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ROBERT S. HOWARD,/
Editor and Publisher. (
VOLUME I.
fJrofessiimttf & dousiticss (Ennis.
Josa* .1. stiei< ui.\\s>.
ATTORN E Y-AT-LA W,
DAMJEESViEEE, GA.,
Will promptly attend to all business entrusted to
him. dec 17, ’SO.
Die. >. 15. n.blf,
NICHOLSON, GA.,
Tenders his professional services to the surround
ing country. Rheumatism, Neuralgia and the dis
eases of woniefS a specialty.
Feb. 13th, 1880. ly
Uoutni) tiiotii'so:*,
ATTORNEY-AT-LAW,
Gainesville, Ga.
Prompt and faithful attention given to all busi
ness placed in his hands.
Wiley Hm \sm,
Attornc and Counselor at H,aw ,
JEFFERSON, GA.
W ill attend faithfully to all business entrusted
to his care. mclil,
SILMA.Y A THOMPfIOII,
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW,
Jefferson,Ga,
W ill practice in Taclison and adjoining eountics.’
fegnf Jidperfisements.
EOItiiJIA, Jackson Comity.
Whereas, Rebecca A. Casper .applies* to me, in
proper form, for Letl.-s'of Admiimf rafion With
the will annexed of Daniel Casper, late of said
county, dcc’d—
This is to cite all concerned, kindred and credi
tors, to show cause, if any they can, on the first
Monday in April, 1881. the regular term of the
Court of (^rdinary^f.said county, said letters
should not he graimed the applicant. "
Given under my official signatUre.Hhis January
oth, 1881. 11. W. HELL, Ord’y.
Jackson County.
Whereas, J. W. Strickland and John I. Pittman
make application for Letters of Administration,
de bonis non, on the estate of John 1. Parks,
dec’d, late of said county—
This is to cite all concerned, kindred and credi
tors, to show cause, at the regular term of the
Court of Ordinary of said county, on the first
Monday in April, 1881, why said letters should
not be granted the applicants.
Given under my official signature, March Ist,
ISBI. 11. W. BELL, Only.
Jackson County.
\\ hcrcas, A. A. Williams, Guardian of J. M.
W i Uiams, a minor, makes application for leave to
sell the interest©!' said minor in a tract of land in
said eounty-r-
Tliis is to cite all concerned, kindred, Ac., to
show cause, if any they can on the first Monday
in April, 1881, at the regular term of the Court of
Ordinary of said county, why said leave should
not be granted Ac applicant.
Given under my official signature, March Ist,
1881. 11. \V. BELL, Ord’y.
Jackson County.
Whereas, .J. N. W illiams, Guardian of Elias
Maynard, minor son of Elizabeth Maynard, late
of said county, dec’d, tenders his resignation of
said trust, and suggests the name of W. F. A. An
derson as a suitable person to succeed him—
This is to cite all concerned, the next of kin? to
show cause, if any exist, why said resignation
should not be accepted and said W. F. A. Ander
son appointed Guardian as aforesaid, at theregu
lar term of the Court of Ordinary of said county,
on the first Monday in April, 1881.
Given under my olfieiifl signature, this March
Ist, 1881. fl. W. BELL, Ordty.
Jackson Sheriff's Sale.
WILL be sold, on the first Tuesday in .April
next, before the Court House door mheifer
son, Ga., within the legal hours of sale, to the
highest and best bidder, the following described
property, to-wit: One tract of land, lying in said
county, on the waters of the South Oconee river,
adjoining lands of J. E. Adams, David Elder, E.
