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THE ROBBER AXEL VOID. BY VAX'S IE WILLIAMS. At n certain village, not far from Ti. flis, the people were celebrating the feast of St. Martin, or harvest-home, always u joyous and merry holhlky, and which, on this occasion, was kept, ypoae than the customary pomp and "rejoicing, on account qf the presence of Prinoe Yusuf, the governor tJf that province, who presided over the festival. The Prince was a young man, and very popular. He had lately married a fair bride, who-was’as nnich beloVed for her goodness as site was admired t<Jr her beauty; and this sweet hqly rode by his side, when he arrived at the village, at tended by his usual retinue. The old church and all the shrines were gaily decorated, and ths villagers .were out in their holiday attire, which rivaled the bright costumes/ ; of the mountaineers, and the gay uniforms of the soldiertf from Tiflis, who had crowded to the village to take part in the harvest festi val and t do honor to the prince and princess. It was a cheerful and pleasing scene, and the noble visitors seemed much gratified by the warmth of the welcome they received. But it was observed that the princess looked pale and agi tated, and the prince explained that she had been disturbed by an idle rumor which had reached her ears, to the effect that Axelvold, a famous robber, had lately been seen in the neighborhood of this village. On hearing this, the intendeut, or chief magistrate of the town made an swer : “I fear, my lord, that this rumor is not without foundation ; but I beg that her highness, the princess, will not al low k to trouble her, for there is not tho slightest danger. Bold as lie is, Axel vold would never venture to enter the village at such a time as this.” “Although it would be a fortunate thing for us and for all the country if lie should do so,” said another of the leading villagers, “ for wc would not fail to capture him, and so gain a great’ re nown, besides securing the price that is set on his head.” “By the holy saint whose feast we keep to-day,” cried a third, “ I only wish he would take into his hem! to pay us a visit.” “No, no, my friend !” exclaimed the princess, with a shudder. “Do not wish for such a thing, for they tell wild stories of this reckless outlaw, and we know not what he might bo bold enough to do.” It was true enough that Axelvoid, the robber, was credited with many deeds as daring as this which had been suggested. His history was known to every one. lie had formerly been a small trader at Tiflis, and was very well reputed for honest industry ; but he fell in love, and it chanced, unhappily, that the maiden of l>is choice was a slave, and her owner a wealthy noble, refused to part with her, except for a price so high that the lover had not the means to pay it. How ever, he did not give up to despair, but obtained a promise from the noble that he sheuld have the girl if, in a year’s time, he could raise the amount which was demanded for her freedom. lie then set manfully to work toiling night and day, with the most extraordi nary patience and energy, and to such good purpose that, at the end of the year he was able to offer the noble his exorbitant price for the freedom of lama, and claim the fulfillment of his promise. But the treacherous uoble declined to keep his word, aud declared his inten tion of marrying the girl to another man, who was also his serf. Axelvold remonstrated, entreated, and finally, such was his love for lama, offered him self to become the slave of her owner if she might only be his wife. Even this was refused, and then, in desperation, Axelvold returned to bis bumble home, gathered together what little he had that was valuable, and fled to the mountains, carrying off with him the lady of his love. The powerful noble, with a body of his serfs, pursued and captured the runaway lovers. And Axelvold was cast into prison, and lama was married to his ri val. After a long imprisonment, during which he was subjected to the most cruel treatment, Axelvold managed to es cape, and once more sought refuge in the mountains, a bitter, disappointed and revengeful man. He turned rob ber, gathered around him a desperate band of outlaws like himself, and be came the scourge of the loads leading to Tiflis. His daring and audacity soon made The Hartwell Sun. By BENSON & McGILL. VOL. IV--NO. 28. his name a terror. No carriage nor caravan could escape him; but, like most celebrated robbers, he was also famed for a certain generosity. He spared the poorer travelers, while he plundered the rich without mercy. He discovered that lama was a wid ow, her husband having died when she had been a most unhappy and unwil ling wife for only a few weeks; and making a bold descent into the very streets of Tiflis, he carried her ofl, for a second time, almost from under her master’s eyes, and bore her away to his mountain fastness, to be a robber’s bride. A