Newspaper Page Text
A-'X , X i A.lSrT.A-
wbbjxijY sxjisr—f:
-4, IB'73.
Vol. lll-
THE ATLANTA SUN
From The Daily Sun of February 2,1878
PERSONAL AND GENERAL.
— Tfco Ringgold Conner states that
On? iir Ciliov&y b&n accepted » cull from the Bap-
tin • hurc«» of tout plact> to preach for tliam the pres
ent j ear.
— Within the last two w*-tks, Dough-
erty county limn ioct two of ita most respected citi-
geon—Mr. Alexander Kamaev and A. M. Jonee—the
form* r on the 17th and the latter on the 27th Id it.
—At a meeting he d in Madison a
tew d«ys a^o Col. 1. A. Billups, J, C Bsrnett and D.
E. Butler with power to api^im their alternate!
were appointed •tele^atea to the Agricultural Con
vention to assemble in Augusta on the 11th of Feb
ruary.
— Fonr thousand Rheep an fieriDg from
. hive bo^ii *«*nt to New
.neutered, and th# meat
• the city The Tribune
be diatinKUiahed lr<>m
.<• acroilny will .bow the
; .an iu uiidiaeaeed Can.
>1 man. twenty-three
k <:. Martin. rf-Hpcctabiy
t of Saratoga, N. Y., wan
bed, in that place. y.Btprrlay
ii brlil re.ultetl m a verdict of
..ruuanum. Martin bad been
»r, b'it was di.aipated in bia
a. ubiie-d to leave the house
id her husband ill treating
a contagioua fk n ill.
York friini Illinois ami
kas been diatribe* d si
.ays this meat can bin
good uinttou. though a
Tel ia to be ot a bluer ti
— A young mart
year * of aye, i oiueu I'i
oonuccted, and a r
found , diau in hit
uiormuy Ati inqu
suicide by tin Use ■
married alai'lt a )
balms. Hi wife
Tliuisilsv, o- »c.io
her.
THE SI N AS -t
• IERTISINO MEDIUM.
Without Ki -t'.ds!—as we do not care
to indulge ia that sort of bun
combe—wo svuto with mueh pleasure
that the circulation of Tub Son is daily
increasing; and wo venture to say that
itq combined circulation is as great as
any secular or political paper in the
State. Of course we only state what we
believe on this point.
Our merchants aDd business men muy
test assured that we have no desire to
make any statement calculated to mis
lead them, but when we say that Ihe
Son now has a splendid and rapidly
growing circulation, we mean precisely
what we say and no more.
In an experience of nearly a quarter of
a century iu the newspaper businesa, we
have seen no paper increase in circula
tion more rapidly than Thb Sun has
within the past month.
TIIE GREENSBORO HERALD.
This staunch Democratic journal, now
under tliu editorial charge of B. B.
Thurmond, in its issue of the 30th Jan
uary, hoists the name of Mr. Stephens
for Congress in the Eighth District with
the following article;
UON. A. U. STEP 11 Et*S FOB CONOEHW.
Immediately after the election of Gea. Gordon te
the United Statue Seuate on the 23d mat-, a number
of prominent mm repreeeutlng all the counties of
the Eighth District, anil most of the candidates al
ready in the fluid, h"lti a meeting and nominated
Mr. Stephens for Congress. Mr. Stephens, with the
patriotism ana devotion to the interest of the people
that has always characterized him. has accepted the
nomination and is now the recognized candidate of
the Democratic party.
The conduct ot Mr. Stephens in the matter, nnder
the circumstances, is worthy of the highest praise,
and shows that lit is, and lias been actuated by the
purest, motives. Had he have declined this nomi
nation, it might have been said that in beooming a
candidate for Ihe Senate, he was seeking personal
aggrandizement, aim declines to serve the people
Without the reward of new honors. But not so
with Mr. riteplieus. Notwithstanding the ardu
ous and weighty labors and responsibilities
tbit devolve upon a Congressman, who dis
charges his duly, notwithstanding the fact, that the
position will add no new lustre to his name, he
pledges himself to abide by tbo will of the people
and serve them in any honorable capacity.
A short time ago we indicated our intention to
support toi. M. W. Lewis for Congress, but he now
declines to bccoiiio a candidate, as do all others
whose names have been brought forward, and
though we do not ickuo.vlddge the binding author
ity of th« action of the Atlanta meeting, we cheer-
lully and heartily pledge ourselves to the support of
Mr. Stephens.
To speak oi Ms claims and qualifications for this
place, would be simply u i. less. Ilis reputation lor
purity, fidelity, and able statesmanship, is well
known to every intcli.geut American citizen; and
tbo impended oonditli of the country, calls fur the
ablest and most faithful of her sons to fight her bat
tles. Mr. Stephens would be a host in lumseif,
bring b^ek something ol the departed glory of Con
gress, a.id doing much to stop the contracting cir
cles of centralism and despotism.