M. Thompson and others, aud known as a part of
the J. J. McCulloch place, containing seventy
acres, more or less. On said place there is a pret
ty good log dwelling and outbuildings; about
thirty-live acres of upland, in a good state of cul
tivation, remainder in old Held and forest. Levied
on as the property of W. S. Thompson, Jr., and
Milton Thompson, to satisfy a ii. la. issued from
Jackson Superior Court at the February term,
1877, in favor of J. 11. Hoggins vs. W. S. Thom
pson, Jr., and Milton Thompson. Property
pointed out by the plaintiff, and due notice given
to W. S. Thompson, Jr., and Milton Thompson,
tenants in possession, as the law directs. March
2nd, 1881. T. A, Me EL HANNON, Sheriff
Conmzissiouei *’s Sale.
| SIOISGIA, Jackson County.
By virtue of an order ef tiio Superior Court-of
said county, at the February term, 1881, will be
sold within the legal hours of sale, on the lirst
Tuesday in April, 1881, before the Court House
door in Jefterson.stho' brick building in. said towns
and the Tot whereon it stands ; sold as the proper
ty of F. M. Bailey and J. L. Bailey. Sold for the
purpose of dividing the proceeds between said J.
L. and F. M. Bailey. Terms of sale cash. Said
sale conducted by the undersigned Commission
ers, appointed by the Superior! Court of said
county for that purpose. This March 2nd, 1881.
P. G. THOMPSON, )
J. E. RAN DtHbPii, > Comwisssioners.
J. A. B. MAIIA FEE Y, j
Adni hiisti'atoi *'s Sale.
VGIIEEAI3LE to ail order from the Court of
Ordinary of Jackson county. Ga., L will sell
at public outcry, in the town of Jeli'orson, before
the Court House door, within the legal hours of
*ale, on the first,Xuesdaym April, 18Sf, the fol
lowing property, to-wit: A tract of laud cotitaui
lnS two and one-lnWf acres, in the town of Alays
t'de, Oa., unimproved and lying about two
hundred and tifty yards from the depot, on the
iNoi theastern Railroad, and joining lots of Dr.
Alexander, Atkins and others. Sold as the prop
el ty ot Amanda hoggin, decM, for distribution
among the heirs of said dec’d. Terms cash.
0. M. WOOD, Adm'r
• °f Amanda Loggin, dcc'd.
Postponed Sheriffs Sale.
W 1 L , L sol( ], before the Court House door in
▼ T tlic tow noi Jeirerson, •JncUson countv Gu
at public out-cry, to the highest bidder, oil the
first Tuesday in April next, within the legal hours
of sale; the following described property, to-wit :
One tract of land, containing twenty-live acres
more or less, tying in said count}-, on the waters
of Turkey creek, about one mile below Jackson’s
mill, and adjoining lands of McDonald. Davis and
others, and known as the place where R. C. Wil
hite lived. About fifteen acres in cultivation.
T here is a good mill house and dam on the place ;
also, a good framed dwelling and out-buddings
and good orchard. Levied on as the property of
R. C. \V illiite to satisfy a li. fa. issued from Jack
son Superior Court in favor of C. \V. Hood. Prop
erty pointed out by plaintiff, and notice given to
J. Foster Daniel, tenant in possession, as the law
directs. T. A. McELf IANNON, Sh'lf J. U.
Notice to Contractors.
WILL he let to the lowest bidder, before the
Court House door in Jefferson, on Satur
day, the 2nd day of April, 1831, the contract for
re-building the McCleskey bridge, across the
Oconee river, under the following specifications :
To be built on the remaining arches, two tres
tles to be placed on the cribs now in the river,
and a little above level with same, one of said tres
tles to be built, the other is now down the river,
about one mile below the bridge location, and will
be allowed used ; the one to be built to be of like
timbers and workmanship as the one on hand ;
one swinging span to be built, length of same
from one crib in water to the other, with 5 sleep
er. Bxl2 inches ; said sleepers to lap at least J feet
over cap sills, and the out side and one middle
sleeper well bolted to cap sills in each span. All
sleepers braced with 2x3 strips; 2 bolsters, oxl2
inches, 1G feet long, to be placed one-third the
length of span apart, the same to extend across
the bottom of the bridge, under the sleepers, and
supported by main rods running through from top
of truss to bottom of braces ; said rods to be of
best round iron, 1.1 inches in diameter, with taps
and washers. Timbers or bracing for truss to be
7x9 inches in length to suit one-third span. Braces
to be even notched at the foot, bearing on
cap sills, and each foot to be well pinned with
two two-inch wooden pins and one iron bolt; the
pins to extend through both the braces and sleep
ers, and sufiicicjpt dsptlrin qap sills to hold all
securely. Iron bolts to extend through braces
and sleepers just in side cap sills* Truss to be
braced with two braces on each side, running
from lower end of bolster to top of truss, made of
3x4 scantling. Truss to be framed 3 feet 3 inches
high from top edge of sleepers to top of truss.
