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Only A Silk Thread. ST K. DI H. Trom Clara to Annie. Chateau de Belle Vue, June, 20. I must tell you first, that it will not be easy for you to read my letter. I am very nervous this morning; my pen trembles between my fingers, and my thoughts are crowding in my head. 1 will try to Now! do you see a tear under the o of to and a blot above the t T I made the latter while trying to wipe out the former. I’ll begin •gain. But no. • • • I opened my window and took my ros ary. A little prayer and fresh air did me good. I am calm now. When I came here, two weeks ago, the intendant who had brought me from the son- vent led me into my aunt's small parlor. You do not know my aunt, the Countess of Yermillac. She is a pleasant littie woman of seventy, gay, witty, with not even the mildest rheumatism. She is a widow, but the date of her widowhood is beyond memory. She never had any children. One can not see her without being struck by the whiteness of her beautiful hair, her waxy rosy complexion, keen eyes, sharp nose, and her lips always in mo, tion like those of a rabbit. Summer and winter- she always sits by the window in a large arm-chair, with a pillow to rest upon. Provided she can, by extending her arm, reach to her spectacles, snuff box, knitting work, dog, cat and canary bird, she is satisfied. The parlor is neat and always kept in good order, and is possessed of a perfume of old time. As soon as you enter it you feel like going back to the last century. My aunt was very glad to see me, and after I had kissed her on both cheeks, she pointed to me a seat which 1 brought near to her’s. Then she took off her spectacles, folded her knitting work, petted her cat, scolded her dog, teased her canary bird, opened her snuff-box, and said to me : ‘My darling, it’s a good thing that you came. The house is full of gentlemen. Every year 1 invite all the hunters living in the neighbornood, and not one ever fails to come, for the game is abundant on my lands. I never neglect to have a niece here at that season of the year; four ol them have got married that way. 1 have three more. Now is your turn; don’t lose the opportun ity. When a girl is not wealthy it is hard for her —especially in our society—to get married except that way. Take myself as an example. 1 laugh yet when I think of it. We were twenty-five in a large country stage; the horses ran away, and taking to a field by the roadside, they upset the vehicle, throwing us all pell-mell on a big pile of hay. Two hours later, when we entered home, your uncle asked for my hand. He was in the last stage of consumption, but he had the kind attention not to give up his soul before we got married. I appreciated that delicate attention, which was not the only one he did. for he left me by will all his property. What became of it ? Such a question ! I spent it, of course. You see, darling, I have been coquettish, and coquettry is the gormandise of women. 1 own nothing now but this property, and when I die it shall be divided tmong my three pets and my seven nieces, so you understand, darling, that your share will be very small. You know too, that Job was a rich man compared to your parents, and that you are eight children. So thank your good old aunt, who gives you this chance of making your way in this world at nobody’s expense. Kiss me again, dear, then go and make yourself pretty before dinner. Don’t waste your time, and be Bharp, Mademoi selle.’ You may judge, dear Annie, the effect of such a substantial speech on your friend’s mind ; l ate very little at diner, and did not sleep at all at night. I dreamed—or rather thought—of Octave, with his fine mustache, silken , and his nice vests. He appeared to me on his beautiful Arabian horse. For a long time I looked at him, and then I sighed so deeply and so loudly that the vision disappeared. After a while, I found myself think ing that it would be pure folly to me to entertain any feeling for a young man who has already lost a fortune at gambling, that a girl of our rank must hold her position in this world; that my aunt is right; that I am twenty-two years old. and if I lose this opportunity, the sixth niece will next year take my place here. In that case I might become an old maid, unless I marry some old man, a thing my friends of the convent would disap prove—you first of all—is it not so ? ‘Don’t waste your time, and be sharp, Made moiselle.’ According to that advice I dress myself up soon every morning. Now you will laugh at me. Ten days after her arrival, your friend Clara had not made a choice yet. It is easy enough to choose between two or three, but they are twelve, good Annie, twelve I Who is the right one ? That is the question. I’d like to see you in my place. I looked first for one who would favor Octave, 1 would have immediately chosen him; but'it is useless, not a single one is near as good looking as that young man. The worse of it is that they did not help me at all in my perplexity. They are all very polite with me, but ne more. After a few compliments, they gather in groups and talk about their horses and hounds. Do you understand now how it is that I stand on the tenth day just as I did on the first? You know me, and you may well imagine the present state ot my nerves. My aunt unconsciously keeps up my nervous exoitement instead of soothing it, for every night she invariably asks me: ‘Darling, how are you progressing? What is the prospect ? I listen but don’t hear a single word in the right direction; I open my eyes but don’t see anything to built a hope upon. Hide your play as much as you please, but be careful 1 Don’t waste your time, time is precious, especially for girls.* Don’t you admire my aunt? She seems to believe that country stages upset every day on a pile of hay. One day—at last—now lend me your attention, Annie— Mr. Adolphus took a seat by my side and began praising my embroidery. I answered the compliment, and, we engaged in conversation. In the evening we had become very good friends. Mr. Adolphus is neither pretty nor ugly. By using a little cosmetic, his mustache could almost compete with Octave's. In my situation I cannot ask any more. So I have now a little start. Had you have seen me during the last three or four days you would have been satisfied. I was watch ing for an opportunity to blush, but lo ! he never gave it to me. That was provoking. He is of a fair complexion, and I remembered your opinion on that class of men ‘if you stay with them on the defensive, you will spend a lifetime at it.’ Day before yesterday, while we were all in the parlor at night, a gentleman spoke of an old gothic tower, situated on the river, about twenty miles off, and I said I would l : ke to see it. Aunt told us that it was very easy to go there and back in one day, provided we set out very early in the morn ing. ‘Let us start by day-light 1’ I exclaimed. My proposition was accepted, we had only to appoint a day. ‘Why not to-morrow?’ saidI. It was agreed upon, and my aunt gave orders to that effect. 6 Mr. Adolphus was near me, playing with my , skeins of silk this has been his occupation for about a week.—This early start did not please him Silk Morning Dresses. Out Door Costumes for December. much. He never had risen so soon and would not be ready in time. Depend on me to wake you up,’ I told him. II. From Adolphus to Charles. Chateau de Belle Vue, June, 20. [Fragment.] * * * ‘Depend on me to wake you up,’ she said, ‘at the c invent was always up before day light.’ i . I must tell you that our rooms are opposito to each other and open on the hall. ‘This is what I propose,’ she added, taking from my hand a skein of silk, ‘you tie this en< * to your wrist and you slip the other end under your door; I slip it under mine, and when time comes I’ll jerk it as a bell rope. If you don t wake up then, it will be your own lault.’ I accepted the proposition, strange as it is, but we are in the country ! When bed time came, every one retired to his room. We went up last, and when at our respect ive doors Mademoiselle Clara ^kindly tied the thread herself. Her fingers trembled a little around my wrist; I looked at her, and she blushed. ‘Good night, mademoiselle.’ ■Good night, sir,’ She closed her door and locked it up. I left mine ajar and went to bed ; but I could not sleep. That silk thread took in my imagination the pro portions of an iron ring too narrow for my arm. I am awake now for the balance of the night. What an idea to visit an old ruined tower! * * * She is really pretty, I assure you. Her black hair is dazzling; her large eyes envelope you from head to foot and keep you completely under their charm. For several days after her arrival, I did not pay any attention to her; I was absorbed by the chase. But one day, in which 1 had not killed any game the other hunters teased me with their jokes, and I determined never to go hunting with them any more. That day I looked at Mademoiselle Clara; her beauty struck me then, I took a seat at her side, and we went into conversation. Did you know, Charles, that the silk 'was a good conductor of electricity ? No; neither did I. But it is so, my dear. The looks, the words, even the little white hand of Mademoiselle Clara did not produce upon me one half of the sensations that traversed that thread and came to pierce me like so many needles. My clock is striking twelve then one. Night is dark ; all is silent. I shut my eyes. When half asleep, I dream that my hand is leaving me and slowly makes its way towards my neighbor’s room. I must run after it, but I can’t move. My hand and arm are certainly out of the bed; the magnetio power of the thread is drawing them. I resist. The thread yields a moment but Boon to pull again. * * * I cannot doubt any more, dear friend, I am completely awake ! I cannot express my feelings; the electric influence of the silk had taken me unguarded, and I lost my self-control. True, I first opposed some resistance, but let not my morals be proud of it, for I was unconscious of my doings. My blood ib boiling, my temples are vibrating and it seems to me that the thread is in communication with mysterious sounds. I listen; but do not question me; some music, you know, is intoxicating 1 * * * What is this now ? The thread seems to get impatient and pulls so hard, that it makes a mark on my wrist, causing a slight pain, the effect of which is to bring a shadow of reason to my brain. I took advantage of it to reflect upon the possible consequences of all that. No ! a thousand times no! Having uttered that exclamation, I resolved to get up, take scissors and 1 uttered a second exclamation—of pain this time—my forehead had struck some very hard object. Ah! dear Charles, it was only then that I realized I was already up and standing by my door, which I had left ajar. 1 jumped backward, seized the scissors, and hear ing some noise in the hall, I listened a while. Some one was there, and the thread began pulling again. * • * * The scissors have fulfilled their duty I heard some one going off with a long sonorous sigh, but I did not remain there to listen to it, 1 went straight back to my bed. III. End of Clara’s Letter to Annie. •* * •* Twelve o’clock, and I do not sleep yet. My clock strikes one and I close my eyes, thinking of that famous labyrinth, out of which no one could go unless he had a thread to guide him. Was it a silk thread ? History does not say. I woke by daylight, dressed myself in a hurry, and went to my bureau, upon which I had left the ,»v .... ... - [ j,ad wound my wonder the drawers, — , s , „ . under my bed; but the thread is not to be found. Had any body stolen it ? I examined the window, it was closed; the door, it was locked. Am I a somnam bulist? I began to get scared, and seated myself on an arm-chair, Looking to the floor I saw, right by the door, the King of Hearts, on which d had wound the silk thread. Some one had dare to draw it to the very end; and who could it be but Mr. Adolphus, who had the other end tied around his wrist? A man whom I supposed to be timid ! Did he imagine that I went to bed with the other end of his thread in my hand, so as to be in readiness to his call ? What opinion has he of a lady ? Shame and anger made my blood rush to my heart, I looked at the card on the floor, and it seemed to me that the king was growing larger and was the veTy picture of that insolent man. In an instant, I had picked it up and torn up into pieces. But to destroy his effigy was not enough for me, I wanted to pull out his very eyes. Full of this not very Christian thought, I opened my door. Mr. Adolphus was just opening his. so we found ourselves in presence of each other. We were alone in the hall and I looked at him as if to crush him down to atoms. ‘You may have such opinion of me as you please, mademoiselle,’ he said, with a slight tint of irony, ‘after while, you will certainly render me justice, and appreciate the delicacy of my conduct.' ‘Your conduct, sir, need not long meditation to be judged as it deserves. What I think of it to day 1 will always think it.’ ‘So you disapprove me ?’ ‘ Do you wonder at that ?’ ‘No, mademoiselle, and still I would do again what I have done.’ ‘Where have you learned, sir, that a gentleman has ever acted that way ?’ ■ ‘In the Bible, mademoiselle, I have followed th6 example of an honest young man of Jewish race. ‘What do you mean? I don’t understand you any more. Had you imitated the poor young man you speak of, you would have spared me the in sult you inflicted upon me last night. ‘I must now ask you myself what you mean. You speak of an insalt; what insult, great heav ens ! explain yourself, if you please!’ I was about to answer him, but— •Plague on the little girls I’ exclaimed my aunt, who was entering the hall, ‘plague on the little girls who leave their things everywhere. Can t. you be more careful to put up your silk skeins when you are through working? A little more, my poor cat would have been choked to death ! I looked at the animal which she carried in her arms, and saw that the silk was entangled all around his legs, neck and body. I turned to Mr. Adolphus ; he burst in a laugh. I imitated him to the great wonder of my aunt, who did not un derstand. We had a delicious time in our visit to the old tower; Mr. Adolphus has been with me all the time. He has been pleasant, gallant, even some thing more. The company talked, looking at us, and made teasing allusions; but he did not pay any attention to it, neither did I. If my aunt’s cat is not the innocent cause of my marriage, I am greatly mistaken. Au revoir, dear, remember me. A gentleman entered a grocery store at North Vernon, Indiana, tbe other day and asked lo r a gallon of molasses. Having drawn it, the store keeper asked him what he would take it home in. “In my hat,” promptly replied the cus tomer, calmly bolding out a new silk hat, into which the grocer, not to be outdone in saw" froid, poured tbe fluid. Then the custome. jammed the hat on the grocer’s head, and, hav ing thus occupied his attention, teok what money there was in the till and departed. Daniel McGonigle. of Jeffersonville, Ind.,«ged 78, challenges any man in the country to wriatle with him. .... PE4 17. K It 2 TO CORRESPONDENTS. All communications relating to this department of the paper mhould be addressed to A. F. Wurm, Atlanta.Ga. Chess headquarters. Young Men’s Library Associa tion, Marietta street. Original games and problems are cordially solicited for this column. We hope our Southern friends will re spond. SOLUTION TO PROBLEM NO. 72. | 1 K Kj 1 BXB+ 2 QXP, etc PROBLEM NO. 74. By Adolf Anderssen, black, m WHITE. White to play and mate in 3 moves. CHESS BY CORRESPONDENCE. (French Defence.) WHITE, BLACK, Jno. A. Belcher, Providence, B. I. 1. P-K 4 2. P-Q4 3. PXF 4. Kt—K B 3 5. B—Q.3 6. 0—0 7. Kt-Q B 3 8. K Kt—K 5 o P—KB4 10. Q Kt—K 2 (a) 11. BPXKt •-O B3 ;t-KB4 O-K sq $-Ul z 17. KtXB 18. K—K *q 19. 0 BXP 20. RXR ^ 21. BXK B P (b) 22. White resigns. NOTES BY THE VANQUISHED CHESSER (a) Kt—K B 3 was much better. \b) Q B—K R 4 was the right move here, but this capture stirred up such a bumble bee nest, that the author put both hands over his face and ran away as fast as his legs could carry him. CHESS IN NEW YORK. Game played Mr. C. Mohle and Captain Landrup, in the tournament now in progress at the Manhal tan Chess Club. KVAMS’ GAMBIT—RICHARDSON’I ATTACH- 12. P- 13. Kt- 14. 15. 