About The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907 | View Entire Issue (May 28, 1887)
I THE SUNNY SOUTH. ATLANTA, GA„ SATURDAY MORNINO, MAY ?8, 18*7. THE NEW COLUMBUS; —OR — Narrative of the Sole Sarvivor of Sir John Franklin's Last Arctic Expedition. [COPYRIGHT SECURED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] INTRODUCTION. I. TUB BROKEN COMPASS. The eccentricities of sn individual, or the quaint aspect of an ancient house, when pict ured to our minds by the pen of a Pickens, ar rests our attention and affords us intellectual entertainment, while an equally striking ob ject may pass before us daily in real life unob served, or if remarked, without exciting more than a momentary interest. A fact which re sult* most probably from this; that men are so absorbed in the prosecution of their pursuits— the rich blind to everything save the preserva tion andiincrease of theirjpossessions—the poor to all except the hard problem of food and rai ment—they have little time to bestow upon matters merely curious. These prefatory remarks have sprung spon taneously to my pen’s point as I have set out to call attention to a poor old Norwegian sailor who until a few months ago dwelt in this city, and whose unhonored dust rests in an unmark ed grave in one of our cemeteiies. In my walks about the city I chanced to ob serve on the bank of thn river one plasant af ternoon about sunset an old man with thin gray hair, who sat in silence and gazed with an absorbed and absent look at the moving waters and the passing boats. But it was not until I had seen him repeatedly at the same spot, and usually in tho same posture, that I began to take special notice of him. At length I paused unobserved behind him and scrutinized him more closely than ever before. His snow white locks hung in uneven shreds and his coarse beard was roughly trimmed. Upon the back on his broad right hand was displayed the figure of an anchor in India ink, from which nautical emblem I drew the inference that ho hail probably spent the better part of his life at sea, and in cousequenco must have a store of varied and instructive experiences. A few days later as I was passing a well- known pawnbroker shop I saw tho old man entering the door with a small parcel under his arm. Judging that he wasprobably very much pinched for money, I stepped in behind him and whilst pretending to be otliorwise engaged, watched his procedings. lie unwrapped his bur die and laii before the shopkeeper some apparently round object which owing to the darkness of the ill-lighted Btoro I could not see distinctly. The man behind the counter took it in his hands a moment and looked derisively at the miserable customer who begged in humble and broken tones for money. “Va!! lend monish on dees rubbeesh? Not von cent. It is vortlcssl’’ The broker turned to a morn promising ap plicant, and the disappointed old man walked dejectedly away. I overtook him on the street ai d slipped a half dollar into his hand, and waiting only to hear bis fervent and repeated: “Tanks you man! A tousand times tanks! Got pleas ye!” I left him to pursue his way through the un feeling streets alone. It was probably a month subsequent to this scene while strolling late one afternoon in the same quarter of the city my attention was at tracted by a gathering crowd on the sidewalk, and hearing a policeman near mo say, “Lay him on this wagon and haul him to the hos pital on Oth street.” I asked, “What is the “An old fellow down with a tit or drunk,” was the reply. The crowd opened a way and when the sick man was brought forward I recognized him as the same I had remarked on the river and, at the pawnbroker’s. He was beginning to re iver his faculties and though apparently very- weak objected to being carried to the public hospital. Moved by some unnccountab'c impulse I stepptd forward and asked the old man what he wished. He answered that he wanted to be left on tho street until he should be suffi- rientl f recovered to walk hon'.e. I then aske 1 the ellicer to leave him to me and calling a cab we helped him in and I also took a seat inside 1 rode with him to his destination which was a little attic room in a cheap three story frame house in a poor quarter of the city. Tho twilight had deepened into darkness when we reached his door and we felt our way up the steep narrow stairs. He struck a match and lighted a tallow candle, and glancing around the narrow chamber I saw that its furniture consisted of a bed, a three legged stool, one chair, a large chest an 1 some rude shelves. There were also some cooking utensils. It required only a moment’s reflection to re mind me that the most pressing need in that .place was food, and resolving to make its wretched occupant comfortable for once at least, I left the room and proceeded to an t at- :, ; g house that I had observed in the same block, and ordered a good supper and a bottle .,f w ine to be sent to the room of the old out cast. Then I returned to his attic and was ! rofoundly gratified to witness his intense en- oyment of the repast I had provided. -You have been a sailor?” 1 said by way of beginning a conversation. i wish it were possible to report his accent, and modes of expression as he replied, and .aliened the conversations hereinafter to be : courted. He possessed a terseness of style and nigged elf quence in moments of excite ment that were truly astonishing. - I was born on the western coast of Nor way and was bred to the life of a seaman, he answered, munching 1 is toast with extreme relish, and drinking his tea. .... Hesitating to question him against his wishes, especially whilst he wus so intent upon the viands before him, I relapsed into si lence Near me was a small shelf and on it a round box half filled with smoking tobacco. Mechanically I took it in my hand aim some how it seemed familar. It was evidently a case which had contained a mariner s com mss It was old and corroded, the glass wits broken and the needle was gone. “Did you not offer this to the pawnbroker on the afternoon when I lirst gave you money?” I queried, addressing the old Nor- W< 2fj a did and failed of course to get any money on it And no woLder, for it can be of no value to anybody. And yet,” lie continued turnin'’ himself from the chest which had served him for a table and confronting me as 1 sat on the opposite siileof the glowing stove, “And yet the strangest and most exciting ad venture of my life is closely associated with ltl “Tell me the story,” I urged, and without further preface my host related it about as f °InThe summer of 1850, on the Norwegian whaler Bergen, the narrator was voyaging in tho 8r neighborhood of the Spitsbergen islands The vessel penetrated considerably to the northward of the group and the season iTeii g favorable be with two others of Ins slup- . attempted a modest exploring ixped.