The street cars, the drays, the carriages, and the other intermingling
vehicles puzzled his senses and deafened his ears.

"What a racket they keep up," thought he. "It's a wonder they don't
run into each other! And the women! I never saw such dressin' before,
nor so many pretty girls. Our mountain folks on meeting day ain't
nowhere. The houses are so high I don't see how they ever climb to the
top. I'd just as soon crawl up old Peaky Top back of our cabin on
Hiawassee."

Down at the railroad station he narrowly escaped being run over by a
swiftly moving engine. Its shrill whistle and the objurgations of the
fireman as it passed, startled him not a little.

For some time he watched the movements of trains and the shifting of
cars, and finally found his way into the general waiting room for
passengers. A red shirted bootblack accosted him in a bantering tone.

"Hey, country! Have your mud splashers shined? Only a nickel."

"I'll shine your nose with my fist, if you don't let me alone," said
Ralph, with so fierce a scowl that the boy edged away.

The mountain lad, though but half comprehending the bootblack's
meaning, was aware that he was being made game of. He paused before a
full length mirror in the toilet room, and for the first time in his
life obtained a good view of his entire person.

"I declare! That looking glass is a sight. I'm a sight, too. I don't
wonder folks call me country."