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THE SEMI-WEEKLY SUMTER REPUBLICAN.
ESTABLISHED in 1854,
By CHAS. W. HANCOCK. (
VOL. 18.
The Sumter Republican.
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Charles F. Crisp,
Attorney at Law,,
AMERICUS, GA.
dec!6tf
B. P. HOLLIS
Attorney at JLaw*
AMERICUS, GA.
Office, Forsyth Street, in National Bank
building. • dec2otf
E. G. SIMMONS,
Attorney at JLaw,
AMERICUS GA.,
Office in Hawkins’ building, south side of
J.amar Street, in the old office of Fort &
Simmons. jantitf
J. A. ANBLEY,
ATTORNEY AT LAW
AND SOLICITOR IN EQCITF,
Office on Public Square, Over Gyles’
Clothing Store, Americus, Ga.
After a brief respite I return agaih to the
practice of law. As in the past it will be
my earnest purpose to represent my clients
faithfully and look to their interests. The
commercial practice will receive close atten
tion and remittances promptly made. The
Equity practice, and cases involving titles of
land and real estate are my favorites. Will
practice in the Courts of Southwest Georgia,
the Supreme Court and the United States
Courts. Thankful to my friends for their
patronage. Fees moderate. novlltf
CARD.
I offer my professional services again to the
good people of Americus. After thirty years’
of medical service, I have found It difficult
to withdraw entirely. Office next door to
Dr. Eldridge’s drugstore, on the Square
janl7tf ' K. C. BLACK, M. D. •
DR. BAGLEY’S
INDIAN VEGETABLE LIVER AND
KIDNEY PILLS.
For sale by all Druggists in Americus.
. Price 25 cents per box. jan26 wly
Dr. D. P. HOLLOWAY^
DentisT,
Americus, ... Georgia
Treats successfully all diseases of the Den
tal organs. Fills teeth by the Improved
method, and inserts artificial teeth on the
test material known to the profession.
tyOFFICE over Davenport and Son’*
Drug Store. marllt
M.H. O’DANIEL. M.D.
Americus, Ga.
Office and Residence, No. 21 Barlow
House.
All calls promptly attended, day or night.
Calls left at Eldridge’s Drug Store.
feh7-3m
Dr. J. F. Stapleton
Offers his professional services to the people
of Americus and surrounding couutry. He
will practice medicine, 6urgery, obstetrics,
and another matters pertaining to his pro
fession. A successful experience in the past
will guarantee to him success. Calls left at
the residence of Mrs. Mary Jossey, at Dr.
Eldridge’s Drug Store, and at the office of
Drs. Head & Black, will receive prompt
attention. janiu-3m
Real Estate for Sale.
dJIQr/\ EASY TEEMS; 150 YARDS
Ip t/tJyJ* from business portion of
rtty; a neat and well arranged four-room
dwelling, with cook room attached; good
servant’s house on place; splendid'well of
water; beautiful flower yard; rich garden
spot, and several choice fruit trees in bear
ing.
db Q r S\ CASH FOE 150 ACRES FIVE
tpOOvA miles west of Americus; good
mprovements; 100 acres in cultivation; bal
mce original forest; plenty of water on
dace; splendid location for fish pond,
ttf AA A CASH WILL BUY 200 ACRES
5(/UU of good land three miles from
imithville; 150 acres cleared; balance well
imbered; good settlement and good water
m place.
HARDY & TOMMKY,
feb24-tf Real Estate Agents
Livery ui Sale Stales!
a Besides Horses, we have the WEBSTER
■V4GON, LANDIS BUGGIES. J. T.
KARNES’ ROAD CARTS, KENTUCKY
MULES, here and en route. To epitomize,
Morses, Mules, Wagons, Buggies, Carts,
and Harness to suit ail tastes and judge
|neut. Fine styles, substantial goods at ex-
LOW FIGURES. The times con
l all our dealings. Call and see us.
N. G. & J. K. PRINCE.
Ilotton Ave. and West End Jefferson St,
I jan3tf Americus, Ga.
ForUyspepsfa,
Chronic Diar
-0 rhoea, Jaundice,
sXSnJrg Impurity of the
Blood, Ferer and
jjAgue* Malaria,
and all Diseases
caused by De
rangement of Liver, Bowels and Kidneys.
