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My Country Still.
jlv country! nay country! though fallen!
My country! my beautiful land !
God bless thee, my sweet sunny country!
And soothe thy brow with a soft hand!
Xby mocking-birds sing just as sweetly
As when wo were joyous of yore ;
\nd still thy bright flowers are blooming—
My country! swoet land! on thy shore.
Thy breezes are still breathing balmy,
In music thy bright streams still roll,
Tbv :;roat sun still blazes in splendor;
And still thou’rt the land of my soul.
Though change has swept over thy features
And left the deep traces of woe,
Thou still art the same dear old country
Thou wast in the years long ago.
Oppression can’t tear thee, my country !
Away from thy place in my soul,
For ever thou’lt still be my country,
Thy happiness still be my goal.
My country ! I love thee, my country 1
I love thee, though trampled by foes!
Hweet land of my loves and youth’s visions !
I'll die for, and in thee repose.
Adman.
July, 1868* _ 11 t
THE LOST WILL;
OR,
my UNCLE’S GHOST.
The scenes which I am about to de
scribe, occurred about the year 1860, to
a respectable family by the name of Cul
verton, in Orange county, New York.
The Culvertons bad lived in the old
family mansion, and enjoyed the revenues
of the family estate, for many years, with
out the slightest doubt that they had a
right to it, when, suddenly, there started
up, from goodness knows where, an in
dividual who laid claim to the property
and seemed likely to prove the claim to
all but the Culvertons themselves.
It was certain, Jabez Hardy was the
nearest relative, and certain that Mrs.
Culverton was only a grand niece of Hi
ram Hardy, deceased; but the Culver
tons had lived with the old man for
years, and he had 'promised, time and
again, to leave them everything. He
had even declared that his will was made
in their favor; and that such a document
was actually in existence, Mr. Culverton
could not doubt; but diligent search had
been made in vain ; Jabez Hardy, whom
the old man never saw, was to take the
place of people he loved so loudly, and
who had been his comfort in his last
hours.
“ It was a shame,” said every one.
“ A cruel, wicked thing !” sobbed Mrs.
Culverton.
And Mr. Culverton, who had never
expected a reverse, was quite crushed as
the pending lawsuit progressed.
A thousand times a day he said:
“ Ilow providential it would be if
Uncle Hiram’s will would turn up at this
moment.”
“ I wonder how he can rest poor man,
with such injustice going on.”
But no matter what they said, or how
they managed, no will was found, and
Jabez rubbed his hands in triumph.
It is strange that, while matters were in
this condition, one so deeply interested in
the subject as Mrs. Culverton necessarily
was, should dream of anything else ; but
dream she did, night after night, of an
entirely different subject.
Inevitably, for a week at least, she had
no sooner closed her eyes, than she found
herself in an intelligence office, full of
employees of all ages and nations, and
face to face with a girl of small stature,
with white Scotch features, and singular
blue eyes, wide apart and staring, who
desired the situation of cook.
At first, she did not like the girl, but
in every dream she found her aversion
vanish.
After a few moment’s conversation,
and, invariably, it bad began to melt
when the girl looked at her and said:
“ I'd like to hire with you, ma’am.”
It was always the same office—always
the same girl—always the same words
were uttered—until Mrs. Culverton be
gan to think there must be something in
the dream.
“ Though it can’t come true,” said she,
" tor while Johauna remains here I shall
never hire another cook.”
And just as she said this, there was a
scream in the kitchen, and the little
errand girl ran in, frightened out of her
senses, to tell how Johanna, lifting the
wadi boiler, had fallen with it and scalded
herself.
Mrs. Culverton followed the young
p - into the kitchen, and found Johanna
j n a wretched condition ; and the Doctor
l ying sent for, she was put to bed and de
lurc?d useless for her domestic capacity
ior least a month to come. A tempo
rary substitute must be bad, and Mrs.
Culverton, that very afternoon went to
INew York to find one at the intelligence
office.