large reward was offered for the capture of Axelvold, but not a man in Georgia dared to beard him in his den. One of his own kinsmen once under took to betray him for the price upon lis head. He invited Axelvold to he >resent at the marriage of his daughter, and the robber, scorning to take precau tions with one whom he considered to be lis friend, went to the feast entirely alone. But while they were drinking to the health of the bride, Axelvold faucicd he heard the step of stealthy footsteps. “ Who is lurking around your house?” ie demanded of his host. The latter turned pale, and began to stammer some explanation, r.ud his manner awakened a suspicion of treach ery in Axel void’s mind. “ Dastard, you would betray me !” lie cried, and sprang out of the door, upon his horse, and away to the hills. But as lie went he received two gun shots from the soldiers who were watch ing for him. lie escaped, however, and recovered from the wounds; and from that day forth his traitor kinsman lived in mortal fear. He kept in con stant concealment, and never dared to sleep without a guard to watch over him, and he died at last, killed by sheer ter ror at the robber’s vengeance. Such was the dread which the name of Axelvold hud inspired in the mind of the gentle princess, that she seemed to take very little pleasure in the mirth and merry-making which was going ou around her, and prince Yusuf tried in vain to dispel her uneasiness. “Surely, my sweet lady,” he said, “you are not afraid that the robber will approach this place to-day? Can you not feci safe surrounded by all these loyal soldiers and stout mountaineers?” “He is a bold man, Yusuf,” said the princess, apprehensively. “He has es caped the soldiers a score of times, and they say the mountaineers arc fri’cndly to him.” “ I dare say theyj are, said Yusuf, lightly. “They admire him for his valor and boldness —and, by St. Martin, so do I! But he is not bold enough to show himself this day.” “ Do you think not, my lord?’ said a quiet and respectful voice at the prince’s elbow. Yusuf turned and saw a young man in the holiday dress ofu mountaineer a lithe and active young man, decidedly pleasing in person, who looked him very frankly in the face, and said : “ Permit me to correct your highness in that mistake. Axelvoid isnotafraid to show himself here alone and unarmed. Behold lum!” The prince recoiled and demanded in amazement : “What do you Who are you?” “ I am Axelvold.” The mountaiuoor prdnoiinced these words so calmly that every one who heard them was bewildered. The prin cess clung to her husband in ifflright at beholding the dreaded robber; although, had lie not said that he was Axelvold, she could have seen nothing at all alarming in the appearance of this young man. As soon as bis surprise al lowed him to speak, the prince exclaim ed : “ Axelvold, if you are he, how dare you place yourself thiis in my power?” “There is not much that I do not dare, my kird,” said Axelvold, coolly. * why are you come?” asked the prince. “ What do you want?” “Justice, my lord/’ '“What!” “My lord,” said Axelvold, ‘ I have heard that you are a just man. You know that I have been wronged, and lUKTtvKLL, i;a„ Wednesday, march 10, isso. driven by the cruelty and injustice of others to become the outlaw that I am. I cyme belong you, unarmed and re spectful,lo big* that you will Inf p ml- to resume tho life of an hooost mail.” While Axelvold was speaking. Yusuf had made a sign to his officers and guards, and they had silently drawn near and closed around the robber, so that he found himself, with tho prince and prin cess, iu tho centre x4‘ u circle §f armed men; Unit he ynanffsted* no fear, und only by a quiet smile, gave any evi dence that ho observed this manoeuvre. “leamc alone,” he continued, “ be cause my- meu are rough and wild, and I had rather risk my life than give the least occasion for alarm to so sweet and well-bolovcd a holy as her highness;” and lie ‘maje. a ldw reverence to tho princevs. “ I came upon this holy day,” he added, “ because I hoped at such a time to Had you well disposed to hear my appeal, prince Yusuf, and grant me justice.” More and more surprised, prince Yu suf listened tt> those rysrarks, and an swered, wdilvu tone orsaxAasin: “If you ask for justice, Axelvold, you well know what I-should reply—that you must account to justice for your crimes. This is my answer. Soldiers, arrest him!” Instantly, before a soldier could lay hands on him, Axelvold turned like a * flash of lightning to the nearest officer, and snatched the sword which hung at his side. So terrible was the flash of his eye and so menacing his gesture that the whole ring of soldiers fell back a step, struck with mingled admiration and dismay at his : boldness. 