Year: 1876

Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.


VINCE BLACK.
A STORY OF UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA,


In the latter part of the summer of 1851
my business led me to make tour through
tae middle and upper sections Of South Caro-
lima. 1 had two objects in view: The.one
wus to recruit my health and the other was
to look out some spot where there were few
disadvantages and many advantages. Really
I was not sick but I had spent the previous
part of the year in idleness, and had become
tired of the occupation. My surrounding
were such that I could get into no business a!
home, and I determined to take trip for, ]
may say, no other purpose than simply find
ing home. The only piece Of property
which I possessed was horse. I had but
little money, and, consequently, could moi
travel by public conveyance. Making vir
tue of necessity, and having bid an adieu to
my friends, I mounted my horse and set Out
for, did not know where; nor did I care q
great deal.


From the outset, it was my fixed determi'
nation to make the trip as profitable as posi-
BILE. I did not contemplate earning any act
ual cash; but it was my purpose to travel AZ
far as 1 could, and see all that was to be seen
for as little money as possible. Having often
heard that politeness and gentlemaDly con-
duct would come nearer supplying the place
of money than anything else, I determined to
put the matter fairly to the test. I treated
every one courteously with whom came in
contact. Like the ancient Scythians, I stopped
my days march wherever night came upon
me. I asked politely, but not beggingly, fol
entertainment for the night, under the hum
BILE roof of the poor man or in the stately
halls of the rich planter. l invariably asked
for my bill in the morning, and, strange as ii
may seem, 1 was uniformly told nothing" OF
which amounted to the same thing, "1f ever
you pass this way again, call and will tell
you then" The weather was pleasant, and
enjoyed the trip finely.


An hour before sundown, on Tuesday the
18Th of November, halted at the gate Of a
neat but unpainted farm house. The road
ran round one side and end of the dwelling
house. There was something very remarka'
BILE about the appearance ofthe place. There
were two gates by which the premises were
entered, and stranger was at a loss to decide
which was the front gate. Near one of the
gates stood house, which I at first took to
be the dwelling of q family of negroes, but il
turned out that I was mistaken. 1t was the
cook kitchen. I was in some doubt as to
what should do. I hesitated for some time
whether would halloo to the inmates of the
house, or go on. I was in kind of dread
lest should bs7foundi ihafiiouiug at the wrong
side of the house. Soon, however, to my
great relief, two little gi evidently sisters,
ran out of the house into the yard, to point
but few rods from where I was seated upon
my horse Here they began to arrange some
things in play house. Intensely engaged in
their play, they did not observe me. 1 called
to them and asked if their father was at
home. Promptly, the larger one. about ten
years old, replied, He is in the bottoms
hauling corn but will be at home in short
time" then asked if her mother was at
home. eyes," was the prompt reply; "she is
in the kitchen helping Aunt Rose to get sup
per-"


Whilst this conversation was going on, a
gentleman made his appearance at short
distance. Father is coming now. 1 will 60
and tell him to come here" said the same lit
tie girl. Away darted both to meet the fa-
ther, who on being met by bis children, quick
ened up his gait and was soon in my pres
ence. After the usual salutations, f asked
for lodging for myself and horse for the
night.


Without moments hesitation, he called
out, in loud tone, for his little daughter to
come and open the gate for me. "The hands
are all in the field, and when I am travelling,
I want to either feed my own horse or see him
fed." This was the only reply that be gave
me to my request to spend the night with him.


With a genuine hospitality, but without
the least semblance of formality, be led me
into the lot, alighted from his horse and came
to take the saddle off mine I thanked him
for his kindness, but insisted on doing this
myself. I wassthen pointed to the we'll, near
which was trough, from which I could give
my horse water. I was shown stable in
which to put my horse, and pointed to the
corn pile in the lot from which to procure
whatever corn my horse might require. So
soon as the work Of staoling and feeding my
horse was done, my host said, eve will now
go to the house and have supper. T make it
a rule, "said be-" to eat my. breastfast just at
sun-up; my dinner at twelve, and supper at
sun.down."


We walked up slight elevation and soon
reached the house not at the front side, but
at the back. The house was elevated above
the ground some six feet, and the ground on
the back side of the house was sloping; hence
the ascent into the house on that side was by
a flight of some ten steps. As soon as we
entered the house, my host turned round, and
staring me directly in the face, asked me for my
name. I gave it without moments hesita-
ton. had not as yet learned his name, nor
did be give me time to make the inquiry, for
no sooner did tell him my name, than he, in
a very polite manner, asked me to walk into
supper. I was little agitated, fearing that