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VOLUME V.
com Tn A II LESSING DOWN.
Not to th* man of dollars,
Not to the man of deeds.
Not to the man of cunning*
Not to the man of creeds;
Not to the one whoso passion
Is for the world's renown.
Not in form of fashion,
Cometh a blessing down.
Not unto land's expansion,
Not to the miser’s chest,
Not to the princely mansion.
Not to the blazoned crest;
Not to the sordid worldling.
Not to the knavish clown.
Not to the hau hty tyrant,
Cometh a blessing down.
Not to the folly-blinded,
Not to the steeped in shame,
Not to the carnal-minded.
Not to unholy fame;
Not in neglect of duty.
Not in the monarch's crown.
Not at the smile of beauty,
Cometh a blessing down.
But to the one whose spirit
Yearns for the great and good;
Unto the one whose storehouse
Yieldeth the hungry food;
Unto the oue who labors
Fearless of foe or frown;
Unto the kindly-hearted
Cometh a blessing down.
Constitution.
THE GILT MASK.
Two young nobles were seated on the
piazza of a palace in Seville.
“What you tell me, Eustace,” said the
elder, “is sufficiently romantic to have
originated in the brain of the Knight ol
La Mancha.”
“Yes; you know how I have been one of
the favored suitors of Blanche La Meda,
the handsomest and wildest lady in Seville.
I thought my heart was given up to her—
but the mysterious mask I encountered at
the Duke's ball charmed me."
“Faithful Eustace!” cried his com
panion laughing. “Doubtless you adore
both Blanche and her rival, who refused
to show her face. ’ Tis hard to choose, I
fear.”
“It would so appear, for yesterday I
received a note warning me that l had
incurred the hatred of Lady Blanche, and
that I niu<t be on guard against assassins.
East night, as I was returning home, on
passing under the piazza of the Marrpiis
D'Almonte, an assassin sprang from be
hind a pillar, and would undoubtedly have
murdered me had not a slight, boy like
fijur • interposed to ward off the blow.
The cowardly vi'lian then fled, and when
I turned to thank my deliverer she had
fled.”
“She?' 1
“Yes; for. though I got but a momen
tary glimpse of her, yet the shape of the
figure, and the long tresses which had
fallen from beneath the cap she wore, con
vinced me that 1 had been saved by a
woman. Although the note I had re
ceived was unsigned, yet it was written
in a delicate female hand Can I doubt
that m.v savior and the mask are one?”
“Well, then, your coarse is plain.
Discover your inamorata, and if she is
worthy of you marry her. It is plain
that she loves you.”
“It is impossible. The estates of the
I)e Leons and Del Montes join together.
The Marqni- Del Monte lias a daughter
Maria, said to ho very beautiful: hut I've
not seen her for years. In early life we
were betrothed, and our marriage is in
evitable.”
Fernando remained buried in thought
fm a few minutes. At length be said.
“Eustace, you must crush this stran re
attachment for one whom you have never
seen. Your honor is pledged, and you
must wed this Maria Del Monte. To avoid
temptation you must quit Seville. A
month’s absence will efface the memory of
this unknown, who is doubtless some in
triguing adventurer. I will accompany
you on a visit to your father’s estate. Let
us leave to-morrow.”
“Your counsel is hard, Fernando,” said
Eustace, with emotion, “but I feel it is
for the best. I will even do as you say.”
The next day, to the great, surprise of
the good people of Seville, the gayest
young gallants in town, Eustace De Leon
and Fernando D’Artois, had disappeared.
A couple of days’ ride, and Eustece was
once more domiciled beneath the roof of
his forefathers, to the great delight of the
old Count. The latter also cordially wel
comed the friend of his son. The Marquis
Del Monte called over during the morn
ing, and was surprised and pleased to
meet Eustace.
After dinner Eustace accompanied the
Marquis to visit his betrothed. The old
gentleman, after conducting him to the
entrance of her boudoir, merely said:
“Maria, your old playmate, Eustace De
Leon,” and pushing him in, retired,
leaving the young folks to their Me.-u-Mo.
