Washington telegraph., 1854-05-03
LIFE IN THE PINES.
BY. w. GILMORE sIMMS.

BY. w. GILMORE SIMMS.
Pinevlle was as an isolated community.
Situated about fifty miles from Charleston,
in a part of the district remote from the
great thoroughfares, and never frequented
BY way-faring men, it was cut off from all
social intercourse with people elsewhere
When the month of June found all the vii
layers assembled for the summer, their feel
ings we're somewhat analogous to those of
persons who meet together ON board Of a
ship for the purpose of making long voy-
age All commerce with the external
world seemed intcrdicted Entertaining an
indeinable feeling of dstrust of the climate
of the country, they regarded their village
with sort Of superstitious affection, and
viewed as calamity any accident which
might make it necessary to spend a single
night elsewhere The air was not to be
changed Whether for better or for worse,
he who commenced the season by breathing
the air of Pineville, must continue to do
so or if he left it he should not return be-
fore autumn. It is not strange, therefore,
that the sense of mutual dependence was in
tense.
And sweet and balmy is that Pineville
air; inviting repose. tranquilizing the trou-
bed frame, and filing the mind with sweet
and hopeful thoughts When the lungs,
vexed and harrassed by the dust of the
metropolis, and the cruel east winds of the
coast, inhale the soft and fragrant breath of
the pines how voluptuous is the sensation
of rest, of perfect repose! How great a
blessing to suffering humanity has God thus
deposited in the most gloomy desolate look
ing portion of his creation.
The habits Of every house were alike
At sunrise breakfast was served, and the
planters went out to visit their plantations
Those who owned estates in the neighbo1-
hood did this every day others at intervals,
greater or less. throughout the week. But
whether he visited his plantation Or not, the
planter was generally on his horse, and in
spccted those plantations which were within
an easy ride. Hunting also afforded the
means of passing the time Deer and foxes
abound in the neighborhood. and the Santee
swamp would sometimes furnish still more
exciting sport of offering wolves and bears
to hunters. After the mornings ride was
over, the post office; or the village store, was
the general rendezvous and lounging place
Here politics and crops were the never-fail-
ing topics of conversation
At one o'clock dinner was served One
old lady, who died in 1S4S, never dined la
ter than half past twelve. \ portion of the
afternoon was always devoted to sleep Ev-
cry piazza was furnished with long benches,
and these formed the rude beds ON which
the gentlemen invariably indulged in the
luxury of the siesta.
Tae siesta over, and whilst the sun was
still high above the horizon, the kettle would
bubble for the evening, reflection, and hot
tea and cakes would be offered to refresh
those whose heavy sleep rendered some re-
freshment necessary. This early evening
meal, of course indicated that supper wonld
close the lahors Of the day And now the
active duties of the day being over, every
family having refreshed themselves with tea
or coffee, social life commenced Every
one came to tea prepared either to make or
receive visits
Bonnets and hats were articles of female
dress which were entirely ignored in the
Pluevile evening visits. In attire a simple
elegance prevailed Young ladies usually
dressed in white: the aged were clad in
graver colors Visits were unceremonious.
The guests we're received in the piazza No
one ever expected to be invited into the
house, and persons might spend season in
social intercourse with the people, without
seeing the interior of any house but their
own. Sometimes chairs were offered to the
visitors, but, more generally, the long bench
eswith which the piazza was furnished, were
the only seats. No refreshments were Of
fered or expected But if any one asked
for glass of water. the experienced servant
would hand a sufficient number of glasses of
the pure element to satisfy every one pres
ent. For the water (got from wells) was
cold, clear, insipid and refreshing, and all
seemed to sympathise in each others thirst
But though the visiting was done at night.
and the piazza the reception room, the com
pany did not sit in the dark. In front of
the house, fire of ligEtwood formerly, in
later times of pine-straw, was kept constant
iy burning. The reason for this practice
were manifold. It difused cheerful light
over 0, the otherwise dark and gloomy lot
ihe smoke. too. was supposed to be con-
duclve to health; and the light certainly
a"racted night flies and moths from the in