The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907, November 29, 1890, Image 3

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

THE SUNNY SOUTH, ATLANTA/GA., SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 29, 1890. HAWTHORN; A STORY OF TWO DECADES IN MANY STATES. Bv Bismuth Miller. tot the 8CSNT SOUTH. ' CHAPTER I. It wu a pretty Tillage—that of Haw thorn, situate la Central Georgia, and so named alter the founder of a colony of lte early settlers, who were Virginians. On a "bright, particular” morning- more than twenty years a gone—the hap py villagers were astir betimes because Of the expected reappearance in their midst of John' Hawthorn, who, having gone forth, a robust bachelor of forty, a tew weeks before, was now on his way to the village, bearing with him a ycung and beautiful bride. Quite sufficient would this last incl- cident have been to awaken the folk to wonderful interest even bad not John Hawthorn been the principal citizen, an open palmed patron asd a continual Mend—all which he truly was. It was the sum of the villagers’ wish now to testify their appreciation for the man by a spontaneous show of kindly feeling for the new wife; ard they knew no more simple and soulful way of doing this then by meeting the pair with an outburst of pub'c welcome. Hence the crude structure down at the railway was from hoar to hour the scene of animated groups, anxiously awaiting the coming train. The manor like Hawthorn dwelling crown* d a picture, quo eminence at the base of which it was usual for the trains to draw up and debark t’elr passeDger ; and here, too, preparation of a more sober character was j rocceding In view of the coming event. Caleb, Mr. Haw thorn’s somewhat eccentric gardener, a broad, big hearted Scot, having long swayed the botanical labyrinths, was now, in the proprietor's absei.ee, quite as came to think she was lacking in that sin gle attribute whieb ebe rity can neither in still nor jet bestow—tbai Inherent virtue one m»y assume but never acquire— moral prlndp e. Row defiant of author Uy, seif willed, sometimes obstreperous, often neglectful, the problem of her be havior grew dally more perplexing, and at length she was questioned as to its meaning. A teacher with whom she had always bsen a favorite called Benigna into her room, and with calm, maternal interest said: “Benigna, daughter, yon must have oh served our displeasure at your frequent misbehavior, just as you must know that your behavior f* r some time has been unbecoming. We had hoped this would be only temporary. Tell me, child, if it is our fault that you have changed?” With sullen emphasis, Benigna an- “No; it’s nobody's fault but mine.” * l in . r&tid .a iu n- ow mat,' sindly istd the teacher; ‘‘for if the fault Is yours I know you will correct it. If it were ours, perhaps we should not know so *ell west to do; for, my child, we've dono every thing t ha , human thought can contrive to make von good and happy.” “’T s no fault of ycu>s,”tne girl re peeted. "Do you promise reform, Berigna, knowing that you mnr>t go away if the managers command L?” ‘‘X promise nothing,” answered Benig na, stubborn ly. •'ibO,, it ib possible yon wish to leave US?” * Yes—and I'm going.” ‘HowJ ’ * Tnat dot sn't matter,” ‘ Ar.d—whets?” urg, o the preceptor. « that—1 w ill i*my answer that hasty step descending the circular paved mide calls In the afternoon, and all were way whlc a wound toward the mysterious profuse with cordial sympathies or com- locos nh.thar three several vijloishad be u drawn witoln that oue dark hour. It was Benigna Bernard come abroad in the gioom of the evening tj seek the mes sage the nad by some sen of pantomime been told to t xpeot. Of course, she did not find it, sl diner lingering, undecided manner, plainly observed by the hidden watcher, eviucud that when she fal ed to see the covet, d letter she was impret-sed that it had nut been left -for her. Tula was confirmed when she impatiently burst form, alter a thorough search, say ing, half to herself: “Confound that feuowl” Bhe did not suspect the fatal interception. Benigna had slipped away from her companions while tney were engaged at evening prajer. It would have oeen a glaring iuiraotion to have aoaented her self from prayers without excuse. To appear within toe ohapei, and then to re tire unbidden, meant dins punishment. To leave the building and wauder npon the outer premises after sunset meant dismissal. Doaotless, when sue set out for the letter it was her wish to be dls- rnt-sed, tor, as the sequel will show, it was the only way she cuuid have com ported with the instruction it contained. Now tnat the message had failed her, her predicament c.n oe imagined. Meanwhile the night had passed—a trying one for the inoonigible girl, who wunio appear'on the morrow beiore the august buaid of trustees. In doe time the fugitive letter was produce**, its seal broken, and the contents read in secret. After a judicial fasi.ioo, Benigna was summoui d to piead in Ubr owu behalf Her conduct was such as to toroid even a thought of clemency. Sue would not appeal nor give promise for the future. Staidly she stood to listen to such por lions of the guilty letter mb she might hear without o jtalning from it a cue for her suosequeut wlcaed procedure. She was voted instant dismis: al. The letter proved to be from a young ano t eel;k 63 son oi a rich mtrehaut whose firm transact* d a lariie for*-!;;u business, aisiniaineQ a branch in Liverpool, and did their carrying trade principally in their own ships Young Ro s—for that wss his came—had met Benigna on one of the “visiting days’ of tne asylum, since which they hadcondrctidaeurrep i tltions correspondence, aud he now ' pronoted that she should incite the authorities to her expulsion and Tills I’m going.” " I then See to his protection, •Auoti.er qurstion, ny child, and X am ' result i *>d evidently been sought for done Why Ocyon goT” tome Umv.lut now the climax he bad ‘ Because I wish to.” | proposed to hasten. On this very morn Afttr a short the animus sions which . much her senior. “A few ytars ago,” j Citace! Actctn-y. , , aha said, ‘knowledge of n y unknown It was ceterniined to turn the letter birth contluuaffy hu * bied ms, haunted ; over to tne fr'.her of George Ross for his me in my dai.y life, in my hopes, and up | proper action. Thcrecou.d henotheught - - • 1 of ailianco between a Res. and Benigna, that whatever I might be, I could be ! and htnet R *ss senior resolved to frus nothin; ; whatever i would be, I could irate the slightest contact between them, cot be. i've outgrown that fancy. .Not ( Yount Ko8»» hiMsoJf cad retired uDder that I will not always have to contend the ptrftci* conviction that his letter was against the stigma of birth, but instead ! secure to Benigna. of shrinking from the contest, 1 intend to conquer. There's many a girl in private life whoso origin, bring unknown, makes her better, and thus, being un known, makis me worse. It should mate no i ifltrence In life; and, more than that, it would make no ditforenoe were it not for the thing the world calls ‘society.’ Society forever bars its doors to me. It is the cream of my life to enter t v ort—it is the purpose of my future to shine there. Once in, and you 11 see that I shall not be sought a'ter for creden tials.” "But how shall you enter there with out then.?” “J ust as one goes into a place of amuse ment by paying one's way. They tell us that virtue Is the only licblllty. May not an ill born girl be virtuous—be noble—?” “But society is aristocratic,” inter jected the preceptor, “and do you not remember that aristocracy is described as that the plinth of whose allegory is honorable birth? I am bu quoting.” “Yes,” replied Bemgna, -out that is tot the full description, for it runs In this way: ‘whose plinth is nonurabie birih, whose pedestal is irreproachable character, whose shaft is pure Curlstt aui’y.’ Now, here are ttreu conditions, two of which 1 might hope to fulfill, and yet 1 am to forego them all because the first is iarpossib e to me. I am not to strive for irreproachable Character and dare not prey to be a pure Cbrts.iau, be cause it is luipbEsibt-t for me-to pretend potential in all the other economies, his s.t every thought of nr,y future. I knew , prompt coadjutors being Peter, the old- »■►»* t a*-..i.i t*. 1 time butler, ar.d Rebecca the cook, both, exceptionally pi* ficient aud intensely black. It was late in October, and yet the at mosphere ren-ainet balmy and the blithe some airs blew as from the tropics. Frag rant grasses and flowers filled the woods, the wilds and hedges, and the gardens knew yet no touch of frost. Everywhere deep greeu trees brandished to wooing breezes or bent to passionate gales, while birds of rare note and feather, not leas than insects that delight in weird dis cords, maintained through the nearly equal days and nights a continual hyper bole of sung aud sound. Thus evtry condition seemed so well to suit tne eveut to wnicli all hearts w- re constantly looking IhrougLcut the long day—long, because so much of it hau been passed in anticipation; yet brief, because it belonged to auti.inn, The Wisest of the throng could tell nothing of the hour at whies Hawthorn and his wife wos.d be at hano; he know only that they would come to day. It was for this, therefore, that the pertinacious populace atilt lingered, all uncauntea, even to the iste afternoon hour when the red, resigning sou was poised al his wes teramost exit and gaunt, indolent, shad ows were plodding up tne easterly hill- C.des. But now tho long awaited train, having announced i.s coining iu the uislancs, rolled slowly into view and halted iis hindmost ccach at too bread steps that went up to the gate ot Haw thorn s gsr den. _ —— The pleased, rather surprised, face of John Hawthorn prestmiy whb seen at the rear piauorm, lam which he aught ed and turned to ex.vnd liia open arms. Into these a fair aha lovely woman uu- iiiiu^union.r~t^ffele *ccalmo tion and lustily Chemed. -4. non they im perilously rusLed forward to grasp the man's hand ai,o greet his girlish wilfe, with w horn they were already clear:y m love. The sw*et stranger, disconcerted by this urexpect- d Oi mi-nsliation, was for ■i* instant motionless and silent; but she rallied, to gracious y bow and smile. Hawthorn himself was no more at ease. He was both embarrassed and touched Much as he loved these people, be had not hitherto creamed ofthedrpth of their esteem. Resuming his poise, he promptly led his wife toward the steps, ascending which, they together paused when they had reached the gate, he to remove his hat and bow his tbauks whilst she repeatediy kissed her fair hand to the crowd welch sw. yed below. At this moment Caleb, pardonably dis tended with a new Importance, Btepped nimbly from within, to convoy the new comers along the tor! uous garden paths unto the great balcony stairway ascend ing from the main walk to the hall en trance. The heavy mahogany door was already thrown open, and st its side was posted Peter, who, as the happy couple mounted to the laticir g, performed an excruciat ing obeisance w hose depth and meaning •re unintelligible to tho “enfranchised” of our day. A coroial condescension rewarded bis politeness. A faintest ray of the fallen sue flashed across the burnished panel as the broad door was swung buck to Us place, stut- tlig John and Corstance Hawthorn within and leaving in twilight silence and peace the fertile scene ol our Geor gian drama. Seated with his family at dinner, Ross senior, having at the side of his plate a bates ot for ign business correspondence, was afforded an cccarion to open out, as if casually, the subject on which hinged his happy plan to defeat the younger Ross's intended ciime aud foily. • My son,” said the father, turning a qu'e'j gaze Into the young man's features, ‘-you arc aware that our Liverpool bust ness continues to prosper." ‘ Yes, sir,” promptly responded the youth. • Aud yet, as you also know,” he went on, in Liverpool they do business in qnite a cu if erect way fron oars. It is a good way, to be sure, but a different way—perhaps, a better way. Suppose I should