The Georgia weekly. (Greenville, Ga.) 1861-186?, April 24, 1861, Image 2
“ Let him be put to the trial, Ma rio. I know they are one and the same. You never heard the voice of Henri Ltj Grand. I had that criterion of identity to guide me. I heard the voice of Victor St. John as he passed me not long since, one dark and stor my night, iu the street, and heard him say, ‘ Come, we will inbet them as usual at Paul Amar’s drinking sa loon.’ The next instant I lost him in the pitchy darkness, and for ten nights I have waited and watched in thatea loon, listening to hear that voice again that I might sec the face of its own er. Until this night I waited and listened in van. Mario, the voice of Victor St. John is the voice thajt'once spoke so fatally for that maiden, from the lips of that portrait’s original. But let him be put to some trial.” Agreed,” said Mario. “ But hark ! there is a knocking at the street door. I will attend to the call. It is perhaps some fool coming to have his fortune told.” “ It may be St. John.” “It is too early,” replied Mario, glancing at a clock upon the mantel. “ Do you prepare for St. John's com ing.” “ I shall contrive a test,” said Ben ditto, with vehement bitterness, “that shall wring his heartstrings to an agonv of fear and remorse, if he is Henri Le Grand; and of that I have no doubt. Mario left Benditto in the portrait chamber, and taking a lighted lamp from a table in the hall strode with a long and measured stride to the street door. As he opened it Paul Amar de manded in a voice distinctly audible to Benditto above: “ Is this tiie house of Benditto the fortune-teller ? Ah ! you are here, Benditto.” “ Enter,” said Mario, to whom Paul Amar was totally unknown. “Fol low me. ’ He led the way into the apartment, where he was lying when Benditto came in, and placing the lamp upon the table said: “ Be seated ; I will return in a mo ment.” “ Be speedy, for I havg urgent bus iness elsewhere,” remarked Paul. *• So have I. You must be patient if you wish to learn your fortune,’-’ re marked Mario. “My fortune! Bah ! I am not an ass nor a fool, friend Benditto, to be lieve in such nonsense,” laughed the bluff-spoken wine-seller. “ And poll! \ if you were as wise as fortune-tellers | should be, by my faith, Benditto, you I would know that my business with j you is more important than to ask for such trash.” . | “Be patient, Francis George,” a deep and warning “Ah ! rascal! Who calls me Fran cis George ?” exclaimed Paul, leap ing from his chair. His face, usually so red and plump with the juices of the grape and the pulse of health, was now pallid and shrunken with terror. Ilis teeth chat tered and his eyes seemed starting from their sockets. “ Who are you that dares call me Francis George?” “ I am Benditto the fortune-teller, and will be with you in a moment,” replied Mario, leaving the room. “Am I awake or dreaming,” ex claimed Patti, as lie sat down and wiped his face, which seemed covered with beads of ice. “ But neither Francis George nor Paul Amar is afraid of Benditto the fortune-teller. If ho tries any tricks upon me, life of my soul! I’ll crush his ugly head like an egg shell.” Mario hastened to the portrait chamber, and was met by Benditto, who said : “ I must see this man.” “ Who is he ?” “ Paul Amar, the wine-seller.” “No. X will learn his business,” said Mario, firmly. “ His true name is Francis George. This knowledge gives me an advantage which may be of use to us. Be ready to use the necromantic apparatus as I signalize.” “ I will be ready," said Benditto. Mario descended to Paul. “ State your business, Paul Amar,” said Mario, as he closed the door. “ Ah, you have changed my name ? That is right. But as you are so very wise, tell it yourself.” “You doubt my power,” observed Mario, with assumed severity. “ Be hold the man you fear most of all liv ing men.” He struck the table with a small mallet and a black curtain which hung upon the wall opposite to Paul was drawn aside by some invisible means. Another signal was given, and after a pause a spectre seemed to rise from the recess revealed bpr the withdrawal of the curtain. “ Ah ! Napoleon !” cried Paul. Another signal from the mallet and the spectre vanished. “ Now behold the deed, that ban ished you from France and made Najpoleonkyoilr enemy,” said Mario, striking the table. Paul gazed into the gloomy recess and beheld two phantoms in fierce conflict. One wa3 clad in the uni form of a French grenadier, and the other in that of a Captain of Lancers. As the sword of the soldier seethed plunged to the hilt into