, tra oge to say, in the bustle she had quite
1 her dream, until she suddenly
stood face to face with the very girl she
had seen in it—a small young woman,
with very singular blue eyes in a white
face, and whose features betrayed Scottish
origin. She had risen—this girl—from
a seat in the office, and stood before her
twisting her apron strings, and courtesy
ing.
“ I’d like to hire with you, ma’am,”
she said.
The very words of the dream, also.
Mrs. Culverton started, and, in her confu
sion, could only say:
“ Why?”
The girl blushed.
“ I don’t know,” she said ; “ only it
seems to me I’d like to live with you.”
It seemed a fatal thing to Mrs. Culver
ton, but she put the usual questions and
received the most satisfactory answers,
except as to references.
“ But I can’t employ you without a
reference,” said Mrs. (J., knowing that
Fate had decreed that this girl should
take a place in her kitchen.
“ If you can’t I must out with it,” said
the girl. “ There’s my lady's name,
ma’am. She will tell you I’m honest and
capable ; she turned me off for frighten
ing the family.”
“ How ?” asked Mrs. C.
“ Seeing ghosts!” replied the girl.
“ Every day I saw a little girl, in white,
playing about the house; and all said
there was no such child there, thougli
there had been one, but she was dead.
Mistress said I pretended to see it for the
sake of impertinence, and she discharged
me ; but I knew by her trembling that
she thought I had seen a ghost. I went
to a Doctor, and he called it optical de
lusion, and it would soon pass away; and,
sure enough, I have not seen it since I
left the house.”
It was a queer story; but Mrs. Culver
ton believed it, and before she left the
office, she had hired Jessie to fill Johan
na’s place, for the space of one month
from that day. That evening she came,
and went to work with a will.
Dinner time passed comfortably, and
tea time came. The Culvertons never
ate anything but a biscuit, or cake, at this
meal, and cups were handed about the
sitting room. Jessie came in at the ap
pointed hour with her trav, served every
one, and then stood smiling before Mrs.
Culverton, as she said :
“ Please ma’am, let me pass you, the
old gentleman has not been helped. Yes,
sir, in a minute.”
“ The—old—gentleman !” cried Mrs.
Culverton.
“ Yes, ma’am—behind you, in the cor
ner—there, please.”
“ There’s no gentleman, young or old,
there,” said the lady. “ I can’t imagine
what you took for oue.”
The girl made no answer, but turned
quite white, and left the room. Mrs.’C.
followed.
At first she could extort no explana
tion, but by and by the girl said she saw
an old gentleman sitting in the arm chair
in the corner, who beckoned to her, and
she fancied, in a hurry for his tea.
“ What did he look like ?” asked Mrs.
Culverton.
“ He was thin and tall,” said the girl;
“his hair was white and very long, and I
noticed that one of his knees looked stiff,
and a thick, gold-headed cane beside
him.”
“ Uncle Hiram !” cried Mrs. Culver
ton, “ upon my word, you’ve described
my great grand-uncle, who has been dead
for twenty years.”
Jessie began to cry.
“ I shall never keep a place;” she said.
“ You will turn me away now.”
“ See as many ghosts as you please,”
she said, “as long as you don’t bring
them before my eyes,” and went back to
her tea without saying a word to any of
the family on the subject, although she
was extremely mystified. Surely, if the
girl had ever seen her uncle Hiram—
which was not likely—she must have seen
something in the ghost line, and if, indeed,
it were her uncle Hiram’s spirit, why
should he not come to aid them in their
trouble ? Mrs. Culverton had always a
little superstition hidden in her soul, and
she soon began to believe this version of
the case.
The next morning she went into the
kitchen, and, shutting the door, said to
Jessie :
“ My good girl, I do not intend to dis
miss you, so be quite frank with me. I
do not believe that these forms are optical
illusions. I feel sure that they are actual
spirits. What do you think ?”
# “ I think as you do, ma’am,” said the
girl. “Our folks have always seen
ghosts, and grandfather had the second
sight for ten years before he died.”
