The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-05-19
-aidents Of Travel.

Sc-~ER Mt =.
1t was at this season or Ne year, tho 2sth
of May, 1916, that in company e;.h loved
relative, we lert our home in South Carol.
ina, on q tour to the far West. Our roaS
was by way Of Anderson c. H., Anderson
vile, GAINESVILLE. GAINESVILLE, &C., to Men,
phis, on the Mississippi river. With good
horse and substantial buggy, we started
of, with high hopes of finding home in
Western State where we could live easily
and contentedly the remainder of our lives.
The first night of our journey, we stopped
with an old Irishman-a man of wealth, and
ajovial, lively old chap he was withall. This
old Irishman had accumulated considerable
wealth in this State by various ways, and
report said that he would use any means,
honest or dishonest, to accomplish his end
viz: to make money. One anecdote was
told us, which we will repeat as illustrating
the bent Of his mind on the all-absorbing
subject which occupied il. Our Irishman,
who we will call Nc, had man (another
lrishman) in his employ. This latter one,
whom we will call John, was pretty sharp
fellow, and was Of no little assistance to old
Nc. in drawing off accounts, posting up
books, &c, in the store. Now, old Nc, in
connection with his store, had large plant
ing interest; and as cotton was low in those
days, considered and re-considered how he
could make his crop bring in more cash, but
was utterly unable to accomplish his pur-
pose. Old Nc. had sent an order to Charles
ton for dozen grind-stones-when they ar
rived, the largest one was split in two pieces.
This was death blow almost to him, but
exercising that fertile brain of his, he soon
hit upon aplan to save himself
He had several bales Of cotton ready to be
shipped so stepping up to the pile-"John," )"
said he, "come here" John Immediately
came. "Now, John," said old Nc, al have
hit upon the idea exactly-we will put the
broken stone in this bale of cotton: and you
see will not only save myself but make
little by the operation" John approved of
this highly; so that night about the witch
ing hour, old Nc. and his ,oorthy confederate
packed the broken grind-stone in the bale of
cotton; and the next day the cotton was
shipped to his agent in Charleston. Cotton
was worth Mt that time about cents, pro-
badly not more than cents About six or
eight months after this, old Nc. had occasion to
order supply of groceries from his agent in
Charleston, and in due time he received
variety Of groceries, and amongst the lot,
barrel Of coffee. Now, he had been accus-
toned to receive his coffee in bags, that his
curiosity being excited about the barrel, he
called John to his aid to assist in opening il.
John knocked the hoops of, and finally took
out the head, when the first thing that greet
ed the eyes of the old fellow was the veri-
table grind-stone. With all the complacen-
cy in the world, he faced his comrade, and
deliberately pointing to the stone, exclaimed:
John, do you recognize that r
The grind-stone had been shipped to Iiv-
erpool, returned, and then sent and charged
at about 10 cents per ID. as coffee, to our
lrishman. We presume this fraudulent
operation cost him still moro, but have never
heard.
The next day we reached Anderson C. H.,
a thriving, handsome little town. After
dinner, we made start, intending to stop at
little place called Andersonville. How we
were unable to find Andersonville, &c, we
will reserve till our next.