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VOL. VI. J. H. & W. B. SEALS EDITORS A N I* PROPRIETORS. ATLANTA, GA., AUGUST 14. 18S0. Terms in Advance: Till? II14-11 BY TOM liKKF.NK. In the* Highlands, in the summer. On the mountain's erected 1 Where the morning haze of siiv Is soaring skyward now: Where the halinv breeze is sighi In the purple hemioeks near. And the bobolink is calling To his mate in notes of cheer. In the Highlands, in the summer. 1 1 the forest > Where there reigns a holy quiet In the airy days of June, And where nothing breaks the si But a streamlet’s steady flow As it makes the sweetest music With its murmurs soft and T In the Highlands, in the sunin In the ( veiling of the day. When the mountain top* a And the valleys clad in g When the whipj*oor will i- In bis solemn weird toiie- Tis here I love to ramble, And to meditate alone. iainesville, June 1M ( One Year, 82.50, ( Single 4 opy. 5e. NO. 264 ml titter among tlie lofty-minded beau- THE FORTUNES Esther, the Jewess It, \I(V«‘«I CllAl’TF.K X he king's great feast was over, and the •in of jaded Spirits weighed down by ex .. overspread the minds of the reveller-; the jollitv and vivacity of obstreperous t p were succeeded by i thoughtful an<l vish melaneholv So great was the 0111- 4 in the effects on the animal -pm?- t 1111 inexperienced observer cmild se.iree have lielieved the serious ami taciturn iges before him to be the late merry and ous erowd that had thronged the festive rd. Now that the hour of reflection and -examination hud coim* up. n the long, natural litun vnlenee i_>f liis nature, which her despotic power, nor the influence nt ious courtiers could suppress, was move. 1 pity and commiseration for his i.Mated en, whom in* had condemned and punisli- while heated with wine. Yet the edict i gone forth and without the clearest evi ct- of error or falsehood in the charge pre- *ed against her. could ii'*t consistently h the dignity and the fixed and irreversi- stenmess of the monarch's decrees, b - all ied. The impiietude of the king did not ipe the watchful and penetrating eyes of courtiers, who rightly judging the cause, ght without delay to apply a remedy that uld restore him to his w onted cheerful - s Accordinglv. the chief of tie* Magi, or e men of the east, and the expounder-- of Zendavesta, prostrating himself bet, re king, begged, after the eastern custom, mission to speak, which being granted, lie i<-ceded in tin* following manner: ‘Then let the king know that all future narchs and the people of everv nation ill read in the chronicles of Persia how Ar- a rxes, the mighty ruler of a hundred and I'litv seven provinces, regarding more tae id of his people and the glory of his em e than his personal gratifications, main* ned the supremacy of his edicts and the iver of hi- authority, even over tie* queen his choice and the wife of liis bosom So ill the governors and rulers of the earth rard his government as a model, and liim- f as the impersonation of princely great- “For shame cried the eunuch, ‘ this treat merit of one so gentle and unassuming is both tinfeeling and disgraceful. Remember, pret tv plagues, that it is the king's province to determine who among you is worthy of the place of Vashti, and not yours. So be not too much puffed up with your own high con ceit, for it may come to pass that this mod est beauty whom you so much contemn may of a right command the homage you would pay in mockery." “Surely yes," said another in a tone of irony, as si.e curled in proud disdain her pretty lip. Who shall direct great Artaxer xes’ taste or control his w ill 1 Yea, he may even descend so far from his lofty grandeur as to make a captive Jew ess queen of Persia Who shall say him nay : “Now that, were capital,” said a third, laughing immoderately. “Think of tile state ly dames and high-born damsels of Persia bowing down before a bondswoman of Jew ry—the thought is too rich. Then Zoroas ter would bow to Moses and the God of the Jews take precedence of Ormu/xl and Mi thras." Esther shuddered at these remarks and turning to the eunuch, begged to be taken back to her home. “Not so, timid beauty." he replied; you an | now committed to my custody and must I bide your time. A ct lie not cast down I have the power to see you gently dealt w ith . I nor must these beauties presume too far, lest their rudeness be reported to the king and | bring about from his sympathy, tile very end they are most anxious to defeat." This "speech had the desired effect, for the j haughty damsels fearing the effects of the eunuch's threat, instantly whispered among themselves and withdrew in a body from th* room, determining t* > hold chemselves aloof from the unknown object of their con tempt. “Now,'’ said the eunuch with a smile, “you are freed from them and need not fear their malice; for they dare not further molest you. Not one of those hauty damsels is there, but what would make a perfect tyrant of a queen. | Y'et their pride and lofty bearing, methinks. will defeat themselves, for the king has al ready had quite enough of female arm \ in diiist i> 4r.iB.0A. cast and * * dor, t" 1I1 eat the bi goes befort from the scenes of her splen- the waters of bitterness and i of affliction ‘Pride, iinl**<d. stroction and a haughty spirit befon la t. that his throne may be surrounded by iat is beautiful and attractive, as well as ous. his dutiful slave would humbly ad the king of kings to send forth a decree I the satraps of the province-, to- arch the most beautiful and accomplished, seisin the bounds of their governments send them to Susa, that the king may their number choose a queen to adorn brone in the place of \ ashti, wle* f**i ng the homage due to her lord had for- 1 her place." is speech was gratifying to the *-'.