My Own Main Street

Co pyright , 192 1

THE STANDARD P UBLISHING CO MP ANY

5 3 5M T ' E M P 13 um ' w vﬁ hnston MY ON e e . o 0 S , G org E J , Who s e rved thru the World War as First Lieutenant in THE UNITE D n Who r S TAT E S AIR SERV I CE , a d e turned home from ove rse as a living

m lifi tion the c e es of war exe p ca of ru lti , the injustice of r e publics f or sacrifice s volunteere d and freely given at the , — first call to arms and to his de parte d

en and e - ofﬁce r en C fri d f llow , H ry lay

n who e the e e sac Thompso , gav supr m riﬁce at the time and place my son

e ce e n e nd o e r iv d his i juri s , a Wh s body now re sts in a charming little church

e n he N Sea in yard ov rlooki g t orth , — farthest northern England this little narrative of American life is affection n e ately a d reverently dedicat d .

CONTENTS

FORE WORD

HAPTE R I C .

SOMETHING THAT LEADS UP TO AND E XPLAINS

A TE R CH P II .

TH E BEGINNING OF MAIN STREET AND THE IN “ ” “ ” TRODUCTION OF SKINNY AND GEORGE 23

A TE R CH P III .

’ HEN BROUOH LER S BLAOKSM ITH S RAG HOP, “ ” “ ” CARPETS AND SPEAKER AND HONEY BANKS

A TE R IV CH P .

C V R SUR JOHNNY POWELL, BU KWHEAT ENDE , PRISES HIS WIFE

A TE R CH P V .

SPLINTERS C O NT E NT S

A TE R I CH P V . PAGE

THE V - BELLS OF GREENDALE , THE GRA E DIGGER , AND THE TOWN PAINTER AND BAND ROOM 55 7 A CH PTE R VII .

C AN ITOR R D C V CHUR H J , AILROAD ETE TI E “ ” AND TH E HAUNTED HOUSE

CHAPTE R VIII .

S M R I S LOP A SHALL , B LLPOSTER TUMP, ET

A E R CH PT IX .

THE C C JUSTI E OF THE PEA E , THE BAKER AND — RETIRE D FARMER TH E TOWN S QUARE AND A FEW E CCENTRIC CITIZENS

A E R CH PT X. — TH E BIGGEST N OSE IN GREENDALE MARCUS ’ CA-N DEE L — D , THE AWYER BROWN S RUG A STORE AND DOC NAWALT . .

A TE R XI CH P .

SURVE YE R CLARKE WAR DEN AND THOMAS BAR

C . LAY, THE BANKER

A TE R CH P XII .

TH E S S - S TATION TORE , COURT HOUSE QUARE AND NICKNAMES 6 C O NT E NT S

A TE R CH P XIII . PAGE

THE OLD S C M C B ONGS, POLITI AL AR HING CLU S

W - AND JOHN ELLS , HORSE TRADER AND OTHERS

A TE R CH P XIV .

THE - V COURT HOUSE , THE GRA ESTONE CUTTERS “ ” THE LAL LAP AL OOSA AL , ET

A TE R CH P XV .

S CA S B S EAT OF THE POLITI L PELL INDERS, TUT ” JOE T E S E W TERING , THE OWN DITOR AND J ISH CLOTHIER

A TE R CH P XVI .

’ L C S L—JIM E B A K HOTE GRE N, HOTEL PORTER — — TH E GAMBLERS MINSTREL BAND THE AB — — SENT MINDED MINISTER DE AFY MILLS AND THE SCOTCH PEDDLER

A TE R CH P XVII .

HONEY FLY HAYNES .

A TE R CH P XVIII .

TH E O - C RGAN GRINDER, THE FANTASTI PARADES

S S OIL THE TREET FAKIRS , AND TRAP C O NT E NT S

APTE R CH XIX . PAGE

ASHES ON THE SLIDE—PIKE POLE—AMOS KELLY AND NATHANIEL D ICKE N H OOP E R

A TE R CH P XX .

THE L K ANDLORD OF THE ETTERING HOUSE , THE

S K - C A L ZZ K CAI NA E HARMER, UNT I IE IN D AND THE HORSE

A TE R CH P XXI .

? L VI ~ K T S B BLIND E ENDALL , THE OWN CON TA LE ,

- C T A THE PRINTING OFFI E, THE OWN RTIST JIM S V C D V AND IL IS , THE HA K RI ER

E CHAPT R XXII . —“ A MELLOW AND AFFABLE CROWD BUMBLE ” —“ ” BEE LEWI S IODINE JOE AND HUGH

ARTLAY D C , THE PUMP O TOR

CHAPTE R XXIII '

TH E ME N A S KE P P E R OF GREENDALE, AND MO THE SPIRITUAL IST

E CHAPT R XXIV . — THE OPEN COUNTRY PILLARS IN TH E CHURCH — — TH E TOWN BOOTMAKER CEMETERY HILL AND THE TOWN TRAGEDY 8 C O NT E NT S

A TE R CH P XXV . PAGE

L E — R LE W C V M S . HENRY , THE O OMOTI E NGINEER ’ — MON E GAN S SHANTY THE RAIL ROAD WRECK — ’ BAIR S MILL AND BEGGARLOOTS

A E CH PT R XXVI .

TH E FIRST REGRETS OF THE DAY TH E OLD —“J ‘ ” HOME AND MOTHER TH E HOME - COMING THE OLD SWIMMING- HOLE P OEMS

i SAD V e W c R le . PER ERSITY , Jam s hit omb y

M M n TH E R TO Y . OAD ESTERDAY , Will aupi

A R S . e EAL WIMMING, Edgar Gu st

T e HE D C G . S . A E ISION , ppl garth

TH E PLAYMATES OF YES TERDAY

H K T E V D C H c e . e S . e ILLAGE O TOR , ora ll r

THE LD M M n O S . ONGS , Will aupi

HE IT San nc c e n “ FOUND , Fra is o Bull ti

WE H AT A W O S . TAY HOME , Edgar

’ IN A FRIENDLY SORT 0 WAY

A T H E S ene SHES ON LIDE , Eug

AN D M E ene CHILD OTH R , Eug

ene e CONTENTMENT , Eug Fi ld

1 0 ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE

' Fr ntis t ece The Old Sycamore . F o p

’ Welty s Wate ring- trough 25

’ Taylor s Ice - pon d 28

’ Henry Brouchle r s Blacksmith Shop 34 Levi Brouchl e r 36 39

Fultie 40 ” Sp e ake r and Honey Banks 41 45

Splinte rs 49 53

Bells 56

P assing C emete ry 59

Ground-hog 59

’ Fligge rs Stone Wall 61 65

Frank Strong 66

Skillet Bre ake r Maynes 67 ” Slop Marshall 71

John Martin Luthe r Stump 73

Doctor Towne 74 11 ILLUST R A T IO NS

Jim Biggs Tommy Gill

P e g- l e gge d Johnny Quinn

Corporal Hock

B en Mye rs

Alex Trimble

John M cQuaid

Jame s P orter Kinard

Billy Mc Quaid

Gypsy

Jim Wells

Edwin Boice

An Dr . awalt Railway Station Leap Frog ” B e ardy S eward

Just Whiske rs

Lallap aloosa

Fur Coat Laughing Joe Mc Clain

Baltimore Twist

Editor of Tribune Editor of Argus 12 ILLUST RAT IO NS

Inmate of County Home

S on of an Honorable

Bill Hix on

Chee se - cutter Mills

Traine d B e ar

Amos Kelly

Kettering House Landlord Dutch Liz Doctor Moyer

Jim Silvis Bumblebee Lewis Iodine Joe

Sexton Trux well

D e af y Stimp

Old Home

The Old Swimming - hole

FO REWO RD inte rpre tative of th e e ve ry- day life of th e m com on pe ople . To have publishe d this story of My ” Own Main Stre e t at an e arli e r day might have b e e n a bre ach of trust and de corum . The e of h O e e e e t rms trust , I p , hav b n nolle d the by limitation . Many of char a cte r s e e the e of e nam d hav paid d bt natur , b e th e e e and , if any living, long, tim int r v enin ha s hO e e e g , I p , blurr d any asp rity the e e or de scriptions may s m to contain, that the y could hardly obj e ct to SO remote e a re fe renc to them .

16 A ERV E RS TY ' S D P I .

en e bo ee e Wh but a littl y , it s m d My d earest rapture r an In nc e e en e e fa y v r, wh I dr am d — I was a Man a M an ' — N ow sad p erversity ' My th eme

Of e e rar st , pur st joy

I en in nc e e s wh , fa y bl st , I dr am I am a Little Boy '

' From the Biographi c al E dition of the Complete Works o f J c R 1 9 1 3 . U c ames Whit omb iley . Copyright , sed by the spe ial of -M B . permission the publishers , the obbs errill Company

1 7

E CHAPT R I.

SO METH I N G THAT LEADS UP T O AN D E XP I N S TH I N E LA S O ME G LSE .

i s u e f or the - ERE no vol m city bre d . H e neve r knows what youth may H e e . e e e e m an aﬁ ld must , p rforc , hav miss e d in life the wonde r of re al boyhood the the e in outdoors , unconscious d light of knowing e ve ry one and e ve ry corne r e e of v ry back lot . The Ske tchy re colle ctions here set down were ﬁrst inte nde d for a p e rsonal e em e own souv nir, and with th w nt my

e c e . N ow crud drawings and a rud r map , e saw the r who thos who d awings , and e e the r ad casually, prot st that , though Main Stre e t of this lazy narrative wa s e e ni that Of a littl P nnsylva a town , all e e ar e e e e e e Main Str ts alik , and th y b li v e who too e that thos , all many y ars ago , e e e b e un rate kn w Main Str ts , will not g

ful if their memories are stirred . 19 M Y O WN MAIN ST REET

The of . e e illustrations Harry C T mpl , of the e Ne e e e N ew Am rican wspap r S rvic , ar e e he York , proof nough that was re are d h e in a small town, and that still can e e y e e visualiz its trag d and com dy , its hop s H i s e e e . e and f ars , impuls s and motions h t e riche r for it . SO e ar e e , I hop , all to whom brick pav

e u e e - m nts and high b ildings , str t cars and

e e e e e . Str t lighting, cam lat r in lif Any one can' know a city and what a city

e one b e - e m ans , but must country br d to know the country as it is worth whi le to know it . THE ROAD TO YE STE RDAY.

M M . WILL . AUPIN

n the n e Dow lo g, broad road as it l ads away To the pleasant scenes of a ye ste rday TO the orchard wide where the laden trees Swing to and f ro in the balmy breeze ; By the Old well - swee p with its cre aking pole And the big white rock by the swimming- hole

A the en the new- n h , sc t that comes from mow hay Whose long drifts lay Where the sunbe ams play On the on e to e e ' l g , wid road y st rday

The milestones stand with their tinge of gray A the n c to e e s mi d harks ba k y st rday , And the road grows smooth as the eye s behold

The long- lost scenes of the days of Old Faces bright of the old school crowd Long since wrappe d in she et and shroud ; We lcome shouts from the chums so gay Who romp and play

In the Old - time way the n By lo g, wide road to yesterday '

The e en n n ne v i g lamp through the wi dow shi s , And we se e once more the stumbling lines

Of the old ex - and e c n e t t books, a h puzzli g rul 21 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

c e e in h That aus d us gri f t e hours of school . ’ And a swe et old face gainst the window pane Looks down the re ach of the shady lane ; And the welcome gle ams in he r bright eyes play As on we stray Through the evening gray n the old Old to e e ' Dow , road y st rday

D n th n ea ow e lo g, wide road as it l ds away To the old - time sc ene s of that ye ste rday ’ n h h e n Whe t e he art was light as t e thistl s dow , ’ And we little knew of the hard world s frown ; Whe re the friends we knew were the girls and boys To divide our woe s and t o Share our joys Whe re life was swe e t and the hours were gay With love and play In our childhood way At the end of the road to ye sterday '

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

— — runs or ran ﬁfty ye ars ago through

- e e wa s most county s ats in Am rica, and it ve ry wonde rful to me . ’ e e e So I ros arly, w nt out to Barclay s e ate e pastur for our cow , and my br ak e e h r e fast while my broth r milk d e . Th n e the c th e I drov cow ba k , put up bars , ’ and felt my day s work was done . From the pasture an avenue Of old locust - tre e s le d the e - e e to Old wat ring trough , and th r I drank de e ply of the cool spring which f e d it . Climbing to the top of the moss e e the e cov r d trough , I found surfac agi tate d by the antics of a school of water e bugs , which skipp d and slid and took counsel toge the r afte r th e aimle ss fashion e e e Of their kind . I ﬂung p bbl s at th m , e e e but th y gath r d again and again , and slid round and round and back and forth , e h e . e en masse , just t e sam I hav sinc le arne d that pe rse cution ha s the same m n e ff e ct on e . wa s di mm e It In an su r, but no boy can play about a watering- trough and ke e p

hi s e e . e e f t dry I bath d min , and , as I did so e e , ﬂung acorns at a cov y of y llow but 24 MY OWN M AIN ST RE E T

Welty’ s Watering-trough te rﬂi e s e e e which, d spit imp nding frost we re hove ring ove r th e prints of hors e s h h hoofs in t e mud b e side t e trough . I dipp e d my broad- brimm e d straw hat in th e e e wat r, and tri d in vain to catch a e e e the small gr n frog . I push d out crown of the - set hat clown fashion, it all drip e e e ping upon my h ad, and journ y d south wards kicking up the dust in th e whe e l

c c the - tra ks , hasing big, grayish brown grasshopp ers and ﬂi nging stone s at the chipmunks which friske d along the 25 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

’ e c e worm f n s . Main Stre e t s lure wa s w ni a ng . e e e c of To astward , b yond a gr at pat h e e e gold nrod and wild ast r, gorg ous in ’ e e r e d e e e gr n and and gold, w r Culb rtson s e e e e Woods . I could hav play d th r all day long . I think I could e ve n now . I mi ght have gathe re d nuts and late m e e e di uni ulb rri s , wild grap s and In an t r p , e e sassafras , inkb rri s , corn silk from ’ the neighboring ﬁelds for ne xt we e k s e smoking . I could have chas d ground e e th e r e d squirr ls , us d my slingshot upon W e e ing d blackbirds , dramatiz d imaginary An on e e . d adv ntur s all day long , my way e e e e hom , I could hav sm ar d my hands and le gs and face with poke b e rri e s and re turne d at night a re gular de sp e rado . h e e But in t e dust two tumbl bugs roll d , industri ouslv a round , brown ball , not

e c le . e e unlik a rocky marb Th y ‘ mov d d e . e e toward town , st adily , if slowly I t as the m,but it did not alte r the ir cours e . If e so tumblebugs c ould stick to th ir path , ’ c e e e ould I . Culb rtson s Woods w r always there .

26 RE AL

E DGAR A . GUEST .

I saw In the nce the n en ee him dista , as trai w t sp d in b g y,

A e e e n n in the sun shiv ry littl f llow sta di g to dry , And a little pile of clothing ve ry ne ar him I c ould

see ; He was owne r of a gladne ss that had once belonge d m to e .

I have shivere d as he shivere d ; I have drie d the way he drie d ; ’ ’ I v e stood nake d in God s sunshine with my gar ments at my side ;

And I I e e of he n e thought , as b h ld him , t ma y w ary

men Who would like to go in swimmin g as a little boy n agai .

' F O v H 1 9 1 8 T h e R C o . rom er ere Copyright , , by eilly Lee , Mr ’ . G an . uest s publishers , d reprinted by their permission

27 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

’ Shrill voic e s came from Taylor s i c e e r e co ni z pond, and I had no troubl in g ”

e . e e ing th m Skinny was th r , and e e e the e G org too , and I kn w wat r, de e the in the o spit chill morning air, c uld not e t y be cold .

Taylor ’ 8 I ce -pond

I climbe d in the little north window of the ic e - e hous , and dug down through the dr th e e to the wet y sawdust to moist , th n , h i and at last to t e ce . With a Barlow e e a s e Of f knif , us d a pick , I clipp d a good e e out the i siz d chunk, slipp d w ndow, cut th nd of the e d around e north e shed, jump 28 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

h e the e e t e fe nc at corn r, and hail d my

i e e e e Two k lld rs ros , scolding, circl d the e e ﬂew pond a coupl of tim s , and away e i c e e e in disgust . I Shar d my with G org “ ” e th e and Skinny, wash d sawdust and e e mud from my own shar , suck d and

e ~ e e e Off m swallow d it hastily, and p l d y e e e the cloth s. Th n I dov from roof of

the i ce - e e e e e hous , and proc d d to more s ri ous busine ss . wet of With a dab brown clay, I ’ painte d my compani ons nake d bodie s e e one e e grot squ ly, striping p rp ndicularly and the othe r tige r- fashion ; for mv self I

e e e - e e pr f rr d two inch squar s . Our fac s e e e of we e n w r thos Zulu warriors , and b ga th — e c e . war dan , chanting The n old Je rs e y came around the cor ner of the i ce - e r e e hous , st iding r solut ly, he e e e He and carri d a long appl suck r. did not b elieve in having boys burrow in

hi s i ce - e hous and uncove r valuable i ce . He pre tende d not to believe in boys going e swimming and undr sse d for it . We e e e splash d ashor , snatch d up our c e e th e e loth s , and rac d along e road f nc to 29 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e In hid a clump of elderb erry bushe s . e e wa s e we set J rs y too wis to follow , and e e to ours lv s dre ss . — Some vandal and I have some trouble — cle aring my own good name had v i site d “ e e e e wa s e e th ir cloth s , and th r b f to ” chaw b e fore arms would go into sle eve s or e e e e e e f t down trous r l gs . Th r always i s e wh n boys go swimming . We e e e dr ss d without d lay, clay stripes e e and all , and dodg d furtiv ly through ’ e l e c e Dav A lman s gard n, pi king wild ch r e a s we e ri s w nt and skipping gaudy , vari — e - e ﬂowe r e on color d, Old fashion d b ds , our to h h way t e big woode n pump in t e yard . ’ ” Dave s daughte r Slim Jin the boys — calle d h er stood in th e doorway and A laughe d wis ely at our stre ake d face s . of dl e b e muslin bag cur d milk, soon to schmi e rka se the , hung on the jamb of door . “ J e e Slim in gave us a buck t, a coupl of handfuls of soft soap and ple nty of a d s e we e e e vic , and us d all thre e . Boylik , th n, we showe d our gratitude by knocking p e ars off the trees as we went through the front yard . 30

M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T the e e mi e we f nc s , and always ss e d . Th n ’ Br h came to ouc ler s apple orchard . I have re ad since I think in Bur “ , s e i s e e the rough , that the appl ind d fruit ” of e e e e the youth, and I b li v it as I r call

Rambos which we found the re . e e e e C rtain it is that , wh n man c as s to e at apple s unashame d upon th e stre et ; when h e grows reluctant to carry them in his pocke ts ; when he doe s not visit hi s ’ ne ighbor s orchard or spends his winte r , — evenings without them clos e to hand he h a s e e e . b gun to age , eith r in heart or y ars

32 E CHAPT R III.

’ HE N BRO UC H LE R S C ITH S H P BLA KSM O , RA G CARPETS AND SPEAKER AND N BA KS .

’ EXT come s He nry Br ouchle r s black mi mi ’ s th shop , and blacks ths shops We e er ar e always wonde rful to boys . n v pass e d that way without a pause for e e to se e hi s e e the gr tings , and hors sho s in making . “ H en a s h e wa s the , known to all wa s the the e county, at anvil, and fi ry flew e e e e sparks v ry way, k ping us mark r He ing time to save ou bare toe s . had m c e e f e w e e e iscal ulat d siz a mom nts b for , and had she are d off a bit of me tal which looke d for all the world like a pie ce of or putty a little painte d block . hi e e e he T s G org pick d up , and shrieke d as hi s finge rs clos e d upon the e e Th e e s aring m tal . odor of burning fl sh mingle d with that of scorche d shavi ngs 33 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

’ from hors e s hoove s and burning charcoal . “ ” Hen laid down hi s hammer we arilv H e o was us e d t boys . H e wrapp e d the bli ste re d ﬁnge rs in a soile d rag and soothe d with lib e ral oint ment of some kind of hors e liniment or

Henry Brouchle r ’ s Black smith Shop

e e u s e e oth r, and drov out , thr at ning frightful p e naltie s if we ve nture d there again . Henry Br ouchler was fame d through out the county for th e high grade and supe rior ﬁnish of the whe elbarrows which 34 MY OWN M AIN ST RE E T

e e he turne d out b e twe e ntime s . The y w r ’ r e d Schue s all bright , matching y barn in so e e color, and h avily and strongly mad n that it took a strong man to handle o e . e e e e e e I r m mb r that onc , wh n my fath r new one e e e had a of that mak , it took thr of u s boys to budge it with half a load . A f ew pace s down the stre e t two iron p e gs stood at prop e r inte rvals in the e e e e trampl d, cind ry arth with four hors ” e one of e e e sho s , th m a ring r, b aring te stimony to the pitch which won ye s ’ t r The e Of the e day s last game . loaf rs town had not ye t gathe re d for their f a v orite we e sport, but kn w that within a f e w hours the stre e t woul d re sound with argume nt and contention on the ﬁne of the e wi e e points gam , and th d bat upon the e e e of th e r lativ m rits e cont stants . e e e e I susp ct , now, that tim s w r hard that ye ar in which so many of my fellow townsme n we re content to de vote the ir time and e ne rgy to this simple and unat

e e . c e tractiv gam I had oc asion onc , dur in e ri od o f e e g a p industrial d pr ssion , to e to r e trav l from coast coast, and I can me mb e r how I looke d from car window at 35 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e village aft r villag , small town aft r se e e m en small town, to groups of idl about th e railway station lounging a s spe ctators at this idle game .

e e e e e I hav conclud d sinc that , what v r i e e ts handicap in pointl ssn ss , pitching h o r s e s h o e s i s th e favore d dive rsion of the e e un mploy d , in the small towns at l e ast . W e m e t L e v i Brouchler e th n, a lit tle r e d— e r e d , hair d , be arde d veteran of the war b e twe en the e e e a Stat s , who n v r p Lev i Brouchle r pe ar e d anywhe re in public save in the full uni form of a private soldi e r .

e wa s e L vi a slow walk r, and a most e e e one d lib rat , but no man along Main

e e e ev i e Str t took long r stride s . L oft n boaste d of how he marche d in the Old d the h e e ays , and story ran that e had b n the one little man in a long - le gge d com pany . 6 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

He wa s h e not fond of work, although turne d hi s hand oc c asionally to the pro duction of a f ew oak shingle s or an orde r e e or Of f nc posts palings . th e Br ouchler hi we In yard, w ch e e e e r ach d n xt, was an Old wood n swing w In e e e boys neve r pass e d haste . G org “ ”

and . e and Skinny I climb d up , and “ ” e e e e hi e pumped d sp rat ly, high r and gh r, until we could touch the last sprays on the “ e e of the As the low r branch s big tre e . ” old e we e e e cat di d, l ap d down to rac th e e the old e c down road b hind Sal m ha k, e e e th e e and climb d aboard, d spit prot sts the e of and thr ats Old man Patty . ’ We rode in with him to Ca sh e y s Cor e e the e n rs , r sisting t mptation to cut across ’ Culb ertson s field to the big sycamore ’ e e e e e e tr , wh r g n rations of that town s boys had carve d their names in the white r ba k . e w e Th n e lost G orge . He lived at ’ C a she s she S e y with his aunt, and pi d him on th e c e e ha k, and summon d him to h lp Z m hi — Uncle e ph with s carp et we av i ng . Karl Zemph was a hustling little G er of e man, fat and full busin ss , always bust 37 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T l ing and always at work . His carpe t we avi ng busine ss was to the pe ople of that Old town what the ne ighborhood motion picture the ate r is to the neighborhood — to day . Our townsfolk di d not fare afield on e wintry evenings in thos e days . Th y e e own fire side s stay d by th ir , cutting and e e s wing for rag carp e ts and rugs . Wh n the e e — e rags w r cut into narrow , ribbon lik e e e e e e e th e l ngths , th y w r join d tog th r at

- ends and rolle d into bowling ball siz e . Whe n enough were re ady for a rag carpe t e Zem h a s the or a rag rug Uncl p , all town e e e e e kn w him, conv rt d th m into durabl

- and bright colore d ware s .

