"OLD CONFED" HAS A FAMILY REUNION  

AND TELLS THE TRIBUNE ABOUT IT

(David Harrison Mobley wrote articles for THE WALTON COUNTY TRIBUNE under the name "OLD CONFED".  The following article is dated Mansfield , August 1, 1903.)

                         Laying by time is here.

            Showers of blessings, temporal and spiritual, are our portion, whether we are deserving or not.

            The old people and young people are visiting each other: reunions are order of the day: many are attending protracted meetings, Sunday school conventions, school rallies, etc.  What a good thing that these things come to many once a year.

            Yes, my children and grand children, nineteen living, were with us yesterday, and many of our friends and neighbors, to enjoy and renew friendships and acquaintances.  It reminded us of the days of yore when I was a small boy, and once a year my grandfather would call all his family and neighbors together to enjoy a barbecue at his house, at his own expense.  The dancing would begin in the early evening and continue until late at night and none present enjoyed it more than himself.  He was a great man in his way, and could count friends by the score.  Was much missed by the poor when died, especially those who had never been turned away when they wanted food and clothing.  While he made no profession of religion, his religion was to do good, live honorably and uprightly and to be a man in the strict sense of the word.   

            Yes, we had a good time yesterday and would have been glad to have ye editor with us: also others who could not come.  Our program consisted in the afternoon of music, speeches and recitations by the young men, girls and small children: all of which was enjoyed, closing with a few remarks from "Old Confed" by way of expression of gratitude to all in attendance and a little of his war experience, followed by a quartette by four of my own boys.

            The reunions of old vets are good but nothing to compare with family reunions.  What is better than to know that families love each other and can meet together at least once a year with all the children at grandpa's and have a good time, feast together, laugh and talk together, knowing no difference as to christian faith and no politics, but to love each other and serve each other.

            How many families today are estranged, and some who do not speak to each other when they meet.  What a pity!  It should not be so, and for all these evils and misunderstandings we would recommend family reunions.

            But I must close these rambling remarks.  The children are confusing me so much with their mischief and funny sayings this morning that I can't write.  They are here in force and what a good time they are having.  The boys have a calf by the tail.  Albert Steed nearly killed the puppy in ten minutes after he got here.  I will not have a melon in the patch by night and not a chicken left, if they stay long; but they are at grandpa's and have right of way for a few days and we will live, we trust, when they are gone until most of them come again.  God bless the children and their children; all are my boys and girls and we love them all just alike.  Soon they will impress the world for weal or for woe.

            I must stop.  Belle stands by me waiting for the table to play up-jinks.

            I will comply as to my sketch on reconstruction times in my next.

                                                        OLD CONFED