SYMPTOM3 OF A DISEASED LITER.
Bad Breath; Pain in the Side, sometimes the
pain is felt under the Shoulder-blade, mistaken for
Rheumatism; general loss of appetite; Bowels
generally costive, sometimes alternating with lax;
the head is troubled with pain, is dull and heavy,
with considerable loss of memory, accompanied
with a painful sensation of leaving undone something
which ought to have been done; a slight, dry cough
and flushed face is sometimes an attendant, often
mistaken for consumption; the patient complains
of weariness and debility; nervous, easily startled;
feet cold or burning, sometimes a prickly sensation
of the skin exists; spirits are low and despondent,
and, although satisfied that exercise would be bene
ficial, yet one can hardly summon up fortitude to
try it —in fact, distrusts every remedy. Several
of the above symptoms at tend the disease, but cases
have occurred when but few of them existed, yet
examination after death has shown the Liver to
have been extensively deranged.
- It should be used by all persons, old and
youug, whenever any of the above
symptoms appear.
Persons Traveling or Living In Un
healthy Localities, by taking a dose occasion
ally to keep the Liver in healthy action, will avoid
all Malaria, Bilious attacks, Dizziness, Nau
sea, Drowsiness, Depression of Spirits, etc. It
will invigorate like a glass of wine, but is no in
toxicating beverage.
If You have eaten anything hard of
digestion, or feel heavy after meals, or sleep
less at night, take a dose and you will be relieved.
Time and Doctors* Bills will be saved
by always keeping the Regulator
' in the House!
For, whatever the ailment may be, a thoroughly
safe purgative, alterative and tonic can
never be out of place. The remedy is liarmlesa
and does not interfere with business or
pleasure.
IT IS PURELY VEGETABLE,
And has all the power and efficacy of Calomel or
Quinine, without any of the injurious after effects.
A Governor's Testimony.
Simmons Liver Regulator has been in use in my
family for some time, and I am satisfied it is a
valuable addition to the medical science.
J. Gill Shorter, Governor of Ala.
Hon. Alexander H. Stephens, of Ga.,
says; Have derived some benefit from the use of
Simmons Liver Regulator,; and wish to give it a
further trial.
“The only Thing that never fails to
Relieve.”—l have used many remedies for Dys
pepsia, Liver Affection and Debility, but never
have found anything to benefit me to the extent
Simmons Liver. Regulator has. I sent from Min
nesota to Georgia for it, and would send further for
such a medicine, and would advise all who arc sim
ilarly affected to give it a trial as it seems the only
thing that never fails to relieve.
P. M. Jannky, Minneapolis, Minn.
Dr. T. W. Mason says: From actual ex
perience in the use of Simmons Liver Regulator in
my practice I have been and am satisfied Uo use
and prescribe it as a purgative medicine.
only the Genuine, which always
har, on the Wrapper the red Z Trade-Mark
and Signature of J. 11. ZEILIN & CO.
FOR SALE BY ALL DRUGGISTS.
TUTTS
PILLS
A DISORDERED LIVER
IS THE BANE
of the present generation. It is for the
tJure of this disease and its attendants,
SICK-HEADACHE, BILIOUSNESS, DYS
- fEPSIA, CONSTIPATION, PILES, etc., that
fjJTT’B PILLS have gained a world : wido
reputation. No Remedy has ever been
discovered that acts so jjffehtly on Jbhe
digestive organs, giving them Vigor to as
similate food. Aa a natural result, the
Nervous System is Braced, the~Hußclea
are Developed, and the Body Robust. .
Cb.i7.la and. Fever,
E. RIVAL, a Planter at Bayou Sara, La., says
My plantation is In a malarial district. For
several years I could not make half a crop on
account of bilious diseases and chills. I was
nearly discouraged when I began the use of
TUTT'S PILLS. The result was marvelous:
my laborers soon became hearty and robust,
and I have had no further trouble.
They relieve the engorged Liver, cleanse
the Blood from poisonous humors, and
cause the bowels to act naturally, with
out which no one can feel wclL
Try tills remedy fairly, and you will gala
a healthy Digestion, Vigorous Body. Pure
Blood, String Nerves, and a Sound Liver.
