The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907, April 11, 1903, Image 3

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APRIL It. 1903 THE SURRY SOUTH THIRD PAGE The Tomb of Cbrist ill Jerusalem, ^ ON ^ ^ “GolgotHa,” or “The Place of a SKull.” * * By EVANGELINE BEN'OLIEL * * IVn -- -i. iff,/* ft vsnn? ffor&fh. JMONG the many interesting sights in Jerusalem there is one most beloved to the hearts of protestants and to which they cling with much assurance and confi dence. It is tho remark able little hill called Golgo tha or “Gordon’s Calvary’’ —so named because the General was among the first to express his opinion that it was the true site of the crucifixion. As one walks outside the Damascus gate ne cannot but be attracted by tho irange ’-esenblance of the knoll to a feu’! anil it at. once brings to one's mind he words of the gospel. “And they bring lim unto the place Golgotha, which is, eing interpreted, the place of a skull.'' 'her? is r.o other elevation or mound like anywhere outside the walls of Jerti- alem. nor inside either. It belongs to ne Mohammedans, but they would not avo intentionally transformed it into he resemblance of a human skull. Tt mst have assumed that shape long be- nre the Turk was beard of. A remark- The tomb or our Lord in Jerusalem. able fact about this Calvary is that the Jews call it to this very day "the place of stoning," or of the execution of crimi nals. Then, too, one realizes as one stands on the top of the hill that any thing taking place there would be visible from the streets and houses, and from the ramparts of the Temple area, and would serve as a warning and terror to malefactors and rebels against the author ity of proud priests and corrupt phari sees. These facts seem to mark this hill as the veritable spot where the world’s redemption was accomplished. Another important point in its favor is ihat it is close to the Damascus gate, leading to the, then. Gentile, or “profane” world—Samaria and Phenicia. Not far off are the sacrificial ashes discovered a few years go. which prove that this neigh borhood was considered unclean. When they were first found by the builders it was supposed that they were the remains of some soap factory, but on close in spection it was found that they were full of small charred bones, showing clearly that they were from the sacrices in the temple, according to Leviticus vl. 10 and 11: “The priest shall carry forth the ashes without the camp.” Their location corresponds with that mentioned in Jere miah xxxi. 40. This hill of Golgotha is situated 300 yards north of the Damascus gate, not distant trom the Pretorium, Pilate's judgment seat, and close to an undoubt edly ancient wall of the city. A place chosen by the Jews for public execution would be selected for its prominence, visi bility and easy access, and on the defiled and polluted part, outside the city walls. 'Ali these characteristics point to this hill as the very Golgotha mentioned in the sacred narrative. Prom our mission house windows In Jerusalem we could see this interesting and sacred hill and it appealed to us more and more as the true site by its striking contour, with those strange eyeless sock ets, giving the rocky mound a perfect resemblance to a human skull and seem ing to us to have cried out through these 4.O0O years tiiat this was “The place of a skull—Goigatha.” On one occasion we had the privilege of visiting this hill of sacred tragedy with a lady who had traveled in a party with Petrie, the great archaeologist. She was much impressed with the site and pointed out to us certain signs which she reeog- ”Thc New Cavalry,” outside the Damascus Gate, Jerusalem. Easter morning at the tomb, from specially posed photos. |ized to be those of an ancient Jebuslte llace of execution. remarked that such places. In an cient days, were usually used for the same purpose from age to age, though passing through different hands. She also first pointed out to lsome Interesting features which we had not noticed before, and which gave the hill a deeper signifi cance than ever. On the western side, on a precipitous declivity, overlooking the garden below, are three slots, being un- mistabably each an aperture In which the foot of a cross was placed so as to facilitate the raising of it after the body had been fastened on to it. The three crosses thus faced west In easy sight of the principal roalds outside Jerusalem. The Damascus gate to the north, going out to the heathen world, and the other skirting the city, leading round to the gate which is now called the Jaffa gate, and ~which is the principal entrance to Jerusalem. On this eventful hill can also be