Newspaper Page Text
-| Jf( i>forgiiitfIf3rap|
^ mSEPH OIjISBY. .
iin nrlct of Ml
li#3 ) DOl' IiABS 1>#r * nnnm ’ if plid in adta * et ‘
h?* 0 tha 0 fi M before the expiration of the
1^* * if left to be applied for by the
fcij Agent, Two Dollars and a Half
^ ' ireJ in evo»7 case, without exception, to
^ htrv* *«i commissions.
^'"urTfort* 1 * TzisoturH to new subscribers
* r( ^!.lHll»tfr‘ with CtmA to secure attcn-
^^epoadeaee reepectfuily aolieited.
VOL. XXXI.
MACON, TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 7, 1857.
NO. 37.
OTIOT310<
Advertisement? at th«« regular charge will bo One
Dollar per square of 10 tine* or ! ■•?, for the first in
sertion, ar.d Fifty Cents f*»r each subsequent inser
tion. All advertisements notspeobied as to time
will he published until forbid and charged accord
ingly
Or*iTUart Notices net exceeding ten lines, will
be published gratis ; but rush at tlie rate of One Dol
lar for every ten manus- ript ines exceeding that
number, must accompany all longer notices, or they
will be cut short.
r^PTI e Telegraph goes to pre * rt 3 o’clock*
Monday Evenings. Adv( rtis'-rs will oblige by liand-
mg in their favors, as early a^ Saturday, if possible
vr,.m lb* Burner of Liberty.
p:,pcrs “ d Post:tKC *
' v«b Administration—the rott Master
I*. Li-the thirty-fifth Congress—the Edi-
U ‘.’‘Fraternity and (he People of the United
Immense concentration of political in-
^ e l ® j power in the hands of the fete who
{*•**^01 of the cheap mammoth weeklies
l? rf hr-e cities, is beriming to arouse the
i*3E. apprehensions in the minds of
•jJljL men. wr the stability of the primi-
• wwblican institutions of our country.
the printing press is a mighty engine
f7Jd : yomm!t ,ion of intelligence, and for
a ' caientiou of sound and salutary senti-
w ® j t ‘ v j s ; n the hands of ambitious, aspir-
.^iTiricioiu men—equally potent for evil,
*?'f ^reading delusious to captivate and
•Jr, t j, e public mind. In fact, anything
^Tjrtds to concentrate power in the hands
A r , must be regarded ns most inimical
"itaiwtem of republican government plnn-
U | iji founded by our fathers. And what
^ power than that of controlling the
C*~tcr °fthc intelligence diffused through*
ifjtfUiul. and coloring it according to ca-
V or design, can bo conceived ?—or wbat
£,lvrerful means of producing such con-
B y p .;^3 than the overwhelming advantages
*e«<l hi the recent monster growth of
Gjssof paper* t0 which wc have referred ?
l a the very nature of the printing business,
b y a ,ar 6 c ? utI »y of enpi-
j or other means, once uequire n large cir-
^n, bare a most insuperable advantage
C vfr local pipers of less circulation, ns the cx-
of setting typo for an edition of one or
j,j hundred thousand is no greater than for
K; rr i few hundred, which is the extent of
(•tclitioo seldom exceeded by the local press.
i ;l "lji'.ion to this, the wonderful inventions
„] iaprorements of printing machinery with-
Mibf post few years, enabling capitalists, by
utotlsyofa few thousand dollars, to print a
l3<nd fold more rapidly ahd cheaply than
3, be done with tho apparatus employed by
•-liters generally, immensely increases the
J-rrfWming advantages of tlie mammoth
rhi pipers over those in our small towns and
rjun. Thus wc have, of lato years, seen a
fcrcitjpapcrt. originally established by large
K^iri of capital, swell their weekly circula-
tai: an almost incredible extent, and in one
itiacc. to 175,000,—while the greater por-
uidthr lurul press is made to languish un-
ic the ruinous competion. If this thing is to
pm, the country press must eventually be
r.W out, or its sphere of usefulness be too
-t restricted, in the insulting language of one
iisf overgrown weeklies, (the N. Y. Tri-
i.,] to "chronicling the increaso and sales
ij;i ud poultry," while the whole political
pried influence of the press will be wield*
it bribe dozen or two demagogues whose ac-
tsuai fortune or wealth enable them to con*
«'tie mammoth weeklies of our large cities.
S»» it is plainly porceivablo that under
_ a state of affairs tho nominal representn*
Selected by the people to legislative, judi-
''aexecutive positions, will become but the
np'.id the autocrats of the press, tbe wires
lz<>rbiaj them being firmly held by the lnt-
r. iboM influcnco over public opinion will
prtbem the power of retaining them in, or
•pacing them from their positions, at plcn-
n. Such is the oligarchy or despotism, that
fottcai to obtain sway over our cherished
ubiican institutions!
When in triumph shall be fully achieved
it public treasury will be at its mercy, and
it people may be plundered and oppressed
»th u much impunity as under any despot*
■rflhe old world. Aspirants and demago
gs ire fully aware of these facts, and hence
ibtbat, by immense outlay of capital, they
IntKcured the control of nearly all those
tomih hebdomadal that already begin to
Mt their sway, and to assault the citadels
• apablicau freedom and individual rights,
hwty have they seized the scepter of poli-
•■1 power, in more than one instance, and
*sa<4 to the people's representatives in Con-
**• neatutres for their own aggrandizement.
L shall at present refer to one of theso cases
*?< si it is to that our object in this article
■fepnpose a remedy, viz :
WSCTmi.XO THE RATE OF NEWSPAPER
POSTAGE.
fib act was dictated to the 32d Congress,
•. wpubliihers of the mammoth Weeklies of
"* lork, Boston and Philadelphia, and pns-
1 that body in September. 1852. The
rates prior to that period were partial
we should have supposed, in their
‘‘-■'•aaiatioua, in favor of that class of publica-
**• Rut avarice and ambition are as impu-
f “ •bey are heartless and insatiable. Like
PPdy daughters of the horseleech, they
W enough till they have sucked the
blood from their victims. By this
tT~s postage law now in force, but of
*f bust our brothers of the press will
£ T 1 ’? M in demanding a radical modifica-
provided that great mammoth pa-
^JbbethcX.Y. Tribune,) shall be con-
[•^.“^gb the mails to all parts of the
Lvii ? (beyond the State in which
•* n 'e rate of postage as any
^. “endpaper, even of not a fourth
'^ or ,f eight. These great cumbrous
* i IV , u *. convc ycd through the mails,
fcji °t jnile*! for a less amount of post-
U?»Wd pay freight and cartage on
iZ® 'ew York to Philadelphia! As a
ine revenue of the Post Office
b*Y rilt 11 ench year becoming more large-
jjj?*®*** t° expenses—it being neces-
f *f rcr *i times as much for tho con-
tteso mammoth papers as is rc-
Ikj. D (P^tegc. And how is the deficiency
appropriations from the public
(W. T^ f *^ v#ru ‘ millions of dollars every
*n»»n :Z” the people are taxed, upon al-
iii 4) f P°^*nt articles they nse, to raise
^ Ui r d0l r > ,carl y *° pat into the pock-
' ,rcc *®y ^ Co., and other inam-
jhfca. b* 1,5 - And for what J To cna-
a CrUstl out bhe country press, which
pc ? dencc Por the preservation of
ln *b*tutions.
prmjjico surprise that the peo-
*>Jt iaKm',.!i^ generally have hitlierto so
Olt. *° the outrage, and that the
lew *P*rtment itself has not exposed
^iLuAr. e _nrrong, in the nnnual re-
bP'RttinaK! tbe l lart °f the former,
^•Jririui? *,• the paltry consideration
t**wV v mvculating their papers free
i^ctar. L .** lcre published, has led to nc-
NruLl.iV 11 the part of the lute Ad-
a, ‘f* “•I'ost-Maste.r-Generu!
