The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1912-08-29

while Mr. Epps took a large pine
burr and put it under Baltimore's
tail. The old horse did lively kick
ing up, which caused some shouting
and much laughter. but | managed
to keep my seat by holding on to the
saddle.
On the return trip we had quite'a
rough time crossing the Santee
swamp, the heavy rains having caused
a freshet in the river. Mr. Billy
Staggers was the owner of the ferry
where we crossed. After the wagons
got out of the ferry boat we had to
cross some water, which came up
so high it almost floated the wagon
body off. Some things actually did
float out of the wagons and were
lost. Old Charles was MIR Epps'
wagon driver. Mr. Epps bought a
set of blacksmith's tools in Charles
ton and after the wagons all got out
on high ground each wagon was ex-
amined to see what was missing,
Mr. Epps called aloud to Charles and
told him to look in his wagon and
see if the anvil had floated. Charles
hurriedly climbed into the wagon
and rummaged through until he saw
the anvil, when he said with seeming
satisfaction to his master: No, sab,
him in yah yet" Such stalling,
shouting and cracking of whips |
never saw before. Sometimes every
wheel on a wagon sunk in the mud
down to the axles. AS many as eight
strong mules were unable to pull
them out. Men had to get down into
the icy water and help by pushing
at the wheels.
| will mention one or two more
old men before | end this letter. Mr.
Alexander Burgess was a brother of
Mr. Samuel Burgess, the father Of
Bobby, Tommie and lily, who are
vel. known in Kingstree and true
friends to poor Conrad. Uncle Alic,
as we all called him, was fine man.
He was fond Of fine horses and also
a splendid performer on the violin.
His health was not good for many
years before his death, but when ne
would feel a little better he would
take down his violin, which he kept
hung up near enough to his bed to
be able to reach it. and sometimes
he would sit up in bed and play
while a servant was gone for the
doctor. He could draw the sweetest
bow | ever heard and it seemed to
do him so much good. for he played
scientifically. | never heard him
swear or speak cross word, but
very common word he used was
"confound", but never in an angry
tone. On a certain night he had
quite a sick turn. DR. Sam Wither-
spoon, a warm friend, was sent for,
four miles away. When he arrived
he examined Uncle Alic and while
he was preparing the medicine he
quietly whistled tune Uncle Alic
had never heard. He said: Cousin
Sam las he called the doctor), hand
me my fiddle. Confound if | can't
play that tune" and he rolled it off
beautifully. He had a way of sniff
fing his nose at about every other
word. He called me Costein always.
| could play a little on the fiddle
and Uncle Alic would have me play
it. | would saw away for little
while on some old tune he was not
familiar with. He would reach for
the fiddle. Let me see, Costein."
He would draw that bow so scienti-
fcally, it did him so much good to
see how he could excel me. | re-
member those old times so well.
Only one here and there who recalls
those days, and | know it pleases
those dear old friends to read what
Poor Conrad writes. | wish so much
that could once more meet the few
remaining old ones all on the same
day. We could have a reunion as
well as the old soldiers. Let us have
one good time together. The young
people could come, too. | could al
ways tell what old people thought of
me as soon as l met the little chill
dren. Speaking of the children
reminds me of what a friend
said to me. Some time ago he was
reading one of my letters in The
County Record to his family. When
he finished reading, one of the little
ones asked, Father, who is Poor
Conrad anyway
AS ever, yours,
Poor CONRAD.
P S-Some more old men to be
remembered in my next.