The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-08-29
MiddIepen Items.
OrGnge6uTg De4aocrat !;

VSOF aHQ caused MN TO leave his re-
tired retreats and launch his frail
craft once more on the stream of life.
No doubt 'tUncle Tom" aud our
friend in the fork have been waiting
patiently to hear of the "Pikc's"
whereabouts, but thinking discretion
the better part of valor, have becn
lying low, giving them ample time TO
hook me if they can.
The crops in this section arc tolcr
able, Notwithstanding the protraclcd
drought. There will be about half q
crop Of corn, which has caused many
TO look at their cribs with wishful
eyes, and exclaim, "you may be short
in the barn but none the less in the
'little brown j." Cotton is rust.
ing badly, but fortunately not casting
off, like the Middlepcn men ever
sticking fast to the main stock.
There will be more grain planted in
this section than eyer before on nc.
count of the failure of the main staff
of life.
Mr.. Editor, o few words to old
"Uncle Tom" lie relates an old
story that happened before ] learned
the art of spinning such warp, there
fore l hope you will allow me the
same indulgence, While out West q
few years ago with some friends OF
mine, wo concluded one day to take
q hunt on the prairies, and on coming
to camp that evening the crowd, there
being six in number, took seats on
what we supposed to be log, tolcst
our weary limbs and waited for that
glorious old word to be announced,
supper. One Of the young men re-
marked that our log was moving, not
down, but up the hill, several hootcd
at the idea, and on inspection we
: found it TO he really true, TINT we
had through mistake taken our seat
on a snake instead OF log, which we
found upon examination to he some
twenty-five feet long. That was one
night that l. got enough supper as my
crew were so awfully shocked at the
sight Of sncll o monster. That they Tor-
got which they wanted, protection or
supper, SO most Of them took to
the nearest tree for safety, and left
me 10 attend to the preparation Of
grub, which ] was to pass up the tree
as soon as done. 1t seemed TO me
supper took longer to cook that
night than usual, ,and like Mike and the
Englishman, by the time it was ready
] lad, as most cooks do, gotten The
best pickings of the pie. Going on a
little further the following day we
heard rustling in the leaves and on
looking around what do you suppose
we saw two snakes swallowing each
other. How they came out or what
caused them 10 dc such thing am
unable TO say, perhaps Uncle Tom
can cnlightcn us rs he is an old fish
erman, and no doubt has seen such
things often on water courses. BY
the way, | beg pardon, "Uncle Tom, ,"
l believe yon meyer go only in ice
season and never see anything but Il
dark hole filled with fish. Again
will l challenge competition. Can
you beat this, "Unclc Tom?" Ifyou
do will always think you are the
man that clincLed the nail in the moon.
Two men were once telling matter
of facts for prize, the first said he
made ladder, climbed to the moon
and drove nail through it; the 9TH
er after rejecting moment, and see
ing no chance to be victorious, at
last said he was on the other side and
clinched it; go think "Uncle Tom"
Will nave TO be The clinchcr tC top
my cotton.
Readers, l don't want you to infer
for O moment because my name is
Pike that ! am anything like one in my
nature, sleek and slippery; but no
doubt you all can imagine the cause
you have had specimens of some Of
my correspondence through The paper
and letters, (Evil communications
corrupt good morals.) Dear "Uncle
Tom," this leaves mi; making prcpa-
rations 10 take big fish; ! would
like so much TO have you along, but
/ am sure yon would become disgust
ed if they were TO bite as they did
the other day, not being able to catch