Maria was engaged in embroidery when
she was so unceremoniously disturbed.
Hie SnmmeftoiUe faftlft
85,c arose and bowed rather coldly to
Eustace, saying:
“A fair even, Senor.”
As Eustace gazed upon the lovely girl
ho fell madly and desperately in love, and
all thoughts of Lady Blanche and the
strange mask quitted his mind, a- with
trembling limbs he sank on his knees and
declared his passion.
“Are you sure?” replied she, mis
chievously, “that you love me as much as
you say?”
' Car. you doubt me?” he asked.
“But Lady Blanche La Medal Is it
possible that you have already forgotten
her? That argues ill i'or your constancy.”
“l’shaw, Maria, l know not where you
j learned of my flirtation with Bland e; but
be assured that she is not the kind of
person I could love.”
“Well. I believe you, Eustace; but
there is still another.”
“Nay, theieyou wrong me,” said Eus
tace, decidedly.
j “Oh, faithless one!” she exclaimed,
j with a mischievous laugh; “then you have
already forgotten your inamorata and
preserver, the mask?”
Eustace blushed as he replied:
“1 see you have heard of my foolish at
tachment for one whose taco 1 have never
seen. But, Maria, although l was f'asti
nated by the air of mystery which sur
rounded her, I have never yet felt toward
any female the same tender attachment I
have for you.”
What need to further pry into the
secrets of the young couple? Suffice it
that when they separated Eustace had
Maria’s promise that the happy day
should not be far distant; but as he tode
home he was very deeply puzzled to know
how she had discovered his former
peccadillos.
A few days after Maria took a fancy to
spend a few weeks in Seville. As her
will was virtually law, it was not long ere
the De Leons and Del Montes were
ensconced in their town residences.
A few days after their arrival there was
a brilliant masquerade to be given Maria
expressed a wish to attend, and Eustace
offered to accompany her; but her reply
was that her father would accompany her,
and that she would defy him to recognize
her. He declared it to be impossible, and
in return determined to disguise himself
| so as to prevent detection.
Well, the eventful night came, and
Eustace was there early. Earnestly lie
i searched the room with his eyes, but ul
j though there were pretty girls in every
j disguise, he could nowhere behold the
I graceful form of his beloved. It was late;
the guests had all arrived, and Eustace
| feared that something had deterred Maria
from attending, lie was about to leave
the saloon when a French Shepherdess, a
new arrival, brushed by him, attracting
his attention. Her mask was a peculiar
one, different from the black and white
usually worn. It was a gilt one, beauti
fully chased, and in the corner of the
forehead contained a small silver slur. It
was (be mask of the unknown, who bad
once saved his life. His strange affection
for her suddenly returned, and forgetting
his anxiety about Maria, he hastened to
her side and soon led her to the dance.
She conversed freely with him, though
evidently in an assumed tone. Still be
thought at times that her voice was
strangely familiar.
After the dance the Mask excused her
self for a moment and retired to an ante
room. Eustace waited for some time
patiently for her to appear, but at length
a thought struck him, and he hastily cn
tered. The only occupant was a Greek
Fisher Girl, whose features were hidden
by a white silk mask.
“My good girl,” he said, “can you tell
me which way a little French Shepherdess
took?”
“Senoi I)e L on seems to take a strange
interest in that mysterious mask of his,”
was the somewhat bitter reply.
“Maria?” exclaimed Eustace, astonish
ed, “you here?”
“ Aye; you might have found me sooner
had not your eyes been dazzled by the
gilt mask.'’
“I assure you, Maria, that I searched
earnestly for you.’ ’
“It is of little consequence,” she re
plied, coldly. “I mu-tgo now. I shall
be happy to hear your excuses at some
future period, at present adios!” and she
was gone ere ho could reply.
Eustace sat down, feeling very miser
able. His conduct was a sort of a mystery,
even to himself. While ho felt that lie
loved Maria as well as man ever loved
j woman, yet once in the presence of the
j Mask and lie had eyes or ears for r one
!el e. He came to the conclusion that he
j was the most false and fickle of his sex;
| and while in this enviable state of mind
SUMMERVILLE, GEORGIA, SEPTEMBER 12, 1878.
he sought his hat and cloak and left the
saloon.
