The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-29
A BIG FAMILY.
A Remarkable Story Of Family Life Told
BY Bill Arp.

made, -,
But a bold peasantrv-our country's pride
| When once destroyed can never be supplied,
I thought of this at Warren, fo'
there stood before US 100 unpretendlne
honest people all from one family. The
fair had offered premium of Large
aud beautiful family Bible to the head
of the largest family thai assembled
upon the grounds. Mr.. Benjamin h.
Parnell and his good wife were there
with ninety-eight living descendants.
Did you ever see 100 people in a flock
Just think of a military company OF
eighty men and you can imagine what
a show 100 people make. 1t was a rare
and novel spectacle. The old patriarch
was clean-shaven, active, erect man,
with a ruddy, honest face, and his wife
modest, well-preserved woman, who
looked as though she would rather be
at home, and had doubts about the
propriety Of exhibiting herself to the
curious gaze Of so many wondering
people. She was a good-looking ma
tron without the usual signs Of decay.
Her hair was silvered over, but there
were no wrinkles or crows feet or
sunken cheeks. She had her husbands
arm in the good old way, and it was
with timid shyness that she occasion
ally raised her eyes to look upon the
speaker who was introducing her and
her offspring in the multitude. Theg good
DR.. Martin said "Nly friends, here is
a man and woman who are the heads
Of family OF ninety-eight living de-
scendants. Seven girls and six boys
were born to them, and there has never
been a death under their roof. Their
children are all happily married. This
couple have lived together in loving
and peaceful relation for forty-seven
years. They and their children have
given the public no trouble. They
have been diligent in business and
eaten honest bread. Young men, we
commend to you their good example.
60 thou and do likewise, and let US
abolish the migration bureau"
Their Bible was made to order, and
had plenty of blank leaves to register
the names and marriages and deaths
in their order. It was q remarkable
scene. Some of the mothers and faith
ers had infants in their arms, and ali
had children gathered around them in
separate focks, and all were dressed in
clean and comfortable clothes. It was
a pleasure to me to be introduced to
them, and, of course, I had to quote
some scripture and tell what David
said:
"Chlldren are an heritage OF the Lord
AS arrows iu the hand Of mighty man so are
children OF the youth.
Happy is the man who hath his quiver full.
They shall not be ashamed, but shall speak
with enemies in the gate"
That is, they shall be the ambassa-
dors to make treaties for peace. A
man with numerous children and
grandchildren has more at stake and
feels more concern for good govern
ment. He ought to be the man to
speak wit the enemy. If I live to see
another war Impending shall speak
little myself.
And recited David's prayer, "rhat
our sons may be as plants grown up in
their youth. And our daughters be as
corner stones polished after the simili-
tude of a palace.
THAT our gamers may be full and
our oxen strong, and there be no COM
planning in our streets.
Happy is that people that is in such
a case. Yea, happy is that people
whose God is the Lord"
That is splendid-isn't it.
Well, I had pleasant talk with the
old gentleman. He is quick of appre-
hension and said: "you may put down
that there is nothing against me nor
my people. None of us have ever been
accused of anything wrong or brought
into court. Ne and my wife have be-
longed to the Baptist church for nigh
onto fifty years, and I have voted the
Democratic ticket all that time. I
moved here before there was any rail-
road in this country and the people
were powerful scattering. l have made
good, fair living and am doing it yet.
The Lord has been good to us and
blessed US. Not coffin has ever been
brought to my house."
There is record of good citizenship.
No jails or courthouses for that family.
They have served on the jury and
worked the public roads, and aeen
kind to their .hors and have stood by
their state and their country. Their
industry has earned something for
other people to live upon every year.
They have added to values and besides
have set a good example. l forgot to
ask that good mother how many pairs
of socks and stockings she has knit in
the years gone by; how many quilts
coverlets she and her girls had made.
She ought to have pension and be
allowed to rest the remainder Of her
life. But no she wouldent rest. have
seen it tried. I wouldent change their
habits nor their religion nor their
politics if 1 could. Some of these days
there will be death-two Deaths
under that roof, but their good example
will not die. 1t never dies. And while
I ruminated about this family another
verse of poetry came to my memory
that fits them:
"Far from the madding crowds ignoble
strife,
Their sober wishes never learned to stray
Along the cool, sequeStered vale Of life,
They k@pt the noiseless tenor Of their way"