sumo time wish j* u to go abroad to study their methods, and maybe to manage the concern, how would you like it?” • Finely,” answered the son. “Well, i’ve been thinking of having you take a trip over in the Albatross, our newest and boss snip, now in port, and to look into cur Liverpool business and learn the d-tails.” It flashed on George Ross that the Aloatross vas announced to tall next night with the tide, asdthat himself was appointed to meet Benigua tou’gbt. W hat a fortunate chaece for them to go abrct.d together! He replied, frankly, "That would be a goed thing, sir; I will go.” Then, get you ready right away. I’ll p'lments. She oould ha vs entered, on aim* st equal term*, her own selection of either of the wealthy refuges laid at her disposal Yet she chose to sban, almost to so on, thonn Al l It was with difficulty, next morning, that the Ravenels could prevail on Be nigna to remain with them just another dsj; indeed, she would consent to stay only until that night. It wm the even s fnl date on which George R >ss was to sail, and It would utterly foil their plan to keep the young couple apart ahuuid the Ravenels fall to detain her in hiding till auna<>t. Benigna as ing of Ross’ Imminent departure, else she would not have remained at East B T^ e aU"entreaties for her to accepts wsanswftjgg standing. There waa »*«><* «•*! 0, *°* 1 ® In this, to be sure. “But I know, she said, “I can do well elsewhere. “If it is your determination to do well,” said Mrs. Ravenel, ‘‘then I shall not longer press you to remain with us. And remember that whithersoeve r you may go, God watches over you and our hearts are with you. . .. — Ur. Ravenel came late to dinner. He had delayed in order to leant With cer tain tv os to Geozge Ross’unavoidable sailing tor Liverpool- that rprv hoar safely aboard the Alba tross, with which vessel and the ci ty there would be no fusthet. communication. Hence tho test ji.7tM.ily of me-fng b* tween Ross and f5£fdiorj B ]v Ah*limine that, aLoald he igjnaioiBly make knoln to the g ri th£t,jfcyonng to honorable birth. Don't you sto that! prepare you some letteis to take, and they all are una;ta!nan!c- unless all are I to-u'ght we ll arrange «Hh the captain pureh^sabip, but that If ti ay are pur- j i-fttie s-ip for your special comfort ” cnasable 1 may possess them ah? Wei I, j • Tuaufc you, sir,” said George, rising that is my purpose.” from the table, and now full of the ex The prte- ptor had bsen listen!; g with ! plot-; “I II get In shape at once, and go, foyji-eet. Joe had bea d Benigna dis- j snre, tomorrow nigh:!” BheiTf^i^bloug’itie con- [ stihauothcr^note of i’-istrucfion to£e- veiBAtlon. 'She did wonder, however, nigna, CHi PTEB II. She was a fcuLdling—a child of sin and passion. Seventeen years ago, at Char leston, Sooth Carolina, on a cold and cloudy night a woman stole within the iron rail which fronts the celebrated orphanage of that city. She bore with her a bniden, not as a virtuous mother her babe agalcst her besom, but as a guilty wretch some horrible reproach. This she cautiously deposited at the threshold of the porter’s lodge, hard by, and then, unnoticed, slipped away into the darkness. Ntxt morning the porter descried the parcel, a tiny, cloth covered basket, and experience at once to d him it contained a human soul. He took it within and warmed it iDto animation. A tsg was tied to tho basket; it had con tained a legend—perhaps only a name— but the rain of tte night had saturated this and obliterated the wort's. In genuity wss not lost for a resource, however, sr.d out of the merged and illegible writirg was ;ptm two worcls— “Benigcc B rtond.” It wss a curictis fate*; tut ever afterward the waif was known by that queer title. The orphansge iccepted the frail, un known charge, and, jnst as sincerely ss though it tael been tte cSrprirg of un- stTined pov.riy, if ftrcve tc shape Be- nigna’s su-licd existence for saintliest ends. Tte cl i’d p.dtErrt d t recocicrsly. Ste was apt, icieJiigtnt.snd pretty, t*nd while she continually improved in these gifts she excelled in ter smelts anil ac-comn- ltehmentp. Al fifteen y esrselie led in ail her classes, v- hiie her musical acquire ments were very stri: ing. The institution was exceedingly prenic: of ter. At tigli teen, bad b<r p-umLe Ix en maintaii ed, ste would bav< pi ssed from the custody of the crphaiiago into an excep ionai sphere cf lift, the pride and Joy of her precept' rs. Bet at si vertcer an enf he rbangeesree over her csren—n precipitate transition from tt-e high estate into which Bhe Eeemed eotii! to fit c* d from that noble future tc-vrrds t*hiti> her steps had hitherto apl ear. d 'o nafinally toireline It wes not pesiible tl ri ugh ordina y analogies to i c ount forttis, and still balder to sc count ft r Its sodde-nnets. At this period i he v a b* emi n! of form and feature and pcneesed enviable acdr*ss and grace, where, if her pupil meant to buy her way into society, she was to get. the means “It would cost a great deal to accom plish all you say you will undertake,will it not? ’ asked the preceptor. ‘ Very likely; but one does not know what one ctn do if one is determined. I shall have difficulties, but I shall sue ceed. I shall be out of this poorbouso in a week.” “How, sister?” “You’ll see.” “But have you not a year longer to stay?” “Not a day, unless I wish to.” “You would do uo wrong to go?” *T don't know that,” answered Be- nigna, rather significantly. “I am curious to know just how you propose to go away—how it is to come about. Will i ou confide in me?” pi: aded the preoeptor, in undoubted anguish. “I won dn’t divulge my plans in my prayers,” promptly retorted the wayward Benigna. “Then I pray yon do nothing wrong. 0 Bt nigna., do notbing wrong, no matter how simple it may seem; for I know that there Is no retreat from 6vii after once we sin!” “Aonef” asked Benigna, quickly. “Yes—there is retreat; there is retreat but once, and never, never after!” “That's a new dogma. They’ve been teliirg me at the Chapel three times a day for seventeen years that It doesn’t matter what one does, one may repent and be saved. Explain.” “I know,” said the preceptor, calmly, “that‘there is no depth so deep that he who will may not reascend.’ We’ve heard that in the chapel. But there is this to say, that when one deliberately does a wrong and does not at once re pent-does not at once retrace the way— then there is never more retreat. No more may he have choice twlxt right and wrong; he must go on, choosing ever only between trifs.” “Well, we’ve had quite enough of this for the present,” curtly Interrupted Be nigna; -‘but you msy depend upon it that 1 am going to leave the orphanage, and l make no secret of it, either.” Thus having spoken, Benigna abruptly made her way from the room. CHAPTER III. When the trustees were apprised of Benigna’s purpose they coupled it with her recent seta of, uprnliness, and thus reached a plausible explanation. It was their fixed opinion that she must be in stigated by improper influences beyond the orphanage walls, and accordingly a close watch was at once set uponhtr movements. ; On a certain afternoon scon after, near sunset, the porter, who tad been made a party to the suspicions of tte trustees, saw, from the covtrt of a casement over looking an expanse of the grounds bor- dtrirg on Csihcun street, a young and graceful horseman Blacken tis steed di rectly before the main gnieway and, having glanced fnriive-y toward a win Tne remainder of th» family soon after dispersed, stv. rally bent on assisting In tbe preparation for George’s departure. While George Rrss was cogitating over the coming event—a half written note to Benigna 1> ing before him—another bright circumstance connected with this trip beamed into his thought. Tbe Albatross was to sail at night! H»w certainly this seemed to favor him! Under shelter of darkness he and tbe girl should easily gain the ship's side wholly unseen, whilst the captain, being an employe ot his father, would not dare to remark the incident, not to say, report It! With the completed tetter, young Ross at once set out to find a means of placing it In Benigna’s possession. Reaching tte vicinity- of the orphanage, be trav ersed tbe street in Us front, casting anxious glances at ber window, bot without response. At length, in very desperation, he reBolvtd upon a bold action. Approaching the porter's lodge he asked to see her. He was told of her dismissal. Whereat he was much elated, for it argued that his demand bad been absolutely obeyed. For an instant he inwaroly chuckled over the blind Bub- servien, y of a young woman who had so promptly resigned her only home at bis rt quest. Certainly, now, all was clear, and at sanset, when they should meet, he would tell her all. He tore l is letter into bits. But when the porter further informed him that Benigna bad departed in com pany with an elderly gentleman, she abating his conveyance, Ross was dumb founded. Nor could his most persistent questionings evoke aElngle clue either as to the identity of the chaperon or of the direction in which the pair were driven. In despair he retraced bis way, watch ful or every vehicle and wondering how he should possibly discover Benig na’s retr at. That whole afternooo, that night and much of the following day, he kept up his fruitless search for her. Utterly crest-fallen, he appeared at home for the final leave-taking. The cause < f his dejection was well nnder stood, bat his parents insisted that he “must not grieve because he was going away from horn*; he would soon be with them sgain.” Whatever,he might have prefe rred to do, it was altogether too late now tor any re source of art or excuse to defer his pas sage. Every arraLgement was complete, and he most go. That bight the Albatross weighed an chor and took tbe turning tide toward the sea. George Ross, the moat over whelmed and nnwii iDgoi touri ts,silent, alone and angry, trod her clean, quiver ing deck. CHAPTER IV. Benigna’s very first context with that gre&t world beyond the environs of the orphanage should have corr,cted her brrzsn misconceptions of “the thing” she called‘'society.” A dozen stainless hands were held forth to greet and exait her. The mandate of her demit had scarcely been pronounced, when Mr. Pre c cult Rsvenc 1, a cisiinguisLed cit zsn, m^V^on^Wrep^^thave the effect to counteract, MU> Ptens, Mr. Ravenel mention-d M* incident to his wife while ail sat at table. A slight change of color 1 ^ aturea was all that ugaaflkrd f L ite in the a.terni 'in BMHgna left -he lovely home wntch'iHght have been hers for alt time,hiving mod- stly accspted pe cuniary assistance and a fciudly letter of recommendation /t>in benevolent friends. At nlg&t too* the cars for A Thl S sober, pret'.y city on the south bank of the Savanna '! failed eff-hand to meet Ber;ifi , A' 6 pv.o leo expectations »>f welcome She bed * gain misjudged- h tad become her t- eery that, the arlsto- erst c Ravenels having received her with out reservation, tne social est.te else where should be much easier to invade No note of the governing circumstance was taken by the vain girl Hence she could find nothing lo admire in Augusta. The staid old plat -'. with its non-relaxing forms and habits, offered not one attrac tion. Th< re wa9 n r j y for her in that cnarming vislaol tiut.ve fores., Greone street, the like of whion is upwheie else; not. a song in (beinterminable trillingot a thousand birds; no sigh within the taugied boughs titgt batt.id among them selves and with tbs' or* < zea along a l that milt ofgrten and glorious avenuil Nor wfcB tiiere encti&DioieDt in tbe nioea c piles to the right aud to the left of her—the citadels of an organism impos Bible unaunouLCv.