TBS PRESS TAX AND TUE TRESS .MEMORIAL
It is hoped that the General Assembly
will give some thought and reflection
upon the subject of taxing the press.
We believe there is no other government
in the civilized world that now taxes its
press, or proposes to do so except the
State government of Georgia. We would
also call the special attention of the mem
bers to the “Press Memorial,” published
in the cby papers last Sunday.
It is thoughtlessly claimed by some
that money invested in printing materials
should be taxed as capital is invested iD
any other enterprise existing for the pur
pose of making money. The argument
would seem irresistible if there were nut
two bides to the questior. Th© same
might be said of school property. Are
Dot schools kept np to make mouey? Do
trachers labor for nothing any more tLau
newspaper publishers do? School prop
eriy is Dot taxed, and a teacher may in
vest any amount of money in school
property of the most profitable kind,
and yet it would not be taxed to the
amount of one cent
Why is school property not taxed ?
Of course, every sensible man can answer
the question without a moment’s hesita
tion. School property and schools are
not taxed because it is the sentiment oi
the people that education, which makes
a people intelligentjand great, prosper
ous and enterprising, sbonld go to all
free of taxes—that it should be received
by all with the least possible cost. Coaid
any proposition be more monstrous than
that of taxing the brain, the mind, o<
onr people ?
What are newspapers but educators ?
What would be the speed of progress in
material wealth or mental advancement
without the aid of the press, the great
educator not of the few os compared
with the schools, but of the living and
active and progressive masses that give
to us the wealth and prosperity that
makes as a great people ? Shall it be
said that an embargo most be placed
upon the popular mental progress of the
State-that the masses who are denied, to a
great extent, the privileges of a school
education, shall pay a tax npon the news
papers from which they derive their
greatest amount of mental .advancement
and food for the mind ?
If the press is taxed, the tax money
mast at least be paid by the masses. It
does not 6ome from the pocket of the
newspaper publisher. It is not so much
the taxing of the proprietors of toe
press that we oppose such taxation, as
it is the laying of this tax npon the in
telligence and mental advancement of
the masses.
It is to be hoped that the members of
tne Georgia Legislature, now assembled,
will step forward in behalf of mental ad
vancement aud remove every cent of tax
from the press and repeal the law impos
ing such a tax in the future—remember
ing that the government of Georgia is
the only one in the civilized world that
does not leave the press tax-free.
CIIAl' WITH STATE PAPERS.
THE ALBANY NEWS AND MR. STEPHENS.
The Albany News was bitterly opposed
to the election of Mr. Stephens to the
United States Semite. Iu its last issue
we find the following well-timed article:
Mb. Stephens,’ Canwd.u y for CouaBRse.—After*
reviewing the siUMDou, with tlio late senatorial con
tent In tljp distance, anil Mr. Hill’s allegory iu the
lore-gromiil to point oat thopatli of duty, wo are
decidedly inclined to ti e opinion that Mr. Stephens’
candidature is a g i dcard tn play, and that his ap
pearance iu Congress will vastly'facilitate tee work
of finding out th.) tiue c ior .1 the picture, bo far as
the South m concerned.
Kep.esenting, as he does, the extremo views of
Southern sta'esmen, and embodying the principles
ol th-purer il.iys of ihe Republic % is well that we
should 1-avo l int cu the floor of Ihe House of Rep
resentatives! > pr< cut that view of the picture to
the National exp-rts.
If Ins strength does not fail, he will have no intel
lectual pet l- in the liou-e, and we doubt not his
great mind and wonderful familiarity witu the
workiugs ot Cue Government, wd» command respect
and secure lnm a hearing.
Besides, M-. Stephens is the representative man
of a .art's portion ct the best people in Georgia, and
■ wishes should be respected
iu position to “give form
vi -t«. it is right, too, iu
s aud Ids mental power ibat
■ • -1 yield all antagonisms aud
the highest coutf liment it
it is nut right that ill
and their lav inte |Uai
and pressure” to thu
view of his past s-n k
the Eighth District .-
croon his career with
can bestow.
Hut Radical,
its monstrous
titiphens m.
for good t
danger is that
not yet run its course, and till
e- shah have culminated, Mr.
on his line, as jsiwerless
babe for evil; and the
persistent struggle
eopeu the issues of Ihe war and to fight tuo battles
of accession over again, will intensify the already
White heat hatred ol tne Northern )»eoplo towards
the South. aud kindle alr.-e-h the iiii-.-.-nal fires of
oppressive le Halation aiul despotic deviltry.