- inates atte p u direction of tho North 1’ole 8l " They i ucurred the usual difficulties of those regions, but succeeded in reach mg the of which adhered a shred of rotten cloth. Tne interstices between the stones were all filled with sand which had doubtless been put in w -t M itwas smoothed down so as to present tv^ difficult re preserve its contents from such depredations {'" ■ resorted re the cementing process as above i which is in common use among the I maux and probably originated with them. Near the monument upon the ground, was found a BROKKS compass, ccedtd with hut U'le. his thoughts, and He paused as if to conici u ” . iic faintly traced upon it the following * s. TERROR. These characters had for my mind no spec ial significance. “ Terror” waa indeed a singu lar enough sur-name, but there is no account ing for proper names, and my thoughts were enraged upon more onrions questions. Who, and what was the adventurer to whom the compass had once belonged? Who erected the pillar of stones? Aa I sat pondering over these problems and turning the compass about in my hands, my companion filled and lighted a large pipe, and sitting down again in his oaken chair, appeared as he laid his head back and puffed forth great volumes of fragrant smoke, to have lost con sciousness of me and the subject of conversa tion. The smoke of tobacco makes the whole world kin. What well balanced smoker does not instinctively draw forth his cigar-case when he sees his fire side companion,—wheth er friend or stranger, Knglishman, Frenchman or Turk, Christian or Pagan, apply the glow ing match to the inspiring weed? I lighted a cigar, and hesitating to disturb a silence which the aged seaman seemed greatly to relish- fearing to mar even for a moment his profound enjoyment of the sole luxury that solaced his lonely condition, I made no movement nor spoke for many minutes. The story and the conjectures started by it had so preoccupied me I had failed to observe that a rough wind was sprinkling sleet against the window panes. Glancing at my watch I found it was half past eleven. I rose to my feet and the veteran, roused by my movement begged pardon for his loving si lence. “Wont you lend me the broken compass? I will come to see you again and return it,” I said, holding out my hand. He took it between both of his large palms, and, pressing it fond- ly thanked me with swimming eyes for the kindness I had shown him. As I hurried home through the storm with the broken compass in my hand, tho inscrip tion upon it was constantly in my mind. “S. Terror.” Could this be the name of an individual? It was in my thoughts as I sunk to sleep, and re curred again when I woke next morning. Meeting an intelligent friend on the street, I asked him if he had ever heard of tho word “terror” being used as a sur-name. Ho said he had not, but many years ago he had read some book on the subject of Arctic Discovery, and was of the impression that there had been a ship by the name of “The Terror.” This stirred some indistinct recollections of my own, and I believed I had found a cluo. I went to a public library to look up the subject of Northern travel, and soon discovered the possible meaning of the inscription. In the year 1845, as the reading world is presumed to know. Sir John Franklin, an En glish navigator, sailed into the American Arc tic region in search of the Northwest passage from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. He commanded two vessels, the Erebus and Tkk- iton. Could it be possible the broken compass was a relic of that ill-fated expedition? Perplexed beyond expression I re-examined the inscription, and for ths first time found in distinct traces of other characters preceding the “S Terror.” I hastened to procure a good glass, and with its aid succeeded in making out the letters II and M. The inscription then appeared thus: “H. M. S. Terror.” Then I argued that written out in words the whole would probably read thus: “Her Majesty's Siup Terror.” But this hypothesis only served to deepen the mystery. For Sir John Franklin, it has always been believed, perished with his men on or near the island known ns King William Land, or about the mouth of Back’s river. When a boy, I read of tho tragic fate of Franklin and his gallant followers; but having paid but little attention to the subject since, my mind long ago lost the substance of the sad story. But in laboring to trace the mean ing of the inscription on tho compass, I was led re revmw such particulars as are known of his last and ill-fated voyage. If those who take the trouble to follow mo through these pages should feel a desire to review tho history of the tragedy which stirred the sympathies of all civilized countries, and sent a score of ships searching every foot of land and sea from Lan caster Sound to Behring’s Strait, they are re ferred to llio American and British Cyclope dia’s, and the narratives of McClintock, Hall, and other A retie explorers. To my own mud often hastily glancing at some of these authorities, the question recurs with augmented force: If the party perished, how shall the,timliny of the broken compass at a point far Northeast of Greenland he accounted fort Does it testify to the soundness of Captain Hall’s ticory that some of Franklin’s men survived anil adopted from necessity the life of the Esquimaux? Captain Hall, Dr. Kane and others havo dwelt upon tho pregnant fact, that, though records were found which told of Franklin’s death and the loss of a number of his men; yet, alter taking into consideration tho graves and skeletons discovered, the disappearance of the entire party has never been accounted for. In other words it lias never been demonstrated that all the men perished. II. T1IE LOSELV GRAVE. Having quitted the old Norwegian’s room hastily, as described, I had not called his atten tion to the inscription. And to have done so would doubtless have been unprofitable, owing to his ignorance of the language in which it was expressed. My curiosity, as may easily be conceived, was by this time greatly excited, and I resolved to see the old Norwegian again and push my enquiries further. 1 found him at my next visit preparing his coarse evening repast, which was replaced by a more palatable supper I had not omitted to have brought to him, and which made me all lhe more welcome and my host the more cheer ful and cominunicativo. Having despatched it, he lighted bis pipe and I my cigar, and I reminded him of the subject we last conversed about. “Did you find nothing else,” I began, “near the mouth of the cave except the broken com pass? Did you observe the words inscribed upon it?” The topic seemed to have passe 1 entirely from his memory in the few weeks that had elapsed since our last meeting. His mind was evidently sinking into that half vacant condi tion which belongs to second childhood. I had presumed too far upon his memory, and there fore proceeded to recall to him the substance of what passed between us on the occasion of my first visit. He remained silent for a full minute after the conclusion of my brief reca pitulation. “No,” be at length began slowly, “I saw no inscription; but, if you care to hear it, I will tell you what we did find. We pulled down the stones that composed the pillar and found it to be a grave.” “A grave in that unknown polar land? 1 queried doubtfully. “Yes,” he went on; and straugo to say, a double grave!” •‘Double?” “A double grave,” be repeated. “It con tained two bodies!” And in a low voice, as though talking to himself, he continued: “They were astonishingly well preserved. But for the decay of their clothing you would have thought they had been recently buried. The one was a while man; the other, judging from his general appearance and apparel, a red man, evidently an Esquimaux.” Here my companion paused and knocked the moist tobacco out of his pipe and re filled it, and following the contagious example, I sub stituted a fresh cigar for my fast diminishing stump. Then, saiuting me with a wave of his pipe and a great puff of smoke, which I ac knowledged appropriately, he went on: “It was not very strange, after all, that the bodies had not decayed. The frost is never out of the ground in that country. Tho cold preserves flesh almost indefinitely. “The white man looked as if lie might be a little above forty years of ago. He had light hair and full, light whiskers and mus tache His face and hands appeared fair and tender. His dress was of costly woollen cloth, and he was wrapped in rich and expen- sive furs. , , , , Though I was but a rough and unlearned sailor this part of the affair did seem very strange to me. His dress, his tender hands, the tasteful cut of his hair, carrying with them as they did the suggestion of society and lash- ion, were strikingly out of keeping with his bleak and desolate surroundings. And be sides, the style of his garments was unlike that of anything I have seen, though I have visited many countries and peoples.” The old veteran uttered the last words in a lower voice than before, and turning to lay down his pipe, shook his head with an air of mystery, and pointed upward with the index finger of his right hand, which shook as he did ■o with the palsy of age. And though I reflected at the time this pan- tomine was transpiring that it bnt proved this battered old tar, like others of his class and era, a victim of superstition, yet I was thrilled and felt momentarily that shrinking dread which ghost stories told at night produce on children, causing them to huddle closer and cast fearful glances over their shoulders. Ashamed of the childish sensation, I broke the unpleasant silence. “Did you find no inscription on the stones?” I inquired. “No marks or writing on the rocks,” he re plied. “A portion of a runner of a sled was standing in a crevice between the topmost stones with a small piece of rotten cloth lashed to it with a cord.” “But the piece of cloth," I said, “must have been pnt there for some particular purpose. Was there nothing written on it?” “Wait a momentl” exclaimed the old seaman with unusual animation, rising to his feet and puffing at his pipe vigorously. “It seems I have all these years forgotten one thing. Your question brings it back to my mind. Strange it had slipped ont of my memory. Let me see, let—me—see—yes, maybe, may-be—” the old fellow went limping about the room and suddenly stopping, began to remove the remains of the supper off the chest. Curious to know what new wonder he had to disclose, I watched intently his every mo tion as he raised the chest lid, and stooping over began to feel with his right hand down in its bottom. What absurd vagaries will sometimes pos sess our minds! As I watched this singular old man fishing diligently ill the chest in that dark attic late at night, the cloud of mystery that hung densely about his marvelous narra tive seemed to envelop and htlf conceal his form, and I found myself imagining that per haps he was not an ordinary human being, but the genius of romance in human shape. And as ono in a dream is not startled to find achild turned suddenly into a dog or a cat, so at the moment I speak of it tho old sailor had instan taneously transformed himself by enchantment into some horrible shape, my equanimity I think would not have been disturbed in the least. But an exclamation dispelled the charm. “Here it is! Itisnotlosl! Here it is!” he suddenly exclaimed. And rising to his feet ho came forward holding a small memorandum, book in his hand. lie drew out a pair of spec tacles and adjusted them to his eyes. Then setting close to the candle he turned over page after page and scrutinized each one. “Yes! here it is, sure enough!” he cried again. “Now I remember that we found something written on the piece of cloth, and one of the men copied it in this book. My re collection is that tho cloth was so rolton he could not read the words. ” With this explanation he handed tho bonk to mo. It was old and torn and faded, but I was able to make out tho memorandum in it thns: • » * * • red » * * « * ey * * • * * ik. Leaving each reader to his own conjectures as to the meaning of this fragment, which served only to increase my own mystification, I will hasten on with the subject in hand. “But tell me something about tho other corpse,” I remarked. “(I,yes,” ho returned, “the other corpse— the Esquimaux's body. Well, I remember that it had evidently been interred much longer—a good many years longer than that of the white man. How it could have happened so, I am not able to tell. But that the Esquimaux’s tomb was opened after lie had lain in it for years, and the white man laid by his side, there call be no doubt whatever. The much older appearance of the dark man’s remains and clothing, the shifting and replacement of the stones, the rude enlargement that had been made to mako room for the last inter ment, all testified unmistakably to the fact.” The venerable narrator lapsed into silence, and laid his head back in his chair. Glancing at my watch, I found it was midnight. I had been so absorbed in the strango tale lie had been telling, I had taken no note of the flying hours and had taxed his strength too far. I lie candle was flaring fitfully up and down in its socket, and my companion was asleep. Rising softly, I stole noifcoiessly down the stairs and walked out under the stars. The same stars, I thought with a feeling of awe and sadness, that look down upon the lonely graves in tho Arctic regions, where tiie white man and his red brother sleep side by side in a strange but lasting companionship. I, of course, do not pretend that the forego- ing’is a literal record of the old Norwegian’s words. As remarked once before, his man agement of the English was very rough. I often had to ask him to repeat his words sev eral times before being able to catch his mean ing fully. I have given the substance of a conversation which occupied several hours. It is scarcely necessary for mo to add that my curiosity was excite! more and more by what I had heard at this visit. I had stumbled upon a mystery and began to entertain a fever ish anxiety to unravel it. III. A MYSTERIOUS CASKET. The very next evening succeeding the occur rences last described, found me knocking at the door of the old seaman, and upon being admitted, I plunged without preface into the subject that was engaging my thoughts. “Did you and your companions,” I began, “Tnger iong about the grave you discovered? Did you see nothing else worth attention? Did you not explore the cave?” “Our stay was short,” ho said. “We were exhausted by fatigue and exposure to the cold. Our ship was a great distance behind us, and it. was by no meats certain we should be able to reach her again. Though by no means a young man, I was robust and reckless in those days, and led my shipmates into useless dan- ° They were clamoring angrily to return, and I could not deny the justice of their demands. 1 agreed to set on the return march after an hour's rest, and, leaving tire otiiers outside, I entered the cave. I did not attempt to pene trate far into it, however. That was impossi ble in the short space of time at my disposal. I found a quar tity of coil and near it a heap of ashes. A Iso some remnants of a sled, and bones scattered about. The cave had evidently been, at. no very re mote period, the residence of human beings. The grave outside doubtless contained the re mains of two of the persons who had once lived there. That there had been more than the two appeared clear, from the fact of the double interment. The white man may have buried the Esquimaux, but who laid the body of the white man by the Esquimaux’s sido and walled up the tomb again. The# man or men who had lovingly reared the stout obelisk over the white man and his dusky bed-fellow, had vanished and left no sign of their after history orendl There were no signs of recent occu pancy. , ... „ “With a glance at these sad objects, con tinued the story teller, “I hastened to the out side, and, there being yet some minutes to spare, I re-examined the bodies. The eyes of the white man were closed, and he had the ap- pearance of one that sleeps. Lilt, horrible to relate, one of tire Esqu maux’s eyes was wide open, and the shrunk ball was plainly revealed. ‘‘Though I gazed with reverence upon the faces of the cold sleepers, I could not divest myself of the grotesque impression that the dark face was winking at me! “It is now many years since I leaned upon the stones and looked down upon the fearful picture. As age advances, much that I have known fades out of my mini. But that spec tacle is branded upon my brain. It will not depart until all that is earthly shall fade!” The old man paused for many seconds, dur ing which my mind seemed to be filled with echoes of the solemn cadence ttat character ized his weird utterances. He soon resumed: “My comrades were full of fear and would not approacli the corpses. They declared the ghastly discovery to lie an evil omen, and pre dicted that our return journey would be disas trous; and I felt a presentment of danger my- 8<, “i asked the men to join me in reconstruct ing the vault, but they refused angrily, and declared their purpose to leave at once. I told them it would be inhuman to leave the remains exposed to tlie elements and wild beasts, and implored them to assist mo. But they were deaf to reason and entreaty, and left me alone by the grave.” The veteran seemed to grow more and more agitated as he recalled all the circumstances cf his wonderful adventure. And, as if to compose himself, he refilled and lighted his pipe, and began pulling rapidly. "It was horrible,” he began again, "to be left alone in solitude, and 1 was tempted to fly myself, but my better instincts asserted them selves, and I resolved that I would take ” to reconstruct the vault at any hazard. —. before beginning the work, I was seized by a strange desire to inspect the bodies more close ly, and, overcoming my repugnance by a reso lute exercise of the will, I clambered down to the bottom. “Under the head of the white man there was a square hard body enveloped in fun, which 1 at first supposed was a stone. It served as a pillow. I raised the head as ten derly as possible, and drew out the square object. Its lit htness convinced me that it was not a stone. Unwrapping the skin that en cased it, I found in my hands a small eorPER casket!” The pipe had gone out, and my companion stopped to re-light it. So intensely interested bad I become, I had almost forgotten to breathe. I caught at my breath and the old man started. “A casket?” I said almost in a whisper. “It was locked,” he resumed, “and I f< found no key. ‘What di „ „„ did it contain? Treasure? No, it was too light to be gold or silver. Jewels? Possibly. But that was no time for enquiry. I waa alone in that uninhabitable, desolate land. I must hurry after my companions as soon as possible. I did not forget, however, to atop and arrange a soft pillow for the head I bad disturbed. I could not bear to leave it pressing upon the bare rock.” The speaker shuddered. “As 1 bent down” he continued “to arrange the furs, my eyes were arrested by a gold ring that encircled the small fringe ofthe,white man’s left hand. It was ornamented with a diamond. And suspended to his neck by a golden chain, and resting upon his bosom, was an octagonal shaped locket also of gold. I opened it ner vously and behe d the face of a beautiful wo man. If I was tempted to carry away this jewelry, it was only for a moment. I rever ently closed and replaced the locket. It seemed to whisper a tale of love and heartrending separation.” The old man’s voice quivered, and removing