened visibly when I told him that I was not a 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 ddential whisper. which could have been heard throughout the car hud there been others in it. he said
 When smart looking young men like you come up this road they bring trou ble with them usually and as often leave more behind. sir
 How is that?" determined to bur row as deep as ncs--DIe sE this ante bellum soil. which 1 believed to be rich from the wild and uncultivated growth of experience. Don't smart looking men often come up this roadg"
 Hardly ever but to foreclose some poor devils mortgage" Here he be- gan to laugh immoderntely. and when his risibles hnd subsided sufficiently to explain. for l was somewhat sur prised at his sudden burst of merri- mAnf. he said: