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YOL. Y. J. H‘. 1ST" - B. SEALfcf iJiRHSRSASP ; PROPRIETORS. ATLANTA, GA., FEBRUARY 14, l"0. d-„ Termsin Advance; iSX&SiSUZ. NO. 239- 'mi-; shj:\ci BY WILLIAM WINTER. ^ though I sing no other song? W hat though I speak no other \vor« Is silence shame? Is patience wmnf At least one Sony of mine teas hettr< One echo from the mountain air, One ocean murmur, glad and free- One sign that nothing grand or fair In all this world was lost to me. I would not wake the sleeping lyre: 1 would not strain the chords; of thong The sweetest fruit of all desire Comes its own way. and comes unxiiii:! Though all the bards of earth were dene. And all the music passed away. What nature wishes should lie said She’ll find the rightful voice to say. Her heart is in the shimmering leaf. The drifting cloud, the lonely sky, And all we know of bliss and grief >lic speaks in forms that cannot die. The mountain peaks that shine afar. The silent stars, the pathless see. Are living signs of all we are, And types of all we hope to be. I i Rcsurgiim. I shall not live o’er again This strange life, half bliss, half pain ; I shall sleep till Thou call's! me to arise Body and soul with new-born powers. If thou awnkenest these poor flowers, 'lilt thou not awaken me, Who am thirsting after thee * Ah! when faith is almost dead I.et me think the rose’s red Lies beneath a cold snow bed Till the summer’s gentle tread Bids h,. r ;ff t her sleeping head. uet 11oil.' storm, but my mar META; — OR — SOUTHERN PLANTATION LIFE. A Tme and Absorbing Story oi' Southern Life and Southern Experiences, Beiore and During the War. >i'"i i ;iml South < ’arolina ■ .1 ,w.« tili four Mound Ruifflers. \v 1 Al ’-v* •' - • thought! made a young lady just suited to! "Ah! there is somel >ody else amused la-ides his taste.” j Meta I see. If this gentleman, who we irs a “Alt. mama, as usual you prove me wrong; > few silver locks, is amused what of little but listen. I hear Met,a coming, and liist! ah! I Meta ! Say now my liege lord !” here she is, with a troop of little negroes at "Well i am amused, blit sorry for the ; cause: think of her skipping the rope at Ber wick's. with ninety girls like herself, blit let us leave the subject for the present, we will join .Meta, and earrv her little crowd home: I her in A girl of thirteen summers bounded lightly into the room, threw her arms around her mother’s neck and whispered a few words. which caused that lady to dive into the little j it is time I should visit the sick.’ Scenes Ink 1 , on the Savannah U iver, in < Jeo J i Y GAGF, HEMPS key basket and give to the suppliant a key. the possession of which sent the child scam pering from the room. "She asked for a lump of sugar for each one. anda cupful for Mamn Venus." "I notice she is very generous, more so than Bertha.” said the father. “Yes. she is a little presiding genius over the plantation. I do not think a negro ever lias the slightest atlliction that sin- does f \ know it instantly. She seems to keep n.a ■ sort of telegraphic communication between herself and them.’’ "Very good traits, as she is doomed to la all her days. WplLtocomebaiOi tneir mis Stepping back into the study, he opened a case and provided himself with a few viais ot physic. In the meantime Mrs. Glenn was in the pantry, lilting a small basket with dif ferent- kinds of provision for the sick. Presently the father and mother left the house and joined Meta. “Come, my little girl" -aid Col. Glenn tak- [ ing her hand." Your little regiment will inarch with us now to the quarter. 1’liilis, •Jane and Dick you take the lead and now for home.” With these word- the little blacks trotted off in single tile down the path, running ’hrough a belt "f oaks that stood between i "esc” It is improbable that Meta should ev- j er join Mr. Cane's church. I think we can guide her so faithfully in our own that -he I will clmg to it tenaciously: still—— here she paused and looked long in her husbands eyes j —"would vou lie unwilling to see her a L hris- 1 tian. even with these humble people; “Oh. if she* could not be one in our entire ii at all—if it was a necessity to leave a firm foundation for a mere chance of a society like that. . . .i “I confess I am very ignorant of this Merc- odist organization,” said Mrs. Glenn. ‘•So am i nor do I feel interest enough to learn about it. I built the chapel because mv negroes wished it. and their preacher seemed anxious to serve them here. So far. I nave thought it an actual good, but—why it mv daughter is to indulge in any whims for it. l will move it away, and more, —here he waxed warmer—“I’ll raze it to the ground. Reallv now I feel uncertain about Meta. Do you ever know one day what ideas will enter her head;" . "Xn. never,” said his wife: she is quite original an' believes in fresh explorations. "Ah. Madeline, 1 fear you allow yourself to liecom.'