Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1899-08-31

ICoHNoShhhC' w Aau hVi OuIi tiofoliuS
companions Mr.. G. A. Steok, of Charles.
ton, and Mr., j, A, Stock, tho junior
momber of tho COURIER firm. "Jako"
was tho faithful driver, who held the
reins securely ovor pair Of Alexander's
blacks. Jocassee and Whitewater were
our first objective points. a.-...
Nightfall found us at the hospitable
homo of Mr.. NJ. Nicholson, who is we'll
known to our roaders, as ho has served
two terms rs County Commissioner, and
is esteemed ono of Oconoo's best oiti-
IONS. Horo wo enjoyed q fow hours OF
refreshing rest and started out carly Fri
day morning for tramp through Jooas-
500 Valley, accompanied by Mr.. D. E.
Nicholson. This valley has long been
noted for its beautiful scenery. The
limpid waters Of Whitewater river flow
through it in Southeasterly direction.
About two miles apart arc the upper and
lower falls. In beauty they arc scarcely
surpassed by any in tho Piedmont Sec
ton, evon though they arc spoken of
less frequently. We must confess that
wo wero agrocably surprised to find such
magnificent scenery within five hours
ride of Walhalla. Wo had noyor before
boon impressed with tho fact that right
hero in Oconce county-almost at our
very door-exist mountains and valleys
rivers and water falls, all combining and
constituting as fino scenery as tho eye
need to behold. While viewing the sceno
and recalling how littlc wo havo over
! heard or Scen written about tho varied
natural attractions of this beautiful val
| Icy, wo wcrc again reminded: otis dis
tanco that lends onchantment to tho
view" Certain it is that both persons
and things sometimes fail of recognition
and proper appreciation by reason
of close proximity. "a prophet is
not without honor save in his own
country and among his own peo-
ple." In like manner tho works of
nature are not csteomed by us because
of their nearncss and familiarity. There
is little doubt that thore arc thousands
| of persons in distant cities who would
gladly spend tho summons in this valley
/ If they only knew of its attractions.
But we think the timo is not far distant
when it will bo sought out and its varied
natural resources laid under tribute to
the health and happiness of man as mover
dreamed of heretofore.
Friday afternoon and night were spont
with Gen. w. Il. Erwin at his summer
home OH tho banks of the Whitewater
| river midway between the falls. Here wo
found jolly company of young men
from Grccnvillc, S. c., and LaCross, Ga.
They had spcnt week and wore loud in
| sounding tho praises of their host and
the pleasures they had c4joycd. In the
afternoon we joined them in ground
hog chase. For an hour excitement ran
high as ''Now York" and "Jako" deftly
handled tho spade in digging the hog
out of his hole in the ground. Finally
their work was rewarded and tho hog
located. The climax was reached when
the faithful dogs "Bilp' and "Joe" were
lot into the hole, and such a dog -and-hog
fight as thon ensucd is rarely scen. But
the hog got tho worst Of it, and he was
soon lying limp aud lfclcss on the bank
ot his home, which he had doubtless
assaults of man or boast. Tho reader
has doubtless often heard of "the ground
hog case ?" After this chase we caught
ancw the force of tho expression and it's
fitness for portraying a dead sure thing.
Refreshing sleep Friday night removed
our strength for tho activities of the
now day. Bright and early we started
on squirrel hunt. We had gone about
quarter up the valley when wc were
recalled by the repeated cries of "Jake"
on tho bank of the river at tho Watering
place below tho bridge: 'IIcre! herel /!
come here! como here! quick 70 1t was
evident that he was in q high state of
excitement just fow moments before
we had left him attending to his mules
as calm and contontcd as a darkoy on q
mountain jaunt could be. But if he had
been set upon by band of outlaws and
a demand made for his mules or his life,
he could not have screamed moro vo-
cifcrouly. We rushed to his rescue as
speedily as possible and when wo got in
calling distance "Jako" mot us with
both hands up and eyes as big as sau-
GERS, crying, "Buck! buckl! Did you
sec him? had watcrcd do mules, and
don was stoopin down washin my face
and hans, when, ali at once, / hoarcd
somin splasin down do ribcr, choog
choog!! I looks up, and what's you
rccin ? A great big buck with horns dis
wido (oxtonding his arms and hands
nearly three fccD jis cum hopin down
! dc middle of tho ribcr. Ho cum in ten
| steps NV mo, and l smacks my hans
and no turns and runs back up do ribor
Il peace and outs cross dc field dis way"
AT first we were rather skeptical and
thought "Jako's" eyes must bo in clipso
or else he was playing hugo joke on
us. But tho dogs woro called and soon
put on tho track, and a lively chase was
had for few miles. His track was plain
| ly seen along the banks Of tho rivor, but
he succeeded in making safe his escape
after soaring "Jako" out of years
growth.
JAKE AND TIE BUCK
parted company, but they will always bc
recalled as an interesting incident of our
visit to Whitewater.
Sapphire, N. G.
At nine o'clock on Saturday morning
a tired woman, just as much as q sick
md Niling one, needs DIR. Picrcos Favor