Small boys like d to watch this proce ss . We us e d to envy Ge orge hi s fami liarity th e with it , his right to tinker with clumsy we e e of e the loom . And marv l d , cours , at transformation of rags into rugs . It is wonderful to me now . th e s wi hi th e At foot of the hill, ju t t n e was un north borough lin , old A t Sally ’ Allsworth e e - e e s w ath r stain d cottag , sur rounde d by b e ds Of tall hollyhocks

e e - e n e and sw t sm lling pi ks, with warm r 38

MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

h er e e The for conomical mod Of life . e of her e he r e prid h art was gard n, and strange storie s ran of how sh e had the e e h avy work done th re . On e sprin g Aunt S all y hir e d ’ ” e to e e Skinny s broth r Fulton spad , rak th e e and plant plot, and Fulton sp nt a th e ob e e full Saturday holiday on j , d spit h ﬁh t e fact that s we re biting . At dusk h Aunt Sally came out into t e yard . ’ e he e Fulton s back ach d, but glow d with pride in th e fact that he had e arne d some mone y and h e had spent half th e day plan e ning his purchas s . ” Fulti e un , said A t “ e e e Sally, you hav b n a e the v ry good boy, and garden looks very we ll

inde e d . And he re is a ne w e bright, p nny, and ’ I m sure I hOpe you w ’ ’ on t spend it foolishly . Fulti e We always pass e d ’ e sh e a sk Aunt Sally s in a hurry, l st us to f or h r h e . s e work That was a way had, we and boys knew it . 40 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

On th e hill we met Spe ake r and ” e e e Hon y Banks , ld rly colored folk of e old plantation stock . Th y were a praye r o e e the e ful c upl , promin nt in n gro church h t e e . of e town, of whom good stori s xist “ ” e e wa s Sp ak r a big, e e x black man, a pow rful e e e hort r, but susc ptibl to th e blandi shments of th e “ ” x de a fair se . Though a in hi s h e con church, had b e en surpris e d one eveni ng holding hands with one of t f h he ewe lambs o t e ﬂock . The re wa s e xcite ment in th e congre gation . B ro u ght b e fore th e “ e e e church s ssion, Sp ak r e e hi s c fac d inquiry in r gard to condu t , and h ni hi e re sponde d with an asto s ng ple a . “ ” “ Brudde r s he ou e e , said, y hab s n ‘ ’ ’ de e e O pi t rs b de Gre at She phe rd . Ain t he allus got a lamb Ob de ﬂock in hi s arms ? the e e e e But pl a fail d , for, aft r grav e th e e e argum nt , s ssion brought in a r solu tion to the e ff e ct that 41 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

’ ’ F o the future peace an digni ty ob ’ de e de nex congr gation, time De acon Banks am impelled to take a lamb in his h m ” e ra . arms , pick out a lamb “ ” e hi s was e e Hon y Banks , wife , h roin of mi a not altoge the r di ssi lar tale . In e e she e e e the e x str t attire, pr f rr d most e e e nni e e tr m styl s , ru ng to larg patt rns e e and solid colors , a usual ornam nt b ing

e e e e e - e a n cklac of buck y s or hors ch stnuts , he in strung on a gre asy corse t cord . S “ ” variably got the Spirit at . e ve ry camp e e she e e i v i m ting, and d light d in g ng way h r to e e motions . e e e she e e Onc , ind d, when was h ad d ’ th e e e e noisily for mourn rs b nch , a w ll dispos e d siste r t ook it upon herself to h r uie t e . q “ G o m e e e way from , Sist r Mandi , go “ h ou S e . way, said I doan want y to e m Brudder E hr ham qui t e . I want p y to m quie t e . Thi s was anothe r of the stories that h Ol li t e d town ke d . ’ Halfway up the hill Widow Jack s “ h E z e ous e is going up. Campb ll and ” e e Watt Borlin, rival t amst rs , each with 42 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T bi e ar e the g, gray t ams , bringing in brick .

The y race all day . “ ” Watt talks through hi s nos e to hi s e the e h e e e hors s all tim , and und rtak s to “ ” unload hi s burde n in order to b e at E z to the back brickyard . “ ’ ” Always as he pass e d E z s te am on “ the e e we hi m str t could hear call , Kum

hu e d- hi ske r d on- - - hon, y e s hoo a gun . It wa s hi s e u e favor d sal tation, and ev ry boy mi e in town mi ck d him . ’ Ne xt door Culb e rtson s ne w brick e was e e hous n arly ﬁnish d, and a noisy group of carpe nters wa s busy within . The y let us gather a lot of blocks of wood e we hi d the and a pil of nails , which in e e e e th e b e e f nc corn r n ar road, to call d f or — e . lat r Boys always do that why, I no can t understand . The re must b e some thing about scraps of so e new e wood , pl ntiful about a hous , ’ which stirs a boy s ambition, but I can not re me mb e r e ve r using any Of the e bushels of the m I sav d . ’ Ne xt wa s Attorney Jack Marchant s e e e hous , and, of cours , we dragg d sticks h the e t e . along fence p alings Tip, Old st 43 MY O WN MAIN ST REE T

e e and cross st dog in town, cam snarling on th e we e e out run , and pok d him brav ly on the e e we e e nos , onc mad sur gate wa s clos e d .

44 CHAPTER IV

H N N C H T V N JO Y POWELL , BU KW EA E DER , S P I H I I F UR R SES S W E .

N e e HE Johnny Pow ll cam by, and W re fus e d us a ride . e re torte d afte r the mann e r of our kind and Johnny chir He rupe d to his hors e . was a vulnerable ’ r h targe t f o t e town s wit . Johnny spe cialize d in e growing buckwh at , and buckwhe at ﬂour made from the produce of hi s farm was f ame d throughout the ’ e e e county . I ll n v r forg t — thos e cake s brown and light and tende r and the of full Size a plate , with a crisp lazy fringe about the , Johnny P owell e li e dge s and ttl , volcano e e e de like mounds and crate rs ev rywh r , signe d no doubt to accommodate home , , — made butter and home made maple syrup . 45 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

John Powe ll was not as good to look a s the e e at cak s mad from his buckwhe at . H no e would t change his clothe s . It was e e e e th e told Of him, and I n v r qu stion d of the e one wa s truth story, that wh n suit n to e e h e e actually falli g pi c s , would haggl and bargain for half a day f or the che ap

e st —me - e hand down in town, and w ar it t e e e h r aft r, night and day, through rain e and snow and sunshin , until similar f or ne ce ssity a change aros e again . ce him On , though, his custom brought

e e - e h e e e to gri f. Snak lik , had d cid d to e hi s he e e to sur chang skin, and sch m d e hi e e e the pris s wif agr ably . On way home with the new suit h e unde rtook a comple te change on the bridge ove r Loyal e e e e hanna Cr k, and ﬂung his thr adbar garme nts ove r the side into th e rushing H the e . e e e e str am l arn d, th n, that jolting of hi s springle ss wagon ove r the rough roads had cost him the package cont aining the new suit but it was too late . It could , — not b e said of Johnny in this back to “ , e e e e e e natur costum , that lov lin ss n ds not the e of n e e for ign aid or am nt, but is , wh n ”

e e . unadorn d, adorn d the most 46

MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

’ ’ Zing ' Strike two ; an th crowd went wild ;

Zow ' Wow- c e en n c wow, am a r di g rash

e - u e ' Jump d p Jupit r , what a smash ’ e e en r ocketin in air Sph r w t up , S e eme d to bust like a bomb up th e re ’ e en c e n 0 Ball its lf w t l a out sight , Cove r was ketch e d by the man at the right ’ - tearin c Jake was a toward third sa k , ’ Umpire hollers an c alls him back ; ’ ’ n nne an th e . e Fa s was stu d play rs daz d , e was ne e e But , say , that umpir v r phas d ’ M n ence c an c otio s for sil , alm ool , ’ ’ ’ An this is th way h e applie d th rule ’ ’ Half 0 th ball went ove r the fence

H ketch e d th e e e ence alf was by ﬁ ld r , h ’ n run Half was a putout a half a , S core stands to

48 E CHAPT R V .

SP I NT L ERS .

“ e e in town now h E w r , , and t e board e walk b gan, a board walk e ver full of e e splint rs , which k pt our Barlow kni ve s b us y . And he re wa s the broad space d e v o t e d t o the e acad my. “ The Blue B o y s ” and “ T h e O l (1 W e s t m ore ” lands we re Splinters both practic e the ing on the grounds , making r ady for ’ th e e last game of s ason, a sort of world s championship conte st for the county and h we c se e b e t e countryside . But ould as e e e ball almost any day, so w r not inclin d e to tarry h re . 49 MY OWN M AIN ST REE T

We cut across through the school e th e e the com grounds , und r mapl s , past pass stone s us e d by th e surve yors in a d e e e th e justing th ir instrum nts , and climb d ld o e e e . fram stil , worn by many st ps e e e e e t im ro Th r was a stor th r tha day, p “ ” e e e e vis d, own d and conduct d by Guin a “ ” “ ’ e Gilson, Toad Miting r and Bill “ e e e Ch rry, Harrison Av nu and Mud ” town boys . A Si gn above the ir stand bore the ‘ No — N o e words , Trust Bust, and th y e e e the sold vin gar sling and p ar appl s , ’ e no e e latt r, doubt , stol n from Culb rtson s e e ﬁv f or orchard . Th y ask d e pins a drink e e but of sling and two for a big p ar appl , w e still had Rambo apple s in our pocke ts . We e we e e lack d pins , so trad d our whit locust skin and our apple s f or two drinks the of e e of compound vin gar, wat r and e on sugar, and hurri d . We not e our e e did f ar t ach rs , on Satur o r s e we day, and u delight wa noisy wh n found on the old board fe nce whe re some “ re s entful youngste rs had scrawle d Hog ” c e e We e e e fa Shawl y . suppl m nt d it with “ ” ’ A e e e . Michigan ppl s , Mr Shawl y s oth r 50 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

’ ul ni e h pop ar cknam , and wonde re d if e d e c ni o r r og ze u writing on Monday . The boys calle d T e acher Shawle y ” e e e hi s e Hog Fac b caus of h avy jowl ,

e e e e e . littl y s , big ars and scrubby b ard “ ” Michigan Apple s had to do with his

tory . e f rb m Shawl y came Michigan, and c e e e on , shortly b for the Christmas holi h e won the hi s days , had good Opinion of pupils by the announcement that he had s ent to Michigan for a barrel of th e b e st e e he e e appl s that gr w, and that int nd d h to give the m to t e school . The e e e t e appl s cam , and Shawl y s or d ’ hi M c aid Th e the m in s room at Qu s Hotel . young men of the town le arne d of his e e e e e to e plan, and h lp d th ms lv s mor than th The e the half e barre l . jok was on chil e e e the dr n, rath r than on Shawl y, for e e e e t ach r promptly announc d that , sinc h e k e e to th e c lac d appl s go around lass , h H e e would give none at all . e made quit a e e e sp ch, too , about thos who had found hi s store . Au e e e c e nt B ll was a mor popular t a h r, a h e c She nd one w o inspire d more re sp t . 51 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T rule d and the whole school enjoye d her rule . e e e e e i e Onc , I r m mb r, a n wly arr v d English boy (Dars e y Bills'brought v er min in his shock of hair into the school e th of room , and took his s at in e middle the h e e —e e e e t r s at d b nch s then in use . He e e e e scratch d, and pr s ntly his s at

e e . mat s scratch d Aunt B e ll gue ss e d why . Sh e e e e e hi s had Dars y tak n , d spit pro

e th e e - e e e t sts , to liv ry stabl , sh ar d with hors e - clipp e rs and we ll gre as e d with lard r e d e e and pr cipitate . She mad trouble in e e c th e many hous holds , too , by n ouraging — most strenuo us of ﬁne hair combings and shampooing . It wa s Aunt B ell who trie d her b e st “ ”

e e e . to t ach Bud King to sp ll , and fail d He c not et ——t h e ould g past b a . S trie d on him that again and again, and ﬁnally e e out e sp ll d it to him , and ask d him what H e . e e h r it m ant look d at e blankly. “ ” “ e e Why, Buddi , said Aunt B ll , you must know what it is that ﬂie s around in ’ the e e e arly v ning . You ve s e e n it eve r

so e . S e now many tim s p ll it again, , and ” e pronounc it . 52 MY OWN M A IN ST RE E T

e e e Bud n v r lack d assuranc e . ” B - A - T he e e conﬁdentlv , sp ll d

Whippoorwill . The re i s th e Catholic Church and e the e Fath r Otto , good pri st , walks to and f ro the e e e in gard n b sid it , e re ading a book . Old N ddy M cGuir e e b , hom ward ound mi from mass , was just co ng out we , but could not stop to a sk him of th e ae com li shm ents p of his sons , or e ni the e conc r ng famin of N e ddy M cGui re f —e or e orty ight , qu stion him disre sp e ctfully in re gard to hi s politics e hi m which irritat d . Ne ddy us e d to strain our cre dulity by ’ hi s of e e yarn how, wh n Ir land s crops

e th e - e e fail d, land own rs import d corn on the the e mi s cob , and starving p asantry, e e e off taking grains for bark , Sh ll d th m e th o H e e and boil d e c b . insist d that his e e e family had thriv d upon it , v n as upon

e - - e di a br ad and m at e t in America .

53 TH LAYMATE OF YE TE D E P S S R AY .

Oh e e are the a e e s e , wh r pl ymat s of y t rday, The fellows we knew in s chool ?

Oh ec e the one , what has b om of studious ,

And e e oh e e the ? wh r , , wh r , is fool

Oh e c h , what has b ome of t e orator , Whose passion was to re cite ? And the bashful kid who could spe ak no pie ce Unle ss he suc cumbe d to fright ? Oh e c e the e , what has b om of mod l boy, ’ Wh o was always the teach e r s pet ?

And her e e e the n nut w , oh , wh r , is tough you g , The one we can never forget ?

The one so we e een studious , hav b told , Is driving a hack these days ; e th n in n r t o Whil e fool ow s stock a ba k o w , n A d a railroad that always pays . The orator that we knew so well Is clerk in a dry - goods store ; While the bashful kid we kne w has been

In Congre ss ten ye ars or more . The model boy is behind the bars ’ For ste aling a neighbor s cow. And you ask what of the tough young nut ? h ’ O he e n w. , s a pr acher o — on mous An y .

M Y OWN MAIN ST RE ET

e e e e e e dr ams , and I b li v that v ry small town boy has similar re colle ctions . Each b e ll had its own p e culiar sound . e e th e e First , as dawn brok , cam sol mn the e sum tolling of Catholic Church b ll , moni ng the parishione rs e e e to e arly mass . Th n th r — e e - e fir st w r school b lls , The v s e cond and third . th e e did not toll , for S nior boys who rang the m had not e e th e l arn d trick , but e e th y always said , at l ast “ e me e th y did to , Com , ” — e girls Com , boys . We e e th e had a rul , th n, that doors we re clos e d for fiv e minute s after th e last e wh o to strok , and thos e came late had e the c e e e fac prin ipal . Classmat s , too , w r privile ge d to laugh as the y found their to e way th ir s e ats . Tardy marks on con duct cards me ant some thing whe n parents had to sign the m . ’ At ni ne o clock the courthous e b ell e e e e e e call d judg , jurym n, lawy rs , witn ss s f e e e and court O fic rs to th ir plac s , and e or e e trag dy com dy b gan . At noon again, 56 MY OWN MAIN ST RE ET

w e e e the as e playe d our s v ral ways hom , e e che e rful sound of farmhous b lls , rung n n e m en e a s dinner war i g for hir d , cam e e from afar . Thos b lls , I know now, had e an appe al more than pur ly physical , whe n softene d by distance . Afte r dinne r the schoolhouse and court hous e b ells rang again; and e ve ry We dne s day e vening the church b e lls calle d Chris

- tian folk to we ekly praye r me e ting . — But boys like d b e st the fir e b ell when on ni e it clange d out Stormy ghts , and th y scramble d into their clothe s and race d to the old fir e - e ngine hous e to he lp th e first “ ” arrivals haul out old Pat Lion and “ th e - e Good Will, hand pump d, hand propelle d fir e - engine and run it to the place whe re a human bucke t brigade was e e e forming . Th ir pistons w r always

e the e - e e froz n in wint r tim , and hot wat r from the ne are st home wa s usually in de h fir mand until t e e was out . One of the advantage s of fir e in the old town was that the wome n folk made it a — point to supply the fir e fighter s with e e e the coff and sandwich s , and boys never

e et e e . fail d to g th ir shar , and more 57 MY OWN M AIN ST RE E T

And no boy from that town could f or et th e e of ev e an g b lls Christmas , which nounc e d the - e annual Sunday school parti s , ’ or e N e w e ev e e thos of Y ar s , which hail d the new e e h e e y ar . Oddly noug , th y m an more to m e in memory than eve r the y di d then . Ne wa s old e e e e xt the c m t ry, whos

e e e e e - e e whit grav ston s , w ath r b at n , always stirre d the thoughts of childhood and r ou se d the e - by to e _ pass r gloomy m dita _ e e e th e tion . It s m d, at dusk , that all e e e ou e e c e ston s l an d toward y , p rhaps b aus th e pre vailing winds we re we sterly and th e frost he lp e d . The man who coine d the phras e about ’ ” whistling to ke e p one s courage up e e e spoke truth . I n v r pass d that spot at dusk or afte r without doing just that most re solutely . Just b e yond the church was the new

' c e me te ry and the ne w grave of Daisy The e un Lawrence . ﬂow rs lay still, h e e on t e . with r d, mound e — e e A dwarf d , ill favor d , misshap n man ,

’ r oa d a s e ne arly a s b tall , was wi lding pick e e e he and shovel ne ar by, as it s m d 58 MY OWN MAIN ST RE ET

P assing C emetery

wa s m h . e e always To , as I look back, e or was always digging, making grav s e e e ﬁlling th m . I hav h ard him at night, and the dull glow of hi s lantern and the muﬂi e d soun d of his pick m always frighte ne d e . Whi s tlin g w oul d n o t e s rve then . I ran . Cary Mayne s was th e e the e s xton, but whol t o w n c a l l e d h i m ” - Ground hog, not only e hi s to d signate calling, but to distinguish him from the othe r Mayne s ‘ Ground -hog ' Of th n e tow . e we m e t e the Just th n Bill Walt rs , e e h e town hous paint r, and , too , was a c H — e melan holy soul . e had ide as advanc d 59 MY OWN M AIN ST RE E T

e — e e he ul d on s about color sch m s , but co ne ve r ge t the m acc e pte d . Bill had just one talk f or a prosp e ctive e e custom r, and it always ran lik this “ ’ e e My d ar man, my d ar man, if you ll only le t me use my judgment in choosing e e e e vour color sch m , I will guarant to e e o pl as y u . “ ’ You re all wrong whe n you want th e ’ r e d th e It s body and e trimming y llow . ’ N ow e . against natur s harmony , my e 1 sch me s simple . “ Why not call your colonial house a e e 1v e e e e whit ros , and g it gr n p tals and a ’ gre e n ste m and gre en le ave s ? Then you d ” e hav something . But Bill could ne ve r conve rt a cus e the wa s e e e tom r, and Old town paint d v ry e color and ev ry combination of colors . e now e e e c I susp ct , , that , d spit his e e he wa s e c ntriciti s , an artist at h art , e e e v e a man who dr am d of a mod l illag , though he lacke d the ability to make e oth rs visualize that dre am . the we e the Starting down hill , cross d ’ stre e t to climb upon the Fli gger s stone e ten e wall , a mural wond r f et high, which so MY O WN MA IN ST RE E T

Fli gge rs ’ St one Wall se e me d to us an e ngin ee ring marve l com Th e parable to th e gre at wall of China . top of that wall Offe re d we ary travele rs who we re not too we ary to climb a have n f wa s e e e o e e . r tr at It a favor d r fug , too , e f or th e e di c e for lov rs , spr a ng bran h s Of gre at maple s came low ove r it . We sa t down to watch the strutting p e afowl in th e Marchant yard until an e e e the e Fli Irish t rri r, own d by Miss s g

e e e our e e e . g rs , discov r d pr s nc His fran ti c snarling and barking brought out his e e e e we mistr ss s , who liv d alon , and had le arne d that Old maids did not approve of — e e small boy tr spass rs . We e e always wish d, in thos days , that some time the y would close th e hous e and on i w go a v sit, if only that e might play on e at will that gr at wall , and have a good look at the big the rmome te r b e side the 61 MY OWN MA IN ST RE E T

wa s the on front doorway . It only big e f O its kind in town . We the e e as cut across str t, always , to

the - - e e e visit hook and ladd r hous , and mad o r We e e the u way in . climb d ov r appa e e e e ratus ass mbl d th r , hoping against hope that a ﬁr e might bre ak out with us on th e e e e job , and th n , r moving a loos th e e th e di board in wall , cr pt into ngy e c f or e littl back room , whi h , many y ars , was th e re he arsal he adquarte rs f or th e town band .

