The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1886-03-24
ITEMS FROM SAMMY SWAMP
SAMNTY SWAMP, NICE. Iy.

| Mr. ED1ToR: This is real spring
day, 'the loveliest day of all the glad
New Year." and it inspires me with
the hope that the winter has surely
passed away. The fruit trees are JUS
beginning to bloom, and the gardens
are very backward. I remember hear
ing my father, who was very sue
cessful farmer, say, that he always
tried 70 plant his corn on, or abou'
the 10th of March, but as yet I have
heard of no one planting corn. Near:
| ly everyone in this community is suf.
ferins from the effects of bad colds. :
your correspondent being numbered
ON the list Of unfortunates Mrs. II
S. Briggs has been suffering for two
weeks past with very severe attack
of infammatory rheumatism, and is
convaIescing very slowly. Her moth
er, Mrs Mary Brailsford, has been
with her during her illness. Since
wrote to you last, We have had several
pleasant little sociables, and one de-
lightful dance in our neighborhood-
both Sumter and Manning were hand
somely represented at the latter.
There has also been several visitors
"within our gates" among whom I
will mention Misses Lena and Susie
Brailsford, from the Sand Hills. Miss
AIollie Physioc, from Packsville, Miss
es Inez Clark and Ella Butler, from
Manning, Nh. Ashley Briggs from
Sumter, and last, but not least, the be-
loved pastor of the Summerton Presby-
terian Church, Mr.. Garriss. AS I
have told you before, our neighbor-
hood is very pleasant, and others. con-
cur with me in that belief, for young
man residing near Summerton, was
heard to remark that she thought he
woald live twenty years longer if he
lived on Sammy Swamp" He at
tends our dances, and that accounts
for his partialitv to this place. Since
hearing Of that remark, I have consid-
cred him a young man of excellent
taste and Judgment. Our farmers
have been very busy for the past week
hauling their guano from Manning
it is long tedious trip, aud very try
ing on the horses and mules. AS an
example OF the many trials that a
farmer has to contend with, I Will
relate the following incident:
Last January Capt. ". S. Briggs
hired two white men, Cornelius Knox
and Samuel Lee, from upper Salem.
Capt. Briggs furnished Lee with a
wagon aud horse to go for his sister
who has since kept house for him and
Knox. They were put into a nice
farm house and had every kindness
shown them-thev worked remarka-
bly, we'll and were considered the best
hands on the place, in fact, by strict
attention to their business. and good
behaviour, they succeeded in thor
oughly worming themselves into the
Captains favor. Last week they beg
gcd him to get for them suit of
clothes, so that they might visit in
the neiehborhood and form some ac-
ouaintances. He took them to Man
Mug on Thursday and cot for them a
suit apiece with hats and shoes. Sun
day morning last, to use an Irish
phrase, "they turned up missing"
By severely cross questioning Miss
Lee, who was not inclined to be COM
municative, Capt. Briggs found that
Knox had packed his valise, and with
Lee, had LETT before daylight, intend
ing to stop at house on the place OF
Mr.. Dudley Hodge, before returning
from Salem. He Immediately set out
for Manning, and getting his brother,
Mr.. \. S. Briggs, proceeded in search
of the men and the clothes, for which
they still owed about $25. Forum
ately Capt. Briggs found them at
their friends house, ans got within ::
few feet of them -! -
The men tried to dsHs cnc.4 mention
OF leaving, but the packed valise con.
futed their statement Knox and
Lee begged to be taken back again,
but were informed that the clothes
We're wanted, not them. And so the
Captain wended his way homeward
with .he clothes. and the men We're
left to their meditations and-such
old garments as they had Glanced to
nut in their valise. Lee has not yet
returned for his sister, but has left
her at a strange place and to the mer-
cy of strangers.
Fortunately Capt. Briggs can easily
replace these hands. so their loss vii
not effect him much. Knox and Lee
have been guilty of base ingratitude
and dishonor, for they left, without 6
cause, but I suppose they belong te
the rowing order who,
Fold their tents, like the Arabs,
And as silently steal away"
I have transgressed my usual limit
and viii close, hoping that you vii
pardor this lengthy article.
CANJoIV CJTk11p