“ If you see the old gentleman you
told me of again,” said Mrs. Culverton,
“ sur e and tell me. I’ll keep the story
from the young folks, and Mr. Culverton
would only laugh at it; but you described
my. dear old grand uncle, and mr belief is
you saw him.” *
The girl promised to mention anything
that might happen, to her mistress ; and
from that day an interchange of glances
between them and a subsequent con
ference in the kitchen was of regular
occurrence.
The girl saw her apparition seated on
the sofa in the parlor, seated at the dinner
table, walking in the garden; and so life
like was it that she found it impossible to
refrain from passing plates and cups and
saucers to it, to the infinite amazement of
people who saw only empty air in the
same spot.
By and by she invariably spoke of her
ghost as the old gentleman, ana was
no more affected by his presence than by
that of a living being. If it were an opti
cal illusion, it was the most singular on
record.
But all this while —ghost or no ghost
—the figure never spoke, and never did
any thing to help the Culvertons in the
dilemma, and the law-suit was nearly ter
minated without the shadow of a doubt
in Jabez Hardy’s favor.
In three days all would be over, and
the Culvertons, who had earned their pro
perty if ever mortals did, by kindness
and attention to their aged relatives—
whom they truly loved and honored—
would probably be homeless.
One morning Mrs. Culverton sat over
her breakfast, after the others had left
the room, thinking of this, when Jessie
came in.
“ I’ve something to tell you, ma’am,”
she said. “ There’s a change in the old
gentleman.”
“ What do you mean ?” asked Mrs.
Culverton.
“ I’ve seen him twice at the foot of my
bed in the night,” said the girl; “ and
though always before he has been kind
and pleasant looking, now he frowns
and looks angiy. He beckons to me to
go somewhere, and I don’t dare—in the
night time.”
“ You must,” said Mrs. Culverton ; “ I
know he’ll come again ; and I’ll sit with
you all night and go where you go. It
may be of great use to us all, Jessie.”
“ I shan’t be afraid, ma’am, if I have
company,” said Jessie, in the most matter
of fact manner, and carried out the break
fast things.
All day they never spoke on the sub
ject, but, on retiring, Jessie found her
mistress in her bed-room wrapped in a
shawl.
“ I’m ready, you see,” she said. And
Jessie merely loosened some buttons and
hooks, and lay down dressed.
Ten o’clock passed—eleven—twelve.
Mrs. Culverton began to doubt, when
suddenly she saw Jessie’s eyes dilated in
a most peculiar manner, and in an in
stant more the girl said :
“ Why, here he is, ma’am.”
“There’s no one there,” said Mrs.
Culverton.
Oh, yes, ma’am, I see him,” said the
girl. “ He’s in great excitement, ma’am;
he s taking out his watch to look at, and
the chain is made of such bright yellow
hair, I thought at first it was gold.”
“ His wife’s hair,” said Mrs. Culver
toil ; “it was buried with him. You
see, dear old uncle Hiram. Does he look
at me ?”
“ Yes, ma’am,” said Jessie.
“ Uncle,” said Mrs. C., “ do you know
me, after all these years ?”
“ He nods,” said the girl,
“ Have you come to help us, dear
uncle ?” said the lady.
Uncle Hiram was described as nodding
very kindly and becomingly.
” He wants us to follow him,” said the
lady, and she took up the light. The
moment she opened the door, Jessie saw
the figure pass through it. Mrs. Culver
ton still could see nothing.
Obedient to the girl’s movement, Mrs.
C. descended the stairs and stood in.tthe
library.
The ghost paused before a book-case.
“ He wants me to open it,” said Jessie.
“ Ho so,” said the lady.
“He signs to take down the books,”
said the girl.
And Mrs. Culverton’s own hands went
to work. Book after book was taken
down—novels and romances, poems and
plays.
A pile of volumes lay upon the library
carpet, and still the ghost pointed to the
rest till they were all down.
“He looks troubled, ma’am. He seems
trying trying to think,” said the girl.
“ Oh, ma’am, he’s gone to the other case.”
And so, to cut a long story short, the
four great book cases were emptied with
out apparent result.
Suddenly Jessie screamed :
“ He’s in the air. He’s risen, ma’am,
to the top of the case. He wants me to
climb up.”
