The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1918-04-18
Norm al Column

maj faculty ana the Normal senior
class most delightfully."- with an in
formal evening party. A pleasant
hour was spent in games and con-
tests. After refreshments toasts
were given to the girls, the boys. the
class, and the juniors. Then Dean
McAllstcr made a speech which was
/ the basis Of plan for systematic
support of Berea's work by the
alumni Of the department.
The Normal department was rep
resented at the Mountain Conference
at Knoxville last week by Misses
Moore and Mcdonald and Messrs.
Anderson and Dix They have
brought back much inspiration and
many helpful ideas from the con-
| ference
The Normal class in rural life has
given considerable attention to the
country store. The country store
must be recognized assn institution
of great Importance in practically
every rural neighborhOod. On ac-
count Of the lack, usually. Of any
definite control or supervision. and
because Of the general feeling of in
dividual privilege on the part OF all
Corners. il becomes headquarters not
only for all news and gossip that is
going but for evil communications,
filthy stories, dirt and disease germs
Of every description. The possibil-
tiles Of the institution either for
good or evil are great. II is a won
derful field into which some REFORM
or should enter for the purpose OF
directing the influence Of the coun-
try store in the right direction. The
lines printed herewith were pro-
duced i'm our class work bringing out
particularly the sanitation feature.
We crave the readers indulgence:
Oh. the old country store with its
neighborhood lore
And its boxes and buckets that sat
on the floor.
It's walls have re-echocd to story
and song
or the deeds Of the brave and the
feats Of the strong.
They have heard Of the team that
would pull till they dropped.
OF the gun that Killed something
each time that il popped,
They have heard about weddings
and combats galore,
Have the smoke-blackened walls Of
the old country store.
On the spuds sat Tom Riggs with his
twist in his jeans.
Old Henderson Hobbs always sat on
the beans.
And from right by the flour where
he perched on the crooks
Bill Hickey. when lucky. could spit
to the box.
Bill liked TO sit distant and show on
his skill
For he was the champion splitter,
was Bill.
And they chewed and snapped yarns
till late bedtime or more
In the old happy days when | loafed
at the store.
I shall never forget, though CEN
tury pass
Ere | find my last resting place IN
der the grass, /
The prunes and dried peaches set
out for display,
The cakes and the crackers in tempt
ing array.
The gum drops and kisses. marsh
mallows and such,
The stalk Of bananas we all loved So
much,
And the flies swarming in through
the half open door.
For they had a good right in the old
country store.
/ shall never forget where the old
bucket sat,
Where we drank rankest poison and
seemed 10 get fat.
The round bottom dipper served
well for us all;
And Of wash pans and soap there
weren't any at all.
And out in the grave yard, so silent
and lone.
II the truth had been written on
many stone
'Twould read, Here lies Blank, he'c
have lived on some more
II il hadn't "a been for the old coun-
try store"