Price, 2S€ents. Office, 35 Murray Nt., N. V.
TUTT’S HAIR DYE.
Gray Hair or Whiskers changed to a Glosst
Black by a single application of this Dye. It
Imparts a natural color, and acts instantaneously.
Sold by Druggists, or sent by express on receipt
of One dollar.
Office, 33 Murray Street, New York.
(Dr. TUTTS MANUAL of Valuable\
Information and Useful Receipts I
mill be mailed FREE on application* J
HOSEITER’s
tirreßS
What tlio great restorative, Ilostetter’s
Stomach Bitters, will do, must be gathered
from what it has done. It has effected rad-i
ical cures in thousands of cases of dyspep,
sia, bilious disorders, intermittent fever
nervous affectations, general debility, con
stipation, sick headache, mental despon
deney, and the peculiar complaints and dis
abilities to which the ieeble are so subject-
For sale by all Druggists and Dealers
generally.
FOUTZ’S
HORSE AND CATTLE POWDERS
No Hoksx will die of Colic, Bora or Luna Fx-
TOB, If Foutrt Powders are used In time.
Foutz'a Powders will cure and prevent Hoo CnoUKA.
Foutz'a Powders will prevent Gapks ix Fowls.
Foma's Powders will increase the quantity of milk
ud cream twenty per cent, and make the butter firm
and sweet.
Foutz'a Powders will cure or prevent almost xvaßT
Disfask to which Horses and Cattle are subject.
Foutz's Powders will qivk .
Bold tvwrywhore.
DAVID X. FOUTZ, Proprietor.
SAX.9IMOBSaU>.
, -l ! '1
INDEPENDENT IN POLITICS, AND DEVOTED TO NEWS, LITERATURE, SCIENCE AND GENERAL PROGRESS.
AMERICUS, GEORGIA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 1883.
ABOVE US.
FROM THE EARTH TO THE
STARS —CELESTIAL DIS
TANCES.
Diameter of the Earth—Moon’s
Distance —Sun’s Distance —
Planetary Distances.
As there is now an increasing inter
est on the subject of astronomy, mani
fested by nearly all classes of people,
it may not be amiss to explain, in a
popular manner, the means by which
the astronomer, beginning with a known
terrestial unit of pleasure, advances,
step by step, through the celestial spa
ces until he can determine the distan
ces of the fixed stars.
DIAMETFR OP THE EARTH.
The first problem, taking a mile as
the unit of a measure, is to ascertain
the diameter of the earth. The gener
al form of the earfh is that oi a globe,
and a section of the globe is a circle.
A circle passing through the poles of
the earth is a meridian. Latitude is
reckoned ou a meridian, there being
90 degrees from the equator to either
pole, and 360 degrees in the entire cir
cumference.
By repeated surveys of the earth’s
surface, it has been proved that the
length of a degree is between 09 and
70 English statute miles. Taking the
first number, the circumference of the
earth is approximately found by the
following proportion: 1 degree is to
360 as 60 miles is to 24,840; hence the
diameter is about 7,900 miles. This
number is a little too small; a more
accurate determination is 7,925 6
miles.
moon’s distance.
Having found the earth’s diameter,
we now proceed to find the distance of
the moon. This body is comparative
ly near to us, and if it is viewed at the
same time, by two observers at sta
tions far apart from each other, it will
not appear at the same place in the
heavens. <
To illustrate. If two persons, A
and (J, placed at two adjacent corners
ot a room, were to look at a ball hung
from the centre of the ceiling, A would
see it in a line with the opposite corn
er nearest to C, and 0 in the direction
of the opposite corner nearest to A.
The angular displacement of the ball,
caused by its being viewed from dif
ferent stations, is called its parallax.
In like manner there is an angular
displacement, or parallax, of the moon
in the heavens, when viwed at the
same time from different points on
earth.