As he was about leaving the room a
hand was laid upon his arm, and turning,
he Echo'd the gilt mask—this time cover
ing the features of the same hoy who once
before saved his life. The mask thrust
a note in his hand ami then disappeared
in the crowd. The note ran as follows:
“If the Senor is really anxious to solve
the mystery of one he pretends to care for
he shall be gratified. Let him call to
morrow at the old Palais de Boi. and he
will then discover who is Thk Mask
Eustace re read the note, and as he was
driven home he determined ho would
fathom the mystery which encircled the
Mask. Accordingly the next morning
found him at the appointed locality, lie
was conducted by a very ancient house
keeper to a boudoir, the fittings of which,
although rieh, wore old and faded. Here
the housekeeper left him to announce his
coming, and for some time he remained
alone. At length he heard a light footfall,
and the page who had once preserved him
entered. Eustace seized the little hand
of the pretended boy and pressed it to his
Ups.
“Atlast 1 am to know thy secret, fair
lady?”
“Stop a moment, Senor. Before I re
call my countenance wilt thou give thy
word that thou lovest but me?”
The tones of tho lady were evidently
assumed.
A mingled look of shame and pahi over
clouded the countenance of the young man
as he replied:
“Scnorita, 1 feci that you will despise
me, but 1 cannot give you the pledge you
require. While in your presence 1 feel
as though madly in love with you. Yet I
experience the same feelings toward my
betrothed, Maria Del Monte. Truly I
feel that I am the most faithless of men,
and am unworthy of the love of either of
you.”
“You have at least one virtue, Senor—
you are candid.”
“Well, your answer; am 1 still doomed
to ignorance?”
"You shall learn in a few moments: for
the present excuse mo.”
She left, the room, and for a few
moments Eustace remained brooding
moodily, lie heard not the light stop
that approached until ho was startled by
! a voice which thrilled through every
vein.
“Well, Sonor De Leon, doyc u recognize
me now?”
“Maria!” he exclaioiod, starting to his
feet.
“Nay, the gilt mask!” was the reply, in
the old assumed tones.
Eustace gazed a moment doubtfully,
then replied:
| "I see the whole scheme, Maria. You
cannot deceive me longer. I can now un
derstand my strange attachment for the
! Mask.”
The next moment the blushinggirl was
clasped in his arms.
A little explanation soon cleared the
mysteiy. Maria had spent the winter
with her aunt, who iivod near Seville.
She frequently spent days in the town
with her friend Blanche La Meda, who
| was really a good-hearted girl. It was
1 she who had persuaded Maria to adopt
I the mask. The warning note and rescue
was merely a little plot of the girl’s to win
the young man's gratitude. His sudden
departure frustrated their plans and eotn
| polled Maria’s hasty return home- Maria’s
I father was cognizant to the plot, arid
Eustace vowed it was not strange that ho
! should have fallen a victim to the Mask.
All the processes of the mechanic
| should teach him that something cannot
ihe made from nothing. He takes pieces
of board and fashions from them a
| coffin or a table, or whatever other article
lof use he may make. He takes a bar of
j iron and makes from it a horseshoe, or a
i nail, or a tire of u wagon-wheel. He takes
j pieces of leather and from them makes a
J lady's slipper or a farmer’s boot. Even
. the rudest laborer cannot make a post
hole without digging out the dirt. The
rule is not different in respect to money
j and property. Money must represent
'] something—either the labor required to
; dig the metal from the mines or some
| form of merchandise—to lie worth auy
: thing. So property cannot be created by
: ari act of Congress or the vote of a mass
! mooting. It must be got together by
hard work and patient saving. In short
of all men in the country the honest
| workingman ought to be the one to see
that the orator who says that something
can be made from nothing, is simply at
tempting to win his favor on the assump
tion that lie. neither observes nor reflects
upon the nature and limitations of his
' own occupation I —2V. V. l*nsl.
THREE GOl)l> LESSONS.