However, we cauuot b > much worsted, sndit may
be that Mr. Stephens v. ill be able to show the picture
iu . . ht ff.it will startle the friends of freo govern
ment a arouse the nation to a sense of the dan
gers tL .. foremen the liberties of the people and the
cafety of the Republic.
The following from the Covington
Eulr.iprist, ia evidently disposed to laugh
at the $1,000,000 proposition for the
Georgia Western Railroad:
“Major Campbell Wallace tells the
people that Atlanta most subscribe
$1,000,000 to the Georgia Western Bail-
road, iu order to insure its completion,
control ils management, and to get cheap
coal, or “she is a finished city.” Now
the Major, he is President of the com
pany, at $3,000 a year. Don’t von
see I”
HON. A. H. STEPHENS.
From the Senoia (Coweta county) JouraaL]
At a meeting held on the 23d, at the Kimball
Atlanta, at which all the Seas tors and Rep-
esentttivei from the Eighth Congre&eionjd District
were I feeeng the distinguished gentleman, whose
name heads this article, was requested, unanimous-
I• H> permit the use of his name as a r*ndiii.t* tnr
Congress in the Eighth District.
8 ‘? ph0E8 consented to run, and all the can
didates have declined in his favor. This news is
,m 0t , °k‘T *? Stephen's fnend.m the
Elgiith District, but to the people of Georgia, and
vlna# inTto.!* 8outh ’- J he country .needs his aer-
vioes in Congress, aud his influence in the most an.
nferoua branch of the National Legislature will he
™ Uld 111 UK.
*»• elected, and he will do the whole
be Kin? B°°d than any other man that
£rSL£, <^2™“ from Dt* South. And ev^r
proud *° t,llnk that £2
of Comui-uiir nm^ ,k^ on ® pf 016 ablest defenders
«J£B3SJ«SS“rc2Kk 0 —-
/
Tun meningitis has made its appear
ance in Dougherty county.
Thb Washington (Jazetle reports the
appearance of meningitis in Wilkes
county.
The Times reports that a family of some
eight or ten persons, nine miles east of
Calhoan, are scourged with small-pox.
The News chronicles the addition of
Bev. Dr. Boring and family as additions
to the Christain and social circles of Al
bany.
The Catoosa Courier hears of con
templated improvements at Cherokee
Springs, which aro located about one
mile from Biuggold.
The News reports the death of a negro
boy iu Savannah, resulting from the
amusement too prevalent among boys of
chucking rocks at each other.
The Enquirer reports that one house
in Columbus has paid in the neighbor
hood of $1,000 internal revenue tax ou
tobacco uoring the past twelve months.
The McDuffie Journal publishes the
prospectus of The Sun and assures its
readtr- “that there is no sounder and
better Democratic journal in the South.”
Thomas Smith, well and favorably
known as an old colored coast pilot, hav
ing for many years on the various steam
ers running between Charleston and Sa
vannah, died in the latter city on Wed
nesday night last, aged sixty-one years.
Large quantities of various kinds of
fertilizers are crowding the depot in
Madison. The Home Jour nal states that
the planting interest of Morgan county
is progressing industriously; all hands
appear to have gone to work with a vim.
The Herald says that, from expression
of the citizens of Newnan, pro and con,
it is satisfied that an overwhelming ma
jority of them are in favor cf the inan
guration of the system of commoi
schools in Newnan.
The Columbus Sun gives publicity
to a report that, owing to the many fail
ures to connect on the former line, the
Government has awarded the carrying
of the New York and New Orleans mails
to the line via West Point and Mont
gomery.
The Savannah News reports the ap-
pearance of an immense sea serpent at
the month of the Savannah river. This
serpent has been seen on several occa
sions. Perhaps it is being attracted to
that city by the blazing red top of
Harris.
The News states that Bev. George T.
Goetchius has been transferred to the
Augusta Presbytery, and left Albany last
Thursday night to take charge of the
church at Milledgeville. He had endeared
himself to the entire community, and 'all
regret his departure.
SPIRIT OF THE GEORGIA PRESS.
The Newnan Herald is opposed to the
bill passed by the Senate appropriating
the entire rental of the Western and At
lantic Bail road to the reduction of the
public debt, and says:
No G-orgism could have any objection to the bill
unless some great and vit 1 public interest were en
dangered by its passage. Such i» tbecsse. however,
for under existing law one-halt of mid rental, tlW.-
OOu, is devoted to common school purposes. N° w if
tne $130,000 are taken from the school fnnd, the
State School Commissioner, now almost prepared to
inaugurate successfully the Coitmoa School Sys
tem upon a permanent basts, will find l imself un
able to proceed with his plans, aud again will the
system sink in public esteem, anil the belief will be
come general toat "no good can come out of Naza
reth." The people of Georgia have expended thou
sands of dollars in the payment of the salaries of
school Commissioners and their clerks, and yet no
schools have been established, or in other wordB no
visib'e good oaa resulted from these expenditures.