Suppose that from the same point in
in the moon two lines were drawn, one
touch the earth and the other extend
ing to its center, and that a third line
was also drawn from the earth’s cen
tre to the point where the first line
touches the earth’s surface. We have
now a right-angle triangle, and in this,
the angle at the moon (the horizontal
parallax), contained between the two
first lines, can be readily computed
from observations. The angle at the
earth’s surface is a right-angle, and
the third line is the radious of the
earth. We now know enough of the
parts of the triangle to find the length
of the line drawn from the moon to the
earth’s centre; in other words thp
distance from the earth, which is, on
an average, about 298,600 miles.
sun’s distance.
In finding tbe distance of the sun
from the earth, suppose, as in the
case of the moon, that two lines are
drawn from the same point in the sun
to the earth, one to the earth’s centre
and the other touching the earth, and
that then a third line is drawn from
the centre of the earth to the point
where the second line touches the earth.
The angle formed by the second third
lines is a right angle, and the three
lines form a right-angled triangle.
The angle made by the two lines
drawn from the sun (sun’s parallax)
can be found by observations on the
transit of Venus, and also by other
methods. Two angles of the triangle
are thus known, and one side, viz. the
radius of the earth; and from these
known qauntities the distance of the
earth from the sun can be computed.
This distance is about 83,000,000 miles.
We can just allude to another meth
od of ascertaining the earth’s solar dis
tance. It has been proved, by observa
tion of the eclipses of Jupiter’s moons,
that it takes very nearly 498 seconds
of time for light to come from the sun
to the earth. It has also been proved
by means of different optical apparatus
that the velocity of light, per second is
186,305 miles, the possible error being
very small. Multiplying, therefore,
this velocity by 498 we obtain the
earth’s solar distance in miles. This
product gives substantially the same
result as the first method.
PLANETARX DISTANCES.
Nearly three hundred years ago the
celebrated astronomer Kepler discov
ered that a singular relation exists be
tween the distance of a planet from the
sun and the time of its revolution about
it. This relation is thus expressed—
that the squares of the times of revolu
tion are as the cubes of the average
distances.
Now, the distance of the earth from
the sun is known, and also the time of
its revolution about it (one year); and
the times of the revolutions of the lar
gor planets, as far as Saturn, have
been determined with great exactness
—within a fraction of a millionth part
of the whole amount. Uranus and
Neptuno having ,been more recently
discovered, their times of revolution
have been but approximately estima
ted, but ere long will be determined
with equal exactness. Having these
values, the solar distances of the plan
ets are easily calculated. If we wish
to obtain the solar distance of Mars,
for instance, we make the following
proportion: As the square of the time
of the earth’s revolution about the
sunistothe square of rhe time of
Mar’s revolution, so is the cube of the
earth’s distance from the sun. The
first three terms of this proportion are
known, and consequently the fourth.
In this way be obtain the solar dis
tances of the rest of the planets. There
are other methods by means of which
the distances can be determined.
STELLAR DISTANCES.
The stars are classified according to
their different degrees of apparent
brightness. The most brilliant are
termed stars of the -first magnitude,
those next in brightness of the second
magnitude, a'nd so on to the sixth.
These are all that are visible to the na
ked eye. Multitudes of fainter stars
are seen by means of the telescope, and
are classified in like manner, to the
tweltli magnitude, and even beyond.
The term magnitude, in this connection
has nothing to do with the size of the
star, and relates only to its apparent
brightness.
It is the general belief of astrono
mers that diversity in apparent bright
ness in the fixed stars is chiefly caused
by their difference of distance rather
than by their difference in intrinsic
splendor; a star of the first magnitude
being nearer to us than a star of the
second.
It is only within a short time that
the distances of some of the fixed stars
have been determined. The process by
which they have been ascertained is
similar to that by which the distance
of the moon irom the earth is obtained;
and is as follows: Suppose in January
an observer on the earth marked the
position in the heavens of one of the
nearest fixed stars, in ieference to an
other remote star, and in July made an
other observation on the same stars.