“One of my first lessons,” said Mr.
Sturgis, the eminent merchant, “was in
1812, when 1 was eleven years old. My
grandfather had a fine flock of sheep,
which were carefully tended during tho
war of those times. 1 was the shepherd
boy, and my business was to watch tho
sheep in tho fields. A boy who was more
fond of his book than tho sheep was sent
with me, but left tho work to me, while
ho lay under the trees and read. I did
j not like that, and finally went to my
j grandfather and complained of it. 1 shall
j never forget the kind smile of the old
gentleman as he said:
“Never mind, Jonathan, my boy; if
you watch tho sheep, you will have the
sheep.”
“ |What does grandfather mean by
that?’ I said to myself. I don’t expect to
liavo sheep.’ My desires were moderate
—a fine buck worth a hundred dollars. I
could not exactly make out in my mind
what it was; hi t l had great confidence
in him, for he was a judge, and had been
in Congress in Washington’s time; so 1
concluded it was all right, and went hack
contentedly to the sheep. After I got
into the field, I could not keep his words
out of my head. Then I thought of
Sunday’s lesson: ‘Thou hast been faithful
over a few things, I will make thee ruler
over many things.’ I began to see
through it. Never you mind who neglects
his duty; bo you faithful, and you will
have your reward.
“1 received a second lesson soon after T
eatue to New York as a clerk to the late
Lyman Reed. A merchant from Ohio,
who knew me, came to buy goods, and
said: ‘Make yourself so useful that they
cannot do without you.’ ( took his
meaning quicker than 1 did that of my
grandfather.
“Well, I worked upon these two ideas
until Mr. Reed offered me a partnership
in the business. The first morning after
tho partnership was made known, Mr.
James Ueery, the old tea merchant, called
I in to congratulate me, and said: ‘You arc
j right now. 1 have only ,mo word of advice
to give you : Be careful who you walk the
streets with.’ That was lesson number
] throe.
“And what valuable lessons they arcl
“Fidelity in all tilings; do your best to
your employers; carefulness about your
associates.” Let everybody take these
lessons home and sti.dy them. They arc
j tho foundation stone of character and
honorable success.
i.ovi: ti;ii wrilAN r.
S imc miles west of Indianapolis, Tnd.,
lives a worthy old farmer named Hoffman,
| whose daughter, Sarah, plighted her
troth with a gallant young gentleman of
that city, David Clemens. Sallie was the
I prospective heiress to the broad acres of
her father, and Mr. Hoffman objected to
a marriage contract with any one, more
particularly David, because of her youth
j (seventeen), and yet the lady is in weight
nearly 200, in height nearly six feet, and
; is posso-sed of unusual mature judgment.
The old man guarded his treasure closely,
but there was a secret communication be
tween the lover and the beloved, by which
the elopement was arranged.
The night chosen was a stormy one, but
Clemens and his friend, Mr. F. C. Sh offer,
engaged a swift team and drove to the
meeting place, and there awaited her
coming. She had the requisite nerve,
and, at the hour named, jumped from her
chamber window and struck out in
the darkness for ttie carriage. The
wind slammed the shutter of her window
with a terrible bang that awoke the in
mates. and the father gave rapid pursuit.
The girl outwinded him in the race,
] sprang into the carriage, and with loose
rein and vigorous whip the lover and be
loved and .Mr. Sluder galloped toward the
city. The girl bad severe! uncles, bard
handed, strong fisted, stalwart fellows,
who backed the father in his opposition
to David, and these men joined in the
pursuit, together with their retainers and
neighbors, all of them members of a
cavalry company organized for protection
against, horse thieves. In squads of twos
and threes the pursuer* rode to every
I railway station within a radius of twenty
\ miles, h aving Mr. Hoffman and cine other
! to follow to the city, warn the police, and
telegraph for the arrest of the fugitives.