seen the rents in the rocks, caused by the earthquake, one huge boulder still nangs over the precipice on the hillside, very apparently having been cleft from the larger half standing on the hill top. Across a narrow' road to the west of Golgotha is a large garden owned by thg Dominicans and surrounded by solid walls, inside which are seen the ruined foundations of a church built in the mid dle of the fifth century on the tradition al sit? of st. Stephen's martyrdom. This further seems to go to verify' that this was the stoning place, for they were dragging st. Stephen out to throw him down from the stoning place and the infuriated mob killed him before he ar- Irved there. The ground around the ruins of st. Stephen’s church Is honey combed with rock-cut tombs. In some places tier above tier. Here an interest ing discovery was made some years.ago. A tomb was found bearing this Inscrip tion: “To Nomis and Onesimus. deacons of the Church of the Witness of the Res urrection of Christ, bunied near their Lord.” This inscription would seem to point to the Lord’s tomb as being very near by. and the scripture says: ‘‘Now in the place where He was crucified there was a garden and in the garden a new 7 sepulchre.” It has been said that this part of the inscription was taken away rather suddenly, obviously because it would throw doubt on the old belief in the churclr of the Holy Sepulchre. Now, some thirty years ago or more a cave cut In the rock was discovered in this vicinity to the southwest of Gol gotha. under the extreme declivity of the hill. This tomb, after much investigation and consideration, was accepted by a so ciety in England as the 'tomb most probable to have been that of our Lord. It is undoubtedly very ancient. An in teresting feature Is a small aperture which reminds us of St. John’s “looking in to behold the body.” This “garden of the tomb” is about 4 acres in size and seems as if It might answ'er to the de scription of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea, who buried the Lord’s body within his own “new tomb wherein was never man laid.” The tomb is about 230 feet distant from the summit of the hill. It appears to have been originally a small rock cut Jewish tomb. The fact of there being a head cavity in the re ceptacle at the northeast corner and its being so situated as to directly face the valley of Jehosophat are clear proofs of its having been built for a Jew. There are signs that crusaders in the twelfth century erected an arched building be fore the tomb. A sum of about £30.000, I believe, was raised in England by subscription from all those who w^re in favor of the tomb being bought ai:4 held sacred in the sup position that it r might very possibly be the real sin ;he resurrection of the Savior of mankind. This sum of money also provides for a keeper to protect and beautify the spot, which is now becoming one of the principal sites of Jerusalem. If this newly discovered site should finally prqve unquestionably to be the true sepulchre, then it would be a relief and a deep satisfaction to know that no such strife and revolting scenes had ever taken place here as in the long reputed site within the walls. To visit this peace ful spot fills one with a solemnity and reverence which is entirely undisturbed either by man’s jealousy or by his super- stitutaens Imagery and unreliable tradi tions. Here on this quiet hilltop, over looking the picturesque city with its many white domes and manarets dazzling in the sunshine and in the vicinity of that beautiful Mount of Olives of sweet mem ory, rising grandly in the east—here I say. surrounded by nature in all her beauty and simplicity one can worship In perfect peace and harmony the God who sent His Son to bring peace to the world. The Mohammedan, notwithstanding, sur rounds us again, but only to protect the sacred spot, for it being a Mohammedan burial place no one dare molest it and so here, too, the Moslem has fulfilled his role of protecting the most sacred place of Palestine, such as the tombs of Abraham and Jacob at the cave of Macpelah In. Hebron, the tomb of David on Mount Zion and the temple area over which standj; his beautiful mosque. But for the jealous, scrupulous custody of the unspeakable Turk the sarcophagus and embalmed body of the Patriarch Ja cob would now be in the Parisian Louvre or In the British museum. Test for Yourself the Wonderful Curative Properties of Swamp-Root Thousands Have-Kidney Trouble and Never Suspect It. To Prove What Swamp-Root, the World-Famous Kidney, Liver and Bladder Remedy. Will do for YOU, Every Reader of The Sunny South May Have a Sample Bottle Sent Free by Mail. I wrote to Dr. Kilmer & Co., at Binghamton, N. V., for a free sample bottle of Sv.