New-York tribune., 1901-02-17
W-NORk TRIBUNE LCSTRATED SCPPLENEN1.

sang TO Tighten the work. They had one song
for starting out another for coming into port,
and others for steady stroke. Snatches of these
familiar songs heard about the island now re-
mind one Of happy boating parties and set rem
iniscence going Row En- Easy Round the
Turning" Roll. Jordan. ROM and My Lords
Ridin' All the Time" melodies which trav-
eller has likened to the boatmcn's songs he heard
| on the Nile
! Oysters, crabs and shrmps abound in the tide
water creeks Of Edisto Turtles track the beach
and leave nests of hundred eggs, to be found
by astute prodders. Fish are plentiful one
often meets a stalwart negro woman "totng' a
| basketful of fish on her head Nature has been
kind To the island. The shell road laid out sew
| enty- five years ago that leads from river to
river is arched with cypress and laurel
trees and hedged with wild grape and sweet
blossoming vines and shrubs. There troops
of tall pamettos growing down to the edge of
the beach. and bearing a cabbage that the ma
tives relish. The best cotton lands are all diked
and tile drained. in Holland, and the inside
shores are bordered with great reaches of cane
rush and marsh that take on varying tints ac
cording to weather and season. and provide
homes for many water fowl Storks herons.
| curlews and wild ducks tempt the sportsman
and wild turkeys stuffed with oysters are
typical dish
Nothing in the guise of tavern ever existed
| on EdistO until lately when a respectable negro,
| able to build an addition To his house, gave out
that accommodations might be had with him
Now probably the vender of fruit tree slips or
flower seeds and the lightning rod agent may
lodge at his place But generally stranger is
the islands guest. sent over the long distances
10y private conveyance. and receiving entertain
ment comfort and all conven.ences 10y right of
custom, without money OF price
UNKNOWN To THE OUTSIDE WORLD
Edisto has never been reported upon. Occa-
sionaI visitors have felt its charm and z ne
away thinking that the world ought to hear OF
il But the feeling never took voice. Residents
ard housckce pcrs have also shown this impulse.
10y jotting down bits Of family history ana
snatches Of verse in private diaries. For every
home place has been occupied by the same fam
lily of lrisurcy people for successive generations
and many were people II thoughtful OF romantic
bent fun # patriotism and tender feeling fog
old Edisto and h'r customs. one brick dwelling
with the founders crest in metal over the duut-
way is notable for having entertained Ltfay-
cite The place is owned 10y lawyer now. who
comes to it twice a year with his friends for
sport The house stands with its back the
hoatway and facing an avenue of live oaks
It through such carpetc-I archway that
the Fr-nchman I,i Fl the boat landing
There were dancing. frastiug ard much music
from plantation iddl,rs and singers. After Wis
lis To a score Of homes as hospitaho This. and
haviuS had hunting and canoeing To- his hearts
content. Lafayette went away With $50 lively a
fi-e of thu quality II tho people and their rIi-
j,yahl- SURROUNDINGS that later his French
ri nds mad. rilgrmaers there. and Il noble
man worth thu name welded tho dau2ht-r e
the hous, hold Viii d the Marquis visited
There were many persons on thu Sea Isaluds up
T. Isl" who believed themselves destined 10 b,.
bless forever with money ana power To- secure
for themselves and their chillrcn and childrru's
children whatever they wiIird. Gr,at wealth
q. mbncd with unlimited leisure mad for pleas
are and left Htile stimulus O." mental cx.rtiun
That is why these d.sultory writer's " ut To- jot
down Things cai.lessly in d.aries. never bothered
To ct anything printed From Colonial days tn
sons Of IA. Sr families sent England 10
tc educated. Yet the soft Establishments If eli
mat" and family favor soon countr4actcd the
effect # IA So years At cu!l-g-. Thc ill,tcracy
of rtain of the older IN, became proycrbial
You like Paris? Wei. TN buy 'um for You" it
is related that one old uahob told his son newly
returned from travel
You may talk by the fircside of an old planter
who has fought three ducls in his time. Hut
he will not tell you Of them. They are shut
away in his mind with other experiences h. has
felt most He prefers Speaking Of his battle
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