“Sorij the'in * 10 ^ c °uld not properly hav
tree from postage, at (lie expense of the gov-
Ci nment, to ern h out and destroy their circu
lation, by subjecting it to a ruinous conipeti-
tioii ; 1 lie effect of the postage law of 1852
has been to gradually but surely crush out the
local press, while it has been also, at tho same
tune, to give an extent of circulation to the
city press before unknown and unnpproachcd
in our country or the world. This effect is
becoming every day more palpable and op
pressive. Let ns then have a remedy, which
is simple and would be effectual. The sug
gestion of such a remedy, as already intimat
ed, is the object of this'article. We do not
propose to do any act of injustice to the city
press, but rather apply the most rigid rule of
justice. 1 his is all that is necessary to ac
complish the proposed object. Now for the
remedy :
Let the rales of Xetrspapcr Postage beequi-
tahlp graduated according to their size amt the
distance they arc conveyed. What could be
more fair or just than this ? By’ this plan sup
pose the postage upon a newspaper of ordina
ry size should be ten cents a year in the coun
ty in which it is published, the postage upon
newspaper of twice its size, conveyed a bund
red miles, or twice as far. would then be forty
cents per year. When conveyed five hundred
miles it should certainly not be less than a dol
bar—or si.50 for a thousand miles ; 82.50 for
2,500 miles ; and $2 for 2,000 or more miles,
Papers of half their size, one-half theso prices
of one-fourth size, one-fourth postage, &c.
Wo merely give a scale of rates for illustra
tion. They might be reduced, (but not much
if at all, without costing the government more
to convey than tho postage would amount to.)
Let the publishers of local papers think scri
ously of this matter, and call loudly for this
measure of reform, injustice to themselves, as
well as for the salvation of our country from
the sway’ of a rising oligarchy that threatens
the very overthrow of our republican system
Let the country press agitate and urge the re
form until the meeting of the next Congress
and wc doubt not its success.
It may excite surprise that wc should urge
such a reform, when, in regard to its distance
feature, it would operate as severely upon our
paper as upon any other; but wc ask nothin
more than justice, and when our paper cannot
be sustained without the drippings of unclean
legislation, wc shall be ready to abandon it.
Indeed wo should cheerfully offer up our pub
lication as a sacrificcupon the altarof our coun,
1 try’, rather than see the local press enfeebled
and destroyed, while an oligarchy should be
established upon its ruins. Wc regard the
local press as the last and best dependence for
the maintenance of our free republican institu
tions; and should our paper cvcu rise in point
of circulation to the ranks of tho proudest of
our country’s oppressors and plunderers, it
could never supply the salutary influence of
well sustained local press throughout the land
Even it would ultimately pass from our bands
in the transitory course of human affairs, and
it might then bo perverted from its present
purposes.
It was almost entirely the result of the im
mense circulation given the N. Y. Tribune,
by plundering the national treasury to pay for
its transportation, that our Federal Constitu
tion and Union, together with the free repub
lican institutions existing under them, were so
imminently imperilled in the canv»s of 1856.
The nnnual appropriations from the national
treasury to meet the deficiency of the Post Of
fice Department, is virtually and in fact, the
bestowal of hundreds of thousands of dollars
per year for the almost free conveyance and
consequent extention of circulation of the N
Y. Tribune. We have witnessed the power
of a paper thus fostered until its weekly cir
culation is 175,000, and its readers comprise a
third of the voters of the Northern States
Wc saw that in the canvas of 1856 it had the
power of humbugging a million voters by its fab
ricatcd stories and home-made yarns of South
ern outrages in Kansas upon Northerners, un
til a majority of voters in the New England
and some other States were infuriated by the
supposed sectional aggressions, to such a de
gree that they were ready to do the work of
treason and disunion by voting for the moun
tebank candidate of stock-jobbers, sectional
traitors and demagogue anarchists. Shall wc
still foster such a monster and permit it to grow
to more huge proportions, by continuing to
lavish upon it a half-million of dollars yearly,
until perhaps, by another campaign its dragons’
teeth, sown broad-cast through tho laud, may
spring up armed men, to overwhelm tho de
fenders ofour glorious form of government? Or
shall wc compel its patrons to pay a just and
adequate amount of freight or postage for its
conveyance by the Post Office Department ?
Let the latter course be taken, and the circu
lation of the weekly Tribune would soon dwin
dle to tens instead of hundreds of thousands,
and our country be freed from one of the most
dangerous monsters that have ever threatened
the perpetuity of its institutions. 'What say
you, brother Editors ?
■^♦hitd or they must have been
C |' ,r tbc Culminations of ti e
' t0D Sued monsters so vitally
*Re this as it may,
w e now have a fearicsi
. 0, t-Master-Gcncral, who will
**tt*f ♦- *'* , 'f attention drawn to
tneir earliest recommen-
SiSKV* “! e neit Coign*. . A*
•k®country P*P«»4wa
" :iS !U1 •Ttful trick III
'■* Ltm,. _ r e bdomu(Jsig to take the cyc>
f adroit ro-
P* 1 * of the
Pt*t* to catch whale
•» be to local
j* co;i »ty, while
<Ua U H U t animoth
•*u thousands
eted.
like
ty pres:
Of what ad-
papers to circulate
. at the dame time,
•■beets arc convey
ed miles, almost as
Tlic Flight at Stillmsm’s Run.
A WESTERN JUDGE’S STORY.
As we wore smoking our pipes after supper, the
Csptaiu -siil“ X reckon you have been under fire
betore, Judge?”
« oh, yes! I was in the Black Ilswk war.”
Were you at Stillman's Itun, Judgo V’ asked the
Doctor.
“ Even so, my friend. I participated In that bnl
liant affair.”
“ Well, then,” cried the Captain, “you are the
first man I over found willing to own up that lie wa*
there. I wish you would spin us the yarn, Judgo.
I would like to hear that tale.”
Well, bovs, (commenced the Judge,) I was living
in Fulton County, (Illinois,(when tho fuss with the
Sacs commenced, in tho Spring of 1832; and when
Gov. Reynolds railed for volunteers, I raised a com
pany of about fifty mountfcd men. and joined tbe bat
talion commanded by Major Stillman,jwho was or
dered to protect the frontier, which wa« then about
where Oglo ami Carroll Counties arc now. After
■topping some days at Dixon’s Ferry, which was tho
only settlement in those quarters, wo marched out
one fine morning—the lnth of May, I think—toscout
on the head of Old Man's Creek, since called fctill-
man's Itiver, which put- into tho Rock River, oppo
site to wbat il no>v call ltjron, in Ogle County. Ilio
party consist, d of about 275 men. well mountodliM
equipped. There was littlo or no discipline, ntm nl-
tbougli tho men were stout and hardy meu, pnejpal-
ly farmers, and well skilled lathe use of tho rittc,
they were not trained to act together at all. G 0 "”,
ever, they wore all fierce for a Held, and ealenl iteil
that tln-y were »<ill able to whip Black Hawks
whole hand if they could find him.
Major fcStUlmsn, though supposed to bo asklUful
Commander, took no precautions against a surprise,
thong i it was generally thought tho Indians wore
not larolT. However, wo saw uouo of them the first
d..v, mid W' < amp, d lor tin- i.igid a mile north ol
Grand do Tour. Well, tin.- next day We pushed on
a-a in, and my company being among tho best mount-
nl m the command, wo wore put forward in tin-ad-
, .il,, 1 never bad been in that section before
which was a perfect wilderness.infaot; without*
white man's cabin from Dixon to tho State line.
(1. mowaa very plenty, and tin* men were continual-
lv cracking awio at tin- nr. r and prime hells,just as
if there l,..d hero no enemy about— but they despised
inns too much to take any precautions. I
keep oat n f.-w scouts in tbe trout and Hanks,
as in, ii.-r I could not keep them there, they
o. u bo off on the track ut a deer, or be asleep
i tree, and 1 had no means of enforcing my
tv—they w, re all just as good as 1 was. and
mid only obey my orders when it -uited them to
also, till some forty-or fifty of the troops were scat
tered along for a mile or so, in chase. I confess I
was fool enough to join in, and away wo went, bel
ter skelter, over the prairie; being better mounted
titan die Indians, our men came up with them after
running two or three miles, and shot three of them
just by a small grove of timber.
Well, gentlemen, behind this grove old Black
Hawk himself; with perhaps a hundred of his war
riors, was encamped; and seeing tbo confused way
in which we wero strung out over the prarie, lie
charged right out upon us.