his spectacles, he wiped his eyes softly and in silence. But he soon resumed his story. “Holding on to the casket, I >.,- ang out of tho grave, and began the work of restoring the tomb to the condition in which I had found it. This was no small task and occupied several hours. The moment I completed the work, I fled in pursuit of my panic stricken mates. “When I readied the point where the fiord debouches into the sea, I scaled the ice-foot, and scanned the field of ice that stretched away to tho South. I could see two small dark objects moving slowly through the hum mocks six or seven miles away. They were my comrades. “When we had attained the ict belt on our expedition to the North, and were prevented by the closing of the leads from pursuing our journey by water, we had drawn our boat to a safe position upon the field, and achieved the remainder of the way on foot. “Our object therefore now was jo return to the boat, and re-rnibark for the ship. We had already been out many days, and had been ap prehending the possibility that the Captain might give us up for lost, and leave us behind. “And to this apprehension was added so far as I was personally concerned, the harrowing fear that my companions, being out of patience with me for having as they asserted, unneces sarily prolonged our absence, and incurred a penalty for disobedience, would not wait for me with the boat, but push off at once and leave me to my fate. “These thoughts passed rapidly through my mind as I took a hasty glance from my eleva ted position at the route to be pursued, and stimulated to me to extraordinary exertions. was therefore very soon upon the ico in hot mrsuit. , , , “I will not undertake to give the length of that journey, nor detail my sufferings. When I first came in sight of the men they were pushing off in the boat. I spurred my worn out limbs to still greater speed, and shouted with all my strength to attract their attention. But to no effect. They rowed on. At the last desperate moment I bethought me of my gun and tired it off, and to my inexpressible delight the boat turned and came back to meet me. They took me in and we lost none of our pre cious time in recriminations. Wo worked manfully for a day and night before we sighted the ship’s masts. It elated and stimulated us to find her waiting but we were destined after all to meet disaster. "A storm arose and we were driven before it in the direction of the vessel which fortunately saw us and manned a boat for our relief. But out own little craft capsized andvmy compan ions were drowned. I succeed;• wevt 1 r i -< clinging to tho boat until rCs^ifd, but i lost ” “The casket!” I cried, in a sort of despair. “No, I was saying I lost consciousness and was about sinking when theship’s boat reached me. “In addition to my pea jacket I had carried a cloak on the expedition and under it I had taken tho precaution to fas ten the compass case and casket. For I was resolved that whatever valuable thing tho box might contain should not be shared by men who had deserted me in my greatest extremity. A drink of brandy soon revived mo and when I was safe ou board again I concealed the casket until I should have opportunity to inspect its contents with out witnesses.” “Well,” X broke in eagerly, “did you open it?” “Yes, I broke the lock at the first opportu nity. As to the contents of the casket, judge for yourself. It is in the chest.” So saying, to my utter amazement he placed the veritable copper casket in my* hands! Expecting,I know not what I nervously raised tiie lid. The interior was well filled by some thing wrapped in a thin dressed skin, and tilted closely as though tho box had been made especially to contain and preserve it. I took the bundle out and disengaging the folds dis- closed what appeared to be a book; but upon cioter in speclion I found it to be a manuscript. it was shaped and bound together as books are, but it was made of smooth white cloth; at least tiie cloth had originally been white, but. was now much discolored and mildewed, while I was eag< rly engaged noting these things the old man had sunk quietly to sleep in his chair. I roused him up and got permission to take the casket and its contents homo with me and bade nim good-night. Arrived at my lodgings I was not deterred by the lateness of the hour from continuing my scrutiny of tho manuscript. The writing was in English; the characters small, the lines close together, and botli sides of each leaf were wcl! filled from tiie beginning nearly to tho end of tiie volume. The reader may well imagine the feverish interest with whicli I turned over the leaves of the mysterious work. Although the penmanship was plain and clear, yet because of the fact that the blurs ami stains frequently clouded the words and sentences, I found that considerable patience and labor must bo consumed in deciphering the contents. But I have arranged it in books, chapters and headings, and given it a name which I trust will be found not inappropriate. [to he continued.] For Rickets, Marasmus, and, Wast ing Disorders of Children, Scott’s Emulsion of Pure Cod Liver Oil with H> pophosphites is unequalled. The rapidity with wiich children gain flesh and strength upon it is very wonderful. Head the following: “I have used Scoti’s Emulsion in cases of Rickets and Marasmus of long standing, and have been more than pleased with the results, as in every case the improvements marked.” —J. M. Main M. I)., New York. Clergymen are called upon for odd services sometimes. A lady up town consulted her pas tor the other day upon the troubles she had in her kitchen. He said in reply that he thought there would be a better feeling between mis tress and maid if they prayed for one another more. “I am willing to be prayed for,” said the lady, “but not to be preyed upon.” Something New and most important. Hallett & Co., Portland, Maine, can furnish you work that you can do at great profit and live at home, wherever you are located. Either sex; all ages. Asa P. Hand, Westboro, Mass., writes us that he made $00 profit in a single day. Every worker can make from §5 to $25 and upwards ptr day. All is new. Capital not required; you are started free. Full particulars free. Send your addre ss at < n e. Under a decision in tslie Louisiana case, that tiie Government cannot set oft the proceeds of the sale of swamp lands against the direct State tax, the Federal Court, of Claims gives judgment in favor of Mississippi for $41,454. Horsford’s Acid Phosphate In Nervous Debility. Dr. W. .T. Burt, Austin, Texas, says: ”1 used it in a case of nervous debility, and very great improvement follows.” ANb - _ My Early Days, BT 9. MOORS. I often wander back In thoughts To childhood's happy days, Reviewing each faral'lar spot Known In my childish plays. buoya of life. I sipped the sweets Since then, air ns life's weary way, Mv onward course I've trod, Preserved and kept, from day to day By my supporting God. But tho' the past has had Its bliss, I r had Its days or pain. For Joys In such a world as this Are noilow, brief and valu. Then why should I for pleasures grieve Which long have passed away. Or feel repining* when I leave Scenes going to decay 1 Far better think of joys to come And view a fairer sight Tr an ever blessed my childhood's home When life was young aud bright. Quebec. From Musa Dunn. I am going to ‘‘make believe” I hear some appreciative body calling for me in the House hold, and I’m coming fast as ever I can. My excuse—if I need one—for a few weeks silence, is ready, and the close observer will see that it bears a marked resemblance to those given by the Bible men when bidden to the king’s feast. Not that I “have married ine a wife”—I’d scorn to do such a thing—or “bought me apiece of land” taxes are too high—but I’ve spent my last nickle on a dainty new house, which is almost completed, and in my anxiety lest the painter, the paperer “the butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker”— do not attend strickly to their duty, their whole duty, and nothing but their duty, I eat not, neither do I sleep, and am no more con scious of my need of these things than if I possessed the nine lives of Mab, my kitten. The fact that she has already jeopardized three or four of them by jumping from the upper story windows, does not alter the case in tho least. Myself, I was not to blamo if—having accom panied me up there cn a tour of observation and admiration—she chose to become fright ened at the grandeur of things generally, and plunge down stairs the near way. I was tome what intimidated, too; but I gave away to no such acrobatic performances as that. Mab has lots of cat sense, and knows rats, but she looses her head on occasions—as does her rnis- tr< Ma Belle Carmen, proud indeed am I to bo placed by .Mother Hubbard on the list of your entertainers, and I would that some word of mine might comfort you in your sorrow. Have you ever read that sweetest of all poems, a stray gem, called “Sometime?” It is most beautiful, and reaches far down into tlie heart in a way that brings back much of our lost sunshine. liein Uhea, wo all want to hear from you again. l'andora, give us another glimpse into that wonderful box—your mind. Timid Stranger, and I’ansy, write often. I Raw a whole lovely bed of velvety pansies yes terday, and if I had been sixty yeais younger, I’d have gone into spasms of delight. They are my favorite flowers. Southerner, if you, too, can play the "give away game,” why not? Maybe thus your “wicked desire to have tiie even tenor of our way disturbed,” would be gratified. <) Give Away, but you don’t know anything about me! Else never would you have called me “sedate and solemn.’* I haven’t laughed so since my Italic asked me if I was a mail. What next? A man, “sedate and solemn”— ail of them! The idea! Ira Jones could tell you better, and when he seeks a “sedate and solemn” audience, he will not look in my di rection. Give Away, are you altogether as wise as you’d have us think, and arc we—as a House hold-altogether as dull? Some of ns know Mother Hubbard, and all of us believe that is'ixy had—and has—many friends among us. I had a friend once—I’ve got him yet—who was a natural born detective, and at an aim less period of liis rather aimless life, be inves tigated the Household to an alarming extent. I am the wiser therefore, and I know lots of things—not about you, though—won’t you en lighten me? Thought you were going to “re- f irm and become a respectable member of tiie Household!” And here you are smoking cigars, saying, "By Jove,” and gossiping about your belters, your equals and your in feriors. Be ashamed of your big self! I know you are a man, or you wouldn’t tell every thing you kuow. Night-Blooming Cereus, are wo not to hear from you again? . ,, , Mehitable, and Mary Marigold, do not let your first attempts he your last. Dear Corn Flower, I will never forget you, hut your Household visits are by far too few. I notice Sylvine, of Anderson, S. 0., asks for the words of “Just Twenty Years Ago. ’ I have tiie poem, and would he glad to copy it for publication, or will send to her, if she de sires. Do not know tiie name of author. White Wings, it did “please my ladyship to coiue again,” didn’t it? Your majesty, go thou and do likewise—much and often. Love for all—sure enough love—and no ex ceptions. Musa Dusn. Waxahachie, Texas. Dear Mother ITuhhard: I must cease from my shivering cry of “cold, cold, bitterly cold, aud follow nature in my rejoicings at the re turn of Spring. The meadows, freed from their deep snow coverings, are rapidly turning from brown to a beautiful green. The trees berin to display their verdant foliage and the early flowers give promise of a rich display of variegated colors. Soon Flora's sweetest gems will be scattered in rich profusion o’er mead ows, vales and sheltered nooks. 1 he migrat ing birds have couie to visit us. I hear their songs of joy. I have a pole in the yard with a little bird-house on the top of it. A couple of swallows have taken possession of it and will have it rent free for the season. From my bed room window I can see them flit about going to and occupying their little house and can hear their songs of love and their chit chats with one another. The floating ice has gone down to the Gulf. A few of the ocean steam ers ar.d part of the spring fleet of trading ships, havo arrived and now our noble river has a business like appearance. What a lrans- fonnation the sun and the flowing and ebbing tides have affected in tne last few weeks! It is a grand sight to see the ice from lake St. Peter and hundreds of miles up the river, passing down the St. Lawreiico at Quebec. From shore to shore the river is gorged with floating ice, often the floes piled in heaps, and often too, destructive to projecting wharves or any obstruction in its way. But eventually on it goes down to the Gulf to be tossed by the waves of the Atlantic where it is dissolved. We naturally appreciate that which we need most. Those shivering with cold like to get the heat and comfort of a pleasant fire side. The hungry have a relish for food, and the thirsty for drink. An! we in this hyperborean climate experience a double joy in the return of spring and summer’s heat. In winter we prized the comfort