The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1878-07-11

fourth of July. When the prodigal son
of the South was fairly thrashed. and
kept out in the cold until he howled for
admission into the old homestead, 0ld
Mr., Grant didn't RIM out and have O
fat calf killed, and summon his fddlers,
order a frolic. and put gold rings on the
dirty fingers Of the repentent rake
Oh. moi He just let him work his way
back the hest way he could. But he
got in though, and begins to make
himself at home, and claim ssthe fourth
of July . just like it belongs to him.
Well, the people of beat No. three
made up their minds a few days ago 'tc
take all of the old Fourth they were
entitled to; and they don't do things by
halves in beat three. They organized q
plan for a United States fish fry at Mr..
Wade Felder's Mill. on Topisaw. They
then invited a number Of guests; among
them Col. Deason, of Brookhaven;
Capt. Matthews and Hon. H. @. Bridges
of Summit, who were expected t., make
speeches. %
The writer is indebted to J. NJ. Ty>
Ter, Esq, the efficient Supervisor OF
THAT di strict, for an invitation to the
fish fry; but not to make a speech.
o, no. This writer has nc speaking
capacity; his capacity consists mainly in
eating fish. In this kind of Bellies
~lcttres, he yields only to Deason.
The night of the third found me a.
my old friend Amos Greer's, whose con-
slant friendship for long years past, l
cherish with feelings of grateful res
membrance. "Uncle Ame." is a
household word in hat district; and
Miss Ably, his handsome and accom-
plished daughter, is a most agreeable
and intelligent young lady. We spent
a pleasant evening, and by u up
next morning we're off for the fishing
grounds with Capt. Greer, who had
been appointed to superintend the
business of catching the fish. Arriving
early at the mill, we found the flood
gates raised and the water rapidly run
ming down. Soon the higher ground
in the pond was uncovered, and in
about an hour the water vas confined
to a few small pools, which hal become
thoroughly muddied by the army of
fishermen, who had soused and plunged
through them like go many ~walrusses;
and now the fun began. For n hour
and a half a shower of fish fell on the
banks in such reckless extravaganza,
that it looked as if Capt. Greer was
bent on the total humiliation of the
whole fnny tribe. Capt. q. =. 2.
Williams, who had charge of the cleans
ing department. here announced that
he had more fish than could be cons
sumed, and the army of catchers was
called off; though the hsh seemed as
willing as ever to be sacrificed. / then
went down to the cleaning and cooking
departments, and there was a sight !
never beheld before. Trout, OF all
sizes, perch, Dream, suckers; every va
riety Of scale fish that our Southern
waters afford, lying in heaps around tue
cleaning bench;in cotton baskets. on the
bank, and scattered everywhere ''thick
rs autumn leaves that strew the brooks
in Valambosa." e. McComb. Esq. =,
had control OF the cooking business
was "chief cook and bottle washer" OF
the frying party. and the splendidly
looked fish was a full guarantee that he
was the right man in the right place
L. D. Feldon, Esq, superintendent the
arrangement of the table, and in select
inc him for this duty, they again hit
the nail on the head. The whole thing
showed clearly that these people under
stood each other.
About II o'clock, and inst before
dinner was announced, DIR. G. P. Con
nerly, general manager of the enter
taintment, introduced Col. J. B. Deason
to the large audience assembled IN the
spacious mill house, who, for about
thirty minutes entertained them with
one of his happiest efforts. Did you
ever hear the Colonel make q Fourth OF
July speech? I have e him in every
station: in the 'scivir' service from JUS
tice of the Peace in his beat, to the
honored Chancellor Of his district, and
in the army from the private soldier in
the rear ranks, to the booted and mails
ed Colonel of his regiment. He was at
home in all of them; but it is in ?
Fourth of July Grafton; to an apprecia'
tive audience of sturdy yeomanry;
adorned by the smiles and beauty
Of their lovely daughters and sisters;
their devoted wives and watchful moth
ers: his imagination inspired by the re-
cent exploits of Capt. Greer and his
men; and his appetite sharpened by the
near prospect Of a good dinner. that he
~excels. Deason always pleases the
people because he understands them.
When he speaks to the men he talks o.
freedom; Of education and agriculture.
To the ladies he talks love and poetry;
Heads them out into the fairy land OF his
own gorgeous fancy. and regsies them
with asieilian flowers that bloom, and
have their fragrance allthe year round,
The truth is, Deason is inspired at 9
time like that, He 10 elevated into IN
ETHEREAL existence, and nothing can
coax him d0wn-but the smell Of fried
fish. It issspo side-show business. It's
the main tasture Of the exhibition
| Standing by the side Of q rude table