The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-07-05
Auaerspt1 gntelligeueer.
A Story With a Moral.

No matter how old man gets or how
badly he is stepped in sin, ifhe has dear
old grandmother ard don't love her, then
he is not any good, and place to polish
the boots of hold-over republicans under
Cleveland's administration would be q
berth entirely too good for him. I've
got a grandmother dear, good old
soul-and she is now nearing the century
mile.post in life's pilgrimage, but still
she is the same sweet disposed creature
she was when I first knew and loved her
few years after the historic battle of
Peachtree creek was fought. Father
Time has dealt gently with grandma in
many respects. Her step is feeble and
tottering. 1t takes the voice of State
Treasurer Hardeman to converse with
her understandingly, but her beautiful
head of raven black hair has few streaks
of gray and the crowfeet in her once
beautiful face are not 30 numerous as in
many who have spent fewer years in this
mundane sphere. Just why it is, don't
know, but grandma always, or at least
ever since T can remember, has thought
very great deal of me, although I knew
1 never deserved her love and there are
grandchildren and great grandchildren
almost innumerable who are prettier and
smarter and who claim latch key to the
gates of the mystic beyond.
A few nights ago spent at the home
of grandma one of the happpiest nights
of my life, 1t was the first time I had
been there in more than ten years and
this visit has only made me regret that I
ever saw anything except my humble
home in the country-that ever knew
what city life was. After an absence of
several years in large cities, I returned
to Atlanta, and Thursday, while worried
and fretted with fruitless efforts to pay
pressing bills and meet numerous obli-
cations, I resolved to go to the country
cad spend the hight with grandma. At
ter fashion, riding part of the way and
walking the rest, I got there and the
dear old soul was sitting on the front
porch knitting, softly humming the sweet
old hymn, .There'll Be Rest Beyond The
River" walked down the long shaded
lawn, through the yard of fragrant end
beautiful flowers and up the steps before
my presence discovered. That motherly
face was turned toward me for brief
moment, and then my arms we're around
her neck and hers encircled mine.
More than one tear trickled slowly down
her cheek before she said: aMy boy,
God bless you; I am glad to see Jou
again." And then, after little time,
grandma and sat down and we had one
Of those good old talks. She asked me
about every member of the family iDdi-
vidually, and after little while, forget
ting herself, would go through the same
interrogating process. Iforgot all about
my troubles and answered them just as
often as they was asked. There are four
maiden aunts-the best women who ever
,lived-who very sensibly don't feel dis
posed to support husband. They came
out and when I had kissed. them I felt
and knew thst had kissed true and good
women. We talked a while longer and
then we went back into the old familiar
dining ROOM and after ne we're seated
around the table / was called upon toaay
grace. did the best 7 could and then
we began to devour the good things. I
ate until I was ashamed of myself and
then quit. But half fed city man who
can't eat gormandizingly of good
country supper he does not know what is
good.
Usually grandma and the girls retire
with the chickens, but they didn't that
night. After supper we went back ont
on the porch, and until after 10 o'clock
We talked and talked. They told me
how land had increased in value, how
the boys were prospecting, how the neigh
boring girls had married off, and a thous.
and other things, and I told them of the
ups and downs I had been through with,
of the sights had seen in the many
places L had been. But bye-and-bye we
left the porch and the fower-perfume
laden air and l. was shown into room
and to bed-s great big soft feather bed,
covered with nilk.white sheets and spot
less counterpane. didn't say any pray.
ers. I felt good enough not to, and in q
short time was sleeping as soundly and
innocently as an infant.
Before old Sol came peepipg over the
hill next morning I was up, dressed and
out on the porch again. And such q
morning The air was fragrant with the
richest aud sweetest odors from the hun
dreds of flowers which bedecked the yard.
All was quiet and serene and I felt that
never wanted to see the city again. l
was entirely happy and satisfied, bat at.
ter breakfast such a breakfast
started back to the city, and here am
the same hardworked, poorly paid man,
who has only had a slight insight into
the solid comforts of home in the coun.
try. r. A. P.