1 lie took advantage of their hesita tion to spring forward, facing the prince and stretching out one hand, while he lifted the sword in tho other, he thunder ed : “I’l-ince, give me that pistol in your belt, or I strike !” “Take it!” returned the prince, and presented his cocked pistol at tho rob ber’s breast. His linger was on the trigger—an other instant, and Axelvoid had been a dead man; but the princess with a scream, flung herself at Yusuf’s feet, and cried : “Forbear, my lord 1 Harm not an unprotected supplicant! Oh, I pray you, shed no man’s blood upon this holy day!” The prince dropped his pistol. “You arc right, princess,” he said. “ Robber, will you surrender?” “Never!” answered Axelvoid. “Then, for this lady’s sake,” said Yu suf, “depart in safety. No man here shall take your life to-day ; so get you gone, and save yourself before the sun goes down!” The robber knelt before the princess and kissed the hem of her robe. “Thanks, lady; I will remember this!” he said with tears in his eyes. As he arose, the soldiers drew back, at a sign from Yusuf, and made way for him ; and lie passed them with a haughty air, but keeping his eyes about him and bolding the sword at guard, for Axel vold had reason to doubt the promises of princes. But Yusuf kept his word, and the robber left the village unmolested. A little later a mountain lad brought back the* sword and returned it to the owner, with a message from Axelvold : “Her highness, the princess, has taught Axelvold that he should not wrong any man on so holy a day.” Subsequently, prince Yusuf, who was greatly impressed by the courage and generous character of the robber, inter ceded for him with the authorities at Tiflis and obtained bis pardon ; and Axelvold returned to the city, with lama, his wife, and ever after led an honest aud quiet life. Abbeville (S. C.) Medium : The floating bar-room on the Savannah River has been captured by the reve nue officers. It was anchored in mid stream and was furnished with contra band whisky made at some illicit dis tilleries on Bear creek in Georgia. W. C. Guflin, of this place, who is now I connected with the revenue force, made ! a raid on this battery several weeks ! ago, but without succeeding in its cap , ture. He was accompanied by two Devoted to Hart County. Dear Sir: I notice in to-day's Con stitution, in Huy news njt the capitol,” that “ the agricultural department has several kinds of cotton, corn and to bacco seed for distribution.” As Sec retary of the 1 lart ('minty Agr. Society, I respectfully beg to make application for a portion of the same, to be distrib uted amongst the farmers of our county, and 1 will undertake and promise faith fully to distribute them in this county, so you will get whatever results you require from them. We lirtvc one of the most flourishing societies in the State, and it seems to me we should have our share of those distributions. I notice in the reports that in the piyst years considerable quantities of guano and fertilizers have been distributed amongst different counties, but, beyond the reports and pamphlets, the county of llart has naver received anything. If there is any guano to be tried, 1 beg to enter an application for the same. My manner of distributing seeds that wc have received from Washing ton, is to take them out to first meeting of Society and give them out in which ever way may bo agreed upon by bal lot, drawing for them, &c., and at every meeting wc receive reports of results of seeds, &c., which reports are made part of the minutes of the meeting. I believe that the better and most efficient way to have these tests made, is through the societies of the different counties, for several reasons : one is, that the seed or guano thus given out generally reaches the good farmer, by a vote of his neighbors given to him as such, and he does not get it from his wealth or influence alone, as is too often the case; and, also, when he is the public recipient lie strives the harder to make a true and just report of the same. Then, again, I believe that through the organized strength of societies, which they throw as an organized body to the departments both State and Na tional, only can these departments be be kept up and in life. Bet them run down, and the departments at the seat of government are bound to follow sooner or later. Not wishing to bother you with too lengthy a letter, but only for the purpose of tiling in your depart ment the application and earnest ap peal of the Agricultural Society of Hart County for a reasonable portion of these seeds and guanos —leaving it all entire ly to your wisdom and discretion in inekingthe apportionment—l am yours truly, C. W. Seidell, Scct’y. Static or Georgia, i Dei'ahtment of Agriculture, Atlanta, Feb’y 23, 1880. } Col. C. W. Slidell, Sect’y Hart Cos. Agr. Society, Hartwell, Ga.: companions but the whisky dealers and their friends numbered about twenty, and this was a bigger job than the offi cers cared to undertake. > lliey inspect ed the Hosting palace which was vofy comfortably fixed up and had a large patronage. HART AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. Iliiiiili'H