The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-06-27

Jesse Stone could be seen milking in the
barn-bt, and the voice Of Jesse's wife could
be heard grooming psalm tune as fare
well to the Sabbath, while she placed the
tubs ready for next days washing Mrs.
Stone kept holy day with Scotch Presby-
terian rigor from FIVE O'Clock on Saturday
evening until five O'Clock on Sunday even
ing; and if she attended night service this
was free-wM offering to Heaven.
The homes Of Gurley's various neighbors
appeared here and there, and down wooded
hills still sparkled the college towns steeples.
Below, culture was ife's law. Up hill,
amidst farms and scattered schoolhouseS,
quite another class Of people made another
law unto themselves. As refinement and
coarseness may dwell side by side in a city,
50 had Greensburg and the hills elbowed
each other several generations without per-
ceptibly setting on each other. However
soidly excellent those hill farmers might
be, the college town despised their plano Of
living; while, on the opposite side, sll hill
farmers voted against appropriations for
the improvement Of the town.
Gurley took short cut across the upward
slope of his meadow to spend an hour with
an old chum whose homestead lay on the
border Of the hill region. He reached the
muddy road, and few turns brought him
to the gate which opened on Tom Holmes
lawn. Poplars staked out with their stiff
pillars, the path to the house. It was a
staunch homestead, covered with knotty
elbows Of the trumpet VINE. The sitting
room windows We're Pickering with freight,
and he ascended the wooden steps at that
side and confidently knocked.
But two or three knocks brought no re
sponse, and, after waiting, Gurley opened
the door and went in.
The familiar room was in receptive at
titude toward chance comers; chairs stood
grouped for conversation; platter Of ap-
pies and pile Of plates and silver knives
were ON the round table. The fireplace
was piled high with blazing sticks. The
whole room so suggested invisible presences
that Garley felt convinced he should find
the family at home. he threw the end ST
his cigar in the fire, and-having the free
dom Of the house at all times-opened
another door into the kitchen. It was still
warm with sug gestions Of the past supper;
q kettle breathed IN the dark. The door
closed behind him and he was turning to
open it for retreat when arod Of light op-
posite and some subterranean voice calling
made him venture ahead and lift latch
which gave entrance to the cellar.
':lt's Randy, Of course said Gurley. 's1s
that you, Randya Where are all the folkss"
At the foot Of the stairs was q girl looking
up She held Tom Holmes toddling child
by one hand, and with the other lifted a
candle over her head. She was very young,
and had blsck hair curling away from an
eager face. Her threat showed white above
her black dress, even in shadow, and her
sleeves were tucked above elbows soft and
round. a large calico apron almost covered
her.
The two looked steadily at each other a
moment, he at the top, she at the foot Of the
stairs. Being stranger, Gurley detected
at once the sorrowful curve Of mouth
which she would have concealed from eyes
familiar
'.Beg pardon said he, hat in hand.
ssAren't Tom and Mrs. Holmes in?'
They've gone to church," said the girl
II heard you and thought it was Mr.. Nc
Ardle"
'Gurley, of the Mounds farm. hope
haven't startled youl'
s'Oh, no; if you wait little while they
will be home. Toddles and 1 are keeping
house. Ipromised to take care Of him and
strain the MILK
Toddles, recognizing a play-fellow at the
top Of the stairs, shook tin mug and ut
tered remarks in a dialect peculiar to HIM
self.
ssMay come down and help youz" in
ouired Gurley. "An offea" he thought,
(which she may resent"
'sIf you would please lift the pals IL would
be help;" she replied. ''Toddles keeps
stepping on my dress"
Gurley descended the stairs aud they went
back to the milk cellar. The crooks and
pans were already in line, and along this
line they progressed, Gurley carrying the
pals and she the huge milk-strainer. Tod
dies, cuddhng by, interposed his mug at
such times as suited him. The blue veins
started out on her arms under the weight