American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1874-02-28
A VISIT To HrL~Es COUNTY.

Wcarit,t with thu dull routine OF
newspaper lai.Ors ani city life,
and desiring a temporary change
at scene and association, OH the
morning of the 14th instant we laid
side pencil and paper, and assum-
jig u gay and cheerful aspect, left
t..iI, aud care, and politics behind
t~k passage on Mr.. Murphv's
fright train for Goodman, accom-
p .nied, or, rather, protected, by a
huge black canine of rare breed and
PRECIOUS temper, whose dogship We
Il vi previously promised to gen
t,.man who had rendered to us the
hospitality of his home, and whose
house was the objective p )int of our
journey. Arriving at Goodman, we
found our friend, Mr.. Daniel G..
Pepper, ST., i'll waiting; and soon,
with dog in the buggy, We were
wheeling our course towards. his
rural homestead, situated in beau
tiiuI grove of oak and hickory,
about one mile and half from Rich
band. in Holmes county. The hearty
greeting extended to us by Mr..
Pepper at once dispelled every feel
ing of Embarrassment, ami the cOr>
diali1y OF our reception by the
n.-mbers of his household Invested
us IF those unnecessary ceremOnials
which Are manifested towards a
slight acquaintance, and placed us
at once on a footing of friendly in
sImxcy with his family. For ten
days it was our happy privilege to
snare the generous and elegant hos
l'itsai,ty of this attractive and fas-
cinating home circle. Mr. Pepper,
aud the amiable and estimable fe-
male members of his family, are
South CarOllnians, and exhibit in
their manners and conduct all the
g:acps, cOurtesies and reiiuements
k'r which that people are so justly
distinguished. One thing was par
ticnlarly noticeable, and to which
We take great pleasure in referring,
and that was the entire a bsence of
that painful effort at dIsplay-that
restless anxiety for effrct-sO de
rogatOry to the true amenities of
social life, and always SO unpleasant
tojthe bebolder. There was nothing
at that. Their genial hospitality
Was dispensed with All ease and
grace that charmed by its very sim
D,,icity, and which was in beautiful
contrast with that ostentatious
I'omp and parade SO frequently met
with in families of less culture an d
refinement, and which are always
more or less embarI assing.
Apart from the social and intel
l-ctual enjoyments derived from
our visit, We were privileged to ram.
bIe over rolling bills, seat us beneath
the whispering boughs OF some
friendly tree, and forgetful of disap-
pointment, care and disaster, COM
mune peacefully and quietly with
the objects around us. Such com.
muniOn we have ever found sOoth
ing to the soul, and which always
impresses it with the beauty and
purity of truth, as cOntradistin.
guished from the DISCUSSES which
are often thrown around the utter
ances of men, There are no false
rhrObs in the heart of nature. The
winds. as they gently float along
the aisles of Gods forest-temple,
have no sound of suspicion, mol
voice of detractiOn, nor word OF
calumny. All is truth, sincerity,
serenenesS Nothing SO calms the
soul Of an earnest man as cOmmu.
nion with nature in her grand sOli>
tudes, and on the margin Of bel
mighty waters. No matter what
may be his struggles with himself
OF his contest with a misapprehend
jag word, if he will go forth
thoughtfully. lovingly and trustful'
ly, amid the Stiffness of the woods
he will find that trees, and flowers
and green leaves, and murmurine
breezes all have voices and will
speak to him. And it he will but
listen reverenily, they will talk
soOthingly to him. He wilt find
great peace coming into his soul
Not, though, unless he is a true
man; we do not say a perfect man.
for who is perfectf but if he be ii
true man in the sense Of being con
.scious of his weakness and errors
deeply deplOring them, AMI OF
earnestly striving to make b mseli
better--he will find communion with
mature next in Importance to con. :
lnuniOn with God.
We shall not soon forget the joys
of our visit, or the kind consid,ra-
tiOn Of the good people of Ricllan'l
and tn surrounding country. Rich