** th confirmed bis wavering mind as *’lie re of Vashti's banishment, and pr*un- great happim ss in th" selection of new II. The decree w as therefore mu '* ‘ '• lelay and as readily obeyed. '} lie t»•*••.u*y e empire w as already pouring ml" 1. • from tie* adjacent province-, surroi.n **d a splendor and treated with a usti c- suitable for candidates for the exa.ted >n of queen of the mighty emp.re. *»•■ omlueted to tie* palace they us r- *<1 to the custody of Hagai, the eunuch, le* time when tiiev shoul 1 app**ar bebire king. Mordecai, perceiving trom the uage of the edict that all the most beau y oung women of the empire were to niile at the palace, without making an ption as t<* nation, kindred or condition, ■ daily viewing the throngs of b-autiful lies that passed him, as lie sat in the 's gate, suddenly conceived the idea of ■ni pig Esther among the congregated Mordee.ii found her in a thoughtful and meditative mood us he entered the room in which sit- sat, and asked with a smile; **\Vhv. Esther, what unwelcome thoughts intrude upon you that your brow assumes so grave a cast C "1 was reflecting on the sudden fall and wretched state of the proud and unhappy Vaslui." -he replied. “And what think you. my daughter, of the beautiful virgins that flock on every* side to abide their chance for her place **I have seen none of them,” she said with unaffected simplicity, “but suppose that none but very lovely damsels have approached the palace; 1 a* the decree admits of none but such.' “Esther, child of my adoption and dearer to me than life. 1 am about to ask you a question, not prompted by idle curiosity, but for rea-ons on several accounts mighty and important, and I expect from your trutliful- : m ss a candid answer. For some time past 1 have ‘ -erved even when you were most I anxious t*> conceal it from me, that some secret e.m-e cf sorrow cast a gloom upint your spirits and corroded at your heart. This Ins given me trouble, for I ihink 1 have rightly judged the cause. Now be not troubled when von hear tile question neither ! yes or .no will ill 110 w ise displease me,—and w id determine my course as to what may fol- i low. Then tell me, in all sincerity, do you not fervently and tenderly love the king of Th.* ei. intenance of Esther which had grad- '' ualiy grown paler and paler at Mordecai s -oleum preface, now became crimson and she Be guided by your own sense of propriety. Blit be not mpelled by a vain ambition for distinction and earthly splendor, and 111 no wise think to aspire to the dignity of the queen without determinate! v •arrying along with you the le heart. Speak boldly and i await your answer.” There was a war of tumultuous feelings iu that little bosom and her heart throbbed with a palpitating violence as she made s* v- eral ineffectual efforts to speak. At length summoning duty to the aid of modesty, she saiil, alnii -t inaudibly: “1 have striven in vain to subdue the inef fably tender emotions of my trembling heart towards the king, fearing that 1 sinned contracted his brow* to look indignant, the lurking disposition to laugh betrayed itself in despite of him, and before he could litter the rebuke upon his tongue, another inter- po- And le* e ; and * doe: idiat the king rill he si look ihen in ie favo- •Silelli* e spent ,vill he bawl out she asked, plirpo; -*,/ea.••■ 1 iefor( :* 1 \ mistaking “D king ilanci 1- what lie enquired a third, re he i- fondest ill tie caking and i e like against the I rod creature more tl sleeping and my ever before lie*, and beautiful per.* remain ever befor mirage.” “Then who shall forbid ; among the damsels at th Mordecai. “You shall go. may the God of Java>1 • i > • w you the instrument of futm your people." Having thus propitiously terview, Mordecai hastily ile in loving the ator. Yet in my lreams he seems voice, his manly s generous oilers li • delu-ions of a intri luction rav daughter, and itii yi*u and make re blessings upon •ary for Esther's chilled his in the pre parations nei at the ]>alace. The fema'es bled were principally those and powerful lords of i’ersi long line of ancestors, softly nurtured, inherited the ip;. the weal 1 who froi tel delieatel graceful and 5 nt. I ha light 'in fo,,- be . ingenue genenm- 0 knows,” he reasoned, “but that it lease the inlinitely wise God of my to make her the accepteil of the king, lstauding her having once offended her refusal ! And who shall say, it mil come to pass, that the king sheart 4 be touched by her, frail instrument she be, to lighten the yoke of her im pel >ple! ,-jted by these reflections, he a L once ined to open his mind to Esther and ,er determinaton. E-ther had learned wilfull "f the unhappy queen, which