$ to enter. A ho people didn’t pour forth to ask as to the new comer. Foolish virgin! what if they hau? So Be. igna sickened outright,and in a huff', sougdt Atlanta. Nearly mid <vay between the two cities she gained a cameral glimpse of a ioveiy, luxuriant landscape, witu a manorial structure mounting its broadest summit. Tnis was Hawthorn, and It was all the scene that caught her eye while in Bmbgna found Atlanta in tfce whirl of that wondrous en-.rgy out of whicn has evoived lu our day tue profounacBt type of industrial and commercial courage. But the advtnturess was to part of tue need of a city that, even now in her great ness, has scarcely begun the journey on to the magiiiticeDce wolco awaits her. Y-1 Atlantaseeuieda world within itself to this girl, making only her second short tour in life. T^o hurty i curry, hum aud hustle of t ue every day strife of the busy town were congenial to the harum- scarum proci!vtti&3 of our heroine, and she larrltd at the Georgia Metropolis until her scant tc sources had nearly eoced *^ni'jn as by an inspiration, she recalled the cewildenngly btaulirul oasis she had photogrspned at tha instant that her car was piuugiug into a ravin. ; sue re membered the grand dwelling that smiled down from Us broac, hospitable portals; the gretn, dreamy quiet that covered its surroundings; tne peace that filled lts atmospher ; the sunshine tnat trickled upita all its parts; the per.ume that swept ot4t» ) and into the train, C--.mi.ig-!-. S ae thou.cht of Bawikurai fA „ . . Could she'w.f thou ? Exist there. How? ... YesI She m bbt re-begin existence there. The drea.|i of her life might be real!zed. Whale Aer betide her, she would make the effort. Next morning Benigna left Atlanta for Hawthorn. (To be Continued.) dow of the orphanage, r<xt joint his j proffered his home, resplendent with firger signlfiiBrlly at a spot just within : social adornments, to the fallen girl. It tte coLfines. The eye of the official, fcl j was be who h ®r away from the lowing tbe line of his gesture, observed i orphansgo to his own resi. e. ce. that there was nolhicg in sight, but he mte’pTtted ‘.he movement to mean that at that *xcct point something might be icund. At the Instant of this proceed ing, too, a face wi:s teen to appear with in alowered window, and the window was known to be that of Benigna's apart ment. Tbe rider had mean while galloped rapidly away. It was less than an bonr later, but now quite derk,wbtn the tame cavalier reap- j.'f red. This timehe boldly dismounted, ano, leading his horse near to the iron rail, dellbsralely !ft drop within a let er which he bad w ithdrawn from a breast pocket. Be Brain leapt to the saddle aid disappeared. The cot jecture of tbe vigilant-port'r wss thus verified, and, sli pping forth from hisccrx alrr.fclit, hebnuf-md to the pnil*y spot, ai d 11 t.d the white envelope which lay at bis feet. He had scarcely ju , borne it s.fely within the lodge, when Ii'e?ucta:.hy tie crp! aerge authorities his attention wss attracted by alight. On the journey he plied her for some inkling of her future plans. She was reticent, except to haif divulge that she bad “a city lriecd who would do any thing for her, if she could only find him.” Mr. Ravenel well knew whom she meant. Mrs Ravenel, a fine type of benevolent womanhood, wss present to receive the girl when the coach drew up before the handsome dwelling on East Battery. Benigna was in a short time quite “at home.” Her good looks and gracefulness lost nothing under the quick, critical eye if so excellent idealists as tbe Rave nels, and her easy, captivating manners, pleasant grsture and mild voi09 were nc-ticei.ble at the outset. S e spoke with musical modulation and iaugued with lippdng inflxtioa. Her new friends were soon entranced. Tbe most cultured young ladies qf the classic neighborhood For the Sonsy Socru. THE SILVER LINING You left me, and the heavens wept. How could they joy when my poor heart Was breaking in its mad'ning pain— When our two sou js were torn apart? Heaven’s tears fell gently ou the rose Which strewed ils peialso'er the ground In syn-pathy; though my heart Ached, my Ups gave ne'er a souud! No star adorne ' the firmament; The moon was hidden by a veil Of clouds; and through the trees was heard The wild wiuu’s melancholy wail. All nature seemed to mourn, and yet The hearts around me were as glad ‘As if you were not gone. They could Not know my riven soul was sad. And yet you will return. Ah! yes; I know you will come back, but still Our lives can never be the same— Your glance my heart must never tbrlll. You said naught of the ch.-nge within Y'our heart, Dor I of that in mine; But oh! each of us understood, Although we spoke not. made no sign. Today the clouds still heavy hang, But dear, the ‘ silver lining’s” there! I'd have you kneel as I have knelt And see its light througn humble prayer. I ne'er again may go to you For help, and ne er your griefs may share, But there is One who 11 give us strength To bear each sorrow and each care. I know that we may go to Him In perfect confidence and trust; He sympathizes, ‘knows our frames,” And He remembers we are dust! Y'ou ve left me, but behind the clouds The “silver lining” yet appears— Bidding me still be brave and strong, Although I see it through my tears. Eloise. Gossipy Article About Charming Actress. FAMF. WOOED AND WON BY A KISS. Bor Remarkably Realistic Osculation Gave Her Instantly a Lasting Place in the Hearts of Theatre Goers—Some of Her Best Known Parts. Sbe leaped into popular favor about five years ago—and by a kiss. The operet ta “Nanon” was exquisitely ■taged at the Casino at that time, and Sa die Martinot in the short skirts and cap of the barmaid was delightfully insouciant and altogether captivating. She sang well, but with more expression than voice, aud her acting had all the charm of a Frenchwoman’s: but not until gypKi/kff’.afe. tew, . x \E5 lj| c . ■ m -!!:.