The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1917-07-07
AN EXPERIENCE IN THE
MOUNTAINS OF ALABAMA

So many of our people know OF
have heard of "Uncle Joe Dixon
that they will find the following from
the Lakeland Telegram of interest:
Uncle Joe" Dixon, for several
years with the Evening Telegram and
well known to Lakeland people and to
the state press as one of the best edi-
torial writers in the country, is Flor
ida bound from his annual pilgrimage
to the great state of Texas, where, as
is his annual custom, he has been re-
newing his youth in the heart of ma
ture. The following beautiful human
interest story, with Uncle Joe as the
central figure, appeared on the edi-
torial page of the Montgomery Ad-
yertiser last Sunday, and will be read
with interest by Uncle Joe's host of
friends.
II was a stranger, and We took me
In; | was thirsty and We gave me
drink"
There marched into the city of
Montgomery yesterday a patriarch,
who had walked most of the distance
between a point in Texas and Mont
gomery on an annual hike which he
takes for his health and pleasure His
home is in an adjoining state, whittier
he is bound to resume his labors for
which he is so well fitted by three
months of outdoor roughing. He is
72 years of age, is slightly stopped
now, wears the beard of an Abraham
and the smile of boy. He believes
in humanity and while in Montgom-
cry he told a story to illustrate the
basis for this belief. The story should
be set down here.
A few days ago this genial wander
er drew up at an abandoned shack in
the far interior of North Alabama
county. Rain threatened to overtake
him, so he prepared to rest till the
cloud passed. Soon he heard voices
a few yards away. In bottom at
the foot of little mountain he saw
one-room house where children were
playing and listening to a scolding
from their tired mother. 1t was oc-
cupied by woman, her children and
| her sister. In a few moments the
sister came to the patriarch and ac-
costed him. What beauty. Her
Titan hair fell loosely, gracefully
over her shoulders. Her soft brown
eyes looked gently upon him out of a
background of rosy, soft cheeks. She
was straight and 1.-THE. She was bare
footed. Her mouth moved nervously
to conceal at the same time chewing a
small quid of tobacco.
Stranger" said she, "'Whar be We
goin'?"
"On my way to Montgomery,
ma'am, but the rain is delaying me.
shall be away shortly, however," he
said.
t'They amt no train now"
"I'm walking"
y"Whut! Walkin' t. Mon'gom'ry ~
She was amazed. Then she returned
to the house, procured an old quilt
and brought it to the stranger.
mister, eff you won't be insulted or
nothin' I'll offer We this here quilt fur
IT. sleep on" she saidA> aye CANT
walk outen here. They're long tun-
mel down tn road. It's night. TIL
soldiers air at tn bridge an they'd
shoot We fur spy or somethin'. Ye
must stay here" He accepted the
quilt with thanks.
The next morning the girl came to
him again.
mister, we air pow'ful pore-we
hain't got nothin' hardly but whut we
got We'll divide. We want We to eat
breakfast with us, eff We kin make out
with our grub"
He went into palatable breakfast
When the meal hour was nearing ar
lend, the stranger observed in the
girls hand knotted, worn handker.
chief, with which she was fumbling
She said, addressing him:
mister, me an my sister have
been a-talkin' erbout We an a-thinkin
erbout We, an we think yer too ole
fur t. walk t. Mon-gom'ry. Take some
o. this money an ride. I'll wave tn
train down an We kin git on" The
stranger had only dime and was
weary and old. He hesitated long be.
fore accepting the proffered gift
They insisted earnestly and he &C.
cepted one of the five dollars in worn
|greenbacks. The girls waved the train
lshortly. Before bidding her farewell
he said to her: "Young woman, are
you this good to all strangers ?"
Mister, l hain't never knowec
nothin' but jest t. be good"
With tear in his eye the old man
boarded his train, waved to her and
moved away. When he reaches his
home he will send her SIS for the 81
which she thinks she has given him
His faith in mankind is strong.