Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 November 1893 — OLD VIRGINIA. [ARTICLE]

OLD VIRGINIA.

Queer Custom* Existing la That Conservative State. A curious oustom existing in conservative Virginia is that of considering it impolite to drive past another can-luge on the r< ad and going in the sumo direction. True it is, some ioonoclasts and outsiaors drive past their follow travolors without compunction, but they, therefore, provo their claim to be called iconoclasts and outsiders. Whon it is a vory pressing case, an apology is called out, such as, “Pray excuse mp, but my horso is ‘restless, or “I am in hasto to catch tho boat," or something of the kind. But to drive ruthlessly ahead without a word of apology is considered tho acme of ill breeding. «] The roads In Virginia are not interesting, except for tneir natural beauty, as the people of wealth, following their English ancestors in practloo, seek a proud seclusion for thoir houses. Only the poorest people build their houses on tne main road, and one may travel from one end of the country to another and not find a single handsome residence on the public highway. There was in early times another and a very practical reason for abjuring tho public highway. Every man's house was at the serrioo of every man, woman and child in the country; an Arab hospitality obtained and was enjoyed to the full. The people who had undesirable homes wore always willing to bestow their company up m their more fortunate neighbors, so that it wouldn’t do to be too convenient to the main artjries of travel. Especially was this so when a visit from a family meant the entertaining of two coach horses, a coachman, and a mail; for the negroes went visiting with tho white people, and enjoyed it quito as much. Hospitality was ono of thoir great virtues, and ip still; for these poople excel in social virtues, and this particular virtue costs little. It only meant the killing cf half a dozen more chickens for dinner, when there are hundreds, perhaps, rcratching aboqt the poultry yard; and tho gardens wore overgrown with vegetables, for which there was neither tale or consumption. *