A perfect panic ensued and every man run on Iiis
own account; yes. gentlemen, straight coat-tails
were tho order of the day. It was a regular battle
of tho spurs.
Ourhorses wore so much quicker than those the In
dians had, that we got to the camp without much loss,
but the troops there hearing tho galloping of our
horscs_ and tho yells of the riders, took fright also,
and thinking that tho whole of Black Hawk’s band
of lim hundred warriors was upon them, they be
gan to tramp also. Tbe whole camp was broken u p
in haste, and leaving arms, ammunition, provisions
and everything else, tbe battalion commenced a dis
orderly flight toward Dixon. Suchasceneas it was!
They say that one Kentucky colonel jumped on his
horse without stopping to uufasten him froth the
stump to which ho was tied, and taking the said
stump for an Indian holding his horse by tho
bridle, thus addressed hi- captor: “ Don't shoot,
good Mr. Indian! I atn Colonel Brown of the Illinois
Volunteers. I surrender at discretion!”
In attempling to cross the creek in the darkness
many got mired down, and the men wero so much
delayed there, the Indians overtook them, and here
a fight occurcd. Tho officers made an attempt to
rally tho m ;n, but the panic was so general that few
would stop. All I know of the matter is, that when
I reached tho camp I found it broken up and desert
ed ; so I prsbed on after tho crowd until I got to the
creek, which I managed to cross, and found Captain
Adams, Major Hackelton, and Major Perkins, trying
to rally tbe men. I joined them, and with what few
wo could muster, wo made a stand, and fired upon
the Indians as they came up ; but were a^on over
powered. Adams aud Perkins were killed; my horse
was shot under me; and if I had not had the good
luck to get hold of a stray beast, I should, as likely
as not, have left my linir at Slitlmnn's Run. As it was,
wc never drew bndle till wo got to Dixon's Ferry,
where we alarmed tbo old Ranger, Gov. Reynolds,
with the news that our detachment was cut to pieces
by Black Hawk, who was after us with his whole
army.—Our whole loss was cloven killed, while tho
Indians lost eight.
Black Hawk's band made a good booty, howover,
for they captnred everything wo had at tho camp;
nnd the Kentucky Colonel, when lie got to Dixon
tho next day, swore that old Black Hawk was seen
with his (tho Colonel's) two ruffled shirts over his
deer skin leggings, with a volume of" Chitty's Plead
ings,” stolen out of his saddle-bags, buug around
his neck; for the Colonel.it seemed, had been riding
the circuit when he was summoned by tlio call of
patriotism to take up arms. Much ridicule was put
upon all of us who bud participated in the affair, but
unjustly, I think, for bow could you expect undiscip
lined militia to do any better. I always joined in
tbo laugh, and allowed I was badly scared ; but Col.
llrown and some others who stood upon tbeir digni
ty, got so laughed at they could not bear to hoar tho
name of Stillman's Run mentioned. Tho Colonel iu
particular, always wanted to fight if anybody spoke
of the affair, so the wags used to send strangers to
him who were seeking for information about the
Black Hawk war, and many queer scenes were said
to have taken place-
Some time after, at Chicago, during the land spe
culation, a demure looking deacon from Connecti
cut, who was very anxiously inquiring where to lo
cate some laud claims, was advised to apply to Cob
B„ as a gentleman well versed in sneb matters. “You
had better ask tbe Colonel particularly about Still
man's Run, near which there are some fine lands,
whichhe is well acquainted with.”
Tito gentleman in the white cravat accordingly
sought an introduction to the Colonel, who received
him in a grandiloquent strain peculiar to himself:
“ You could not have applied to a man better quali
fied to give you that sort of information. Sir. I do
know this northwest very thoroughly. Sir. I knew
it long ago, when it was in possession of the wild
aborigines, Sir. Is there any particular part, Sir,
which you wish to know abont. Sir I”
“ Why. yes. Colonel; there is a region I am told
yon are well acquainted with, and to which I wish
yon to direct me. Can you inform me, Colonel,
where Stillman's Run is!”
The Colouei was a tall man. and lie drew himself
up to his full height, folded bis arms, and casting a
withering glance on the astonished deacon, thus re-
tiledi ** xes. Sir, I cuu; itiaUtt the H—11 fork of
River!”
minutes' patt«e, duriug which lie bad been scanning
closely the stranger.
• I'm not a Georgian!’ replied the guest, in a rather
curt and uncommunicative tone.
•Humph!' grunted the baffled querist, as turning
on bis heel he left tha room in search of Mrs. Honey
cut, his better half, whom itodesired to notify of
new arrival, with a view to additional culinary pro
parntions. nnd partly, perhaps, to hold kitchcu con
sulration with her its to tho singularly taciturn
meaner of the traveller.
Returning, after a short time, to the reception-room
of the tavern, where he had left the guest absorbed
in deep study, our landlord found him busily count
ing over money on a table. This circumstance
doubled the curiosity he had felt to kuow something
about tho stranger. Essayiugauother effort to draw
him out, Boniface begun :
‘ Hem! Major Crafts, Mrs. Honeycut says—that
Isay—dinner will be ready in half an hour, llent
‘Umn!’ echoed the Major, without taking his oy
from, or ceasing to couut. the money.
• Almighty sight of money you got tbar!' said tho
tavern-keeper, returning to tho charge on another
tack.
• Hum!’ was the unintelligible response.
• Money scarce in Tennessee ?' asked tiie prying
landlord.
• Never was there. Ninety-two, ninety-three, nine
ty-four,' was mumbled out in reply, the Major
counting away.
Again headed off nnd brought to a stand-still, onr
indefatigable inquisitor resolved to make one more
effort, and io aquarter ho had never kuown to fail
Accordingly, after pausing a moment and noisi.'
clearing his throat, he opened with—
•Ahum! Sirs. Honeycut says there’s some mighty
nice ven’son iu the kitchen, and told me to ask you "
you would like it fried or briled /’
‘ One hundred and thirty-five and ten's a hundrtd
and forty-five! I'll count tho rest after dinner. Did
you say dinner was ready ?’
• No, sir; 1 only said wo had somo nice dear meat,
and asked you which way you liked it best, fried
briled f
• Next to bar meat, deer is tho best feedin' in tho
world, and it don't mako any difference how it’a
cooked/ answered the Major, putting up his money
and again seating himself After keeping his eyes
fixed inquiringly for a time on the landlord, ho con
tinued:
• How many call have you got ?’
• Sir r exclaimed the landlord, doubtful about tho
question.
• Hoiv many full-grown cats have you got V ro
pcated the Major, earnestly.
4 Cats f Do yon want any for dinner ?’ asked the
tavern-keeper, looking astonished and indignant
•What I want with cats is my business,' impatient
ly responded tho Major. ■ l want to know how
many cats you’ve got, and if yon aro willing to sell
them at a fair price ?’
•Sell house-cats!’ in still greater surprise exclaim
ed the host. _ ‘You surely ain't in earnest. I novel
Man, you're jokiu,’
heard talk of baying cats,
know.’
•I'mnot idling,Mr. Honeycut.’ pn-itivcly s«si,v<-r
ated the Major; *1 nearer was more in earnest in my
life. Are you willing to sell your cats for a good
price ?'
‘Sell ’em ?’ exclaimed tbe publican, his excitement
increasing at the cool and business-like air of the
guest. 'Sell 'em ? Sell oats l Sell h—U! I’d give
every darned oue on the premises, kittens and all, if
it wasn’t for the olo woman.'
■ *No, sir;' responded tho speculator in cats, 'that
not my way of doing business. I wouldn't have your
cats as a gift; 1 want to purchase them, and am ready
to pay a reasonable price for them. How many
cats have yon about the house ?’
•Ha! ha! haw! Wake snakes! This beats old
Roper!’laughed aud roared tho inn keeper. ‘And
what in tho durnation do you want with twenty cats!
for I've got at least twenty.