Another postponement of anticipated results will
destroy public confidence in the system, and tue
children of the poor must remain uneducated. Who
c«n picture the consequences ?
The McDnffie Journal has an article on
tbo subject cf ihe usury laws, iu which
it takes the position that experience has
gradually “ taught thinking men that the
most stringent usury laws are really the
mos* hurtful; that money is -n article of
trade, like any other species of merchan-
dii e» aud its price should be regulated
aud governed by the local necessities of
uppiy aud demand; that to fix the mar
ket value of money, by a law applicable
alike to all portions of the country, is as
injurious as to establish a uniform price
for cotton, corn or bacon; that money is
merely a convenient representative of
property, convertible at any time into
any and all kinds of merchandise, and
to restrict its price into cripple indirectly
every branch of commerce and trade.”
The Journal closes with this paragraph:
Let us have a repeal of all s*-*ntory enactments in
reference to usury, leaving me market value of
money to be controlled by the exigencies and cir
cumstances of each particular business sort locality,
and whi-n the price of tbs: article shall assume the
form of > xtobtion, let the courts of Equity inter
fere to c : -ck and suppress it.
The Bainbridge Democrat thinks that
the Legislature has done nothing of im
portance for several days.
The Savannah News, in an article
headed “How to Induce Immigration to
Georgia” fram Europe, savs that—
In vlsw of the great want of laborers lu Georgia
to anpply the places of the discontented negro poli
ticians who are leaving the State to try their for
tunes in Arksn°sv and elsewhere, it seems of the
utmost importance that whatever measures ara to
be adopted by our State Legislature for the promo
tion am* encouragement of Immigration should be
determined on and put in operation at once. The
bills dow beiore the Legislature are ample in their
provisions, and if promptly adopted, with corre
sponding efforts on the psrt of the friends of Euro-
ropesn immigration, could not fail soon to direct a
large portion of the emigrants now preparing to
leave for America to onr own borders. A very neces
sary and effective means to accomplish this desira
ble object would be the diffusion abroad of a thor
ough knowledge of the great advantages offered to
immigrants by our section over those ot the North
and West, already overstocked with labor, and
where, as a consequence, wages are lower, lands
dearer, and every prospect of the immigrant less
favorable than iu the South.
The Columbus Enquirer discussing
the same question says that—
Direct communicailou with Europe, or any other
region, will soon enable ns to remove the prejudice
against us now existing; aud direct trade will af
ford the means of bringing emigrants immediately
to the South, where they cannot so easily be
influenced by emissaries or bigoted haters of our
section to turn their steps towards the more inclem
ent and unproming North-West. We shall ardently
wish success to any scheme which Legislative favor
or associated individual ente-prise uiay adopt tor
procuring foreign immigrants to Bupply the places
of emigrating negroes; but we shall have little faith
;n any schemi that does not compromise direct
trade and foreign emmigration.
The Washington Gazette, referring to
the candidacy of Mr. Stephens for Con
gress, and the magnamity cf other aspi
rants retiring in ^his favor, and to the
cordiality with which Mr. Stephens will
be supported by the people of his Dis
trict, eays:
fpThis is a jnst and well.deserved tribute paid by his
fellow-citizens of the Eighth Congressional District
to her great and noble son. If the State of Georgia
refused the honor of being represented in the Sen
ate of the United States by this distinguished patriot
and wise statesman, the Eighth District rejoices to
send him, as her great commoner, to the House of
Representatives.
J STOKf OP PJM/S.
A Fair bat False Enchantress and her
Victims.
The Wiles of the Parisian Demt Monde.
Headless Tranks and Ghastly Visages.
A Romantic Story of Smiles and Crime.
but a Black Heart.
METEOROLOGICAL.
RAIN FOB JANUARY, 1873.
Liberty Hall, Crawfordville,Ga., 1
February 1, 1873. J
The quantity of rain that fell at this
place during the month of January, just
passed, by accurate measurement, is as
follows:
January 4 95 hundredth of an inch
January 16... .39 hundredth of an inch
January 21... .15 hundredth of an inch
January 22... .60 hundredth of an inch
January 26... .80 hundredth of an inch
Jauuary 31... .35 hundredth of an inch
Aggregate.. 3.24 inches
Fall in January, 1872, 3.28 inches.
Excess of January, 1872, over January,
1873, .04 hundredth of an inch.
A. H. S.
j.vo mini fj.ii/IiI* poisojyeb.
