The Sweetwater enterprise. (Sweetwater, Tenn.) 1869-187?, 1870-05-26
Making a Will Under DefiOulties
From Andrews "reminiscences Of Geor-

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From Andrews "reminiscences of Geor.
gia Lawyer.
On the night of the 18th, of November,
1881 believe was the time of the "fall-
ing stars"-an obese old farmer was lying
on his sofa, having negro woman scratch
ing bis head, two children picking his ears,
two rubbing his hands and two his feet,
when he was startled by one-whO had
been looking out of the window-ezclaim
ing, "lor master something is on fire, sue
how the Goals are flying" Kicking and
knocking away the seven attendsuts-be-
setting him like ants around dead worm
Tho went to the door, and seeing the
grand pyrotechnic display, sent the whole
seven to call Philips, the overseer, whom,
when he came, be ordered to call the ne
groes, and making himself select four of
the strongest, he had himself let down his
we'll, and telling Philips to stand at the
mouth to transmit his orders, proceeded
shouting from his lower deep, "Philips !"
make Tom and Peter get on the Clubhouse,
Sam and Bob on the barn, Joe and jeff on
the corn crib, and make the others carry
them water" "Philips" 'Sir." "Havo
them fodder-stacks in the Clubhouse caught
yet :" "No, SIR" "Philips, amt the
grass-feld on the South hill, all in blaze?"
Not yet, sir; the fire goes out before,
coming to the ground" "Philips, have
bottle of that old peach brandy, in the cell
lar, sent down--for hot as it is up there,
it is mighty cold down here--and give the
niggers what they want, for it will all be
burnt up before day" "Philips, do you
smell any birthstone from the FIRE % 81
thought, sir, I did get whiff of it just
now" "Philips, if any of that fire falls
down here and should miss me, it would
scald me like hog in a scslding tub, at
least it will pa1boil the life out of me,
Philips, get pen, ink and paper, latter
they were brought he proceeded } Phil.
ips, can you write on the bench where
they set the water-bucket 7" eyes sir !"
(After debating nhort will, Philips said
he would have to come up and sign it in
the presence of witnesses, when he pro-
cceded y "Philips, what is the state of
the fire :" pouring like it was raining
ten thousand brush heaps" "Can't come
up yet, Philips. Philips, have you heard
Gabriel'S trumpetW "Not yet" DWELL,
let me know the frat toot you hear, that
| may have time to pray a little" phil.
ips proceeded to tell him that there was
no use making will, no how, for all his
property wauld be burned up, and it
would be of no use.) swell, Philips, I
forgot that" The Old Peach having be-
gun to operate, gave him Dutch courage
to come up, having first had the wagon
body brought near the we'll and turned
upside down, under which he craWled,
Philips proposed having straw put under
the body for him to lie on, he objected,
"beca ause it would take fire too easily"
But, ordering sheep-skins and blankets, he
gave directions to have himself let down
again if the wagon body Oaught,fre, and
went into his WOODEN nest under it.. The
reaction from the warmth and soothing
qualities of the emptied bottle, wrapped
him with his fears, into forgetfulness un-
til the blessed sun, rising before the
sleeper, blotted out all appearance Of the
falling FIRE. That rilI was never pre-
sented for probate.