The re could b e no more untidy plac e . c e e Tobac o quids and p anut sh lls , stubs of e e e e stogi s and tobacco ash s , burn d match s , old pape r and drie d apple core s lay every Th e whe re . e furnishings wer only e e e an e e wood n b nch s , Old tabl and som c e th e e e ri k ty chairs , latt r much mutilat d e ni by p nk ve s . The re wa s che ap and ov e rornate pap e r on th e e a stain d walls , and lithogr phs of e e e e shap ly, but non too warmly dr ss d, c e a tr ss folk . No small- town boy forge ts that night of nights on which the town band r e he ars e d ; how furtively he stole from 62

E CHAPT R VII.

T H E H CH NIT R I D E T E C C UR JA OR , A LROAD ” TI T H E H NT H VE AND AU ED OUSE .

HEN we le ft the bandr oom and

e the e e we me t cross d str t , Old e the e ni th e Uncle L wis , color d ja tor of e Episcopal Church . Whil we we re talking to him th e e e doors wer ﬂung op n , and his pre tty little daughte r

Zella came tripping out . She wa s so e so fair and com ly, e e lik our own whit girls , that in my verdant days I could neve r comprehend how she b e could e a color d girl . Some e boist rous youths , compris “ ” B um’ the on ing Ludwick Gang, their way from th e de pot to root f or the e e e e old W stmor land ball t am, cam march the e e e e e ing up stre et . Th y w r att nd d “ e by Billy the Bum, a nond script and 65 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e e nomadic charact r, fri nd n ith r to labor nor e e e wat r, and w aring nough clothing at this time of ye ar to ke ep an Arctic e e xplor r warm . While we we re having a look into ” ’ Old Man Earle s book- binding e stab li shment c h e e , whi h conduct d w th e we ith aid of his sons , saw — Frank Strong who was an a s ’ si stant Pe nnsylvania Railroad s — de te ctive on hi s way to me e t the train, and to his post Of duty at th e top of the station

ste ps . I have dropp e d into the old town once in awhile within th e e e e e t last thirty y ars , and n v r y Frank Strong have faile d to ﬁnd Frank at his accustome d plac e at th e top Of the depot one of e e steps . On th s occasions I shook e e hands with him, and inquir d about som of th e Old townsp e ople . “ ‘ WVhat has b e come of Old Tommy ’ ” M cCabe th e — e ? , railroad track walk r I ” h ’ e . e s e ask d Oh, said Frank , d ad ” “ m e of f e . die d o rh u atism W ll , what ” e e ? Rob ert Turn r, the station ag nt 66 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

D e e e ad, Frank answ r d ; di e d of he art “ e A D h lt h . e a t troubl nd old Mr , e hotel ” ? e too e man D ad, , Frank continu d ; “ ” “ ’ i e n . t blood poiso ng W ll, that s oo ” “ ’ e Of e bad, I said ; I m sorry to h ar th ir ‘ ha s e e i de aths . But what b com Of Sk lle t ’ “ e e e th e e o Br ak r Mayn s , sam that y u ‘ “ us e d to call Old Gone a n t o o , F rank “ ” we r d e ? s e . D ad I “ N e . o ask d , not e x that , Frank “ ’ H e plaine d . didn t

e xactly di e . The y just me rely poure d hl m ba Ck IIIIZO the ” Skill et Breaker Maynes ” bottle again . Just down th e side stre e t on which th e ’ e e e e i band s h adquart rs front d, b h nd a row of maj e stic maples whi ch ke pt th e grave ’ v ard s e e wa s th e e e e e e s cr ts , d s rt d littl hous Of e e e e e vil r port , haunt d, as som hous in e e The old v ry little town must b e . town “ e e e Th e e call d it, som tim s , Hous of ” e - ﬁllin e e e F ar, a mouth g titl nough, larg ly b e caus e of th e amazing story whi ch Jim e e Green, black port r at the n ighboring 6 7 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e e e he hot l , told of an xp ri nc claime d to have had the re . Some time s we boys could get Jim to — t e the h e e a ll story , and told it w ll alw ys

e e . in whisp rs , with much myst ry A e e h e m e trav ling sal sman , said, had pro is d him ﬁv e dollars if h e would sp e nd a night e e so se t ten the e eni th r , Jim out at in v ng e the with a lant rn, and, stumbling through e the of bush s in wilde rne ss a front yard ,

e . the mad his way into parlor, and sat down on the ﬂoor with th e lantern b e side him . “ ’ An then I h e er d a squakety- like ’ ’ e e to nois , an I dass nt look round, Jim “ ’ would sa y An I wi sh e t I was home ’ in b e d . An the n my he art b e at like the ’ bigge s drum In Mars e Harry Duns ’ ’ ’ ’ e som ethi n urrin paugh s band, an I f lt p ’ ’ e the e against my back, an th n bigg s black cat I e ve r se e brushe d against my ’ e e e goos ﬂ sh , an walk d right up to that ’ ’ ’ e e e lant rn , an curl d round it , an w nt ’ ’ ’ e fast r an faste r . An his tail kept gittin ’ ’ e e hi s e e e e e bigg r an bigg r, an y s w r lik e on the e ni a in ine s h adlights P nnsylva a g , ’ ’ e an I didn t ne e d that lantern non . 68 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e All of a sudd n that cat stops short, ’ an he shove s up hi s back a s high a s my ’ e e e e haid, an his tail g ts loik a f ath r ’ e e hi s e dust r, an he push s fac right ’ against mi ne an he says ‘ ’

ou e b e . Jim, y and I is all alon ah A ’ ‘ n I says ' Doan let that worry you . ’ ’ I s gwine to le ave right now . “ ’ ’ ’ An lef an e e th e I , wh n I f ll down in ’ e tin cans an bush s in that front yard, a ’ e e e h e big buck nigg r is th r , an says to ‘ ’ ’ ’ me sho l f a s e , Jim, you y am a runn r, an I se e h e had the haid of a gray- haire d ’ ‘ e e whit man und r his arm , an I says , Sir, ’ ’ ’ ’ e e t di I ain t b gun to run y , an I dn t stop till I got to the fe e d stable back of the ’ ”

e de . hot l, an slam door We e e e e us d to b li v that story, and Jim ’ told so of ten that I m sure he di d too .

MY O WN MA IN ST RE ET

e e he was the Mor ov r, town s e e r and e e e n cromanc r, always proph sying and always e xplaining the failure of his proph i n e c e s. O e who pre te nds a maste ry of th e occult is always fascinating to boys . “ Slop Marshall b elieve d th e cure for human ills to li e in a pocke tful of what he e —flat e call d scarabs , polish d , oval sub h e stance s like s e ashore p ebble s . And claime d th e power to make the m work for “ ” To e e the him . him, ind d , scarab was ’ the - hi e e sought for p losoph r s ston , which e e t e e might cur warts , w ns and goi rs , rh u ati m e m s and kindre d ailm nts . “ ” Onc e though Slop confide d to me , “ , that hi s scarabs we re nothing more e e th e e than Irish potato s , carri d in pock t until the y shrank and drie d and took from h t e e e . e dirty hands d sir d polish Of cours , e hi s e c e e e th e I tri d r ip , and, d spit ridi e of e e e cul par nts , broth rs , sist rs and e e fri nds , I carri d a big potato in my h m e . t e di en pock t It shrank at last, to “ ’ of its firm sions Slop s scarabs , and

ne e e . ss , contours and polish corr spond d What ills it spared m e I have never known . 72 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

We bade Marshall our boyish good morni ng just a s John Martin Luthe r —, Stump we calle d him John Martin Luther Buffalo Bill — P o s t e r S tump hail e d u s from across the stre e t with th f of He o wa s e Of e r a job . — the town bill poste r and news e he e e magnat , and want d h lp in - di stributing hand bills . We coul d have had gallery e f or our we s ats work, but knew our parents might not e the b e approv show, and , John Martin s wa ﬁl er Stump e s . id s , it our busy day Ne the e Of the e xt, on st ps Tourn r e we e to e e hom , wav d pr tty Ella Tourn r , e M cC onv ille th e chatting with Prof ssor , new e e e e e e the schoolt ach r, and p p d ov r ’ gre at stone wall b e fore Gove rnor Latta s home to pass th e time of day with Maude e e we e and B rti Latta , whom thought fair r than any of th e ﬂowe rs to be found in the e gr at yard . Across the stre e t old Sammy Stump wa s raising a dust a s h e swept down th e e h st ps of t e Reforme d Church. 73 M Y O WN MAIN ST R E E T

e the Doctor Town , ﬁrst and only home o athi c th e e p physician in Old town, cam e out of hi s e e tipto ing Ofﬁc n xt door, and haste ne d up the stre e t in his unmi stak e H e e e . e e abl , quiet, ladylik way s m d to e e e mi us always a p ac abl , ti d sort, but he had we athe re d th e viole nt Op position of his allopathic bre th r en e e e e , v n as , in more r c nt the e so years , sci ntists ( the e the ele ctroth er ost opaths , api sts and chiropractors have

manage d to survive .

Of thee I sing .

n e e e e La d wh r my fath rs di d, ’ n of the P de La d ilgrims pri , From e ve ry mountain- side ” L n et fre e dom ri g .

e the e e was Roll Patt rson, carp nt r, e e th e singing in his big, cl ar voic from ’ of e h e se t roof Judge Logan s hous , and ” le d the e us whistling . Roll M thodist he hi s Church choir, and always sang at e f or l work . You could h ar him ha f a e e e hi s e block . His ch rfuln ss and r cog ni ze d strength and ﬁnene ss of characte r l were known all round about the o d town . 74 M Y O WN MA IN ST R E E T

Jim Biggs — But we hurrie d on past Widow ’ — Eagan s home (she who was kill joy to th e e e she e boys , b caus always put ash s

- e on their coasting cours ', and e e — e met Jim Biggs , gr n goggl d,

- e e e w eak y d, dodd ring, driving hi s plodding gray hors e and two - whe ele d cart ﬁlle d with lime stone chunks for stre e t e r pair. Th e cre w that followe d Jim might have b e en re cruite d h ’ from t e Old Men s Home . e e wa s e Th r San Zimm rman, Tommy Gill the e f —e e boss , dir cting stif l gg d m old l Tom y Gill, Corporal Hock , and ha t

- e e . and big, and pe g l gg d Johnny Quinn 75 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

Any day from e arly spring to late fall one on e e might ﬁnd this gang the str ts ,

always busy . e Corporal Hock, rugg d and of the most soldie rly ’ ea th ol b ring, was e d town s

e . the e h ro Back in thirti s , when a young dare devil he had gone down to T e xas ’ e e n join d G . Sam Houston s the band, had a share in b e a cinto e e attl of San J , s n the e of P e gj e gge d Joh nny captur Santa Ana . Quinn He came home in time to e e the e t ll strange stori s Of old Southw st , of thrilling e xploits in Te xas and Old Me xico and of th e tri als e and suff rings , discour m nt a ge e s and triumphs , of the little group of patriots who made Te xas Hi s truly Ame rican . story prove d th e inspi e ration which s nt many c orpora, Hock Of th e young men of the town to enlist in the real Me xican War a few years later. 76 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

This wa s th e s e ction of the Old stre e t ’ whe re the lawye rs and the squire s had ﬁ e e their of ce s . Attorn y Jos ph Johns wa s of hi s e e e standing in front , ag rly r ad h hi r e ing t e Pittsburgh pape r . W ch minds me

In thos e days .a Chicago broker cor ner e d the e e e wh at mark t , and boost d e 65 e 70 70 to 80 pric s from c nts to , from , and at last to the dollar mark f or the first m A e one ti e in me rican history . Ev ry in th e e the Old town, and, I suppos , in f o e . country, was talking dollar wh at Johns re ad of it as he stood in front of his ffi f e a s on o . O c , just my day days Just then Chris Cri sby came hobbling the e e e A e up str t, with a littl m rican flag e on Cri sb e e pinn d his coat lapel . y had s n — many ups and downs in life mostly H w of . e a s e e e downs a m mb r many lodg s , from most of which he re ce ive d financial e H e aid and oth r material assistanc e . was just the man to whom dollar whe at e H m ant all loss and no gain . e steppe d to e up Lawy r Johns . “ ” “ Jo e he e e mi , said, I am f ling ghty

proud this morning, and I wear this flag 77 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T of r e d e e , whit and blu in honor Of dollar ” whe at . Lawye r Johns looke d him up and down . “ he emi me Chris , said you r nd of e e e of B n dict Arnold, wh n I think your He e e e he family . call d his att ndants , wh n e di e e e cam to , and ask d th m to bury him the e e e in Am rican flag . Dollar wh at m ans about a s much to you as th e flag di d to ” Arnold . Cri sby at once hobbled away from there . We a e e to might h ve stopp d, th n , play ball in the s tre e t with Ge ary Logan and e e we e e e e Danny Carp nt r, but pr f rr d som “ ” “ ” Indian cigars which Skinny brought — down from the catalpa tre e s in front of the e Armstrong and Singe r hom s . ’ Old Squire Carpente r sat in the big e e hi s fie the fli e armchair b for Of c , fanning s ” — H e e with a palm le af. e watch d Spid r Weinshe ime r coaxing little black Le wis im N me We e e . y to sing . paus d to list n “ L ewis sang My Old Kentucky ”

e e . e Hom , and sang it w ll I wond r, now , e L ew who e e how that littl , sang th r in 78

E IX CHAPT R .

T H E TI C O F T H E C JUS E PEA E , THE BAKER AND — RETIRED FARMER T H E TOWN SQ UARE FE W E CC N T I C ITI Z N AND A E R C E S . — NOTHE R justic e Of the p e ac e as th e

c —e ounty s at , our town had many of ’ e —Old e e e e e th m Squir D tar, cam m and r ing up the stre e t as we quit Grandma ’ H Gray s . e salute d us a s we halte d b e fore ’ e e e Kuth s conf ction ry and bak shop , from the inte rior of which came an alluring

fragrance . Kuth was the most irritable man in e e e e e th e town, and v ry boy r m mb rs night

- we put tick tacks on his windows . We had it arrange d so that th e he avy nail swung a foot or so b e low the upp e r th e e end of th e sash, and op rating string le d across the stre e t to th e hole unde r ’ ’ A e e Squire D e tar s ofﬁc e . ll v ning long the elde rly Kuth rushe d furiously into the e e e ni e e e str t , h ld a mat d conv rs with him 81 MY O WN MAIN ST RE ET

e e r e s lf, look d vainly up and down, and turne d to his ne gle cte d busine ss . Every b oy in town was

happy the n . We halte d for a moment e e to gre e t Old Al x Trimbl , wh o wa s th e most p ersistent e talke r in town . Al x was a e e e r tir d farm r, who had m e to end Ajax Trimble ov d into town his h e days in comfort , and had e e of he a ph nom nal fund big words , which i invariably m sus e d . Ale x was th e man who onc e told a e m e t the e n ighbor, who him at drugstor h e e e of door, that had just bought a pi c che mis e (chamois'with which to polish to . e his p buggy Again , wh n a woman Of th e old town promenade d th e main stre e t — le ading a ridiculous little pug dog h e told his frie nds that his wife had always “ e one e so sh e want d of th m plug dogs , ” l m n in h could go e o a d g down t e stre e t . ’ It s the truth whe the r you b elieve it or not .

‘ He re we came to what the Old town — calle d th e Square the inte rs e ction Of the 82 M Y O WN MAIN ST R E E T

e e on hi e two principal str ts , w ch front d ’ M c uaid s e e e Q Hot l, two groc ry stor s and “ ” ’ H en e e e e W lty s g n ral stor , which sold eve rything from toothpicks to hay “ ” H n e . e e e wagons , ind d, was accustom d e e he to boast that , giv n tim , could supply a custome r with anything from a pap e r of pins to a hors e or a thre shing machine . Be fore the M cQ uaid Hote l young John M cQ uaid was parading back and forth in the uni form of hi s military W school . e just had to admire he wa s him, such an upstand In e g sort of a f llow , and as John l,1 c .1 we so did , a man, who always

e e me of a - e e r mind d snapping turtl , cam th out into e yard . wa s e e i e c It Jam s Port r K nard , an e wa s e e an c ntric , who ind d institution in the K wa s old town . inard always sam pling whisky ove r th e s e ve ral bars of the e e e wa s corporation , and, wh n v r he e e e h e e h e m t prop rly m llow d, stopp d all e e e the nl h to tell th m two stori s , o y two e 83 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

to The h wa s e ve r known tell . b e tte r e

' h h told th e t e e e e e e . f lt , oft n r stori s e e e e ar e The y w r old th n , and th y ﬁfty Th e e e ye ars olde r now . ﬁrst conc rn d the time he got on the train at e r e Rod baugh Station , and p

tende d to go to sle e p . When the conductor nudge d him and e e e d mand d his tick t, the pas s e nge r blinke d and prote ste d h that e had none . The conductor told m e ’ I d have to get Off at Gre en ” e hi s dal , said Jimmy, with “ snapping- turtle smile and I Jame s P orter Kwaif a told him that was je s e xactly ff ” whe re I wante d O . Th e e to oth r had do with politics , and h e pointe d it according to the political faith of the auditor and his e xp e ctation of th e e a drink . It was story about g tting stuck in a hole in a sycamore - tre e afte r eme e c e a rainstorm, and r mb ring that on h he had vote d t e De mocratic ticke t . “ ' ” e so e I f lt small th n, said Jimmy , ’ that I je s naturally shrivele d up and crawle d out a knothole 84 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

’ It wa s Jame s Porte r Kinard s boast that this story always won him the de sire d drink . Old Billy M cQuaid was ente rtaining — gue sts and fellow townsmen on the porch of e the - his hot l , and in bar room Dutch

the a e - e e e Chris , p fac d barb r, whos fond e the e th e n ss for corn t , to growing annoy e the e wa s hi s anc of n ighbors , hurting “ ” e e Hi - P O - M v er s trad , gossip d with Lou , h e e t e gentle manly barke ep . N ith r was e e v r busy at that hour .

Jake Ke tte ring joine d the group then . — Jake and eve ry town ha s hi s like “ ” wa s the champe en ﬁddl er of city and ’ county and th e mainstay of N ewingham s e e Light Parlor Orch stra, which suppli d the e a s e music for elit dances , w ll as for the revels of maid- servants and the ir e fri nds . In winte r the maids held the ir dance s ’ e ll mm e a d in Cop s Ha , and in su er th y ’ ourn K We j e d to atty s Grove . boys always thought it worth th e jour ne y to e th hi s e h ar Jake play e violin, h avy foot e hi s e e marking tim , strid nt voice cl aving hi and nf the t ck, acrid smoke the co usion 85 MY O WN M AIN ST RE E T of the crowde d hall as he bawle d th e ” change s in Mone y Musk and - Vir ” ni gi a R e el . H e i was a humorist by nstinct , and his instructions to th e danc e rs we re always inte rlarde d with joke s and jibe s which n M en put e w ene rgy into lagging fe e t . like Jake Ke tte ring neve r live in vain . The ir contributions to the gaye ty of life or oo count f t much . He e e has b e n gone for thirty y ars , e ﬁ l r whe r all good dd e s go . AD LLE QU RI .

nce n the Bala all arou d hall ,

e ne e e . Salut your part r , y s all bright

c e out and e the First oupl , l ad to right,

e in the cen e and en . Ladi s t r, g ts all right Two and and tw c e n four, o om dow , n n Gents in the c orner and seven ha ds rou d .

