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Show BEFORE THE WAR MANSIONS Deserted Alabama Houees That Were Oscc Almost Royal in Splendor. "If a man Is looking for it genuine, unadulterated, Irreducible enso of blues I know it hind that will fit his case," re-markol re-markol J. C. Mciee, assistant topographer topog-rapher for the I'ensi'cohi, Alabama & Western railroad. "Our line enters the northwestern part of the state und goes down through tho heart of Alabama," tho engineer went on. "Many miles of our work Is through swamps nnd tangled woods of midnight darkness. "These swamps abound In scorpions, rattlesnakes, vipers, lizards, cotton-mouths cotton-mouths and, the negroes nffrlghtedly add, chalkfaced spookB; but those ure not tho depressing features. "It Is the hundreds of tenantless old mansions you are constantly encountering. encounter-ing. These vacant homes nre models ot antebellum magnificence. There nro large columns and wide verandas In front, spacious hallways and rooms of lordly proportions. Sorao of the carvings carv-ings are almost of royal splendor. "Nothing hns been removed but the furniture. The musters were either killed In tho war or have moved to the towns. The wild grnhs grows high clear up to tho doors. The fencing Is gone or tumbled down." |