Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1879-09-25
For the kcowcc Courier.
Going to SEQ Our Kin-Folks. !"

VOlIlS 10 300 Ouf MILK OlkS.
MEssns. EDlrons: suppose that VIC
all at some time or other ego to sec our kin
folks" It is habit that has been cstab-
lisllcd for centuries; but the manner of
visiting varies according to tho localities of
tho various parties, md this visiting is dono
with different aims. In large towns and
cities it is done to somo extent for selfish
purposes, and then in other places for other
purposes; but do not propose to deal with
this class of people. / intend to have
something to say about those who visit in
the "good old time way" for the purpose of
enjoyment and social intercourse, in the
rural districts of our country, and cspcc-
ally of this particular locality, as have
witnessed it this summer. Noticing the
unusual amount Of visiting this summer
among tho people Of this and tho surround
ing country, made some inquiries in
regard to it and thought that fcw dots on
tho subject would not be out of place, as it
Hcoms to be time honorcd custom among
tho people, aud custom, too, that is fast
falling into disuse So L select the heading
"Going to See Our Kin-Folks," as tho most
appropriate ono that l could desire, and
shall write from it.
The visiting throughout this community,
owing the fact that railroads have not pcnc-.
tratcd this section, is done iu wagons,
buggics, &c.; in fact, in vehicles of
every description that you can imagine.
You can sec plainly written on tho face of
tho people as they pass peculiar express
sion which you can easily interpret, and it
plainly says, "goins to sec our kin folks"
It rominds QUO of the "good old tines" as
they arc accustomed to be called by our old
inhabitants. There is an air about them
ofpcacc, harmony and goodwill, and the only
thing that is wanting to make the picture
complete is comfort. Persons who have
been toiling hard all the year in their farms,
shops, &c., lay aside all business cares and
give themselves up to the pleasure Of
spending short vacation with relations
aud friends during tho time, Immediately
after laying by the crops, known as the
tho year is about midsummer. They come
from far and near and pass on, whilo somo
in their turn loayc us to visit their friends
and relations at q distance. l have noticed
the countenances Of great many passing
hero this summer and it was q source of
great pleasure to note the anticipation Of
coming pleasures yisibly written on tho face
of each one, from the old gray haired
father and mother down to tho nero baby
with only sufficient understanding to com
prchcnd that there was some underlined
pleasure ahead, or perhaps had caught tho
Infection from it's parents. No doubt tho
pleasure tmo is enjoyed more by tho chill
drcn than the old persons, for they arc moro
capable of fully entering into the few enjoy.
mcnts that we have in this life. Their
pleasure is unalloycI by any of the hard
ships of life. The pleasure or sorrow of
child, it is true, is short, but while it docs
last, it is genuine.
The innovation Of railroads will tend
greatly to decrease the time honorcd onstom
OF our people. The primitive habits of this
and tho surrounding country has already
been greatly changed since tho building of
the Blue Ridge and Air Limo Railroads.
The old inhabitants dislike to give up the
custom, but it is gradually passing away,
and they say, too, that tho change is in no
wise for the better. They dislike to see
tho customs of their day passing away one
by one, and their children pursuing di0c-
rent course of life to what they did when
growing up; but rs time rolls on and these
old mon pass away, and tho rising genera
ton, imbucd with new ideas and the spirit
OF tho day, step upon tho stage of life and
take their places, just SO sure will this
custom fade away. Let all this be as it
may, and let us now turn to our travellers and
their vehicles.
Perhaps to-day you will SEQ a covered
wagon of some antique build, drawn by
mules, passing. On the drivers seat you
find tho son or tho old gray haired father,
and pccping out from under tho canvass,
tho bright, Lappy face of three or four
children. Raise tho curtain a little higher
and you will find ;hc mother with hair
sprinklcd with tho markers of ago or
perhaps quito gray. Then just in front of
her, frequently you will find tho daughter,
makinga most natural and refreshing picture
There you will find, too, on the couutcnanoo
OF oao, the expression, "going to sec our
kin folks" Next you will see wagon of
u little more prctcntious than Tie other