The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1883-08-30

i TIE BROOM DEILL,-The Broom
!: Drill on last Friday evening was a
grand success. The popularity Of the
/ Young ladies composing the two COM
panies, and the reputation they have at
tanned for superior drilling, drew crowd
ed house. Mr.. M. O. Dantzler acted,
as before. as drill master OF Company A,
and Mr.. N. II. Bull, of Company B.
About half-past 8 O'Clock, the two COM
panies with their bright and attractive
uniforms, charming faces and military
trend, entered the hall to the tap Of the
drum. An open space was left IN the
centre of the spacious room in which the
drilling was executed, and the audience
sat around where good view of all the
maneuvers could be obtained. Excellent
music was furnished by the Edisto Band,
and everything tended to gayety and
pleasure. The two companies wed with
each other for nearly two hours, every
one present being charmed with the
grace and accuracy Of their movements.
The Judges found it difficult task to de-
eide where both did so well. Finally.
Company A was adJudged the winner of
the prize. 1t will be remembered that
the last time Company B came off vic
torious. but it seems that Company A
determined pot to stay whipped, and
| now the two are even and ready for an
other contest. The contest next came
for the individual prize. This too was
exceedingly exciting. Misses Bertha
Albriecght and Rena Bull were the two
last who were left on the floor to vie
with each other for victory. After a long
and spirited trial, in which both the con-
testants won the repeated applause Of
the audience, the decision was rendered
in favor Of Miss Rena Bull. The COM
pany prize was awarded by Mr.. B. II.
Moss, and the individual prize by Capt.
j. A. Hamilton. The pleasures Of the
evening then closed with the recitation
by Miss Fannie Scruggs of "Shamus
O'Brian." This was rendered in grace
full and elegant style, and gave great en-
joyment to the enraptured audience.
Thus ended delightful evening. The
first entertainment Of the kind was given
for the benefit of the Presbyterian
Church. The proceeds of this went to
tile Methodist Church. We hope the
ball will be kept in motion until all the
churches have benefits, and we hope also
that the public interest will be kept up,
so that each of the future entertainments
shall equal the past in success.
A SNAKE HoRRoR.-On last Friday
rumor got atloat that huge rattle
snake was secreted in car load ofwater-
melons that had just arrived at our de-
pot. The affair caused considerable eX-
element, and the more il was talked
over, the more intense the horror be-
came. One individual said he saw the
monster, and declared that it was six
feet long. Another saw the head, and
swore 1t was as big as bull dogs.
Thus things stood until Saturday morn
ing when band of heroes mustered up
courage, am, armed with. sticks and
other weapons ofwarefare, approached
the car with the determination Of getting
at the bottom facts. Every step was
made with supreme caution. The water
melons were carefully overturned with
long poles maneuvered at the other end
by the undaunted chargers. The search
went bravely on, when, at last, the
mystery was solved. and the dark hor-
ror revealed in all Its hidcousness. The
monster was found coiled up in one cor
ncr Of the car looking on wonderingly at
the strange demonstrations of the ruth
less disturbers Of its repose-it was
little king snake five inches long. But
the horror did not stop here. The mis-
chievous boys took the viper, and. enclos-
ing it in an official envelope. marked
important" placed it carefully upon
the desk of our courteous and good ma
tured Agent while he was out attending
to a passenger train. On his return, he
spied the envelope, and, thinking there
was money in it, he quickly tore it
open, and emptied its contents in his
hand. We will not attempt to describe
his language. Suffice it to say that he
jumped five feet vertically and ten
horizontally, andyelled like Corlanche
Indian. The boys standing around were
as quiet and Innocent MS Sunday school
scholars, and, Of course, could give no
light upon the subject.