The Brookhaven ledger. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1875-1883, 1878-01-03
A Jaunt In the Country.


spend the .Chrlstmas Holidays in the
country, we started on the Esd ult,, for
that specific purpose. II was Sunday,
but there was not much sun about it, for
dark clouds we're visible to the naked eye,
and rain.drops were falling gently, but
not too gently; but rain or shine We had
determined to go, and we did 60. By way
of parenthesis, " here take occasion to
say that whenever w go to the country
for a few days it invariably rains, and in
almost every instance the creeks and riv-
ers on our route get full. producing some
times lite foods, not to he compared with
the waters, however, upon which our
ancient friend. Noah, sailed. We had no
idea however. that the streams would pre-
vent a traveler from pursuing his journey
on that day, 40 we Travelled on with the
pleasant hop that our progress would not
br interrupted. and that We would have a
smooth transit to our destination; but
alas A! for human expectation. We met a
friend who made this discouraging re-
mark: "Here comes -, and whenev-
er he starts out all the streams in the
whole country gets up y and sur emo ugh,
they did. Blu, we and Cash" went on.
Cash" is the name of the faithful horse
that accompanied us, and we stuck TO him
all the way through. 1t may not have
been "cash on delivery" but we were
safely delivered on ''Cash."f We went
by WY of Caseyville, and asst was rain.
ing, perhaps, We met but few fellow-trav-
elers, and about noon, Apr 'ached the
Homochi,to. There it was, rising, too
shallow TO swim horse, but too deep and
swift to cross without some danger-at
least we thought 80, and rs we did not
wish. to risk "Cash" in the turbulent wat
ers of the roaring iIomochi,to, we re-
traced our steps as far back az Mr.. John
Gilchrist's, to get some information about
the upper crossings. but after talking
awhile about the probable condition OF
said crossings, we accepted his kind invi-
tation to remain until the next day. So
we dismounted and enjoyed the gene rous
inequalities of his comfortable and pleas
ant home, and formed the acquaintance of
his excellent. family, and that of Miss
kittie NcLaurin alaO, who was there on a
visit. We learned from Miss Kittie and
Miss Fannie Gilchrist, that preparation-
were then in progress for a Christmas
Tree at Bensalem church, and for one at
Union Church also. We would have been
highly delighted to have attended those
pleasant gatherings, but our time WAS limi-
ted, and we could not. We spent the time
very pleasantly indeed, at Mr.. GilchriH'~.
About moor next day, w succerded in
crossing the Homochitto. We pursued
our journey then u~nn,oiested, and arrived
at Mr.. John Ct. Guice'r, late Monday az
%ternoon, where VIC found our little daugh-
ter, Lillian, with her grandparents, in the
bloom of health. We took our Christmas
dinner There, and when We got through,
we felt as though We never would want
anything more to eat. We enjoyed the
meal and the company, and 10 say that We
partook heartily of the good things that
were then before Us, would give but II very
inaccurate conception of our eating ca
pacity. We do not wish 10 convey the
idea of being q glutton, but you know
Pope said: "Fiands of various kinGs allure
The taste" We have often been impressed
with the truth of that quotation. Well, you
know how tia yourself. We remained at
at Mr.. John G.. Gnice's until the follow
ing Saturday, enjoying the visit very much.
As the elements presented \ threatening
appearance that morning, we concluded to
start Lack before the streams got full. So We
took afiectionate leave of the family and
mounted Cash" again, and through the
kindness of Mr.. Tu'ly Guice, va were con-
Quoted II few miles no ss..to avoid crossing
Middle Fork. After We saw our way clear,
he returned and We pursued our journey.
As usual, when We travel into the country,
it was raining, and besides, it was = cold,
windy day. When We got to Union Church,
what should regale our ears but that the
Homechitto was up again. Just our luck,
We mentally CIRCULATED, and rode on. just
before reaching the river, We met Uncle
Sans mail, and was informed by Mr..
Smith, who was in charge Of the mail, that
the river was high and could not be ford
ed. Then the conclusion vas forced upon
Us by the rush Of mighty water vending
its yav on the turbulent bosom of the Ho-
mochitto, to the Father of Waters, that We
were in a sort of II predicament, and 80
we were. We left the main road then in
disgust, with CONCENTRATIONS of a circuit
ous route BY Gallatin, Hazlehurst or elSe-
where, in order to get round that stream.
After travelling a mile or more in the di-
rection of the Ciallstin road, We came to
where Rev. W. q. Mill.aps resides, and
found our fellow-townsman, Mr.. John
Marshall there. Mr.. MilIsaps cordially
invited us to stay over night, and We very
thankfully accepted his kind offer, for We
we're cold, and had been riding in the rain
that day. Upon entering the residence.
We had the pleasure of meeting Mrs.. Mill.
saps and her daughter, Miss Fannie, who
il a pupil of Whitworth College, and WAS
then at home spending Christmas. After
having been seated awhile near R warm
fire, we were treated to a.cub Of good, hot
coffee, which was really reii-hed and APP
preciated. After a good nights rest and
a hearty break fast, we babe Mr.. Millsaps
and his good family farewell, and in com.
pany with Mr.. Marshall, we directed our
course for ~Rrookhaven; and AZ the Homo
chitto had subsidized during the previous
night. we crossed very easily. While re-
turning, we were informed that over two
hund red dollars were realized by the
Chr;stmaa Troa of TIpian Church.. There