Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-14

a Connecticut Yankee and PennSyiva-
mia Dutchman travelling in Dixie Land
via a second hand stin Elizabeth, bet
ter known in the South as John Hem
ry" and in Detroit Mich, as Ford.
since owing to the absence of bridges
we were obliged to ford many stream
but this is anticipating.
We were designated as sPathfinders,
being the forerunners of financial earn
paign to raise $35 000, 900 for the contfn-
uation and expansion of the War work
of the Y. NJ. G. A. We early discov-
cred the advantage of travelling for a
well established house whose goods were
thoroughly advertised. We also discoy-
cred that better name for us would
have been "PathlooserS' but again, this
is anticipating.
Our route lay in southeastern Georgia.
We were to cover seven hundred miles,
more or less, visit about thirty towns,
and return to Camp Hancock within two
weeks. One Of us had never driven any
thing but a nail, and not over success
fully at that The other had never
tackled d Ford But we had a mutual
faith in the Providence that looks out
for fools and drunken men, The latter
we knew we could not be, in a bone-dry
state, ard the former we were willing to
become if necessary for the good OF the
cause. OF course, we consulted a map.
Several maps, to be specific. The au-
tomobile roads were indicated in green.
This we felt was the most accurate thing
about them. In the upper right hand
1919
innocent-looking chart, labeled, Legend
for Soils" Legend" is good. But not
the sols-at least for roads. Sections of
the map colored red indicated gray
gravelly lands, GRANTEES, gneiss and mica
chists (and scisms.) yellow indicated
sandy soil. Most of the map covering
our territory is colored yellow.
Three miles before you reach town a
town a sign informs you that you have
reached the city" limits and you are
TO quicken your speed to eight miles an
Is ~ Oh foff n IN tEo
City Fathers who are responsible for the
conditions Of the streets. 1t also helps
give the appearance of business and life
in the place. The natives train them
selves to appear blase when strangers ar
rive. But they eongregate quickly about
the store or bank. or hotel where you
stop. They are a friendly folk these
Georgians. and pure American. Also in
their easy-going way they are enterpris-
TO bring together half a dozen or so Of
the leading citizens, is not a length OF diff
ficult task. The Judge" you will gen.
orally find in the Court House. The post
master runs the general store" in spare
moments. The bankers There are usual
~ two, even in the smaller towns are
easily located, This is the busy season
in the financial world, down South2 Cot
ton is selling for almost thirty cents a
pound. Seventy cents is the price for
Sea ISLE a long fibre variety, that
grows only in portions of Georgia. Crops
are good. Money is pouring in The
ored people are buying the more expensive
autos The other day darlie who
could neither read ner write, drew his
check with the aid of the bank clerk for
$1,000, to pay for his new car. He might
have bought good farm for the money
and feathered his nest, or perhaps we
ought to say ''cottoned" it. but he had
done set his heart on a car
Speaking of the eoiored race. the north
erner never understands the situation
until he gets below Mason and Dixon's
lie 1a,
cult by the necessity for black labor in
the cotton fields and the tendency of the
darkie 70 work for few days and loaf
until his money is spent. He lacks the
incentive OF working for the works sake
lie is conscieneeleSs in the matter of a
contract. leaving in the midst of a job
that not putting his religion into his
work, but having his emotional nature
tickled by .'eyclone" evangelist, (Some
people with white skins have q sub-cutan-
eous sympathy for him.
There has been general exodus to the
North on the part of colored people in
many sections The Southerner loves the
negro lie understands him and exer-
cises remarkable patience, together with
a certain degree of firmness, which Sc
cures respect that the average negro
soon loses when he goes North I believe
the intelligent SOutherner is the eolored
mans best friend
But to resume our narrative: We were
speaking of the 'leaC1ing citizens These
Of course include the school principal
sometimes commissioner and the minis
ters. The doctor frequently owns and
runs the drug store which seems like it
might be stimulating to both trades. but
falls short of being an unlawful mono
poly by emitting the undertaking bust
ness. The local editor ought never be
omitted. He is an encyclopedia of in
formation and classifies the citizens I'M
der three heads. First class: Those sub
scribing for his paper and paying for it.
Second class: Those subscribing but not
paying. Third class and no good Those
who do not subscribe at all. The ma
Jority of citizens seem to be in the Sec
ond class
We found these leading citizens not
only willing to be led together in confer
enee but quick and hearty. in their re-
Spouse to the needs and interests of the
soldier boys Men of all beliefs unite in,
this program Of the Y. M. G. A. work in
the camps It is certainly up to the
~" men to make good The home folks
are counting on US. Personally, | feel
that the little we can do for the boys, and
the relatively small sacrifice that the sec
retaries are making, compared to that
which every soldier makes as a matter of
course, is appreciated far beyond it's
deserts. But there is no discounting the
warm-hearted praise which the boys