the bosom of the officer, Paul uttered a cry of horror. The mallet again struck the table, and the black curtains swung across the recess, “Are you satisfied, Francis George?” demanded Mario.. “ It was a fair and manly combat, Benditto,'” replied Paul, drawing a long breath. “ But its result would have execu ted the private soldier who slew his superior, had not the soldier fled from France after killing one of Napoleon’s favorite officers,” said Mario. “It seems you are wiser than I supposed,” remarked Paul. “ I am not sorry the that tlio rasc’ally tyrant is dead, friend Benditto; but sorry that I cannot wash my hands and say ‘ There is no human blood on thy honest hands, Paul Amar.’ He was the only man I ever killed, save in the heat of battle, and then ’twas for the glory and defence of. France. But enough of this—call me Francis George no more. lam hereto ask your aid.” “ In what, Paul Antiaf ?” . “In playing the spy, Benditto-..” “ Upon whom ?” “ That gentleman whose name I gave you not long si*ce. / Captain St. John.” “ What! Victor St. John/’ exclaim ed Mario, scarcely abletp restrain his wonder. “ f . ' . “The same. But thunder! what am I saying ?” crie.d .Paul... “ You must kill the rascal—kill him this night as the clock strikes-twelve.” “Kill him,” said Mario. “Why, but this instant yqu were murmuring over the fact that you have blood upon your hands, and now you would deepen the stain!” “Aye, friend Benditto,” exclaimed Paul, dashing his fist upon the table. “For it seeip3 no crime to knock on the head a rascal that wishes to play Don Juan, and write my daughter’s name upen his list of ruins!” “Ah! Is it true?” cried Mario. “But why not rid the world of the scoundrel yourself?” “Because I am an easy hearted fool, Benditto. Because my daughter has bound me by a solemn promise not to lay my hands upon Victor St. John —upon the condition,*on her part, that she shall never speak so him again. Thunder ! I find rhyself wish ing Rosetta may break her promise, and so absolve me from mine!” ex claimed Paul, smiting the table. “ Rest assured, Paul Amar, that your daughter will break that prom ise,” said Mario, gravely. “You think so?” “Is she not a woman—and .does she not love him ?” “ Two facts between which the devil will play his pranks!” cried Paul. “It is clear that.l had better get the start of Rosetta, and by breaking my promise break the rascal’s neck.” “ But why come to me, Paul, to ask me to remove this villain, when you must know- a score of ruffians, black or white, who for a piece of gold will gladly kill their own fathers?” asked Mario, bending his keen black eyes ! upon the bluff visage of the wine-seller. “Friend Benditto,” replied Paul, “you flatter me. My acquaintances among the agreeable gentry you men tion are all invited to the little feast that Jackson is cooking up for Puck eiiharn. There are, it is true, many ruffians ready enough to take pay for murder, but I need a man that will use his knife of his own accord, when a chance offers.” “Ah ! Came ; you are hinting something very absurd. Explain,” said Mario, sitting down, and frown ing. “You understand, Benditto. -You liate Victor St. John.” “I! Why should I hate him ?” “ That is a nut for your own teeth, friend Benditto,” replied Paul, bluntly. “Perhaps he has written your daugh ter’s name on his list.’-!'. '• Mawo sprang to his feet and utter ed a load cry. The cry was echoed in the curtained recess. Mario stared in wild amaze ment at the wine-seller. “Good!” cried Paul. “I have paid you ‘on the knuckles for calling me Francis George ! Come, I think I shall thrive as a fortune-teller. Sit do*« again: We are even now, and I shall mind my o.wn dish of soup. 1 luive another reason to think it would be a benefit to society to put an end to Victor St. John.” “Another reason? Let us hear it.” “ I have cause to suspect, that there is a plot on foot to sack New Orleans —a conspiracy to burn, pillage, and slay us patriots—‘-arr.il -that this ‘'fascin ating rascal is one of the ring-leaders. Ask your phantoms in ifit^ks.not true. Ask them why is chalked upon the gates,' deor's and ta bles of respectable citizens. In fact upon the respectable door -pf Benditto, the respectable forturife-teUfer.” “ U pon my door ?’’ exclaimed Mario. “ As I entered, friend wizard, I saw ‘B. $ B.' chalked uppnprpur door— go look. Your lamp revealed it.” Mario was about to take the lamp from the table when Paul cried out: “ Halt! Are you about to leave me in the dark with your confounded phantoms!” “It does not matter,” said Mario. “ If it is there it will remain there.” “ Very true, Benditto, and now lis ten.” Here Paul related all that had pas sed in the saloon that night. “Leave the affair in my hands,” said Mario, as Paul concluded. “He shall be baffled. The city shall be protected, and your daughter also.” “ I am able to take care of Roset ta,” remarked Paul. “ Shall we meet him at twelve ?” “ I repeat —leave the matter in my hands v Victor St. John will pot be on the Place D’Armes at twelve to-night.” Ho! you will prevent him,” THE GEORGIA WEEKLY. “I will take care of him,” said Ma rio, almost ferociously. “ Good ! Then I will go home,” observed Paul. “ Here is gold—■’ “ Keep it. In this case I will work without pay.” “ There ! I see that I have much penetration—in fact, sagacity. Good luck—” ■The heavy braeen knocke*j*t the, street door began to sound. “ You have another visitor,” re marked Paul. “As I have no wish to he seen here, take no light into the hall, and as this oue comes in I will go out.” Mario complied ; and as Paul Amur left the house, two females entered deeply veiled. [to be continued in oce next ] [Communicated.] Mil. Editor: What is the reason wo can’t get up a volunteer company about Greenville ? We have made one or two efforts, it is true, but owing to a most lamentable want of energy, or something else perhaps still more discreditable, to the intelligence and patriotism of our people, we Wt«"StwU ed, utterly and ignobly failed. Is it because our wealthy and leading pien have (a fact notoriously true,) taken no interest in this matter? This, and this alone is the reason. If the wealth iest man in the county will neither go himself, or give more than one-dol lar, how is it to be expected that the young man who is poor and lives by his duily labor, will go forth and fight our battles ? Those who croak, most about the want of patriotism iitthis county, arc the very men who have the least share of it. They have ijp'idea of giving either their blood or their money. Those worthy gentlemen who are in the daily habit of ridiculing what they term the-chivalry of Merriwether county, and discouraging l»y such talk every effort that is made to raise a volunteer company, deserve iu our opinion, the universal execration of our people. They neither do anything themselves, nor encourage otheis ; but on the other hand throw every obstacle in the way. Wc are engaged in the holiest and most righteous cause that ever anima ted the hearts and the hopes of men ; and is it possible that the people of Merriwethcr will make it necessary for the Governor to order a draft? We hope not, we believe not! Bat let me tell them how to avoid a draft.. We If our men of wealth and fwjierty will give freely, there will be no ne cessity for a draft. If our citizens who are able to do it will contribute liberally to the volunteer service and encourage oar voting men by acts of patriotism, the county will escape the disgrace, and cowardly misers the ter rors, of a draft. The employment of substitutes is more expensive than the raising of volunteer companies, if every man will do his duty and bear his proper share of the burdens. But there is some thing for the volunteers themselves to do. They must learn to behave them selves if they expect to secure the res pect and good wishes of their fellow citizens at home, or the army abroad. They must have no petty strifes and bickerings, with which to worry and disgust the country, or else they must have the decency to conceal them. No man ought to be elected an officer who is not willing to go as a private soldier and share the dangers and the burthens of a private soldier. Those arc the only sort of men who are fit to command, or whom true men ought to be called upon to obey. Our soldiers mu3t liavp something else besides vanity to make them serviceable to the State. Inordinate vanity and puerile weakness are generally found together, while the man of re%l gierit is always modest and unassuming. It seems to be a singular fact the wide world over, that the more one’s mind is benighted, the more he is likely to be vain and assuming, and such a man is astonished every hour of his life that the whole world is not bowing at his feet. These observations are let fall with great good will to all, and with no special reference to any one, but if any gentleman feels wounded, the writer hopes that he may be bene fitted. Another effort is now being made by two gallant gentlemen in this county to raise volunteer companies. They are both able and experienced, and have never refused to'answer the call of their country, and