Now, as the two positions of the earth
in January and July are the diameter
of the earth’s orbit apart—namely,
186,000,000 miles—we might naturally
expect that a displacement would oc
cur in the heavens of the first star in
respect to the second. This has been
found to be the case, in regard to sev
eral stars, hut the displacement is very
small. The brightest star in the con
stellation of the Centaur (Alpha Cen
taur) appears to be the nearest to us;
and its parallax, or displacement when
viewed from the sun and earth, is com
puted: Suppose two lines to be drawn
from this star, one to the sun and the
other to the earth, and a third line also
drawn from their ends joining the
earth and sun, making a right angled
triangle. The angle between the first
and second lines is one second, the an
gle at the earth a right angle, and the
distance of the earth from the sun is
known. We have now a sufficient
number ol known parfh of the triangle
to complete the rest, as in the case of the
moon. One of these parts is the line
joining the sun and the stars. The
distance of the sun from the star is
200,000 times the distance of the sun
from the earth, or about nineteen bil
lions of miles.
As the mind cannot grasp the mean
ing of such vast numbers, astronomers
are accustomed to adopt a different unit
of measurement than miles, namely,
the velocity of light. It takes a ray
of light eight minutes and eighteen
seconds to come to us from the sun; it
would take three and a half years for
light to come from Alpha Centauri to
the earth.
The parallax of a small number of
stars has been determined, and their
distances obtained. One of the most
remote of this class is the star Sigma,
in the constellation of the Dragon; the
light by which we now see it, started
from the star more than twenty years
before the battle of Bunker Hill.
But the vast multitude ol stars have
no parallax, so remote are they from
the earth, and millions are at such in
conceivable distances that they are only
revealed by the aid of powerful tele
scopes. How, then, can we form any
estimate of the space by which we are
separated from them?
To solve this problem the astronomer
calls to his aid a certain optical law re
lating to the intensity of light at dif
ferent distances from the luminous ob
ject. A card placed at a given dis
tance from a lamp will have a certain
brightness; at twice tho distance will
Jie one-fourth as bright, and at ten
imes the first distance, the brightness
will bo one hundred times le6s than it
is in the first position, and so on. The
The distance will therefore vary in
versely as the spuare root ot the bright
ness. This law applies to light eman
ating from a fixed star. Sir John
Herschel estimated that the apparent
brightness of a star of the sixth magni
tude was 1 hundred times less than that
of a star of the first magnitude; it
therefore follows that the former is ten
times further from us than a star of the
first magnitude.
Now it takes light three and a half
years to come to the earth from a star
of the first magnitude, and hence it is
thirty five years, as a general rule, in
traveling from one of the sixth magni
tude to the earth.
How can we judge of the distance of
stars which can only be seen by means
of the telescope?
We see an object, by the unaided
eye, by means of the quantity of light
that comes through the pupil of the
eye and falls upon the retina. The pu
pil is about one fifth of an inch in di
ameter, and if the number of rays that
enter it is very small, no object can be
seen, for no impression is made on the
retina.
But now the telescope comes to our
aid, for a beam of light whose diame
ter is that of the object-glass, or mirror,
of the telescope, can be concentrated
and made to enter the pupil ol the eye,
and the quantity of light which strikes
the retina is then increased, in the ratio
of the size of the pupil. Thus with a
two inch object glass one hundred
times more rays are collected than by
the naked eye. It is in this way that
stars invisible to the unaided sight are
revealed by the telescope and with the
increased magnitude of the object-glass
(or mirror, if a reflecting telescope is
used) the light gathering jjower of the
instrument is increased. Sir William
Herschel employed in his stellar re
searches a telescope whose mirror was
of such a size that, when all allowan
ces were made for loss of light, it
brought to tbe retina 5,625 (75x75=
5,625 times more than could be
received by the naked eye. Thus, ac
cording to the law of intensity of light
just given, if a star ol the sixth mag
nitude was moved back in space seven
ty-five times its present distance, it
would appear in this telescope as bright
as a star of the sixth magnitude to the
naked eye.
Amid the multitude of telescopic
stars there are those which, when
viewed with such a telescope, appear
only as bright as a star of the sixth
magnitude: they are therefore, seventy
five times further from us than a star
of the sixth magnitude, whose light
takes thirty-five years to come to the
earth. But the light of one of these
remote stars would take seventy-five
times as long to reach us; that is more
than 2,600 years! When such a star
is beheld in the telescope, it is seen by
rays of light which started from the
star about the time that Sennacherib
threatened Jerusalem.