■ • SAD if: MA ' Iff p‘ j) I » iTINOT AS BETTINA. she took he r I over’s good, stupid faoa between ! er pin nj> hands and kissed him heartily, lingeri nicly, full on the mouth, and in tii ♦doting way women usually de- rote exd usivel} to babies and dogs, did slie make the du les expand into their very best sipili s of ap probation and delight. She \va s so n >guish, so tantalizing, so feminine, so alti >g»»ther lovable, that they swore by her to t man and rose in their seats to applaud her as they did Judic aod Theo. After that kiss her lasting fame as a sonbrette was achieved. “Dr. Bill” is drawing crowded houses at the new Garden theatre in New York. For the first week or so after the opening the place was nightly filled by an audience who went to criticise the ornamentation, the carving, the satin covered walls; in fact, thearchitectural details of this dainti est of playhouses, quite ns much as the play. They went because it wa3 the “thing” to go. Now, so well has she suc ceeded, they go to see Sadie Martinot as a young matron of lively propensities pining for a lark in "ilr. Bill;” asagushing, win some romp in “Sunset,” that exquisite bit of quaiutlv intermingled fun and pathos by Jerome K. Jerome, and still more re cently as the liancerof a Spanish fandango, Introduced to meet tbe craze of the hour. “It was like Martinot to have herself taught that Spanish d.uuoewhilu the town’s in the mood lor it,” somebody said the other day. “Oh, she’s clever! Not content with playing a comedy part to perfection, she determined to let t lie public see what ■he could make of n Spanish fandango if she had to drag it rieck and crop into Dr. Bill’s study—and she has wjlli a ven geance, by Jove!” An actress ought to be pretty. tYe all agree ou that—but isn't it even mors im portant for her to have piquancy, magnet ism, that something so elusive that for Want of a better name is usually termed ’mil. Ai u rtinrttPi.,- . knt.y of “go. ’ It is e'Kient in her walk, in her smile and glance, in the very turn of her head, in the flashing movements of her hands. She has a charming but faulty face. There are a dozen New York actresses I could count off on my fingers who totally eclipse her in point, of beauty, aud yet who remain consistently unknown. Carping critics might cal! her mouth too large, her akin colorless, her eyes only ordinary, if they met her during a matutinal stroll on Broadway with tho too truthful sunlight shining down on her unsparingly. But she has the softest, silkiest of brown hair growing low on a smooth, white forehead; a brilliant piay of expression in her eyes appeared on the stage. She had taken several trips to Europe, breaking contracts with an inconsequence that had bet .'.me proverbial, and except for paragraph;- . p pearing occasionally in the papers re ing her gowns, the size of her foot, o mi' opinion on things European, she had \ •; * ully retired to private life- Best remembered of her successes in comic opera is Bettina iu the “Mascot.” She sang the part iu German at Amberg’s theatre, and made a pronounced hit in it. Here she is in the “shreds and patches” of the poor goose girl, a passionate, willful hoyden able tost.rikcout from the shoulder when the village boys attempt to kiss her against her will, capable of expressing more in a shrug, or a glance through her tangled hair, than many women in an eight page letter. There is talk of putting this on at the Garden after “Dr. Bill,” when others than the German speaking portion of New York will have an opportunity of seeing a Bettina that the composer would go into ecstacies over. In private life, ns Sadie Martinot, when she plays no part but that nature assigned to her, she is even more successful, and has turned the heads of many prominent New Yorkers. Though a Bohemian heart and soul, and fond of roaming the world over, she has a thoroughly comfortable, well appointed home in Twenty-third street to return to when sbe is in .1 restful mood. It is pre sided over by her mother, and stands not a stone's throw from Mrs. Langtry’s. Evelyn Malcolm. from the rkiugthe The Left Leg. There is a popular idea that because tha light arm is more often used and stronger than the left, so the right leg is stronger than the left. TLis is not correct: there is evidence that the left leg in most people la stronger than the right. From the theo retical point of view it would appear that In all manual labor requiring increased us* ai the right hand, .the left leg is also em ployed on tlie principle of equilibrium. In the case of the lower animals (except ambulators, camels, etc.), and babies, when walking on all fours, the right fore limb moves with the left hind limb, and vice versa. It foilows from this that man, using the right arui more than the left, would probably use the left leg more than the right. Many people find less exertion in walk ing around large circles to the riirht than In going to the left. This is also the case In race paths for athletic sports, nearly all of which are arranged for the racers to go , Urns) In circles to the right in running. Again, ' • band travelers have observed that hunters, when lost on prairies, wander around in circles to the right. This fact has been attributed to their fol lowing the course of the sun, but tnis does not appear to be necessarily the case. Many •katers can perform more figures on the left than on the right foot—or, at any rate. In commencing, figures are more readily done on the left foot. With rope dancers It is usually observed that the more com plicated feats of balancing are performed •n the left foot.—Nineteenth Century. SADIE MARTINOT AS NANON. and smile; "a sweet, low voice, flawless aa the ring of silver; a figure of medium pro portions, svelte and symmetrical. But, above all, she is graceful, and has reduced dressing to a fine art. Her imported gowns in “Dr. Bill” for example—could anything be more “fetch ing?” The ensemble is saucy and elegant. She moves about with that frou frou of ■oft, silken, trailing skirts that must bo music to masculine ears, while from femi nine ups nutter little envious signs ana ■abdued exclamations of rapture. In the first act she is in heavy olive silk, the plain drawn-back skirt now in vogue tolling in a long fan in the back and just the floor. Around the edge ruua ostrich feathers of the same color, POINTS ON CARDS. Card Tricks Viewed from the Stand point of Exact Science. Card t t icks so called can be divided prop erly into two classes—tricks which are purely tricks am! nothing else, and tricks which are founded on mathematics. Of the former it can only be said that it re quires .i special dexterity to handle the cards coupled with long