The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-11-24

pairing for the great event so near at
hand.
A place was cleared for the camp in
a grove on Mr.. Porter's farm. The
thick underbrush was cut down, and
the small trees thinned out, leaving
some great oaks to give shade and
shelter. When the work Of clearing
was completed, it was like being in a
cathedral rooted in by green dome,
upheld by curiously carved and
twisted arches. Here and there the
rays of sunshine struck through the
leaves and made fecks of gold on the
soft moss which carpeted the place;
but for the most part the space be-
meath the trees was filed with q
shadowy and subdued light that was
delightful, and seemed to impart to
the scene character quite unlike that
of the open spot where sunshine met
with no obstruction, and all was
bright and suggestive of the farm and
field, and the work that had to be
done there. The soft, green gloom
made the place seem like one set
apart for worship. Benches were
made of Eastwood logs split in two,
with two logs at each end. These were
placed about the little opening in the
centre of the great group of trees in
such manner that they all faced the
minister's stand, which was a fear
fully and wonderfully constructed
thing.
Looks suthin' like hearse off'n
wheels, an suthin' like the cabin of q
canawl-boat, said Bill Green, irrev-
erently. Zone good pint about it is
that it's stout, an II stan heap O.
poundin'."
In front Of this stand was an anx-
ious seat, to be occupied by con-
science-stricken sinners who were ex-
pected to seek salvation in this season
of grace. At each camp platforms
were built on stakes driven into the
earth. These platforms were covered
with soil to the depth of foot. On
them fires would be built at night,
whose lurid glow would give the scene
brilliance it had lacked by day, and
give to the place a weird, strange
splendor that would not be without
an element of fascination for the most
matter-o -of-fact attendant. r.
Among the "women-folks" horse
stealing was almost entirely forgotten
in the pleasanter excitement Of camp
meeting. ..
In saying this I should except, how
ever, the families of Mr.. Boone and
Mr.. Porter. .
With them anxiety for Dicks safety
took away the capacity for enjoying
the camp-meeting as they would have
enjoyed it under other and pleasanter
circumstances.
'I wish the man who stole my
hosses d feel the power O. the Lord
constrainin' him to come forrud an
confess an restore to me my hard
airnt proputy," said Deacon Snyder.
Il do hope there III be sich an out
pouring O. the sperrit as we hsin't seen
fer years. We need it. We all need
it. I feel the need O. revivin' an
strengthenin' more'n I ever did afore,
fer 7 hain't ben able tn stan the loss
O. them hosses as s'pose perfessor
orter. I've felt rebelyus about it. I
hain't ben meek n Undetermined
enough. I know it. But it did go
ag'inst the grain to hev them hosses
stole, an it does yit when I think
how hard I worked to airn them ami
miles. But I hope n pray it won't be
the means O. henderin me from doin'
what I can in my weak way an man
ner tn help on the gospill chariut
when it comes this way a-sailin' fer the
kingdom. I don't want to be . STUN
blin' block, an I hain't a-goin' tu."
Mr.. Wayne's singing-school would
close on Thursday evening. On
Friday the camp-meeting would be-
gin.
The singing-teacher was urged to
stay and "help with the singin'" on
Sunday, and he very kindly con-
sented to do 30.
Mrs. Boone strongly urged Mamie
to attend singing-school on the last
two nights of its session, and learn the
hymns that were being practiced for
use on the following Sabbath. But
Mamie was stubborn, and absolutely
refused to go.
'I couldn't take any interest in it,
on Dicks account" she said, "And,
then-I don't want to see Mr.. Wayne.
wish I might never set eyes on him
again. He's insulted me, and haven't
spoken to him since, and I don't in
tend to. He's fine person to lead
the singing at camp-meeting, isn't
he?"
Nannie's eyes blazed Indignantly.
"Wall, eff he hain't used ye right, I
can't says I blame ye fer not havin'
nuthin' tn du with him." said her
mother. 'I du hope, Nancy"-Mrs
Boone always called her Nancy when
she wished to be very impressive-"I
du hope'n pray, Nancy, that you'll
turn to the Lord an experience His
grace an pard MIN love in this camp
meetin' And I hope'n pray all the
young folks will. I kind O. feel 8 ef
they would, an that we're goin' tn hev
q blessed good season."
But Nannie's thoughts were more
about the bread she was getting ready
to carry to Dick that night than they
were about the Bread of Life, and it is
doubtful if she heard very much of
what her mother was saying.