D o so n e do , arou d your b au

en n G ts sashay a d ladies wait . Swing your partne r Off the ﬂoor ’ Swinging them like you re swm gi ng on a gate . Quick grand chan ge P romenade all and bow to the ﬂoor . Ladies in cente r and hands all round R in n e n n n oosters ce t r a d four ha ds rou d, Ala man all

Around the hall . 86

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e hi s fli e down cam broad hand, and such s as were imprisone d we re rubb e d up and down until crushe d . Each fly convention wa s large r than — the one b e fore ten flie s comi ng to e ach e a s th e — fun ral , saying ran and Old Billy e spe nt hours in this unlove ly sport . Wh n he walke d abroad the sunlight glistene d h upon t e le thal spots . e e e th e e e th e Thos w r days , inde d, wh n fl wa th the e e her y s e bane of hous wif , and e f — not th e e f orts to ke ep them from hous , — but from the food we re futile and unend in e fl - e g . Ev ry hous e had its y swatt rs — strips of pape r bound to sticks and b e fore e ach me al the mother or daughte r or son would make the rounds of the di ning e the e room, flutt ring pap rs and striving h b e to drive out t e pe sky ins e cts . And hind every picture we re stuck gre at sprigs of we e e e e asparagus , for b li v d in thos days that flie s re garde d asparagus sprays a s th - e most de sirable of re sting place s . ’ Alre ady the old town s congre ss of ” Ne ve r Swe ats was in s e ssion at th e cor Th m n e e ners . e e who neith r toil d nor e e and spun, but who d bat d and analyzed 88 M Y O WN MAIN ST REE T

e e e on e e e r ach d d cision v ry Stat , national w e e e e e and orld probl m, w r in arly s ssion, on e box The curb , and b nch, and barrel . e e th e villag blacksmith h ld ﬂoor . He may have b e e n telling of Ge orge th e r e d—hot e and iron, of dollar wh at or ’ wa s Pre side nt Grant s third te rm . It all

n H di e e . o e . e had an au nc ’ From Courthous e Alle y came boys “ ” - - e voice s shrie king Caw caw caw . H nry h He e e t e e . Fr s , ashman, was th ir butt e the e cam along all y, swaying on his ’ e e e e - e driv r s s at b hind his bon yard hors s , straighteni ng up now and again to cut the e viciously at t am with a stubby whip , the n wobbling a s the wobbly- whe ele d e e e the wagon wobbl d, in d ﬁanc of all laws “ ” f Hen wa s o gravitation . always pre tty limb e r when he e th e e n cam out of tav r , but none of us had s e en th e — day though we all looke d — forward to it when h e wa s catapulte d from his throne . Just then the gypsie s e e e e e e e cross d Main Stre t . Th y w r h r on n upon e of their an ual visits . 89 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

For some days a caravan of the se ’ wande re rs had b e e n e ncampe d in Mille r s ' f e o e e . Woods , ast Courthous Squar As e e e e e e usual, th s qu r p opl did not fail to arous e the ke e ne st inte re st among the th ’ boys and e loafe rs congre ss . e e Th y look d like brigands , anyhow , e — e e e and th ir vari color d garm nts , drap d th e e e s in Romany style s Of g n ration past , m e e The ad th m still more outlandish .

l - e e - e e th e b ack y d , black hair d wom n of e e e e e e trib wand r d about , s lling b ads , off r e e ing to t ll fortune s while on pilgrimag , e the m en a ccor whil folk , with violin and h Th e e e t e e . e dion , nt rtain d populac car on th e e e avan was mov , but its prof ssional hors e - trade rs we re out to ﬂe e c e some one b e fore the y quit th e town . The chie f conve yance in the gypsy e e e train was a gaudily paint d cov r d wagon , e e e e e e r pr s nting a hous on wh ls , which wa s drawn by a pair of we ll- groome d e th e of th e e e hors s , pick h rd, which pranc d unde r glitte ring and b e spangle d harne ss f e e s. e A strapping, swarthy llow drov , and b e side him sat a woman . ﬁt to b e h the e e t e e . e qu n of trib B hind, in wagon 90 MY OWN MAIN ST RE ET

a l e - c box , h f a doz n half lad youngste rs were making merry . e e A brac of grayhounds , mor wagons e of e ni e and a coll ction hors s , po s and e e e the n mul s comp l t d trai .

E X CHAPT R . — T H E B IGGEST NOSE I N GREENDALE MARCUS N L — N ’ CA DEE , THE AWYER BROW S D RUGSTO RE AND D O C N T A AWAL .

E paus e d at the ne xt alle y to give right of way to little Johnny Wilt e the e r e d rout, who cam by with littl cart which h e trundle d all day long through h the byways and highways of t e town. We e h e e Of pass d t tim day with him, too hi s for we had just le arne d occupation , which had long b e en a mystery to us. Johnny wa s at once corone r and unde r take r to all the dogs and c ats in town . “ ” Big Jim Wells stood in front of th e ” A ﬁe to rgus Of c talking Jim Laird , i wa s ass stant e ditor . Jim a giant physic he e th e ally, and had r al brains , but town e e e could n v r und rstand why , with all his e h e e e out tal nts , e tri d, y ar in and y ar , to ’ consume Seve ral me n s share s of arde nt 93 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e e e t spirits . Jim , ind d, admitt d fr ly tha he was four or ﬁv e barrels over into the ’ e othe r fellow s allowanc . th e e Jim had larg st, e e e e r dd st, noisi st nos in “ e e town, a v ritabl rum e blossom , which bloom d by day like a Ge ne ral e Jack ros , and by night, a s th e e j st ran , had a e phosphore sc nt glow . It was a cauliﬂowe r probos e e cis , as fam d in W stmore land County as ’ ’ c Y t x was Cyrano s in Gas ony . e Jim s e e e e e e c ss s n v r dull d his wit . — Once an inquisitive Old maid it would b e neithe r prude nt nor gracious to give — h er name aske d him what made hi s nos e so r e d e e ' , and Jim r tort d instantly “ It i s only blushing with pride at its ’ de cency in ke e ping out of othe r p e ople s ’ busine ss . h e th e That night t e whol town, from ’ loafe rs congre ss to th e conge nial cre w in ’ M c uaid s - e Q bar room , was laughing ov r ’ e e e er I ts Jim s re spons . His nos n v lost s luster nor the j e st its avor. 94

MY OWN M AIN ST RE E T

the e boarder. Borlin ran Laird Hous ; a

e - e of hi s whol soul d sort a man, quick in

e of e m e n - ﬁr e judgm nt oth r , and a rapid t alke r. His good nature and his unfailing gen e r osity did not help him in hi s busine ss . e of e e at His hot l was always full loaf rs , e ing his m als and occupying his rooms , and paying only by oral promis e s and ’ Th e U. s. e e scrawle d I . O . Old town r call d the day when Jim complaine d bitte rly to ’ a frie nd b e caus e Of Cande e s failure to pay . the e e do Jim, was r spons , why you ” le t e ? him hang around , th n hi s e e Just for blarn y, his blarn y, his ” h e e e t e e . t rnal blarn y, was r ply ’ Ne e xt stood Brown s drugstor , and ’ Brown s drugstore wa s always of inte re st e e on e to boys . Th r e might buy for a pric i e e c ou hdr O s l coric stick and licoric root , g p

- e and rock candy, hor hound stick candy, f e o e . and, b st all, soda wat r Brown k e pt the one soda fountain in e e e town, a singl , stationary, silv r goos e set e e e n ck siphon, on a littl whit marbl e e the in slab , and above it a glass sph r , 96 MY O WN MA IN ST RE E T teri or of whi ch was automatically spraye d th e Th e e e by e soda wat r . d vic had a s e e sizzling, but wintry, ound wh n in op ra e e li e to e tion . Flavors w r mit d strawb rry, ni th e lemon, va lla and sarsaparilla , and e the e of e soda wat r was plain st soda wat r, but strong in e ff e rve sc ence . N o b o of e ne e y, that g ration at l ast, can forge t hi s first drink of soda wate r ; how e e h e e th e bi e t nd rly and shyly h ld g, silv r handle d glass ; how slowly and car ef ullv h e lifte d it to hi s lips ; how th e bubble s broke to spray hi s nostrils and to make him sne e ze with th e first swallow ; how the e c e e e e the t ars am , and aft r th s laughter . The re wa s one othe r attraction at this — store the fre e almanacs whi ch always e e e th e Th e e int r st d boys . front cov r i e e always d splay d a nak d man, with his stomach cut Op en and hi s visce ra e xpos e d ” we — innards , always said and about the margin we re grote sque figure s r epr e e the of the c an s nting signs Zodiac . I — e e e e e r m mb r th m still Taurus , G mini , e th Canc r, Virgo , Scorpio , Capricorn and e e r st . 97 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

the it a dv er And almanac , along with s ti se d e - f or e e e cur alls v ry human ailm nt , e the e e e e was a sur cure for blues . Th r w r e e e e jok s innum rabl , sugg stions for cha e e e rad s , riddl s , puzzl s , tricks , puns , short e e e e e cours s in l g rd main, v ntriloquism, e e e e e e e m sm rism . Of cours , th r w r aston i hin s g te stimonials too . One thing about the Old store always e men the puzzle d us . The prof ssional of town pass e d fre que ntly be the e e hind pr scription cas , and the y always came out w e c e iping th ir mousta h s , — coughing and smelling of

cardamons . ’ Edwin Boice s gene ral s wa s our e mm , tore n xt port of e e call, a quaint littl plac , with two ste ps le ading to the entranc e and one small di splay window ﬁlle d With

- of - fruit jars Old fashione d stick candy, i e e e e - e e l coric , mix d conf ctions , pap r cov r d kiss e s and penny cake s of maple sugar . ’ We kne w Edwin s p e nchant f or old e e he e n wspap rs , which us d in wrapping e e packag s , and hurri d across the street to 98

MY O WN MA IN ST R E E T ili e s di e in im , a fasti ous dr sser, always e e maculat lin n, with boots most brightly polishe d . H e wa s ostentatious in manner, with a e e e e e digniﬁ d strid , but v ry mod rat in his charge s and altoge the r sympa e e e to th tic , kind and d vot d his

patie nts . What Irvin Cobb said of doctors in ge ne ral “ he is with us when we come into the world and with us w out of e whe n e go it , oft n lendi ng a he lping hand on both occasions — di d not apply in o its e ntire ty t him . He radiate d hopefulne ss ; his Optimism was contagious m e of a ixtur of faith and imagination , which s e eme d to buoy up th e spirits of hi s e H e e he pati nts . e n ve r pulle d a long fac ;

e . did not d al in cautious , mournful words His bitte r me dicine s we re always more e ffe ctive than thos e of his le ss fortunate rivals .

100 L A E T THE V I L G DO C OR .

A n the e ee e e e e n lo g villag str ts , wh r mapl s l a

e e e O en the Tog th r lik ld fri ds about way, A faithful pair of t and anon were seen

He and his na n old and g , both growi g gray ; ’ e c e e n the e What s r ts lurk d withi old soul s br ast ,

Of e - e of n and moth r lov , throbs of pai s ills,

e e n ne e All saf ly k pt be eath that butto d v st , n Re ceptacle of p owders a d of pills . ’ Thric e happy he when some fond mother s eyes Grew moist with love unsp e akable to ﬁnd

n e her e he r e e e S ugg d to br ast bab , whos paradis

n he r ne Withi soul and bosom were entwi d . How of t he h eld the wrist to mark the slow

P n the ee e n e ulsatio s of f bly ﬂutt ri g h art ,

e n n and low Whil his ki d words , soft murmuri g , ’ Essaye d to calm the mourne r s pain and smart .

He was to e e en all a fath r , broth r , fri d ;

e s e e e e e own . Th ir joy w r his , th ir sorrows w r his He sle eps in p ea ce where yonde r willows bend n Above the violets that kiss the sto e . — Y n Kell r N ew ork Su . H 0m c S . e W e ,

101

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

’ I re me mbe r going onc e to Barclay s e e the bank with my moth r, at a tim in ’ nation s history when gold was at a pr e e e e e mium . Moth r had accumulat d s v ral hundre d dollars in gold while liv i ng in the e Oil r gions , and , now that gold coin wa s e sh e e in d mand, thought to chang ’ it e the into pap r and add to . family s available cash .

. wa Mr Barclay s a big man physically, he e e e e and did v rything in a big way, v n to th r a1 s1n of i Hi s e e g a b g family . littl — banking room wa s barren of elaborate e e furnishings , quipp d only with a plain e e f ew e sub stan d al tabl and a ch ap , but H e e e e tial , chairs . k pt his mon y in a littl off h clos e t t e room . ’ He e out e e count d moth r s gold, ﬁgur d on the of e e e e e back an nv lop , xplain d in de tail how much in gre e nbacks she would e e e e e e e to hi s r c iv in xchang , and r tir d H e e clos et . e came out with a littl wood n c e a s e e e to m e e h st, which, it s m d , contain d h H u e about all t e mone y in town . e co nt d out th e e e e bills , gav th m to moth r, and th e e scorte d us to e door . Still warm d by hi s e e e ch rful good day, I look d back as 1 04 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T we e the H pass d up stre e t . e had re sume d hi s e e e e e the favorit postur , f t ov r rail , as he mi ght be s e e n eve ry day from early S pring to late fall . Clarke Warden ? The re were few men in th e old town whos e contributions to i ts life and thought we re more valuable .

- e e e o e e Old tim schoolmast r, surv y r of r put , claim adjuste r and e xpert on matte rs of of he e e e railroad right way, had d s rv d e e e e prosp rity, but his int r st in mat rial things wa s only casual . — He Warde n had a hobby astronomy . s e eme d to have a p e rsonal affe ction f or h He wa s e e ve ry star in t e he avens . a tru e e wa s natur lov r, too , and it worth any ’ ’ e or boy s whil , man s , to Stroll with him the e e in woods at any s ason , and to h ar e th e e e e him nam tr s and ﬂow rs , birds and ni to e th e e de a mals , and xplain intimat r He tails of their struggle s f o e xistenc e . e e ni e e could int rpr t a mal lif , and such int r r etation p must inte re st eve ry normal soul . Twenty ye ars ago I had a share in buildi ng a new town and s e ve ral mile s of men e e railway, and my us d in vain all th ir — powe rs of persuasion to s e cure rights of 1 05 MY OWN M AIN ST RE E T

or We way through two thre e farms . were almost re ady for the courts whe n I old e e thought of Clarke Ward n, and I s nt for him . a on e et He w s well toward ighty, y e he r e m ntally and physically ﬁt, and n e e e spo de d without d lay. Within thr h wa s e e e the days e an acc pt d board r of — most trouble some farmer in th e rights of way squabble and within three days more he had clos e d th e de al at a price sati sf ac n tory to e ve ry o e conce rne d . At that time I had many Opportuni tie s e to visit with him, and to driv him through th e most be autiful parts of north e rn e we e e e e Ohio , and Oft n w r d lay d far h He e e the e r into t e ni ght . had b n ﬁrst p

m h - f — He son to inte re st e in t e out O doors . wa s the e to me th e first, th n, show of th e e e e wonders stars , and mak th m r al to m e ; to name ove r the brighte r and more e e e the e notabl of th m , to t ll stori s which e e hi b elong d to th m, and all t s without e xce ss of figure s or fact or scientific e ni l ar ng . The intere st he rous e d in me led to th e e xploration of bookstore s as a preliminary 1 06

E XI I CHAPT R .

T H E ST TI N ST TH S A O ORE , COUR OUSE Q UARE

AND N I CKNAMES .

UT back to the Main Stre e t . B ‘ Skinny sugge ste d that we go to th e i ce - e e station and get som cr am , and e e the sugge stion was enough . J rs y Tay us hi s ice lor, who had drive n from pond e e e th e e e e hours b for , k pt littl conf ction ry e th e h e e e stor at station , and alon d alt in i ce - e i ce th e cr am . His monopoly in , arti ficial e e product b ing unknown, gav him the advantage ove r every possible com e p titor. He e the e e controll d oyst r mark t also , and he was th e first de ale r to b ring e e fiv e e bananas to town, s lling th m at c nts we apie ce . It wa s a gre at day whe n first fiv e e o one boys got c nts togethe r t buy , and the n div i de d it with slipp e ry finge rs e e the to mak it go around . Of cours v e e el w r juicy mors s for us. 1 09 M Y O WN M AIN ST RE E T

R ail way Stati on

We e e e we ate our w r glad to l arn, as e e e not e e us cr am, that J rs y had r cogniz d th e H e . at pond . e had a long m mory Holiday game s were in full swing e We e e wh n we re turne d to th e stre et . w r just at the north re ach of Courthous e 110

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T the e e Stirrup , wh n I consid r parts of ” F ox e e e we e and G s as play d it , I can not but b e le ss enthusiastic about some of h f t e sports o childhood .

And that re minds me of the . celebrate d ball game which th e Old We stmoreland ball club playe d at Adamsburg th e day of the e e e e e big ﬁght . Th r was disagr m nt th e the e b e about umpiring and scor , and fore th e conte st was ove r th e town con stable was forc e d to call upon th e citizens h h to arre st t e disturb ers of t e p e ace . — The s e law abiding citizens answe re d th e e e e e of the call with alacrity, arr st d s v ral of hi boys our town , and that night s pped c to the m ba k Gre endale . The trip was made with the boys ’ e e e e lock d in a butch r s wagon, th ir pal and trouble d fac e s looking out through

f - the ap e rture s o a big calf crate . The y e the e stay d in jail most Of n xt day, until e e e c e fri nds or r lativ s ould bail th m out . This ball club boa ste d uniforms of muslin e u ‘ ﬂagging, with strip s running p and _ the e th e down l gs and round waist , and stars glistene d in the s e ats of the trous e rs . 112 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

The who e e e e boys play d th s gam s , with f e e e e e e w xc ptions , had nicknam s giv n th m e or e by fond and loving par nts , by broth rs e e and siste rs . Nam s thus giv n usually we re conferre d a s a mark of re sp e ct or N ot so th e e distinction . familiar nam s give n to the m by the ir boy compani ons

‘ and playmate s De rision or conte mpt usually prompte d th e de signations give n the e e e e by playmat s , sugg st d by som out di c e ' in ei e l e stan ng in id nt th r arly iv s , or some unfortunate physical characteristic e th e that stimulat d habits , associations or e Of principal f ature s b e ast or bird . Boys we re no re sp e cters of rank or p e rson in “ e e e e e e conf rring th s d gr s , and usually th e e e the ps udo titl clung to youth , who e h e t e . bor it , clos r than baptismal name Me mory brings back a f ew Of the nick name s of th e boys in Old Gre endale ﬁfty e e of th y ars ago , and som e re ade rs of the s e papers may have their own r e colle c e e tion quick n d by this impre ssive list . “ ” “ ” e c Mushy S a rist , Calamity Wil “ ” “ e e liams , B ani Hutchinson Snaky “ “ , e e e e b e W av r, Baldy Bi r r, Blow Cos y, “ “ ” e Obbi e M cClellan Suck r Thompson , , 1 1 3 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e China K nan, Vin gar Armstron “ g, e e B r l D arb y Bi r r, C on a c a v “ ” “ e G en Brophy Ulam , Towh ad Dick , ” “ “ ” e e e ral Lyon, Tit Shrad r, Chicki “ ” “ ” a e e H wk , Dandy Hill , Dud F ss , “ ” ” Niffie f e e Graf , Monk y Clin , Buck e Senni e e Fish r, Turn y, Fatty Robin “ ” son e Butte rfield , Red D nman , Shorty , “ “ ” “ ” e e Jap Lohr, King Bom r, Monti ” “ N e mi P e e i e ull , Duk Golds th , K lgor , “ ” “ ” e e M c Call e Gr as r , Doggi Murphy ” “ Weinsheimer Muf fie e Crow , Klin , “ ” “ e Zeb Ching Johnston , Eck Guff y, ” “ ” “ ’ bi e e e e D tar, Squibbs Gr r, Captain ” e e e e Shaw , Moz Allison , Tuck r R am r, ” e e e e Moti Turn y, Judg Clark , ’ M l n Brud cCaus a d . In cold print some of the s e name s may appe ar to the casual re ade r to b e vulgar ; “ ” not so with the citize ns of the old burg — none gave thought to vulgarity or r e ve ale d the le ast e mbarrassme nt in spe ak “ ” ing the name of such boys as Stinker “ ” “ - e or P e e e . Dorn, Tit Shrad r Kilgor e e e e e Th s boys w r my playmat s , and, e e e e ghostlik , th ir old familiar fac s , p culi ariti e s and characte ristics stand out b e 1 14

E CHAPT R XIII.

T H E O LD S N ITI C M CH I N O GS , POL AL AR G B H N W H CLU S AND JO ELLS , ORSE

T A D O TH . RADER, N ERS

Th n e n n e Camptow ladi s si g this so g,

Duda , duda ;

The C n r ce ﬁv e e n amptow a s mil s lo g,

Duda , duda, day .

HE game s remi nd m e of the old Old — songs songs we boys us e d to sing ’ 0 nights by way of s erenade to none too e We ﬁne tol rant citizens . had always a e Of assortm nt ballads , popular in that

generation . 77 “ The re we re Suwane e River ; Bring ” “ Back My Bonnie to M e Te nting on the — ” Old Camp - ground ; Mocking bird ; ” “ Silve r Thre ads Among th e Gold ; Hard ” “ e e N O e The Tim s Com Again Mor ; _Old ” “ “ Oaken Bucke t ; Ben Bolt Annie ” “ Laurie ; Wh en the Corn Is Gently Wav ” “ ” in nn e e N e g, A i D ar ; Good ight, Ladi s ; 1 1 7 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T “ ” ' e Glory, Glory, Hall lujah Billy Boy e the dl e the e e Rock d in Cra of D p , “ Come Whe re My Love Lie s Dre aming ; ” “ e the e Roll On , Silv r Moon ; In Ev ning ” “ ” “ by the Moonlight ; Dixie ; Marching ” “ e Low e e through G orgia ; Swing , Sw t ” “ ” The e Of e Chariot ; Last Ros Summ r , ” “ oe ° e e e e Old Black J Hom , Sw t Hom M e e Whoa, Emma, You Put in Quit a ” “ ” “ ” e a Ne Dil mma O Susann lly Bly, and no doubt a score more which my e mi m mory ss e s . And I b eli eve that the s e de s e rved their h . e t e popularity Oddly nough , songs of e e e e of the that g n ration do surviv , as thos e past tw nty ye ars have faile d to do . I would not unde rtake to gue ss the answe r unle ss it b e that th e music wa s more de n s e rvi g . Most of the popular songs of the pre s e nt generation ar e mere adaptations of e e Moody and Sank y hymns , translat d o e the e ni int ragtim , and holding all y ar ng th e e The of of gosp l melody . songs our e e e e day w r thos , no doubt , which suppli d the rhythms and th e melodie s for the revivalists . 118

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

0 e e h th r may I , though vile as e

C e hrist did that day b hold, ’ The city s walls of jasp e r see

And e e walk its str ts of gold .

