Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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SEC. C, PAGE 12—The Newberry Sun, Newberry, S. C., Thurs., Dec. 24, 1970 Visitors* BY MARTIN SCOTT Jim Merritt turned off the highway and geared the car down for the first hill climb on the log road. He was grateful for the fact that the predicted snow had not yet arrived. Once he reached the cabin, let it come. If he should be snowed in for a week, what matter? After all, he had the time coming and, if he wanted to observe the New Year a la hermit, that was his busi ness. Funny, he thought, as he topped Crow's Hill and looked out at the valley far below. Looks like a light in the cabin. He shrugged the thought aside. It wasn’t possible. He had the only key, unless. . . . When the road leveled out at the valley floor, Jim turned off his lights. There was yet enough light to drive safely. He was sure now someone was in the cabin. Prowlers, maybe. O.K., what was his plan when he got there? What would he do? Wondering He stopped a few hundred yards from the cabin. All the lights were on. Smoke poured f r om the chimney. A burglar who took the time to build a fire while he ransacked the place? Unlikely. Jim eased himself out of the car, leaving the door open. (It was snowing now, as he ap proached a side window.) He peered in, cautiously. There were two of them. One was elderly, bearded, and dressed in a smoking jacket. He puffed contentedly on a corn cob pipe. Looks like a perfect country gentleman, Jim thought. Seated before the fire was a teenager. He was a handsome, dark-haired lad, seemingly lost in thought. Unusual burglars, Jim thought. What do I do now? He didn’t have long to make up his mind. The young man looked up suddenly, at the win dow, and their eyes met briefly. That was it. Jim started for the front door. The older man was waiting, with the door open. "Come in, sir. Rest yourself by the fire.” "Thank you,” Jim said, shed ding his heavy coat on a chair and walking forward to warm his hands by the fire. The old man stood beside him. "My name is Amos Ebben, sir, and this is my grandson, Josh. We’re on our way to Park City and decided to spend the night here at the cabin, what with the snow prediction and all.” Jim looked at the man. “Good idea. I’m heading toward Park City myself, but I think there is something wrong with my car. It stopped and I can’t seem to get it started again.” Request The young man had settled again in front of the fire. "He can stay with us tonight, can’t he grandpa? One more won’t matter. I’m sure the buyers won’t care.” “Why, uh, I don’t see why not.” “Good,” the young man said, then to Jim. “You see, grandpa owned this cabin, but he sold it. The new owners aren’t here now yet, so we didn’t see why we just couldn’t spend the night here. It being New Year’s Eve and all, they shouldn’t care.” Jim smiled. “I don’t see how they could. Tell me, do they have any coffee'* It sure like to have a cup.” The old man started for the kitchen. “Sit right down, Mr. . . . and I’ll make some.” "Merritt," Jim said “Jim Merritt.” Jim slept late the next morn ing. It was nearly noon when he began to heat the water for the coffee. He found the note beneath the coffe pot. Mr. Merritt: I know you are the owner and I thank vou for not giving me away. Josh’s par ents died of the sickness a few days ago and I am taking him to live with me on the other side of the mountain, afoot. He would have never spent the night in the cabin unless I told him the lie. Thanks again and Happy New Year.” Holiday Poisons Can Spoil The Season It is during the holidays that the poisonous berries of the ubi quitous holly drop to the floor or are otherwise available for the curious youngster to swallow. Similar poisons are found in at tractive necklaces, rosaries, bracelets and other ornaments that make unique but deadly gifts. The old-fashioned stomach ache is a primary sympton which re sults from ingesting portions of some of the Christmas plants. Ipecac, an emetic, is effective as an antidote for these. Possible sources are bittersweet leaves, holly berries, poinsetta leaves and the Jequirity bean seed (also called precatory bean). MR. AND MRS. TOM LEWIS Boundary Streef Extension . v if ',2'M To old friends and new go our wishes for a wonderful Christmas season. h. D. Gardner Insurance Agency —and— a City Councilman THE HOME FURNITURE COMPANY Caldwell and Friend Streets NEWBERRY, SOUTH CAROLINA