The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-04-12
A Personal SKETCH OF A COPIAH
COUNTY FAMILY.
by PAP.

3 by PAP.
Fifty four years ago tonight; yes, ju
4 fifty four It's long time. Let me 81
t that would make it the 2Sth, of Marcl
e 1926. Yes, that is the date precisely.
love to be particular about dates. Copia
county was not then laid down on the MAJ
and even the great State of Mississippi
, was in her infancy. The Choctaw natio
still remained in the land of their father
the whole face of the country was covere
with cane, and game was abundant. Whit
settlers had located here and there on tn
water courses, yet neighbors were few IN
far between. Situated on Bushy cree
near its source was family by the nam
of Clarkson consisting of four persons
John Clarkson and wife, his son John, an,
his wife. John Clarkson Senior, was al
old veteran of the Revolution and haC
seen service in the rebel army at Eutav
Springs, Cowpens, Kings Mountain, and
many minor engagements in the war o.
independence; and later was corpora
during the war with the Creek Indians anG
had barely escaped massacre at Fort Minis,
having been sent the day before its occur
ance as bearer of dispatches to fort Patton,
and after peace was established had remains
ed in Wayne county, in this state, some
years until a year or two prior to the time
of which 1 write he had removed to the
rich lands of the Choctaw purchase, ac-
companied by his wife and only son, and
the sons young and handsome wife.
The night was aa and slow drizzling
rain from early morn mad continued with
out cessation. The wind came in fitful
gusts ever and anon blowing the smoke far
out into the room, as it decended the stick
and mud chimney, or found its way through
the chinks of that rude log cabin, of
this pioneer of civilization.
IAo furniture, of the only room the
cabin contained consisted of two beds,
plain deal table, and two rough benches,
while a large, old fashioned Dutch clock
occupied one corner, reaching from floor
to ceiling, keeping up its slow measured
and monotonous tick, tick, from morn till
night, from night till morn again. An
invalid occupied one of the beds. it was
the wife of John Clarkson Jr,.
"Has'nt John been gone a long time
father" she asked. The old man who at
the time was nodding on one end of one of
the fire; was apparently too fast locked in
the embrace of Morpheus to hear the ques-
ton, at any rate he paid no attention to it.
His wife who was busily engaged knitting,
sat at the other end and noticing that no
reply was elected, paused in her work, cast
one look up to her sleeping husband, then
arose and approached the clock; but stimuli
5aneous with this move mine exploded |
The legs which supported the bench, en-
:ered about two feet from either end, and
when the old lady arose from her seat the
Did mans weight was too much. Tho bench
,ilted and struck the ceiling, while John
Jlarkson Senior, measured his length on
he floor.
"Hell, and furies!" exclaimed the old
nan as he rolled over and proceeded to
lick himself up. "Who in blazes knocked
ne off n that seat. Who say?" stamping
lis foot. peggy speak to me- Who did
t? Who dared to do it?"
''Noboddy honey, you fell asleep and
umbled off 1 spose, did it hurt you dar~
int?"
"Don't you darlint me, you old huzzy,
ont you dare do it. He exclaimed rub
ing his knees with both hands. While
is rage seemingly knew no bounds ga
retty pass things has come to, man
nocked down in his own house by his own
fife, and he bout to be granddaddy too,
nd then try and putty it up with honey
nd darlint. 1 wont stand it Peggy, 1
ont, SO don't try it on again, I'd as soon
addle you as to look at you, breaking my
nees arter this fashion. What time is it,
mt it time John was back?'
"Half arter 1even. He's been gone
Ugh onto five hours faint possible the
lie creeks up swimmin is it p said the old
dy meekly as if half afraid to speak in
resence of her irate lord and master.
''Humph! if tbs l recon he can swim it,
ides its long road to Georgetown, and
ayhap the doctor wasn't home arter he {
1t thar and he's waitin." Said the old man, '
DIV somewhat cooled down after his burst l
passion.
"Oh how wish he'd come. groaned the
TX woman. "And you've got your wish l
V dear said her husband entering the q
,or followed by the doctor at that instant.
The old Dutch a'asl- struck three clear .
stinct taps, and er, asst stroke had 3
ased ringing in the ear John Clarkson Jr.
rs presented with son, A noble scion of 81
noble stock.
Lets call him Mathew said John Clark 81
n Jr,. wouldn't Mark be prettier
me?" interposed his mother. il
81 like Luke the best, timidly suggested
o old lady. N
'Luke the devil growlod John Clarkson !,
nior. T.
''Acts, acts, a>a-a-aNacts,' chimed in the >,
W conner, ''call him John,' continued
. old man not needing the interruption.
ohm Clarkson the third, that's the best
me, and lasts. My father WAS no fool and "
named me John, and l called my son II
hn, and if had dozen more Id call u