The i e e e march ng clubs , som how . s m in h t e same class . In thos e days e very boy thought autumn waste d if h e could not ’ parade with thos e Of hi s father s political the . e e e e faith In thos days , in Gr ndal , Republicans and D e mocrats us e d to pa e e e e rad on alt rnat nights , wh n campaign e e e e e xcit m nt gr w high , ach trying to outdo th e othe r party in enthusiastic numbe rs . Eve ry man or boy who could b e pe r sua de d to tramp th e dusty Stre e ts was e e e e e pr ss d into s rvic , suppli d with a cap , a glistening oilcloth cap e which rivale d ’ e e e e Jos ph s coat , whit l ggings and a vil smelling torch bound on a stick a s long

- e e as a broom handle . Th y march d thus e e in squads and battalions , h ad d by gaily e or e uniform d bands drum corps , torch s ﬂami ng and everybody shouting himself hoars e . The s e torche s we re store d always in e e e e e e the courthous bas m nt, wh r th y con 120 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

tribute d much to the ge neral ﬁr e risk . The re were such clubs in e ve ry town and e e e e to villag , and th y trav l d from town town to participate in this or that political e e e the rally or c l bration , Oft n blocking railway yards with the dens ene ss of the m e e e e tra e . Campaigns w r r al fun in thos days .

To - h e e e - e e day, wit v ry vot r card ind x d, with th e vote by ward and pre cinct tabu l e a s f or e e e at d a basis e stimat and nd avor, politics has lost its charm .

Skinny and I stoppe d ne xt to play audi e nce at a political debate stage d on ’ the c e e e urb by Squir Marsh , Lawy r Dav e e e —e e Harv y and John W lls , hors d al r and

- e e e all round sportsman . Th y Shift d th ir

e e e a e e - f or plac s as littl Oliv r S rv y, b ll boy ’ e e Off th e Andy Bovard s hot l , sw pt front walk . John Wells was the most inte re sting of th e e e so we e e e e . thr , far as w r conc rn d

He wa s - e e un a strapping, husky whisk r d , e gainly soul , with an absorbing d light in d e hi s raw poker . But it never worri d

wife . 121 MY O WN MAIN ST RE ET

A woman of the neighborhood com plaine d once to Mary We lls that h er hus ke e one band had lost his night y lat night , and had rous e d the family by bawling out f or on l some e to e t him in . “ ” M e e r s. e Ind d, said W lls , and that m e e would neve r bothe r e . John n v r car i k H n e n e . e e e e o e ri d a ght y do s not n d , f or some of us ar e always up when he ”

e e e e . com s hom , and br akfast r ady The story ran that John came home one e morning with his b ard, shirt front e e and coat much stain d with tobacco juic , ’ and re sponde d to hi s wife s que stioni ng by the illumi nating statement that the e e e cuspidor had b n b hind him, and that “ thos e fellows I playe d with kne w how to play poke r. A farmer from Crab Cre ek Valle y bolte d down the stairway f rom Doctor ’ e e e us Fish r s ofﬁc , and almost ran ov r in h r The hi s haste to get to t e d ugstore . e e e e town doctors w r d ntists in thos days , a s e e e e w ll as g n ral practition rs , and this — farme r wa s spe nding his we ek end hav e e a s e ing his t th drawn , a pr liminary to n w t the installation of a e se . 1 22

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

munity . We always made it a point to stick our he ads in at th e doorway and to “ ” e One e e the y ll, Jaros C nt , assur d that h words would bring t e de sire d re sult . As we e the e e th e old rac d down str t , man hurrie d to th e side walk to shake his fi e st at our re tre ating figure s . Onc we had so ange re d him that h e pursue d us f or the e e e a block . On way back , m ting Jak Hacke h e complaine d volubly ' “ , D ot i ss o s der _ a bad lot of p y , und ’ ’ ’ ” Congre ssman s poy i ss d vorst Of d lot . We had anothe r way of te asing the e we e e Old man . Wh n could find a boy gr n e run the we e e nough to risk, us d to giv him a thre e - c e nt pie c e and s end him to buy “ ’ — He usu some re ady made buttonhole s . e e f or ally cam out much wis r, old Jaros would catapult him out into the stre e t to the accompani me nt of staccato impreca tions .

124 E XI CHAPT R V.

T H E TH G T N T COUR OUSE , THE RAVES O E CU “ ” T T H E LA L LA P A LO O SA E A L ERS , , T .

’ E nev e r pa sse d the town pump in courthouse yard without ste pping f or a drink . There we re no individual drinking e e e cups in thos days , for that g n ration had

e e e e . We e n v r h ard of g rms drank , inst ad , e e to the from a gr at tincup , chain d pump

e e e e . handl , and n v r worri d at all Almost e ve ry boy and girl had a little bag of cam the e phor and assafoetida tie d about n ck , e e e e anyway, and that s m d insuranc e We e e nough . have all notic d how , wh n Spanish inﬂuenza spre ad like a me di e val e e e e th th e e p stil nc ov r e country , moth rs who were small girls forty ye ars ago tr ' uste d a gain to that hous ehold preventive . wa s e Court in s ssion , and what boy c ould pass the courthous e without looking in ? We climb e d the steps where Senator 125 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

Edward Cowan wa s telling his late st story

f - to a group o fellow lawye rs . It was said of the Senator that he would stop a law

suit any time to tell a story . That day the courtroom was ﬁlle d with e e e e witn ss s and sp ctators , and Judg Logan n th e the wa s o e b ench . B hind him on wall hung a life - size painting of a sad

e e . fac d woman, blindfold d and thinly clad She e e e h ld a pair of scal s , which balanc d too ” h e e t e e e e . non w ll , mbl m of justic The re we re othe r de corations hardly le ss — amusing to irre ve rent boys portraits of

e e e e - aust r , fun r al looking Old chaps , for in gotte n judge s . Each held his hands e one e a scroll, which mad think th y mi t e e e e e gh carry tub ros e s . Th r w r por too e e e e traits , , of Dani l W bst r, H nry Olav and othe r patron saints of the

Ame rican bar . We slipp e d into the back s e ats just

e wa . as court op ne d . It s worth watching Court Crie r Ge orge Weinsheimer strode to the rail which s eparated c om th e e e mon folk from lawy rs , and shout d in a tone that disturb e d the courtroom dust and the portraits of th e fathers 126

MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

Y ou and e ach of you do sole mnly e the e e e sw ar, in pr s nc of almighty God, that you will well and truly try the mat i e e e e di te rs in th s cas and giv a tru v r ct, c the e e e so e a cording to vid nc , h lp you ”

G od . The formal swe aring of th e witne ss t ook this form ' The cle rk addre ss e d the witness with “ th e old e ou e ? qu stion, How do y sw ar the e di e e and witn ss , stan ng, would ith r e e e e to ﬁ e xpr ss d sir af rm or sw ar, and hold up his right hand while the cle rk pro ce e de d “ emn e th e e Do you sol ly sw ar, in pr s e e G od th e e e nc of almighty , s arch r of all e th e e ou e h arts , that t stimony y shall giv to th e c ourt and jury in this cas e shall be the th e e truth, whol truth, and nothing but th e truth as you shall answer to God ” in the last gre at day ? e e the e Littl Alﬁ Smith, court pag , was

ﬂitting back and forth, carrying books and f r h me ssage s o t e judge and th e attorne ys . W f r h H n e e e o t e o . e . admir d th m, H nry D “ ” Foste r and B e ardy Se ward we re both e m n not d e and gre at lawye rs in their day . 128 M Y O WN MA IN ST R E E T

We e e e e th e r r m mb r d story, as eve y e of the body did , t lling time when Be ardy wa s e xamining a Ge rman witne ss with a vie w of e e mi e x d t r ning. to what t ent the de fendant in th e cas e wa s unde r th e inﬂuence of Th e t nes s liquor . wi was pe rfe ctly sure the afore said

wa s “ ” de fendant not drunk . Beardy S eward “ ” How do you know ? “ e e que stione d B e ardy sharply . W r ” you e ve r drunk ? “ N o - r h e f e was. , sir , I r How many can you drink without ” “ ” ? e e e ge tting drunk thund r d B ardy, thrusting his face close to th e fac e Of the witne ss . “ ” How many v ot you me ans ? was th e “ ” e ? naive re spons e . K gs

That witne ss wa s e xcus e d . h We We did not wait to he ar t e c as e . e e e we kn w what lawsuits sound d lik , and It wa s e too how c wa s c e . kn w , , ourt los d not worth our while to wait until Court Crie r Weinsheim er hamme re d again with e nn c e his gav l, and loudly a oun d 129 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

e zz e zz i Oh, y , Oh, y , this court s now adjourne d until half- past ni ne Monday d e th th . G o e e e at r morning sav judg , to ne e th e e ys in this cas , Commonw alth of ” ni h Th e t e . e P nnsylva a , and all jury call the e was always sam , e men e In thos days wor whiskers , and the e n fac smooth shaven was rare i deed .

Just Whi skers — And the whiske rs we re luxuriant full “ ” e e e e th e b ards , Burnsid s (nam d aft r Th m n wi e e e . e e e g n ral', imp rials th b ards el e e e e s dom thought n ckti s n c ssary, and I e e to the e e oft n look d forward tim wh n I , to o c e e on e , ould conomiz scarv s and bar

e e e e e . e e b ring ; on laund r d shirts , v n G org Ade was surely right whe n h e se t down “ the thought that a man mi ght b e born or i whis with a hair lip a club foot , but h s i ” ke rs were h s own . 1 30

M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

F or many ye ars the big courtroom was the e larg st hall in town, and , naturally the prefe rre d s e tting f or amate ur the atri f t or the e . cals , and county insti ut s Once I attende d the re an e nte rtain e e e e m nt by Signor Blitz , m sm rist and pr s tidi itator e th e e e g , who gav ﬁn st xhibition of - of — e slight hand and hypnotism , suppl mente d by th e p e rformanc e s of traine d

e e e e e . e e birds , that I hav v r s n Th r , too , th Mm n h k e e e e . a ausc e I saw gr at actr ss , J , e e e and h ard Francis Murphy, t mp e ranc le e m e e e ctur r, ak an impassion d app al for the of th e e e signing pl dg . e e c e we c e On th s o casions , wh n la k d the c e of th e pri admission, it was custom Of th e boys to club toge the r f or a single a to e th e the dmission, and s nd ﬁrst of th o h e . b t e gang into hall This y, as room e e e ﬁll d, would qui tly rais a window and sit in it while anothe r climb e d through th e oute r lobby window to th e roof of the — south porch startling the martens and — pige ons from their roosts and crawle d — along the foot wide coping which some forgotte n archite ct had e xtende d around h e t e building . Th re was a bad right angle 1 32 MY OWN MAIN ST R E E T

n e the s e e to tur , wh n young t r risk d a

- th e e e e thirty foot drop to pav m nt b low , but past that turn it wa s e asy to re ach the open window . The e a s saying ran th n, now , that a kind Providence watche s ove r small boys m n— li and drunken e and I can b e e ve it . We boys we re a cciist om e d to tre ad that , coping and to hOp freight trains whe n e f e e e wa s chanc af ord d, but our gr at st risk in coasting on Acade my Hill . e e to th e we Six or s v n bob , would start at the cre st and scoot right down th e c en ter e e of Main Str t , ﬂashing past fright e e e e n d hors s , wagons and farm sl ds , past e e e e e e e str t int rs ction aft r int rs ction , to — make an astonishing right angle turn into e e e Pittsburgh Str t , and again downgrad ’ past Keple r s carriage factory at the ’ R n Jack s u bridge . — A Bridge of Sighs such structure s — ar e always calle d that le d from the court hous e ove r Jail Alle y to the two - story

- e one out building be yond . Wh n contrasts the e hi e —e e e e e e cl anly , w t nam l d conv ni nc s of the to— one public buildings of day, can th e but admi re the fortitude of e fath rs . 1 33 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

e e the e ni Poor Old P t , courthous ja tor, ” always di d hi s dernde st to ke ep th e

e e e wa s . pr mis s cl an, but his an uphill pull P e te wa s cripple d of body and He wa s soure d of soul . a big man h e e le , and had a palsi d g, which he li fte d or dragge d to the along, two skips normal S te p of the good limb ; and we boys afte r th e he artle ss manne r , “ e e of our kind, call d him St p

- a - we e e and half . But n v r badge re d him if we found our i s elve s within h s re ach . His Old P ete wa e s of an unce rtain t mp e r. we e the e we e As l ft courthous , pass d e e e Big Jim Carp nt r, couns lor at law , who wa s de scribing th e e ccentricitie s of Th e e to e . e e a farm r cli nt a fri nd cli nt , di th e e e accor ng to yarn, could not agr ’ hi s e e with wif s relative s . Wh n they

e to h e the e - cam visit took to chick n coop , a s e e e e e a matt r of cours , and liv d th r until “ ’ e e ni th y l ft , maintai ng that it wasn t w a s e e e . warm, but it p ac abl “ The d so e man, sai Big Jim , was clos that he would e at nothing but e ggs whi le 134

MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

Jim Loughre y had a favorite story of the e e e who farm r, in d p mourning, pur chas e d a he adstone which bore th e le gend “ The of e Ha s e Light My Lif Gon Out, and who promptly marrie d again . — Jim said and in thos e days I b elie ve d — hi m that the farme r wante d th e inscrip ’ tion change d le st it hurt th e bride s fe el e to th e e ings , and that he add d pitaph “ the words ' But I Have Anothe r Match . B elow us pass e d a quinte tte of pre tty of our own a e we e girls g , and toss d down e e one buck y s , which (B e c k y ' c au ght a s She handily as any boy . e ﬂung us , in r turn, a r e d bright dahlia , and this I tre asure d all the

day . I Lall apaloosa B Ch Il d them came e e oth r girls Old r, and , “ one of the m (Kate Ulman'was th e lalla aloo sa of th e p time . I do not think I e ve r saw a pre ttie r girl or one more r charming in manne r o disposition , a

e u r e d - e of r g lar appl kind girl , good to a s e a s a mi look at , and whol some girl ght 1 36 MY OWN MA IN ST RE E T b e e e i . I som tim s th nk that that kind e grows no long r. But e ven as she smile d up at us our attention was dive rte d from b e auty to the b e ast . A hors e and buggy passed at e e the furious sp d , and in rig sat a big man mufﬂe d from he ad to foot in an enormous We e fur ove rcoat . kn w what that me ant . It me ant that th e we arer Of the coat was ve ry drunk e e one ind d, but no in that town could eve r unde rstand — why ﬁr e wate r within me ant

- fur without in summe r time . Fur Coa t We simply che cke d it of f as ’ anothe r of th e community s e cc entricitie s . Across the stre e t the noonday crowd ’ line d the curb from Dillon s groce ry to the e e e the e drugstor , and v n bookstor th c e Of around e orne r . It was mad up e f ew young attorn ys , doctors and a citi e e e e z ns in ordinary, som just r turn d h — from t e boarding house . e th e e the Wils Rightmir , hatt r, and

i e d. most nquisitive man in town, had join 13 7 MY OWN MAIN STRE E T th e e e throng , and notic d that Lawy r Br h r n w l ouc e wore a e hat . Wils ifte d ’ the e e e e it from lawy r s h ad , look d it ov r e out e insid and , and inquir d abruptly “ ’ Whe re di d you buy that hat ? It s not good quality . I could have sold you a b e tte r for le ss . ’ ’ We e Br oucher s e didn t h ar r tort , but e e e e e e one it must hav b n a compr h nsiv . for e verybody laughe d as the hatte r b e at e e his r tr at . From farthe r along the curb came a ro ar o f di s tin c tiv e e we lau ght r , an d looke d up again to se e f el a big, burly e e low, roughly dr ss d , who carrie d a stout He hickory cudgel . e e e a n d Laughing Joe M cC lai n t o w r d h a d shoulde rs above th e c rowd , and his gre at mouth Ope ne d as he laughe d in a way that simulate d the bray ’ of e W ntling s burro . Then we knew that the Jo e M cClain wa woodsman , , s in from

e one e - l Dry Ridg , on of his . s mi annua visits to town . 1 38

E X CHAPT R V .

S T O F ITI C SP BI N EA THE POL AL ELL DERS , “ ” ST TT I N OE N E DI U ER G J , THE TOW T H TORS AND JE W S CLOTH IER .

N e e e the E hundr d f t south, at high

e st of the the point wall, among

e - e wa s th e pin tr es , rostrum from which the political spe llbinde rs of the day held e e wa s e forth . Th r it that I ﬁrst h ard e e Jame s G . Blain addr ss a crowd which th e th e e e . e e e pack d squar Th r , too , trav l ing fakirs and me di cine m en held forth e e e e th wh n v r th y visite d e old town . “ ” Stuttering Jo e was coming down o ur side of the stre e t with a playmate . Joe could whistle with any bird and swe ar e e the Of e with n v r skipping a syllabl , but when h e trie d to articulate in ordinary e e he e ﬁr e sp ch , miss d like a balky motor

car . e the e e e him Onc , in school , t ach r s nt to th e blackboard to pars e a sentenc e b e 141 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

e h for the grammar class , and e got

e e . e e e e nowh r Prof ssor H nri , b st of our e instructors, call d him sharply to ac count . “ ” Joseph, he said, I want you to get e e Y o busy and pars that s nte nce . u stand e e e on e t th r lik a bump a log . G busy . I know you can do it if you put your mind ” to it .

e e not Joe tri d to sp ak , and could . e suddenlv e a Th n , , in a voic s cle ar a s a b ell he broke out with ’ ” e I know w ll I can t . e e e ni e Prof ssor H nri was asto sh d, but hi s astoni shme nt di d not le ss e n the sp e e d with which he strode to one of the win dow Shutte rs and drew from b ehi nd it a '

- e . coupl of long, villainous looking rods He e o the e e grabb d J e by collar, j rk d him e e e e around , and proc d d to giv him a two He hande d whipping t hat wa s a dandy . e e wielde d a rod with eith r hand, and aft r that whipping Joe never used another h oath in t e schoolroom . B ehind Jo e the darke st- skinne d white man I had eve r s e e n was trundling a whe elbarrow up the highway . It was 142

M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

e e he e e e ping v ry boy chanc d to m t , always re le asing him with a kindly re mark and a

e e . e e e e fri ndly smil Onc , I r m mb r, his words to a playmate of mine made a lasting impre ssion m upon e . He stopp e d us on th e e e to e e str t ask som qu stion , an d m y c o mp ani on w a s Hi s abashe d by his attention . drooping he ad re ve ale d his h e confusion, and could not The e answe r re adily . ditor ’ lifte d th e boy s chin with his E di tor of Arg“8 cane . h e e e Young man, said, it n v r pays to hang your he ad whe n you a r e spoke n to . Stand up like a man and look your ” e e the e e qu stion r in y . H e e on e pass d , and my fri nd, although e hi m to hi humiliat d , thanks t s day. We e th e e e e on climb d f nc , and hurri d , ’ to th h B e ﬁrst e town s unde rtaking s Op . e it e e th e e e for , s at d in sunlight , w r two l h o d e . One e t e e e soldi rs point d up str t , ne of and, as I tur d, spat a mouthful c c on tobac o jui e my bare fe e t . 144 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T — That hurt my boyish s elf re sp e ct . I wa s the e e th e f e e at point of t ars , wh n Of nd r f e e of r d plausible apology. “ ” N ow he e e , Cap , said g ntly nough ’ mi mi wa s e . don t nd that . It all a stak ’ I mistook your foot f or a brick . I won t do it again . I want to talk to you about ’ ” the e e to e t bas ball suit we r going g you , and he e on rattl d of cap and shirt , pants , e stockings and sho s , along with ball and bat . e And I b elie ve d him . All that fall thos two old sinn e rs ke pt m e in blissful e x pe c tati on of th e e e e e e gift , and w k aft r w k I v e e on b e m et isit d th m Saturday, to with e e e wa s e e e b e mor xcus s . It , ind d , y ars fore I re alize d how thoughtle ssly the y had e on play d my cre dulity . The y neve r knew th e risk the y ran of e m d stroying y faith in a promis e . e e e Sam F ll, a little J wish clothi r, gre e te d us a s we pass e d his store at the end of the aw square . I neve r s him with a e or e h wa not e f or out smil , wh n e s r ady e — e a sal . Nor shall I forge t th e morgue lik Odor of the stack of corduroy clothing in hi s store . 145 MY OWN M AIN ST RE ET

Almost eve ry one wore corduroy in e the e thos days , and skill of mod rn manu “ f a ctur e r s had not ye t eliminate d the wet ” do e Th . e e e g sm ll story ran, ind d , that Sam Fell onc e carrie d a sale to consum mation by p e rsuading a prosp e ctive pur chas e r by prote sting that the Odor of the e e hi s e e e stor cam from f t , not from d ad rats unde r the ﬂoor or from the corduroys . Sam onc e clos e d anothe r sale by Gor e re sponding quickne ss of thought . Thos we re the days when spring - bottom trou e e e Of s rs w r just going out fashion , and a hard- looking strange r from Grap e ville was

' n f or e e looki g a pair . Sam show d his whol c sto k , but in vain . “ ’ ’ ” Vat s d matter mit de s e bants ?

e . ask d Sam , bluntly “ ’ ’ Thar ain t no style to e m ; the y ’ ’ ” hain t got Spring e nough to e m . Sam stare d mildly ove r th e rims of hi s glass e s . “ himin kr outs h e ou C y , man , said y look tough enough mitout spring in your ’ V ou e e bants . y don t y haf B nn t Rask tailor you a pair to orde r mit spring ” enough to suit ? 146

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e e e the Jim , ind d, rath r njoy d noto ri e ty which his habits brought him . e e e e e e Onc , ind d, wh n Ed K nan had “ ’ haile d hi m with a che e rful M ornin “ ” and ar e ou ? the e How y , Jim port r had dropp e d into his own doggere l to re spond '

“ ’ ’ I se kickin not , but high ; ’ ’ FlO in c n pp , but a t ﬂy ; ’ ’ t o in mawnin I s had w dr ks dis , An ’ ’ still I m dry .