- -(•' interested in our lit.le girl s er. tieing wavs, that you follow where she leads, too often, not thinking of the pitfalls she mav wander into.” , . , . , "You are becoming morbid on this sulijei r. dear: I see ev en as you do. but while I cui i where 1 can, there are times when I deem a little winilesonie neglect the very remedy . But listen! That singing, is it not charming: Mr. Crane's music is lietter than our organ and trained choir.” ..... f , The -oul-stirring sounds weie distinitij heard in the boudoir, and both of its occu pants paused to listen as grand old Dundee was rung out in thrilling tones from the sa ** •fo.SSwSSi,” Mid Ctttone 01««, lswl- ing his head and listening, now thoroughly soothed. After a silence of a few moments he looked up and said: Madeline this n . sionarv enterprise is a noble work. mde l. When I think of a man like Mr. < ane. intel ligent, refined, sacrificing all those advanta- c-es he is so able to win, for the purpose of preaching to negro slaves, where malarial diseases await him, I am lost in adnniafu'ii of the church system which commands it. “Siu-clv there limst be good among these people, prejudiced as we are against them, said Mrs. Glenn. . . - , i Colonel Glenn hesitated: evidently his last ■ confession bc-l .somewhat compromised his its “; w x • —■ '“-ail i l*! 101 A..VFAA ^ic- . ... .. .-hun of frownir u” j burdensome ami unwieldy in the hour of | m these to allow the latter to disarrange mighty changes and poverty. . them in his wife's eyes. Colonel Glenn and his wife were people of j "" bile I admire it for its peculiar adapta- the prevailing type. Mature had endowed i tion to our negroes, our overseer's family, both liberally with mental gifts and comely j and other poor, I see, more and more, wliat j persons. The utmost care had been exerted I a blessing lias been banded down to us from ' to fit them for their places in life, so that I our fathers in our own holy church. Aspeo- with honor to themselves and the names they j pie become enlightened they enter its fold, bore they might make a success of their j finding it suited to their conceptions of pu earthly careers. | ritv.” I Mrs. Glenn glanced hastily towards her husband. There were words she could have i uttered about the wicked ones who wore ranger pt O i ,.r. u>. p-vR-lvpwed;— ! leaves r,irked in natural colors , • tllP V ,r W sulijcct.licr education. We agreed thsc the planter’s dwelling and the quarter. CHAPTER I. "So fair a split of earth, you might, ! ween. Have guessed some congregation of the elves. Who -port by summer moons, had shaped ii for themseives.” C'AMI'hKI.l.. Just where the forest scenery changes front sturdy oaks, hickories, maples, poplars and cedars, to the dreamlike beauty of the rice lands of the Savannah River. st< of Col. Glenn. The dwelling suggested com fort and abundant means, albeit the Col. had modernized it from the old fashioned home handed down to him from sire to soil. On the right begun the plantations of short staple cotton, while the Iieautifulgiven plains on the left were the treasuries of the rice planters. Here begins the fairy-like scene, the home of the jieariy grain which brought wealth and its seductive refinements to the owners of the land On the broad piazza, we find the master reading a fresh periodical. Tin blue snmke curls about his lead as he puffs away at his meerschaum. Forty or fifty summers may have rolled over his head, but so peace- full have been the years of his life that the loot-prints of time are scarcely perceptible. Here and there .i few silver threads shone from the shock of waving black hair, and there is but a hint of crow-feet about the bright, speaking eyes, yet enough of youth and