The Robesonian. [volume] (Lumberton, N.C.) 1870-current, 1917-07-12
WITH AUNT BECKY

Flourishing Crops in Dillon County
and Diversity of Farming-Fish-
ing-A Ride in a Wheelbarrow-
Good yield of Wheat-Personal and
Other Items
Correspondence of The Robesonian.
Old Fork (Maxton, R. u, July s.
Since my last letter to The Robson
ian / have been circulating among
friends and relatives in both Of the
Carolinas. My first visit was made
to the McLaurin home in Dillon coun-
ty to see my children and grandchll-
dren, where | spent some time most
enjoyably until becoming sick, when
I thought it best to return home.
Crops in that county are on an
average fine and flourishing. The
quality of the soil being stiff, with
stands rainy season far better than
the lighter lands of Robson. Quite
a diversity in farming was observ-
ed throughout that section. Outside
the usual crops of corn and cotton,
fields of tobacco,velvet and soy beans,
rape and other pasturage crops, for
the feeding of cattle ad hogs and the
renovation of lands. Much Of the to-
bacco was exceedingly fine and the,
acreage extensive. l took note while
there of a little blowing appendage
universally in use which struck me
as being so very useful that l Won
dered why / had never seen it In Op-
Grafton here. 1t was used in siding
young cotton and is just little ad-
Unstable fender fastened to the side
of the pillow which prevents the soil
from falling on the cotton and thus
saving much time and trouble.
My next trip was to relatives in
Alma and Maxton, where 1 spent an
other pleasant week and went fishing
in the waters of the "Lumbee", where
] caught two fish and pair of terra
pins. My little partner, Angus Cot
tingham, also caught couple of the
latter species, and proceeded immed-
lately to execute vengence upon them
for the crime committed in taking
his bait and the disappointment that
they were the wrong kind of fish;
but my most interesting and novel
experience occurred on yesterday, the
memorable Fourth, in the town of
Elrod. Mr.. D. H. Smith, route agent
for No. l., with his son Ernest driv-
ing the car, came for me to accom-
pany him to the home of his son-in-
law and daughter, Mr.. and Mrs. Ell
bert Bridgers, where we were kindly
invited to spend the day. On the way
we were joined by Mr.. Archibald Nc
Pharland, who furnished quite a
pleasant and humorous addition to
our party.
Crossing Shoe Heel creek atBrown's
bridge, we passed through Affords
vile and Purvis, arriving at our des-
tination between IL and l o'clock. In
giant and bountiful dinner and were
the recipients throughout the day of
lavish hospitality, but now comes the
sequel. About 4:30 p. m. the clouds
gathered and until 6 p. m. the floods
descended in an incessant downpour,
which proved to be the greatest rain
] ever saw fall; and when it finally
ceased and we were to start for home,
at was discovered that we were en-
tirely surrounded by water to the
depth of or 10 inches. The prob
lem then presented itself as to how
i was to reach the car. The water
was too deep to make planks of any
avail, as they would inevitably have
only floated, and after several i'm
practical suggestions, the query was
solved by Mr.. Bridgers who wadec
out and returned with the wheelbar
row. Wheeling up to the steps,
was soon seated in this novel vehicle
with Mr.. B. as chauffeur, rambling
through the rolling tide, distance
of about thirty yards, when l stepped
from my perch, safe and dry on tt
the running board of the car. Nov
I think l can safely challenge an,
other Old lady to relate a similar ex
perience to that of "Aunt Becky's'
famous ride on the p. m. of tn,
Fourth.
In the Bridgers' home I met YER,
sweet lady. sister-in-law of oar kim
host, Mrs. Nellie Bridgers of Parktor
whose presence added literally t
our enjoyment, and the genuine pleas
ure Of the day fully compensated fo
the trials and delays which befell u
on the homeward journey by wash
outs, washed-up bridges, etc., whic
made our route long, circuitous an
difficult, so that it was near 10
m. when we finally arrived in tn