-amp-Root, and its effect upon me was so noticeable that I bought a supply, and after taking a few bottles of Swamp-Root I had en tirely recovered, and in six months I became the man you see me now. I had kidney trouble, aggravated by bladder trouble. Was obliged to pass water often day and night, had back ache, and was run down generally. A few botties of this remedy did more for me than a dozen physicians could. 865 Stillman St., Philadelphia (Pa) Fire Dep’t. I am a firm believer in that wonder ful remedy. Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp-Root. It’s a great medicine when a man is not feeling well; after exposure or loss of sleep and irregular meals. It is also a great medicine to tone tip and regulate a man. There is such a pleasant taste to it and it seems to go right to the spot. I use it and recommend it. There is more Swamp- Root used by Kansas City firemen than any other medicine twice over. Yours truly, Assistant Chief, i V Kansas City (Kansas) Fire Dep't. I cheerfully give my indorsement to ! Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp-Root, which I ■ sincerely believe, from my own ex- i perience, stands at the head of all ! known curatives for kidney, liver and j bladder troubles. My own cure and also my personal observation during years of service in the Toledo Fire Department, have convinced me that Swamp-Root is a medici - of wonderful merit. I have seen many who had been pronounced incurable, speedily restored to health by Swamp-Root. Yours Respectfully, No. 1 Engine House, Toledo (Ouio) Fire Department. If you are sick o new discovery, Dr. your kidneys are we health. A trial will Weak and unhea kinds of diseases, an with FATAL RESU trouble irritates the less and Irritable. M day and obliges you night. Unhealthy ki r “feel badly.” begin taking the famous Kilmer’s Swamp-Root, because as soon as 11 they will help all the other organs to convince anytyie. Ithy kidneys are responsible for many d if permitted to continue much suffering LTS ARE SURE TO FOLLOW. Kidney nerves, makes you dizzy, restless, sleep- akes you pass water often during the to get up many times during the dne.vs cause rheumatism, gravel, catarrh of the bladder, pain or dull ache in the back, joints and mus cles; makes your head a:he and hack ache, causes ipdiges- tion, stomach and liver trouble; you get a sallow, yellow com plexion, makes you feel as though you had heart trouble; you may have plenty of ambition, but no strength; get weak and waste away. Swamp-Root is pleasant to take and is used in the leading hospitals. recommended by physicians In their private pra - tic”, and is taken by doctors themselves, because they recog nize in it the greatest and most successful remedy that sci ence has ever been able to compound. EDITORIAL NOTICE—Swamp-Root, the great kidney, liver and bladder remedy, is so remarkably successful that a special arrangement has been made by which all of our readers who have not already tried it may have a sample bo* tie sent absolutely free by mail. Also a bookselling all about kidney and bladder troubles and containing man; toe thousands upon thousands of testimonial letters received from men and women cured by Swamn-Root. Tn writing, be sure and mentain reading this generous offer in The Atlanta Sunny South when sending your address Dr. Kilmer & Co., Binghamton, N. Y. If you are already convinced that Swamp-Root is what you need, you can purchase the regular fifty-cent and one- dollar size bottles at the drug stores everywhere. Don’t make any mistake, but remember the name, Swamp-Root—Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp-Root; and the address. Binghamton, N. Y., on every bottle. Little Thing's In Which Alexander ^Stephens ^ >? Showed Greatness ^ ^ By DR. R. J. MASSEY. Writer. o~ 7Thc Santsy r ’-'-AvEN often show their great- Mi ness in the little things of _ j$ life, and Mr. Stephens is no exception to this apothegm. The minuteness in detail which he has given In his early life shows this. In nothing more than his description of his fath er as a school teacher. Besides being very inter esting, these reminiscences give the reader a clear idea of the manner in which first-class country schools were conducted In middle Georgia for an interval of twenty years, say from 1828 to 1848. Speaking of his father, Mr. Stephens says; “He never scolded; never repri manded a scholar in a loud voice; never thumped the head, pulled the ears, or used a ferule, as I have often seen other teachers do. He took great pleasure in the act of teaching, and was unwearied in explaining everything to his