The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1857-08-13

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8 Abs Ashley wss . real, live. Hoosier, no.
tofions for everything in general, and steal
iug rnelons In Particular. In melon fine.
he was the dread Of the whole neighbor.
hood; for when .he visited patch, he made
It a rule never to leave it until II was en-.
tirely destroyed. This was a singular trait
IN his character-so something understandable
--for, aside from this, he was considered
one Of the best fellows in the world. Steal
ing melons, and plundering patches, SEEM
ed to be a part OF his nature, for it was evi.
dent that II did not arise from any niVgard.
'ly:disposition or selfish motives. He was
a real open..hearted kind Of an individual,
alyays growing moro melons than any
body else, and giving them away moro
than anybody else. They were no objec,
TO him, yet he could not resist the tempta-
ton to steal from his neighbors, Just for the
fun OF tho thing. But, as some one said,
ut is aYlong lane that has no turn;" and
likewise, had Ab followed up the practice of
stealing melons all his life, he would have
,gotto be melon thief Of long standing.
But such a state of things was not destined
to last aiways-"A change came DER the
spirit Of his dream" -
recollect once, in melon. &ason, some
three or four youngsters cAsled a. Abs
house, and after telling hiEs Of the sine
patch" that Deacon Aikers HID, proposed
to visit it. Alb was on hand, without a
moments hesitauoy, and SO The company
set out as soon as it was fairly dark.
Before proceeding further, I may say of
Ab. In The language of the poet, aHe loved
whiskey" as well as he did melons; and as
the boys, in whose company he was, had
looked to the future and brought along a
bountiful supply of the "good critter," ho
was soon enjoying himself hugely. Round
and round went tho black bottle, and on
went the company. Thoy soon got to be
very merry-so much so that apparently
they paid no attention to the road or path,
but went through the woods and brush.
the same as if they had been walking on a
barn floor.
AT length, after winding about in various
ways, and overcoming many obstacles, such
as fallen trees and "worm fences" that Law
iu their route, they arrived at the patch,
and pitched over the enclosure. Ye gods.
what sight There lay tho hugo melons,
so thick that eur adventures could scarcely
walk for them. There they lay, great
mealy red cores" apparently calling out
In their owf language, "Arise, slash and
eatF' They were mono Of your little, long,
"wizzled up" things, such as find their way
to the market stands, and which one would
suppose had fallen from tho vine in a fit of
the "bluo DEVILS" but they woro great,
plump, jolly, good natured fellows, many
OF which were already showing their red
interior, having, apparently, burst their
sides With laughter.
Alb was right in his glory, and so, haul
ing out his jack -kpifo, he fell 10 siashiug
around with vengeance. The others fol.
lowed his example, and very soon there
was sad havoc in the melon patch.
Having satisfied his appetite, Ab fell to
stamping and crushing open MI that came
in his way. The other boys hesitated to
participate at first, urging that it was really
too bad to treat the old Deacon in such a
manner; but Ab swore it was good enough
for the old hypocrile, and that he would
not leave as long rs there was melon with
q whole hide. Finding there was no stop
ping him, they lent hand to the perfor.
nance, and very soon every melon was des.
troyed; and not only that, but the vines
were pulled up and heaped in one corner
of the patch.
Now" said Alb, mounting the pile,
which was some five or six feet high, "riye
me the black bottle, and let me driak the
Old Deaeon's health-lhat good man, in
honor of whom we've jus. erected this
monument"
The bottle was passed up, and Ab be-
gan
deacon Aikers-May he live to plant
many patch like this, and may Ab Ash
ley and his friends have tho honor Of har-
vestin' it for EN-"
All swung their hats around throe times
in silence.
"Now, boys" said he, "as l amt much
drunk yet, 'spose give another one for us
all TO drinkl"
Inc consent was unanimous, and after
thinking moment and holding tho bottle
up TO let the moonlight shine through it.
he delivered himself OF the following, to the
tune OF "Dandy Jim from Caroline"
Here's old black Bet. You welcome guest,
You've oft disturbed me oi my rest;
You dram my pockets, steal my purse,
lip her round hip hurrah!
T'P her round t break Of day;
Up her round--hip hurrah!
Wen not go home ill break Of day."
Hats wont around three times, after
which the bottle started, and made like
number Of revolutions.
NOW fetch me that pole yonder, till
erect standard, 10 show that man has
been to the summit, and then the work'l
be complete" said Ab.
The pole was brought and after tearing a
strip oil an old cotton handkerchief, and at
taching 1t to the end Of tho pole, Ab stuck
IT up IN the pile Of vnea, dismounted, and
they all started for home. la a space OF
time truly incredible they arrived a. Abs
residence. Ab pressed his friends TO stay
VII morning, but they would not hear of it.
h,,. .