Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 31.djvu/376

 368 Southern Historical Society Papers.

mules, had been left in ihe middle of the current with the body and hind axle of the wagon, the mules and front gear having made the opposite shore in safety, I realized the old woman's tale had at least a sprinkling of truth and warning in it.

Detaching the lines, however, from the mules, and succeeding in casting one end to Phil, I drew him and the floating wagon safely to shore.

On the remainder of the journey, however, I could not induce him to cross a swollen stream. Uncle John remained at the old home and was kindly cared for by the family until April, 1884, when death claimed him for his own, he having survived my father about one year.

Phil, after a long sickness, died on October i, 1899, and is buried near-by the spot that witnessed his boyhood sports. Overton re- turned home with the Timberlakes and met death by an accident, while Tom married and moved West.

Carter, however, still lives in the vicinity. After the war he mar- ried at his home, but his wife died many years ago, and he has since lived a widower.

About two years ago he came to my office and informed me he was going to be married again, and wished me to accompany him to the clerk's office to get a license. I called with him, and while the clerk was preparing the license I returned to my office. Some ten days after he again called, and as I was about extending congratula- tions he informed me that the license was " no good," and the min- ister refused to tie the knot, and now the girl had gone back on him.

I examined the license and found the clerk had neglected to affix his signature or seal.

He wished to know if he could not recover damages of the clerk. I dissuaded him from such a couse, thinking there was about as much benefit accruing from the clerk's omission, and the matter was finally adjusted by the clerk returning the fee. Having concluded his set- tlement, he went on his way rejoicing more in the recovery of his fee than sorrowing at the loss of a wife.

Slavery had its evil and its good. The master and the slave "were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided."

The emancipation proclamation has been sounded. The carpet- bagger-scalawag and Northern missionary has come, have done their worst and departed.

Above the wreck, ruin and desolation produced, the unity and