All flooring to be 2x12 inches, 14 feet long, and
wdH spiked down with two-forty penny spikes
at each end. also spiked right and left in interme
diate sleepers. Hand rail or banister to be put
up on level with level beam whole length of bridge,
except length of level beam. Post for railing to be
notched through iloor and keyed on under side.
Contractors willl be required to furnish and fit all
timbers necessary for the construction of said
bridge as it was before, with the exceptions of the
following timber, which; can be seen about one
mile below the bridge location, on said river, the
same will be allowed used, contractor taking them
at their present location, to-wit: G sleepers, 24
feet long ; 4 sleepers, 27 feet long ; 4 sleepers, 30
feet long; 1 crib arch complete, 84flooring plank,
4 pieces railing, 22 feet long. The mud sills of
the arches in cribs to be banded with 21 inch bar
irdn and bolted to 3 logs of cribs, and middle up
rights to be strapped to mud sills with same kind
of'iron. Said work to be completed within forty
days from time of letting. Bond, with two sol
vent securities, in double the amount of bid will
be required immediately after the letting, condi
tioned lor the faithful compliance of the terms of
the contract. The same will be paid for when
completed in accordance with the specifications.
Full and complete specifications can be soon at
this office. March 3rd, 1881.
11. W. BELL, Ord’y.
A LSD, at the same time and place, under the
TL same terms and like specifications, for simi
lar work and timbers, will be let the contract for
re-building two spans of the Talassce bridge; one
arch in height to suit height of balance bridge to
be built as arches in McClesky bridge, on crib in
river; built of timbers 10x12 inches", 24 feet by 8
feet, to extend to surface of the water, JSaid tim
bers to be well pinned at each corner, placed in
water and filled up with rock. Mud sills to be
fastened on said crib as the specification calls for in
McCleskey’s bridge. Sleepers, floors, cap rails
and all other timbers and work to be done in like
manner as similar work on-the said McCleskey
bridge. March 2nd, 18S1.
H- W- BELL, Ord’y.
Jackson Postponed Sheriffs
Sale.
WILL be sold before the Court House door in
Jefferson, Jackson county, Ga., within the
legal hours of sale, to the highest and best bidder
at public outcry, on the Ist in April,
1881, the following property, to-wit : -*A tract of
land lying in*said county of Jackson, on the wa
ters of Mulberry river, adjoining lands of Edwards,
DeLapemere aud others, containing one hundred
and twenty acres, more or less, known as the
Weatherly place. On said place, are reasonably
good improvements, and a fair proportion of open
cultivated land and old field pine and forest tim
ber. Levied on as the property of Hugh It. Bar
nard and \\ illiam .V. \\ eatherly, to satisfy a
mortgage fi. fa. in favor of Wesley Nance, Exec
utor of John Seay, deceased, against said Hugh
It. Barnard and William A. Weatherly, issued
from Jackson Superior Court. Levy made by
John J. Wallis, former Deputy Sheriff. Property
puinted.out in said li. fa.
T. A. McELIIANNON,
Sheriff J. 0., Ga.