had spread with a thousand varia 1 rough everv street anil avenue of the it v and though the object of her SS jealousy, she could not repress a ,,f pit y at her sadden and overwhelm- eme of fortune. I* cheerless, how desolate, she mused, be that haughty, unbending spin!. -„rk down and levelled with the slaves .n.ed * Those who trembled at her mil felt death scarcely more terrible MitLr» r now ‘mock her calamity and ■ r with’scorn. Tim'. God whom she ured has by a breath dispelled her ss forever and sent her forth an out- taken you by surprise, my daugn- nued iie. “but my purpose is not a ms I have already told yon. there in posed and answer me frankly and Jv. if Artaxer xes has won by his and noble nature the affections of ung h* art, and whether you could be | to him a tender and affectionate wife, re- i membering always your service to your find ! “I. the wife of the king asked Esther i with astonishment. “Even you,'* replied Mordecai with a smile: , “and what is there to forbid it j “Do you forget, my father, that we are : J«*ws, a nation of bondsmen despised by this ; haughty people * And can yon indulge for a | moment the vain dream that the great king, ; who in youthful fervor, and then without a j prospect of the throne, could offer to raise to the dignity of a princess an obscure Persian | girl as he thought me, would suffer the thought to enter his mind of making a daughter of our people the queen of Persia ( i “1 Laughter,” replied Mordecai, “i have lor- gotten nothing, nor do I consider it a vain : dream as your modesty terms it, that you 1 should he thought worthy to become the j wife of the great king. This proud people mav apply to our nation what terms of re- ! proach tiiev please, but they cannot settle j the question of merit. (Tod, who searches j tie* heart, knows who is most worthy ol np- i probation and His omnipotent will has but to conceive it. to accomplish what is impossi- : ble for man. The king’s decree, that the ! beauty of his whole empire shall be presented to his eye for the selection of a queen, allows 110 exception of nation nr kindred, hut com prehends all the most lovely young females in his dominions. N ou are therefore not only privileged, but commanded to appear befor 41 him. You are under no obligation to deelar I 111111. i ou a 1o uimo *■ r> - your people, and may without reproach be silent <m that subject. I would not ill the 1 slightest degree influence your determination. beautiful persons as well as the haughtiest and most supercilious hearing. Their app* ar hi ice, as they promenaded in groups about the palace, was strikingly elegant and impos ing. The splendor of their dresses, sparkling with gems and gold from their bosoms to the long trains that trailed upon the gorgeous carpets—their long silken tresses clustered with diamonds -their polished foreheads of dazzling whiteness and arched brows—tiie soft, yet sparkling eye—the winning smile and ivory teeth, the graceful attitude and elastic, noiseless tread, gave to the beholder the idea of the bright spirits of a purer and better world. Yet here was no object to ex cite an unworthy pa-sion, and the illusion was without its foil. Most of these damsels were known, one to another, either by per sonal intercourse, or by the intimacy of their parents; and being generally equal by birth uml.station,they mingled m lively reereati ms, sometimes with boisterous merriment, play ing at Persian games and tilling the palace with shouts of wild laughter, and at others, supposing a queen already chosen from their number, they in mock obeisance prostrated themselves before their imagined mistress, and by turns carried on long dialogues with her. ()n one of these outl> ursts of jollity, the eu nuch, Hagai, jealous of his authority and deeming their mirth rather undignified, en tered their apartment with the double pur pose of scolding their levity and of announc ing the arrival of another beauty b-fore in troducing her. Contracting his brow and as suming a carriage of awful dignity, he stalk ed into the room and looking around upon them with a frown asked, “\Vbat means this noisy revelry Have you forgotten where you are and for what purpose you are here assembled ' Would you win the king ! and is it by screams and frolicsome wantonness you expect to please him “Is the king very grave then ■" asked a lit tle black-eyed beauty sidling up to the eunuch with an expression of comic archness. ‘‘1 hen do show me what aspect to assume when I appear before him Is this the kind of look to win him she continued, distorting her pretty little face into a horrid grimace. In vain the eunuch pursed up liis mouth and Several others joining in the request, they gathered around the eunuch, struggling for his dignity, and joining their hands began to b nind and dance in tin* wildest glee. Striv ing in vain to assume a look of awful reproof, for in whichsoever way he turned, a pair of bright mischief-looking eyes encountered liis mock frown, lie burst into an irresistible tit of laughter, and crying out, “get away you mad imps,” burst through their circle and ran out of the room. The joyous peals of laughter and tin* romp ing game still continued till interrupted a m m .ml time by the entrance of Hagai, who now introduced a young female covered with a long flowing vail'. Her eves were bent upon the floor, and her frame seemed to he agitat ed by a slight tremor. Her dress was neat and tastefully fitted to her graceful form, but !