The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-12
ARP'S LETTER.
the Georgia Arlstocracy-in Ante-Bel-
lum Days-The Rich Man.-How
the Wealthy Lived and En-
joyed Themselves.
lAugusta Constitution. I

| JOy6O 4n6m8elV6Ss
| lAugusta Constitution.
Before the late war there were tw'
distinct types of civilization in th'
southern. states, especially those state
lying east of the Mississippi river. They
were the common people and tn.
aristocracy. While these classes die
intermingle and sometimes inter-marry
yet the line was plainly marked ant
seemed to be growing more visible q!
the years rolled on. The institution o.
slavery helped to keep it might.
Itwas not line between the poor
and the rich nor the ignorant and the
educated, nor between shareholders and
non-slaveholders. 1t was nota political
line dividing the Wings, from the De
mocrats, but nevertheless, it was . line
that all of these helped to make and ii
gradually grew into one Of social
equality or inequality. Wealth, educa-
ton and dominion contributed to make
up the distinction. Either of these
give power and influence. All Of them
combined will lift q man above the
toilers and command their respect as
well as their envy. The aristocrats were
generally gentlemen of education, re-
fnement, manners, and with many a
sentiment Of settling their personal
differences according to their so-called
code of honor. Money helped to estab-
lish this title of course, but it was not
absolutely essential. Indeed, it was
possible, for there to be rich working
men and poor aristocrats. The results
of the war developed many of these.
Our cities are full of the former and
they are generally the leading men in
business and in industrial pursuits.
The old time aristocrats esteemed
themselves to be gentlemen and gener-
ally they were. They were of good
stock and thoroughbred and could
boast of ancestry, whether they were
riding or walking you could tell them
by their carriage, by the vehicle they
rode in or the measured dignity with
which they walked about. This vehicle
was as unique as Chinaman's palan-
gain. It did not rest on elliptic springs
but was swung high between four half
circles and the diekey or drivers seat,
was perched still higher and the
drivers bell-crowned hat was the first
thing that came into view over the
hill. There were two folding staircases
to the vehicle and nobody but an aristo-
crat could ascend descend them with
aristocratic grace. The gentleman who
was born and bred to this luxury was
a king in his way, limited it is true,
but nevertheless king. His house was
large and roomy, having a bread hall
and a piazza ornamented with tall
futed columns and Corinthian caps.
This mansion was situated in grove
of venerable oaks. It was set back 100
or 200 yards from the big road and the
lane that led to its hospitable gate was
enhladed with cedar 81 Iombardy pop
lars. Fragments of cedars are still left
but the poplars died with the old South.
They died at the top, very Ike their
owners. Prominent in the rear of this
mansion was the old ginhouse with
the spacious circus ground underneath.
where the horses went round and
round under the great cogwheels and
the little darkies rode on the beams and
popped their homemade whips. Not
far away were the negro cabins and
the orchard and the big family garden
and all around were fowls and pigs and
pigeons and honey bees and hound
dogs and pickaninnies to keep things
lively. The owner of the plant was a
gentleman and was so regarded by the
neighborhood. He had been through
college and to New York and Saratoga
and came back and married smother
gentleman's daughter and settled
down. The old folks on both sides had
given them start and built the man
sion and had sent over 3 share OF the
family negroes to multiply and re-
plenish.
Most of these old-time gentlemen
kept what was called "open house" :"
and all who came were welcome. There
was no need to send word that you
were coming, for food and shelter were
always ready. The old gentleman
called for Dick Jack, or Caeser to come
and take the horses and put them up
and feed them. There was plenty of
corn and fodder in the crib; plenty Of
big, fat hams and leaf lard in the
smokehouse; plenty of turkeys and
chickens in the back yard; plenty OF
preserves in the pantry; plenty OF
trained servants. to do all the work
while the lady of the house entertained
her guests. How proud were those
family servants to show off before their
visitors and display their accomplish
ments in the kitchen, the drawing
room and the chamber. They shared
the family standing in the community
and had but little respect for what they
called "tte poor white trash" Of the
neighborhood.
In course of time this gentleman be-
came the father of a family and grew
solid in flesh and habits andihospitality.
and, like his father before him, he
settled down like we all settle down
sooner or latter to big chair on the
veranda in summer, or rocker by the
freside in winter.
The old-time gentleman dressed well
and carried a gold-headed cane and q
fhot xporo