The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-29
SEES MODERN LIFE
FIRST AT E|GHTY-Slx
Mountain Woman Bcwildered Al
Initial View of AsheyfIie
Wonders.

Asheville, Aug. 2s.-After living for
sixteen years. beyond mans allotted
span of three score years and ten at
the head of Reem's Creek, sixteen
miles from Asheville. Mrs. Harriet
Penland visited Asheville Tuesday for
the first time in forty years, and FOR
the first time in her placid life, saw
a railroad train, an elecsric car, an
electric fan, paved streets and NOV
ing picture After gazing on all this
magic. Mrs. Penland returned to her
home to spend her few remaining
years puzZling over the wonders or
the world. for to her they are veri-
table wonders.
Gray-eyed. white haired, tiny and
typically Southern, her neat black
dress and equally neat black sunbon-
net of a style of years gone by, Mrs
Penland was brought to Asheville for
the first time in nearly half CEN
fury TO testify on a minor point in a
small lawsuit tried before Magistrate
W a. Gaines. Learning that it was
her first visit to a city in so many
years. Magistrate Gaines after the
hearing was over, placed the tiny
mountain woman in the care of stall
wart Deputy Sheriff Weaver, with in
structions TO show her the city.
Mr.. Weaver took his charge to the
Southern Depot as the first stopping
place, and there, for the first time in
her life, Mrs. Penlan6 saw a locomo-
tive. Bewildered and somewhat timid
over the strange noises, the little lady
shrank closer to the stalwart guide,
but not through fear. for she comes
of a race OF people who are strangers
to fear, and her gray eyes opened
wider and wider as the mysteries of
the giant engine were explained to
her. She was puzzled, frankly puz-
zled. over the motion" that would
make folks pave their streets. although
she admitted it made them much bet
ter than the mountain highways.
Back to Patton Avenue. the deputy
brought the little visitor, and there he
was threatened with blockade Of the
sidewalk, for Aunt Harriet" being
a true daughter of Eve. became fas-
cinated at the sights in the shop win
dows. especially those containing fem
mime wearing apparel. and almost re-
fused to move.
She was finally taken to a Patton
Avenue cafe for lunch, and there she
saw her first electric fan. Fascinated
once more, she gazed at the revolv-
ing blades, dimly trying to compre
bend the deputy's explanation IF the
power that turned the fan Back to
the street after the meal, and Aunt
Harriet was again in wonderland. The
telephone was explained to he-, and
she listened intently, but whenever
her opinion was asked. she withdrew
into herself. and refused % answer.
AS the browning achievement OF the
day. she was taken to a picture show.
BY some rare streak of fortune, the
film depicted a farm scene, and the
little woman gazed In awe as chickens,
pigs, horses and cows. objects with
which she was perfectly familiar
wandered about on the screen. Once
more, however, she refused 10 express
an opinion, and questions directed to-
ward her failed to elicit an answer.
Finally after all the sights Of a
modern oity had been unfolded before
her ENHANCED vision, the little noun
tain lady was taken to the interurban
Hire, placed aboard and started for
the point where a blackboard, propell-
ed by a mule, would take her back
to that home, only sixteen miles by
actual measurement from Asheville.
but TO her, clear out of this other
world that she had been visiting
And her quaint little courtesy. as she
thanked Deputy Weaver for his
thoughtfulness and care. was that of
other days. and many man. stand
ing nearby, unconsciously lifted his
/ hat In acknowledgment OF the
thorough Southern grace of the little
mountain Southern woman, bound
back to her beloved mountain home.
Aunt Harriet NAV never see Ashe-
Vile again. but it Is safe to say that
she carries memories Of yesterday that
viii be with her through her few re-
/ naming years OF life.