A Mother and two Children Dead—A
Father and one Child only Sur
viving. i
Trot, N. Y., January 25.
The recent attempted poisoning of the
family of Charles Shaw at Cambridge, iu
the adjoining county of Washington, is
now supplemented by the poisoning of
an entire family of five persons at the
small village of Nassau, in this (BensJ
selaer) county.
The first intimation of this terrible
affair was brought to this city yesterday
by a farmer. A German family that has
lived about two miles North of Nassau
for six months past not long ago pur
chased a brandy keg at AlDany, in
which was placed a quantity of cider.
The father, mother and three chil
dren, comprising the family, all drank
of the cider last week, and all suf
fered severe illness, resulting in the
death of the mother and children. The
neighbors suspect that there was coperas
in the brandy keg when it was bought,
and that not having been washed out it
poisoned the cider. Dr. Neher, who
has attended the family, disbelieves the
charge of poisoning, and thinks the fam
ily was prostrated by fever, caused by
using impure water. It is said that when
convalescent the sick members refused
to diet themselves, but x ate pickles and
other indigestible food,' which brought
on a relapse and resulted in the deaths
mentioned.
Brautltu Eyes,
A re eDt history of “The French
Police contains the followmg tragic
story, showing that truth is sometimes
stranger than fiction:
When M. LaBeynie was lieutenant
general of police, a terror, produced by
tbo mysterious disappearance of several
persons, spread through various districts
of Paris. Within about four months
twenty-six ; ouug gentlemen, varying in
ages from sixteen to twenty-five years,
wore missing from their iuconsolable
families. Mysterious aud contradictory
rumors spread iu the Faubourg St.
AutoiDe, which had been robbed of five
promising tradesmen's sons. The cos-
sips declared that a princees who was
suffering from a liver complaint con
tended against the malady by taking
baths of human blood. Others affirmed
that the Jews, at intervals crucified
Christians in hatred of the Saviour, but
luckily this mud opinion aid not prevail.
The Due de Gesvres b,»okeon the sub
ject to the King, and the latter com
plained to the lieutenant general of po
lice for allowing such a thing to go on.
LaBeynie, in despair at the King’s dis
satisfaction, returned very sadly to Paris.
On arriving there he sent for a very smart
agent—one Lecoq—whom he had previ
ously employed with success in extrica
ting tangled legal skeins. Ou hearing
the report, Lecoq, carried away by his
activity, exclaimed:
“Well, Monseigneur, I see that in or
der to relieve yon from your embarrass-
m ?nt, I must renew Abraham’s sacrifice.
I ask for a week, and at the end of that
time I hope to have good news for you.
Lecoq gave no further explanation and
De la Beynie, who regarded him as one
of his most trustworthy agents,dismissed
him with a sign that granted him most
extensive powers. Lecoq had a son, to
whom he was sincerely attached, and
whose educated he uudertook himself.
This lad,called the “Wide-awake” by his
comrades, owing to his ready wit, really
possessed an uncommon intellect. He
was sixteen years oi age, and nature,
while developing his mind, had not for
gotten his external appearance.
Wide-awake, whose real name was
Exupere, obtained from Leooq every
thing that can flatter a young man’s van
ity. His handsome clothes heightened
the effect of his personal appearance; bat
he rarely went out, for Lecoq was aware
to what young men are exposed in the
streets of Paris; he was 06corted by Bpies
in whom his father could confide.
On the day when Lecoq had his con
ference with De la Beynie, on his return
home, he shut himself up with Wide
awake, with whom he had a lengthened
conversation, and an hour after the fe
male neighbors noticed the boy go out in
the most brilliant toilet, and this time
alone. He wore round his necR and hat
gold chains and medallions; there were
two watches in bis fobs, and he frequent
ly clinked the louis with which his pocket
was well lined. Lecoq ftln that young
men had necessarily taiieu into some gal
lant snare, und that the lure offered them
must be a pretty girl. Hence he foresaw
that' in exposing his son to a meeting
with this creature she would not fad to
try to ruin Wide-awake also, but the lat
ter, being well warned, would not be
caught in the trap by which so many
others had perished,
At about three f. m. , on the fifth day,
young Lecoq, in all his glory, was walk
ing on xhe river-terrace in the garden of
the Tuiieries, when a remarkably beauti
ful lady passed cloee to him. She was
alone, but followed at a short distance by
u species of duenna. The young lady’s
age might be from twenty-two to twenty
five, and her face and figure were models
of beauty. Wide-awake examined her
with interest; his glances were not lost
for pleasant ones directly respond to his
He forboded that he was iu for an ad
venture; could this bo the girl he was
looking out ior ? Iu order to make cer
tain, he checked his pace, and eventually
sat down on u bench facing the Champs
Ely sees.