•I see very plainly,’ gravely replied the Major, ‘that
you will persist in treating this imtter as a jest until
I explain it to you. Now hear: I live over in Brown’s
Valley, and have lived there for many years. Witeu
I first settled in the Valley, crops were good; but
every year they have been getting worse and worse,
until lost year we hardly made bread enough to live
on.- It warn't tho fault of the soil; for the land is as
rich as ever the sun shined on ; it warn’t the fault of
the people, for our folks are the hardest-working and
most industrious to be fouud any-where; it warn’t
tho fault of the seasons, for the dry and wet spells
come exactly right and regular; it waru't the tault
of the woavel, for blast the varmint of that sort has
ever made his appearance in the Valley; it warn’
the lad
tried t"
hut it It
would .-
miller :
entne to Old Man's Creek and
,vas a deep, tnuddy stream, with
oublesome to cross, so we con-
li re. The whole battalion had
miuieneed to get ready to camp
■i s, some pitching ti nts, some
,-s—but no sentinels or spies out
j 1Is t at ibis time, a small party of In
n'. seen on n little rise of ground about three
>1 a mile from tho encf.in itnent. Directly
eurm.-n b-gan to mount, without orders, and start
,-tf to attack tin- Indians, shoutulgand yelling the
Ottieers at lir.-t tried to stop them, but as they paid no
attention to their orders, they joined iu the pursuit
nvr.ird night we
,| it, blit l! 1
banks, and tr
led to camp I'
le up, ami had c
line making lit
citing tin
win
diana i
fourths
A Lively Village,
OK. BRISK SPECULATION IN A NEW COMMODITY
WRITTEN FOR “PORTER'S SPIRIT.*’—BT OMEGA.
The history of Brown's Valley—a lovely scope of
country, embracing that portion of the old county
of Blount, in the Stato of Alabama, the waters of
which empty themselves into the Tennessee river-
presents some features of rather curious and attract
live interest. On the admission of Alabama as s
State intotheUnion, this valley constituted an Indian
reservation, and was inhabited by Cherokee and
Creek Indians. At this juncture, despite the efforts
of the government to prevent it, white people of a
rc-lb-'S aud roving cla-s, from the to i.-lib.-ring
States, thrust them selves into tbo reservation, nnd
took up their abode along with tbe rightful occupants
of the soil. With such a motley mixture of charac
ter and race, it may well be supposed, that Brown’s
Valley, over which extended neither the laws of the
United States, nor ot the Ststoof Alabama, was not
slow in achieving *namo end fame' in tbe chroni
cles of tbe day.
From an interesting sketch of the county of Blount
furnished last year to tho Alabama Historical So
ciety, by George Powell, Esq. tho foUowing extract,
setting forth tho tone of morality, the progress in tho
arts.advancements in civilization, anugenera) char
acter of society in the valley, is made:
•This portion of territory. Brown’s Valley, gave
great trouble to tho citizens of old Blount, as it pre
vented the ordinary execution of the laws iu many
instances. All kinds of lawless characters were
found in this valley. Murders were frequent, with
but littlo chance to bring tho guilty to punishment.
Thomas Davis, tbe counterfeiter, who was executed
at Tuscalooin.in 1922, resided there froml818to 1820,
He was known in the valley by tho name of Scott;
and it was thought that somo of his pupils were left
thero after his execution, who long troubled the
country with their frauds. ‘Father Biggs,' oue of
Hooper's heroes, was also a citizen of this valley;
liut he was more inclined to drinking and fun, than to
mischief. It is hard to imagine anything more
troublesome to an orderly community, titan the
neighborhood of such a lawless colony aa this. It
was to old Blount, what Walter Scott says Alsatia
was at onetime to Loudon. It was a school for fraud,
violence, ami theft, aud offered a safe sanctuary to
violators of tiio law, from neighboring settloments.
t continued to annoy the peoplo of Blount County
util the year 1932, when tho Legislature extended
tho laws of tho State over it.'
A leading spirit, at the time we chronicle, in the
valley was Major Dempsey Crafts, against whom the
tongueof malice could maintain nootliercliargesthan
that he was iuo.-t sinfully and persev eringly tucline J
to fiddling, drinking, and practical joking—accom-
plishments which rendered him extremely popular
throughout tho reserve, and madohis presence abso
lutely indispensable at the frolic, the Hunt, thehorsc-
race, ami tho house-raising. The Major was iu the
primo of life and full fruition of all his faculties, men
tal and bodily. Though tall and slim as a bean-pole,
and at first blush rather awkward aud ungainly, yot
thero was an iudescribablosomethingiu his manners
aud conversation which, overcoming these defects,
left one impressed with the idea that he^ was in all
respects a -seemly and proper’ man. With n steady
and unreadable eye, and a countenaco of tho regular
east iron* description, he possessed a command ot
jis nhysiognomy that made him an adept in every
species of fun and deviltry, iu the which, it must be
ntessed, lie aeemed to
'Live, move, and have his being.’
Once a year, anil generally about the Christinas
time” it was theMnjor's habit to mako an excursion,
for recreation and amusement, into somo oftho vil
lage outside the vallev, where lie never failed to do
a bri«k business inwkatover current his mischciv-
oiu proclivities and rolicking inclinations induced
' "m to embark.
Keeping up this habit, he set out from homo do
ng tin- holidays of 1830, on his annual jaunt of fro
mi *tearin’ up creation generally,’ and directed
oitr.so towards the thriving villago of Blounts
,,,, • which, though only some ten or twelve miles
-tant, Olfing to the facts heretofore stated, mat
ined little or no intercourse with, and thcrefoi
1 iu blissful !"norauco of, their neighbors ol tl
V Arriving, and pulling up in front of the only tavern
the village afforJctj. opr traveller's attention was at-
traded to the unusual nuiqber of cats, of the domes
til- -n-tcies, whose purring repos* in Ihe sunshine ql
the yard being suddenly disturbed by h.sco.mng,
dashed, tails in air, helter-skelter and m uUngh , in
to the house aud other handy hiding places-
ing till) landlord at the entrance, the
turning the customary salutation, betook liimsol! to
. seat? where, apparently forgetlul of the presence
of another, he seemed intently to be occupied with
his own thoughts. ,, , ,
• What might your name be, stranger. sskect
Boniface, whoso curiosity was somewhat aroused by
the uncommunicative bearing of the guest.
- Dempsey Crafts ; commonly called .If-yor Demp
sey Crafts,' briefly was replied.
illo
Georgy’ name. Crafts—niut it ?' pursued the pry
ing interrogator. , ,,
• Possibly,’curtly answered the guest.
, wiLi part of Georgy might you come from ’ said
the landlord, again breaking silence after a few
Wbat in the durnation, then, was the cause of
your being settee of bread 1 ’ vehemently broke in the
tavern keeper, in bis auiety to learn tho reason of the
failure of the crons.
_ ‘Well,’said the Major, himself waxing warm aud ex
cited, *it warn't none of these; but it were the ever
lasting and infernal rats f Rats !!
•Rats!’ ejaculated tbe landlord, aghast at the an
nouncement.
•Yes, sir, rats!' chimedintheMajor, in the same ex
cited key. ‘You have heard how the boll-worm chaws
up whole fields of cotton in Louisiana. You have
heard, may be, bow tbe locusts swarmed iu Egypt,
and cat the folks there out oflioaso and borne; 'but
theso ain’t a patcliin’ compared to the way the rats
are serving ns! Man alive, you never saw—you
never dreamed the like of it!’
•Ge-ru-»a-lem!’ burst forth the astounded Boni
face, giving vent, in the single exclamation, prolong
ed as tie uttered it, to his pent-up feelings of indigna
tion and amazement, ‘why don't you kill 'em ?'
‘Kill'em! Kill the devil and Tom Walker!’ snap
pishly interrupted the Major. ‘Catching ’» before
haafring, ain't it T How is it to be done 1 It’s no use
hunting them with dogs; and cats are getting more
scarce every day, for the rats kill the kittens, aud the
only chance left us is to get a fresh supply of full-
grown cats. And, now, that's my business iu Blount-
ville. And business is business; so Ml in - hsU
many cats do you think I can pick up in this neigh
borhood? My calculations wero that I might get a
thousand or more hereabouts. What's the chance V
This was a poser. Honeycut, tor the first time in
his life, was puzzled for a reply. A thousand cats!
