The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-08-16
Festivities on the Hurricane-J. B.
King to the Front.

1.-THE thing that hath been it is that
which shall be; and that which is done is
that which shall be done, and there is no
new thing under the sum-"
SIS there anything whereof 1t may be
said, See this is new2 Ithath been already
of old time this was before u.s."
Thus spake Ecclesiastss, or the Preacher,
and We have seen it veriiled-that is the an
cient custom of fruit festivals. We learn
from ancient history that Pomona (whose
name is obviously connected with ponama,
a fruit,) was among the Latins the patron
divinity Of garden produce. The poets
not, perhaps, without some allegorical
design, represent several of the rural gods
as her lovers-Silvanus, Picus, Vertum-
nus, &c. OF Vertumnps, in particular, it
approach her under thousand different
forms, he at last succeeded by assuming
the figure of an old woman. In this guise
he recounted to her the lamentable histo.
ries of women who had despised love, and,
having touched her heart, suddenly trans
formed himself into blooming youth and
married her. But Vertumnus, connected
with Yerto, s'to turn" or to transform, is
nothing more than q personiication
of those changes by which plants advance
from blossom to fruit. The worship of
Pomona, as was natural among homely
race of farmers and shepherds like the an.
cient Latins, (that Is not saying that we
were homely,) was of considerable impor-
tanoe. Yarro tell US that at Rome her SER
vices were under the care of special
priest the fama,, Pomonalis. In works
of art she was generally represented with
fruits in her lap, or in basket with
garland of fruits In her hair and pruning
knife in her right hand.
SO you see, Mr.. Editor, that our friend
and neighbor, Mr.. Jefferson B. King, who
is one Of our most progressive farmers and
fruitgrowers, has an abundance of author.
ity In ancient usage for that most abun-
dant and delicious fruit festival or supper
which he gave on last Saturday evening at
it was delightful and pleasant occasion
wonld be putting it very mildly for you
have no idea, unless you have been 30 for
tunate as to be at one of those fruit festi.
walls, what an enjoyable event they are.
From 6 80 o'clock until after p. %. the
guests were arriving from every direction,
and by o'clock there were about two hun
dred in all, both young and old, (for
you see Mr.. King don't forget us old fell
lows, for he knows how 10 make them all
happy-both old and young,) had gathered
around his magnificent residence, which is
surrounded by beautiful grounds, and were
enjoying themselves to their hearts con-
tent-the old men talking Of old by.goAe
days, and the old ladies Of their luck with
their chickens, etc., and the young ladies'
we'll, you have been to pionics and know
how they and the young gents do, and T
don't think that they have ever departed
from their custom from time immemorial,
that is Of making good Use of the time in
talking in squads of two. Mr.. King had
made ample arrangements for the occa-
sion, and invited his neighbors and friends
to enjoy the fruits of his field, his orchard
and his vineyard with him, which he had
in abundance spread upon the numerous
long tables in his yard, aud not to leave
out anything which would add TO- the joy
and amusement of his guests, he had the
services of two elegant string bands from
Piedmont, which disco,lrsed sweet and
melodious music during the entire festivi-
ties. To give some idea of what feast We
had, I win tell you of part Of what was
consumed, which was scme four bushels
of grapes, fifteen or sixteen bushels of
peaches, and something ever hundred of
as fine watermelons as I have seen this
season, besides number of cantaloupes.
Every one present had plenty. When Mr..
King gets it into his mind to make his
neighbo and friends-both old and young
happy and enjoy themselves, he knows
how to 60 at it, and don't leave anything
undene that would add to their enjoyment.
had heard of these fruit festivals
which Mr.. King has had annually for the
last three or four years, bat I had no idea
of their magnitude and importance before.
Knowing, as do, the enjoyment to be had
at them, 1 don't see how can wait a
whole year to get to another one, aud if I
lieve I don't think will miss them as I
have done heretofore.
In conclusion, Mr.. Editor, would say
that if you just want to enjoy yourself to
your hearts content Just 60 to Jefferson
3. Kings, for he knows just how to give
it to you, May he have e. long, a happy,
and prosperous life, q peaceful transition
and glorious resurrection.
We had pretty steady nights rain last
Sunday night. Crops look revived, and
We feel hopeful of good crop.
reckon working the roads will be the
next thing in order now, snd some Of them
begin to need 1t. Last year being election
year, the County Commissioners did not
press the dear people fox fear of losing a
vote, so there was not much road working
done, but they will have to come to it
now. So, boys, get at it.
SQUIRE FEwELL.