He had not been here more than ten
minutes ere he saw the couple prowling
around him, and end by seating them
selves on the same bench. They bowed
iu the usual lashion of the age, entered
into conversation, aud the artful y^uth,
who thus found his aflair ready made,
asked the duenna who her companion
might be.
* Oh! sir,’ was tne reply, ‘ my mis
tress’ history is almost a romance.’
The duenna hereupon proceeded to
inform Wide-awake that her mistress
was the daughter of a great Polish prince,
and solo heiress to his estate. Wide
awake on his side, told the gouvernunte,
with all the ingeniousness possible, that
he was the son of a doctor at Nantes, and
sent to Paris to attend the lectures. Af
ter some minutes’ talk, the old womuu
took Wide-awake’s hand.
“You have gained my heart, and I
really feel an aflection for you. Here is
a proof. Listen to me. My mistress has
just seen you ; you please her, and she
instructed me to find out who you are.
Come this evening to the great gate of
St. Germain l’Anxerrois, where I will
meet you, and in all probability bring
you good news. Do not fail to adorn
yourself at your best, for you would be
ruined if you appeared before my mis
tress like a needy student.”
After this they parted,aud Wide-awake
wns mad with delight, as he felt certain
he had found the girl to whom the dis
appearance of the young fellowe was due.
He hurried to his father, and told him
all that was going on. Leooq shared his
son’s suspicion and hope; but, in the
hoar of success, paternal tenderness was
aroused, and he trembled at the peril the
young man mast incur. In order te di
minish its extent, he assembled his most
trust myrmidons, and ordered them to
keep close to his son, thongh without
compromising the success of the plan,
and placed himself at the head of the
squad.
At nightfall Wide-awake, more hand
somely attired than before, presented
himself at the indicated spot. As the
church doors were being closed, a poorly
clad woman emerged from the sacred edi
fice, looking aronnd her furtively and,
recognizing Wide-awake, made him a
sign to follow. They passed through
several streets, closely followed by the
‘My pretty boy,” the old woman said
to Wide-awake, ‘the lady’ does not live at
this paltry spot, bnt, as the house is her
property, she wished re receive yon in it.
I will go and inform her of your arrival.”
After a short absence the wicked old
crone returned. She asked the young
man to allow his eyes to be bandaged,
but, ou bis refusal, introduced him with
out further opposition into the fatal
house. Wide-awake, who was armed,
advanced in the darkness, apprehending
some Budden attack; but no enemy pre
sented himself. Ere long he found him
self in a room of average size, splendidly
furnished and lit up with wax tapem A
sofa, covered with crimson satin, and
ornamented with gilt nails, occupied oue
of the sides of the room.
Ou this sofa reclined, in dishabille, the
Princess Jabironska. At the sight of the
str'inger sLe greeted the young man,
and, with a word, dismissed the du.nna.
Wide-awuke, iu spite of his sharpness,
lost bis presence of mind. The sight of
this lovely person fascinated him; be
could not move; the young spy in un in
stant for b ot bis role.
The goddess descended from her
throne und offered her hand to Wide
awake, who kissed it. This kiss heated
blood and restored his boldness.
Most certainly be was in a bad place; but
he was ciose to a charming woman. He
became pressing, lost his head, felt a
hand abstracting his purse, but said
nothing.
His father was in the Btreet with his
agents, impatiently awaiting the signal
for them to enter the house. Hut the
signal was not given, and so Lecoq pere
whistled; even in the arms of the prin
cess, his son started at it, and this whistle
recalled him to himself. Two minutes
after, the princess retired to her cabinet.
Wide-awake, took advantage of her
absence to examine the room; he tried
to unfold a screen, and could not sne-
3NT o'
styled, had a beautiful daeghbu.
was the engaging merit of this £
tunate of young me n, that h* ,v° n
he had been a yew in Auburn t ^
won the confidence of the fath e ’ r
daughter; aud each of them JJ^
the most decisive possible proo? 9 ,^
ference. The father gave hR^
his business, and the daughter i iaj e it
in marriage. The business he <W>4
acquired for himself; but the
he had won had few peers am on >
men. In the circle which gathered* ^
them there were always some ^
their objections to this or that ’ ^
Seward’s conduct; but who ever 1 ?^’
anything but praise of his wife? r N
myself heard Mr. Seward’s most - Ul '
lul opponent speak of his wife ^
woman and most perfect
time.