It is seldom that a double rig plunges
more madly over a dark, muddy road than
did the one bearing David and Bailie, and
within a trice after reaching his father’s
residence, on Northwest s ; rett, they were
indissolubly bound together for life by the
llev. Dr. Ketchnnr, of the California
Street Church. Quick as was the ride
; arid the marriage ceremony, there was no
(imo to waste, for, within a few moments 1
after they were made husband and wife, '
and while the company were sitting down
to a substantial supper, in bounced six
feet five of the irate father (normal
weight 22. r >), revolver in hand, demanding
an immediate return of his daughter to
her home. Shofer, who had heroically
stood by David, drew his revolver and
evinced a perfect readiness to respond;
tho bride replied: “I guess not,” and
seeing things had taken a turn, the old
man stopped to parley, and then went oft
for re-enforoements. Re-onforeoments
came in the shape of her brawny uncles,
but she had made up her mind to remain
with David, and there she stuck with true
feminine devotion. Then he threatened
to disinherit tier, but Clemens pere gavo
Hoffman pere to understand that his
money was backing his boy, and Hoffman
pere could disinherit and be stay to
breakfast. At last accounts David and
Sallie have settled down to the quietude
of domestic life, the uncles have drawn in
the cavalry scouts, while Hoffman pure
was altering his will—a material thing
when it is considered ho is probably worth
a cool SBO,OOO.
GAHHLTNU IN NEVADA.
They still buck tho tiger in the most
approved fashion out in Nevada, and that
expensive beast couldn’t have a more
convenient jungle than Virginia City. He
is not only tolerated, hut the host people
of the city arc on familiar terms with him.
Judges, lawyers, mining superintendents,
and even clergymen, do not find it at till
necessary to fold secrecy around their
somewhat frequent visits to his lair. Faro
is one of tho recognized and legitimate
industries of tho town. The high licenses
which tho owners of games are compelled
to pay constitute a rieh source of revenue
to the city and form the strangest possible
argument with the lawgivers for allowing
the tiger to flourish. Mere moral objec
tions are weak by tho side ol stacks of
twenties. 'J'lie city has at present sixteen
faro banks, atm the proprietor of one of
the most flourishing faro banks reports
that the expenses of running the gauiess
exclusive of license, foot up $27,400 per
year. One of the two banks with which
the Cold Hill is blessed clears regularly
every month $5,000. Yet the average
(Jomstookcr feels rather insulted when
one who is not to the manner horn hints
that one does not get fair play at faro.
A popular delusion prevails that faro is
conducted “on the square” in Nevada.
The fact that the owners of. the games
live, as a general thing in about as
handsome houses as can he seer: in tho
city, and that they are themselves behind
fast horses, counts for nothing with the
gambling Comstookcr, who invariably has
his “system” nearly perfected, and is sure
to “bust the game” before long. This
ardently longed for triumph is occasionally
achieved. Within the past six months no
less than four games have been cleaned
out. They were, however, comparatively
poverty stricken concerns, having hut
S2OOO or SBOOO capital. Most of the banks
now running have a backing of from
$50,000 to SIOO,COO. Oue institution ha
$400,000 as a foundation.
WONDER! UE SPIDER'S WICR.
Across the “sunny paths” of Ceylon
where the forests meet the open country,
and which constitute tho bridle roads of
the island, an enormous spider stretches
its web at the height of from four to eight
feet from the ground. The cordage of
these webs is fasted on cither side to
projecting shoots of trees or shrubs, and
is so strong as to hurt the traveler’s face,
and even lilt off J:is hat, if he is so un
lucky as not fo see (lie lines. The riestir:
the centre is sometimes as large as a
man's head, urid is continually growing
larger, and it is formed of successive
layers of tho old webs rolled over each
other, sheet alter sheet, into a Imll. These
successive envelopes contain the litnbsand
wings ol insects of all descriptions which
have been tl e prey of' the spider and his
family, who occupy tho den formed in
their midst. 'I Inyo seems to be no doubt
that the spider casts tho well loose and
rolls it round the nucleus centre when it
becomes overcharged with carcasses and
then proceeds to construct a fresh one,
which in its tun: is destined to be folded
up with the rest. Tllk World of Won
ders.
According to the tables in the arithme
tics, four roods make one acre, but we
have known one acher to make ono rude.