practice to inak< any sort of a success at it. There are scores of trick books which profess to reveal hid deu secrets ;-.ud to show the willing enthu siast how to astonish and mystify his friends on every occasion. The basis of many of these tricks is the art of palmiug. which alone not oue in a thousand can learn to do with any degree of success. In fiict-, it requires a born genius to manipulate cards skillfully, and when a genius of tki3 sort con:-"-; into the world ho is likely lo swiff playing of harmless tricks boys,” in the vernacular of the gambling table, and become an out and nut sharper. There are, however, a number of simple card tricks, some of which are. founded on mathematic;* ar.d others which r -quire hut little skill ard are easily learned, which are extremely interesting. To the mind not versed in the range and power of numbers it is simply wonderful what i be done with cards. For instance, take the old spelling tiiok, which is nothing more than a simple arrangement of the cards, but al ways a constant source of delight to the children, and of instruction as well, espe cially-to those who are just learning to spell. Arrange the thirteen cards of any cne suit in the following order: 10, king, knave, 2, 4, (J, queen, ace, 7, 8, 3, with the 5 at the bottom. Then take the top card from the top; and place it at the bottom. Continue tho operation and begin to ?*pell, remembering that each card represents a letter. Spell in this way o-u-e. Then turn up the fourth card and it will be the ace or one spot. Then continue ami spell t-w-o, ami tho fourth card will be the two spot. Thfen t-h-r-e e and the sixth card will be the three spot, and so on, leaving out each card as it. is spelled. This is an excellent trick for the chil dren, ami lu re is another one, similar in idea, and which will give them a knowl edge of the vowels. A little story goes with it. A certain ship contained a crew of fifteen Christians and fifteen Turks. Provisions running short, owing to a storm having driven t he ship out of her course, it became necessary for fifteen of the crew to die in order to save the rest. The wily captain therefore made the fol lowing proposition: That the cn.-w should be placed in a line and every nint h rt counted out, until fifteen men had been lected. Ho then placed them in such a position that every ninth innii was a Turk, j Nowtt Y-' tion is, How A ! hcdO’ f ? T ,et j fifteen •; cards reprett :ko Turks J and fifteen red cards represent the Chris tians. Of course, it ail depends upon the arrangement of these cards, but it has been found best in order to facilitate the memorizing of them to take a sentence in which the five vowels appear. Here is tho sentence, “From numbers, aid and art. never will fame depart.” The first vowel in the sentence is o. In the grammatical arrangement of the vowels (a, e, i, o, u) this is tho fourth. Therefore, be ginning with the red cards take four and place them oa the table face down. U is the next vowel and the fifth iu the order. Therefore take five cards from t he black pile and place them on the four red ones. Then two red, one black, three red, one black, one red, two black, two red, three black, one red, two black, two red and one black, alternating tbe red and black. Then be ginning with the pile face up, every ninth card left out will be a black one uutll they are exhausted from the pack. F. Willing. Noi a Pressing Creditor. Dr. T. M. S. Kenney tells this story of foreign mission collection experience: “I was preaching,” said he, “in a certain section of the country, and after the close of the service a dear good brother invited me home to dinner. If I had known what I afterwardknewlthink probably I should not have gone. I had talked for a collec tion for the purpose of missions, aud as we were driving to the brother’s home he said to me: “ ‘Brother Kenney, did you notice that I did not give anything this morning?’ “ ‘No,’ said L ‘I never notice who give and who do not.’ “ ‘Well, I didn’t,’ continued he; ‘I couldn’t afford it. I'm too much in debt, but when I get rid of these troublesome demands I’ll give something to the work of the Lord.’ “ ‘But,’ said I again, ‘don’t you owe the Lord something?’ “ ‘Well, I don’t know; I suppose I do. I never thought of it before in that light.’ “ ‘I’m glad you sec it now in a different light,’ 1 ventured to remark, encouraging ly. The dear brother hastened to add. however: “ ‘The Lord don’t crowd me as the others do.’ ’’—Kansas City Journal. South Carolina’s Redboncs. There are a singular race of people in South Carolina called the Redboncs. Their origin is unknown. They resemble in ap pearance the gypsies, but in complexion they are red. They have accumulated con siderable property and are industrious and peaceable. They live in small settlements at the foot of the mountains and associate with nunc but their own race. They are a proud and high spirited people. Caste is very st: ong among them. They enjoy life, visit the watering places and mountain resorts, but eat by themselves and keep by themselves. Wheitahe war broke out several of them enlisted in t.hc Hampton legion, aud when the legion reached Virginia there wns a great outcry among the Virginians and the troops from other states because we had enlisted negroes. They did not resem- TOAT SHALL WE WEAR? STYLES THAT ARE APPROVED HOME AND ABROAD. AT Latest Fashion** as Expressed •“ Dresses for Evening Wear—Description of Soma of the Picturesque Bodiees That Are Now Worn. There is a great variety in the cut ai bodices. Many of the evening bodices are decidedly picturesque. One made in a pretty old fashioned Louis XV satin brocade had a doable puffed sleeve reach- ing almost to the elbow, draperies atxrat the neck all made of chiffon, and inter mixed with old point d’Alencou. Thta \rt mm % KvV, mg.- 1 m-'M 77/'t . ^ *S BORDERED-BY A FLOUNCK. 