of our homes. Now nature invites us to go to the country and see her in her summers dress of richest green decorated with gems of every hue, and to listen to the little songsters holding their concerts in every "rove around. Now is the time to go by our magnificent river steamers on trips of pleasure to our neighboring cities, or to go by rail to the Laurentian hills a hundred miles north of Quebec. By and by I hope to travel by river and rail and to enjoy tho beauties of Nature in its picturesque or romantic scenery. Cornflower, I am sorry that your name was not included in my list of Householders. I | esteem your contributions and would be glad to get jour private letter. Ma Belle Carmen. I regret to gay that I have not seen nor read Jean Ingelow’s poems. I must try and get them and when I read them I may give you my opinion of them. The du ties of my calling are constant and onerous and allow me very little time for reading and writing. Muda Hetnur I am glad to meet you again in the Household, or should you write direct to me 1 will promptly reply. Have my old correfpondents in the South got wearied of me and thrown me aside as a toy that has ceased to please? Well, even so, I am thankful for past favors, and will always retain a grateful remembrance of the many friends I gained through my connection with the S. S House hold. Thanks Mother Hubbard for your ap preciation of my photo. With unabated love to you all, I am as ever, Veritas. Box 74, St. Roches, Quebec, Canada. Dear Mother Ifnhbard: 111 health and a mul- ‘iplicity of duties and engagements that seem ed to “all come at once,” has kept me a silent member of the Household for some time, but I always have too many ideas on every subject that comes under my notice to remain silent any longer than is .absolutely necessary. Such lovely weather as we have had for the last month! The catalpa trees were in full bloom and tho leaves as large as mid summer by the middle of April, and tho sweet, old- fashioned annual roses, that are usually gor geous with bloom for our May picnics, un fold their bright petals beneath the warm kiss es of an April sun and have drooped and died long ago. The S. S., seems to be gaining greater popu larity here every day, and our young members are all becoming anxious to have their names enrolled in Aunt Judy’s department. As Hemlock wishes to know how many of us are fatalists, I will say that I bitterly deny such an insinuation, but often say “There’s a divinity which shapes our ends,” etc, which does away with free agency and amounts to about the same thing. I would like to hear Veritas on this subject, for he is such an old member of our band, I feel like deferring any doubtful question to him. How many of you believe in special Provi dence? I was long skeptical on that subject but have been converted by my own personal experience. Adelie, have you seen that wonderful shift ing panorama of “The Baitle of Gettysburg?” I think it a most remarkable creation, and as I looked at the dead and wounded men, the maimed and dying horses, the flying couriers, and the contending armies, I covered my eyes in horror at the dread reality, and the bitterest thought of all was who won the day. I think this much more natural than the “Siege of Paris,” but it may have been association of ideas that rendered Gettysburg more life-like and interesting. Southerner, you said enough for me to easi ly guess your opinion of Mother Hubbards, and I am convinced that you have no dainty little wife, nor charming sweetheart, who looks bewitchingly cool and lovely in the aforesaid garment, or you would not cherish such an opinion. Now, I have a dear, handsome, gen tleman friend (?) who used to feel just as you do, but I have converted him so thoroughly he loves tho verv name. > I have plenty more 1 wouid like to sa>’ but want to get permission from our presiding genius to come often, so an rccoir. Little Bess. Faint Heart Comes Again. Friends I cannot forbear writing to you all again. This beautiful, bright calm Sunday af ternoon is so suggestive of all things beautiful that my mind naturally reverts to the days of “Auld Lang-syne.” My,thoughts are, how ever, tinged with sadness; for one with whom I played in the golden dawn of childhood’s hap py morn, lies cold and still today. Beautiful in life—more beautiful in death. Oh, death! most cruel archer! Eighteen months ago thou didst enter my home and relentlessly stole one of my dearest ties on earth—truly thou lovest a shining mark. Ah, if it were in human pow er how quickly would we stay thy cruel hand. As it is, we should ever be thankful that the bitterest dregs that we drtiin from the chalice of grief are robbed of their poison,when we re member that “these light afllictions, which are but for a moment, shall work out for us a far more exceeding weight of glory.” We are taught that “all things work together for good to them that love God,” and tho’ wegrieveand our hearts bleed we must bless the hand that gives the stroke. With this sad picture of life before me to-day I feel that we should not grieve. That we should be sat sfied with our lot and bear our cross in meeknese; for at best this life is only a day, as it were. Ah we should even look to the great hereafter and strive to meet the loved ones who are “not dead but g *ne before.” I know we will re cognize our loved ones there for shall “we not ’ know even as we are known. Ah the sweet dead faces of our dear one*! IIow can we ever forget them? How sadly sweet to sit apart from the cold unsympatizing outside world and hold silent communion with them, for are they not all ministering spirits? I wrote to the Household some months ago and was glad to know that my letter struck a responsive chord in more than one sympathetic bosom. Judge not my sisters of my interest in our department by the number of my letters, for life is truly a “round of busy days” to me. Who will send me some geranium cuttings? And what would you like in exchange? <>ur Household editor has my address—will some one drop a few lines of cheer to Faint Heart. Another Alabama Lady Writes. I am pleased to say that the preparatory treatment for prospective mothers, by Dr. Stainback Wilson, Atlanta, Ga., is all be claims for it. Write to him for particulars. A sheep raiser in Runnels county, Texas, has a beard live feet four inches long and twenty-one inches wide in its broadest part. It is of a rich chestnut color, and its owner is very proud of it. Advertisers to reach farmers should use the agricultural and also the local country papers. Almost every farmer takes the paper printed in his own town. Special lists