The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-05-24
Mother BarkSdnIc's StO~y of Her
Wont crfui L.ff.."

Mother Barksd,Ic's Sto~y of Her
Wont crfui I.ir.."
The Press ard Banner Is in receipt of a
copy OF mother Barksdaie's S:nry of Her
Wonderful Life" and we have read II through
with interest. The story OF itselr is l"tei est
ing. especially is 1t Entertaining to those OF US
who have known Mrs. Barksdnle. and have
been for a long time more or less acquainted
with her lie and her good works.
When she was young she was notably hand
some and engaging in her personality. Her
| heart and her hand were saught in marriage
by various ~suitors, and three times she enter
ed the holy estate of matrimony. But not
w%ithstanding the fact that she was three
times married, more than one half OF her
womsnhood has been spent in widowhood.
One after another, death removed her hu.-
bands, and now for a long time she has been
a widow.
Among others who courted her was q rich
old man In Tennessee. He was seventy years
Of age, while she was young and handsome.
Upon her refusal TO marry him, he offered to
settle upon her one-fourth Of his vast estate
This she refused, and in hat refusal, a cold
| duu bCdtlIoeo Wollo "ouiu tteh A"NNS
her greatest mistake. An old fool of seventy,
who marries q pretty girl Of twenty-five, Is
almost sure TO be called to the heavenly
shores before his bride is safely Installed Ii
bis earthly mansion.
In that event the pretty widow would have
enough money to set up her second husband
In all the comforts OF life, and whom she
might marry for love, while he had an eye to
business. And if second husband was a
young man. the probability is, that the hap
py young couple would have In store for
them many years of happiness at the old
FOOLS expense.
Being of the positive nature, Mrs. Barksdale
has always been active, not only In business,
but In her unselish desire to do good 10
those who were helpless. In the book before
US. she omits almost entirely the chapters in
her life work along the lines of which are
centered the deeds which always command
respect and sympathy. While she men.
lions the names OF one or two Of the eight
orphans for whom she cared, yet she fails to
give the names of the others. Mrs. Barks-
dale's affection for orphan children exceeded
her financial ability.
1t was, as we understand. her support Of
helpless children that compelled her to mort
gage her farm.
II we are not in error, the proceeds OF this
mortgage was expended in caring for little
children who had lost their natural protec-
tors.
Seeing that she must give up the work
In which she was so much interested, or else
become bankrupt. she sorrowfully gave up
rho hn r6a on ppbich che bod corrIad for vaarp
and then, she, in her old age, went to work in
her owp behalf. and, as she states In her book,
has paid off the debt on the farm.
The book Is an interesting one, and will be
read with pleasure.
And now a word as to the literary part of
the work by Rev. j. F. McKinnon, who Is SO
we'll known to our people.
The Press and Banner has regarded Mr.. Nc
Kiunon as an educated and cultured gentle
man, familiar with the prophecies which u.s.
ually govern.
In the Introductory 1t were better that the
partial list Of the names Of pastors In the
county should have been omitted. There
we're man. others whose names did not ap.
pear, but whose piety, usefulness and infu-
ence equaled the best The list of
IL ILL 4 u COuIpdulOuS duu hCqudlul-
ances of my youth must have been very i'm
perfect, and If imperfect, should not have
been published, except on OCCASION. Mr.. Nc
Kinnon traces Mrs. Barksdale's kinship back
to John C. Calhoun, the claiming OF which
relationship makes Us very tired.
The hero of a story need not bask in the re-
Elected greatness OF kindred. The success of
usefulness and the story Of unselflshness. as
In the case OF Mrs. Barksdale, shines more
respondent in her own good works than
In the holo OF disting uished kin, who
would have recorded in their books, neither
her name nor the labor Of love which she be.
slowed upon the helpless. Miss Susan AM
Richey, with her strong will power, and her
charming personality needed no certificate OF
blue blood.
Another matter, Mr.. McKinnon. in his
preparation of this book, too often speaks OF
Slaves"
Again 1t Is evident that Mr.. McKinnon
does not understand the meaning Of some OF
the words which he used.
All in all, the book Is a good one, and 1t
would be well If a greater number OF good
women and useful men would publish books
which record the story of their lives.