“ Get the steps, Jessie, said her mis
tress—and Jessie obeyed.
On the very top of one of the cases,
covered by cobwebs, she found an old
German book, and brought it down.
“ This was there,” she said. Mrs.
Culverton took it in her hand ; from be
tween the leaves dropped a folded paper,
fastened with red tape, and sealed.
The lady picked it up, and read on the
outside these words :
Last will and testament of Hiram
Hardy.
For a little while she could only weep
and tremble ; soon she found words :
“ L ncle,” she said, “in the name of
my husband and my dear children, I
thank you from my soul. Does he hear
me, Jessie ?”
“ Yes : he nods and smiles.”
“ Will you let me see you, uncle ?”
said Mrs. C.
”He has gone,” said the girl. “He
has kissed his hand and gone.”
And so he had, for good; for, from
that moment he was never again seen by
mortal eyes.
Nobody believed the story of his ap
pearance. But the will had been discov
ered, without doubt, and the Culvertons
were no longer in danger of expulsion
from their old home. There they lived
and died, and Jessie remained until she
married ; and all her life received every
kindness from the family, who were in
debted to her singular peculiarity for
their comfort and happiness.
Whether Uncle Hiram’s spirit really
came back to earth or not, is a question ;
but Mrs. Culverton asserts that it did,
and quarrels with every one who ventures
to doubt the assertion.
ADVERTISEMENTS.
WASHINGTON COLLEGE.!
LEXINGTON, YA.
The next Session opens 3d Thursday in September,
18C8, and closes 4th Thursday in June, 1809. The
Faculty consists of
GEN. R. E. LEE, President,
with Professors of Latin, Greek, Mathematics, Modern
Languages, Moral Philosophy, History and English
Language and Literature, Applied Mathematics, Natu
ral Philosophy, Chemistry, and Law and Equity.
These are distributed into : 1. Faculty of Arts ; 2 #
Faculty of Science ; 3. Faculty of Literature and Phi
losophy ; 4. Faculty of Law. In each of these is con
ferred a distinct Bachelor’s Degree, and the Degree of
Master of Arts is open alike to students in each course.
In the Department of Science are conferred, also,
Professional Diplomas of Civil Engineer and Mining
Engineer. By the aid of a full corps of assistant Pro
fessors, provision is made for thorough drilling in the
Departments of English, Ancient and Modern Lan
guages, and Mathematics.
Expenses.—All necessary expenses need not exceed
$325.
For full particulars, apply to
E. C. GORDON,
auß-lm Clerk of Faculty.
NEW SPRING DRY GOODS.
James A. Gray 6l Cos.,
2*28 BROAD STREET, AUGUSTA, GEO.,
Beg to inform the public that they are now receiving
THE LARGEST SPRING STOCK OF
sorApjue Aivno fancy wry goods
Which have been received at this Establishment
for the past twenty years.
Those Goods liave been purchased EXCLUSIVELY
FOR CASH from the most eminent Importers of the
United States, from the Manufacturers’ Agents direct,
and in large quantities from the recent oelebrated
Auction Sales ordered by Messrs. Benkard & Hutton,
one of the very largest Importing Houses In New York
Having full access to the very best Houses in the
world, and purchasing side by side with the largest
Jobbers in the United States, we can confidently and
truthfully assure our friends that WE CAN SUPPLY
THEIR DEMANDS FOR DRY GOODS, EITHER AT
WHOLESALE OR RETAIL, AS CHEAP AS THEY
CAN PURCHASE THE SAME IN NEW YORK.
Merchants visiting the city, will please make a note
of this fact, examine our assortment, and judge for
themselves. W T o would respectfully invite the closest
examination of both stylos and price.
JAMES A. GRAY & 00.,
apll 228 Broad Street.