Whei ’cas, "\\ . S. Flancgan, Administrator on tlie I
estate ol -Julia F. Bur.son, late of said county, de
ceased, applies for leave to sell the lands belong
ing to said deceased—
This is to cite all persons concerned, kindred
and creditors, to show cause, if any, why said
leave should not be granted the applicant at the
regular term of the Court of Ordinary of said
county, on the first Monday in April, 1881.
(.liven under my official signature, this Decem
ber 24th; 1380. H. W. BELL, Ord’y.
Jackson County.
Whereas. M. T. f)alton apples to me, in proper
form, for Tetters of'Administration upon the es
tate of Thos. Dalton, late of said county, dec’d—
This is to cite all concerned, kindred ittul credi
tors, to show cause, if any, on the first Monday
in April, 18S1, at the regular term of the Court of
Ordinary of said county, why said letters should
not be granted the applicant.
Given under my official signature, this Dceem
ber d*)th, 1830. 11. \V, DELL, Ord’y.
JacliNou County.
Whereas, T. 11. Niblack, Adm’r of John A.
Long, late of said county, dec’d, applies for leave
to sell the lands belonging to the estate of said
dec’d—
This is to cite all concerned, kindred and credi
tors, to show cause, if any, at the regular term of
the Court oft) rein airy of sanid county, on thelirst
Monday in April, 1881. why said leave should not
be, granted.
Given under my official signature, this March
Ist, 1881. 11. W. BELL. Ord’y.
& tOISGLI, JuckMon County.
Whereas, d,nq. C. WJiitchead, adiu’r ac., of
Hannah Craft, late of said county, dec’d, applies
for leave to sell the land, belonging to said dec’d"
estate —
This is to cite all concerned, kindred and credi
tors, to show cause, it any, at the regular term of
the Court of Ordinary of said county, on the iirst
Monday*in April, 1881, why said leave should not
be granted the applicant.
Given under iuv official signature, this March
2nd, 1881. " 11. W. BELL, Ord’y.
Q EOBtili, Jackson County.
Whereas, J. B. Pendergrass applies to me. in
proper form, for Letters oi Administration on the
estate of Hugh Sargent, late of said county, de
ceased—
This is to cite all persons concerned, kindred
and creditors, to show cause, if any they can, on
Hie first Monday in April. 1881, at the regular
term of the Court of Ordinary of said county, why
said letters should not be granted the applicant.
Given under my official signature, this January
4th, 1881. 11. W. BELL. Ord’y.
JEFFERSON. JACKSON COUNTY, GA., FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 1881.
s'e.x.’e.wv wtscax.LV&'Y.
Her Maiden Aunt.
“ Lina, I feel that I must remonstrate with
you for your conduct; it is most indecorous
in a young lady,” said Aunt Marie Lawrence,
a prim, well preserved lady of about forty,
to her niece, Lida Osborne, a charming, petite
coquette of about eighteen summers.
“ Why, dear auntie, what have I done ?"
cried Lina, raising her eyes in well-simulated
surprise.
“ You know too well, I fear, child. You
will presist in trying every means in 3*our
power to attract the attention of Jim Brookes,
and really your flirtation with him arc too
much for me to endure calmly. 1 feel I must
try to awaken within you a sense of modesty,
which now seems deadened. When I was
young—”
“ When you were voting ! Why, aunt, I
hope you don’t consider yourself old, I don’t!”
cried Lina, with animation, hoping to dis
tract her aunt's attention by a little delicate
flattery.
“Why—ahem—no, child; not old, of
course, but I have passed the age of girlhood,
and can now judge from my twenty-eight
years of experience, more clearly what is
proper for a }'oung girl like you.”
“To be sure, aunt; I acknowledge that
you know what is best. Hut you speak of.
your experience ; do tell me about your old
beaux,” mischievously urged Lina.
“ Beaux !” cried Miss Lawrence ; and her
face expressed all the horror she felt. “ Why,
my dear, I never thought of such a thing !”
“ Well, aunt,” said Lina, after a pause,
“ I’ll follow your example. There now ; will
that satisfy you!”