16. A. L. Grutten, Brooklyn, N. Y. 1. P-K 3 2. P—Q 4 3. PXP 4. Kt-K B 3 5. B—Q3 6. B-K3 7. P-Q B 3 8. Q Kt-Q 2 9. Q-Q Kt 3 10. Q KtXKt 11. KBXP 12. B—Q3 13. Q—QB2 14 K-Q2 15. Q R—K B sq 16. P—K Kt 4 17. BXKKP+ 18. PX Kt 19. Kt-K Kt 5 20. RXR 21. Kt—K B 7+ HO. B B 0 17. Q Kt 5 ( 18. B Q 3 and wins. (gl Forced. If 1{ to K sq, mate follows in two moves, or if P It 3, B tks R P. Arc., wins offhand. (h) 17. B B 6, followed by B Q 3, is yet more to the purpose. (i) He has nothing good, but P Q, 1 gives him a chance of surviving a move or two longer than the plan lie adopts. (j) A pretty ending. —T. F. & Farm OP£BA BGITSS. JOHN T. RAYMOND, The Great American Comedian, in COL. MULBERY SELLERS, Monday, December 2d, and in [Risks or Insure your Rife Tuesday, December 3d. MISS LOUISE POMEROY, The Most Charming Actress on the American Stage Wednesday, December 4th, in THE ADIRONDACK^, One of the most beautiful plays of modern times, made lor Miss I’oniery. and represented for the first time in this city. Thursday, December 5th, CAMILLE, Alexander Dumas’ Great emotional Play. OFEEJi HOUSS. NICK ROBERTS -GREAT— HUMPTY DUMPTY Combination, with Grimaldy and a host of completely new feature*, and extraordinary ATTRACTIONS 1 Friday and Saturday, December 6th, A 7th: Grand Matinee Saturday After noon. Prices as usual. Tickets for reserved seats for sale at Phillips & Crews' without extra charge. White, Mr. M. 1.. P K 4 2.. Kt K B 3 3.. B B 4 4.. P Q Kt 4 ,..PQB3 6.. Cast lea 7 ..P Q 4 8.. Kt tks P 9.. P tks Kt 10.. Q « O 11.. Kt tks B 12.. Q K B 3 P K R 3 (g) P Q Kt 4 (i) KR2 J>n Kt3 Black. White. Black* Cant. L. Mr. M. Capt. L. p K4 1?..KKt3 QK2(c) Kt Q B 3 14..B K R 6 (d) P K Kt 3 8 1)4 15..B Kt 5 )e> Q B4 B tks P 16..Q B 4 (f) B R 4 17..Q R B (h) Kt K B3 18..B B 6 Castles 19..BK2 Kt tks Kt 20..B tks R K Kt (tt ) 21..Q R 4 P Kt 4 Kt tks K P 22..b Kt 6 ch K tks B BtksP 23..Q tks P ch KR2 Kt tks Kt 24..Q R 5 mate Kt B5 (b) NOTES. to.) Kt tks K P is doubtless very much stronger. The moves made gives Black an uncomtortable po- sition. ls the on jy move here. After this move W bite’s uttack becomes over- w «'.mtng K R sq was his best resource. overlooks the lact that had this Bgone tnk'tiioim he could have won sooner. The Bis much stroBuer at B 6 than at B 6. le> He properly prefers this to taking the R. m Had lie played B B 6 at once instead, the reply would still have been P K R 4, followed by K R 2. But we think White would nave accomplished his end quicker had he taken that course, eg: THE GEORGIA_RAILROAD GEORGIA RAILROAD COMPANY, ) Superintendent's Offick, v Augusta, Ga., July 13, lb78. J COMMENCING SUNDAY, 14th in*t. Train* will leave ATLANTA as follows : . 19 30 a. m.—Augusta, Athens, Macon, Washington, and Way Stations, < barleston. Savannah, Port — j Royal, Columbia, Wilmington, Norfolk, Richmond, Washington, Baltimore, Phila delphia, New York, and the East via Coast [Line. No connection for Macon, or Washington Georgia, on Sundays. 5 00 p. m.—Covington Accommodation. 6 00 p. m.—Augusta and Way Stations on Main Line, Charleston, Savannah, Columbia, Charlotte, Danville, Richmond, Lynchburg, Washing ton, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and the East, via Virginia Midland, or Pied mont Air-Line. Arrives at Atlanta from Augusta and intermediate atations, 530 a. in., 2 00 p. in., from Covington, 7 50 a. na. tDaily—Other Trains Daily Except Sundays. SUPERB, IMPROVED SLEEPERS OS NIGUT TRAINS S. K. JOHNSON, Superintendent. E. R. DORSEY, Gen. Pass. Agent, Qf CONSUMPTION [CURED. An old physician, retired from practice, having placed in hie hands by an East India missioi ary formula of a simple vegetable remedy for ihe speedy an# permanent cure for cenrumption, Bronchitis, Catarr> Astbn a, and all Throat and Lung Affeciions, also positive ami radical cure for Nervout Debility and a] Nervous Complaint,, a ter having tested its wonderful curative powers in thousands ol cases, has ielt it his duty to make it known to hi* suffering fallows. Aetna* ted by this motive and a desiie to inhere human suffer ing, l will send free of charge to all who desire it, this recipe, with full directions for preparing and using in German, French, or English. Sent by mail by addressing with stamp, naming thi, paper, W. W. SHERaK * 149 Powers’ Block, Rochester, N J Any worker can make $12 p e home. Costly outfit free. Address TRUE & CO., Augusta, Alain,