The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-05-15

It generally took two of those
old Saints to get through one service,
and when they came walking under
the stand with those old white
turned down collars, and that stove
pipe hat in hand, climed up those old
high pulpit steps amid the singing
from a thousand throats some old
time hymn, led by old Uncle Berry
or Grimes, they did not need to hunt
up some manuscript from their own
Bible that they knew by heart, but
they just opened the old Bible that
lay on the stand and announced some
old time familiar text. closed the
book and looked to God for words
and power, and they generally got
it, too, and caused something to be
doing. Yes, Mr.. Editor, man had
to be checked full Of devil not to
fear and tremble under such preach
ing. At the close Of his sermon his
lieutenant would rise up and sing
with the spirit some good old hymn,
suitable to the text, and then an
able eXortation to sinners to forsake
their ways and come to Jesus. It
was hard to resist. There are still
other pleasant recollections of that
old place that is very hard to forget
When we young men and big boys
would listen for the first blast of
Uncle Gabrel's summons trumpet,
calling time for next services; when
we would take our places in open
rank in front of those tents, watch
ing for those pretty young ladies to
file out, and if we were fortunate
in cutting the other fellow out and
got our choice. with sweet smile
and nod of acceptance, you just
imaeined you were walking the fields
of Elysan. And then after services
to get one of those promenades
around that big ground. we'll light
ed up at night with big pile of
lightwood knots on those old dirt
stands: Mr.. Editor, such times are
not forgotten, even by a Dutch
| Uncle.
Well, could write dozens of nag
es on the old camp ground recollec~
tions, but would make this commu-
nication too long So let's look at
the new Branchville a while. My,
Mr.. Editor, it was my good fortune
to travel through those old sacred
| places a few months ago and when
comparing the present with the past,
concluded Branchville will soon be
abreast with the best of Orangeburg.
! find those merry cypress ponds and
,gallberry flats gone, the lands well
drained off and many of them under
high state of cultivation. which
seems to the writer ought to he
Welding fair returns to their owners.
While the old time 2-pin pole dwell
lings have been replaced by up-to-
date douses, well furnished in many
respects, containing fine piano or
organ, while those young ladies and
little tots can give you all the voca T!
and instrumental music that you
can stand. Many homes fruited by
beautiful flower beds, also a great
Improvement on the highways. My
recollections of the old time mud
hole, where now stands the modern
building, is anything but flattering.
AS it is looked more fitted for a
colony of Alligators than the white
man. | recollect grog shops, where
was dispensed tobacco, coffee, red
stick candy and ginger cakes, and
plenty of red eye, as it was called
in those days. Also blacksmith
shops, railroad hotel, etc. And on
every Saturday evening there gather
ed here the most molly crowd to
talk and fight. Yes, sir, when a
goodly number got half loaded with
that red eye, it was a rare thing
that they did not have one or more
old time fisticuff fights. That was
settled there and then, with notice
of another trial for the next Satur-
day. That will seem very rude
mode of warfare, but it beats the
present pull pistol and take life,
and if fortunate. enough to have the
stuff to hire lawyers, keep her 60
ing until it threatens to bankrupt
the county and then the slayer
goes free. for the height of expenses
CONTINUED on page ~.