“ Perfectly. And I must say. that I think
you will find very little to blush for, if you
follow my footsteps.”
And the lady lifted her head rather proudly,
while Lina,- having given and received the
kiss of reconciliation, managed to stifle her
mirth until she reached her own room, where
it found vent in a burst of laughter.
“Ah, aunt, you think I don't know about
your flirtation with old Dr. Allen ; of j 7 our
occasional necessary visits to his house for
medicinal aid, and your unexpected en
counters in the street—ha, ha !—but Ido 1
And it will be my own fault if I don’t marry
Jim Brookes, in spite of your shocked sense
of propriety.”
“ It’s all nonsense, my dear boy, sheer
nonsense. The idea of 3-011, who are liardly
of age, talking of marriage.”
And Jim Brookes’ maternal uncle grew red
in the face in his indignation.
“Why, uncle, I’m twenty-five. I should
think I’m almost old enough to be looking
out for a wife, that is, if I ever intend to have
one, which I most certainty do.”
“Pshaw! ten years hence will be time
enough. No man ought to marry before he
is thirty-five ; he don’t know his own mind.”
“But, uncle,” expostulated Jim, “who is
going to wait all those years for a fellow ?
Certainty not pretty Lina Osborne. Why,
she has a dozen lovers already, and all
though I am happy to say that she has dis
carded them all in my favor, I could not
think of presuming to ask a lady to wait a
dozen } T ears for me.”
‘•Why, there are other young ladies in the
world beside her, my bo} 7 . To be sure, she
is pretty, and, I presume, about as sensible
as most young girls ; but she is altogether
too young. Now, if I were going to select,
I should choose some sensible woman of ma
ture age —say about such a person as Miss
Lina’s aunt, Miss Marie Lawrence. Ah, m3"
boy, there’s a sensible girl for you. She’d
make a first-rate wife.”
“Ugh! she’s fort} 7 , if she's a day,” mut
tered Jim to himself. Then turning to his
uncle—
“If you have have such a fine opinion of
the lady why don’t you marry her yourself,
uncle ?”
“I—marry ?” and the old gentleman’s face
became purple. “Jim, you know I don’t be
lieve in such nonsense, I've lived fifty-five
—ahem—forty years without thinking of it,
and it’s not likely I’m going to make a fool
of myself now, is it ?”
“Well, my dear uncle, you see we disagree
upon that subject. Now I should call it any
thing but making a fool of yourself if you
were to marry ; and really I-agree with you
that JMiss Lawrence is a fine girl.”
“Old, sir, old ? Why, Jim, my bo}*, what
are you talking about ? She tells—l—l
mean I have been told that Miss Lawrence
is twenty-eight or so, just the age for matri
mony.”
“Well, if you say so, why, of course I am
bound to believe you ; but really, if anyone
had asked my opinion, I should have added
ten or twelve years ; but, at any rate, uncle,
take my advice and marry her. You can’t
|do better; and then perhaps you will feel
more charitably inclined towards Lina and
myself.”
“No thanks for your advice,” roared the
irascible old gentleman. “Keep it until it is
called for, will you. There,” as Jim opened
his mouth as if to speak, “not another word,
FOR THE PEOPLE.
sir. Get out of this room, will you, with your
uncalled for-advicc.”
Jim obeyed.
lie knew his uncle too well not to feel sure
that his anger was hut momentary, and that,
as the old gentleman was really one of the
best hearted gentleman living, lie w’ould have
got over His indignation before they met at
the table.
“Good heavens !” murmured the doctor, as
lie sank exhausted into a chair, and ran his
fingers nervously through his scanty curls.
‘ The young rascal will have me accepted
and married before I know it. Can he sus
pect my partiality for her. No, I think it is
only his inveterate love for match making,
lie is crazy to run his head into a noose, and
so he wants everybod3 7 to he as idiotic as he
is.”