It is to be remembered that, in the
estimate of the distances of stars from
their difference in apparent brightness,
it is assumed that, among the remote
telescopic stars, there are some which
have an intrinsic splendor equal to that
of stars ot the first magnitude as for
distance, Alpha Centauri; the intrinsic
splendor of which has been estimated
to be two and a third times that of the
sun. J.B.
A Marvelous Reel.
PARIS HAS MANUFACTURED A MARVELOUS
BED FOR AN INDIAN RAJAH—THE
WHOLE INLAID WITH SILVER LEAVES
AND WREATHS*.
We doubt whether, throughout the
two bulky volumes of Beckmann’s
“History of Curious Inventions,” re
cord can be found of any invention
more extraordinary than the bed
.vhich a great Indian Rajah has just
had manufactured for him in Paris.
Neither the automata constructed in
an era of superstition which condemn
ed their inventors to be burned as wiz
ards, nor the mechanism of those
clocks whose creators were put to
death lest they should reproduce simi
lar masterpieces, surpass the realiza
tion of this Hindoo lantasy in point of
ingenuity and beauty. The Orientals
have always had a strange affection
for curious mechanical devices; their
legends and fairy tales are rich in nar
ratives of talking heads of brass, fly
ing horse3 wound up like watch-work,
automatic puppets; and even in mod
ern times Tippoo Saib possessed ail
enameled wooden tiger that could
growl over undigestible prey.
The shape of the bed just made in
Paris, is common enough; there are no
pillows, no tester; but the whole rose
wood work is inlaid with silver leaves
and wreaths. Against the panels of
the headboard and at the foot of the
bed are four tall and naked statues
of women in bronze—representing four
hondsome European types. These
were designed for the Rajah by one of
the best sculptors in Paris. It is cu
rious that the Indian potentate did not
have an Indian girl in this bronze col
lection; the metal alone would have*
rendered so admirably the color of the
Hindoo skin, while the other statues
have been enameled in flesh colors. The
Paris Figaro says that this “carnifica
tion” is incredibly warm and real in
appearance. Furthermore, the four
statues have been furnished with splen
did hair—chestnut, black, ruddy and
golden—by one of the greatest capilla
ry artists in Paris. The women at
the head of the bed have fly-laps and
long feathers; the others hold fans in
their hands. When the Rajah gets
into bed, the weight of his noble per
son sets in motion a huge music-box
concealed in the mattress, and simulta
neously sets a complicated machine in
action, connecting- with the statues.
Then the women at the foot of the bed,
and the women at the head of the bed,
begin to wave their feathers and fly
flaps and tans, at once driving away
the flies and cooling the feverish brow
of Indian majesty. The music is the
ballet in the fourth act of Gounod’s
“Foust.” The bed has probably by
this timo reached Bombay.
Thus the Rajah cau sleep as com
fortably as it is possible to sleep in a
country where the thermometer marks
150 degrees of heat upon the side of a
bungalow; and those women of bronze
are not likely ever to become tired of
fanning him. Unless the jealousy of
his wives should prompt them to as
sault the automata without fear of con-
sequences, it is not likely that any
flies will dare to perch upon his august
nose; and if lie be unable to sleep at
times the mattress will play sweet mu
sic for him, and sooth the evil spirit
within him, even as Saul was comfort
ed by David’s harpings.
Almost anything, it seems, can he
ordered in Paris; and the invention of
this extaordinary bed leads one to hope
that the time is not far distant when
Bulwer Lytton’s dream about auto
matic servants will be realized—ser
vants of wood or iron, warranted net
to wear out or stay out late at night.
As yet no inventor lias been able to
manufacture a good brass cook or an
ebony waiting-waid; and the increasing
difficulty of obtaining trustworthy and
efficient help is increasing to a degree
which justifies the belief that servant
machines will sooner or later become a
necessity.
THE STONE ROLLED AWAY.
BY L. L. ROBIXSOH.
It was Easter eve, and over the fair
Southern land the breath of early
spring seemed whispering its fond
hopes and promised blessings; far up
the western sky the sun had scattered
rosy tints that shed abroad his “good
night” benediction, and over all the
world the hallowed peace of Easter-tide
seemed already resting.
