The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-11
SARGE PLUNKETT
TELLS ABOUT a VISIT HE MADE TO
THE DISTRICT or "ARABIA."
Tho People Seem to Prospcr--Sres MIR
Crosslry, "Klng OF Atnbla," and Has
Pleasant limo at Ills House..
(Atlanta Constitution.)

ing scenes out Of fashion in their
way, | have little hope Of doing NOR,
than to touch tho hearts of the old
or stimulate tho young to SEQ for
themselves things which will soon be
lost in the whirl of progress and the
elegance of culture.
just why tho name "Arabia" wa.
given to considerable corner of on,
county has been lost in the confu
sion of memories, some laying it to
ono thing and some to another, but
certain it is that tho namo has clune
for long, long time and will cling
for long time to come, together
with simplicitics and backwoods'
customs ono would hardly cxpoc'
within twelve or fifteen miles of thu
greatest city Of Georgia, if not OF th
South.
Though this section may bo called,
and rightfully, very old d-fashionod,
there is nothing seen there but what
is worthy of practice and nothing
heard but what is pure in prccept
Long before we had reached tho
homo of Mr.. Crossley, known as the
".Aing Of Arabia" we found it pleas
ant to tarry for an hour at more
houses than one. These houses are
about all the same--Onilt Of hewed
logs, shedrooms behind, a story and
a half high, pretty near spring,
and most all Of them have old cedar
trees in tho yard, long since turned
to chicken roosts, instead of the
original oaks that ono would expect
and that would be moro pleasing to
one of our taste. There is always a
kitchen and genorally this kitchen is
connected with tho big house by Il
passage of largo logs, laid from
one to tho other. a smolehouso,
stables, cribs and other small houses
are found at these homes, and to soc
ono Of them is to see all. Corn in
these cribs, meat in smokehouses,
milk in the churns, sorghum in tho
barrels, chickens in the barnyard
and garden of grcenness make Il
suggestion of plonuy everywhere, and
q cleanliness Of everything-bucllets
shining, gourds inviting, cloths
white RS snow, together with n
friendly greting that is as sincere
as it simple, makes one glad to lin
ger and sorry to leave.
The people of this "Arabia" seem
to be now and always a prolific race.
1t seems to mo that we saw more
pretty children than ever secn in tho
same number of homes. This speaks
well itself, but when we consider
that these children are the ofrsprings
of many old men and women who
came here SO long ago, have pros
pered, settled their children around
them and that these children aro now
prosperous and contentod, even 10
the third generation, !. makes pic
turo sweet to look upon and Il trend
Of thought that is glorious in contem-
plation.
Nothing could have beon moro
pleasing than to learn just how tho
young people of this corner deport
themselves. Tho boys were all astir,
cutting, hauling, getting ready for
tho plow, and all so cheerful as to
mako any parent proud for having
lived and thankful in tho blessings
bestowed. The girls wcro just the
same in their way. Some Of them
churnod, some brought water, some
were washing at tho spring with
skirts rolled too high for company,
as they rs good rs said by hastily
leIClhS lnen dOWn as "o approached.
1t is remarkable that settlement so
close to Atlanta should yet card,
spin and weave just as vas done
fifty Years ago not everyone, it is
true, but fow families keep up the
very same customs. Tho girls mako
the whole wheels Zoon till bed time
-oue carding, another spinning.
The mother knits just rs she used to
knit, while the old man sits in his
corner smokes his home made to.
bacco and pilos on the light>. ood till
the blazcs roar. At just such places
they pleased US with tho most friend
| ly intercourse, buried us deep in