nf n Kcitiifor MrcltilK of (lie Soclctj, lii-lil ill Murili ait. llw. The meeting was called to order by lion. JohnG. Mcfurry, l’resideut of tho Society. Bead minutes of last meeting, which were adopted. Bead correspondence of the .Secre tary and State Commissioner of Agri culture, which was ordered to bo made a part of those minutes, and which is as follows: HaiitwkLi., Ga., l'eb’y Ifox. J. T. 11 icNDf'.usoN, Cinn’r. Ag- Atlanta, Ga.: Dear Sir: Your esteemed favor of ‘2oth inst. has just reached me, and con tents read with pleasure. Your views as to the proper distribution of the seeds and guanos are exactly in accord with my own. Indeed, so far as the seeds arc concerned, I have anticipated your suggestion, and have had several boys employed for three or four days past, in preparing the greater part of them for shipment to the agricultural societies of the several counties, so far as I am advised of their active exist-' ence. I have desired also to send the soil test samples in the same way, and am always glad when an application is re ceived from a society, aud especially from such an one as you represent. I have, therefore, entered your name and will send you us many samples as I possibly can. Your remarks in reference to the mu tual relations of the State Department and the county societies, and the de pendance of the Department for very life upon the cordial support of the societies, are eminently just and wise. It shall be my constant aim to estab lish and cement the closest relations between the people and this Depart ment, and my confident reliance is on the county organizations. The seed will be sent you by express next week, $1.50 Per Annum. and will embrace several varieties of cotton, corn anil tobacco. Very trul}’, J. S. Henderson, Com’r of Agriculture. The Secretary announced that he had individually received from the Depart ment of Agriculture three sacks of gu ano, which ho desired to give to the Society. On motion, tho guano wm received. Called for reports from delegates to the State Convention at Cuthbert, in response to which one of the delegates, Mr. F. S. Roberts, said: We had a very pleasant trip to Cuth bert, and heard some important matters discussed in the Convention by the most able and talented agriculturists in the State. The whole Convention was entertained gratuitously and in the grandest style. Cuthbert is a flourish ing place. On tho adoption of a place of meeting for the Convention in next August, I presented the invitation from this Society, and there was one pre sented from Atlanta. The Convention voted about three to one in favor of Hartwell. In accordance therewith tho Convention will meet here in August next. I think it very important that a committee should be appointed ut once to prepare for that meeting. 1 will say this, Tom Hardeman, the I’res ident of the Convention particularly told mo for us not to do like the people of Cuthbert; that the State Society did not exjmet it. Ho said: " I)—n them, they have led me and danced me nearly to death here, and wo do not want your people to entertain us for nothing ; we want to pay a reasonable price." Remarks were made by several other members oil the subject of entertaining tho Convention, after which Mr, Bow ers moved, “ That the Agricultural So ciety of Hart County entertain the State Agricultural Convention next August gratuitously.” Which motion was unanimously carried by a rising vote. Motion made and carried, that a committee of ten members of Society bo appointed by the President to make arrangements towards entertaining the Convention, and make a report at next meeting. In accordance therewith the follow ing committee was appointed : J. F. Craft, W. M. Bowers, Dr. A. J. Math ews, C. W. Seidell, E. B. Benson, J. 11. Skelton, Dr. Geo. Eberhart, T. N. McMiillan, F. S. Roberts, Willie Sadler. Distributed seeds from State Agri cultural Department to the following members: T. J. Cason, 1 package Hcrlong cotton seed ; M. M. Richard son, Newman corn ; W. F. Bowers, rice ; I*. M. Crow, Hcrlong cotton seed ; Win. West, Nemassc cotton seed; Wm. Jones, Hudson corn, James Me- Curley, Hcrlong cotton seed; J. IB Skelton, Newman corn ; 10. G. Brown, Newman corn; Wm. A. Sanders, Her long cotton seed ; 10. IB Aguew, New man corn. Went into distribution of guano. On motion it was ordered that forty pounds be given to each applicant who are required to make careful tests in accordance with circular from State Commissioner. The following mem bers received guano: J. 11. Skelton, B. M. Cunningham, I>. 11. Aguew, John Oliver, Wm. A. Sanders, J. B. Adams, 10. T. Cason, T. J. Cason, R. 'l'. Buillngton, I*. M. Crow, F. S. Roberts, A. J. Mathews, C. W. Seidell. Called for reports of seeds. B. 1). Johnson said : Last year at our March meeting I received a package of rice seed sent here from Washington, and a short time after that I received another from Malcolm Johnson. The first package I planted on upland. 