we invoke for them the aid and encouragement es every intelligent and patriotic citi zen in the county. Let every man put his shoulder to the wheel and we cannot fail. Let every man who reads this paper come up on next Sat urday and contribute something ttf the cause of his country, or if he has not the patriotism, then let him stay I at home and cultivate his apathy or hatch treason if he likes, and hide his indifference and shame in the bosom of his own family. We learn that every man in Troup county, who for merly lived in Merriwether is indig nantly denying the fact that he ever resided here—they are absolutely Ashamed of us ! If we have 119 pride, no respect for ourselves, let us do something to redeem our credit with our friends. We suggest, then, that a public meeting of the citizens of this county be held in the couit house on next Saturday the 27th inst., for the purpose of raising money to equip one, two, or even three companies. If there is not patriotism enough among our people, then let the Infe rior Court be petitioned to levy a tax for this purpose, and make every one pay his proper share. The Inferior Court of this county has already given the enormous sum of twenty five dol lars—a fact which the world and “ the balance of mankind ” ought to know. But twenty-jive dollars is not enough to send all of them to the Legislature, and they ought to increase it. How does Merriwether county compare with Upson ? A gentleman sitting at my elbow informs me that this county gave its company twenty-four hundred dol lars in money besides its uniform, and then also pledged itself to take care of and provide for any family who might need assistance in the absence of its head. We suggest further that the com panies, or such of them as can be gathered together, go immediately into camp duty and drill day and night, and whenever any one joins who lives a distance, keep him here and board him at the public expense. In this way a company may be fitted for ser vice in ten days. What say our peo ple ? A Citizen. Greenville, Georgia. Injury to the Brain from Snuff. A case of cerebral injury from snuff’, fell under my notice during a voyage across the Atlantic. A young man, a native of Scotland, was a fel low-passenger. The voyage was tem pestuous and tedious. About the end of the sixth week the young man’s supply of snuff was exhausted. But the second nature of habit was so strong with him, that, when earnestly engaged in conversation, lie would keep twirling the snuff-box in his hand, jnd go through the pan tomimic motions or tapping on Hie lid, etc., as if in the act of gathering a pinch, and then snuffing up the imag ined dust. This habit grew upon him till it became incessant during his waking hours. *• I wish I had some snuff’!” was his constant exclamation ; and his earnestness and the wistful ex pression of misery in his countenance excited the commiseration of his fel low-passengers.' lie soon became ex cessively restive, and there was a want of connection in his thoughts and ex pressions, succeeded by great imbecil ity in his actions. He would snatch up the captain’s speaking trumpet, go through the formula of hailing some imagined vessel, and obtaining a sup ply, not of provisions and water, but of snuff. Ilis case now began to as suine the aspect of confirmed idiocy ; and it was felt to be unsafe to trust him much alone. One night, however, he contrived to elude our vigilance and drained a de canter of rum, to allay the agony of his sensations ; and, sometime after,' was discovered stumbling up the com panion-way, and making for the ship’s side, with the obvious intention of' throwing himself overboard, lie was prevented, however, and carried below, where lie lay all night and the follow ing day in the state of insensibility. Ilis mental condition when ho awoke was worse than ever; and so it con tinued till the day when the ship came to anchor. When the passengers went ashore, nvo of them kept a strict eye upon him. They were unexpectedly met by two countrymen of theirs, well-known to the youhg man, to one of whom he ran, exclaiming, “Lord! man, have you any snuff?” He im mediately handed the snuffer his box. The young man seized it greedily, and applied a huge dose to his nostrils.