The Columbus dispatch. (Columbus, Miss.) 19??-1922, 1922-03-05
BLACKGUM HALL

iltO tic uHSeen WOFlu. ~ 10 Sdu 10
think what joy might have been
brought to their hearts had they but
known, while living, how we'll loved
they were. A tiny flower in the living
hand, under the breathing nostrils, is
better than flowers heaped mountain
high on the tomb. Forget it not; for
get it not.
A few nights ago, upon our return
home from the beautiful city of Co
lumbus, we asked "Mrs. Johnnie" if
she knew Mr.. Jack Smith was living
in Kilmichael. NO." said she; "he
lives in Meridian. That is Mr.. Thos.
Smith, Jacks brother, who lives in
Kilmichael." Do you know, dear
reader, that there are six brothers of
that family Of Smiths, and not black
sheep in the lot? They are all high
toned, honorable gentlemen. 1t is a
rare thing to find as many as six boys
in a family and not one off-color
sheep in the flock. In the latter part |
of the sixties we knew three brothers, |
Michael, Thomas and James McCarty, !
whose characters were all above re-
proach. They loved and feared God,
and were respected by their neigh
bors. They were at the heart Of each
and every movement that came up for
the betterment of society and the
community in which they lived. The
writer was boy then, but we remem-
Der to this day how the boys and girls
loved those three boys. When you
hear boy say, "Father, Mr.. John r.
Smith is mighty fine man." or ''Mr.
Thad. Morris is a good man." you may
understand that the boys are watch
ing the men of their acquaintance, and
it is a grand thing if the boys will try
to walk in the footsteps of the thor
oughly good men of their respective
communities. Sam | my brothers
keeper?" Yes, and your brothers
boys keepers. Look we'll to the east,
that the rising sun of your influence
may come up unclouded by the mists
of cigarette smoke or the vile fumes
of wildcat liquor. The son left by Mr..
Michael McCarty, at Old Lebanon, who J
bears his fathers name, if anything |
like his dear old daddy and his I'M
cles, will make a citizen of whom any {
may well feel proud {
But, speaking of black sheep, | am S
of the opinion that too much stress is
placed on the black sheep of family. {
Last month there was a meeting of t
church workers in Memphis. Among
1, he loo |
noted far and wide for his wonderful {
powers of oratory. A friend insisted '
hat he speak on a certain question {
that was pending. NO." said he, Il t
,annot. rise before this audience;
nave a brother in the penitentiary in
Nashville" His friend replied, "oh, v
hats. nothing; l have brother in I
he Arkansas Legislature, and | ex- t
1ect to speak" S
Mr.. Richard Dodson attended the a
singing at New Salem last Sunday v
light, This is sure sign that spring Il
s here and that it is time to plant {
.orn. z
Miss Niagara Simpson, of Berry, g
Ala., is spending while with her I'M r
lie, Mr.. James Simpson, of New Sa- il
EN-. Miss Simpson is young wo- e
nan of rare beauty and many fine
Her talent for the
weet art of music has made her the
attraction at all the entertainments in 4
he community. Her presence has
rought palpitations to number OF
manly hearts. Her uncle, Mr.. James \
simpson, came from Berry Ala, and
5 one of Mississippi's very best adopt =,
d sons.
Oh, yes, Miss Violet, of Artesia, we 4,
now you, and we are surely glad to a,
cad your interesting news notes In "
he Dispatch. For number of years
Johnnie" lived in Artesia. We knew -,
Old Man Violet" He was, and is yet, g.
ne of our best friends. Blackgum ~ i,
Iall will read with pleasure the in o.
nresting notes from Artesia. ID
Among the New Prairie bucks in h,
own, Saturday, were Mr.. Newman
Vest, Mr.. Floyd Lofts and Mr.. Jas. Of
Otis. three as fine ex-hill billies as NJ
GU can find anywhere.
Mr.. j. w. Smith, of Dowdle, reports b
aving killed a hog short time ago of
estimated TO weigh 500 pounds) from
hich he got twenty-seven gallons of vi
,rd and sevcnty-five pounds Of saus-
&c meat. sp
Until right lately, we have been a NJ
tile backward about coming forward of
defense of the "short shirt" But NJ
e are now convinced that the long
lirt is not only inconvenient and to
luglesome, but really dangerous. tn
few days ago we went up into the Nj
arm loft with a rain coat on. As we la
lme down, we stepped on the tail Of hs
he coat and came near falling down wi
airs. In this case the barn would bu
ave been wrecked. or there would SIX
ave been a job for Mr.. Guy Jameson, it
.c undertaken. Cut 'em short, ladies. pu
We had almost forgotten about hog st
ling time until a day or two ago clC
Mrs Johnnie" set jar Of hog head be
reese on the table, and our jaw linn op
rcd Up at once. You cannot beat tin
c farm pantry.
We were delighted to meet on the So
rect in Columbus, a few days ago,
r. and Mrs. j. s. Billups and little da