Such a number of cats in one collection, was an idea
that ovorpowered him. Slowly recovering from his
state of stupefaction, he said:
•A thousand cats ? May be yon can. and may be
you can't, get that many. Plenty as cats are here
abouts, it will take nigh unto tho last one to fill your
list. ~
ist. But what are you going to pay for them?
•I’ve determined ou a price,' answered the Major,
in an off-hand, bujiitoss-iike way, ‘and I think it a
fair one: at all events. I will not pay higher,] fc-r I
can’t aflord it. I will give a dollar for full-grown
cats, half a dollar for half grown cats, nnd a quarter
of a dollar for kittens. Don't you tliiuk my terms
are liberal enough ?’
Just at this moment Mrs. Sairy Ann noneycut, tho
publican’s better half, who, iu an adjoining apartment,
had over heard the whole conversation, came bounc
ing into the room, nnd unceremoniously pitching in
to the subject, let the ‘cat out of the bag’ that she had
been eavesdropping, by saying:
‘Major Wliat’s youriiaine. I’ve got twenty nud odd
cats, aud I'll let you have all ofthem, except ouo, if
you want to pay money for 'em. How much did you
say you would give ?’
•My terms,’ said tho Major, bowing with great po
litencss to the lady, ‘I have just stated to Mr. Honey-
cut, m&dame, who is now revolving in his mind
whether or not he will accede to them.’
‘Git out stranger!* said tho ladv testily; ‘Don’t
talfcto mo about Hiram Honeycut. Hiram lloneycut’s
n fool. Tell mo what you'll give?’
‘Well, Madame,' replied the Major, in the same
business-like tone, ‘1 have fixed upouaprico for dif
ferent descriptions ol cats, which I am willing to pay
down, and which I nmumviUiugtoinereaae.umiornny
circumstances. I will pay a dollar for full-grown
cats, half a dollar for half grown cats, and a quarter
of a dollar for kittens.’
'Talk a-plenty!' quickly replied the delighted Sairy
Ann. ‘You shall havo all I've got,'eept oue. Do you
want them right now ?’
‘Not immediately, ma'am,’ answered the trader in
the same formal aud precise tone, ‘uor will I want
them at all, unless I can get about a thousand in this
neighborhood. A lady ot your quick perception .and
sense will readily see the difficulty of transporting
such a number of cats over tbo mountains to my
hume in the valley. Your noil shows mo that you
understand me. It takes women to look plumb
through a mObtoae! You know, ma’am, it would be
impossible to drive ’em. like_ a drove of hogs; and
there is no other wav of takin' 'em but in wagons.
Now, if I c tn get a full load for both uiy wagons—I
think the two wagons will hold about a thousand—I
will have them here on the first day of January, just
a week from now.’
•Sakes alive!’ responded tho female head of tho
house of Iloneveut, ‘I should think that you might
get a couple of wagou loads in the neighborhood.
Don’t you think so, Hiram? And I'll let you ltavo
twenty, anyhow, and throw in oue for your wife, in
the bargain.’
Alas ! Madame f sorrowfully replied tho Major,
who looked as il he was about conlessittg a mureier,
I i n so unfortunate as never to hare been married,
il id chance or rather Divine Providence, thrown
us together, before you m et ’ n,u ? rewarded for his
love, the happy Honeycut, 1-houM, at least, have
rhat I never did do—ask a woman to marry
it around, that I will pay the money to each person
ou the-delivery of the cats; but I uo not want them
delivered until my wagons come, which will be ou
the first day of January next. Aud please state fur
ther, that each person from whom I purchase must
assist me, as the cats are put into the wagon, to put
’em in my mark, which is a cross in the right ear, and
umler-bit and swallow-fork in the left. You under
stand me ? I will state tny wholo terms briefly: A
dollar for full-grown cats, half a dollar for half-grown
cats, and a quarter of a dollar for kittens, without re
gard to color, quality, or gender, to be paid when de
livered ; to be delivered on the first day of January-
next ; aud oaclt person to help mo, at tiro wagon, to
put tho cats in my mark, which is, cro.-s in the right
car, and under-bit and swallow-fork in tho loft.’
‘I believe I understand your terms,' said tho land
lord, ‘aud will give them such circulation as I can; and
ns I now see Jeptha Oukogey and Jemima passing
the road, I’ll step out and tell’em, so they may spread
it in their end of the settlement.’
Aud suiting tho action to the word, the landlord
rushed precipitately from tlio tavern, hailing, as ho
went, the parties who were passing, and leaving the
gallant Major alone with the amiable lady of the
house, who, not being exempt from tbe common
weakness of her sex, felt the flattering compliments
which had been offered her still tingling in her cars.
‘In case I do remain here a few days, Mrs.
Honeycut,* said the Major, in bis tno.-t tascinatin<-
style. ‘I am sure, if, when household cares permit, I
could be favored with your company and conversa
tion, my time will not hang heavily on my hands.’
Alas ! poor human nature. Sairy Ann Honeycut
bin,lied—blushed to the eyebrows, an 1 faintly mur
muring, ‘Sake*alive! how beautiful he talks!’ she
seized a broom in the comer of tho room, and with
averted head, busily went to sweeping the already
clean-sweptfloor. Pending which unnecessary cleans
ing, Hiram madohis appearance, with tho informa
tion that the Cokogey settlement might be set down
as good for two hundred bead of cats. Whereupon,
Mrs. SairyJAnn, to show the interest she felt iu the
matter.an’nounced that as) soon as dinner was over
she would take her bonnet audgo around among her
female friends and acquaintances in the village, and
sound the :nark"t. And here, it may be well enough
to state, that indefatigable lady kept her word to tho
letter, as before sundown thero was not a man or wo
man, ten-year child or negro in tbo town, but were
fullypostedou tliesubject of the price of cats, asset
forth by Major Dempsey Crafts.
Another morn, and the village of Blountsville la
bored undera cat-mania, or rather a cuf-alepsey, if it
is not cnt-achetical to say so. Little knots of excit
ed people, discussing the cat-purchaser and the val
ue and usefulness of cats in general, were seen col
lected at every street corner—whilst the women, old
and youug, and somo who rarely ventured out of
doors, were dashiug about from house to house with
the nimuleness aud friskiness of fairies. The village
grocery was thronged with more than its accustomed
number of patrons, and men drank blindly on the
strength of the good luck that had befallen them—
aud others, the number of whose chalk-tallies indicat
ed that credit for liquor had ceased with them, with
bold face called for drinks, and what was singular,
actually got them, awing, no doubt to the promises
of payment held out in the peculiar wording of the
call tor liquor, which was after this fashion (five men
approachtug the counter:)
Mr. Chany, let us have five drinks here—just the
worth of a kitten. And cursea kitten, I say V
And another call in this wise :
• Hello! Chany, tote outthe sporcts for a raal treat.
On counting up last night, 1 found I had one more
full-grown-cat than I thought I had, and she is an
infernal old, good-for-nothing-sow cat, any how; so,
I’m going to drink her up,and treat her out together.
Como inhere, boys,just twenty of you ; at five cents
a drink’ that jest fills tlie bill of a full-grown cat
treat.'
During that brisk and blessed week, there was not
a man who took a drink by himself at that grocery.
A kitten being the smallest coin of their new cur
rency, five men was the least number that imbibed
at ouo timo ; whilst, generally, tho happy owners
of the novel articlo of trade, • regardless of expen
ses,’ indulged iu full-grown-cat treats. Tho work
went braveiy on ut tho grocery I
Meanwhile, the Major was kept busy at tho tavern,
explaining his terras, and taking down names anil
number ot rats to be delivered on the first of Janua
ry. Wlionever be went abroad for a saunter about
tho village, or for a drink to the grocery, he was the
cynosure of all eyes, • the eheerrea of all obenruri,’
as of Coriolauus, it might have been said, truly, of
our bero :
•' All tongues speak ofliim, nnd bleared sight
Aro spectacled to sco hitn!”