scholars, the youngest as well as the oldest. He had no classes, except in spelling and reading, in which exercises he insisted on a clear, full enunciation. He was hinl- self one of the best readers I have ever heard, and he was very particular in making Jhis scholars attend to the pauses, and deliver the passages with the proper emphasis and intonation; and to instruct them in this he would take the book and show the school how it ought to be read. In tills way even the dullest scholar un derstood what was required of him, and what good reading was. His ‘cipherers,’ as those used to be called who studied arithmetic, and such as were in higher branches, such as surveying, etc., were allowed to study outside the school house. His scholars generally were much at tached to hm. He was on easy and faml- iar terms with them without losing their respect; and the smallest boys would ap proach him with confidence, hut never with familiarity. He had one custom I never saw or heard of in any other school. About once a month, on a Friday even ing. afteit the spelling classes had got through their tasks, he had an exercise on ceremony, which the scholars called ‘learning manners,’ though what he called it—if I ever heard him call it anything—I cannot remember. The exer cise consisted in going through the usual form of salutation on meeting an ac quaintance, and introducing persons to each other, with other variations intro duced. These forms were taught during the week, and the pupils’ proficiency was tested on the occasions I am speaking of. At the appointed hour on Friday evening, at a given signal, books were laid aside and a recess of a few minutes given. Then all would reassemble and take seats in rows on opposite benches, the boys on one side and the girls—for he taught both sexes—on the otner. The boy at the head of the row would rise and walk to ward th* center of the room, and the girl at the head of her row would rise and proceed toward the same spot. As they approached, the boy would bow and the girl drop a curtsey—the established female salutations, and the usual form ulas of polite inquiry, after which they retired and were followed by the next pair. His leading abject was to teach ease and becoming confidence In manner, and gracefulness of movement and ges ture. He was very particular about a bow; and when a boy was awkward in it he would go through the motion him self, and show how it ought to be done. These exercisesb were varied by meetings in an imaginary parlor—the entrance, re ception and introduction of visitors, with practice in ‘common-place chat,’ to use his own phrase, suited to the supposed occasion. Then came the ceremony of introduction. The parties in this case would walk from opposite sides of the room in pairs, and upon meeting, after the salutation of the two agreed upon, would commence making known to each other the friends accompanying them, the boy saying, ‘Allow me, Miss Mary, to pre sent to you my friend. Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith., Miss Jones.’ Whereupon, after Miss Mary had spoken to Mr. Smith, she would inj turn introduce her friends. “These exercises, trivial as the descrip tion may seem, were of great use to raw country boys and girls, removing their awkwardness and conse- Exarciies quent shyness, and the Intended Painful sense of being at To Remove a disadvantage, or the Pminful dread of appearing rdicu- DilBdence lous; and I have no doubt many or all of them, in after life, had frequent occasion to be grateful for my father’s lessons in ’man ners.’ They were delighted in by the scholars, especially the large toys and girls, and in the old-field schools some of these were or nearly quite grown. Frequently, when the weather was fine, parents and neighbors would come to the school house on these Friday evenings to witness the ceremonies. W'hen such vis its were expected, the girls would dress a little smarter than usual, and the boys would fix themselves up at the spring, washing, combing and giving an orna mental adjustment popularly called a roach,’ to their hair; and th^ conversa tion. of surpassing elegance and polite ness was extremely amusing. “My father was very fond of dramatic exercises in school, and while, as I said before, he was never much given to mirth, meaning by that excessive laugh ter or joke telling, yet he was very fond of the humorous In dramatic form. He seldom had public examinations, but al- most-always had what he called an ‘exhi bition’ some time during the year. At these, exhibition speeches were delivered •by the boys, pieces of poetry or prose re cited and dialogues or dramatic scenes enacted. The speeches of the small