The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-09-23
Served Twenty-Five Years For His
Sweetheart. D.:

|
Lewis Campbell died at his home ir
Walker County, Tenn, August 2S, in hi
9Sth year. Along with his quiet, humble
life runs the history of our nation and
interviewer with his inner life is beau
tiful poem. He was born in Rutherford
County, N. O., in 1893. When he was
about 1S years old he volunteered for the
war of 1912. On his return home, when
peace was declared, he settled down to
the ordinary work of farm life in those
days. He learned the carpenters trade
and was known as "Woodshop Lewis" to
distinguish him from other Campbells
that bore the same naa When Spartan.
burg was struggling village he moved
to this place and piled bis trade. Here
he remained until about 1869, when he
went to Tennessee.
Soon after his return from the war OF
1872, he loved and woed neighbos girl
by the name of Mckinney. She was in
the very prime of young womanhood and,
like all maideus, was dreaming day after
day of little home of her own, and in all
her dreams the stalwsrt figure Of the
young soldier stood in tho foreground
With an intense longing, known only to
young women in isolated country homes,
she desired to begin housekeeping for
herself By day and by night she had
whirled the spinning wheel and made the
shuttle spool rapidly, while she wove
dresses and counterpanes and coverlets,
such as no girl of this generation will
ever weave. In every web of cloth and
in every counterpsue her faucy woVe pic.
lures of, her future hume far brighter
than the turkey red" that adorned and
beautifed her fabrics. To her. dreams
the waking hour came, as 1t is always
sure to do when dreams are brightest and
the fairy land, always recediug. is just in
sight.
Her parents, who were growing old,
said to their daughter that they did not
want her to marry. They had no objee-
tions to the upright, industrious young
man who had won her heart, but they
desired her to minister to them in their
declining years. Then came the trial
and the temptation. Like Desdemona,
OF whom she had never heard, she saw "a
divided duty" and while her pure afec-
tions went out towards her manly lover,
remained loyal to the wishes of her pa
rents. That was in the early days of our
country, when girls had some regard for
the advice and suggestion of their SEN
iors. Reverence was then virtue.
When her decision WAS announced there
was no case of Mysteries, and the young
lover did not 60 West or ge, on spree or
abandon his suit. Like philosophers
they calmly viewed the situation and de-
cided that it was best to wait patiently
until circumstances would not hinder
their union.
Then. began long journey, during
which these two lovers walked in sepa-
rate paths. Each went to work with
will, and in the round of daily duties and
drudgery they remained true to each
other. The rainbow of hope spanued
their horizon. Years sped ON and the
pretty girl developed into the plump,
mature woman, and the young lover got
on the bachelor list. They did not pine
away and grow pale and melancholy, but
like sensible people they made the best of
life and enjoyed the many good things
that came their way. Still the years
glided away, and after time one of the
parents was removed and theyears rolled
on. The two lovers, that were 80 radiant
with hope 10 their young days. were now
placed on the old list.
Then came day when the other pa
rent was called away, and the daughter
that had been so true and loyal was left
alone in the world. After twenty five
years of waiting the two paths came
together again, and the lovers were
united, and for a third of century they
travelled the same road together, bring.
ing a benediction to all their companions
and associates. "Aunt Betsey," as the
wife. was known here, had learned her
lesson of service so we'll that she was
never so happy as when she was helping
some one else. During their long resi-.
dence here, they were known as two of
the best and kindest people in the vii
lage, and their little home was always
filled with peace and quiet, abiding
joy.-Ne,rs and Courier.
Didn't Like the Country.