And the offending nephew whispered to
himself, as he walked awa}- —
“The old gentleman is certainty smitten
with, the charms of Mis3 Lawrence, and I
shouldn’t wonder if they made a match after
all, as Lina predrets.”
* -*•** -* *
Miss Lawrence sat in her brother’s draw
ing room alone, dressed in her best, and with
her well-dyed hair arranged in the most be
coming fashion. She sat rigidty erect in her
chair, as motionless as if sitting for a por
trait; but it was for something far more im
portant that she was attired with so much
care—she expected a visitor.
The family had all gone to a neighbors to
tea, but she, by a preconcerted plan, had ex
cused herself on the plea of a headache ; and
now with a fluttering heart, she was awaiting
the coming of her visitor, Doctor Brookes,
who, she felt assured, would joy Fully" seize
upon such a favorable opportunity for declar
ing his love for her.
A low, rather irresolute knock sounded on
the door, and Miss Lawrence hastoned to
open it.
“ Ah, is it you, doctor ?” she cried, very
smilingly. “Walk in. I am in solitar}- grand
eur, and was feeling quite lonely.”
“Lonely, my dear madam ?” .ejaculated the
little doctor, as lie removed his hat and fol
lowed his hostess into the drawing-room.
“Lonely ! 6—sitcot lady 7 , Would I could
guard you against all such feeling. Believe
me, it would give me the most intense hap
piness ;” and he placed his hand upon his
breast and bowed.
“Why, doctor, how you do tyijk !” and Miss
Lawrence simpered, and attempted to blush
behind her fan. “You men are such odd
creatures.”
“ Odd, dear madam ? Odd P Well, I admit
it; wo are certainty odd when Cupid pierces
11s with his downy shafts. But then, madam,
it is the ladies who are to blame, for who can
withstand their bright glances and sunny
faces ?”
And he gave her a most affectionate look.
Miss Lawrence realty did color this time
from excitement, for she lelt the decisive
moment was at hand, and murmured—
“ Dear me, doctor, what a flatterer you are.”
“I assure you, dear lady, I do not flatter.
Ah, Marie !” and down jumped the little doc
tor upon his knees. “I assure 3-011 that lam
realty in earnest. I have lost my heart to
vour bewildering charms, sweet one, and 1
will not rise from here until 3-011 promise to
be my wife.”
Much as she had longed and waited for
this moment during her long years of spins
terhood, Miss Lawrence w 7 as dumb with de
light, and a little real embarrassment. But,
mistaking her silence for aversion, the doctor
cried—
“lf you won't have mo, Marie, I’ll—l’ll
take poison.”
”0—oh!” screamed Miss Lawrence.
“I will,” he averred, forgetting
his late declaration, and rising to his feet.
“Oh, then, l will promise anything } T ou
please,” cried Miss Lawrence blushing.
“Take me dearest, I am yours.”
And she flung herself into his arms.
But the weight was too much for the little
doetor, who staggered back, and would un
doubtedly have (alien, had not a loud knock
sounded just then on the front door, and Miss
Lawrence withdrew herself from his arms,
gasping—
“Oh ! my, they have returned. What shall
we do ? I would not have them And you here
for anything. They would tease me so about
you, doctor.”
And she simpered.
“Goodness gracious, Marie!” cried the
doetor, mopping his hot face with his hand
kerchief. “I’m sure I wouldn’t have that
rascally nephew of mine find me here for a
thousand pounds. Can’t you hide me ?”
The knock was repeated, this time much
louder than before.
“Yes, this way!” cried Marie, in despera
tion, and she pushed him into the closet.
“They won’t find you here, and as soon as
they leave the room, I’ll let you out.”
“One moment, my dear,” exclaimed the
doctqf, popping out his head as she was clos
ing the door. ‘You promise to be mine V
“Yes, yes, anything; only get in,” she said
io a panic, and, satisfied, the doctor drew m
his head, and his betrothed closed and locked
the door, and pocketed the key with a sigh
of relief.
