The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-08-20
AN EASTERN GIRL TELLS
 OF FIRST TRIP TO SOUTH

I to another, and we flashed by the sta tions so quickly that could not read the signs. I might have asked an old lady who sat right across from me and was friendly, had made the trip several times before. Or might have asked the porter, but had ridiculous pride about not seeming to know things. Though I could not tell you very much about the geography and natural scenery of the states through which we passed, I did enjoy several particularly charming bits of scenery. Of course, you know it was raining when l left Philadelphia, and 1t con- tinued to rain during the whole trip. I got restless sometimes, and once l should have enjoyed stretching my legs in a good run across the green. rain-washed meadows that l saw from the car window. l longed to paddle in the frequent waters that we crossed. But I had to content myself with a fleeting glimpse-enough to recall to my senses the delight of the oar as 1t dips in the gray, smooth water and rises shining and dips again. of the boat as it moves slowly along. There were a man and a girl in one boat, and in another two oVer-alled idlers One man was splashing alone in the cool of the gray day, and I thought that it didn't matter whether his heart were burdened or light there would come to him, from the refreshing sweetness of solitude, joy if he were in happy humor, temporary peace if he were harassed.
 I had not finished thinking about my man in the boat, when we passed little village, not SO quickly but that I could see it's rows of small, red houses, with narrow porches-poor, meagre dwellings, built close upon one another like city houses. What a pity it seemed. in the country, to crowd as one must crowd in the unnatural city. But this was mis- erable bit of barren land. Perhaps men are tempted to huddle together when na- ture refuses her sweetness and bareS her hard, unyielding surfaces.
 But, dear child you want to hear what I did at dinner time, how I liked the night, and just ordinary details. It took courage to go alone to the dining car that first night, but I was too hungry not to go So lurched through the car, try ing to look dignfed. When I finally reached the dining car, there were only men at the tables except for one very much painted and powdered girl I was frightened. I thought maybe there was some code among pruper travellers by which they all knew that men dined first However, since they didn't put me out it was easier for me te stay and eat than to get up and go. I am glad I did stay, for, of course. there is no such under standing.
 had another odd experience connected with the dining car. During the night we must have acquired another car, prob- ably at Charlottesville, Va, where we stopped for rather a long while in the middle of the night. At any rate when went to breakfast in the morning the dining car was farther back than be- fore. One car, IS I went back. was full of soldiers in kahki, bound for Mexico They had just cookec their breakfasts and were eating from tin platters when thought to go through. The first time hadn't courage to go. but finally did gather myself together. But that car seemed longer than two other cars put together, and the train lurched more than ever before or after just as was trying my best to look unconcerned, and to turn my eyes everywhere and nowhere. By