The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1874-02-14

tho three ply would not last month in
the dining room, where so many people
walked. rt,
The long porch that ran around three
sides of the house shaded tho windows
half the day, and tho creapug vines on
the other side dsfed the hottest rays of
summers heat; and then at night, when
the lowing cows have been placed in the
pasture, and tho duties Of day were
done, mother and ssters sit on the front
porch and sing an evening hymn, ac
comranled by the guitar, played by
brother John /; father, in his stocking
ieet elevated to the railing Of the porch,
with pipe in hand, directing the har
mony, for father in his younger days
had played the violin wish consi.le.ab
kill.
Old Tower and ! would be sitting
near tho edge of the porch IN mute
rcvcrie, listening to the low gentle tones
OF Mothers sweet sophrauo the mezzo
OF Harriet, and tho contralto of Mary.
jobs occasionally assisted with we'll
cultivated bass, which completed che
quartette. Then We would all ask
mother to sing love song when,
placing her hand in fathers open palm.
she would sing about the loves ofyouth,
unbroken affections, the ordeal of life,
and dcath's separation. Oh, how the
mIld, bright, sanity face Of n,other ap
pears before mes writc-appcars be
fore me as in days gone bye, before the
frosts OF sixty winters had left its time
mark npon her raven tresscs, and as the
lingering tspes Of the song died away.
father Would press her to his uosom, aud
imprint loves token upon her cheerful
face. Is n'e this pretty picture, nj
though o.sely drawn 7 but fancy will
not allow me to overdu il.
Those were laRry days, ynl my heart
lightens wltea 4 leseh T., them. Often
IN manhood when struggling with the.
orld, will my mind go back to tho dear
old home Oh the Ok Creek, usd count
the Jays delore Thanksgiving. Tor
never allowed one to pass IT. hout yoipy
home. NSthirs csull prevent me from
meeting dathcr aud III ,thcr once year.
II not eftencr. Mary is married to u
good man, aud Hurrict remains 1T home
the comftrt and solacc Of our aged par
ents dow at Gghteus my daily dutie,
to neoeiwe letters from Harriet, telling
..'e ull about the place" and what daily
occurs, and how my heart warns when
open little piece OF paper always
pecularily folded enclosed in Harriet's
letter, which invariably commences "My
denr child" aud closes with Your
loving mother" My heart throbs God
bless my mother" aud when do 90
home aud Iold my loving mothers form
to n'y breast, aud cover her checks with
kisses. ! nm NO longer man callouscd
with the tolls of life, but a little child
asuin 3 ttin on O.: knee.
And wien tell her of my adven
lures, of the cares am daily subjected
to, how her loving eyes look upon me in
ull compassion, and pity my sorrows aud
when at Thauk ,givins We, all gather
around the family table, seated at the
head ia father, Mary, with her good
husband and two little boys, mother sits
opposite father to pour tea, while Har
rict and l occupy the side, looking to
Mary and her family. am always
clectedto do the honors ofthc table, and
feel as highly honorcd as II we're
carving Mt tho Prosideut's banquet. No
national dinner evel can have the relish
to me that does the dinners ut home on
the Sidney Place. ! could not tell you
oil that mother and sister have prepared,
but their catalogue could not bo surpass
ed.
/ shall visit home again this Thanks
giving should providence spare my life.
and if Heaven extends it's blessings to
US, shall again kiss my dear parents,
shall talk over tho past and calculate
upon the future. l shall find Harriet,
aud Mary with hor little family shall
SEQ father and mother ut each end OF
the table, and shall again carve the
turkey; and when the visit of tho day
is over, we will sing our evening songs
together, thanking lin for His bless