The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1920-02-20

automobiles were responsible tor
that. Farm dwellers who could afford
only one or two trips to town each
month behind the family horse or
plow mule, now "motor over" several
times week to form decisive
opinions on the merits of the differ
ent stars.
The general prosperity Of the sec
tion is reflected accurately in the col
leses, which have had more applica-
tions for admission than could be
accommodated with existing equip
ment. Schools for girls especially
have experienced a great influx OF
new students.
Cotton mills also have emerged
from the lean years into a period OF
great fatness, which they are sharing
with their employees. Mills that never
paid a dividend for a decade have
raised wages and are distributing
profits to stockholders. Some have
been so prosperous, in fact. that like
other corporations they are cutting
down their excess taxes by expendlng
great sums in concrete roads and
sidewalks, until the mill villages,
which formerly were dreary wastes
of mud in Winter and dust in Sum
mer, now look like fine new suburban
additions. Fortunes have been made
by the foresighted in cotton mill
stocks, bought at 25 cents on the dol
lar and sold we'll above par.
Agitation by the negroes for so
cial equality" sporadic in scattered
communities under the fostering care
of newcomers or ne'er do-wells inspir-
ed by imported literature, has not
lasted long. Equality of opportunity
as reflected in their dealings with
the banks, has more than offset any
false social doctrines and kept the
minds of the colored citizenry on
their legitimate business. The real
has vanquished the dream, the pride
of achievement has secured artlflcla
unrest. Florence, who cooked my
breakfasts when / was in grammar
school, has no thought of Bolshevisn
while her farm is producing ample
potatoes, peas, corn, and chickens fol
her m use, and seven bales of cot
ton to provide her pin money. Many
negroes will clear $4,000.
! All of which is one disadvantage OF
prosperity from the town dwellers
point of view. The wagons no longer
come to town laden with chickens
eggs, butter, turnip greens, anc
pumpkins. Small change obtained II
the past by the sale of such mino,
products now comes from King Cot
ton, an impecunious sovereign growr
suddenly of vast wealth. Town peo
pie search pleadingly for food anc
pay unheard of prices without muir
mur.
! I saw the changes, and knew II
nv heart that the days of old were
gone. My regret was buried in my
satisfaction at the prosperity of my
friends, while I privately debated
whether I should undertake to be-
come farmer or join labor union
instead Of laboring hopelessly anc
without profit at a newspaper type
writer in the city. One thing / saw
however, which seemed to say that
something remained to remind Of the
past. It was a covered wagon, like
the old prairie schooner, which hae
come down from the mountains OF the
Blue Ridge with the sweetest apples
in the world. / saved my pennie:
when lad to buy chestnuts from
such wagons, and once, when OBJ
iected that some of the nuts seemed
to have holes, the canny mountalnee'
soothed my fears-and made a sale
by saying there had been lot Of nail