boys he wrote hlmseif. Tney were short and usually took a humorous turn. “These exhibitions were numerously at- tened—surprisingly so under the circum stances. At one I think there were at least three thousand persons, and the crowd was like that of a campmeeting, the spectators having assembled from a circuit of many miles; indeed, the exhi bition was a great gala day, not only for the school, but for all the surround ing country. A stage was constructed at the end of the school house, and dressing rooms, as I may call them, partitioned off by curtains. The green room was in the school room, and was entered through a window behind the curtain. The scenes for action were selected with a good deal of taste. None were chosen from trag edy proper, or from farce, but chosen with _ an eye to Improve manners and morals. Some of the dialogues of this kind he wrote himself. He devoted great care to the rehearsals, showing each per former how his part should be recited and acted. His versatility of talent in .this line was surprising, and the scholars used to enjoy the rehearsals quite as heartily as the spectators did the per formance. In this, as in everything else. ne carried out his principle that what ever was to be done ought to he well done. Half-way modes of doing things, make-shifts and failures were an abomi nation in his sight.” Mr. Stephens, however, did not Inherit this fondness for teaching which was so wonderfully developed in his father. After graduating at the University of Georgia—then known as Franklin college —in 1832, Mr. Stephens commenced life teaching school at Madison, Ga. His bi ographer says of him: “Mr. Stephens had been on a visit to Atlanta in No vember. 1863. in consequence of a dis patch from the president of the confed erate states, requesting him to meet him there. Mr. Dafis had come down from Richmond shortly after the battle of Chickamauga in order to visit the army then under General Bragg. From a long conversation, which occurred on the cars, we extract a portion; ’We got to Madi son at 10 o’clock. When the car stopped again. Mr. Stephens wen* to the doo r of the postal car (in which we were travel ing), looked out. and said to me, “Come, here. Peter.” I went. “I want to show you the place where I spent four or the most miserable months of my life. I reached here on the 2d day of August, 1832, having left. Athens the day after I graduated, and came here to teach school as assistant of Mr. Leander A. Lewis, who had charge of the academy; an ar rangement 1 had made before the close of my collegiate term. That is the old academy building; you can see it still standing, that dark, rusty, black, un- painted building upon the hill." •• -Was it teaching?’ I asked, ‘that made you so unhappy?’ “ ‘I don’t know that it was,’ said Bess; ‘I don’t know what it was any more than the newly born babe knows what makes it cry. Perhaps it is the roughness of the softest elements of the sphere of the new existence fretting the nervous network of its tender skin. I. like a new-born babe, was translated to a new sphere of action, if not of exist ence, and the external nervous texture may have been too delicate; at any rate, the whole world and everything I c4me into contact with gave me pain. I was miserable, like a child. I uttered my sufferings in cries of the soul, if not of the body, and sometimes the last also. I used to walk this read by break of day leading out of town here—the Athena road. Mr. Lewis was a late sleeper, and I would walk a mile, some times two miles, and in these walks I poured forth my griefs to myself and of- <i was not particularly dissatisfied with teaching school. But the place was new; the people all strangers; I had just left such pleasant scenes. The spirit, like a city cut off from its supply of water, was dying of thirst. The soul, seemed to wither and die within me.’ He then proceeds to give an account of the insubordination of one or two of the larger pupils, who had determined to test the nerve and determina te tion of the new, boyish- Cenfllct 'ooking teacher. They HVifft were fully grown, muscu- Rabellloni tar young men; but with out a moment's hesita tion the rod was applied with severity until they yielded, of these youths was the nephew of a leading citizen, and Lewis expressed ap prehension lest the school should be ih- jured. This, however, was not the case, as Mr. Stephens assured him. The popu larity of the school was increased; and “only once after that,” Mn Stephens writes, “did I have to use the rod at all, and then not severely. Seldom after that was there even necessity for re proof. “I left Madison with a good Impres sion of the people