its vigor is seen to forbid suggestions of age. The study opens upon a side piazz.a, and a few steps below is the quiet, rest-suggestive buodoir of Mrs. Madeline Glenn, the wife and mistress of the place. She is seated in a rat tan rocking chair: on her lap lies a heap of snowy muslin work, but nee lie and thimble have fallen carelessly from her hands, for the soft, Starry eyes are gazing far away over the green rice fields, and her mind roams in dreamy revery. In those days of wealth white was the favorite attire of our Southern dames and this lady is fittingly dressed in a plain white lawn, w hich boasts of no orna- ! low chair, scwingacoar.se cotton garment | tor- one of the hands. Her dress of blue home- i spun is relieved by the towering muslin hand- I J kerchief that adorns her head, and which to | Southern slaves was a crowning licauty. The fact iff this negress is pleasing in a high be- j gree: her large, soft eyes wear a tender ex-| j pvession that long ago had won for her an | honorable position with the mistress of the ' 1 the home | house. Hagar was a treasure invaluable to Mrs. Glenn, and the confidence reposed in her had never proved misplaced. , Here and there the house servants were ’ engaged in their evening duties. I’resently light steps were heard in the study, j then the door opened softly and Col. Glenn. | in his rich voice asked: "Do you know where Meta is. Madeline f” , “She has gone down to the Quarters, to Like some nourishment to the sick in the hos pital. She will he here directly.” “1 have been thinking the last half hour ; what course we will pursue in regard to her education. Madeline. Meta is so unlike her sister, the same place would not do for both.” “1 have thought the same thing myself,” said the mother, turning her eyes enquiring ly towards her husband. “Yes, never were two girls so unlike as these two sisters," said the father no need to inquire whore Bertha is at this hour, fori know she is off in her chamlier. reading or preparing her lessons for to-mor row—lmt Meta—well, she may be down by the creek ducking th<* littl<* negroes, or on the river, watching the boats or anywhere else her fancy leads her active brain and feet.” Yes, indeed, Meta is a jierfect butterfly the same plan would not work for both.' Now, I have been thinking of sending Met? to Berwick’s next year.” “Why. my dear !” “Yes, my wife,” said Col. Glenn, gently. "It, may appear odd to send the youngest first, but we are not to forego a good plan be cause custom is against it. The main tiling is to educate our girls properly, to fit them for life in the best sense. Mr. Sprange will bean admiral)! The first house reached was that provided fz I’-ke sick. This contained a single large ionm, divided by a frame, made of bagging, v liirlt coiffd be folded and moved aside when desired. There were four bedsteads furnish ed with coarse, but clean, anil comfortable bedding. There were two occupants, only, this even ing in the hospital: me v as able to sit up in one of the large oak rockers, but the other tutor for Bertha for two j was quite sick, and moaned incessantly with ,.*■ -t..n..,n i pain. Mrs. Glenn gave a large portion of the con tents ot her basket to the convalescent negro. Col. Glenn, with watch in hand, counted the pulse of the sufferer on the lied. The master's fine face grew clouded in the few minutes he stood by the bedside. "Have vou eaten auvthing to-day Tonev;” The ambitious of other lands would smile at the moderate demands of these unsophis ticated people. To inherit t.he old estate with its slaves, its goods and chatties, to pre serve and increase these as a sacred duty, and to maintain an irreproachable name, as the .s’uhuiii lnmv.ni of their lives. True, were side hopes and ambitions that Mere only allowed the uncertain tenure of hints. For instance, if the hoy is smart and uses bis time well, he may go to the Legisla ture—a valuable honor in those days when real merit filled the seats irt the capital: or. there was another vague possibility, and this was of such a surpassing grandeur that few of the good fathers and mothers dared to cherish ut all and that was th u hope that one of those promising hoys should fill the gubernatorial chair, or M'rite M. C. after his name. This romantic flight m as indulged in by the parents