To many hearts its soothing balm
had come, bringing the holy joy that
only Christians have to know; but on
the thoughtful face of the little girl
who stood silently gazing on this sun- #
set scene, there was little of such happi
ness written. Only a great sadness
shadowed little Clare’s eyes, and truly
it was a sad lot that had fallen to her
portion in this life.
Quite alone with an invalid annt she
had lived for more than a year in a
quiet old country house, ever since the
loving mother had been taken from her,
and laid in. the grave which, it seemed
to Clare, all the pleasure and happiness
she had ever known were buried too;
and away from the dear old home,
away from the friends who would have
helped her bear her sorrow, she had
been sent here to one who seemed to
know, or care so little about little
girls, that it is not strange the poor
child lived a desolate life.
Sometimes Clare would wonder if
God had ceased to care for her since
the good mother had gone,for all things
seemed so sadly changed. How they
had loved to think and talk of him to
gether, and how very near he had al
ways seemed to her then. Every re
turning season had brought its special
lessons to lead her thoughts to him;
but in the long desolate year passing
slowly away, how dim had these beau
tiful lessons grown, leaving in their
place nothing but the great, comfortless
sorrow.
On this evening it seefned as though
the' pain and longing were more than
she could bear. iShe knew the great
Easter Day was near at hand, the day
her mother had loved best in all the
yaar, and this afternoon she had been
told that one of God’s ministers, com
ing to take charge of the little church
so long vacant, would be in theii midst
on the morrow to bring the glorious
Easter message.
It was of this that Clare was think
ing as she stood thus alone in the sun
set hour, but mingling with the pleas
ure the news had brought, there had
come also this freshly wakened longing.
Why could she not feel the soothing
comfort of the wondrous glory of a
Saviour’B dying love and of his resur
rection. Ought it not to remind her
that the dear one mourned so long and
sadly had but fallen asleep, and would
surely awaken in the home that await
ed her too? Poor little Clare tried hard
to feel all this, but it seemed all so far
away, and growing daily more dream
like and unreal. Oh, if God would
but send her some token of his remem
brance, some little message assuring
her of his unchanged love! Why had
he sent her here to live this lonely,
empty life in which there seemed noth
ing to do, nothing to live for, and so
l’ttle to make her happy? All day she
had been wishing so for just a few
sweet flowers to carry to the church
which loving bauds were making beau
tiful as best they could; but in that
home, barren within as without, there
was not a bud or a blossom, and Clare
could only think sadly of former days
and other Easter eves, forgetful that
God’s choicest flowers grow in tho
hearts of his and waft to him
a sweeter perfume than any that bless
our earth.
Utterly dispirited, she wandered
round and round the neglected old yard
till wearied out at last, she sat down
beneath a friendly looking tree, gazing
listlessly about her. Oh for a message
from someone who loved her, the lone
ly little heart kept saving, but the
wistful thought brought only a helpless
sigh in response.
Only a little distance from where
Clare sat lay a large rough stone, and
as her eve wandered aimlessly about,
it chanced to rest there just at the mo
ment that a shy little ground-squirrel
darted past her, and disappeared so
suddenly that she felt sure it must
have a home burrowed beneath the
stone. Quickly the desire seized her
to investigate "the matter for herself,
and glad ot any diversion from her sad
thoughts, eagerly she sought a stick
strong enough for a lever to help her
carry out her desire. Once, twice, with
all her strength she tried in vain to
pry up the heavy stone, but disheart
ened by the weakness of her own little
| FOUR DOLLARS PER ANNUM.
hands, she was about to give up the at
tempt, when, with one more earnest
effort, she felt it yield somewhat, and
the next moment it rolled heavily away.
