The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-11-04
HRR FATHERS Victim.
A STORY OF
WESTERN LIFE
BY
THOMAS p. MONFORT.


this time, for they had nothing to
mortgage him in return for his accom-
modation. Take the most cheerful
view Of the future that they could, and
picture It in the brightest colors their
buoyant fancy could suggest, and it re-
NAMED dark, somber, forbidding
prospect, unrelieved by single ray Of
light.
John regretted the loss Of his money
now as he had never regretted it before,
and no opinion he could form Of him
self, however low and debasing, was
spared him. With that money all safe
ly at hand he and his family could pass
unpinched through the coming Writer,
and have enough left to pay the 6eot off
the farm. Butregretting did good, and
so Mary told her husband, though she
was far from free Of it herself.
The Greens were not the only family
that were thus placed in q precarious
position. Nearly all the settlers in that
section were victims Of the Paradise
Park boom, and now found themselves
stranded. Very few of them had three
months supply of provisions on hand,
and none of them had money. The
farms were all under mortgage to the
eastern capitalists, so they could not
Borrow money, and it was useless to
think Of earning anything in that part
Of the country, for there was no en-
ployment to be had.
In this state Of affairs somebody
called a meeting of the settlers at
Markham's store, and when the day
came around John Green went over to
see what could be done. There were
twenty-five or thirty other men there,
all with sad, bronzed faces and quaking
hearts. The men spoke together in low,
earnest tones. There was none Of the
joking and laughing in which men thus
assembled usually indulge. Not a
smile disturbed the gloom that hung
over the meeting. No hopeful light
kindled in the eyes of the poor settlers.
It was solemn occasion and weighty
matters occupied the thoughts Of all
that gathering of stouthearted pioneers.
Before them and their families they
saw nothing but starvation, and it is not
to be wondered that their cheeks were
blanched and their eyes dull and heavy
with anxiety and fear.
The situation was discussed in all its
phases, and innumerable plans Of action
weresuggested. Some favored giving up
the land and moving away, but a great
many like Green were too poor to go,
and N,sw of no place where they could
better tas condition, even if they
were able to make the change. After
a great many had given their opinions
some one called on Green to speak.
men," Green began as he arose, 1--WE
are placed in a position where it is
hard to find any way out. We have
nothing but our claims, and unfortu-
nately they are in the grasp Of the
money Shylocks Of the east. The ma
.iority Of US are little better than pau
pers. We have no money, we have no
provisions, and our land, the only pos
session we have, IS being devoured day
by day by that gormand, high interest.
The country in all this part of the state
is in desolation, and there is nothing for
US to do to earn bread for ourselves and
families. Yet we must eat or die, and
we cannot starve. We must ind some
way Of earning livelihood
ssThat's so," said some one, "but how
is it to be done?"
That's what am coming to-" John
replied; ''but, after all, my suggestions
may not be worth much. There are
some men here vino have friends in the
east who are able and willing to aid
them. Those men can get means to
tide them over the present difficulties,
or, If they. prefer, can return east with
their families. Those who are thus
fortunately situated need have no
anxieties and fears. But there are
some Of US who are less fortunate and
who have no one to look to for as
sistance. We who are in that condition
must have recourse to our own ener-
gies. We must earn living, and,
since we cannot do that here, we must
20 where It can be done. In short,
men, we must leave our families here
and 90 back east in search of work.
Back in eastern Kansas and in Missouri
EMPLOYMENT can be had at some wages,
and even if we earn but little we ought
to feel thankful if it enables US to keep
our families alive"
When Green sat down several others
spoke, all in Endorsement Of his plan,
and at last it was agreed to by the
meeting. It seemed a hard thing to go
away leaving the wives and the chill
dren out there on the bare, brown
plains, without friends or money; but
there was no alternative. It was that
Or worse. So it was agreed that on the
following Monday all those who wished
to 20 east in search Of employment
should meet at Markham's store and
start from there in body.
After the meeting John went home
and informed his wife Of the proposed
plan. Her face paled as he spoke, and
the tears started to her eyes, but with
anefort she controlled her feelings, and
true to her nature attempted to look
cheerfully on the arrangement.
II regret having to leave you and
Louise thus" John said, but see no
way to avoid it, and besides the separa-
ton will not last long"
'sNever mind US, john" said Mary.
eve shall get along all right. We shall
miss you and feel lonely while you are
away, but we shall look forward to the
time when you will come back to rs,
and the autumn and the winter will
soon pass. Cheer up, dear John. and
don't Worry on our account"
CHAPTER Kill
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