The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-04-07

thoughtful scientist and explorer OF the
present are not antipclal: The one with
pick-axe and divining rod is constantly
delving in the won5er world of the
past, while the other, with microscope
and relentless diapason in harmony with
natures mighty symphony" is search
ing her dark arcana. Their fields are
relatively the same, the one, so to speak,
IS inductive. the other deductive. The
past holds as many opportunities in her
bosom of futurity dare offer to US.
In traversing the broad continent OF
truth, the receding mountains IN the
wake of the traveller loom up as blue
and soft and inspiring, as those which
gradually rise in grandeur before him,
they are both beautiful from the blue
haze which remoteness throws about
them So the things which come to US
from the past are as enticing and en-
PERTAINING as those which are new and
unexplored. How fascinating to study
the scenes OF the paSti What halo of
glory does time throw around the ac-
tors! A beautiful mirage, where every
thing is lifted far above commonplace
surroundings History is the revelation
of the past, and prophesy itself becomes
history when it is ampiified and full
filled. When conditions forced the an
cient Greek to migrate TO other lands,
ne invariably took Win him some glow
ing Goals from his native hearthstone,
to keep alive the vestai fire of patriot
ism and sweet memories of the past;
so with the historian he finds among
the ashes OF Oblivion u few live glowing
Goals, places upon them the fuel of his
thought, then kindles and wreathes his
flaming story. ss
1t is said that Alexander Hamilton,
the great statesman and financier. was
accustomed to read every year the prop
csitions of Euclid, thai the great funda-
mental principles of that science might
be ever fresh in his memory, so the
record of the WISE and vlrtuouS should
be kept ever before the youth of this
land as a perpetual inspiration. We
cennot too often record their noble ac
tons. s,ts
THE proper study of mankind is
man." sang the immortal Pcpee, and
hundred cycles of revolving time have
but affirmed it's truth.
History is the essence of innumerable
biographies" said Carlisle.
I'm a biography saty5Sone, 1--WE are
admitted behind the scenes, we see the
result of mental conflicts, the failure of
long cherished schemes. s1F the efforts.
which have been successful. We catch
a glimpse of the man in the world, in
his social haunts, in his family. His
house is brought before us with the
viyidness of q Dutch interior. We
gaze up the streams by which he wan
dored, the flowers ne loved best, his !
habits OF relaxation, his hours of labor |
it is history Of life from the, cradle |
to the crave" IS
This section of the State is particu- |
larry rich in history and romance, and
the beautiful little story of Judge Carew
should not be lost or forgotten.
Somewhere near the year 1880 there |
appeared in the upper part of Chowan
county, a young man Of mysterious but |
distinguished personnel aid of Versatile |
talents, introducing himself as j. e. |
Spencer. He was tall, with fine lustrous
brown eyes. dark hair. and OF proud and |
lofty bearing, but he Fad an extremely |
care-worn, dissipated air. His cultured |
tastes and social qualities soon gained |
for him many friends Reduced to al
most abject want he opened school at
Centre HILL where maGy4of the people
still residing in that section received
their only education. In order to com
pIete his disguise he lived among the
humblest people, in the h1mblest fash
ion, thoroughly adapting himself to his
surroundings, but with the aid of his
little school obtaining 4 fair competen-
cy. At times he became moody, and 81
lent and addicted to drink.
Before the invention Of the cotton gin
- ~
seeded by hand, the nejghborhood gath
crng at different places for the purpose.
These cotton pickings became to be
the great social event of the winter
evenings, and the bellies and 1beaux
would ride long distances on horseback
to attend them. They were a sort of
movable feast open alike to saint and
sinner. The cotton was carried into
the largest room of the house and heap
ed high in the center Of the ROOM as
white as an Alpine peak, A hugh fire |
was kindled in the great fireplace and
the guests seated themselves in congen-
ial groups around the edge of the fieecy
staple. Work began early in the even
ing. and the young man picking the
most cotton was usually accorded the
privilege of kissing the prettiest girl
there. Later on a sumptuous repast
was served and this ended in rous-
ing cotillion, in which everybody took
part, and so they went on with their
merry making from farm to farm dur
ing the long winter evenings.
spencer's affability Of manner and
fine conversational powers made him
a welcome guest, and he become fire.
quent visitor at these rural entertain
ments. Another frequent attendant
also was little fresh country lass, nam
ed Miss Fannie Parish. beautiful and
innocent, the daughter of a sturdy old
veteran of the Revol lion, an humble
unlettered farmer OF the neighborhood.
Spencer became violently enamored
OF her and they were soon married. AT
ter time. there appeared in several of
the newspapers of the country an ad-
vertisement from a gentleman in Char
lesion. inquiring about a lost son.
Spencer saw the adveI tisement and re-
cognized it as from his father. A cor
respondent was opened and the history
OF the very mysterious young man be-
came known.
Spencer turned out to be the only son