1 took pains to put in carefully. It grew finely until the drouth came, when it seemed at a stand still for a good while After wards when the rains came it took an other start and grew about waist high. It never headed out to do any good, and I never gathered any of it. The other package I planted on bottom land, and it grew fine!}'. With it there game up some of the finest grass I ever saw in my life. I have a great curiosi ty to know what kind of grass it was. From this bottom land package I gath ered a peek and a half of good rice, which I now have, and will plant this year. 1 believe the package I planted on the upland would have doue best, had the seasons been favorable. The following names were enrolled |as members of the Society, the first j three paying their dues: TANARUS, J. Cason, Wm. 11. Page, IL D. Adams, J. W. WHOLE NO. 184. A. Tcasley, James West. The following members paid their annual dues: Wm. J. llsrper, A. J. Mathews, 11. I). Johnson, John G. Watson, I*. M. Crow, F. S. Roberts, J. M. MeCurley, C. A. Webb, F. S. Roberts, L. M. Cunningham, W. G. W. White, Wm. Jones, J. P. Vaughn, 11. J. Com. Wm. Ejtes. Adjourned to meet the first Tuesday in April next. C. W. Seth ell, Sect’}*. The Cih< of s Negro Rarlsher. A dispatch fo the Constitution from Charleston, dated March 2d, says: On Saturday last a one-armed negro named Lewis Konder committed aij outrageous assault upon a white woman named Byrd, residing near Georges station, Colleton county, about fifty miles from this city. A hunt was or ganized and the villain captured Sun day morning by a ml veil white and black posse. He was taken to tho scene of the outrage and identified by his victim. A vote of tho posso was taken, and It was decided not to lynch him, but to allow the law to take its course. Render was then taken to Georges station and plaoed in tho guard-house under a strong guard. Monday ho was scut to Walterboro to Jail Htill strongly guarded. Ou the way to Walterboro the guard was ovcrjHjw erod by nn armed force, consisting, it said largely of the rotations of the out raged lady, and the prisoner was con voyed to a secluded spot in the woods where lie was kept till night. About 9 o’clock last night lie was again con fronted witli tho lady whom he out raged and again identified, lie was again taken to the woods whore prepar ations were made to hang him. At the last moment lie confessed tho crime, and also confessed to a similar outrage upon a colored woman iu Newberry six years ago. Ho further acknowledged tho killing of a colured girl nearlvings tree last April and confessed to four burglaries and innumerable thefLs. At 10:30 o’clock lie was hanged, and after firing a volley of pistol shots into the body, the crowd quietly dispersed. Render was a dangerous outlaw, who for over a year had been the terror of the neighborhood on which he preyed, und the action of the vigilants is heart ily endorsed by both white and colored residents of tho vicinity. A Setting Set. An old farmer with a house full of boys, was ono day tugging away at a large piece of timber. Finding it to ho rather hard work, he called his boys one after another, at the top of his voice, but received no reply. Finally, after he had no need of them, they all came. “ Wbcre,” said lie, “ have you been, and what have you been doing ; didn’t you hear me call?’, “Out in the shop, settin’ the saw,” re plied one. “And you, Dick?” continued the old farmer. “ Out in the barn, settin the hen.” “And you, Jack?” “Up in Granny’s room settin’ the clock.” 4 “ And you, Tom?” Up in the garret, settin’ the trap.” “And now Master Fred, where were you settin’?” asked the farmer, amused at the peculiarity of the replies. “ On the door step, settin’ still,” re plied the youngster. Itcn Hill an Alleged Seducer. Hpcciul Dispatch lu Atlanta Constitution. Washington, 1). C., March 3.—The National Republican of this morning publishes the details of a suit filed by Mrs. Bclva A. Tyockwood, attorney on behalf of Miss Jessie Raymond, of Atlanta, against Senator Ben Ilill for seduction and support of the child— damages laid at ten thousand dollars. Senator Ilill denies in toto all connec tion with her, and since her arrival here has refused to see her or deal with her. lie will develop the conspiracy as blackmail and cause the arrest and indictment of all parties concerned, in cluding, it is charged, Mrs. Lockwood, Lawyer l’elham, of Alabama, and a Georgian in office here; also a mer chant and his book-keeper in Atlanta, whom, she says, have been her friends in the matter. It will develop one of the most startling cases of blackmail on record. The woman is here at the Washington House after being turned out of a re spectable boarding house. S. XV. S. The owners of Tallulah Falls bought recently 50,000 feet of lumber, and will erect, before summer a hotel capable of accommodating* one hundred and fifty to two hundred guests.