of very bright boys, because heaven's livery in the same old high born church, but a smile flitted over her face, and her lips remained closed. It Mas her way, sometimes, lo check the words that were bubbling up for utterance, for to her there M ere occasions when silence was golden. Desiring to lili up the awkward pause the Colonel returned to Meta. "It is not prejudice in me, this wish to keep Meta from the chap el: but the child herself, her anlooked for dc cisions. Bertlm could attend every Sabbath, and never forget herself. Meta would run after this new bauble with all the zest of her nature.” While the parents were conversing thus, their youngest girl mu- standing by her handier window, up stairs, gazing wistfully years to come, she i- such a willing student that her progress will be a certain thing here at home, and as to manners, the chief consid eration in sending girls off to boarding- schools. why Bertha is growing up a perfect lady, here with these home associates. I think M ien she is seventeen, a year at some finishing school like Madame L’s., will lie all that slu* will need. Her education even now ' he. asked, is excellent.” ; “Only till "I agree M-ith yon about Bertha, but Meta —my poor little straying child, what would J she be in a large school, left to toss on the j else.” I waves of her own unruly will f” “I see Tom here has had bake 1 a]!}lies, lie "She would not toss niucb at Berwick’s, let you taste some didn't he Toney !" j His discipline is the medicine to effect the I "Hie Masser, Tom jest gib me a little bit, ! cure.” on the tip eend of the spoon, an I spit etn Mrs. Glenn pressed her hand swiftlv aero-- 1 out'” j her forehead, a habit of hers when in'pain, j “I'mph!” ejaculated the master, quite sat- “Mv dear husband, don't think of this. It isfieil M-ith this feeble admission that the ne- will not do for Meta. I assure you. The ex- 1 gro had brought on a rapid fever by eating 1 uherant flow of spirits in the child, needs an ^apples to his full content. , outlet and she finds that innocently enough i "Ah! Toney, physic will do vou no good i here at home. Think of her in a crowd of •uscard wat missus sent, sir." •Are you sure now Toney :” "Yes sir, I'se shore, 1 ain’t tasted nothing such wonderful events had been known j towards the chapel, and listening delightedly amongst iLiem, and might they not 1 ie i to the rich African voices that echoed ovei again r the woods. However, if one of these sons could be made j President of the United States, that fact , would never free him from the original, all . essential necessity of filling his place as a gen- ’] tleman and planter, according to the ances-j tral rule. It was very possible for him to live a life of credit to himself and his house without, a single public office, but an unheard , suggestions of refined tastes found vent in CHAPTER III. There was no hospitality so spontaneous, or so heartily maintained, as that found among all classes of Southern planters. The flitting hither and thither, finding flowers j thoughtful towards others!” and sunshine, if they arc to lie found.” | “Yes, she is this, and me... D hj. y.ui put lwr pranks in pretty wiirils. | easy about this hoydenish manner of ntakin; mama,” said the husband, laughing. “i a bov of herself thA rliilil Rwvth-i old fellow, until you eat only what I give vou.” At this instant a terrible pain across the idlest, caused Toney to roar out in pain. I !!. Lonly, Mosser if you cure me dis time f will never tecli anodder apple pie while I irl' How proud we i lib.” > An emetic was given the repenting Toney, She is attractive enough now, and 1 i-an - and an ample mustard plaster slapped just he prouder of her. What a warm, j where he declared the apples were “liilin anil hustin.” Towards night the master re joined his wife, he is this, and more still, I am un- i and jocosely reported Toney in a pleasant “ *■’ ’ ’ ’ “ ' 1 slumber and dreaming of apple pie. , strangers, curbed in these natural amuse- j meats, and even punished if not always found in the appointed path.” “The very thing, little mother! why can’t you see how soon she m ill develop into a dig nified and attractive will l-e of her noble heart she ha wish the child was like Bertha. ‘Then she would lose that pretty contrast these sisters always