Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1861-09-25
For the Standard.
LOG HEAP MEN. Us #


Mr.. HOLDEN: The older inhabitants, of North.
Carolina recollect that about half century ago
man was governed but little by law every man had
plenty Of time to do any thing or nothing as he
preferred. This was indeed atime of plenty but
little work produced the necessaries of life every
man paid great attention to his orchard, made his
apple brandy, drank it freely and treated with it
literally. This may be called the period Of fun,
frolic, and free fights. If single combat was in
tended BY two angry men, and one said toths other
twill you clear the law p if assented to- the bar
gain was made the fight began, and by ISLANDERS did
not interfere until one cried out enough and even
civil officers did not feel called on by duty to inter-
fere. If no muster or speaking of candidates or
election brought the people together on that day,
hardly a Saturday would pass over without shoot
ing match horse race would take place to do it,
and when once brought together, it would be as
hard to act the play of Othello without the part of
Othello himself, as to get through the day without
the enlivening influence of apple brandy 1t spirited
up the joke caused the laughter to ring louder,
made all think themselves learned politicians, and
finally in the last act of the day the free fights
desperate Indeed, this last was thought so indis-
pensble that after these collections the question
fought, and how did they make t?'
Well, sir, having lightly portrayed the times
will say that in certain precinct or captains dis
trct which will locate in one of the Eastern coun-
ties OF North-Carolina, there lived a man by the
name Of Tommy Portice. Tommy was man of the
world and could change his exterior with the ease
of a chameleon He was ever ready for joke,
hearty laugh, drink or free fight and considered
good leader to initiate it when all hands were pro-
perly warmed up to it; which was usually in the
waning hours of the day. Having introduced my
hero, may say that the muster ground in Tommy's
district had been but recently located in the woods
small log house, with piazza in front, at the enc
of which was the bar room, and not far from the
corner of the house lay large log heap SO loosely
rolled together that a man could crawl into it be-
tween the bottom logs Near this log heap table
was set, upon which was placed the water and
brandy, around which many heroes played their
parts. 1t was the day of election, and Tommy never
missed one. lie was warm partizan, and usually
took his stand near the table ready to drink with,
laugh with, and electioneer with all. But Tommy
thought it now good time to balance long stand
ing political hatred. lie got mad because the vot-
ing was not as he desired. He thought it a good
time for free fight and pulled off his coat rolled
up his Sleeves looked vengeance at his enemy, slap
ped his hands together, cursed with fury and sawed
the air with his arm barred in defiance. lie jumped
around this friend then around another evidently
to entangle the whole into free fight. Tommy
persevered-he succeeded even in drawing in some
friends who had endeavored to promote peace The
fight was severe, but Tom,nys friends succeeded in
gan to look about Tommy was missing-he was
not to he seen any where. Inquiry was nade-all
saw Tommy brStlins up to the fight in the begin
ning but did not know what had become of him.
Some concluded that he must have been killed in
the fight and wrapped up in brush heap near by !;
this was torn W, but Tommy was rot there to be
found. Anxious search Was now made for him,
when one of his friends in passing by the log heap
saw thick pair of double soled Shoes with the
tack heads well worn, turned bottom upwards Just
peeplng out of the log heap. These being cxamin-
cd, 1t was discovered that they contained a pair of
feet, and to these feet legs We're attached. 1t was
determined on to seize these feet and drag out what
ever belonged to then-it was done, and to the sur
prise of all Tommy Strengthened himself up at his
full length, wiped and rubbed his eyes, for he had
been asleep lie looked around, calm and serious,
and showed not a scratch bruise \ peal of
laughter now burst forth through the crowd ut Tom
mys ridiculous appearance
"Weil, Tommy" said one of his friends "why
did you creep into the log heap, with your sleeves
rolled ur when the fight going so iicrcely!'
oh" said Tommy ~ thought would keep
them rolled up in case should DC needed, but saw
you could whip those raScas without me-"
After this event. for many years, when man
made clustering pretcnces to fight any thing else
without moral fortitude to go through with it, he
was called log heap man a Tommy Portice man.
Now. Mr.. Editor, have We among any of this
class Of 6rarc mch who a few months ago could flme
and foam with warlke eloquence for secession, and
if necessary to this for fight who not to be
found at points of danger? Examine the log heaps
the seat of the moral faculties may not be found,
but seize them by the feet and drag them out to
open view. Let them be known as Tommy Portice
men-let them be called log heap warriors.
SENIOR.
THE above article has been unavoidably DELAYED
much longer than We intended Wehope the author
will excuse US, and remunerate our delay by send
ing us another article as good.-EDIroR
Jar tho dnrd