The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1896-12-23
ANDERSON, c, WEDNESDAY MORNING, DECEMBER %, 1896

else Iudu complimentary NY VAL
ed his father Drunken Sam,' and
this itself cowcd the boy and distress
ed his mother. In fact, George grew
up impressed with the sorrow OF his
mother having her husband called
Drunken Sam" to such an extent
that at an early age he resolved to
stop it when he was grown. George S
mother was just the reverse from her
husband. She had some learning and
she spent many night by the freside
learning George whatever she could
and as he grew older the mother s
training showed till folks quit saying
he was like his father, but all agreed
that he was taking after his mother.
In those days and about the time
that George had arrived at the age Of
twenty there came along an old gray
headed preacher and announced that
if the people of the settlement would
meet him at the log schoolhouse on
every fourth Sunday that he would
preach to them and strive to build a
church. There were many stills
around at that time and there were
many rowdy fellows. These rowdies
said they did not want any church and
swore that the old preacher should
not preach. Peaceable folks staid
away on the Sunday that the old man
came to the schoolhouse, but Drunken
Sam went, and so it was that George
went with him. George and his faith
er were the first to arrive at the little
house, but they had not sit there long
till the rowdies came from the still
and it was plain to be seen that trou.
Bile was in view. The rowdies had
soon tied their horses to the trees
around and were gathered in group
taking drink from bottles. Of
course old Drunken Sam was invited
to take part, but to the surprise, of
all he said: 'No," and was firm with
Georges help to resist the temptation.
Among these rowdies was desperate
then known as ''Devil Bill Smith"
All the rowdies sneered and laughed
and were greatly tickled at the idea Of
Drunken Sam not taking a drink, but
this Devil Bill Smith was not satisfied
with sneering, but swore that he would
frail Drunken Sam unless he did
drink. Right here was the turn in
Georges life. He remembered the
sorrow Of his mother from the father 8
drink; he thought of the many blush
es that had burned his own face at
hearing his father called Drunken
Sam, and he braced himself in front
of the rowdies like young lion.
Even the rowdies of those days were
willing to give "fair play" as they
called it, and at once cheer went up
for the courage of George. 1t was
soon arranged that Devil Bill and
young George should fight, and the
fight should settle the question as to
whether the old preacher should be
disturbed. The two were soon in a
ring and the fight begun and in shor-
ter time than it would take to tell it
fully Devil Bill Smith was the worst
whipped man that had ever been seen
in them parts.
The rowdies were true to their
agreement. The old preacher came
pretty soon and found everything in
peace. The rowdies followed George
and mis- old father into the schoolhouse
and were respectful to the old preach
er from the first, but when George
was converted and Drunken Sam fell
sobbing upon his neck there was not a
dry eye in that house and from that
day to this there has been no distur-
bance in the pretty church that stands
nearby the residence of the prosperous
George, the unpromising boy.
SARGE PLUNKETT.