He
lady ol J
— ..— a laborious and snm
lawyer, who excelled in patent cas^ '
other causes involving research
pears, also, to have had a ceneiJr 6 *
clination to defend the weak ^
strong. There was oue remarkabl
in his practice, in which h ■ set l.’
against the community in which up 1 ?
and defended a man for wW„ Ji.H
Western New
ceed, fortthe leaves seemed nailed to each
other. Wide-awake shook them smartly;
one of them fell and disclosed a cap-
board, in which twenty-six men’s heads,
admirably preserved, were displayed on
silver dishes.
Such a scene was certainly a strange
awakening from pleasure, and young Le
coq, whose lips were still warm with the
stranger’s kisses, opened them to utter a
cry of horror. But worse remained be
hind; on approaching the window he
fanoied that he could see through the
panes other heads fixing their flashing
eyes upon him. Paler than the death’s
heads, unable to speak, he fell on his
knees and clasped his hands.
At this moment the wiudow was burst
in, and his father, followed, by
the x whole squad entered the
apartment. Startled by his son’s
silence, and fancying him probably
assassinated, Lecoq nad bravely taken the
accused house by storm. This lucky te
merity saved Wide-awake’s life; for, at
the noise made by Lecoq and his men in
entering the room, the princess, accom
panied by fonr bandits, armed to the
teeth, emerged from the cabinet. The
king’s men were in force, resistance was
useless, and the four ruffians, with the
girl, their accomplice, were lea away in
irons. A strict examination of the house
led to no further discovery.
It was found afterwards that the girl
was English, and employed to entrap
young men, who were killed and their
heads cut off. The bodies were sold to
students of anatomy, while the heads,
splendidly prepared, were sent in batches
to Germany, for the purpose of the
science of phrenology. The government,
afraid of snch a series of crimes becom
ing known, punished the culprits secret
ly. They were all hanged.
Early Life of William Henry Scvraril.
The father has paid the neighbors $6
per day for attending the family, and
has made a will, it is said, bequeathing
his property (valued at from $2,500 to j spies, and at length stopped in that of
$3,000) to the neighbors who attended I des Orftores, in front of a rather fine
him, provided all the family die. ' noose.
BY JAMES PARTON.
And first, the school-boy—say about
twelve years of age—a thin, pale, under
sized, sandy-haired, freckle-face boy.
He lived then iu a pleasant, very small
village, of about a hundred inhaoitants,
named Florida, in Orange county, New
York. His father was a wealthy pLyd-
cian of Welsh extraction, who gained his
fortune by adding a large mercantile
business to the practice of his profess
ion—an exact, just man, who lent money
to the neighboring farmers, and made
them pay their interest punctually on the
day. Dr. Seward, like most of the pro
gressive men of that day, was a Jefferso
nian Democrat. Ho served in the Legis
lature, and was county Judge in Orange
for seventeen years. He lived in 1849,
when his son was the foremost mau of
the State of New York.
An anecdote, which Mr. Seward used
himself to relate, will set that sandy-
haired school-boy distinctly before ns,
He was driving his father’s cows home
one evening, reading as he walked, ob
livious of everything but his book and
his cows. Some young friends of bis,
seeing him thus absorbed, kept throwing
small stones at him, which he parried by
walking backward, his eyes still fixed
upon the page, ne soon wandered from
the path, and so, missing a bridge over
a small, deep stream, fell into it. Luck
ily an elderly brother saw the catastro
phe, and pulled him out in time to save
his life. This little story reveals to us
tue eager, studious boy, of mind some
what precocious, und body ill-fitted for
the world’s rougher work. The house in
which he was born was standing u few
years ago, and probably still stands; and
a tree of the ancient primeval wood casts
its shade over a spring to which the boy
was accustomed to repair, in order to
learn his lessons in quiet. -
Next, a college student at Union, un
der President Nott; an active member of
his college society, foremost in the de
bates, and zealons for the interest and
honor of the society. He was odo of
those students who are out of bed at four
in the morning, and get their work so
well forward that, in the evening, they
are gentlemen of leisure, reading, visit
ing, practicing, or cramming for the next
debate.
In his senior year he left college for a
while, and spent six months as a teacner
in Georgia. What he saw there of the
working of the “peculiar institution
made an indelible impression npon his
mind, and had an influence npon nis con
duct as a public man as long as he was a
public man. He learned this lesson:
that no man is good enough to be in
trusted with irresponsible power over
another.
A lawyer next. In his twenty-second
year he went to live at Auburn, in the
State of New York—a beautiful town,
blackened thongh it still was with the
stamps of the original forest. And now
the romance of b’* life (occurred. He
entered the law < 008 of a practitioner
who was old, ric bjind almost ready to
retire from butflHfci, Elijah Miller by
i name. Judge Miner, as he was usually
. York seemed
The prisoner was a negro latel - 5
charged from the State prison a » Anhn*
aho entered a lonely farm-house £
Auburn iu the night and runrdere,!
whole family—father, mother chili •
grandmother. It was with the
difficulty that the Sheriff prevent .?
people from tearing the murder, i!
pieces. *
The man had u ot a friend nor a d
m the world. He was a negro »i A
tuiS been fire Je ar» inth.S^ZJ
When he was arraigned, and the
asked him if he had anv lawyer tod<£2
him, the man said, stolidly;
“I don’t know.”
