Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-12-26
Mast ELTONS TALKS
CONDUCTED BY
NasWH.FELTOn

S1lc-S G42tstS SeF SLGy-IlSe SearS ago
When the railroads began to
stretch their iron rails across the
country people began also to extend
their travels. 1t was when the Geor-
STA railroad was very young and
thought it very obliging to run one
passenger train up to Marthasville
(now Atlanta), and another toward
Augusta, during twenty-four hours,
and these trains also carried mer-
chandise and the mails, it occurred
to my parents that a girl of tender
years might be able to go to see
her grandparents, for the conductor
was an acquaintance Of my fathers
and the journey to Madison, Ga,
would only occupy very few hours.
Then my grandfather could meet the
young traveller and carry her safely
to the big family home. and have I,
very good time of it. including
Christmas festivities, etc.
1t was very momentous under
taking for bit of a girl who hau
never gone anywhere in her life with
out the protection of father or
mother
My new winter dress and also a
new cloak and silk bonnet added
greatly to my enjoyment and youth
full solicitude. My father owned a
small travelling trunk, all leather
and, although worn, was very re-
spectacle for my luggage. He bought
it in the days when two-wheeled
gigs were in vogue, small enough to
be strapped securely behind the seat
of the gig. Girls at that time were
being introduced to a new style CT
dress, much like dressing sacques, to
be worn loose if preferred, but L had
narrow leather belt to girdle the
sacQue around my small waist.
These sacques were introduced under
the name of Cassabiancas. Why this
name, l am sure I don't remember.
If I ever knew the origin of the
name.
They were generally called Classy.
This is worth remembering because
the style is still continued in Nor
folk Jackets and Russian blouses. I
had Classy made of black alpaca
and well lined that answered for
street wear. I had also two or more
unlined ones that 1 wore around
the house. I felt quite important
when 1 discovered 1 was in the
height of the fashion. There was a
merry crowd at grandfather's home.
three unmarried aunts and an uncle
only a year or so older than myself
we (these younger ones) were
ready for any sort of a frolic and
expect we were very often nuisance
when the young ladies were enter
tanning. their suitors. There was a
young doctor boarding there with
small PRACTICE and We doubtless
made it hard shedding for him in our
very candid opinions, as to matri-
monial ventures. Neither 1ny young
uncle nor myself were large enough
to care about beauX or beauties, but
we were nothing loath to keeping
tab on the activities of the grown
ups
The Christmas festivities began
about 5 a. IN. iwth bonfires out in
the big road fronting the house. All
sorts of unearthly noises were car
ried on with every darkey on the
place jumping around and helping
to make it.
About daylight there was an i'm
mense bowl Of eggnog set forth in
the big dining room. Everybody had
as much as they wanted, and the
colored ones, were handed their
"Christmas gifts Then the break
fast was set forth with the best
eating of the season. Then the kin
folks began to arrive in tive Tor the
big turkey spread, finished off with
real poundcake and syllabub strong
with Madeira wine brought from
Augusta.
Then the gang of young ones had
big time, strolling up and down
the big creek cracking hickory nuts
and walnuts and all such like until
the sun went low in the west, and
the tired.out ones like myself were
glad to eat bite of supper and hus-
tie off to bed. One day did not fin
iah up this holiday business. There
were places to so to and eat with
other kinfolkS. [ made a trip to
Monroe to visit a girl cousin about
my age. 1t would take a fresh sheet
Of copy paper to tell of our anticrs
and activities. This was country
life in Old Georgia sevnty five years
ago. .fa .-... t 60. nr