The old town appre ciate d that ve rs e . e e e With all his int mp ranc , Jim was an f h The e arde nt de fendant o i s race . high st complime nt h e wa s e ve r known to give a “ e e e to e al fri nd, ind d, was t ll him that , h e a e h e though had whit skin , had a ” black he art . “ ” one of the - e Flash Hurd, card play rs

' in the e ﬁne — hot l group , was a looking , well- dre ss e d man of the most p olishe d He li the e manne rs . ve d always at b st e h e e to hot l in town , and was accustom d e e e e sp nd his aft rnoons in front of it , nt r e e e of taining, with xhaustl ss stor wit and e e f e w of e e an cdot , a his confr r s The Old town was always a good town th e e e e . e e for gambl rs Th r w r , in fact , 148 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

half a doz e n familie s in which th e gaming instinct had be e n transmi tte d from fathe r on e e e e to s for gene rations . Th r w r not a f ew w c e e case s in hi h grandfath r, fath r son sat th e e e en and in . sam gam , and

joye d it . This sporting ele ment wa s always gen er ou s its of th e e in support bas ball club , di d e and much for football , th n in its Th Old infancy . e town always had good e e t ams in both ﬁelds . Thos e who play d well we re he ld to b e de s erving of the ir

e . e e e e e r ward Ind d, I still tr asur a b auti ful ash bat with an invisible le ad slug in it s e e . e e hollow c nt r It was us l ss as a bat , Of c e the one ours , but things wins as a ar e boy always pre cious . A the the of th e e cross way, at foot st ps le d e e which to Courthous Squar , a group of young m en watche d a picture sque ﬁgure in make - up like that of a R ev olu ti n r o a e . e y soldi r It was poor, simpl minde d Colonel Rodge rs from Ge orge he wa Station, and s going through a drill e for th m . e e Er ct and distinguishe d in b aring , e o r e w aring a l ng, braide d military coat , 149 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T sple ndent e paule ts and an impre ssive “ - e and b e two way high hat, gild d e e e h e e h e e f ath r d, swung a sab r as snapp d out rasping orde rs to imaginary soldiers in imagine d maneuve rs on a

- He make b e lie ve battle ﬁeld . e e did no harm , and v ry boy

like d to watch him . e e ele A tall , sl nd r man, antl e g y attir d in black, who

e e e ﬂat - e wor a qu r, topp d ,

- e e broad brimm d hat , pass d by , h and t e Colone l halte d . He fac e d th e loaﬁn g group and e ja culat el suddenly

S on rl H on e W e e di d he Comrad s , h r giazle ” ge t that hat ? Th e e e e th e loaf rs mad no r ply, for man in que stion was the son of an honorable of th e old town, and an author of e e at promis , whos first book had just ’ c e the e tracte d mu h att ntion . But Colon l s que stion live s . To - day th e p e ople of that communi ty c ontinue to te ll Of the cracke d Old ’ e e c e e Colon l s qu ry , and affirm with onfid nc that it suppli e d th e inspiration for that 150

M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

’ e e e e e and B n dict s Minstr ls w r in town , w e and e had forgotten it . In forty s conds “ ” Skinnv too e e e and I, , w r in lin . The minstrel band was gloriously uni It e e forme d . s brass and silv r horns shon in the autumn sun and its gaily orna n e e me te d drums we re a delight . W singl d out e of e —th e - e Dupr z , cours music mast r of his e e e e g n ration , whos corn t solos w e e e e e . e s m d incomparabl And , as watch d we saw our him in admiration , own ’ e e e Chalk Kibbl , chi f corn tist in our

e - th e e th hom town band , in for front of e e c e e sp ctators , paying mut , but uncon al d , tribute to the te chnique of the mi nstrel man . But above the blare of the music ros e “ a shout of Look out the re ' G et back ' ” G e t back ' and the crowd swung to the curb as a carele ss rider w ent through at the He e e e gallop . look d n ith r to right nor e to the he l ft , oblivious indignation e the h arous d and to risk e ran . Tom e e x tra or Washabaugh, constabl ’ di nary and guardian of the old town s e e e his the mi e of p ac , push d way into ddl th e stre e t and haile d th e hors eman in sten 152 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

e h e e e A torian ton s , but clatt r d on up cad em e e e y Hill, fright ning p opl and horse s and r e using eve ry dog in town . C on s t abl e Washabaugh e th addre ss d e town . “ e e he Dang that pr ach r, ‘ ’

I v e . proclaime d . told him for the last time he must quit going through town at that ’ e e pac . I m going to arr st him ” now . Of cours e that rous e d Constable sympathy for the horseman ; ’ prote sts against th e ofﬁce r s program Th the came fast . e hors eman was godly pastor of our church . The pre ss of pastoral dutie s made him always in haste whe n h e venture d abroad on e c h e e the e hors ba k, and combin d lov of fast horse s with his aff e ction for his

- e e h e wa s e t mi e . flock . Mor ov r, abs n nd d He e e to hi s e has long sinc gon r ward, but hi s influence must li ve in his church and i s h community. th li s Among the most inte re ste d of. e tener t e s - h e in the first row along . gutt r 153 MY O WN M AIN ST RE E T

D e af e e th was y Mills , v t ran of e war e e e the e e e e b tw n Stat s , who n v r appe ar d hi without s uniform . “ ” D e af y was de af as the prove rbial e e ﬁ e add r, a circumstanc which af rm d his e e the e e patriotic spirit , for v n Unit d Stat s Pension Departme nt admitte d that hi s e ar - drums had b e en broke n by the roar f Hi s e e o artille ry . s ns Of sight s e eme d the e e e of th mor acut , and his mast ry e art of lip - re ading wa s 6 3mm the wonde r Of the gr e e n town . Hi s acc e pte d name “ ” wa s e e e - e Ch s cutt r, and e ve ry boy kne w hi m e by that titl , though he dare d not

use it to his face . “ ” D e a f y w an Cheese-cutter Mills d e r e d int o Am o s ’ Kiehl s groce ry one day to ﬁnd on di splay an old- fashi one d rat - trap made by faste n , — ing a powe rful spring to a V shap e d board in such a manne r that it would de sce nd with crushing forc e upon the rat which e th The wa s nibbl d e bait b ene ath . trap 154

H O ND E F U IT .

A e - n n In n m n w ll k ow dia a a ,

One n e e dark ight last w k , Went to the cellar with a match In e c s ar h of a gas le ak .

He n ( fou d it . '

John Welch by curiosity (Dispatches state ' was goade d ; He squinte d in hi s old shotgun e To see if it was load d .

(It was . '

A man in Mac on stoppe d to watch A patent cigar - clippe r ; H e wondere d if his ﬁnger was

N o e n the n er t quick r tha ipp . ’ (It wasn t . '

A Maine man r e ad that human e ye s

Of hypnotism we re full ; He went to se e if it would work

Upon a hungry bull . n ’ (It would t . '

— F rancisco Bulleti S an n .

156 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

B e side D e af y Mills wa s Old Jamie M cKni ht c c who c e to g , a S ot hman, had om the e e e e community two g n rations arli r , and who picke d up a pre c arious living by the e of e e e sal n dl s , pins , corn and bunion H e e e . e radicators , sho strings and linim nt — c arrie d his ware s in a little home made

‘ e e e c ch st, cov r d with black oil loth , with a tray above in which sample s we re dis e f or e th e play d insp e ction . A b lt from che st ran round hi s waist and straps about hi s ne ck so that both hands we re fre e . i e wa s l le h e e Jam a itt man , and look d hi He e much younge r than s ye ars . boast d alwa v s e e e h e his x mplary lif , but had still anothe r e xplanation f or his ﬁne physical c di n on tio . Jami e wa s accustome d to take raw

e f e e - e wh at , run it through a cof grind r until it re ache d th e consistenc y of Old e e e at e fashion d oatm al, and ach morning a table spoonful s e asone d with a little salt , — e e e i and cov r d, p rhaps , with m lk not e —or c e e cr am with di e d appl s , prun s , e or ﬁ He e e to o dat s gs. would xplain , non e e th e e e the l gantly, n c ssity for most com plete mastication and the advantage s of 1 57 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T the a s N e e e food a laxative . on who v r hi trie d s re me dy que stione d its worth . Wh o mi e knows but, if Old Ja ’ M cKnight s raw whe at had b e en a dv er i th e e hi s t se d after e mod rn m thod , name might not have b e en poste d far and ne ar and hi s life ende d in luxury ?

158

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e e a s a littl plac which look d to astward, it s e em e d he always di d . H e e e was a Civil War v t ran , and a — bache lor b e c aus e of it this man whom “ ” e c e e e childr n all d Hon y Fly in lov , and m e n like him have always b e en too rare . He had b e e n wounde d de sp e rate ly in e e hi s e som forgott n skirmish, and spin wa s e e h e e pitifully twist d . Wh n walk d, ’ his bre ast protrude d li ke a pouter pige on s . ’ He e e had an normous Adam s appl , and “ ” e h e e wh n spok a painful Ah , a labori ” ous e e swallow, and anoth r Ah brok e e e e Th e e into v ry s nt nc e . ﬁrst impr ssion c b e e e e et no ould not but r p ll nt , y child e c e e could look twic into his kind fa , fram d e in long , gray hair and shad d by a broad e e e brimm d Quak r hat , without instinctiv

e . trust , which gr w to admiration He was th e only hone y- b e e man in that h e e e e Old town, and must hav drawn sw t e of e e n ss his spirit from his b e e s . I n v r e kn w a sunnie r soul . “ ” e e Hon y Fly claim d to know , not the e the c e only m thods , but politi al r la of e e s he e tions , his b , and could t ll about

e . et e th m In his own halting, y sur , way 160 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T — he told th e childre n for the childre n — would always listen Of how th e hive s a e of the de wak in spring, formation and e th e the of partur of swarms , foundation the new th e city, birth, combat and nup of th e e e the ma s tial ﬂight young qu ns , c e th e e the th e sa r of mal s , and, at last, of f re turn o winter . H e e e e e e e t had n v r h ard of Ma t rlinck, y hi s e e e e sympathy must hav b n as tru , his insight as genuine and his knowle dge He eve ry whit as compre he nsive . so love d hi s b e e s and their product that only a d e th e of He v rsity comp elle d e sal hone y . e th e hi s of spok of quality of commodity, the p e rfe c tion Of the comb and the b ou que t of th e hone y as though h e felt a pe r sonal and pare ntal relationship to eve ry e e H e b . took his mone y a s though acc ept ing it f or the sale of some handiwork of c H e h an only hild . sme lle d even of t e be e and its hone y . ’ Hi s e e a s e gard n was a d light , m n s e ar Th e e e e gard ns always e . ﬂow rs w r

- e e e e a o Old fashion d, v n for forty y ars g , and the y gre w unde r and above th e gre at

e - The e e grap arbors . clust rs which th y 1 61 MY OWN M AIN ST REE T

’ e e e to th e bor , I ll warrant , still s m boys of that Old town like thos e which the chil dren of Israel bore back from Canaan . e e in Th y always call to mind that pictur , the le e the m en book of Bib stori s , of who carrie d back the ir proof of the fruitful ne ss of the land upon a pole across two ’ me n s shoulde rs .

He fi - e e too of e had a g tr , , which a rar story ran . “ e e fi - e e Hon y Fly lov d that g tr , and e f or a s hi e car d it for a c ld . An inquisitiv the e young matron of n ighborhood , run n one e e ing in day to borrow flow rs , paus d e e ni e the b for it, and, tur ng naiv ly to e e e e e th e own r, xpr ss d surpris at small “ ” e of th e e e e the n ss l av s . Hon y Fly told

e h e e e h er e . story g ntly, but n v r told nam H f e was that kind o a man . “ ” Hone y Fly wa s a man of sple ndi d H e the e . e e e e courag kn w lif , and , d spit handicap which hi s he roism had laid upon he e We him, fac d it unafraid . boys would sit at his fe e t f or hours to he ar him tell of a s h war e had s e en it . ’ Always he gloriﬁe d hi s c omrade s e e the f e courag , mphasize d suf ring and 162

WE WHO STAY A OME ' T H .

E A . DGAR GUEST .

en e e e n n n Wh you w r just our littl boy , o ma y a ight we cre pt

’ Unto your cot and watche d o e r you and all the e ou tim y slept . We tucked the cove rs round your form and

e smooth d your pillow , t oo,

And e e e and e c ee som tim s stoop d kiss d your h ks , but

ne e n that you v r k ew . Just as we c ame to you back then through many a

n and ight day ,

— ' Our spirits now shall come to you to kiss and n watch a d pray .

’ Whenever you shall look away into God s patch of

sk y,

h n the e we be To t i k about folks at hom , shall

standing by . ’ And as we praye d and watche d o er you when you

e e e in ee w r wrapp d sl p ,

So through your soldie r dange r now the old - time ’ e e watch we ll k p .

Y n n we re e e not ou will ot k ow that a th r , you will

see e or h ar ,

the e in e and we But all tim , pray r thought , shall

be very near .

' O 1 9 1 8 Th e R F v H . g rom er ere Copyri ht , . by eilly Lee Co ’ Mr . G . uest s publishers , and reprinted by their permission 164 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

The world has made of you a man ; the work of man you do ; But unto us you still remain the baby that we kne w ;

And we c e nce we on n shall om , as o did , wo drous

n e wi gs of pray r , And you will neve r know how oft in spirit we ar e

there . ’ e n e e be d n in ence W ll sta d b sid your at ight , sil bending low “ And all the love we gave you then shall follow

where you go .

h we e e c en we are O , w r proud of you ba k th but proude r now ; We se e the stamp of splendor God has place d upon

your brow .

And we are the e a the , who folks at hom , shall pr y

old - e e tim pray r , And ask the God of me rcy to prote ct you with His

care .

And we c e old ne e as am to you of , although you v r

ne k w ,

The e e c and n c e h arts of us , a h day ight , shall om

Wi th love to you .

165

MY O WN MA IN ST RE E T

The - e e e visits of organ grind rs , how v r, we re not to b e compare d to thos e of the foreigne rs who onc e came through with e e a gre at traine d b e ar. Th y stopp d at a e e e conv ni nt corn r, e one r e and, whil cite d a we ird in the e cantation, b ar handle d ade ptly a

e . e long pol Th n , whe n the incanta tion gave way to a “ sort of ho otchy kootch rhv thm y . Trai ne d Bea r the b e ar be gan the e of v e ry odd st gyrations . Our e lde rs w e re not re sponsive to this e of e e e the e typ nt rtainm nt , but childr n followe d in admiring drove s from corne r to c orne r . e the e me That squar , by way, r minds of the fantastic parade s th e boys of the Old town we re accustome d to hold e ve ry ’ N ew e on c e e Y ar s Day, and how , that l r Lubbi e M cClellan b ate d . spot , Capt con ducte d his gre at artille ry parade and

- ﬁrin e n cannon g d monstratio . 168 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

He de corate d a big wagon with th e of e national colors half a doz n lands , and mounte d upon it an enormous wooden e e e e pump , paint d in xc ll nt imitation of a e c e e bronz annon Four hors s , adorn d e e with ﬂags and bunting, haul d it all ov r e of th e e ﬁnallv town in wak parad , and halte d in the squaref b e cause th e bigge st wa crowd s there . th e the At command of captain, boys unhitche d the te amand le d it up a side S e e th e e e . tr t , th n wav d back throng Me anwhile othe rs we re unlimb e ring the pre te nde d gun and Spiking th e buffe r to the ground a s a pre liminary to the M c l llan e salute . Captain C e advanc d to th e re e th b ch to light e charge . This was too much for th e innoc e nt e e e e bystand rs , who had watch d b for with e e e e hi s amus d int r st . A man mad way through the crowd and hurrie d toward the

c ' aptain, shouting “ ’ Don t you dare shoot that the re can ’ n n e o r o off he re . You ll br ak all u win

dows . e h e e Still prot sting, was push d back the e into crowd, which gav way on all 1 69 MY O WN MAIN ST RE ET

e Th e sid s . captain struck anothe r match ; e e wa s e the e e th r a sputt ring in br ch, a e e the e e puff of blu smok , and d af ning

e ﬁr e - c c r port of a giant ra ke r within . The e e e e e boys had limb r d up th ir pi c , hitche d up the hors e s and were off b e fore half the crowd kne w how the y had b e e n

sold . e too the e e In that squar , , str t fakirs e e e e the always stag d th ir p rformanc s , and tight - rope walkers made their way above the e th e e e - e h ads of sp ctators , balanc pol The e e e in hand . rop was always str tch d ’ ’ from Black s Hote l to Wiltshire s thre e stor v th e e brick block across e way . Th s e e the e ui di w r tall st b l ngs in town . We ne ve r pass e d the jail without e nte ring and slipping back through the

h e e e e ~ hall to t e prison door . Th r w r hard loaﬁn th e looking individuals g within , and e — e c e dung on odor stal tobac o smok , damp e xhalations chloride of lime and human , — pe rspiration was altoge ther de pre ssing the to curious visitor . From some where in th e shadows a slim

e e e - e e ﬁgur start d up , and a bull t h ad d

e - e youth, clos cropped , with shifty, b ady 1 70

IN A R E NDLY ORT 0 ’ WAY F I S .

’ ’ en man n cen and he s ee n Wh a ai t got a t , f li g ’ n 0 e ki d blu , ’ ’ ’ ’ An the c n an e an n let louds ha g dark h avy , wo t

the n ne su shi through , ’ I e n Oh e en e e t s a gr at thi g, , my br thr , for a f ll r just to lay His hand upon your shoulder in a friendly sort ’ 0 way '

I e man e e c a e the e r t mak s a f l urious , it m k s t ard ops

start , ’ ’ An you sort 0 fe el a ﬂutte r in the re gion Of the he art ; ’ You can look up and mee t his eye s ; you don t know what to say Whe n his hand is on your shoulde r in a friendly ’ sort 0 way '

’ Oh the s c c nd ne , world a urious ompou , with its ho y

and its gall ,

e s and er c e bu With its car bitt ross s , t a good world

afte r all . h e e it— e And a good G od must av mad l astways , I that is what say , When a hand is on my shoulde r in a friendly sort ’ 0 way .

1 72 M Y O WN MAIN ST R E E T

Th e di me we nt for ginge rsnaps and

r we sat - aisins , and down on dry goods “ ” e at e e E z box s to e . John R d and Gross

e us we saw e e . spi d , and th m whisp ring “ ” e e E z e s Pr s ntly hail d u . “ e e ? Boys , do you want to arn a nick l ‘ ’ to He n Br eita am th e Skip down g , in “ ’ e e t a n e of sho shop , and g ick l s worth ’ strap Oil . He e me e — e c e hand d a pap r wrapp d par l , e we cautioning against br aking it , and took turns carrying it ginge rly for four blocks . ’ Uncle He nry wa s at hi s cobble r s e c h e hi e b n h, and looke d ove r s glass s quiz zi call h e . e e e e y Th n ros w arily, w nt into the - e hi s cubby hol back of workshop , and e e pr s ntly re turne d th e package to us . “ ” “ e e the ni e h e You k p ck l , said , and ‘ ’ ’ e E z i s I v e t ll O this all got, and not to e f or s nd any more . We e e ﬁv e e f or th e hop d , th n , for c nts trip and ﬁv e more whe n we had climb e d h t e we . hill again, but had no such luck “ ” E z roare d when he re c eive d the cob ’ ble r s e e e e the e m ssag , and op n d packag

- e to display a broken lamp chimn y . But 1 73 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

h e i e e e did g v us a handful of kiss s , pap r e e e on the wrapp d, with lov jingl s wrap

p e rs . S e nding youngste rs for strap oil e e e was a favor d jok in thos days , for strap Oil me ant me re ly the li beral application

Of a strap . It took many pairs of sho e s for our big mi e e e fa ly, and fath r s nt us always to Uncl ’ Henry s to have the m made to me asure . H e e o e us d go d mat rials , and his workman s wa s e e e th e e hip always xc ll nt, but sho s e e e e e always s m d too larg , and th y had th ni th e knack of tur ng up at e toe s . Ye ars afte rward my elde r brother and m e t e the e e I Old H nry in str t at Altoona , H e . e e e and hail d him r m mb e re d us , and e e e e e pr s ntly said, in r minisc nc “ Y ou e boys had a good fath r, a good father . But you always complaine d your e e e boots and sho s wer too big . I can t ll you why 'He always came in the day afte r you orde re d a pair and told me to make ‘ e e Th e ar e th m two siz s big . boys grow ’ ‘ ’ in h Th r e . e a e . g, said boys growing we d e e At last un rstood . D ar, thought ful dad . 1 74

M Y O WN M A IN ST R E E T

e f e t o the bottom of Bunk r Hill, af ord d th e b e st coasting in town . We always abhorre d Lawyer Andy e on th e e Fulton, who liv d slop , and who s e eme d to delight in sprinkling ashe s on th e slide . “ Andy spoke with a broad burr, and we e e e we e boys w r accustom d , as ﬂash d “ ’

VVha . past , to hail him with HOO , Andy He not e one did lik that , and night , e we e e e h e a wh n w r noisi r than usual , p e ar e d hi s hi s p at front door . Shaking ﬁst the h e was e into night, as accustom d to e e the h e shak it at an adv rsary in law , shoute d “ You young hounds will wake up in a blame d sight hotte r plac e than this some ﬁne morning bayi ng your e verlasting ‘ ’ ’ Wha HO O . H e e d the e slamm door, and we all f lt b etter .

176 ASHE S ON THE

E UGENE FIELD .

