The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-05-08
Evening Chat

The country lad stood and watched
the shiny motor cars that passed the
corner during the early evening in an
endless stream. In his heart was a
great longing % have a ride in one OF
those easy gliding, neyertiring ma.
chimes. The cushions looked SO soft
and inviting and all the passengers OF
each car looked SO happy that the poor
lad could hardly keep back the envi-
GUS tears when he thought OF the long
drive that awaited him over the IL
miles Of muddy. road between his home
and the nearest point on the interur.
ban car line.
The old mountain blackboard and the
two light farm horses was the best
equipage the lad could muster to take
his best girl to church or to the par.
ties Of his community. In fact this
was the only of conveyance that
was practical the entire year over the
roads OF his neighborhood.
Yet deep in his heart, despite all
reason. was the desire to own one OF
the bright shiny machines with the
mig rupper tlreB.
Presently one OF the passing cars
drew up to the curb and stopped on
the corner by the drinking drinking
fountain, near which the lad was
standing at the wheel Of the car
was neatly groomed man who APP
peared to own the vehicle. In the
rear seat Of the machine was most
80 roa fNttn MI
dnzzled the unsophisticated lad. The
lady stepped out and went over to the
5ewelry store on the corner, telling
the man that she would be back in a
few minutes.
"Ail right dear, I'll wait here said
the man at the wheel, never even
turning his head. He leisurely lighted
cigar and with meditatiye pun or
two iookediat the country lad who was
eagerly noting every detail Of the car.
The sight Of the boys clear eye and
the healthy color of his face brought
3 swift rush of memories to the mans
mind. Agin he could hear the shouts
Of his companions from the country
side as they raced for the old swim.
ming hole at this hour of the evening,
after the farm chores were done. His
heart beat faster as he remembered
the happy days when he used to take
one OF the farm horses and mounting
bareback, steal away as dusk was fall
ing to meet over the hill with the 9TH
or lads who gathered on the level road
down the valley to race their fathers
horses while that worthy gentleman
was asleep. Envy entered into the
mans heart also as he looked at the
country lad and wished that he might
60 back to the country with the led
and again feel the thrill of the exultant
blood Of youth as he frolicked in the
swimming hole or felt the play OF the
muscles Of the sturdy old farm mare
as she galloped madly through the
night.
The thought Of the life he would
have to resume as soon as his wife
returned from jeyelers was distaste.
ful TO the man. Tonight he would
have TO attend tiresome bridge party
enc Of his neighbors was giving. 10.
morrow he would have to 60 down to
the Office and scheme and plan all day
TO devise methods of producing
enough revenue to meet the list Of
bills that must be paid in order to keep
up his position and retain the respect
OF his wife. To keep the car in COM
mission caused a heavy drain on the
earnings from his business now that
prices had raised unbelievably be-
cause 1.-THE war.
Deep in his heart, despite all reason
and logic, was the desire to be like
che sophisticated farm lad that was
Standing on the corner.
II asked the name the city closet
70 the South Pole doubtless many peo.
pie In the United States-and else.
where for that matter-would need to
consult a school geography or an atlas
before answering. And yet, It is one
OF the greatest wool exporting ports
In the world, located on the Strait of
Magellan. and is comparatively well
krown by the name OF Punta Arenas.
Eor the Spaniards came to found
rel ement in this remote section OF
tho world, how 1t passed out Of exist.
ence, how It was revived in the nine.
teenth century by the Chileans, and
how It has thrived, prospered and
grown rich since then, is all brought
cut in an article by Edward Albes in
The current number OF the Bulletin Of
the Pan American Union, Washington,
D. @.
In tracing the dark and romantic
history of the Strait of Magellan from
the time of its discovery by the famous
Portuguese navigator, Fernando de Me.
galhaes, in 1920, the writer tells Of the
practical abandonment of the route by
the Spaniards until 1873, when the in.
trepid Sir Francis Drake sailed
through Its treacherous channels and
pursued his way on up the coast OF
the Americas even as far as California.
II was this feat that really caused
the first attempt to found colony in
this bleak and inhospitable region.
In 1913 the Republic Of Chile estab.
Hshed Q penal colony near the same
site which. about eight years later was
completely burned down by the prison.
ers, who mutinied and killed the gov.
amor. guards, and many foreigners.
This rebellion was quelled few
months later. and the town rebuilt. on
it's present site and given the name of
Punta Arenas spanish Point.) It
would Seem that sheep raising Is the
foundation upon which the little city's
growth and prosperity depends to a