The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-04-26
The Natives.

When SIr. Tony Dibbon of --'s
dry goods store, New York, went into the
country for Il holiday, he had no intention
OF hiding his light under a bushcl. He had
not bought his new summer suit, and made
himself irresistible to the fair sex, with
Alaska diamonds, to go to grandmother
Dibbon's and fish on the bank of Swan
creek, and take his cousin Sally to singing
school. lie had hearty invitation to
spend his vacation there, but he did moi
mean to take it. when there was Stickup's
hotel, jammcd full of people, where if he
was content with small box next the
roof, he could be accommodated very
cheaply, considering how stylish the place
was. He calculated that he could afford
two weeks Of it, and two weeks wns all he
could have anywhere. So one morning
Stickup's stage empticd out at the piazza,
and all the young ladies with big hats, who
had come out to see if there were any let
tiers for them, or if dear grandpa had come
down-or for some such excellent reason
not, of course, to show thcmsclvcs-wcrc
doubtless overwhelmed. That was some
compensation, it is to be presumed, for the
long, hot night, passed in company with
the chief of mosquitoes. Tony's window
was only large enough for one of that size
to come in at-a rapid monster, who st,lng
him on his ear when he was slapping his
cheek, and on his nose when he turned his
attention to his ear, and who, when at last
he envclopcd himself from head to foot in
the counterpanc got under somehow, and
bit him all over at oncc-at least ii seemed
80 to poor Tony. In the morning the look
ng-glass revealed a spccklcd countcnancc
and hollow eyes; and Tony having washed
himself in half pint of water--thc
chambermaid had forgotten the towels
negotiated for a net with the sympathizing
and asonishcd reporter who was sure the
mosquitoes had come up with the stage the
night previous, as not one had been seen on
Duck Mountain before, and having break
tasted early, retired to tile woods for the
purpose of hiding himself from the eyes of
the world until the spots which adorned his
face would have vanished.
The woods were cool and shady, and
after an hours ramble he felt much better
too. The ladies would be down by this
TIME, and Jenkins the reporter; with whom
he had made friends when he was inter
viewed regarding the burglary at Yard and
Measures had promised to introduce him to
some 'pre.ty girls" He would return to
the hotel, and little powder (hc had some
Lubjn's violets cented in abox) would make
him quite presentablc.
Return to the hotel. That was easier
said than done. Having decided that he
should take his course, Mr.. Tony Dibbon
began to recognize the fact that the forest
paths looked all alikc--tbat there were big
trees that rescmbled other big trees, and
rocks that were tho twins of orher rocks in
other places, and he had forgotten to take
notice Of the situation of Stickup's Hotel,
and did not know whether il was to the
east or on the west. lie was lost in the
woods and he did not like the idea at ALL
Suppose he should never find his way out,
but should perish miserable He began to
wish he had gone to his grandniothcr's.
However, something must be done. If he
walked out in any direction, he must come
to the end of the woods in time. His mo-
ney was in his pocket. IIc must meet n
wagon ora foot-passenger, and get taken
back to Stickup's in time. SO he wander
cd on, but never receiving any answer.
The chipmonks came down the trees and
grinncd at him, and slSurricd back little
dcad-lcaf colorcd toads hoped across his
path. Once he thought he snw wolf,
hut 1t was only dead log. At last lie sat
down fntigucd and overcome with the
lleat, on the short, st,ibly woodgrass, and
calculated:
"I'm blessed If believe there are any
natives" e.9 q, a4 a%
Before tho words were out of his mouth
he heard a laugh. and Immediately ap-
pcared before him IN the path two pretty
Young women, with tin pals of bucbcr-
ries In their hands They wore calico
dresses, with blouse waists, cut short in the
skirt, thick, well-ftting boots, and big
straw hats, with no trimming whatever
Each had little whitc rufile at her neck !;
but there was not a bow or a pin CT IN ear
ring about either y straight, light of step,
elastic and suntrammeled by superiluols
drapery, they tripped along, and Tony