— Immediately clapping his band to his brow, with a bewildered look, be ex claimed, “Whore have I been all this time? What has happened to ine? Tell me.” From that moment the young man was himself again. The shock felt by the spectators of this scene was al most as great as that which followed the observation of his derangement. Humanity seemed to have been hu militated in the person of the young man, whose sanity depended on a pinch of snuff. What it is not Worth While to Hear. —«lt is not worth while to hear what your servants say when they are angry; what your children say after they have slammed the doorj what beggars say whom you have rejected from your door; what your neighbors say about your children; what your rivals say aboutyour business or your dress. Gov. Harris, of Tennessee, has call the Legislature to meet on the 25th. ffijjf (Rfotgta fJftklij. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21. Merriwether taking the field. The call for volunteers from Geor gia is being answered with astonishing alarcity from every county of the State; and we are happy to say that Merriwether is rushing to the rescue. On Saturday last, with Col. C. W- Howard, wo started for “Redbone ” precinct, for the purpose of raising a company of volunteers for immediate service. On our way we met with Mr. llenry Slaton, and, as near as memory serves us, the following con versation took place: Slaton. —Good morning, gentle* men—what news from the war ? Col. ll. — Fighting at Norfolk and Harper’s Ferry, Virginia. Gen. Scott resigned. We are £of lledbone for volunteers. Here's our list, so far— Slaton. — [Springing from his horse) — ; Put ine clown on that paper ! How ard, you arc the very man I wanted to see. Put me down, Col.—instantly. Now, if-any man will give me a fair valuation for my 7 property, I am ready to hand the whole of it over to the State of Georgia if she meeds it. Ourself. —Three cheers for Slaton ! Col. ll. —Come to Redbone with us. Peck is to make a speech,. and you can help us out. Slaton.— l am with you ! .1 am not much of a speaker, in general, but I can speak to the point on (his subject! We resumed our journey, and as we looked back upon the gallant SLA TON, as his good steed trotted briskly after us we wished for some artist to depict the energy : ahd earnestness of his countenance as he reflected upon the peril of his' c'ountry’s rights. A regiment of-such men could drive old Abe and bis myrmidons to the very base of Yankeedom’s Mecca —Bunker Ilill. At Redbone we found the Moun tain Rangers paraded in uniform, as their Captain, Gus. Howard, had jtist returned from Milledgeville to raise*a company for immediate service. Finding the good work going on so admirable, Col. Howard and ourself went into the spirit of the affair at once. After several hours_of drilling, company marched into Itedbone Church, uliere many ladies and gen tlemen were assembled. Capt. Howard then stated the ob ject of the meeting, and made a brief and stirring appeal in behalf of the reputation of Merriwether. We were then called upon, and responded to the best of our ability. Col. C. W. How ard then made a brilliant and thrilling war speech, equal to any address we have ever had the fortune to hear.— Volunteers were then called for, and out of the 43 of the Mountain Ran gers' present, 40 stepped forward and volunteered into the Army of Georgia, and for the honor of Merriwether. The following is the Ist of names of the patriots, as furnished us by Capt. Howard: officers: A. B. Howard, Captain. N. C. Campbell, Ist Lieutenant. J. C. Franklin, 2d “ W. C. Campbell, 3d “ W. 11. M. Piielps, Ensign. M. C. Ferrell, Orderly Sergeant. T. A. Maddox,-2d “ Seab McGuoiuk, 3d *•. James Bridges, '4th “ Hartwell See, Ist Corporal. Seab Fuller,- 3d “ privates : M. W. Graham, Molichia Waddle, J. J. Phelps, E. C. Campbell, Geo. W. Gresham, Wm. T. Waddle, Geo. W. See, Edmond Bridges, John See, David McGuoiik, Win. Adkerson, Mathew Smith, Monroe Smith, Thos. Avery, Jesse J. Bridges, Henry Adkerson, Wm. 11. Bussey, Fleming Hancock, John. Shepherd, N. W. Horn, B. P. Briley, W. R. Graham, Wm. H. Graham, D. M. Parkman, Johjt’jßollins, 11. C. Ivery, A. J. Curlee, Wm. T. Keeling. At the suggestion of Cos?. C. W« Howard, a subscription was then open ed for such as might greatly miss their gallant male relatives, and nearly §2OO were instantly subscribed. Mr. Wm. Bussey stated that Ilis purse was open ever —and a like noble spirit was manifested by all. One lady said she had two brothers in the company, and was sorry she had no more. Another said she had three brothers there, and that her purse was open to all who might need it. The Mountain Hangers were then drilled by Col. C. W. Howard, whom we pronounce the best drill-master extant. Notwithstanding their rawness in tactics, the Rangers did admirably, and will soon be perfect. They