The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-04-15
Continued from April 81

(COuG1luCu IlUuu AH4n O.J
The rolling thunder and seismehe
disturbance of politics for a half cen
tury or more, burst forth at last
with a suddenness of Mount Pelee
in which was destined to engulf sc
many people in ruin and distraction
South Carolina had cast its lone Pal.
metto banner to the bold breeze Of
heaven" and stood for a time, soil
tary and alone against the autocratit
government Of the United States. Al
a call men rushed to arms from the
mountains to the sea, to defend the
course Of their State.
No section of the country was
more patriotic or more loyal to The
principles Of States rights than the
Dutch Fork, nor none more willing
to defend its course with their lives
Drums were beat, and military com
panies were formed all over the State
One Of these was formed near the
home of Jake Baldwin, he beine
among the very first to insist, and was
chosen second officer in his company,
A good old citizen, one who "would
take care of the boys" was first chos-
en- for commander, but it was soon
evident that he could not endure the
nardships in store for real soldiers
He resigned and Lieutenant Jake
Baldwin was unanimously elected
captain instead and soon became the
dominant figure in the company, the
source of power and authority. Great
enthusiasm and excitement were ex-
Inhibited everywhere. The company
met for drill and instruction weekly,
and short time before the departure
for the regimental rendezvous, q
"camps muster" was ordered. For
three days the soldier boys had the
carousal Of their lives. Ladies fol
miles around graced the occasion with
their presence, and through their In
terest and assistance, gave great I'M
q.elrs to the men. The, "ame IL
buggies, carriages and wagons, all
loaded with choicest of eatables, max
ing this "camp mu,tsr,'; one long
picnic. During the intervals Of drills
and inspection the young gallants
led the beauties Of the Fork In the
giddy mazes Of the dance.
Cage came the last day to witness
the exercises and to bring the rock,
away in which Marse Jake and Mis-;
'Calline were to return home. The
soul Of Cage was stirred to its inner
most when he beheld his young mas
t.. in the regulation Uniform of tha;
day, black broadcloth coat, adorned
with double rows Of shiny palmetto
buttons, gray trouse:', with gill
stripes down the seams; high TOP
b.;.,ts, broad 3rlmn'i ,e|t hat, vi L
golden band and ostrich plume, Grim
son sash and sword belt around the
waist, all Of which caused Cage to
say in his admiration, ''Dog my cat,
eff Marse Jake amt the finest muster
man I ever seed. He jist natterly
beats any Of dem BIZ assns l usa'er
see mastering in Mike Koons old
field, when ole Lindler bead de drum
so, he mashed the headen outer hit. "
Then af.er witnessing few
evolutions he continued, "if he was
list straddle of ole Shoestrlng (hls
horse) wild his big spurs, he would
sho look proud nuf for de goVnor's S
son.
The spectre Of war that had been
before the people so long that 1t
ceased to be feared, now had become
a reality, aud Jake Baldwin s COM
pany was ordered to the front: The
day was appointed for their depart
ure, it being the intention of Cap
tain Baldwin, to take old Ransom
along, as a servant to cook and wait
upon him. But the uight before leav-
ing, Cage came in to take issue with
his master and give him some sage
advice. "Nom, look here Marse Jake,
you say you gwine to take Unkle
Rance er long to tend to you. But
I done study bout this matter. INK
Rance amt gwine ter do tall, case
..ou de white swellin done make EN-
lame, and he can't get about pert
like me. Wat he know bout cookln'?