The Pickens sentinel-journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1903-1906, 1904-12-07
Uncle Zeke Has Some Funny
Experiences.
NEARLY CHOKED TO DEATH
BY A WOMAN'S FOOT.
Should Watch Where He Gees and OW
lie Sleeps.

tcr lew days among he good pro-
pie of Pickens, and do not hnsl.
tnte to tell you that | have been
enjoying myself.
The weather was delightful, the
roads in prime condition, and
everybody seemed like homefolks.
Those sociable, friendly, everyday
sort of people, who warm up the
"cockles of the heart and make
you glad You met them and hope
TO meet them again.
| have often heard agents, when
relating their experiences, tell OF
the sluls and insults they have re-
celved, and the general all-round
cussednoss of the people they meet.
have none Of these to relate, for
l have found that folks generally
treat me about as / treat them,
and if the snub comes can blame
myself for inviting it to IL great
extent.
Still Rustler has some very
queer experiences-some funny aud
some Otherwise--and l, trust that
the readers Of the Sentinel-J j ournal
will pardon me ifI relate one of
my own.
A number of years ago l was
rustling a paper in sparsely set
tied community. One day found
myself long distance from town
with night coming on and a storm
gathering. pulled in at way
side cabin and called for accomoda-
ti0ns for the night.
y The lord and master was q good
natured soul and a character i'm his
way, and allowed I was welcome If
L could put up with their fare. |
replied that / ought to stand 1t
for a night if they could stand it
for life time.
After leading my horse to a
'leanto" | entered the cabin and
proceeded to make mental inven-
tory Of my Surroundings. which
consisted Of the old man, the old
woman, two kids and one bed.
Not very encouraging outlook for
a tired man.
AS the night was cool there was
a rousinR fire on the hearth, but
with II jealous eye on a pillow lay
ing on a box in the corner, and
with heavy ulster overcoat,
was not disposed to worry over the
situation.
The good woL.an said she would
make shake. down" on the floor
and let the stronger have the bed.
But as she was complaining with
the tOothache and misery in the
back and was not feeling very we'll,
would not agree to the proposi-
ton, and told them | could get
along very we'll IN chair by the
fire. Something had not the re.
motest idea Of dong.
When it came the hour for re-
tiring ] went out to see how my
horse was progressing with his
corn, and on returning to the house
found the family tucked away
snugly III bed. The old man was
In front, the two kids in the mid
die, and the old woman next to the
wall.
Soon the music started, snores in
four different keys filling the room.
Quietly clipping off my shoes, and
taking the pillow, l lay across tho
foot Of the bed With my overcoat
over me. / was soon sleeping as
sweetly as though in rose
blankets and elder down. How
long slept ] do not know, but
| awoke with a feeling of suffo-
cation and a terrible choking
sensation. The fire was burn.
ing low, casting its dim and ghost
ly light IN fantastic figures on the
walls, giving the room wild and
weird appearance. and in my imag.
nation l wa in the hands of gar
roters and robbers.
Whether the old woman had the
nightmare, or / had rolled uncon-
scloualv ON her net corn Ia q nroh.