When Jim and Bill and I were boys many years a o g , How gaily did we use to hail the coming of the snow '

Our e e n r n e nn sl ds , fr sh pai te d ed a d with th ir ru e rs

n and rou d bright , Seeme d to re spond right briskly to our clamor Of e d light , “ As we dragge d them up the slipp ery road that climbe d the rugge d hill ’ e e e c e the e meetin - e so Wh r p r h d old fram hous , n n solem like a d still .

A c n in e — e old h , oasti g thos days thos good days was f un inde e d ' ’ Sle ds at that time I d have you know we re paragons of spe e d '

And the ot e in s d o if hill g bar pots, as hills will ,

wh en y, th , ’ We d haul on ice and snow to patch the se ba d spots up again ; oh ' ce a n our But , with what sad rt i ty spirits would subside When De acon Frisbee sprinkle d ashe s Whe re we use d to slide '

' ' Copyrig ht and used by permission o f Charles Sc ribner s Sons Y k New . Company, or 1 77 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

The de acon he would roll his eyes and gnash his

e toothl ss gums ,

An nn and n d cle ar his ski y throat, twirl his sai tly, n bo y thumbs , “ And e ou ' en z e me t ll y Wh I wu a boy, th y taught to eschew

Th e e n e c e n godl ss , ribald va iti s whi h mod r youth pursue '

The e n n to e pathway that l ads dow , dow h ll is slip e and e p ry , straight wid And Satan lurks f or prey where little boys are ” wont to slide '

N ow he who e e in e e n , v r his lif has b e a little boy Will not re prove me when he he ars the language I e mploy ’ T o stigmatize as wicke dne ss the deacon s ze alous spite In inte rfe ring with the play where in we found delight ; And so I c n ence not n e say , with o ﬁd , u alloy d of pride Gol durn the man who sprinkle s ashes whe re the ” youngsters slide '

e c n ee n en n e D a o Frisb lo g ago w t to his lasti g r st , His money well investe d in farm mortgage s out

and I no n e e e ne Bill , Jim , lo g r boys , hav l ar d through years of strife That the trouble s of the little boy pursue the man through life 1 78

MY O WN MA IN ST R E E T

e o e e e e e Pik P l M ll r, a driv r still mor e e our e e r ckl ss than pr ach r, almost ran ‘ OV GI‘ he e e e us as dash d by, h ad d for ’ Black s Hotel . “ Pike Pole got his name by bringing a load Of pike pole s into town onc e on a e th e Sunday, having got mix d up in days th A h e e e . s e e e e of w k drov up Main Str t , he e th e e h ard church b lls ringing , and h P e o notice d that t e store s were clos e d . ple in their Sunday b e st looke d at him curiously and with re proach . e he e e e e Puzzl d, dr w up b for H nry ’ e e e e W lty s stor , and mad inquiry of Squir

Roarer . “ What in tarnation is the matte r here ” “ - h e to day ? e aske d . Why do th y ring ’ ” the e e e ? b lls , and why ain t this stor Op n The squire could b e he ard across the e e str t . “ ’ Y ou e he dang d fool , said , don t ” you know this is Sunday ? “ h And t e name Pike Pole stuck . The music of th e minstrel band had e th e di sa di d away , and crowd had p r d Th e e a e . e e e e p str t was qui t again, sav e e the e e e e Lunci e wh r thr color d barb rs , 180 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

e e the broth rs and Frank Lupton, port r at e u e e e W m er Zimm rman Ho s , w r histling ’ of th e e e rily in anticipation v ning s delight . Frank Lupton neve r mi ss e d a minstrel the he at show in Old town , and always s the the e in front row in gall ry, and laughe d loude r than any othe r thre e m en Th the e . e e e in hous play rs soon kn w him , e e e e and, by point d j sts and winks and s m in l e e e c e g y casual r f r n s , would stir him to gre ate r outbursts His e we e was laught r, all f lt , worth the price of the

Show . Just then a custome r the shO ste ppe d into p , and the thre e barb e rs e hurri d in, waiting only to pick up poor old “ e e Bawl y Himm l , who had taken too much of ” Vine gar Bitte rs . A cigar- store cle rk was te asing Amos “ ” ’ e e K lly, driv r Of Blind Dan Taylor s w e e . a s dray , just to h ar him sw ar Amos the r of ane st i e p man in town , g v n to most e e e viol nt vil n ss and most sinf ul oaths. 1 81 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

Amos was the inspiration for a collo uiali sm e the e q much us d by citiz ns , and when one wishe d to e mphasize an ass er “ h e wa s e ' Y ou be t tion, accustom d to say ” your Amos Kelly . hi s With all profanity, Amos had a e f or b e fondn ss Sunday school , and just fore Christmas h e always b e came a r e g e th e e ular att ndant . It was at Luth ran h e Sunday school that e mad history. the e out Su erin As scholars pass d , p t endent Trauge r stood at the door with the glad handshake and a ple asant word As e he e e e for all . Amos hobbl d past , gr t d him cordially . “ e se e ou W ll , Amos , I am glad to y “ e e h e e e d h r again , said I hop you lik our Sunday school . e e e Amos swallow d fast , his h ad pois d like a robin which liste ns f or an e arth worm . “ — - Y ou b e t your blanke ty blank blank I ” h e . did, said The e xpre ssion live d . We e e or w r too busy, too young, to note the little c ourting- b e e s alre ady unde r e e e way in v ry doorway, shad d porch or 1 82

MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

N e the e athani l , boys will want dinn r, and I suppos e your good wife will ge t it f ’ or e . e e t e e th m I know th y ll g a good f d, ’ f or the re isn t a b e tte r cook in the ” c ounty . h t e e e . Wall , I dunno , was r spons She cooke d a chicken f or you ye ste rday ’ ’ ’ v ou c e e e e e and didn t om , an v r sinc sh s ’ h n b e e n as tarnation cranky as an 01 e . ’ ’ That s why I m so far from home . You ’ f or - e go se e yours elf. I m dad burn d if I ” will . e f or That rather disturb d us , farm e e e e on e e we hous s w r scarc Crab Cr k, but e e e e e pick d out Jim K nan, our b st talk r, to e th e e h e e e b ard lion ss , and soon r turn d h f e e with t e b e st o ne ws . Mr . Donohu th n e DickenhO O er e e call d Old p asid , produc d e e of e e me a l gal pap r som sort , and ask d to hold th e ink - bottle while the Old man hi u se th e signe d s name . We had to ﬂat

- top of a fenc e rail for a writing de sk . The Old man spoke disparagi ngly of e he e en his p nmanship as dipp d p in ink , ‘ e and I soon knew why . His labor d “ ” Nathaniel took up the whole of the ﬁrst e the e e h e blank lin across sh t, and shook 1 84 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

i s e e e e ' e h h ad r gr tfully , r marking Gu ss ’ ’ —l t x a ctl c a e . I didn t cal y right , Mr Dono h ” ue .

e e e Donohu urg d him on, and a s cond laborious e ffort brought forth a wide “ ” e e Spr ad, sprawling Dick n, which took th of th c e whole e s e ond line . “ ” The Hoop e r to ok the whole of the e e e e one third dott d lin , and v ry was satisﬁe d .

. e e e on e Mr Donohu l ft th n, som plaus e e e e e e e he ibl xcus , xpr ssing r gr t that ’ Mr Di ckenhOO e r s c could not e njoy s. p ook r T o e y with us. w hours later we kne w why . The ﬂi e a te e we s mor than did , and the re was nothing on the table that I e— e A e e e e . could abid m at , butt r, v g tabl s t e e end wa s of e e e e ith r a big dish ld rb rri s , e on th e e e e e cook d st ms , which w r cal u e e th e lat d to spoil any appe tite . Ev n e br ad stuck in my te e th . Old man Di ckenh o oper wa s a solicitous e e e th e host , how v r, much puzzl d by dainty “ ” e e of e Ta own e app tit s Y ou F llows , and “ t ” foreve r urging us o pitch in . At last h e brought us a baske t of ve ry fair apples . 185 I MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

We e . e thought , th n, that Mrs Dick n ’ hoop e r s dinne r had b e en aff e cte d by h er e e e me e t mp r, but Mr . Donohu told lat r ni e that the y w e re e ve r thus . Old Natha l e e e e e e s m d to thriv upon such far , non the e l ss .

186

MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

th e rading about e town in uniform . Wh n e e c thus array d, you could h ar him oming half a block away, chains and trappings e on clinking, and sword scabbard clatt ring the pavement . e Jonathan Schn ider, who had a local reputation as a s n a k e e charm r, was ente rtaining a s i d e w a l k g r o u p w e w oul d hav e e e join d, wh n

a c h u n k y , cr o s s e y e d

woman, trun dling a two whe ele d cart e e e f load d with fr sh, rip ruit and crisp

v e e e e e . g tabl s , mad all giv way It was “ ” the e the Dutch Liz , ﬁrst p rson in old town to p e ddle such supplie s from door to door . e e e of e Lawy r Lan , bach lor unc rtain a e e e g , and s nsitiv as a girl about just that , came o ut of his ofﬁc e and he ade d for th e 1 88 M Y O WN MA IN ST R E E T

c u e e c con ourtho s , no doubt to som politi al

fe renc e . H e wa s e e e a capabl couns lor, a shr wd h e e th e e of e politician, but bor nam b ing ”

e e e . e n ar in mon y matt rs His fri nds , as e e e e e e e e th e e w ll as his n mi s , r m mb r d tim h e had e nte rtaine d a Gove rnor of th e State e th e La e e e at a banqu t in ird Hous , to m t attorne ys and prominent citize ns Of th e Th e e e e town . banqu t consist d Of a pal , e e e e e wat ry oyst r st w , with wat r crack rs on the side . ” c Aunt . Lizzie Kin aid gre e te d us mi e . e pl asantly Qui t , kindly, unassu ng , sh e love d the townsp e ople and th e towns h r h e e p e ople all love d e . S w lcome d more new e Old babi s than any doctor, and ” D o c Anawalt wa s wont to tell his pa ti ents not to worry if the y could not e the e r ach him in hour of th ir ne e d . “ ’ She ll care f or you b e tte r than I h e wa s e sa could, accustom d to y, and h e me ant it . who e e the Sid Vail , look d aft r vats th e e wa s in tann ry, a quaint and improvi e e d nt soul, with a rapidly incr asing

family. 189 MY OWN MA IN ST RE E T

e e e a d Onc , wh n a visitor at his hom mi re d his younge st and inquire d in r e w the e e gard to doctor, Sid r pli d ’ ? we e e Doctor Huh, don t n d any n We e t doctor in this e d of town . g Aunt ” Lizzie . “ She e e must mak a lot of mon y, haz h arde d t e gue st . “ ’ e sh e e wa s a I gu ss do s , Sid s g She e me grie ve d reply . h ld up for s e ve nty- ﬁv e ce nts for this ” n last o e . e Bill Lowry, hors man was le ading a de j e cte d- look the e e ing animal up str t , and h e aske d us to summon D o c e tor Moye r . Moy r was ne ithe r allopath nor home o

e . path , but just plain hors He stuck his hand in the ’ ni e x a mal s mouth, and D octor M oyer p r e s s e d th e p ro f e s s i onal n i h Opi on that t e b e ast wa s ni ne ye ars Old . “ ” “ I know that , said Bill , but I want ’ ’ o H e s t know what s wrong with him .

Doctor Moye r neve r cracke d a smile . 1 90

E XXI CHAPT R .

IN LE W K N N N BL D E DALL , THE TOW CO

T B I NTI N - FF I C E S A LE, THE PR G O E , TH N TI T A ND I M SI I E TOW AR S J LV S , TH D HACK RIVER .

ITTLE di e e Ed Gray, l ading Blind

Le w e e K ndall, stopp d us to ask if

' we we re going to the minstre l show . “ ” L h Blind e w was going to he ar t e music . ’ — He was the Old town s b e st known e e e u Optimist , always r ady with a ch rf l smile and a kindly word for his ac quaint

oe . e e an s Knowing the m only by th ir voic s , he s eldom made a mi stake in hi s saluta tion . Ever a favorite with th e young folk of th e he e e e e e town, att nd d v ry ball gam , standing with his hands on some young ’ ste r s e th e e should rs , and rooting with b st

a s - his friend c alle d out the plays . Le w wa s h e e e e hardly forty, but s m d He ne e e an old, Old man . had lost o y at 193 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e e e . Anti tam, and had b n invalid d hom Ye ars of suff e ring pre c e de d the loss of the e f e e u e oth r, but this a ﬂiction n v r cr sh d hi s spirit He had le arne d to make e e hi s brooms , and no b tt r broom than Th e e e Of was made . hous wiv s the town a e lways insist d upon his handiwork . I re me mbe r visiting hi s little home in th e e e lat summ r, and going with him He through his wonde rful garde n . Showe d me e e r e d e b autiful ﬂow rs , big tomato s , e e e sw t corn, squash , pumpkins Lima b ans and all othe r ve ge table s which gre w unde r

’ his constant care . He told me that his s ens e of touch in f th e of forme d him o e progr ss his produc e . He did all the work hims e lf e xcept th e e e plowing, plotting his b ds by m asuring h e e t e e e . e e along f nc His d ft ﬁng rs , v n, e e e e e could distinguish w ds from v g tabl s , and neve r a we e d showe d in hi s little of patch ground . He the e the s was wond r of town, in thi

hi s e e ea ins i ~ particular, and lif a v ry r l p ration to his ne ighbors . e e e e wa s Lawr nc H im r, who soon to e e the e e b com town constabl , nodd d to us 1 94

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T standing challenge to any te amster in the county to match him in a haulage con e H e e hi s e h e t st . lov d hors s , and found no takers . “ ” Lisp Bayne s and Eb er Brown we re ’ standing in front of Hoffman s j e we lry e e e e our e e stor , and, though th y w r ld rs , we halte d to sp e ak to the m . ’ e th e one har dlv Eb r was town s dwarf,

e en. larg r than G Tom Thumb , and a He wa s e friendly little chap . a mast r in outdoor sports , always taking part in bas eball and top - spinning and hoop - roll in e e e the g, and our b st trick p rform r on velo cipe de Eve ry boy in town envi e d f h or e e e e e ob . . him , had b n Off r d a j in P T ’ Barnum s side show . “ ” Lisp Bayne s was big and fat and

- e e e e e c rosy ch k d , with a r c ding hin and He e protruding upp e r te e th . lisp d amaz l ing y. H e was inordinately vain ; the b e st e e the e e dr ss r among old r boys , but a j st th e e f or h e e e among maid ns , was altog th r He w s e the bashful . a fortunat , though , in

e f do - c poss ssion o a dapple d pony and g art, th and e girls like d that . 1 96 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

We c e the the am , now, to home of ” “ Th He rald and Tribune . e ghost had e the e just walk d, and print rs , pay in h e sat t e e . e e pock t, on st ps Th y talk d shO a s e e one p , print rs always do , and som had just told a funny Story f or Journe y e e e e man Ed Pric , who , always w ak n d e he e wa s di to the l wh n laugh d , hol ng rai of th e steps to ke e p from falling . “ e e e e Skinny and I kn w th s print rs , and in late r ye ars Often we nt to th e “ ” He rald Ofﬁce on pre ss - day to help with — “ the old hand press and to fold the patent inside s . One of the e di th e com ans in group , l e old e e e ittl , Al x Alb rtson , had alr ady made s eve ral visits to th e Ke tte ring Hous e We e e we e bar. kn w that wh n h ard him sa a s he di d e e m e l y, always wh n prop rly lowe d ' Handsome i s a s handsome doe s ” —a f ew more days of grace . I have ne ve r ﬁgure d out just what he m e ant by it; As we e e the e e loit r d at curb , a n wcom r “ ” e th e —old e join d group Rusty L ighton , e a tramp print r, who had fought through the e war, and had work d on almost every 197 MY OWN M AIN ST RE E T

h — hi pap er in t e country by s own account . “ He mi ght well have b e e n the tourist ’ “ in Euge ne Field s Man Wh o Worke d n th N 0 0 with Dana o e York Sun . wa s the c of e e It ustom print rs th n , as now e e e e the , to xploit for th ir amus m nt ignorance of e ve ry new appre ntice (devil' H e who came to work with the m . must always trundle a whe e lbarrow to the rival “ plant to borrow a typ e - smasher and to re turn laden with railroad iron or other He e e too handy junk . l arn d, , all about ” type - lice and left - hande d shooting e e sticks , and acquir d oth r information still le ss valu

able . We di e o slik d to g on , but the re we re many blocks to e e th e e n trav rs , and aft rnoo e shadows we re length ning . P rof essor Glogger At the Me thodi st Church we m e t Dan Robins and Profe ssor Glog

’ ‘ e r the of e g , town s artist, who wore , cours , the Windsor tie s aff e cted by their provin i l c a e . wa s typ Dan Robins poor, but e hi s e e hon st, and broth r Jam s rich and

e e e . hon st, and th y we re ve ry good fri nds 198

MY OWN M AIN STREE T

r e of W with op s and scraps strap . e always wonde re d how the y e ve r made the on the a s w hills Lycippus road , and e left ” we e him shout d, Caw, caw, by way of intimation that the y we re prope r crow ’ H di e . e e bait . Jim dn t car laugh d , and

' us e d the stub of a broke n whip to urge the we ary beasts on again . ’ Jim s whole outﬁt wa s so worn and disreputable that it cre ake d and wobble d

e the - e e e e ov r ruts , and his pass ng rs , v r diminishing in numb e r as hi s fortune s e e e e e e e wan d and his n d gr w , w r asham d e e e to com into town in such an quipag , ’ and took to le aving him at Bair s mill ﬁn th e ri f and ishing t p a oot .

200 E X CHAPT R XII .

A MELLOW AND AF FAB LE CROWD BUM BLE ” ” BE E LEW IS IODI NE JOE AND HUGH T P P D CT AR LEY , THE UM O OR .

HE north porch of th e Ke tte ring

' ’ Hous e at Mace s Corne rs held the most distinguishe d group of citizens we

had s e en in our whole day . e Lawye rs , judg s and pro f i onal men e e ss , accustom d t o go to work at ni ne and a t e e e e e quit l v n , w r Th e e gathere d the re . aft r n wa s oon slipping away, Bumblebee Lewi s and the y were me llow and f Th th af able . e group at e corne r watche d “ ” le e e e e e e be Bumb b L wis , who s m d to debating with hims elf how b e st to pe r suade an acquaintance to buy him anothe r drink . “ e e e e e e d Bumbl b n v r work , and, now — that toxins and anti toxins have come 2 01 MY OWN MAIN STREE T

e e e c into r cogniz d b ing, I am onfident that a drop of hi s swe at would turn the huski e st gang of track laborers into I . W . W . o H di e . e sh ut rs was a droopy in vidual , e e we t Old e r s mbling always a , roost r, and he e e e ffl e snifflin s m d always a ict d by a g, wate ry cold in his he ad . ’ A drop on the e nd of a man s nos e i s an e e unlov ly thing, but it do s attract an inte re st e d glance pe riodically . You can not ke ep from wonde ring what will be “ m f e a co e o it . Bumbl b e e w s always in e hi s r e d just that stat , skinny, proboscis , its with sparkling drop .

I went t o see my gal last night ; I was with ple asure seeking ;

I h r n e her n misse d e mouth a d kiss d ose , ‘ ’ 7 7, And the gol darn thing was le akin

Ugh ' I can se e him now . Half a doze n hors e men stopp e d b e fore the hotel while thre e small e ‘ jock ys brought out thre e spirite d thoroughbre ds to show the ir pace s in a dash to th e B e e e Th hiv Church and back . e side walk

e . group was at att ntion It always was , though Saturday afternoon always had its e hors show . 202

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

gre e n pump . It was Hugh Artle y neither homeopath nor allopath nor horse — the e di but pump doctor to whol strict . He of e hi s was a notable thos parts , and t th e dog always sa beside him on s e at . Hugh wa s a busy little fellow always on th e jump and always talking . Aside one e wa s from pumps , his div rsion poli h Th e e e e . tics , and argu d unc asingly visi tor to his shOp was always re gale d by startling di s cussion of the affairs of e nation, Stat and community, and Hugh a lways spoke his mind . The old town re garde d him with e sp e cial e ste e m b e caus e of his trick Of locating wate r with a forke d stick of ’ e Y ou e e e p ach or willow won t b li v it , but the fact remains that whe n Hugh e e e Artl y parad d across country, fork d stick in hands , backs down against his e the e waistcoat pock ts , stick would b nd to wate r unde rground . e e Try it yours lf and l arn b elie f.

