The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-01-22
of "Lang Syne'' in the Old
Dutch Fork.

Well, Mr.. Editor, it has been quite q
little while since my pen graced the
columns of The Herald and News, but
we are at home again, happy and Sc
rene! Some people do not like home
their calmness is frequently disturbed
at home-and they sometimes express
preference for a warmer climate to
their homes. But I love my home, and
when away from home any length of
time there seems to be magnet there
which has wonderfully attractive pow
ers by which I am drawn thither.
Yes, have been away-y-y-y-y down
in the Dutch Fork of LexingtoE-(the
Dutch Fork proper )-been down there
in the harrow business. I narrowed
some people, and some narrowed me;
but upon the whole we quit about even
with small balance to my Individual
credit. am encouraged to 60 back
again. While in this good old Fork
took occasion to visit the place of my
nativity, and the place where I spent
the days of my boyhood. I had not
been to the place where was born for
more than thirty years, and oh, how
changed. Not single landmark left
by which I could tell that there once
lived a happy little family-except an
old well.
The place where the dwelling and
other buildings stood is now grown up
in pines and briars. The fields that
were there forty years ago are now
forests, and the original forests are all
cut down and the lands are cultivated.
Oh, what sad memories rushed into
my mind as stood all alone on this
sacred spot. Tears involuntarily
coursed rapidly down my cheeks as I
contemplated the past and the present.
A kind father, a loving mother, and
two younger brothers once composed
the happy family that once lived here.
The thought, where are they now ?
was so sad-so very sad! The remains
of my dear mother lie peaceably at
Spring Hill, those Of my father near
Aberdeen, Arkansas, one brother near
Vicksburs, Miss, and one near Frank
lin, KY, victims of the cruel war. I,
alone, am left-the last to hear the
command, ut is enough, come up
higher"
I now turn to more pleasant scene!
The place of my boyhood at Spring
Hill. Though I have not lived there
for thirty years, I visit the place
frequently, and then there are many of
the old land marks which still remain.
The old home, though in an improved
and enlarged condition, still remains.
The old spring, from which I have
carried many pals of water for my
mother, is there, and the spring
branch, with it's little holes Of min
nows and crawfsh and "bull frogs"
where I used to wade after them and
fish for with pin-hook, and get my
"breeches" wet and then get spank
ing for it, are all quite familiar.
Another familiar object is the old
mulberry tree which I climbed many
times forty-fve years ago, for the mul-
berries, and tear my "breeches," and
then get good, sound spanking, and
be made to wear patched breeches as
long as there was shred of them. 1t
is wonderful how sharp spanking
will impress a boys memory. The big
ditch is still there, along which with
other boys who are now grey headed,
used to hunt "yaller jackets" and
wasps' nests on Sunday, and when we
could find one, especially a "yaller
Jackets" nest-would carry water,
often muddy water, in our wool hats to
first give them a good wetting before
attacking with the brush. We would
oftea have to 90 home with the muddy
water streaking down our necks and
faces, and a swelled eye or lip, or ear,
and get good sharp spanking to re-
mind fellow that Sunday was no
time to fight yaller jackets.
The spanking in those good old times
was usually performed with a hickory
switch frora % to three feet long, and
very sharp and keen. But there are
other and more important landmarks
still remaining at and near SpringHill.
There are specimens of real, live, hu-
man beings of no ordinary longevity.
The first I will speak of is Mr.. and
Mrs. Michael Slice, both of whom are
past so years Of age. did not 60 to
see this venerable couple, but from the
best information I could gather, they
are between 80 and SO years old. They
have lived together as man and wife
for about 20 years, and at, or very near
where they were born and reared. Next
is Grandma Eleazer, (Mrs. Nancy
Eleazer nee Haltiwanger), who is now
81 years old.'Grandma Eleazer's health
and appetite are very good. Her vision
is failing, and her hearing is bad. She
is great conversationallst, and when
in her company you must talk, though
it must be in a loud tone. Her
mind, when carried back to her
girlish days and young womanhood, is
quite vigorous and correct, but when
conversing about recent and quite
modern things and affairs, &C., her
mind is very treacherous and confused.
She eats heartily-sleeps well, and
knits all the time when awake. She