The acher was on his loot, arid his friend
trampled on it. It was an acher of corn,
: i it were, and thereafter the friend was
cornered.
NUMBER 37.
ItETTILES IN MADAGASCAR.
Beasts of prey are Unknown in Mada
gascar, but the rivers abound in alligators,
and scorpions are extremely prolific, more
especially at Bembatooka, which Lieut.
Batelcr had an opportunity of ascertain
ing, by accidentally displacing a largo
stone on the declivity of a projecting point,
a little above high-water mark. A black
scorpion, live inches in length, was coiled
up underneath, but in so lethargic a
state that, although when touched with a
stick it resented the attack by stinging
with its tail, yet it would not change its
position until repeatedly irritated in the
same way. He afterwards removed
several other stones, most of which were
found with one or more of these venomous
reptiles beneath-
It is not perhaps generally known that
the most destructive enemy to these rep
tiles is the common mouse. They never
meet without a contest, which almost uni
versally terminates in favor of our little
domestic annoyance, who, either by force
of arms or stratagem, contrives to destroy
his enemy. This lie docs by irritating the
scorpion with his constant and agile at
tacks, until the reptile becomes so fatigued
as to ho an easy prey, or to become, as
some suppose, his own executioner.
Lieut. Jones and Dr. Guland landed
on the Island of Rattow with their guns,
and in a very short lime returned with
several birds of different kinds and a large
serpet of the Boa Constrictor species,
which they suddenly encountered while
walking through the jungle. When first
seen it was scarcely five yards distant and
cither frightened or irritated at being dis
turbed, it assumed a most menacing atti
tude, its bright eyes glaring with fury, and
coiling itself up, as if preparing to spring
at Dr. Guland, who happened to be in ad
vance. But that gentleman, before the
monster had time to accomplish his pur
pose, lodged the contents of his gun in its
bead; the wound was fatal, and after lash
ing with its tail the surrounding bushes
and grass for a Lw minutes, the huge
reptile expired.
It measured twelve feet in length, and
the thickest part of its body was nine
inches round. About half-way down the
stomach was extended far beyond its usual
size, which appeared evidently to proceed
from something that it had devoured. On
examination a young springbuck, about
the size of a cat, was extracted in a per
fect state, with tho exception of a small
portion of the head, upon which the
monster's digestive organs had begun to
act. The last time the doctor visited this
island he was encountered by a crocodile
about eight foot in length; tho animal
was friehttned, and retreated one way,
while Dr. Guland, whose gun was only
charged with small shot, most readily
availed himself of the other.
A ROSY FIXTURE.
They were in the bell-tower of the city
hall yesterday, and she leaned her yellow
haired head on his agricultural shoulders
and listened to the mighty “tick! tick!
tick 1” of the big clock.
“Wo don't want such a big clock as
that, do we, darling?” she whispered.
“No, my little daisy,” he answered, as
he hugged her a little closer; “I kin buy
a clock for two dollars which ’ll run three
days to this clock’s two. I’ve got her
picked out already!”
“We'll ho very, yory happy," sho
sighed.
“You bet we will! I've figured it right
down fine, and 1 believe we can live on
twelve eggs, one pound of sugar, ten
pounds of flour and one pound of butter.”
“And you'll have a bank account?” she
pleaded.
“i will, even il l have to buy asecond
hand one?”
“Arid will wOkeep a coachman?”
“Yes.”
“And have a piano?”
“Yes, darling.”
“And I can have some square pillows
with shams on them?”
“Yes, my tulip—yes?” vie’ll sham
every darned thing from cellar to garret,
have the front door painted blue, and—
hut less go’n look at some second hand
cook-stoves!” — Covington Slur.
The Rev. Miss Oliver says every time
a young man spends five cents for a glass
of beer he takes seven bricks from a snug
home. The Rev. Miss stops too suddenly.
She should have added that lie places the
seven bricks in his hat.
Tho love of glory, the fear of shame,
the design of making a fortune, the desire
of rendering life easy and agreeable, and
the humor of pulling down other people
ate ollcn the cause of that valor so cele
brated aim.:,; me:;.