Far and near, from bill nnd dale, tbe good folks
came to see tbo strange merchant, aud to ascertain,
from the ' cat tirin' liun-rlf, as tln-v called him, the
treciso nature of his terms. Passing along the street,
to was accosted at almost every step by anxious in
quirers of all classes, ages and sexes ; on which oc
casions he behaved with remarkable urbanity to-
w.tnl.-* the hotic-t m —Iters f-r iiilAnna'.ion. repeating
iu detail to each person, in tho sing-song, auctioneer
8tylebe had adopted, his prices and conditions; aud
closing the exercises each day by a dozen full-grown-
cat treats at the grocery, enlivened by strains from
the violin, upon which the Major • discoursed most
excellent music.’
It was a joyous village, the village of Bountsville,
aud a lively; but tho liveliest timo was yet to come!
Another and still another morn, and tbe ever-mo-
tnorablu first of January, 1831, a day preguant with
the fate of lilouiit-vilie, broke brilliantly on the
world! And long
“ Before the wheels of Phoebus, round about
| Dappled the drowsy cast with spots of grey.”
the country people, from all directions, wore mak
ing their anxious way, on fool, horseback, and in
ox-carts; with baskets, meal-bags, and chicken-
coops, filled with cats, to the great ccntro of trade,
each one struggling to be among tho first, nppre-
beniliim that the supply might possibly be too great
for the demand, and, therefore, that prices might de
cline.
1'he happy Honeycut, becoming rather worried
with the turn tho conversation was taking, hero put
t an oar, by saving:
•Well, ifyou will spend a few days with us, Major
Crafts, by nnrntin it in and about luo town and
neighborhood, we can soon find out many cats you
i« get/
‘Precisely my object, Mr. Honeycut,* answered the
Major. 'I will remain a few days, if you will bo so
ind as to givo circulation to my proposition, which,
>n't forget it, is, a dollar for full grown cats, a half
dollar for half grown cats, and a quarter of a dollar
for kittens, irrespective of color, qualities or gender.
Aud here 1 \yiU state, in order that you may mention
At sunriso, our hero was at the grocery, receiving
and liquoring tho company. Inspecting and in vnri.-o
biy praising the handsome appearanco of the cats
already arrived, discussing thoir qualities, noting
down their names, bestowing classical appellations
on the nameless, and looking anxiously up and down
thu road for fresh supplies ; along which sights like
the following might occasionally uo seen :
Along, lank, bare-headed chap, seated on a meal-
bag. each end filled with cats, laying across tho back
of a diminutive, but wiry Indian pony, running at a
mad gallop, swaying himself to and fru. and yelling
outrageously with pain and fright. Nearing tho
crowd, the pouy shies ; six-footer hr sprawled six
feet from him, accompanied by cats in bag, ‘fighting
furious fray."
‘ IIoUo! my man!'exclaimed tho Major, running
to his assistance, • what’s the matter ? You seemed
to ltavo been somewhat in a hurry; are you hurt ?’
‘Hurt? OLordy! OLordy! 1 shall never set down
again on yeath ; my setter’s minuted! Bile ahead,
the bag tliore,aud we'll see which whips, duru ye!
• • • Are you tho cat man ?'
• 1 am the man who wants to porebnso cats,’ grave-
I. responded our hero. ‘ Your cats seem to be spirit
ed follows ; how litany have you ? and what’s their
size ?’
8ix in each eend of the bag ; busters in size ; as
spirit, perfect hell-cats for scratching ami biting!
ook at that thar pony’s back all a-bleeilin,’ and
look here at the blood that’s come outen mo! But bow
much nre you paying ? I want to bo gettin’ back
homo, for 1'vogot to walk, seem' it’s no uso to think
of my settin' ou anything to ride.’
‘ Ifyours aro tlio first quality,’ replied tho Major,
ns 1 have no doubt they aro, you shall have a dol
lar per head ; ’out 1 will not receive them or pay tho
money until 12 o'clock to-day ; so you had better do
like the rest have dono, borrow a goods box from
ouo of tlio stores, set it out ou >he ground where volt
see others placed, put your cats, for safe-keeping,
under it, until tho time tor delivery.’
Another cpectaclo: An old woman—in a small
one horse wagon, whipping nnd clucking—heaves
in sight. The entire body oftho vehicle, saving her
seat, is taken up with a huge basket, carefully se
cured at tlio top by a checked counterpane drawn
over it, and tied down by strings which encircle
horizontollv the basket, thus leaving the top, in ap
pearance, like a drum-head. Pulling and blowing
ho lays her whip outlie miserable animal, industrt
iusly and noisily, but more industrious and squalling
more noisy fnr.'nre the jumping, lighting, occupants
oftho basket. The jerking of the basket, the thumps
ou its sides, tlie upward bulging of tho tympanum,
the shrieks of bloody conflict, all indicated that more
•fur is flying' within tho basket than tho old lady
makes to tty from tho hide of thu failing horse, iu
striving to press hitn into a trot.
“Where ouyetli,” asked she, stopping and adilross-
ga crowd, “is the man that wants tlm cats ?"
“I am the person, ma’am.” said the Major, step
ping forward and bowing. “Have you cats iu your
Let in tlio wagon ? *
You must be a powerful fool, stranger, not to
know that nothing less than twenty-seven cats could
make all that racket in the basket. But from all I
liear, I reckon you ain’t seen a cat in so long, they're
sort of uateral curiosity like with you. Jf you are
gwine to buy ’em, jest tutu out the basket, for I’ve
lmd a powerful sight b’ trouble giftin’ to you. And
it's a dollar apieeu you’re gw;ne to pay, ain't you ?”
(•Yes, ma’am,” returued the trader, "provided they
are all full grown and tirst quality. My terms are,
a dollar for full grown cats, half a dollar for half
grown cats, and a quarter of a dollar for kittens.—
But I won't take them, nor pay for them, owing to
the risk of their getting away, until 12 o'clock, when
they may be delivered to me at my wagons, which
will be here by that hour.”
“What am I to do with tlie rantankeroiu varmints
until then ?" asked the old lady.
"Do as those who got here first have done,” said
our bero, explainingly. "Do you seo all those goods
boxes, ranged along yonder ! Well, they cover about
seveu hundred cats. For safe-keeping, you had bet
tor follow thoir example, as I assure you that I will
tako no responsibility in the matter until the cats are
marked and delivere'd. IwiU inspect and price your
lot after breakfast.”
“Oue word. Mister,” persisted tbe old lady, “be
fore you go. I -eo a good many dogs about here;
are you buying dogs, too ?”
“No, ma'am, I'm entirely in the eat trade; tlie
dogs have simply followed tiieir owners here;” and
moving away once more, he w as soon lost to sight
in the tavern.
Time rolled slowly ou: the crowd swelled apace,
receiving acquisitions every moment; whiskey cir
culated t'reciy and operated charmingly: limn g >t
credit and treated liberally’ at the grocery, who nev
er got credit before, and in fact, who never even
dared to ask for such a tiling : good humour, merri
ment, and jollity, seemed to he the order of the day,
though a chunk of a fight did come off, springing
outof a discussion of the relative merits of oats.
Some fifty goods boxes, averaging about twenty
head ot' cats to the box, were iu requisition, whilst
many whose stock in trade WAS limited to one or two,
kept their cats in their arms, fearing accidents;
things were strin g up to tbe very highest pitch of
excitement; the logs—and there were hundreds of
them present—caught the contagion, aud in concert
"bayed deep mouthed welcome' to every freall arri
val. More liquor waa said to havo been drank that
day in Blountsville tluui hud been consumed thero
iu the entire'previous year; all awaited, in painful
anxiety, the approach of the hour and the wag,on !
A few minutes after eleven o'clock, it was circu
lated through the crowd, th&t the Major hail .some
thing to say, which he desired everybody to bear,
and that immediately afterwards lie would set to
work marking a few cats, as a specimen of tho man
ner iu which ito wanted that operation performed.
No sooner was this understood than the entire as
semblage, numbering several ltundred persons, col
lected iu front of tho'grocery, on the steps of which
our hero was standing, leaving the goods boxes, which
contained their feline property, fifty yards away, to
take care of themselves.