present. I would not have our quiet, studious Bertha different, f moot, save the bunch ol blue ribbon conliu- I am sure : neither would I change our winsome, tag the collar. Her hands, face and neck are 1 nearly white, the delicate blue vents being scarcely concealed by her almost transparent skin The face is full of sweetness, gentieness and kindness. It is one of those rare faces M lmse charm is undefined and you wonder where it lies, only because you do not - iiiz.l thTfact that mere features complexion, etc., make none of its beauty, but all the grace and loveliness is but the light of mind, sou anil heart, flitting over lip and brow and beaming through those orbs that are but ' V The 0 buzrio t ir witb its snowy lace curtains, its silken lounges and cushioned ^^s^sug- and before the oth- ^a table m wht'h is the costliest furniture ■'«'»“ - "■ * “Ah! wait, that will give way as she grows ol«ler. Mr. Kprange says, in most of her studies, she is remarkably bright.” “hi those she likes { Howaboutthe others* See it is just here she needs discipline, that she may accept her duty, whether it is pleas ant or not. But never mind this evening,” hat j said Col. (rleim, in a conciliatory tone, for ho saw the troubled look in his wife’s eyes. “There is time to consider, and we may come to a better and different plan.” frolicking >i “l*mph! my little wife, you don’t see how these things are growing on Met; kind of a young lady will she make ( Truly, i sometimes fear she will grow into a regular ] Cad Hinton.” "Oh. dear! no!” exclaimed the wife, as her j He stepped out on the sale piazza, and said: 'I I “come here Madeline, iiuiek. if von would rippling laughter fell on the quiet air. remember Gad Hinton when she was Meta’s Madeline, quick, if you would see a moving panorama. Here is our wee lamb. and there w as not an element of her in all the exhilaration of her innocent sports ” character then that promised any hope of; Meta had feasted her dusky retinue with gentility or moderate good manners. She . sugar, and having formed them in a ring, set was a coarse, unfeeling child. Think of com paring our loving, sensitive little Meta to such a mad cap. Now, to tell the truth,” said the mother, archly, “Meta needs my sympathy more than you think. At her age I was just such a little girl, and mv happi- theni to the exercise of “shouting,” a favor ite form of dancing common to the blacks of all ages. She stood off one side, enjoying the queer scene. For a few minutes the father and mother, stood watching the quaint antics of the little ness lay in those very amusements that you 1 ebony crowd? Presently Col. Glenn was condemn in her: yet I know a certain gentle-I laughing quietly at the‘odd capers of the man, not a thousand miles from here, who 1 shouters. CHAPTER 11. In this river section, and along the coast, lived a people eminently Southern, yet pe culiar in habits and sentiments, even among Southerners. The refinement, delicacy, piety and intelli gence of men and women were universal. Tile-.'* valuable virtues, however, were op posed by strange idiosyncracies. which to an unprejudiced, broad intelligence may have had nil the aspects of respectable vices. From time, immemorial, ever since the days when kingly favor willed these fail, fer tile lands to the ancestors of these people, certain ideas had obtained place in their minds, which cherished and honored, hail now become almost as well-grounded in their so cial fabric as those old Hugtieuotic princi ples which rendered them pre-eminently de cided in virtues. Doubtless the old English settlers, who were frequently jieople of wealth and noble blixid, should tiear the responsibility of those sentiments, which however easily they fitted in days of ease and luxury, became of. monstrous fraud, that lit* could lie ever lofty in station unless these old-time ideas and habits were firmly engrafted on liismind and heart. On a Sabbath evening soon after our intro duction to the Glenn family we enter the hos- ! pitable home once again, and on this occasion peer into one of those little home-scenes 1 which reveal some one of the eccentricities ! alluded to above. The head of the family is attired in a costly suit of black broad-cloth, and his u if’s vell-mouliled but delicate form is robed in a soft, rich, light