>y her own choice without splendor or super fluous ornament. competitor." said the .a see her face you will Behold !" coil limed he iway her vail. “Her name, she says, is Esther. Whence from, or how descended, she declines answering. \ et the damsel is entitled to the same distinctions and privileges with the proudest titles among •Hen* iu< h. “j another d when y say a dangerous one. suddenly stripping ‘•Esther's countenance, sufl'tised w ith a glow of oll'ended modest y as the eunuch stripped away her vail, exhibited a picture of the most dazzling beauty, and every beholder started with an involuntary murmur of admiration. Here was now a sudden change of the scene : the exuberant merriment at once subsided and the unamiable passions of a corrupted nature, so lat* ly reposing under the smiles of a cheerful gaiety, were routed into action. Envy and displeasure were plainly depicted in the countenances of the now silent gazers, and a cloud of malevolence darkened their brows. There was no cheerful greeting nor merry welcome to Esther as had met the ar rival of every other new comer: but on the contrary, a studied reserve and stately hau teur marked the demeanor of all the beauti ful females around her. Had she been intro duced by some proud title, or as the daugh ter of some powerful lord, her reception would have been different, and whatever envy her beauty might have excited, would have been suppressed under the smiles of an apparent welcome. But that an obscure and low-born girl as her unannounced family and origin declared her, should be thrust among them as a competitor for the highest station in the empire was too provoking to admit of courtesy or even of notice. “This is an abuse of the plain intent of the king’s decree," whisp< red an indignant beau ty to her nearest associate, “it could never mean that the vulgar herd should be includ ed in the selection of damsels: for what affinity can there be in the sentiments, edu cation and association of ideas, of the king and the low and contracted views of an un refined and disgusting plebeian ‘ This crea ture, it is plain from her concealment ot her family, is some vulgar adventurer, who, made insolent by a little personal comliness that nature in a freak has thrown away upon her, presumes to thrust herself among her superiors, not surely with any expectation of pleasing the eye of tin* king with her despica ble abasement, but for the purpose of advanc ing her miserable pretensions by her present ass( jciation. “We will make her repent her impudence,” replied her listener, “by exercising our wit and mockery upon her. She shall become the butt and ridicule of the palace. " This answer brought forth an exulting tit of laughter, and the unamiable pair fully determined to carry out the suggestion and to harass the gentle and meek Esther with their malevolent derision. How unaptly joined to fair and beautiful beings seems an envious and evil spirit, connecting in one the two contrasts of loveliness and disgusting de formity. There is something so inexpressi biv delightful in the contemplation of the buoyant spirits and merry laughter of hap pv maidenhood that we naturally associate pure and heavenly feelings with the beauti ful beings before us: and doubly repulsive and unnatural seem the dark amt malignant passions when coupled with so winning an exterior. But the vices of progenitors are infused, like their blood, into the natures of their posterity, and a long line of corrupt an cestry too generally produces a long line of corrupt descendants. Evil propensities in the young force upon us a gloomy presenti ment of their future life, for with th** purest and best, the passions and temptations of a life continually chequered with vicissitudes and trials must in time sober down the 1 mov ant spirits by accumulated cares, and too often corrupt and harden those hearts that were once tender and sympathetic*. The day dreams of romance—of unselfish and diffusive benevolence are dissipated by insensible* de grees, like the odor of sweet flowers, and the feelings of universal love are contracted to a small circle and to a few objects; ami even in that narrow compass they are mingled with disquieting fears, uncertain hopes, and imperfect realization. In old age we look back upon the sunny spots of youth like the weary caravan on the delightful oasis of the desert behind them. But to tin* pious—though the conviction gathers strength w ith the ad vance of years, that man was made to mourn —there is a prospect moie brightening be yond the grave the nearer they approach its verge, which teaches them that the gleams amf snatches of jo.v experienced in this life are but a foretaste of a blessed existence hereafter. Yet it is delightful to contemplate the hap py anticipations of young life, nor should we disturb the bright delusion unmingled with vice, which will so soon pass away of itself. The cold and chilling reception of Esther passed not unobserved by Hagai, who after several