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6 SOUTHERN BANNER: MARCH 5, 1878. Watching the Old Year Out. All alone, save for the purring kit ten, sits Grandma Hartley to-night, the last of the Old Year, once more watching it out. The stocking her aged fingers has knit just to the toeing off, has dropped upon her lap. It is like her life, she thinks—almost done; commenced, widened, seemed, nar rowed, heeled, and now all but the rounded toe finished—the end soon to come. Alone she sits in the quiet farm house kitchen, and thought is busy— not with dancing visions for the future, as some of the by-gone New Year’s nights have been, but with phantoms of the past. The first time she watched the Old Year out in this old house (then new) was the week following her marriage day, when John occupied a chair close by her side and watched with her, the young couple weaving bright hopes for the years in store for them. John’s chair is vacant now, and moved across the hearth from hers—not drawn close by its side, where their hands could clasp each other’s as in years gone by. Ah! that chair! The paint is worn and even the wooden seat hollowed, from the many hours it held the form so dear to her heart, that now rests in the cold grave. To-night, the chair is empty, save for memories which seem to her not only to fill, but to encompass it as with a sacred veil. It was in that chair she first sat—a bride—upon her husband’s knee. In that chair was her first-born cradled. That was the chair that held her when the little life went out in her arms; and it was in that chair, when age came upon him, her husband sat for hours conning the open Bible that rested upon its broadarms. Memory, as well as the old chair, casts its shad ows behind. The first time, we said, that Grandma Hartley sat the Old Year out in that house was shortly after her coming there as a bride. The next time it was watched out by a merry party of friends; the next, over the dead body of the little one whose birth brought so many anticipations for the future, so many bright hopes, and whose death crushed them all, and quite broke the fond mother's heart. Ah! none but a mother can know the wrench of the heart-strings when so large a part of her life—and the most precious part by far—lies still under the cold hand' of death. Well, other little ones came in time, but none that were ever like the first born ; and as they grew older and cared for such matters, the Old Year was again ushered out with laugh and song, though never without many heart-pangs of the mother. It was on New Year’s eve that Helen, the daughter, was married, and dancing feet echoed through the old house that night; and again the moth- ■ er’s heart was sore, to take the second place where she had always held the 1 first. Only one year ago John sat with her, the last New Year the two dared hoped to spend together on this earth, and the death-angel came for him just on the stroke of twelve as they knelt in silent prayer by that old chair. Will he come for her to-night, she wonders? She would go hence joy fully, for nearly all her loved ones are in the shining city, and who, she queries, will watch out the next Old Year by this kitchen hearth ? The clock has passed the half stroke; she did not hear it, and as she glances back out of the window to the snow- clad fields glistening under the rays of the moon, she thinks of the love of God, which has shed its lustre over her whole life, through sorrow and through joy. She looks forward into the glowing coals. All the brightness of the future is for some one else, not for her, Graudma Hart ley thinks, as she slowly shakes her whitened head. Old almanac hanging by the chim ney shelf, we are nearly done with you. All through the past year, you have faithfully noted the rise and set of the sun, the turn of tide, and the rapid passing of days, weeks and months, children of the waning year, have been faithfully chronicled by you; but you are no more useful, and in the morning your leaves will light the kitchen fire and a new-comer take your place. That is the way of the world, thinks Grandma Hartley; a new-comer will soon be in her place, but John’s chair—that is sacred; she wishes no one need ever again sit there. A half-burned braud breaks in two and a coal drops down upon the hearth. Grandma Hartley leans for ward, her trembling hands grasp the tongs, and the deadening