1 by a jacket basque with d buttons, the basque cut i *>n either side at tbe hips, uch like tbe sketches handed jin the period of C’utries L gown for evening wear is - -ornpanying cut. Tt is r white ntnsiin. The skirt in are bordered with s . low bodice is black velvet, lives and fichu are of whit* :vo or tfirce other items about • ns: Sleeves for young girls* fieti made open on the outsidt i show the point of the shoul der. A light blue satin gown brocaded with imperial b; es illustrates the return te the fashions of Louis XVIII period ic dressmaking. It has a trellis work of yel low lent L the top *j and wais dresses a lets, wit round ah bodices demi-ik-i in light mnslin, have nai the arm hi,.- galon round the skirt and .be bodice, which at the neck ! bordered with a ruche. Many made with embroidered corse- nurrow gold galons, placed the skirt hem, also round tha 1 .vri-ts. The sleeves of all tha •tv dresses are made long, but itori.il, such as tulle, gauze or ling -lose to the arm. Soma iw satin ribbon twined round >m the elbow. i teas in Underclothing. >l idea in underclothing is tht frills in colored cottons, v. hick to nightgowns principally, will, however, prefer deep Us, embroidered at the edgs ■ fashionable iu i’.-tris, gatb- ie Pierrot style. Some of tha ire made with puffings be- nsertion-, and hemstitched ■iffy repiace_ lace. Flannel c trmolo i'rTlls iu two - Cslors, ::t on white, both pinkr:; at The n- ■ embroidert ■*! are applied Many i dies vandyked th in white, nov- ered ful! in ■ nightgowns tween the bands freqn petliennte ha or in a color the edge. Sometimes the frills have aved ronleanx of white silk or braid. Cbemiset are fitted to tho figure and the seams filled in with veined insertion. Ail kinds of silk petticoats nre %'orn. NiiPrrnnF.ss :x fine cambric. The nightdress shown in the cut is inada In fine cambric, with a sailor collar and cuffs. It is trimmed with insertion down the fronts side. and with narrow at each 1 in Neir Ribbons. rinds are mostly cks and terry reversibhv civet bor- The new with satin ders of all kinds, as well is the cord edge. There are - >me curious mixtures of colors like plaids iu the stripes and check braid borders and piush borders and entire plush ribbous. Chintz velvet stripes and shot stripes are new, as well as somber effects. Two inch wide and inch aud 31$ inch are the usual widths. A narrow width U used for strings, 3 inches wide generally, and ribbou velvet, The old cerise color U coming in, and solferino and magenta, emerald, royal bluo and beaver—indeed, many browns. Baby ribbons also ore much used. Bee •Jewelry Notes. tells iu Jewelers' C'rcula* long bva of the same around her throat, ; and perched on her fluffy silky hair a little hat, saucer-like in front aud turned up to : *n astonishing height in the back—a hat not larger and shaped liffe many a sea- ; shell, as impudent as her pertly raised nose. Lie the African iu the least, except incases 1 She looks fashionable to an extreme, but where Africans hail amalgamated with In- not a lady, and this is exactly what she dians. This intermixture, which is com alms at, for in the play she sustains tho jaoa in Lbe Carolines, produces rnnrvel- Oharacter of an ex-ballet dancer, wedded to ous results. It takes the kink out of tho • wealthy, robust, police inspector of tha hair of tbe African, straightens his feah- hoef-eating order—a larky young woman, nres and improves him in every way ex- apt to forget that she has renounced flesh- j ce;,; j a temper.—Interview with Senator Of Coarse. A young man at Newark, N. J., was left a fortune of i-7l),COO. He went to a dozen different business men to ask Low heshould Invest his cash, and only one man recom mended a mercantile career. All the oth ers advised him to start a newspaper.—De troit Free Press. *^Handy for travelers is Simmons Liver R*>gu ator in powder. It can bs ca riled In tte pocket. _ for long skirts. All New York has become familiar with her lithogr ipli in tho soft, gauzy tea gown Hampton. Elsie that: Gold beads continue to be worn. Tortoise shell hairpins, set with dia monds an*l turquoise, are fashionable. "Watches run small to medium in size, and there is a marked tender* cy toward decorative cares. There are dainty little fob:* especially provided for ladies. Among watch chatelaines t’ae novelty Is n small af ;;r that expresses itself in form of a flower.or other motif, and w hich is fastened at one side ct the corsage A fantasy has sprung up for nccklaeea of colored stones. OLD NURSERY FAVORITES. There wns Tom the Sjn of the Piocr, Jack Sprat and Merry Kina Cote, And the three Wise Men of Uotaain. Who neat to sea iaa bowl; The woman woo rode on a broomstick. And swept the robwobbed ssy, And the boy who sat in the corner, Eating his Christmas pie. These were some of the old favorite”, , „ .. „ The time to lie occupied by a dinner nna j, nt t j,oy have baon supplied by tho“Pan- Ot pink si! : and yellow lacc as she stands . gradually been curtailed to such a point of | sy” stories “Little Lord Fauntleroy,” With her fi gers thrust helplessly into tha. brevity that in France fashion is returning , ana‘‘Five Little Peppers.” TnoOIdrash- folds in fruit exclaiming: j to a more leisurely service of the meal. jionedpillsaadphyslcsJiiveJiesajraDsr- “The key is down my back!” _ I Diners complain that courses follows® " ‘ — ' Her. prei ty, disturbed face looks at ns quickly on each other that there is oppor- from bill!* ards all along Broadway and . tunity neither for appreciation of the food at freqneu 1 street corners. j *mr fur conversation When lie new Garden theatre was - » . opened, qt ite a ripple of anticipation agk | toted the minds of playgoers when it waa ' My wife cured o'mslarin by Simmons advertised that she was to play the lead- Liver R'gulator—J. N. Thompson, Pas- Bur role, f >r it was some time since she had tor M. E. Church, Leigh, Neb. seded and wisely, to, by Pierce’s Pu”g». tiveP.-llets. a od d, harmless andtffoo- tivecathartic. Toay ; p easaat. to take —so gentle In their actlaa that tha most dsiil ate otiilfl c in ts ‘ them, yet so ef- fective that they will euro ‘.he mast often, nate case* of co • sto.^iticti, Iivor and bowel tr >ab.s9. Taey shoaid bs l* every nursery- Ai a gentle laxative, only ono for a dose.