The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-06-18

| prevent any premature OefanSeuenI
or soiling Of my clothes I was placed
upon the top of one of the -four barrels,
until we should enter the city. Near
by me on the top of the poultry coop
and tied to it by his feet was the indig-
nant drake. He seemed to "view me
with a critics eye,"-extending his
plethoric head at one time towards the
left of me, at another towards the right
of me, and then straight at me, utter
ing each time hideous hiss prophetic
ofdisaster, until was really glad when
the time came for me 10 be removed
from his scrutiny. We entered the
city little after sunrise. At my re-
| quest was lifted from the wagon; and
began at once to strut along the side
walk, gazing in wonder at the magnifi-
cence by which was surrounded. I
saw many boys of my size. They
looked at me anu Il laughed; but as they
had no raff1es under their chins my
pride blazed high. T tossed my head
and protruded my chest so as to thrust
forward my ruffies conspicuousIy.
Then came my fall. [ approached
group of three boys somewhat larger
than myself. They observed me closely;
and smiled, as I thought, contemptu-
ously; but these like the. others wore no
ruffies. So gave them a naughty
look, and passed on; but, alas for me!
not until heard one of them remark
quite audibly to his companions:
"WeM, he has pretty black eyes; and
must say that he would certainly show
off well with his ruffied shirt-bosom,
If he only sVasn't 6are-footed." 1t was
the mortifying truth. My friends to
whose care I was entrusted had given |
no more thought than I myself gave to |
the preposterous manner in which I |
was dressed; and there was I, with
Haunting shirt-bosom, standing in the
town where the Governor lived, and
not only bare-footed, but with my feet
and ankles covered with the red clay
dust so abundant to this day about Co.
lumbia. The inconsistency of going
bare-footed while wearing a rufled
shirt did not strike me or any one else,
as Sunday after Sunday I went to st.
Johns church. It was then as it still
is, the custom in the Dutch Fork for
boys and girls to dispense with shoes
and stockings through the summer
months, with a view to comfort and
economy.
When I returned home, and with
tears of mortified feelings recounted my
to my people, I derived |
consolation from their advice to treas
ure up my mishap as an experience
capable of teaching, that whenever one (
is pufed up with vanity; or ambition;
or spiritual pride accompanied by her
sister, hypocrisy; or covetousness lean
ing Oh her daughter, idolatry, all one !
has to do is to look dom at ones feet
I have often followed this advice, and
feel that it has saved me from some :
vanities and vexations Of spirit which, i
if had been pufed up with them, {
would have been too much for me-
they would have overwhelmed me.
From this depression I return to a n
further consideration Of the durability
belonging TO the fabrics manufactured
On the old-time looms, by the banging I
Of which the belated stranger might be
guided on his way to some home three e
quarters of a mile off when the sun
vent down and the need of hospitality
vas first felt. The shirt that clung so
closely to ME for fonr years was as free q
rom decay the last time wore it as it g
vas the first time. Unless it has been G
ournt, every thread of it isin existence =
to day. I can, however,
all up a witness-one which I inter-
'iewed no ong ago-a witness of such
eliability, j.. regard to the durability
# the textures used for raiment in the
Dutch Fork long, long ago, that there T
will be no need to question any others. S
This witness has history which de- tt
erves to be made known; and it is as G.
ollows: Among the Lutherans of q
Dutch Fork, before and several years t
fter the erection of the present st. G.
ohn's, and while Geisselhart preached y
4 the little church that once stood just =
within the graveyard gate, there was
custom to have Communion Hand
erchief, or towel, or whatever other
anne it bore, for the purpose of wiping
be Communion Vessels after each cele- Sc
ration of the Lords Supper. II was y,
lade of the finest domestic linen that =.
ould be produced in those days. f.
here never was another; because this n
rst one is to-day lin 1871 as durable W
S it was in 17SS, when in one of its III
orners the granddaughter of the pio-
eer Summer embroidered her initials, W
;. NJ. S., and gave 1t to the church. W
It this moment it is in the drawer OF l
le altar in st. Johns, into which it
as transferred from the preceding hi
lurch- building. There it remains in &c
5 retreat, applied no longer it is true III
, the use for which it was first in =
'nded, but serving as witness, more r
Ian a hundred years old, to the last it
lg quality of the home-woven textures th
| those remote times, just as the woods Is
grounding the church-building serve or or
witness to the grandeur of the tn
rimitive forest. This handkerchief,
towel, after serving its purpose at
.ch Communion, was taken home by
le of the lady members of the church, c.
hose duty it was by rotation with | n