J. J. BROWNE,
GILDER AND PICTURE FRAME MANUFACTURER,
135 Broad Street, Augusta, Ga.
Old Pictures and Looking-Glass Frames Regilt. Oil
Paintings Restored, Lined and Varnished.
my3o—ly
THE OLD AND RELIABLE HOUSE OF
GRAY 6l TURLEY,
AUGUSTA, GA.,
Is always prepared to offer to the public, at wholesale
and retail, a thoroughly oomplete assortment of
STAPLE GOODS,
—AL6O—
French and Swiss Dreos Goads
CLOTHS, CASSIMERES, CLOAKS, SHAWLS,
EMBROIDERIES, LACES,
HOSIERY, HOOP SKIRTS, NOTIONS, Ac., Ac.
mMI ts
O’Dowd 6l DEnlherin,
grocers and commission merchants,
INo. 283 Broad Street,
AUGUSTA, GA„
have on hand a fell stock of
SUGAR,
COFFEE,
TEAS,
SOAP,
STARCH,
CANDLES,
TOBACCO,
LIQUORS,
SEGARS ,
BACON,
LARD,
FLOUR,
AND EVERY THING
Usually kept in a Wholesale and Retail Grocery.
PRICES AS LOW AS THE. LOWEST.
mh2l ts
Kenny & Gray,
TVo- 23S Broad Street,
DEALLW? IN
READY-MADE CLOUTING,
CLOTHS,
CASSIMERES AND VESTINGS,
GENTS’ FURNISHING GOODS OF ALL KINDS,
And everything usually kept In a
FlrsM'ktss nothing and Tailoring Establishment.
UST An examination of their splendid stock is cor
dially invited.
August a, March 21, 1808. ts
SPECIAL NOTICE.
STEEL AMALGAM BELLS.
Every School and Plantation should have one. Will
sell those now on hand cheap. Those desiring to
purchase will do well to call soon.
Price, oomplete, from $7 to £lO.
P. MALONE,
Augusta Foundry and Machine Works.
May 10th, 1808. my3o—tf
Augusta Foundry
and
MACHINE WORKS.
WEIGHT & ALLUM'S
IMPROVED COTTON SCREWS,
GIN GEAR, SUGAR BOILERS, SUGAR MILLS,
ALARM BELLS,
AND ALL KINDS OF CASTINGS,
DONE AT SHORT NOTICE.
HIGHEST PRICE PAID v FOR OLD MACHINERY
IRON, BRASS AND COPPER.
PHILIP MALONE.
mh2l ts
NOTICE.
STOLEN, from the subscriber, on the night of the
14th instant, a Black Mare PONY, medium size. She
is in good order, very heavy mane (the mane lies on
the left side), long, heavy tail, has a lump on the back,
caused by the saddle, and a scar near the tail, caused
by the bite of a mule.
I offer a reward of FIFTY DOLLARS for the thief
and the Pony, delivered at Edgefield Jail, or I offer
THIRTY DOLLARS for the Pony alone.
MARTIN MACARTY,
Lott’s Post Office, Edgefield Dist., S. C.
July 16,1868. augl*
College and Convent Agency,
No. 140 Poydras Street,
NEW ORLEANS, LA.
PARENTS AND GUARDIANS can obtain ?t this
Office full information regarding the locations, term.*,
Ac,, of the best Catholic Educational Establishments
in this country and in Canada; also, letters of intro
duction thereto.
CHILDREN, forced by the new Social Equality laws
to leave onr Public Schools, can here find Academies
just suited to their wants. They should be provided
if Catholics, with the recommendation of their Parish
Priests, and, if uon-Catholics, with those of their re
spective Ministers.
Long experience warrants the undersigned in
promising full satisfaction to all Catholic Institutions
that may honor him with their Commissions, Col
lections, or orders of any kind.
CIIAS. D. ELDER,
augl—tf P. O. Box 2,034, New Orleans.
GuPfiWßi&g
Advertisements forwarded to all Newspapers.
No advance charged on Publishers’ prices.
All leading Newspapers kept on file.
Information as to Cost of Advertising furnished.
.All Orders receive careful attention.
Inquiries by Mail answered promptly.
Complete Printed Lists of Newspapers for sale.
Special Lists prepared for Customers.
Advertisements Written and Notices aocurod.
Orders from Business Men especially solicited.
40 P AliK IWff
jy4-ly
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