toward me, who knew not how miserable I was while there. My health, was not good; before I left col lege i" had become dyspeptic, and was subject to severe nervous headache, which Increased greatly In severity while I was at- Madison. My long walks, I a/fl now convinced, were Injurious to me. Be fore the expiration of the term I had. through my old classmate and roommate, William LeConte, made arrangements to teach a private school for his father the next year. The trustees at Madi son wished to retain me, but I told them of my engagement and we parted in friendship and with good feelings on both sides. I shall never forget the day I left that town, that house, that office, and Lewis. Nor shall I forget the night after this parting. My brother, Aaron Grier, came for me in a buggy, and we drove all the way, a distance of 33 miles, to Orawfordville. I had a terrible head ache—a most horrible headache.” “That dark, rusty, black, unpainted building on the hill,” although used in after years for a strictly male academy, remained still standing for at least 40 years as Mr. Stephens found it. T spent some of my school days in it and even then. 15 years after Mr. Stephens had loft it. traditional anecdotes were then told of “the pale, sad, delicate, nervous, boyish-looking teacher and his long walks before breakfast.” After he had become congressman and these good people were his constituents, they yet seemed to know him most affectionately as their teacher. They called him “Aleck” and “Little Aleck.” our teacher, which terms of en dearment clung to the little “commoner’’ as long as he and they lived. After establishing himself in CTawford- x ille as an attorney. Mr. Stephens was always known to take position in behalf of the poor, needy oppressed and perse cuted. As was generally the case in most southern towns at' that time, when ever a suspicious character made his ap pearance and could not give a satisfac tory explanation of himself and his do ings, the most prominent citizens ap pointed a committee to take him in charge and thoroughly whip him with hickory switches. Soon after Mr. Stephens had established himself in Crawford- ville one of these : “fairs occurred. Mr. Stephens stood by and witnessed the, whole proceeding, and as soon as it was over and the man dismissed’ Mr. Steph ens Pi eked up the stubs of switches that were left and called the citizens together, mounted the steps of the courthouse and deliberately tore the switches to pieces and burned them. He then addressed the people in a most soul-stirring manner and notified them that if such ever hap pened again during Ins presence in town tfjat he would prosecute the last one of them. There were present the richest and most influential citizens of the town and county. He singled each one of these men out by name—telling him he would make an example of him in preference to the poor and less prominent off the county. This grand demonstration of heroism and his terrible earnestness so impressed the good people of Crawfordville and Talia- lero county that from that day unlit this there has never another lynching occurred. Another anecdote in this connection is apropos. Soon after this Mr. Stephen* took a notion to go to New York i y piivate conveyance. On his journey he. turned aside to visit his old uncle. James Stephens, who lived in Perry county, Penn sylvania. near the mouth of the Juniata. The family, who had heard, nothing of his coming, were. at. once-Surprised and gratified at his coming. The uncle and some of the boys , were out at work on the farm, but soon came in and then an older brother's family was sent for. The aunt and the girls at once set about getting up a good country dinner in honor of the occasion. When all were seated at the table, the oid uncle at one end and the aunt at the other, Fncle James asked: “Well. Alexander, what business are yon pursuing?” He replied: “J am a lawyer.” Instantly the whole table was silent. The old gentleman threw down his knife and fork and looked at his nephew with a sort of horrified amazement, as if he had said he was a highwayman or a pirate. “Whet’s the matter. Uncle James?" "Did you say that you were a lawyer?” "Yes.” “A lawyer?” "What of that?" Wits an expression of complete despair he asked; “Alexander, don't you have to tell lies?” His nephew, greatly amused, answereu: "No. sir; the business of a lawyer is neither to tell lies nor to defend lies, but to protect and maintain right, truth and justice; to defend the weak against the strong; to expose fraud, peijuries. l : cs. and wrongs of all sorts. The business o: a lawyer is the highest and noblest oil any on" earth connected with the duties of life.’