of these papers are controlled by Geo. 1*. Rowell & Co., 10 Spruce street, New York. They also give special rates in the agricultural papers. TIM Effects At Menial Exhaustion. Many diseases, especially those of the ner vous system, are tiie products of daily re newed mental exhaustion. Business avoca tions often Involve an amount of mental wear and tear very prejudicial to physical health, and the professions, if arduously pursued, aro no less destructive to brain and nerve tissue. It is one of the most important attributes or Hostettcr's Stomach Bitters, that i» compen sates lor this undue loss of tissue, and that it imparts now energy to the brain and nerves. Thte rapidity with which it renews weakened tnentill energy and physical vitality is re markable, and shows that its invigorating properties are of tho highest order. Besides increasing vital stamina, and counteracting lhe effectsof mental exhaust ion, this potential medicine cures and prevents fever and ague, rheumatism, chronic dyspepsia and consti pation, kidney and uterine weakness aud other complaints. Physicians also comiftead it as a medicated stimulant and remedy, A CARD. To all who aro suffering from tho errors and Indiscretions of youth, nervous weakness, oarly decay, less of manhood, Ac., I will send a recipe that will euro you, FI1EE OF CHARGE. This great remedy was discovered by a missionary in South America. Fend a self-addrcssod envelope to the REV. Joseph T. Inman, station D, yew York City. CiAl AILS IntNAI luff’/ The Average Length of Lift D*» . creasing—Not Pestilence— ^ r Not Famine—All our ^ - - own Fault. — ?*■ Modern Cooking and Moiv ern Living have brought it on. It comes upon us un»> ■wares. The patients have pains about the chest and sides, and sometimes in the back. They feel dull and sleepy; the mouth has a bad taste, especi ally in the morning. A sort of sticky slime collects about the teeth. The appetite ia poor. There is a feeling like a heavy load on the stomach; sometimes a faint, all-gone sensation at the pit of the stomach which food does not satisfy. The eyes are sunken, the hands and feet become cold and feel clammy. After a while a cough sets in, at first dry, but after a few months it is at tended with a greenish colored expectoration. * The patient feels tired all the while, and sleep docs not seem to afford any rest. After a time he be comes nervous, irritable and gloomy, and Las evil forebod ings. There is a giddiness, a sort of whirling sensation in the Lead when rising up sud denly. , The bowels become costive; the skin is dry and Lot at times; the blood becomes thick and stagnant; the whites of the eyes become tinged with yellow; the kidney secretions becomes scanty and high col ored, depositing a sediment after standing. There is fre quently a spitting up of the food, sometimes with a sour taste and sometimes with a sweeti-di taste; this is fre quently attended with palpi tation of the heart and Asth matic symptoms; the vision be comes impaired, with spots be fore the eyips; there is a feel ing of great prostration and weakness. All of these symp toms are in turn present. it is thought that nearly one-half of our population has this dis ease in someof ils varied forms. Shaker Extract, of Loots (Sei- gel’s Svrup) changes lhe tor ments of the Digestive organs so asto convert tiie food weeatinto a form that will give nourish ment to the feebie body, and feed I all h is tlie con-.- . .. .. «-.- •..*$* 1 . lhe tl’ect or tins ' 6inrply marvelous. Millions upon millions of bottles have been su'd in this country, and the testimonials in favor of its curative powers are over whelming. Hundreds of so- called diseases under various names are the result of indi gestion, and when this one trouble is removed the other diseases vanish, far they are but symptoms . of . the real malade. ■ Testimonials from thousands of people speaking highly of its cm dive properties prove this 1 m ladoul t. Fold l>y dn!L r r i. SORE THROAT, CROUP AND HOARSE NESS CURED BY USING KHolmes’fMouthlWash* and DENTIFRICE. PERSONS Wearing Artificial Teeth should use HOLMES’ MOUTH WASH and DENTIFRICE. It will keep the gums heal thy and free from soreness; keeps tiie plate from getting loose and being offensive. A Pure Hreatti, Clean Teeth anil Sesl thy Gums by using Holmes’ Mouth Wash and Dentifrice. Try it. A Persistent Feeling of Cleanliness re mains for hours after using Holmes’ Mouth Wash and Dentifrice. sot Operative Dentistry and Den tal Materia Medica, Balti more Dental College. Having been shown the formula for Holmes’ Sure Cure Mouth Wash and Dentifrice. I will say that from my knowledge of the therapeu tic action of eacli of these substances enu ring into its composition on deseased mucus mem branes of the mouth and gums, I believe it to be a specific in a large number of tiie ordinary deseased conditions for which it is recommend ed. I say this on theoretic grounds and am satisfied that a practical test of this mouth wash in my own practice has more than justi fied my expectations. I therefore reccommend it for general use and would be glad to know that every man and woman in tiie country wouid try it for themselves, believing that it will result in great good to those who use it as directed. Athkns, Ga.—I have had occasion recently to test the virtues of your Sure Cure Mouth Wash in an aggrevated case of inllaraed and ulcerated gums, with most gratifying re sults. I find that I can accomplish more in a short time with Sure Cure Mouth Wash than any other one of the many similar prepara tions I have ever used in my practice of many years. I wish that every one, old and young, would use your preparation according to the printed directions, anil then, I think, the den tist would be able to accomplish more good for their patients, and do it with more satisfaction to all concerned. II. A. LOWRANCE, D. D. S. ENGLAND AND FRANCE. In addition to onr home practice, legal business ol every description undertaken In the above coun tries, Including recovery of debts and claims, bank-* rtiptcv, common law, chancery, probate and admin istration. divorce, shipping, conveyancing, compa ny law and sales and purchases of real and perso nal property. To effectuate the above purpose we have formed business connections with responsible and e lacient lawyers In London and Parts. BROYLES A JOHNSTON, Attorneys-at-Law. No. 8 S. Broad Street, Atlanta, Oa. OPIUM AND MORPHINE (5M-6tn) HABIT Qiiies'y and Permanently Cured bj O’.TANNER'S OPIBM AND MORPHINE CURE. For sale by all druggists. $1.00 PER BOTTLE Far circulars ani information nacres? Tanner Opium Oure Co., F. O. Box 105, Atlanta, Ua.
