The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1913-12-23
MR.. TW|TTY GIVES HIS
VIEWS ON CHRISTMAS
The Christmas Spirit Now and
in Old Times.
WHISKEY AND PISTOLS.
of Liquor, But Pistols
Were Scarce.
To the Editor of The News:

To the Editor of The News:
If your columns are not too much
crowded just before the Christmas
holidays l thought 1 would uncork
a short article for your readers. And
first am led to wonder if the masses,
especially the children, take the
same interest in Christmas they did
a generation or two ago. l am per-
suaGed they do not. My, my, when
l was a boy, two or three weeks be-
fore Christmas my joy was COM
plete. 1 would count the days and
wish for Christmas morning. 1 do
not mean sunrise but long before day
the children, especially we, were up
with their guns booming and exert.
ing every nerve to catch other mem
bers OF the household with Christ
mas gift" and thus things would go
on for hours. On such occasions the
family always had something extra
served for the usual meals for the
day and you know that went a long
way towards bringing joy to our
being. Duri the day most of the
youngsters ere favored with
small gift al as a rule the day was
enjoyed hugely. But let me say here
that we never got as much out of
Christmas at it promised. At the
'lOSt VI Nllt III 81 NdN Nut luOuSul
would cross our minds that the
Publications would only last few
days and hence such reflections
would mar our pleasure.
What l have said is all very we'll.
Let the young, and ord, too, if you
please, enjoy themselves, but Christ
mas has other features that are
abused and should be relegated to
the rear 1 allude to the figure
liquor cuts in these annual festivi-
ties. Many years ago the people had
plenty of cheap liquor and would
drink it freely and many fights would
follow, but then they carried no pis-
tolls chad no hip pockets them and
consequently no shooting and deaths
followed. This was pad enough, but
now the gun has to be ready and in
the hands of a drunk man is almost
certain to take life or do irreparable
damage.
Orders are being filled now for
Christmas liquor, it is coming in our
city by every express train, and
suppose the same Thing is going on
throughout the country and there is
no telling the damage, trouble and
loss that will follow.
The point 1 had in view in writing
this letter was to warn the people
against these shipments. Let all
have nice jubilee, but mix no liquor
with 1t. Especially I would have
Lancaster county to keep on the right
side of this question
I see nothing from my old friend
Charlie Connors. I do hope he is
better and will be able to overcome
his malady and be retored TO health
and family once more.
Some writer C know not who) in
reporting a neighborhood meeting at
Rich Hill recently, set forth what
that community stood for and I was
so pleased with the virtues claimed
that l thought it well to repeat them
here, believing that reminder will
serve TO keep them in line. Hear the
writer: I'VE (Rich HID stand to-
Gether for the common good, favor
good roads, good schools, a good
home life, good churches and good
morals" What community does the
reader think will beat Rich Hill along
the line indicated? I am not sure I
know where Rich Hill is, but l think
ii is situated on the Rocky River road
between grandmother Baskin's old
place and Aunt Sarah Hammond's old
place, not far from where / was born
and raised. When / last saw the
place it was not improved and no
prospect that it would be. / am glad
TO know il is coming to the front
Late years 1 have been watching
Heath Springs. and as l see her flu
ture 1 am persuaded that it is prom
ieing. 1t has been growing steadily
for years. They now have three or
four very nice churches and a church
going people, the fact is l believe the
population will compare favorably
with any town of like size in the
state. morally or otherwise.
| am informed that they have a
frst-class school in their city and
they have citizens that look after
what tends to build up the town and
Will make the most out of it, 1t is
good business place and promises
well for the future. They have good
neighbors, the surrounding country.
and excellent farms which serve to
back up a town. Evan Rollings
tevery inch mani, l.. NJ. Cauthen
f. B. Mobley and others have left
their imprint in the community and
it could not be otherwise than good
Merry Christmas to all News
readers and friends and relatives.
Excuse breyity. Yours truly,
J. w. TWITTY.
Valdosta, Ga, Dec. 18, 1918.