* This seemed to calm the old gentleman’s fears. Mr. Stephens used to tell the following anecdote on hlmseif. In which he saia he practiced more humbuggery on tms occasion than almost all his life put to gether. He found in Taliaferrb county two distinct, local, political parties known a.< the “Janes party’’ and tiic “Brown party.” Janes led the democrats and the rich people. Brown the whigs and the poor. Colonel A. Janes was said to ho the richest man in that part of tne state in negroes, mules, lands and mei- chandise. It is said of him that in laying in a stock of goods he could teii now many pairs of homes, plow lines, back hands and clevises that his customer.; would need, so that at the end of the j car he would have no bad stock on hand, ile had hcconne such a political leader that tin* Brown party could find no mar. that could at all cope with him. About this time Mr. Stephens, rising to promi nence. soon attracted the Brown party, and their principles, suiting Mr. Stephens exactly, and being a whig he most reao- lly espoused the Brown cause. He was at once nominated for the legislature bv his party, while the other pai ty put out their strongest man, Colonel A. Janes. In his first speech he called upon “the poor country people to rally around him and help to defeat the man who was born with a silver spoon in his An mouth,” thus playing Amusing upon the prejudices of the Eoiiticai poor of his county. To Tilt in The this Colonel Janes replied Old Dajm that on a certain day he would “address hjrs con stituents,” and called upon the farmers of the county, especially, to hear him. Mr. Stephens prepared himself for the occasion, was present and quietly heard him through. Jdis long tirade of abuse was against “professional men, and law yers in particular." He had an accom plice on this occasion, who had, unob served, brought a horse and plow and hid them close by. When Janes got through Stephens was called for, and there and then he announced that if lie “wasn't a better farmer practically than Colonel Janes he would retire from the field; that Janes could neither tie a hame string or plow a straight furrow.” To which Janes replied: “Bring out a horse and plow and 1 will show him.” Stephens called upon his man Friday to “bring up the horse and plow.” Very much to his discomfiture, Janes showed that he “could neither tie a hame string nor plow a furrow.” "Little Aleck,” having been partly rais ed in a corn field, tied the hame string and ran a furrow to a neighboring tree* some 300 yards off. Mr. Stephens has of ten been heard to remark that the inci dent of ’’tieing the hame string and run ning the furrow” gained his first election. This brought him prominently before q, Georgia public From that time until the day of his death he continuously and hon orably illustrated Georgia—never having been beaten and “dying in harness" near ly fifty years 'afterwards. One of the grandest perorations T ever listened to was from the lips of Mr. Stephens during the trial of Ben Willett for murder before .the Greene superior court in September! 1853. He and Felix Janes, the best of friends, had some words over a gams of marbles. Willett ’shot Janes, who died in a couple of days. See ing what he had done. Willett hurried: to his brother. Professor Joseph E. Wil lett. and asked that he he allowed to go t.o Macon at once and stand his trial be fore twelve of his neighbors, “men that knew him.” Of course, this could not be done, and Professor Willett told bis broth- er so. At the trial Stephens appeared for the defense, and brought this wish of Ben’s prominently before the jure, comparing it in a most beautiful and touching manner to the “twelve cities of refuge" established by the Israelites, to either of which, if a murderer could es cape he was safe from all demands of the law. Many ladies were present, and the scene was so touching that there was scarcely a dry eye in the house, and to add to this, it was a dark, cloudy nigh f . when, all at once, from a rift in tho clouds the full moon shone in all its splendor through the windows, and “Lit tle Aleck.” as no one else could, called to the jury and the court to “witness that even heaven itself was smiling its wel come to this poor renegade, lighting his way to the twelve cities.” At the end of his speech, and after the charge of the judge to the jury, the jurors scarcely loft their seats before, with one acclaim, they brought in a verdict: “We. the jury, find the defendant not guiltv.” Up to this time Willett, who hail brac ed himself up manfully for the occa sion, broke down and wept like a child, amid the congratulations of almost everv one present.