The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-01-27
TWO LIFE SKETCHES.
Sketch No. |.

Not many miles from Atlanta, nes-
tied among slightly undulating hills
and fine old groves as Nature planted
them, reposes an unpretentious vii
lage. Its people are intelligent, with
out ostentation, honest and warm
hearted. They welcome you with a
smile and sincere handshake.
Some years ago was walking along
one of the streets of the little village
when a young girl came tripping
lightly along, paused for a moment at
the hotel corner, looked this way and
that, and soon disappeared down the
street. Her complexion was as fair as
that of a wax doll, and masses Of
lightest golden hair covered her head
and hung in waves over her shoulders.
She was village belle, and daugh-
ter of Judge R, a leading citizen
of that section of the country.
After while, her father died, leav-
ing widow and large family OF
children, all of whom were girls, ex-
cept one afflicted boy.
In the course of time, Miss R Ito
whom I referred above,) became the
happy wife of Mr.. j, the chief as
sistant of prominent railroad con-
tractor. In few years thereafter,
and some 10 years ago, the husband
penetrated the swamps Of Alabama,
experimenting the construction Of a
railway: but the ath-dealing ma
laria sent it's poison into his system
and beneath the cotfin's lid he was
brought back to a smitten home-from
Joy to grief, from sunlight to dark
ness, from calm to storm.
During the alliance, thus SO cruelty
terminated, two children-daughters
were born. After the birth Of one
of the daughters the mother was
attacked by that most horrible and
painful aflictioD, milk leg. Weeks
merged into months, as she lay upon
her bed suffering tortures worse than
death. Finally, the foot began to
decay and the toes actually to drop
from it, falling apart by their own
weight. The doctors amputated a
part of the foot to stay the progress of
this loathsomc dissolution. It has
never entirely healed, however.
After the death of her husband, the
invalid wife was confronted with many
serious conditions. Mr.. j had left
an indebtedness, at his death, of $500.
Hungry creditors were threatening to
sell the little home which shielded her
and her two little ones from summers s
heat and winters bleak winds and
SHOWS. The little family were becom-
ing shoeless; their dresses old and
tattered; the fuel scant the cup
board bare. What could be done .?
She had had nc experience in battling
with the world. Heretofore, she had
been under fathers protecting care,
then afterwards, a young wife, leaning
proudly, fondly, on the strong arm of
manly husband for protection and
support. But now, how changed
But Mrs. J-was not woman to
yield without a struggle. Grandly did
she marshal all the energies of her
udGuIc 1Ul Vic COlUde. CAS iAos> q
small piece of land. This she con-
verted into truck garden, selling
from it vegetables, berries, ETC.. de-
livering them with her own hands to
the village folk who would buy. A
portion Of the year she devoted to
teaching in the public schools, and
doing anything that would yield an
honest support.
Now the result: She has paid of all
of the $500 indebtedness left at the
death of her husband. Besides sup
porting herself and children she has
bought and paid for piano at cost
of s400. She has educated her chill
dren, and clothed them we'll.
A few days ago I saw this noble
mother walking through the public
park of the little village. With her
were her two daughters, one on each
side, aged now IA and y years, res
pectively. The mother looked the
heroine that she was, and the hand
some daughters, fond and proud of
her, daily demonstrate themselves