The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1912-04-18

order of their father, and they knew
full we'll that there would be no
miscarriage in the plans laid down.
Night came on, dark, damp, fog
gy night, the very night for jack-o-
lanterns to brood over marsh and
moor, seeking some lost or hidden
treasure; the said Jack being the
restless spirit of some dead planter,
who had buried a sack of gold in
the marshes and died before he re-
moved it to some secure place, or
such at least is what Uncle Peter,
an old time darkey tells us Jack is,
and Uncle Peter knows, even If we
do not. But the night was dark
and dreary-ghosts, goblins and
! ghouls were abroad, ready and will
ing to scare the very life out of some
unfortunate and belated traveller.
The owls were hooting in yonder
swamp. The weird song of the whip
porwill was being answered by its
mate in distant wood. The firef1ies
were flashing their tiny lamps in a
mantle of foggy darkness.
At the appointed hour Mr.. John
Jacob Joys was at Uncle Arch's,
bearing upon his shoulder a huge
signboard heavily placarded, the like
of which, even Uncle Arch himself
had never seen; and by the help of
Uncle Arch and his sons this sign
board and notice would soon be
planted, near the road, at that, on
the grassiest plot in Bill Smiths
very grassy crop, too grassy for even
Bill Smith to redeem.
All was ready and the march was
begun to Bill Smiths field, some
three miles distant. 1t was dreary
road, overlapped by long-limbed
giants of the forest, and across a
bold creek, now much swollen by the
long and protracted rains. When
the creek was reached light was
struck so as to assist the party in
crossing the footlogs, for in those
days there were very few bridges and
pedestrians crossed the streams on
| logs. while equestrians and vehicles
crossed by what was known then as
"a ford,' which was nothing more
than a road through mud and water.
The creek, which was raging tor
rent, was safely crossed, and soon
the party was in Bill Smiths field,
and the signboard bearing the noto-
rious notice was put up securely in
the grassy field near the public high
way. The party had actually begun
their homeward march, when, to
their horror and dismay, Bill Smith
shouted: 'tHalt, or I will shoot!'
Lets run boys" spoke Uncle
Arch, and the entire party dashed
off, with Mr.. John Jacob Joys well
in the lead, and gaining on his fel-
lows at every step, but, bang! bang!
shoots Bill Smith just in their rear.
Now, Mr.. John Jacob Joys was
fleet of foot and he knew it, for he
had never been beaten in footrace,
and he felt sure that he could keep
out of reach of Bill Smiths shotgun,
and to this end he was making leaps
and bounds that would put to shame
frightened roe-buck, but to his
discomfort, just behind belched an
other gun, sounding more like a can
non than small arms, which caused
Mr.. John Jacob Joys to quicken even
his Quickstep. Now, Mr.. John Jacob
Joys was fairly flying, but every
minute or two, just behind him
would belch at least howitzer, and
down the road dashed Mr.. John
Jacob Joys with terrific speed. When
he reached the swollen creek, he was
sure that by plunging into 1t, nc
would leave his irate pursuer. Into
the ford he plunged, his shoes stick
ing hard and fast in the mud but he
took no time to regain them, but left
both, with no ceremonies at all. The
ford was crossed, and his mind was
easier, but just behind him was g
terrific report of a gun. Off went
the coat of Mr.. John Jacob Joys, sc
also his hat, and down the road he
dashed with wonderful speed. How
ever, behind him was constantly the
boom of a gun, the report echoins
and reverberating in the dark anc
dismal distance.
Now, when Mr.. John Jacob Joy:
! reached home he entered with NJ
, ceremonies at all, but virtually fel
in, nearer dead than alive, wet, mud
; dy, hatless, coatless and almost life
, less, painting like windbroken poll
: tician defeated in the fourth race
; his poor wife over him, and whel
, she saw signs of returning life ane