The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-11-10

utter astonishment 1t burst open, ana IN
went, sprawling, hitting my foot against
the door-jamb and running my elbow
through the bottom of chair.
/ made few appropriate remarks, e1-
tricated myself, and arose, still remarking
no matter what. Now whose house was
in, and where were the inmates. that had
not aroused them in this confusion. After
knocking over two chairs, one stove, tables
and boxes, I reached kind of shelf hang
ing from the wall.
For a wonder, the first article I touched
that was movable was box of matches
Never since the fall of Adam was the means
of obtaining light more warmly welcomed
With eager, trembling hands scratched on
the wall to light it, but it was no go-the
match, or the wall, or both, was wet. l
threw it away, and, in so doing, knocked
over the box and spilled the contents on the
floor. I picked another one up and tried
it rs before, but it was useless. 1 sat down
on the floor and tried about two hundred
matches sixteen different times, and at last
struck light, but just as it was growing
from childhood to ripe old age l took a
sudden fit to sneeze, and you know as we'll
as do that the match went out. / picked
up another, with all the noble courage OF
nv iliustrious ancestors and commenced
going over them all again. l must nave
fallen asleep where was, for the last thing
remember on that memorable evening
WAS sitting on the floor, trying to strike
matches and talking to myself in an angry
way.
!
When I awoke I was lying on the floor
! in nv own house, my head resting gently
AGAINST the corner Of the stove, while my
body was completely surrounded by what
looked to be the wreck of match factory.
The sun was pouring in his hot rays at the
omen door; the birds were singing sweeuy
r,;tbo,t and all nature seemed animated
with new life.
thought it was all horrible dream,
wicked deluson and snare; but when L
ATTEMPTED to rise, my sore toe caused me TO
cbanre nv mind and showed how apt the
buman mind is to err, especially when just
aroused from slumber.
After got things Strengthened out a ht-
tle and was eating my breakfast Deacon
Hall rode up to the door, and said,-
"Brother Peckham, why didn't you come
TO church this mornin' at ten 7"
aWhat church at ten to-day7" I asked,
in no little surprise.
@Brother Peckham," said he severely,
@you know we have meetin' every Sunday
at ten;" and with a painfully pious look he
rode solemnly away without saying another
word.
It was several minutes before could
recover from the shock his words had oc-
casioned. Was it possible that I could
have made such mistake, and to day was
Sunday instead of the day before What
if It had not rained, and I had not got lost
and had went on and seen Victoria Evange
line. and she would have known what
fool wasq I turned mournfully away
and went into my donicile. I tried to feel
happy, and be thankful for all my bad luck
on the previous day, and think it was all
for the best. This took considerable self
control, but was about conquer when hit
nv toe again-all was lost! I knew it
was Sunday, for old Hall never jested or
lied about anything. Ny mind was made
up in an instant 1 would Try It again If l
had to go all the way on one foot
I knew the road was wet and muddy,
and I would be in ruined condition on &C.
count of the mud; but I was not to be
baked now. put on new pair OF over
alls, rolled them up to my knees, and
with my boots under my arm struck boldly
forth in the direction of the Storrs planta-
ton.
The sun was almost down when l left
home, but did not care for this as the
skv was clear. and the moon would shine
in short time. I trudged along, whistlng
and limping, as merry as could be under
the circumstances. When the sun went
down and darkness began to spread its
dreary wings over the surrounding scenery,
kind of lonely feeling began to steal over
me. knew I nealed the creek, and the
! darkness proved to be much greater than
I had expected-so dark, in fact that 1 had
to get down on my knees to find the foot
log. But find it I did, and commenced to
"coon" it across on my hands and knees.
When about halfway the log suddenly
made crook, or I slipped. or something
else-at any rate I fell off, kicking and
splashing into the muddy water below.
Kind reader, bear with me for net relat-
ing what was SAID and ,lone from The time
I struck the water until reached the op-
posite bank. But did reach it, and now
i was reckless-mad-desperate. Nothing
could have stopped me. I was more
determined than ever to see Victoria Evan
geline.
I reached the abode of my beloved in
safety and found my way round to the
back door. The agreement between Is
was that she should be near the door every
Sunday night, so that she could iear my
signal if should come The signal agreed
upon was three scratches on the door.
With beating heart and trembling fingers
approached the house. 1 scratched
twice and was preparing for the third. when
voice that knew belonged 10 old William
Thomas himself, said,-
aVick, open the door and drive that con-
founded dog away! I don't want him in
here |"
1 jumped buck as quick as the Lord