But no squirrel’s nest was there, nor
any trace ot the little fugitive; what
then could there be to cause Clare to
start forward suddenly, and then with
clasped hands stand motionless? There
several inches below the earth’s surface
in a little groove as though dug for the
purpose, bloomed all alone a beautiful,
fragrant hyacinth! With a half utter
ed cry of astonishment, she dropped
uponrtier knees, gazing upon the lovely
flower as though it were an apparition
from another world. And well might
any eyes look long and wondering upon
it. How could it have come there, far
away from all its sister flowers, beneath
that heavy stone, shut away in silence
and darkness, yet living on for God’s
eye alone, and putting forth its tender
blossoms of royal hue. Did that deep
purple tint tell of silent sorrow? If so,
the soft, fragrant breath spoke also of
peace and contentment. Had it felt
and trusted God’s sure love and promise
through all the lonely gloom? Then
not in vain had it waited, for now,
when least expecting, had not the stone
been rolled away, and upon the gentle
flower streamed in the golden sunlight,
and the spring air kissed it tenderly.
Kneeling there beside it, lost in
thought, Clare remained motionless,
her heart throbbing with eager joy.
Was this not truly a message from
God, the God who, if caring for this
tender flower through all its lonely life,
could surely never cease to love and
care for her? Did it not seem as though
he had sent tlijs, his own flower, just
to comfort her, and perhaps to go with
her to his house on the morrow, where
all hearts were to be gladdened by
thoughts of that other stone rolled away
to admit the sunlight of his eternal
love!
“Oh, beautiful Hyacinth, dear little
Hyacinth, how little did yon dream
that you would be among the Easter
flowers!” cried Clare, yielding to the
happy fancy that the blossoms could
hear and understand; but a voice beside
her suddenly recalled her to reality.
“What have you there, my little
friend!”
Clare started, and sprang quickly to
her feet, but was at once herself again
as she met the pleasant face and kind
ly eyes regarding her. Intuitively she
felt it must be the new minister who
had come up behind her, unheard.
“Oh, sir, is it not wonderful!” she
cried; “only see the beautiful flower that
has blossomed here all alone beneath
this heavy stone!”
With quite as much astonishment,
the stranger, too, looked upon tho
hyacinth, and with a glance into the
face of the little girl, he seemed at once
to read the happy thoughts that filled
her heart.
“I am sure God has seut it to me as
an Easter gift!”
With almost reverential touch, the
good man carefully lifted the flower,
with its friil roots uninjured, from the
clinging soil, while Clare hastened
away in search of an empty flower crock.
And can you picture her happiness
on the following day, when, during all
the service, her eyes turned constantly
to rest upon that very flower nestling
amid green vines.and her almost tremb
ling interest, when, taking for his text,
“And the stone was rolled away.” the
minister told anew the story of the
Resurrection; and, pointing to the gen
tle hyacinth, made his seimon beauti
ful with the lessons it might teach.
While litening there, it seemed to
Clare that the stone of sorrow, of dis
content. and repining was lifted from
her heart, while like a flood of golden
sunshine streamed in anew the sweet
assurance of God’s unfailing love; the
faith, the trust so nearly dead, the joy
ous hope of that better world, all awoke
again like flowers that had been sleep
ing, and Fad filled her heart with peace
and beauty.
Nor did the new happiness pass
away with the beauty of that day;
growing and thriving in its pretty
crock, the flower lived on for many a
day, ever repeating its message of hope,
ever reminding Clare of the One who
can give to the emptiest life some mis
sion, some service for him.
And more than this,the little mother
less girl had found new friends in the
home of the pastor met first beside the
hyacinth’s bed, and from whom there
was ever a warm welcome, and such
happy, joyous pleasure as she had
thought had gone out of her life forever.
— N. Y. Observer.
Scipo, N. Y., Dec. 1, 1879.
I am the Pastor of the Baptist
Church here, and an educated physi
cian, and advise in many chronic
cases. Over a year ago I recom
mended your Hop Bitters to my in
valid wife, who has been under medi
cal treatment of Albany’s best physi
cians several years. She has become
thoroughly cured of her various com
plicated diseases by their use. We
both recommend them to our friends,
many of whom have also Been cured
of their various ailments by them.
Rev. E. R. Warren.
A little boy, on being asked his
reasou for chewing tobacco, promptly
replied, “To get the juice outen it.”
Hall’s Hair Renewer renews,
cleanses, brightens, and invigorates
the hair, and restores faded or gray
hair to its youthful color and lustre.
People with gray hair prefer to use
the Renewer, rather than proclaim to
the world through their bleached
locks that they are becoming aged,
and pacing on to decay.
NO. 57.