The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-02-24
SPRING-H0PE
Ard Better Roads.

What season can equal the spring
time? 1t is the time when hope comes
back even though disappointment has
made the heart as bare and bleak as
the winter woods. Last years failures
cannot keep hope, now,, no more than
can a few late frosts keep back bud and
bloom from the forest and hedge. Bles-
sed time. Our Father gives it to US.
Aye, He gives this blessing like He
does the rains and the sun, to all alike.
O, that men would praise Him for His
goodness.
There is nothing just like this season.
The scent of the guano, the sight OF the
freshly upturned soil, the sleek plow
mule with his new gear, the hopeful
look OF the plowman, be he the 'Cap'n"
or the hired hand, all speak hope and
large expectations. Well, such things
are true prophets. Better things are
coming. They are much better now
than they once were.
I saw farmer looking at some mule
collars the other day. And such COL
lars! Think, ye men VINO were plow-
boys in the los of encircling plow
mules neck with a fine, heavy, copper
braided, faX-sewed, all-leather collar
with click of an arrangement for fis-
tening it, worth anywhere from Sl.65
to S2.25. We used to plow for our ''dad-
dies" when cotton brought from is to
Zoe. but no such collars for plow mules
could be afforded Then the plow lines
I see these times! Why, they are
armed with snap for the bit-ring. so
that boy will have no time to stand
around the horses head and consume
time tying knot. No, sir, snap it and
60 on. The guano we used in those
days was of very little worth, except
the price paid for it. You couldn't
even smell some of it. Then others
was about all scent. Now it's good
stuff. With it there is made bale of
cotton, and often more, to the acre.
Yes, this hope comes. am so glad
it comes. 1t has good foundations for
itself. 1t stands on the past: the pres
ent and the future. 1t sees with the
vision OF the prophet great things need
ing to be done and great and gracious
results 10 come of such deeds.
I could wish that, among other
things, coming into the field of this
large spring vision the public road
could have a place in the procession.
Now is the time when the plowman
cares not for any margin between the
plowed ground and the wheel ruts, and
so he leaves no margin. The plowman
at this season "does the road dirt by
dumping his plow dirt into the ruts and
dragging the plow across the road.
Let US each look we'll to that part of the
public road that passes our farm and
home Nothing will recommand one
for thrift, thoughtfulness neatness,
public spiritedness more quickly than
attention paid to the roads passing by
or through his land. He keeps the
road the proper width, his plows out of
it and, occasionally digs small trench
to let off a slash Of water from the high
way. If every one OF US desired good
roads and had proper respect for these
public highways it would only be a
Short time before one could travel
abroad, walking or riding, and never
wet his heels nor his wheels.
Married about I o'clock p. m. Febru-
ary IS at the residence OF the brides
father.Mr W. Newton Stukes, by Rev.
J. D. Higgins, Miss Norvelle Irene
Stukes and Mr.. r. NJ. Johnson of the
Pinewood community.
A new room is being added to the
Paxville Baptist parsonage.
PAXv1LLE.