blue silk. The . sisters are dressed in M-hite. relieved by green ribbons around their waists, and on their heavy brown braids of hair. The family is seated in the boudoir, and tin; subject of con versation is introduced by Meta pleading to attend the little missionary chapel at the extreme end of the quarter. Mrs. Glenn's face betraved indecisior lightful and delicate attentions. The guest moved in a charmed sphere. A cultivated art concealed all effort to please. Such an hospitality was found at the Glenn's. In these happy homes, children and servants conspired to render their aid to the heads of the house in this matter of en tertainment. A half year had passed since the conversa tion in the last chapter. It is now mid-M in ter, and two or three carriages havi just ! emptied their burdens on the shell walk, be fore the house. A negro, in a dark-blue suit. ; opens the oaken door and liows the visitors ! into the reception room. Mrs. Glenn meets them, and in her graceful, attractive manner soon conducts them to tlie parlor, where the daughters and their tutor, Mr. Sprange, arc j entertaining an elderly gentleman. Conversation flows on various topics, but ; the main idea of the day is finally brought in for discussion. These friends were invite she listened to her child. -Not so the father, : tl) (l vvjth the Glenn's, one of the last who turned from the book he was reading, flays of this last week that Bertha and Meta and gazed in surprise at the bright, eager I „. olI j { j remain at home, for months at least, face of this little hoyden, as he inwardly i jj 0 th parents, in these months, had come to a styles her at this moment, jarred as lie is by decision that Berwick's school was. for the what seems to him an unnatural request. i present, ttie place for their two lovely ilaugh- "Fleasc, mother, let me go. It is so nice I ters. The cause of this conclusion could he and cosy down there, l will sit by Mrs. Con- j read in the feeble step, and paling face of the nor and just look and listen. mother. Unable to till her motherly duties Xo. my daughter,” said the father, ‘.you i to these beloved girls, she M as resigned to the cannot'go there this afternoon. You have | thought of confiding them to strangers of been to church this morning. Go now anil such high character as the Berwicks ;et your book and I will call you in half an hour to go over your next Sabbath’s lesson.” Colonel Glenn, in his anxiety to relieve his wife from care, and to give her the freedom The words and manner were uumistakeable. i to travel, was over anxious to see the girls and Meta withdrew, Bertha following their chamber. “My dear Madeline, we must discourage j our child in these whims. I could trust Ber- safely ensconsed with flu* Berwicks. At an other time he would have shared fully his wife’s sadness in giving them up, but his heart was so torn and agitated, concerning tha, hut l verily believe if Meta were suffered j the disease which had fixed itself upon her to attend this mission chapel, we would find IkxIv. that be gave but a passing place to her going into the Methodist church the very j other emotions. first thing. " A look ot profound disgust over- The soft notes of the guitar and piano spread the face of this high-churchman, as | blended in sweet harmony as accompaniment ' to the songs. Mr. Sprange and his pupils sung for the entertainment of the guests. Mrs. Glenn, intent, as ever upon the pleasure of others, led them from one pleasant topie of conversation to another. The day passed away, and with its close the family assem bled in the boudoir for evening prayers. Meta spent the few remaining days in visi- he frowsed his hair and gazed frowningly upon the floor. “My dear husband, you look so distressed, as if you thought a greater disgrace could not befall you,” said the wife, as a silvery laugh rippled from her lips. “And you have no sympathy with me, Madeline!” he questioned, hurt at her merri ment. “Think of our child incapable of up- j ting the scenes of her happy, frolicsome predating sueh a church as ours, and herding | childhood. There was not a stream, tree. with the common people and negroes! “Have you forgotten, my dear, that Christ, I [over of out-door life, when on earth, chose the jioorest and hum- >ath that did not teem with incidents to this