■ My friends,’ begun the Major, addressing the con
gregation from his elevated position, ‘I uvail myself
of tlie present brief breatLing spell, before the arriv
al of tho wagons, to'return to you and ench one of
you, and to your wives and your children, my thanks,
my heartfelt thanks, and also tho thanks of tho itt-
haoitants of Brown’s Valley, for the very kind aud
prompt manner in which you have responded to our
cry of distress, nay, even surpassed our highest ex
pectations, in coming forward, as you have nobly
done, laden with the finest specimens of cats I ever
saw / I intend, this morning, to pay you for them,
but that’s nothing! and impairs uot in the least de
gree the obligation uuder which we shall ever rest.
They were your cats, and though I offered yon
money for them, you were not bound to take it; you
could have refused it and kept your cats. Last year
a man was sent from our settlement to tho city of
Iluutsville, authorizedto purchase a few wagon-loads
of cats at the same reasonable price I offer you, but,
to the everlasting discredit of that selfish city, be it
said, Ac never got nary one! This warn’t right, and it
warn't neighborly, was it? How different am I treat
ed here f No sooner have you heard our needs, than
the voices of a thousand cats, to say nothing of some
two hundred and fifty dogs, collected together, rend tlie
air with their joyful acclamation, and sound a dread
requiem to the rats of Brown’s Valley! Once more
I titank you,—from my gizzard, I thank you ! * *
And now to business; 1 want to do what's right,
nothing more-nothing less; the proposition with winch
I first set out, regulating tho price of cats, I shall
rigidly adhere to. I am well aware that the rule
will work hard ou some; since I have been here, I
havo seen cats that were richly worth more tliau a
dollar; I have seen half-grown cats that were worth
all of seveuty-five cents, and kitteus that ought to
command half a dollar in auy market! 1 am free to
admit that I am uot paying their full value for some
cats; but what is a man to do ? I mu an agent act
ing under instructions, nnd I must stick by my iu-
structious; as an honest man, as a faithful agent, I
have no other conrse left me. Now, then, to save
hard feelings, nnd that everything may be done on
the square aud above-board, I will again announce
my terms, from which I shall not vary a jot or tittle
under any circumstances. Unc dollar for full-grown
cats; half ot a dollar for half-grown cats; and a quar
ter of a dollar for kittens, irrespectiv e of color, quality,
or gender /’
Our hero had scarcely finished tho last sentence,
witeu a shout, followed by a simultaneous and deaf
ening bark from an hundred canine throats, mingled
with tho shrill howl of a thousand cats, drew all eyes
iu tho direction of the goods boxes. And now a
spectacle wa3 presented, which, for a moment, para
lyzed the beholders, and realty baffles all description.
Every goods-box bad boen capsized bv some mis
chievotu persons! The cats, blinded by the sudden
exposure to tbo daylight, nnd rendered furious bv
the fierce din of tho dogs in their midst, plunged
madly nnd wildly at their canine assailant*, and over
one another, and bewildered by their own numbers,
circled around aud around in a dense body; some
times ahnlf-dozcn cats on the back of an unlucky cur,
and sometimes packed two or three deep on one
another. Such ear-piercing howls! Such unearthly
yelpings! Such a battle-royal generally, between
tbe fierce natural enemies, the dog trad the cat, was
never seen or heard before !
AtnoDg tho first to recover his presence of mind,
or, ut least, to moke any outward manifestation of it,
was our redoubtable hero, who, dashing into the very
thickest of the melee, shouted at the top of his voice,
‘Catch vour cats! Everybody catch their own cats?’
Instantly, hundreds of men, women, and children,
were mixed up in the furious strifo and mad confu
sion, striving to identify aud secure their property;
and striving hopelessly and in VAin; for an easier
task would it have beeu, to have picked a ueedle from
a hav-stack, than to have selected any particular eat
from the billowy mass that plunged and soared and
whirled and dashed iu eat-sndtn at their feet.
‘ Beat oft tlie dogs and form a hollow square around
the cats, or they'll all escape,’ yelled our hero, tlie
master-spirit ol the storm now raging; but as every
body else wasyelling at tliesame time,his commands
and warning were unheard and unheeded. Every
body was busy, yot nobody seemed to be doing any
thing—savo those who got in tho way of the current
of cats, and they forthwith were busied in defending
themselves; and many a bleeding finger and scratch
ed face was borne from the field that dav.
In a half-hour from tho occurrence of tho cat-as-
trophe, not a cat was on tlio spot; and with the ex
ception of a few scores iu the tops of tall oaks hard
by, or on tlio roofs of houses, nothing feline was any
where in sight; they had all escaped: leaving no other
vestiges behind them, on * that fatal field so gory,’
than such ns marked the scene of the Kilkenny cat
scrimmago, viz., a deal of far, and a few tails ’laying
loosely around.’
Ami now the air was filled with lamentations, com
plaints, and direful threats. Expressions liko the
following, might havo been heard from all quarters
of tlie iuceused nssctnblago:—‘I’ll plank up five
dollars and clear him of the law, to auy man who will
own ho turned over my box.’ ‘The man who unset
my box is a scoundrel, and I will tan his hide for him
if ho’s got tbo gizzard to confess it.’ • I dare any
darned skunk to own ho had a hand in it.’ And, in
shrill fumale screech, expressions wailing and breath
ing deduce, such as:—’O, my poor Tom, and
Hannibal, and Tabitha, all gone to Jetuiny-crimony
knows whore, and mo with nary cat iu the world !
O, ef I only knowed tho villain who did the misohief,
I’d tear his eyes out, I would !’ • O, ef I was only a
man, I’d get to the bottom of this rascality, ef I died
for it!’ • O, ef my ole man was alive, the rascal's
hide wouldn’t hold shucks !’
Amid this Babel-iiko confusion and commotion,
another voice ot indignation offering wager of hat-
tie, broko upon tlie general ear : it was the Major's :
in steutoriau tones, no thus spoke :
• Gentlemen I’m a peaceable man ; I don’t .lu v
what I’ll do ; but if any • apology-for-a-man’ will
conolly to this scurvy transaction, Dempsey Crafts
will fork over to him one hundred dollars, ‘AND CLEAR
HIM OF THE LAW ! ! !’
Pantiig for a reply, and finding that no one was
willing to accept the hundred dollars on tho terms
stipulated, our hero, boiling over with rage, pro
ceeded :
_• As nobody takes me up, I’ll jest give you a plain
piece of my mind. I look upon tho turning loose of
them cats, as tho scurviest, lowest-down, and mast
abominable fraud on an honest trailing tnau, aud an
unsuspecting community, that was ever perpetr.it
century tuts i-iaj-
above related, r-
aged, ar.d fr-sthi
tors and parti- i
though t!i" villa
quadrupled in li
ra g tilings hovei
inhabitants, all.;
i ho lir r cabin v
was the place re
in it- verv l'uttnd.-i
bio first day of.I;
man,’ with his coi
- COZENED
to, Ala.
ROBERT FIN:
FIND
i
steajU :i ;xc; i xe
MAN'BJFACTOIIV,
IRON AND BRASS FOUNDRY,
AND
GENU BA Sj MICH? N 71 SISO$»,
MACON, GEORGIA.
T nE Proprietors of till- Establishment would re
spectfully call the attention of those content- •
plating the erection - : Si i M 1*. I r •' g and
Grindtng, or for any other purpose whatever. The
superiority of the Work has been, and will be, a suf
ficient guarantee for an extensiyo and increasing
patronage. Our Workshops and superior outfit of
Tools, Patterns and Machinery, afford facilities for
the expedition of work possessed by no other estab
lishment in the .Slat--. Our prices and terms will
compare favorably with that of any first class North
ern Establishment. Tho following comprises list of
Machinery, Ac : for any portion ol'which wo will be
pleased to receivo orders, viz :
Steam Engines, I5oilers, Saw Mill Machinery,
Circular Saws, Mill Gearing. Mill Stones, of
best quality for Corn and Wheat, Water
Wheels, a great variety. Gin Gear, all
sizes, Iron Ladings, for Cemeteries,
Public and Private Buildings, &c.,
or Wrought and Cast Ikon,
very superior, embracing
strength with beauty
of Design.
