The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-05-28
THE COB-PIPE.
a TALE OF TIE COMET OF '45.
1.-THE COMET.
By DR.. 0. y. MAYER, SR.


No. t. Of the Historical Sketches Of Dutch
Fork, in order TO explain the plan OF the vol
urne proposed to be published during the
coming Autumn. This story was written
more than thirty years ago, for the purpose OF
portraying the old-time choppinSs and log-
rollings and carding in the Datch Fork. The
other stories will appear in the Voiume'-each
one annexed TO the sketch which it will aio
by illustration.l
In the month ofJanuary 1913, "a comet
with au extremely long tail was seen
for the first time, in the Dutch Fork.
Whatever may be said in support OF
the claims put forth by various Obser-
vatories for the honor Of priority ID the
dicovery Of this comet, boldly assert
that Mark Meyer, distant relation OF
mine, was the mortal who first received
the image Of this phenomenon upon
his retina. His description of the dis
covery was in the following character
istic language delivered the next day
at St. Johns church to group Of MS
acquaintances who, struck with the
scratched condition Of his hands and
face, threw out the imputation, that he
had been roughly handled in some re-
cent fight.
"Fellers," said Mark, ~ was 'possum
huntin' last night in de church-woods
down yonder, and when I got to de
graveyard where could see allaround
in de fermamint and could look over
de tree-tops, I Isuddently see'S de fright
fullest white streak in de sky wat was
ever hearn tell of. l 'clare, boys, de
water started in my eyes fast; and jest
den I disciver'd dat de ting was alive;
for it commenced to move itself like a
surpunt, and it darted out o. its head a
forky tongue what reetch'd away up in
de fermaiuint to Jobs coffin, and a
sting out O its tail as tetch'd de top Of
high pine-tree. l tell you, I couldn' t
stand it: l had to drap my 'possums
and make tracks"
Here Mark, to give strength to his
description, stamped bis feet rapidly
upon the ground and fluttered with his
hands like bird attempting to fly.
(Which way did you run?" asked
one of his companions.
Down tow'rds Crim's creek" replied
Mark.
"And acrost it?;' enquired another,
looking Mark squarely in the eyes.
Eyes, Sur, clean acrost it: before
.stop'd; I was so skeer'd I didn't know
wat was doin',n answered Mark.
'I know'd it" exclaimed the first
questioner, springing up and swapping
his fingers, 'Ha, ha, I know'd it! I'll
jest bet pair of bran new marting:is,
fellers, dat Marks bin a stayin' all
night at de widder Halberdoppels."
"Well, whar else had to go to-"
pleaded Mark, with great humility.
"Wy, wusn't Adam .Epting's not
more N tree hurdret yards off, ware
we all goes wild de gals to his spring
afcre preachin' begins ~ continued the
questioner.
'Yes,n demonstrated Mark, "but
right in de direction tow'rds whar de
ting was"
"Well, gentlemen" began young
fellow with Quizzical snlirk playing
about the corners Of his mouth, ''all l
wants to know is dis: how gitSin'
skeer'd at de Milky way, and runnin'
over to de widder Halberdoppels kin
scratch up mans face in dat sort of
way"
This insiuuation was followed by a
loud laugh; and Mark seemed to be at
the mercy of a set Of relentless jokers.
"Oh, kin explicate dat for him."
said a youngster conspicuous for his
new homespun vest brilliantly checked
with stripes Of copperas and black
crossed by indigo and q trace ofTurkey
red. You see, Nancy Halberdoppels
has got jelIies bout him, and last night
wen he could MT pacify her, she fell to
scratchin' of his face. l doL't s'pose de
gal is to be blame ID, ef it IS true wat
folks says bout him."
II 'clarc boys demonstrated Mark,
sI'n in dead yeaInest bout dis; and eff
YOU will listen to me, I'll tell you all
bout it. 1t was so dark in de woods
dat l could Mt see my way, and [ did
n'trun fur afore struck my footagin' a
stump, and pitched head foremost into
2 bunch of bram5rOo briars. OATS de
way my face and hands got scratch'd. l
never looked back ontei got to Misses
Halberdoppels, and Dustin open de
door fell into de house flat on my face,
Frustrated in body and sperit. 1t
frichtep'd de old woman and her dorter
50 much dat day could Mt speak; but
wen I made 'em look out O. doors to-
w'rds sunset and day cotch'd sight of
de fiery dragon, day took to screamin'
and barrin' up de house ontel I gc-
wuss skeer'd dan ever. Nancy was so
overlook wild de histurricks dat she sot
on my lap de whole Of de blessed live
long night; and hain't had wink O
sleep. I left old Miss Halberdoppels
readin' her Detch Bible, and I con-
cluded would come by de church, as
dare was preachin' here to-day, and tell
de people wat seed. For my part, 1
believe de Day Of Jedgmint will come
along here by sunset to-day"
Notwithstanding this solemn warn
ing Mark Meyer WAS most indecorously
derided by the whole congregation, in
Guiding the parson. However, as the
rosy twilight gradually deepened into
darkness 4 long pale streak appeared
upon the western sky. Mark Meyer
,;ri,t tba-n If sr,ra- aDorrb