coal is re placed. Ah! many a little act of duty has Grandma done—many an altar fire has she kindled—and many a time has she breathed upon the smoldering coals of affection, kindling them into love’s warmth and light. Dear Grandma Hartley! Tick ! tick! tick! The pendulum swings hack and forth, couuting a life-throb each lime. Soon other hands will wind the eight-day clock —it is wearing better than she; but a New Year will soon come for you, Grandma Hartley, that will never be measured off by time’s stroke—a New Year that will be a lasting re-union with all the dear ones. The babe will again be clasped to your breast, and the husband’s strong arms encir cle you; the daughter and sons gone before will call yon by the “ angel name,” and many of those whom your words and deeds have reclaimed from error’s paths will kneel at yobr feet. All the cups of cold water yon have given in the Old Years passed here are noted there; and in that New Year coming your reward will be received, while rejoicing angels, with God the Father and Christ the Son will welcome to Heaven you who have listened here on earth to the whispers of the Spirit. CITY MILLS. Having made arrangements for a steady a; rival of pure Kentucky ind Tennessee Wheat, I guarantee to the public the fotlowiug brands of flour, equal or superior to any in the market, at corresponding prices: j Snow Flake, White Rose, Family, Double Extra, Graham Flour, Bolted M«al, Unbolted Meal, Grits, Horse Fred, Cow eed, -*r. Chicken Feed, etc., etc. Shorts and Bran. Orders Left at J. G Wilkins' Will lie attended to. jgfCash paid for good WHEAT and CORN at mill. Public grinding promptly attended to. W. e. KEMP &-C0. decll-3m Excellent Cotton Fertilizer AND DOBBS’ CHEMICALS -FOR BUGGIES, BUGGIES BUGGIES, BUGGIES, W« PIANO AND ORGAN A Bates hold the held and compete with the world. 1,000 Superb Instruments from Reliable Makers at Factory Rates. Every man his own agent. Bottom prices to all. New I’innos, $135, $150, $179. XewOrcann, $40. $50. $07. Six yoars guarantee. Fifteen days trial. Maker’s names on all Instruments. Square dealing, the liouest truth, and best bargainsiu the U. S. From $50 to $100 actually saved in buying from Luddrn k Bates' Wholesale l’iano and Organ Repot. Sa vannah. Ga. febliMiu. Southern Mutual Insurance co^iF.A-ixr'sr, ATHENS, GEOHGZA. YOUNG L. G. HARRIS, President *STEVKXS II OM AS, Secretary. Gross Assets, April 1, 1S77, - - $784,••$7- 62 Resident Directors. Athens, GEoKoii, Manufacturer of and dealerWrd^idtids of Carriages, Buggies, Wagons,Sulkys Top or no top Buggies and Spring Wagons All kinds of vehicles repaired; at short untie. painting and trimming done <jn the b- et unh latest styles. Work put up to order an \ wat- ranted to give satisfaction. Black Smithing Done in the best manner, harness made mul re paired at short notice. I use tlie best materia! that can be had, and have skilled workman wno know their business. Having an experience oi eleven years 1 feel confident of giving satisfac tion. Give me a trial and I am satisfied you will be pleased ns I do the cheapest work in the city. Shop opposite "ti J. Z. COOPER’S LIVERY STABLE. W. R. BEAVERS. jan296m. t TXmSrrn The undersigned has just had manufactured to bis own order a large and fresh supply of the well known Excellenza Guano audMbsChemicaisfor Composting which ho offers to planters of Northeast Georgia and surrounding country, at the same price as last year Giving diets, per pad for Cotton on basis ol middling Payable 1st Nov. 78. These Fertilisers have been inspected by authority of the State and found to be up to former stand- ant and above. All persons desiring to purchase in Athens, will call on the undersigned at his store. They can also be obtained from the following agents. S. M. SHANKLE, Harmony Grove, Ga. BOON & ALEXANDER, Maysville. Ga. McWHORTER & YOUNG ! Antioch, Ga. P. H- BOWERS, Franklin Springs, Ga. W. A. ROYSTON “ Ga M. M. JOHNSON, Bowersville, Hart county, Ga A. R. ELLIOTT, Grove, Elbert county, Ga. R. H. KENNEBREW, Lexington, Ga. S. C. DOBBS, Athens, jan2t?m. 1 GUANO 1 HOUSE, BETTS GUANO i co.. LIVERY AND SALE STABLE, Thomaa S-b„, Ga. J. Z. COOPER, Proprietor. Good and Gentlo Horses, Carriages, Buggies, NO (>. BROAD STREET, ATHENS, GEORGIA. GENERAL AGENTS FOR J Carolina Fertilizers Eagle Awimoniated Bone Phosphate. AND Eagle Compound Acid Phosphate. Yocno L. G. Harris, Jons H. Newton, Hr. Henry