Sugar Mills nnd Syrup Boilers, all .-i/.c-s. Columns for
Stores, Churehes, .Vc-, ftc.. Gold Mining Machine
ry, with Double and Single acting Force
"and Lift Pumps of any required size,
Shafting with Turned Puliics, from
the smallest size to nine feet Di
ameter, Cotton Press Irons,
Cotton Screws, Mill
Screws and Bales,
England’s Celebrated self-acting Car Couplings, and
other Rail Road Castings. All work* warranted to
be equal to the best made elrewhere.
11. FINDLAY & SONS.
Macon, March 4th, 1857. mar 10
Coi>nrl;iershi|» Notice.
T HE Subscriber has this dav associ«ted with him
in business. Ids sons JAMES X. Jc C. D FIND
LAY. The nu:ni- and stt io of the FI !!M v, ill h-re
altor bo R. FINDLAY & SONS, ami tha Business
as heretofore that of a First Class Engineeri Es
tablishment | ROBERT FINDLAY.
Macon March 4th 1857. marlO—
farmhvcTIiIakwiyakeT
Scovil’s Hoes, all sizes, Corn Shelters,
S. XV. Collins’ Hoes, all Corn Mills, for hand and
sizes, power,
Brade’s patent Hoes, Straw Cutters,
Brade's Carolina Hoes, Grain Cradles,
Hrade'snewground Hoes, Fan Mills,
Bradley’s Cast Steel Grass Scythes & Handles,
Grubbiug Hoes, Grass Hooks,
Iron and Steel Rakes, Leather aud Rubber Gin
Shovels and Spades, Bauds,
Manure Forks, Anvils and Vises,
Spadiug Forks, Bellows, Screw Plate,
Plow Haines and Traces, Sheep Shears,
Plows, 1 and 2 horse, AV ool and Cotton Cards,
Plow Steel 4 to IS inches, Gillittg Thread,
Swedes Iron, Cow Bells,
Horse Shoe Iron. Ctirrv Comb-,
For sale by NATHAN WEED,
inar 24 Macon. Ga.
Ornamental Iron Goods.
rpUE subscribers invito attention to their largo
JL assortment of useful and
Ornamental Iron Goods,
comprising many articles of IRON FURNITURE
fortbe House and Garden, such as Bedsteads, Hat
Stands.Tables, Rustic Chair- :,:;d Settees. Fountains,
Urns, Wire Trellisses, Flower Baskets, Ac., and the
most complete variety of IRON RAILINGS to be
found in the United States, for enclosing Cemetery
Lots, Dwelling Houses, Ac.
Particular attention being devoted to this branch
of our business, parties who may favor us with their
orders may depend on receiving Railings of tasteful
designs and made in a thnrongh manner.
CHASE, BROTH EES ft CO .,
383 Washington St.,.Boston
J. L.Jonfs. Resident Agent. may
New 'A’in and Jobbing
In Macon, in Mr. T. J. Lane’s Building ou 3rd Street.
TOKENING grateful for tbe very liberal patronage
id already received, 1 will now announce through
tho medium of tlie press, that I atn prepared to fill
all orders in the Tin, Copper, Sheet Iron, Plumbing
and Pump lino Personal attention paid to ’fin, Cop
per and Sheet Iron Roofing (satisfactory reference
given as to an experience of fifteen years); also tbo
putting up of Lightning Rods iu the most approved
and reliable manner.
InStore. lor sale, Tin, ^Japancd and Brittannia
Wares. All orders from tbo adjoiuing counties
promptly answered.
WANTED;—Rags, Cotton Waste, Bagging, Rope,
Paper Shavings and all other kinds of Paper Stock,
in largo or small quantities. The highest cash price
paid, or a higher in trade.
mar 10-6t II. X. RATCHELLER, Agent.
NEGROES FOR SALE-
likely voting Negroes. The undersigned al
so will attend to tho sale of Negroes, on com
50 1
mission.
j.iuQO—ly
DEAN ^ BAG BY,
nld stand, Macon, Gn.,
among lvhito folks, nud m a Christiau country !
Them’s my sentiments ! and I dont care a curse ■ 'ho
knows* cm !*
Without another vrord, and looking the imperson
ation of an injured and justly angered man, tho Ma
jor left the grocery, walked briskly to tho tavern,
sternly called his bill, handed over a ten dollar note,
and, without waiting for tho change coming to him,
filing himself on his horse, aud rode jaway in tho
direction from whence he expected his wagons, pos-
sibly, the gaping crowd thought, to curtail som
his expenses by meeting his wagons on the way, and
turning them back. But whether it was to save ex
penses, or save hia bacon, this veracious history pre
tends not to state; but certain it is, that whatever his
motives might have been, after he got outof sight
of the village, grass didn’t grow under black Moll’s
hoots for the space of ten miles. And here, pulling
rein, by the side of the noble spring which gushes
up midway the road—a spring that indicated the
head of his valley-homo, our hero dismounted, and,
turning black Moll loose to pick about, seated him
self near the bubbling fountain, ami gazed in deep
meditation at its limpid waters. Presently, pulling
from his pocket a tlask, he swallowed several times
of its contents ; then, straightening himself tohis full
height, he uttered the first sound that had escaped
him since leaving tlie village, and woke the echoes
of the neighboring mountains, as bo bursted into a
loud and prolonged roar of laughter, prolonged, in
deed, until tho very tears trickled a-down bis face;
but, as the master of the lievels, iu the ‘ Midsummer
Night’s Bream’ sayu;
4 more merry tears,
The passiou of loud laughter never shod.’
To return to tho village. Though a quarter of a
B. A.
IS NOW RECEIVING
R E F R I G il « A T O R S ,
ICE PITCHERS,
ICE CEEAM -CHURNS,
FEA THE RED $ FEAFOWI. FLY BRUSHES,
Dusters, Brooms & Brushes.
SILVER PL.ITED
TEA AND TABLE KNIVES,
CASTORS Sc WAITERS,
FORKS, TEA AND TABLE SPOONS.
Traveling a 11 <1 market Gaskets,
ISA Til ISO TUBS ARD BATHING
APPARATUS.
COOKING, IRONING STOVES and
EE RXACES.
TINNED, ENAMELED & 3KAE3 PRESERVING
KETTLES.
Cooking utensils ofov- ry description, PLAIN and
JAi^AXKD TIN WARE, all of which will be sold on
the most reasonable Terms.
mar 31 B. A. WISE.
SAVAAXAIllTi’PrCLICAA:
a uri£ \vs 9
Commercial and Politat
FOnMHED, tlAtr.r, TRt-WEF.KLT A
SAVANNAH, (1 \
B y S N E E £> &
1 EBMS:
Dnilv
•;ii Journal,
Ml WV, RLY AT
^ I YJ S .
TriAVi - Uly
Weekly....
T Payments to be made IXVA
IIABLYIN AD~
VANCE re?
Although
tho Savannah Ropuhli
in lias boon in
existence fi
r m.-re i ■ ■ '
rroprie-
tors tru-t tl
it it i- v. r in ti: \ i r >
manhood st
,1 in thu future. Tl -y
»eg h--avo t" pr< -
say that no
labor or expense shall h
spared to mako
it ondrely tv
ortky of their support n
?J cmitidence.
'I its N
:tvs and Outran -rci d <1
•nariments they
shall devote
their special atn-mion
resolved that in
these ro •qua’
at least, u si.a!, be si
cond to paper
in tlio south
■rii Status. To the obi
iter and man of
business tin
y hope to make it in.liq
en-uble. To thu
patr: t tn a
trust to commend it b\
fairness, justico
and truth iu
the treatment ol public
The positi
>n of ttavaunali, a- '. if
r* at commercial
emporium ot Cxuorgia, I enn«‘.s-e<*, ai
South Carolina, Alabama and Klor
points to lv r Press hs the source of into
needed by tho inhabitants of t’
lu offering them the Kepublicai
to establish a relation which tli
tuallv pleasant and profitable.
f y" Orders by mail, enclosi
punctually attended to, and re2
Savannah, Ga., March, 1^07,
portions ot
i, naturally
nation most
, the Proprietors seek
;y hope to make mu-
)g the cash, will ho
• pts forwarded.
mar 31—2m