The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-02-14
A Recollection.
BY CLAUDE DE HAVEN.

Deep with in the curt,incd vale of
green verdure ran the linpid stream
known to US children as "Ox Greek. /"
Low under the hills like channel were
broad pastures, wherein grazod the stock
belonging to "Sidney Place." acknow
lodged throughout the parish as being
the most beautiful aud productive farm
in the whole region
The main road rau through the
"Flats," parallel with Ok Creek, only
once crossing it, and that in such a
manner as to beautify the landscape
How my mind wanders back to the dear
old bridge, deprived of the romance Of
a grist mill, as in the case of Ben Bolt
but the enjoyment of fishing for bull.
heads" compensated for the luck of 70
nance.
Ok Creek bridge could bo seen for
two miles ON either side, rs it united
tho Flats half way fraai Sidney Place
to the school. house, and Post office,
where ne received our mail onca a week
and that on Wednesday, We knew the
exact hour that john Moore would pass
tho bridge astride Of the little donkey
he had ridden for eight years, with the
mail bag carclessly thrown across its fore
shoulders. Occasionslly the mail bag
presented pIethoric appearance then
we all imagined there wcro letters for
the whole country but when the bag
presented a collapsed appearance oar
enthusiasm melted considerably, ana
our journey to the Post office was not
accelerated by the hopes Of getting my
thing but the weekly paper, which was
published mt the shire town, fiftecM miles
off.
Sidney Place WAS happy hom., for
/. cs:stKi tined the warm hearts ef our M
rcpts-Heavrn bless thcm-and four
'child,cn. John was the Oldest. Mary
n'eSt, and Harriet, three years older
than myself. Two boys and two girl .
with "A place of :sinty nine highly i'm
proved acres, well stocked with cows
and sheep, and the finest span of horses
TO be seen in days travel. Two men
attended to the place, while Mary and
Harriet assisted mother in attending to
The household duties, aud father attend
ed TO reading the newspapers and koep
ing the public road i'm repair, huSins
been Path Master for ryeaw, and knew to II
cent the amount of taxes each resident of
the parish was compelled to work out
yearly Ilia close application to the
highways Kept them in good repair,
which served to keep him in Office The
emolument were light, but the honor
great. Everybody called him the
Squire" although he never married
two silly people 10 his life, or decided u
case Of arbitration. His Judgment was
relied upon, and am not positive but
his premature opinion was strictly al
hered to i'll cases OF controversy, for the
actual Squire" was great admi.ar of
father, and frequently consulted him
upon kno'ty points.
sly father was looked upon as great
mun. The opinion of esquire" Sidney
had more eight in public opinion than
all the people in tho comfy. The bare
expression of his mind moulded the
sentiment Of the entire community aud
why not7 My father had lived amongst
them for years, had accumulated a
competence by honesty, temperance and
humanity, treating with just consider
alton the wants aud claims OF all who
onme to consult him. and with hand
ever open and household welcome to
alleviate the wants of suffering humanity
his motto being, "It's more blessed to
give than to receive;" always incul
onting tho principle of thrift and pru
dence, and looking ahead to that ineyi
table "rainy day." that all have heard
so much about,
How neat, comfortable and happy was
our home. What a large front FOO we
had. This, Of course, MS tho "sparc
room," but il Was Rover spared when we
had occasion TO occupy it. In fancy the
bright roses of the thrce.piy carpet up
pear before me, The chintz sofa. rose
wood centre table covered with books
and daguerreotype offamily and friends,
and the big oil lamp that usually occu