Hull, Alhis P. Bearin'., Col. Robert Tkomas. iuv22-wlv Stevens Thomas, F.liza L. Newton, Ferdinand PiiiNizr Hr. R. M. Smith, John W. Nicholson, INdLALR-IBXjIEI ■A.. R. HOBBRTSOII, Dealers Monuments l ND TOMB STONES, CRADLE TOOMBS, i \ Marble and Granite Box Toombs. A Great Reduction in Prices, Specimens of Work always on hand and for sale. Prices and designs furnished on application at the Marble Yard, adjoining Heaves & Nich olson’s cotton warehouse, Athens, Ga. jnne20-tf. ? (top and no top) Phaetons, <ke., die.,' for Careful Drivers sent with teams when desired. > •. • "J ' DEOVEhS Are reminded that I have am Clean Stalls and Extensive lot modation. Give me a call. jan292m. J. BLACKSMITIIING friends and customers, Prices as Low as other Standard Fertilizers. j;m83m. HOUSE, BETTS & CO. -AT— OUR NEW BRICK SHOP -AT THE— Corner Clayton And Jackson Sts. First-Class PLANTERS’ HOTEL, AUGUSTA, GEORGIA. 3>ffBW AR.IIA3STOEMENT. A v Bates Reduced to $3 per Day. HAVING LEASED THIS WELL KNOWN HOTEL, I enter upon its management by Reducing Rates, and asking ot the Travel ing Public, especially my friends of Carolina and Georgia, a coutinu ance of that liberal support they have always given it. B. F. BROWN, jan23-5ra FORMERLY OF CHARLESTON, PROPRIETOR. FASHIONABLE CARDS, 10c. 25 Escort nov20-2t. J with name tort Curds, 25 bi yles, l6c. 15. HUSTED, Nassau, N Y Kentucky Horses and Mules Look out! On or about the 15th of Septem ber, 1 will bo in the market with a fine lot of homes and mules. All in want, can find me at Gann & Reaves’ stable, septl 1 tf. W. 8. HOLM AN. W. II. COX. W. It. HILL. JOS. THOMPSON, Jr. COX, HILL & THOMPSON, Wholesale Dealers in Foreign and domestic liquors &c., No 29 PEACHTREE ST., ATLANTA, GA. And Distillers tV- Stone Mountain Corn Whiskey. oct!4-ly Horse-Shoeing, QA Specialty, by the best Shoeijl^h Georgia. Gfimsmi.1 Guns, Pistols, locks, etc., repi notice and satisfaction gl STFJEL WORKING. Axes, Mill Picks, Hoes, etc., lof the finest temper. Work warranted. PLANTATION WORK. Plows, Wagons, Carriages, etc., repaired in the best manner and at short notice. Sole pntantee of Bassett’s plow stock. John. L£. Bassett. nuircli20-lv. , C. W. LONG. E. C. LONG. ‘ DISSOLUTION. The partnership heretofore existing between Stern & Saulter is dissolved from and after the 13th inst., M. Stem retiring from the firm. All parties having any claims against the old firm, wiH present them for settlement, and all those indebted, will come forward and settle at once with the undersigned, as the books must be closed.^ M. Stem will have charge of the books, and will settle all business transactions of the old linn of STERN & SAULTER anl5-80d. t C. n. DUKE'S Fine Whiskyand Brandy. Parties desiring to purchase, by wholesale, pure Brandy or Whisky, will find it to their in terest to purchase from the undersigned, sole agent of G. S. Duke, to sell by wholesale his Fine, Pure IVhisky and Brandy. The pipes through which the G. S. Duko Whisky and Brandy are dist,.led, are made of wood. Every gallon warranted pure. Address, G. R. DUKE, Agent. dcc5-tf Jefferson, Ga. Wando Fertilizer — AND Wando €. W. long & 6o., DswraciisTs, ATHENS. GEORGIA. We offer a large and well selected stock of Drugs, Medicines, ‘ Paints, Varnishes, Oils, Anilines, Dyes, Patent Medicines, Hair and Tooth Brushes Perfumery, Lilywhite Rouges, Colognes, Extracts, etc., r-or Sale o Very dieap Either it Whousile or Detiil Wo call your atttention to our COLOGNES, BAY RUM, HAIR OIL, ETC sepll-ly A ci d Phosphate, MADE BY Wando Phosphate Company OF CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA Our Fertilizer and Acid Phosphate rank among the highest grades in • the market. Sold for Middling Cotton at 15 cents per pound, STANDARD GUARANTEED. Send for Circulars with Analyses and Terms. For sale by J. H. HUGGINS, Athens, Ga. feb.12.2m Atlanta, Georgia. The proprietor of the MARKAM HOUSE takes this method ol informing the traveling public, that notwithstanding the great Euro pean war, his hotel will continue to entertain with its usual hospitali ties and first-class accommodations, such as he flatters himself has given great popularity aud success to his house, and general satisfac tion to those who have honored him by becoming his guests. Board reasonable and accommodations first-class. CTehn 55. I GEORGIA STOVE Tinware DEPOT. ATHENS, GEORGIA. W. 3*. SUPERINTENDENT, janS Cm