On Horseback

A witty, rambling guide through a recovering South, the story follows a scholarly professor and his companion, the self‑styled “Friend of Humanity,” as they set out from the genteel town of Abingdon. Their opening lesson in horsemanship quickly devolves into a lively tableau of railway stations, leisurely “Superintendents of Affairs,” and the lingering customs of a region still echoing the rhythms of plantation life.

Along the way the narrator sketches a vivid picture of post‑war towns—hotels still promising “perfect satisfaction,” oak‑shaded seminaries, and the colorful characters who populate the streets. With a blend of dry humor and thoughtful observation, the travelogue captures both the absurdities and the quiet dignity of a landscape in transition, inviting listeners to linger over each anecdote as the journey unfolds.