promised to encamp, on Tuesday, in Greenville, and to be in town to-day, to attend a general muster of Merri wether. Col. B. W. Howard is raising an other company, and Capt. Walton Ector is also. If all succeed, Mer riwether will have three companies in the field. Come forward and volunteer, men of Georgia ! Your country needs her bravest sons, and Merriwether must stand to her arms. THE NEW YORK HERALD. In order that our readers may see at a glance, the baseness and utter hypocrisy of the Great Liar of New York —the Herald —we place side by side extracts from its issues of April the 9th and 17th : .V. Y. Ilerald, April 17 • Thegovernment must be sustained at all haz ards; The south has trea ed us as a foreign, hostile Power, and we can no longer treat or temporize—we must light. * N. Y. Ilcrald , April '9. It U becoming too evident that, so far as a vicious, imbecile, de moralized administra tion possesses ppw, r, the hideous honors of civil war are about to be forced upon the country. . .TChe N. Y. Herald ■haw no doubt inabri 'ally facili'ated the op. eruiions of the Gov ernment. The utmost unanimi ty of feeling should prevail in sustaining the administration,and every nerve should be strnined (o aid the government in render ing its mensures as ef ficient as possible. The administration of 1 lie floicrnmeiil Inis fallen inlo the hands ol a set of unprincipled politicians, for the mo-t part mere adventurers and scoundrels, with out stake in the coun try, arid utterly desti tute of honor or patri otism. ■ The movement going on at the South ran rot be regarded as an in surreetion; it is a rev olution, like that of 1775, in iis objects and purposes. The principle of self government nobly vin dicates and sustains itself. The administration is compelled to accept the dread abitrnment of the sword. They did not seek it. Our people should resent to the bitter end tbe'in sult Offered to our flag by the action at Sum ter. There you have it—but not a hun dredth part of the treachery of James Gordon Bennett. If our boys ever penetrate to New York, may they hang him from his highest window. The Herald now attempts to alarm the South by parading immense ar mies and exhaustless treasuries upon paper. But by its own returns' of the 17th bulr thirteen men were* enlisted in the city of New York, on the 16th ! And in the midst of a total population of 1,200,000 souls, of which 144,000 are men out of all employment. The Highlander Regiment called upon its 1,000 strong, and eight poor devils came forward! * The pretended friendship nett was instantly given to Lincoln’s “ vicious, imbecile, demoralized admin istration,” when a few New York row dies threatened to lynch him- That is, says the New York Tribune, the whole truth of the matter. But we think somebody has bribed the Scotch renegade to turn his lousy coat. PATRIOTIC. The city of New Orleans bears a high reputation for the patriotism of her citizens, but we question whether any act cf her merchants can bear the palm from the following most com mendable generosity : Two clerks and a warehoUse-man, of a New Orleans grocery firm, joined a volunteer company for immediate service in the cause of the Southern Confederacy. When the head of the firm learned the fact, he informed his patriotic employees that their salaries should continue theirs during their absence, even to the cessation of hos tilities, and that their situations should be held for them to accept or reject after their return. Wore all merchants to do so much, no doubt there would be ten volun teers to where there now is one. The duty of supporting their families keeps thousands of brave men from the ser vice of their country. jgcjy The Young Ladies of the Greenville Masonic Female College having elected Miss Celeste llussey Queen of May, the ceremony of her coronation, and a concert, will take place on Thursday evening, May 2J. All friends of the College and its stu dents are respectfully invited to at tend. Prof. Sciilichter, of the Green ville Masonic Female College , will be Master of Ceremonies, and will be assisted by Prof. Briggs, of La Grange Female College, and Prof. Poppen, of Methodist College. jfrgy»Wc omitted in our last issue to return thanks to Mrs. 11. 11. SeatoE, and to Mrs. Dr. Harris for most ac ceptable favors. To the former we are indebted for an excellent mess of green peas, and to the latter for a dish of fine strawberries. We think our fair donors are ahead of all this year. Since writing the above, Mrs. Dr. Harris has again favored our office with thrice as many strawberries.