204 CHAPTER XXIII .

T H E M E N O F G N S REE DALE, AND AMO

KE P P E R SPI IT I T . , THE R UAL S

’ T Mac e s Corne rs we came to the end ’ of the Old e town s busin ss district , and face d again the fat farmland of the e e e Op n country. As I look back, it s ms — — to me a s it did in thos e days that that e dl e men e town had mor i , appar ntly with e lo aﬁn its e e no m ans of support , g in str t , than any othe r communi ty of its size in the —or country . I know think I know , — now why th e men of that gene ration took so life unconce rne dly . The m en e e of that town , in almost v ry e e e e instanc , own d th ir hom s , and most of e f ew e th m had a hundr d dollars laid by, e ni and working for th m day and ght , in i x s e e r e . or s v n pe ce nt . farm mortgag s The y had large and productive gardens and orchards . Their ve ge table plots and the ir fruit- tre e s supplie d them in the sum 205 MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T m er th e e e , and from surplus th y stor d th e e away food for e wint r months . Th y e or e had capacious c llars , , lacking thos , dug cave s out of doors in which to store h e e e t e e . appl s , cabbag s , potato s and lik What town boy can not re me mb e r going out with spade and mattock to op en up that tre asure - hous e ? And the re we re advantage s othe r than th e e of e e e yi ld thos gard ns , insuranc as it ’ was against illne ss and doctors bills . The re was th e joy of looking forward to

- e or e planting tim , looking through ornat ly e the e e — e illustrat d catalogs from s d hous s , the of th e e joy turning up warm, fr sh e th e e e e of arth, t nd r gl am growing plants and the we ll- re me mb e re d thrill of the ﬁrst ’ gle ani ng of fre sh ve ge table s for mothe r s table . Eve ry thi rd man on the stre e t owne d too e e a cow , , and sold his l ss fortunat e e low c e n ighbors butt r and milk at a pri , or e xchange d the s e dairy products for

e e e e . A e e fruit , ggs or v g tabl s lmost v ry e e e h f e w family k pt its h ns , and p r aps a n h h e e pigs in a p e at t e re ar of t e lot . Th r e e e e a w r no town ordinanc s , th n, gainst 206

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T ur e e e e e e y, and no t l phon s or l ctric wir s , f ew e f ew e or a , v ry , s rvant nurs e bills . A kindly aunt or a mothe rly neighbor r en dere d those s ervice s for which th e gradu ate nurs e now re quire s her twe nty- ﬁv e — - ﬁv e r or is it thirty pe . The no daily pape rs did t trouble us. Most men dep ende d upon substantial country we e klie s for the ir gene ral inf or e e e e e or mation, and w nt to r ligious w kli s f or e e monthlie s the ir inspiration . Th r we re no stre e t - car fare s or bills for gaso line or i ce - cre am soda or motion- picture I e e e . c e e e th at r s ats bills w r a rarity, and coal wa s de live re d by th e wagon- load and store d in the coal- hous e at the far end Of the we e e e e lot, as boys v rily b li v d , that we might have the job of carrying it to th e house . Eve ry fami ly bake d its own bre ad and pie s and doughnuts ; made its own soap from home - made lye and table of butcher e e e e ing scraps . Flour and groc ri s w r bought in bulk ; so w ere sugar and molas e e e e e th e se s. Draym n d liv r d th m at pur ’ e e e e chas e r s xp ns , and no m rchant dre ame d of fre e deliverie s . 2 08 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

Th e fact i s that thos e dads of ours we re e e e me n wis , r sourc ful , who had solve d the proble m of living happily and in comfort w e e ithin th ir m ans . The y we re ne ve r — trouble d by social ambition that scourge Of e mod rn life . The se things which now we call ne ce s e e e e or e e e e siti s w r luxuri s , ls undr am d of, we h e but we re none t e wors e . In thos days the whole family gathe re d about the “ ” e the on het e stov in e room, and skipp d

shivering to icy b e ds whe n the time came . of P er None grumble d at the cost living . haps it wa s just a s well . Thos e we re th e days of gilde d cattails — and water c olor motto e s on the wall ; the days when asparagus sprigs we re stuck b ehind the picture s for ﬂi e s to light on ; whe n mothe r gave dad a moustache cup and dad gave mothe r a shawl at Christmas

e th e y ot e - e tim , and bo s g copp r to d boots

the r e d- e e and girls strip d wool n stockings ,

e . e e knitt d hoods , fascinators Sist r us d to ’ paint her b e au s name on a two - inch rib bon e one to ﬁt within his hat . (I hav now, ’ and c an t re member where it came from . ' But why go furthe r ? 209 MY O WN MA IN ST RE E T

The old town was like a thousand othe rs of its e e e e e n. day, b tt r, p rhaps , in r coll ctio

e e e e . e e t than xp ri nc I lov it y , as must e e hi e e e v ry c ld who v r dw lt the re . th e Just across way, in a dilapidate d old e th e e of e e hous , shutt rs which w r all e Old Ke er th e drawn, liv d Amos pp , town e e e e e Spiritualist , cc ntric , w althy, altog th r H e a re clus e . e was scarc ly ever s e e n out e e e e sid his hom , but his n ighbors kn w that h e e e e e had many call rs , fri nds who gath r d to e e of h ar him discours spirit communion, and who b elie ve d implicitly in his powe r to rais e table s as w ell as ghosts . The y told a rare story of th e Old man who wa s a shre wd hand at a bargain . “ ” Yank Brownell had bought a farm e from him, paying part cash and Off r r — ing thre e annual fi st mortgage note s . “ ” Yank paid th e first and s e cond prompt l e e e e e e the e due y, but thr w ks b for last f ll h e e i e e w nt to Old Amos , ask ng an xt nsion ’ of e thre months time . ’ e Amos wouldn t h ar of it , at first , but “ ” ~ whe n Yank coax e d him he cons ente d to go into the ne xt room and consult his “ ” e e e e spirit advis rs . Yank list n d, in som 21 0

CHAPTE R XXIV — T H E O PEN COUNTRY PILLARS I N T H E

—u — - CH URCH T H E TOWN BOOT MAKER

CEMETERY HI LL - AND THE TOWN TRAG

’ HE busine ss district ende d at Mace s

e f e the Corn rs , and we ac d again

- e e Open country . Down a last cross str t we he ard two men disputing emphatically in language which we di d not altoge ther w e . a s n e und rstand It G e . Dick Courtn y Gr er ton an and Zach , d they swore mi ghtily . e e nd Both w r pillars in the church, a e mi e the ach abo nat d other . The e e h ow e e e town r call d , wh n G n ral Courtne y once he ard hi s small son Dick trying an unusual swe ar word, he turned in surprise to hi s wife to say ' “ hi Oh, Emma, Emma , t s boy of ours must have b e en playing about where Zach Br rton was e . 213 MY OWN MAIN ST REET

e e I still wond r if good Doctor Hack , of h e k hi s e t e B e ehiv Church, tal ing to s xton e th e e e Trux ll, just around corn r, h ard the s e good church neigh

bors . We came now to our own the e e church, Pr sbyt rian , e e e e e the wh r Jab z Coll g , ni e e ja tor, was sw ping down the ste ps in preparation for h f h t e s e rvic e s o t e morrow . The e big doubl doors , which le d from ve stibule to audi torium e e e we , w r op n , and could look through to the S exton T ruxwell plain wooden b enche s which e e s rv d for pews . The we althie r parishione rs brought e r s e e u th i own cu hions , and som tim s p holste re d the little woode n b enche s which

e e - Th e wa s s rv d for foot re sts . pulpit b e the of e the h yond rows p ws , and c oir loft above it . Be side the church was the parsonage e e the e e n v r mans , as som will call it nowa — ’ days and ne xt it stood Old man Bott s

e - e e ell sho store . Th r it was that Bass M , 214

MY O WN MAIN ST RE ET hi s e own inv ntion, which much res emble d h H t e modern bicycle pump . e use d to e carry a pail Of wat r as a supply for it , and choos e some vantage - point upon th e roof from which he dire cte d a punv stre am . We di d not the e e join gam , but pass d on the e of th e , by hom Lowry twins , e e e e i e di d not whos gov rn ss , Sadi K ldar , e e dl approv of m d ing boys , and halte d to watch the Woods girls playing croque t in the ir be auti

ful yard . A disturbance down the on e stre e t calle d us . Som small “ boys we re torme nting D e af y Stim th e —or p , town idiot , e e e to e rath r, w r trying torm nt D e af e e him . But y dr ss d e e e e grot squ ly in r gim ntals , D eaf y “imp c e e fan y hat and f ath rs , with gre at gilt e paule ts upon th e shOiIlder s of e e e e f a coat thr siz s big, march d sti ﬂy one e along, carrying in hand a gr at wooden sword and in the othe r a pair e e eu of b f bones , which he rattled ga gingly 216 MY O WN MAIN ST REET

Then we caught our ﬁrst ride of the ’ e e e e day, jumping in b hind Joe St l s big e e e e Som rs t wagon , and staying th r till ’ we pass e d cripple d Tommy M c C abe s — in r k root b e e r and g ge ca e store . At the Ge rman burying - ground we jump e d of f and climb e d the high bank to th n wa s e e grave yard fe ce . It a favor d t he e r e playground, and hallow d spot sounde d in thos e ye ars to many a game of “ ” “ ’ ” Hi Spy and Prisone r s Bas e . Many di e e e e e sol rs lay buri d th r , and th ir low

- tombstone s we re conve nient for le ap frog . e we c e On M morial Day, though , hildr n e e di ﬁer ent cam thith r in spirit, for it was the e good custom to march down sol mnly, ﬂo r— h we e e t e e . lad n , to pay tribut to d ad e the e e e e B yond c m t ry a littl way, and ’ the e not far from Bair s mill, was cr sted e e knoll of Sand Bank Hill , carp t d in e e e e e e gr n and bow r d in wild ros s , a r stful re tre at f or the p e de strian and tryst for h lovers . On moonlight nights t e boys and girls Of th e Old town Ofte n made the ir way e e the e n th r to spoon, risking int rruptio only Of some drunken miner singing hi s way home . 217 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

The Old e e tOO town had its trag di s , , and things b e tte r unrememb ere d ' vile e e languag , such as no activ boy can fail to he ar ; inde cent storie s by gray- b e arde d e e c e e bv corn r loaf rs ; foul s andal , br ath d ’ le che rs on some chaste woman s name workme n cursing the ir e mploye rs ; ingrati tude re paying e ve ry good . I would awaken no forgotten he art e le t m e e the e e ach , but , non l ss , plac my . e e own construction on what s ms , at a dis e e e e tanc of som forty y ars , a gri vous of e rror justice . N o one from that old town forgets th e bright autumn morni ng whe n we le arne d ” that Mack Hickson had kille d a coal “ ” wa s the son mine r . Mack promising Of one t e — of our good landlords , w nty four, e of e rich in fri nds , good ducation and The e e splendid prosp e cts . whol town lik d hi m .

e s the e e In thos day law r ad that , wh n a landlord was personally informe d by a ’ memb e r Of a man s fami ly that he wa s ex p e cte d to re fus e intoxicants to him as an the r e habitual drunkard , landlord must or e i fus e los his licens e . This burly m ner 21 8

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e e se ve ral ye ars . Th r was hardly a he art in that old town that did not ache wh en h e was take n away to th e place which e e e blaste d his hop s , shriv l d his soul , e e e warp d his ambition, sm ar d his honor and kille d in him all that man holds de ar . — Judge not thou canst not tell how soon the look Of bitter scorn

Ma e on ee e e dew y r st th , though pur thy h art as

in the n drops mor . Thou dost not know what fre ak of fate may place uponthy brow A cloud of shame to kill the joy that re sts upon n it ow. Judge not ' — Anonymous .

220 E CHAPT R XXV .

LEW H N L C TI E N I N E RY , THE O OMO VE G EER ’ M RS M O N E GA N S S H NT —T H E R I . A Y A L ROAD WRECK—BAIR’ S M ILL AND BEGGAR T LOO S .

HE four- thirty coke s slow- mov

e e f ing , grunting trains , w r pu ﬁng up the e e e we e e Lew st p grad , and list n d for ’ We e He nry s whistle . always kn w it , and f Lew the whole town kne w the why o it . had a ﬂi rtation with the pre ttie st girl in e h e e e Paradis , and was accustom d to b gin whistling away down by the County e hi s e Hom , blasts growing in volum as ’ h e e e e . n ar d Huff s Station At Paradis , h e hi s the though, always took hand from whistle cord to wave to th e b elle of thos e A e th e parts , Miss ngi , who was always at f or window with a radiant smile him . We watched the trains pull past the little engine - hous e ; the Old gallows tre e where Corrigan wa s hange d ; 22 1 MY OWN MAIN ST RE ET

’ e - e the e - e Smith s slaught r hous , vil st sm ll th e e . e ing plac in county, and Mrs Mon ’

e we e . gan s littl Irish shanty , as call d it

For mi le s around th e country kne w Mrs .

M one an h e r e - e g , har lipp d hi son Larry and s goats . I must always re me mb e r that f or e e shanty, th r it was f or the l that , ﬁrst and on y e e saw tim , in my lif , I a

viole nt de ath . I was on my way to my Hare -lipped Larry ’ e o f gran dfath r s , s outh . e e the of town, and had just r ach d top ’ Bair s Hill when I he ard a gre at crash

- a the e e e , and s w that, just at ngin hous an e ngine and s e ve ral south- bound cars had struck a cut of cars and caboos e standi ng on the sidi ng . I rac e d ove r as fast as my little le gs

m e e e the e could carry , and r ach d wr ck just as the trainme n carrie d the engine e r — r of the south bound from his cab into M s . ’ th e M one gan s shanty and laid him on saw e ﬂoor, and I him writh in agony and point dramatically to one of th e little knot e e of his companions , and scr am hoars ly 222

MY O WN MAIN ST RE E T

e e e . We gr t th m would not wait for that , though . We picke d our way through flocks of e e e e e the g s which cumb r d roadway, and halte d at th e Old mill to watch the pige ons fe e ding on the grain which had fallen e e e from wagons . Just th n th r was a com motion among the young bloods at the e e Br e e chbill m gat , for pretty Molli fro Ple asant Unity and radiant Kate Ge orge e e on e from Latrob , mount d frisky hors s , n e e e rode by o the ir way to town . Th y w r we e e e the planning, kn w , to nt r Young ’ di di e the La es Ri ng Rac at coming, County e e e e Fair, and th y gav an xhibition of th ir hors emanship a s the y went up th e hill . “ ” ’ Skinny and I hope d the y d win . ” Sunflowe r B e ardsle y was we aving hi s way along the path b e side th e road on ’ hi s we ekly visit to the town s tave rns . We kne w that when he re turne d h e would “ ‘ ’ e e have a singing jag . From th ir fath r s blac ksmi th shop ove r the way th e little Knoblock childre n c alle d afte r him de ri i l s v e . y “ And right the re Sunflowe r pass e d ” B e arloots Tom gg Hardy, mumbling and 224 MY O WN MA IN ST R E E T

He e hi s stagge ring . had alr ady paid e e the w kly visit to town . “ B e ggarloots wa s the man who met a prospe rous citizen one morni ng and e e e e e e gr t d him ffusiv ly, concluding his w ll e wish s with a re que st for tobacco . That ni e h e me t the e ght , on his way hom , sam c e e itiz n, and salut d him with “ I ’ m e . v e Go to blaz s , Mr got y ” own now tobacco .

e e Be arloots c e n Ev ry tim gg om s to tow , ’ He starts to chase the booze aroun

I e no f e ence e n t mak s dif r if it g ts him dow , ” 7 He kee p on chasing the booze aroun

225

MY OWN M AIN ST RE E T

le d the e e which up hill, and turn d hom e c ward r lu tantly . A che e ry gre e ting from e e e e e J ss Kilgor and his wif , who pass d e e e us bound for hom , and ask d us , n xt e e th Saturday, to visit th ir farm, mad e l e e ong walk asi r . On that bright day our hurrying fe e t carrie d us past the Old home swiftly

01d H ome e f or we e our nough , had just b gun jour ne so . y, but I can not pass it swiftly now h e On t e porch we saw my moth r, who e us she a e smil d and waved at , but w st d no time .

228 MY O WN MAIN ST R E E T

h e e e S e could not r st, how v r busy at play might be the sixte e n hands of h e r l e e e e e . e e chi dr n Our f t, p rhaps , w r s ldom th e our quite in right path, and hands e et sh e e e e always in mischi f, y s m d always us e — eli e e with , always t aching and, I b v , — with succ e ss the e lementary principle s of truth and hone sty and sobrie ty . the ev emn a s e se e In g, now th n , I can her swe e t and kindly face against the e r i e e dark ning backg ound , rad ant , r fr sh ing and re ﬁning a s a b ene di ction the cur f li e o e . e e e r nt my daily f Always , it s m d , she e h er had a h althy, happy baby in arms while sh e calle d h e r youngste rs toge ther e e f or e e e to mak r ady sl p , list ning to nur

e e e e e e . s ry rhym s of v ry sort , m anwhil “ We e e the e e childr n kn w Moth r Goos , of e e ar e cours , but to this day my favorit s

E ene me ene ne mo y, y, mi y, , Catch a nigger by the toe When he hollers let him go ' ” E ene me ene ne y, y, mi y , mo ,

R c man o man e man e i h , po r , b ggar , thi f, ” c e In n c e Do tor , lawy r , dia hi f,

th and more of e same . 229 MY OWN M AIN ST REE T

A e the nd always , aft r ﬁnal mome nt of e e e e we - m v ning ch r, said that w ell re e m e e N m e s b r d ow I lay , and, with a la t ni e the Good ght and a kiss , climb d o r stairs to u b e ds . The mothe r who taught me that is e - e e a s e sh e ighty thr , but to this day, th n, l e he r iv s for children . She ha s almost trave rse d th e Main e e of e e Str t Lif , and Lov and Faith and Kindline s s ar e compani ons to ’ n journe y s e d.

23 0

MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

e — e Hom comings such as that , of cours , ar e e e e e - ar e gon for v r, but hom comings e n always w ll worth while . Why ot a Home - coming We e k f or th e old town ? Who can doubt the re adine ss of th e boys and girls still the re to make e v er v e e e e e or th e e n d d arrang m nt , nthusiasm h e e e with which t ir f llows , from Main to e e e e in California , would w lcom any g n ral ’ v itati on ? We d take c omple te poss e ssion of the e the Old Old town , rambl through e th e old e e acad my,ring b ll again , and th n c ome down to loaf in Courthous e Square ’ — ’ and r ob Culbe rtson s orchard if it s still the re . We would crawl under th e old culve rt and build a dam the re and cre ate a swim mi - e the c e ng hol , visit Fairgrounds , hoos e sid s and play ball, if only to show our m n e sons in c olle ge what e we us d to b e . And we would sit in the shade in the Old — schoolyard such shade is rare inde e d and talk ove r th e days of long ago . And ’ e the a s e a s the new we d hav Old band, w ll

e e e e e . band, play v ry aft rnoon and v ning ’ — e e e be re e e Of cours , th r would c w s f t

- about the temple s of all too many of us, 232 MY OWN MAIN ST RE E T

a - e e and bald spots pl nty, but such a hom A coming would bring youth again . ge may b e forgotte n whe n folks grow Old

toge the r . A s f or me e e b , I can nam ight oys and girls who might be truste d to make e ve ry e e b e e ffort to r turn, and it would th ir ﬁrst reunion since the boy ﬁrst to le ave home c e hi s e e the mi pa k d littl trunk, kiss d fa ly ’ ll f r a e out o e . round , and start d hims lf We w b e e e— e ould all th r Jack and Anni , e e G er Will and J ss , Minni and Budd, and trude and B e ss and mothe r too . Dad , — and Dad would e njoy it as no othe r i s

gone . Such a Home - coming We e k could not but re ward eve ry visitor if only b e caus e it would impre ss upon them that the past is e e e not d ad . I would giv much to mak my journe y down My Own Main Stre e t “ ” with Skinny once again . But I can not quit that swimmi ng- hole without a further word . My thoughts go back to it as a boy go e s back to di ve after he ha s e e h e pick d up a garm nt , and knows et it is time to hurry home . And y it was

- hardly a swimming hole to brag of . 233 M Y O WN MA IN ST RE E T

Th e Old Swnnmi ng-hole

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MY O WN MA IN ST RE E T

ove r and unde r the fence and th e dash through the tall grass to th e tre e s which s e the th e e e e th e had d bank, fr nzi d hast Of the e ' the disrobing, and ﬁrst plung But e th e hast and e plunge we re for eld rs . The younge r boys of e very generation e e e h e e hav undr ss d wit f ar and tr mbling, laid the ir clothe s out c are fully fre e of th e e — e e mud, and advanc d , knock kn d and e l c e e th e tr mb ing , to sti k th ir to s into e e wate r and lame nt its chill . Th y hav trie d Strange camp preve ntive s sugge ste d e e — e e e e e by th ir vil mind d ld rs , hav splash d the ms elve s fre e ly on arms and he ad and

c e e e e . h st , and duck d , to com up splutt ring And the y have le arne d to swim b e cause the y had to ; have trie d bre ast stroke and do g- fashion b e twe e n splashing the ir f el lows and painting the ms elve s with mud the e until the y maste re d art , and th n branche d out into swimming on th e back “ ” we e and Indian fashion , as styl d what

‘ e now the y c all th e trudge on . In thos days th e none had he ard of crawl , but I would — b et to on th e . , day , Old ways e e I wa s ducke d in thos days , by bigg r , “ e boys and came up scre aming . I chaw d 23 6 M Y O WN MAIN ST RE E T

e e th e e e e b f with b st of th m, and mad c c othe rs chaw in turn . I ra ke d rocks unde r e a e di e e wate r wh n my comr d s v d, and w nt home often with an e arache b e caus e of it

- Or th e e e . e e of wat r in my ars I l arn d, ’ to o i s e e , how unfailing that moth r s t st e e for disob di nc e in e arly spring, and how the b oy who goe s swi mming brings home ’

e a s c a s . always , a nos old any dog s But why arouse my own re gre ts ? I e sa e e e e dar y, now , that w r th r an Old e e e th e e e e Hom W k , wis r on s would choos e e to to saf guard th ir illusions , and stav

- far away from that Old swimming hole . V li e its — e e I can isua z Old tim glori s , and I e a sk w hav a right to no more . Were e to — try to bring the m back to bui ld a dam — ’ again, and wade in boldly no doubt we d take more s e riously the muddy bottom — , the eve r pre s ent blood- suckers and the e proximity to trav led roads.

237 ONTE NTMENT ' C .

E UGENE FIELD .

H the man en ne appy that, wh his day is do , Lies down to slee p with nothing to regre t The battle he has fought may not be won Th h e fame e has sought be just as ﬂee ting yet ; F n - n n e oldi g at last his ha ds upo his br ast , H he nd n appy is , if, hoary a forsp e t , He sinks into the last eternal rest , “ re n e e n ' I c n en B athi g th s o ly words am o t t .

’ e he e is But happi r that , whil his blood warm , S e es hop e s and friendships de ad about him ’ e e e to en er s Bar s his brav br ast vy s bitt torm , N or shuns the poison barbs of c alumny ’ And n and e e , mid it all , sta ds sturdy lat , Girt only in the armor Go d hath meant ’ For him who ne ath the buff e tings of fate “ n en C an say to God and man ' I am c o t t .

' ' Copyright and used by permi ssion of C harles S cribner s C N ew Y k ompany, or .

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