The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1888-07-04

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G1,NEvER COULD TELL a STORY TO ORDER"
trouble, effort double.' They say itover and
over. Let's tell stories.''
ssSuppose we do tell limited number"
said McArdle, ssand draw lots for the envi-
able opportunity
81 never could tell story to order," said
Holmes.
McArdle had already taken out his note
book; he cut slips into his hat.
ssPut the shadow Of subject on those
fatal papers," urged Gurley, $50 the VIC
tins may have q straw to cling tor
.sGood, +" said McArdle, sharpening his
pencil "Subjects are IN order"
"Injunsv' spoke up Nose.
''The thought Of bein' scalped is wakenin'
to Nose" remarked Adam.
'tGiye US something pathetic-with tears
in it, proposed Tom Holmes, with COM
Portable smile.
.Indians-Tears," voted McArdle. zone
more viii do"
Something about the North, then," said
Gurley, tipping his head to look up at the
dark sky. s.Any other point Of the compass
would do as well, but the hchens on the
north side Of this tree spoke first
every WELL" said McArdle, and he arose
and carried around his hat for the drawing.
1.-THE Indians have me-" confessed Gurley.
"And I've drawn the North" said Phoebe
ssBut who has drawn tearss" inquired Nc
Ardle, looking carefully around.
This fellow viii draw bGsters," ex-
claimed Adam, dragging his brothers shoe
from the Goals. "He'd burn himself to
ashes, and set smokin' two or three days
before he found it out, if didn't look after
him.
Nose struck out at his brother with fist
which revealed the third penciled slip.
ssCome, Noses" said Gurley; '.let's have
the nenowing story frst-''
''Oh, git out" muttered Nose, in discom-
fort
ssSome short and simple tale" added
Holmes; sonly let it be calculated to touch
the heart"
seh, git out" repeated Nose, twisting un-
easily.
'.f you have tears prepare to shed them
now," quoted McArdle
''Ch, blame it, git out" growied Nose,
looking helplessly on all sides of him.
sIf you can't DO nothing else cry little"
suggested Adam, secure in having drawn
blank
'sHere, Nose, give me your hat for for
feit,n said Phoebe White. you'll redeem
it some way. They shan't drive you to tears
while am by. 1t is Mr.. Gurley's turn"
Nose gladly gave up his hat, and curling
his shaggy head nearer the fire, prepared
for unlimited basking.
This is sudden,' said Gurley. "But give
me your attention and will endeavor to fol-
low the war-path."
Adam or his sister kept skimming the
thick sirup, and the sound Of the skinner
on the sides, or the stirrer on the bottom, Of
the kettle was Gurley's accompaniment
"Only q few miles from the place where
we now sit," said he, 'there is, as you all
know, mound SO ancient that the aborigi-
mes Of this country could give no account Of
it. Trees of centuries growth spring from
it, and it is believed to be the work of an ex-
tinct race.n
"He's stealing bodily from pioneer pa
pers," sighed Tom Holmes. '.Mose, bring
US pitcher Of fresh sugar-water. We all
love that mound It has been written about
and photographed, but we like to rest our
selves from it occasionally. We couldn't
keep house without that mound, but when
you attempt to give it to us for an Indian
story, Jack, you are taking mean aGyant-
age of local weakness"
sOnly few miles from the place where
we now sit" repeated Gurley, with deaf
expression Of countenance, there IS a
mound 80 ancient that the aborigines OF this
country could give no account Of it. Trees
Of centuries growth spring from it, and 1t IS
believed to be the work of an extinct race.
That ought to give me fair start unless the
Judges persist in ringing me back"
1.-THE Gurleys were always horsey,"
commented Tom. But could stand turf
talk better than can quotations from OLD
pioneer papers,
mot many years ago the speaker was
| youth who had Familiar, and this Famll-
| lar, instead Of being such mentor as his
age ought to have made him, acted rather
as tempter.'
Tempt a nuish Gurleyl" murmured
! Tom Holmes.
Mexican relics and Aztec tradition inter-
ested US greatly. and we laid up heaps of
knowledge; only, one Of US became positive
that this old mound was merely burial
place Of the native Indians, and the other
became equally positive that it was of more
ancient origin.
sAttei long Quarreling we decided to dig
until we found proofs to satisfy US. But as
| the law protected that mound from curious
investigation, we decided to say nothing
about our intentions, but to 90 quietly there
in the night, with pick and spade, and avoid
disturbing people.
s.It was fall, and hardly a leaf remained
on the signing trees. 1 hugged my coat col
Lar up to my ears, not because was cold,
aat because the weirdness of the woods and
season dove one in on himscii. We found
the spot previously agreed upoL, and both OF
US fell to work, digging straight downward;
QnEsnse-.aateEn vas shut gsn9 set staaae