minutes close observation, asked, “(lay damsels, what has so speedily dispell ed your good humor i and why do y ou it*- fuse to receive as an equal this young maid en { I)o you know anything of her, unworthy of vour accustomed civility i You construe us wrongly," replied the Hagai then conducted her to a % splendid chamber fitted out \\ ith every description of costly and beautiful furniture, and throwing open a large wardrobe said, “You will find here every variety of female apparel." Then pointing to seven young women who stood in a line at one elid of the room, he contin ued, “These are your maid-servants to obey your pleasure in all you choose t<> command: —the>e,” pointing to several gold caskets, “contain the precious ointments for your purification, for as fair and beautiful as you seem, it is deemed indispensable that you hould be subjected t*> many ablutions and purifications befor ence of the king." Here Esther pass f(»rt than her s. clus and had the add’.tio Mordecai daily pa* enquire after her h did she suffer anv ome into the pres *1 her m more com* >n had ar first promised al satisfaction of seeing ; before her window to alth and treatment: nor ther annovanee from tie* liiouil beauty who bail first given her opiu : TA.tiw.• “n ii-if vim for pride is ion of Esther: “what you mista nothing less than awe at the commanding per sonage whose acknow ledged greatness makes it superfluous to announce her parentage and station in life. We are forced to acknowledge her a scion of the blood royal, and Led our humble pretensions put to shame b\ her superior attractions. Surely we must begin to practise our prostrations and most hum l,le homage before this august impersonation of majesty: for nothing less than queen can she possibly Become.” This was spoken with a haughty bridling of the neck and a mock-whisper as if for the eunuch’s ear alone, but sufficiently loud for all in the room to hear it, and caused a gen numerous young women in the palace than an occasional prostration of mock ubeisance as they happened to meet. The time at length arrived for their intro duction t*> the king, into whose presence they were carried one at a time. The method of determining precedence was by the drawing of lots. Many had already drawn higher numbers than her own and been rejected, and at length it can* * to her turn to uppear before the king. But notwithstanding her anxious fears lest a queen should he chosen before her turn should come around, her del icate nature, now that her long desired pre sentation had arrived, shrunk from the or deal and trembled to know her hopes were realized. “Now , my little mistress,'' said Hagai en tering her chamber, “the die nee which I have long desired you should have is afforded you; for I say with truth, had it reste 1 with me, you should have been queen before this. You have been the most gentle, respectful and manageable of the w hole collection, and in my judgment are the most worthy to sit in Vashti's place. But the king cannot fail to see the modes' graces that confer more on beauty than beauty lends to them. B * care ful to adorn.your person with taste and ele gance, and be not insipidly timid in the king's presence, but with modest attention comprehend his questions and answer him with ready cleverness. Wear not the mien of an awe-stricken slave, but of virgin mod esty before a lover. Now choo-e the orna mentis you would wear." “1 have already chosen them," she replied, with < yes >tili bent in thoughtfulness upon tiie flour. “This dress must be more accept able to the king’s good taste, than one cov ered with tawdrv and • it ■* rii “WhatN’asked the eu:Mich won n>: nn>h ment : “you surely are n fend the king in advano of disrespect. ; No sudden departure fix tabhshed customs and fashions can please the king, or any one else: and you are to consult tin* king's pleasure in this, not your own.” “ Then, " replied Esther, “ do you, who better understands the king's taste, choose for me.” “A sweet and sensible girl," said the eu nuch, highly' flatten'd, “and you shall not repent the deference.” His mind seemed accordingly to be bent on every expedient to add a new charm if pos sible to Esthers beautiful person. The dress he selected for her was of the lines]; silk dyed in the richest and most splendid colors, em broidered with gold, and almost literally- covered with the most brilliant gems. Her glossy hair was studded with clusters of glittering diamonds and a small crown of w hite ostrich feathers, with flowers of silver holding sets of inmumerable tiny brilliants, encircled her beautiful brow. Her arms and w rists were clasped with sparkling bracelets and her lingers adorned with costly rings. Her small feet were covered with slip pers of silver cloth and her round and tapering ankles wore broad clasps of silver and pearl. A purely white vail w rought in flowers of silver was next thrown over her w hole person, and Esther was now prepared to appear l»efore the king. Artaxerxes still retained the impression the f tseinating charms of Esther had made upon him, and often dwelt with unsatisfied doubts on her inexplicable conduct towards him. Sometimes he almost resolved to ex continued on ^th page. Would you «* I mark