Evening star., 1922-05-04
BY w. H. CLAGETT.
Montross. Va. May 4

Z : =
Dear Folks
It's often claimed that Moo York
city prodooces more honey fidy easy
marks than any community In these
United States. but after little occur
ance that happened to a bunch of flip
noospaper lizards. rustieatin' down
here in the old liberty-lovin' northern
neck of Virginia to tabulate doin's at
the famous Knox murder trial, take it
from me. Philadelphia, Baltimore,
Richmond, Norfolk and Washington
all have a chance TO pass the big
burg and grab of the distinction!
To start with. It don't take inter-
pretor to show that Westmoreland
county folks and big city noospaper
reporters amt a 2-in-1 package! This
was demonstrated. most concloosively
at the examination of jurors for the
trial, when, out Of nine prospects VINO
knew nothin' about the case except
what they had read in the papers,
eight were accepted to do .dooty!
conditions and know II it come to
popular vote we'd run abs'lutely last,
but as the good citizens of the.sec-
tion keep their feelin's hid. and<do
all in their power to make us, to
home. on the surface everything is
1t remained. though. for one OF the
heftiest, red-headfest, most glum-
faced native sons to let our crew
know exactly where we got on. and
buh-lieve me, on Sunday mornin' he
sure showed us right!
Custom Of Passing Time.
It's been the custom of our outfit each
night, after all news Is broadcasted, to
pass the waitin' hours in a wee game
this, has given US section Of the town
hall and seldom horns in to see what
we're doin!
But Saturday night. OWN to shin
dig down the road apiece, our regular
quorum was disrupted and we was
forced to commander bit o local
talent!
Included amongst them who voiun-
teered was one raw -boned husky, Ian
gurous young Virginian, who. on ac-
count Of his pink locks we all christened
Reds!
This Reds party was a world war
veteran-at least ne said he was He
allowed he knew little or nothin' about
the great indoor pastinie, and when
not rakin' in pots, which was seldom, he
deelighted all hands with his exploits in
France!
Were you wounded over there?'
squeaked philadelphia Bulletin" as he
Clipped his call"
Twelve times" drawled the vir-
ginian, pullin' in the gravy" Seven
minor scratches in the Argonne. and
shot five times at Chateau Thierry.
I'll open this"
Cause Of His Grief
"Ah. I didn't mind the wounds or the
hghtin'." continued the strawberry"
after all settlers had said his three Johns
were good. 1T was comm back to ole
Wes'moreland to find my father and
three brothers had cashed that broke me
poor. Reds!" sobbed Baltimore
American" And now you're alone?'
'.All-by-m!-self!" sang back the
sad-faced veteran, as he boosted the
me $4,000, the farm, house, wine cellar
and all that, but what's home without
a family?' and again he displayed
"threes"
"'Tain't nothin'w cut in Norfolk
Virginian-Pilot;" that's what it amt,
nothin! Do you live very close.
Reds?"
"Oh. just a look down the road"
replied old "cerise." with a giggle. as
he won the Consolation" "You-all
breakfast with me- tomorrow and I'll
show you over the place!
You mtghtn't know IT, folks, but
a look down the road in this neck
means anywhere between seven and
thirty-one miles: but early Sunday
mornin' sixteen thirsty-I mean
trusty-noospaper "chamelions" tore
up the highway in a mad search for
"Reds"!a
Arrivin' at the house given us, we
were met at the door by a kindly
old. farmer, who was ringer for
Reds!
George Atwen live here? chirped