, Will any one defend this
asked the Judge.
Mr. Seward rose and said;
“Mav it please the Comt, I aDpesti
counsel for the prisoner.” *
The truth wis, that Mr. Seward £
two or three benevolent persons of l
bum had become satisfied, after a k
rious investigation of the case, that 'j
man was an idiot, subject to the fit*
mania; and Mr. Seward was resoly*
upon trying to prevent bis neignbes
from doing themselves the gnerc*
wrong of putting him to death. Fat
four weeks this lawyer exerted bin.
self, night and day, to save the prison,
frowned upon, as he passed, by
who had esteemed him far years,
rage of the people could not be appease'
and of course the advocate had to sh
the odkim. In his closing speech,
Seward had a few eloquent and toue
words in defense of himself. On c
occasions, he said he had been chee
by popular sympathy, or at least by
gratitude of a client.
“But I speak now,” he added, ”ia
hearing of a people who have prj
judged the prisoner, and condetnu n
for pleading in his behalf. He is a co:
vict, a pauper, a negro, without inte
lect, sense, or emotion. My chii
with an affectionate smile disarms m;
care-worn face of its frown whenever
cross my threshold. Tne beggar in th
street obliges me to give, becausehes»y*
‘God bless you!’ as I pass. Mr degeara
see me with fondness if I will but smil
on him. My horse recoguizes me we
I fill hie manger. But what reward,whi
gratitude can I expect here ? There tb
prisoner sits. Look at him. Look i
the assemblage round you. Listens
their ill-suppressed censures and theira
cited lea*e, ind tell me where I can a
pect to find reward or recognition, la
not the prisoner’3 lawyer. I am, indeed
a volunteer in his behalf ; but societyc
mankind have the deepest interest!
stake. I am the lawyer for societj.h
mankind, shocked beyond the powac
expression at the scene I have witnesse
hero, of trying a maniac as amalefact t,
The eloquent plea did not avail. Ii
man was convicted and sentenced!
death. He died soon after in prison,z
a post-mortem examination showed t:
the brain was so permeated by disease
to be destroyed as an organ of inte
gence. The trial is vividly remembe:
to this day in Auburn.
Who ever thought of William H.
ardas a military man? He was, t
ever, for some years, extremely active
the militia, and commanded a regie
noted in the country tor its good di:
line; and he was generally known as
onel Seward until the whole con
heard of him in 1839, when he waa
thirty-eight years of age, as Gove
of New York.
His political life is fresh in the re:
lection of us all, and tue whole conn
I believe, is agreed ?n honoring
memory as a public servant whoseca'
was not free irom error, 1 ut iu wbici.
good greatly f reponderated ov±r
evil. Like most benevolent meu.iit
apt to be too MBgune, too haflj
sanguine,
When the war oroke out in April
he was perfectly sincere in saying
the trouble would be all over m s
days—an error wnich brought npet-
great ridicule. But, on the other
in the darkest hours of the wur, acJ
when tie lay himself in bed gas'it-u ■
assassin’s hand, he had a joyful c
dence, not only in the triumph'
country, but in the final triun.;; ■“
country’s principles ill over ?L<- : *
When he wus Secretary of S-aiA
used to “receive” his friends on
day evenings. He lived iu a wide, rat
shabby looking brick house, tliat loo>
old enough to baVe been inhabited
Madison or Gallatin. The rooms on
second floor were thrown open to
company, the walls of one of which
covered nearly all pver, from tho ct
down, with portraits of the kings, t-
rors and ministers with whom, as for:
Secretary, he had to do. “These ^
correspondents,” he would say, latifi
He did not usually appear till too
pany were pretty numerous.
Wild'
length he came in, you saw a little
with white hair, rnddy complexm^
countenance marked by a scar, oi
all the world knows. His son, ^ :
ceived the company, wore a black ,
fitting cap, which also recalled
of horror which no one can ever
who was old enough at the time to
public affairs. Mr. Seward’s Ttu -
was quiet and friendly, such as
his character, his country, and his p
JB©“When Lee met Meade on the *
Sunday of 1865, near Appomattox L
house, he said with trivialty so
amid crushing misfortune, “Why
what are you doing with gray “b
beard ?” “ You have had a good .
do with it,” retorted his conquer-
a short laugh.