“Ah ! is it you ? I declare 3*oll gave me
quite a start. I was dozing,” fibbed Miss
Marie, blandly, as she admitted Mis3 Lina
and Mr. Brool- es.
“I thought I heard someone talking to you
as we stood upon the steps, auntie,” said
Lina, a trifle suspiciously.
Iler aunt pretended not to hear.
“Oh, Mr. Brookes !” cried Lina, “wo have
some of the finest cake. Mother made it
yesterday. You must taste it.”
And she essayed to open the door of the
closet.
“Why, it’s locked! Where can that kc3 r
be ?” she cried, wonderingly.
A rattle of dishes sounded within the clos
et, followed by a wild cr3 7 , and then a voice
exclaimed—
“Oli, oh ! help! murder! I’m killed ! Let
me out!”
Poor Miss Lawrence uttered a piercing
scream and fainted.
Tho door now burst open, and out hobbled
the doctor, and a pitiable specimen was he.
His hands, face and clothes were bedaubed
with Mrs. Osborne’s best preserves, and lie
limped painfully, emitting a deep groan at
every step, for one of his feet was held firmly
in a large trap which had been set to catch
tho mice that infested the closet.
On hearing Lina’s attempt to open the
closet, he had in a desperate attempt at con
cealment, essayed to climb upon the topmost
shelf, but, unable to sustain his weight, the
shelf gave way, and precipitated him, togeth
er with a quantity of china, to the floor.
Despite the poor man’s distress, his ap
pearance was so ridiculous that it caused an
irrepressible burst of laughter.
lie was soon released from his unpleasant
predicament, and was then much more in
clined to treat the affair as a joke.
Jim began to quiz him unmercifully; but
Doctor Brookes was equal to the occasion,
and taking the hand of the blushing Marie,
who had recovered from her swoon, ho said
bravely—
Jim, I have, after all, concluded to
marry, and the sooner j'ou follow my exam
ple, you young dog, the better; *and the day
that sees pretty Miss Lina hero your bride,
sees you the possessor of ten thousand
pounds.”
‘‘Lina has promised to marry- me, uncle,”
said Jim taking the hand of his betrothed.
“And you know, auntie,” said Lina, laugh
ing and blushing at the same time, *‘l prom
ised to follow your example ; but I will not
hide my lover in a closet.”
[From the Atlanta Constitution.
Bill Arp’s Talk.
FOE. THE DELECTATION OF TIIE CONSTITU
TION’S READERS.
Farming is a very variegated business.
Besides the regular work there is ahva3 r s
something turning up that has got to be done.
The long line of plank fence on the public
road was getting old and rickety. The planks
were sawed tooth in at first and the nabors
couldn't climb over to hunt the birds or go
afishing with any safety for themselves or the
fence. The posts were rotteu and after a
high wind we had to turn out and prop up
the concern. We’ve been dreading that job,
but it had to be done. So the boys set me
to digging post holes. I got along pretty
well in the loamy bottom, but when I struck
the gravelly clay as we rose to the hill, I be
gan to feel serious, and the further I got the
seriouser I became. A great many people
pass along the road—most too many for my
business, for when I seem em coming I dig
away like killing snakes, and when they quit
looking I stop to blow and sometimes they
come so frequent I don’t get to stop long
elough. My hands are powerful sore and my
back aches. I thought for a while I had a
touch of rheumatism, but the family all
laughed at me on the sly, and so I kept on a
digging. I always prided myself on my skill
in digging a post hole. I can dig three while
a big buck nigger is digging one. Give me
a long-bandied narrow spade and a long
handled shovel and I can beat a patent ma
chine, but I can’t hold out as long. There
is a heap of science in building a fence. It
takes a number one carpenter to do it right.
If the holes arc not dug in a true line most
of them will have to be dug over again on one
side or the other when the posts are sot. The
bottom of the posts ought to be set by a line,
and the top by the eye. You ncedent put a
plum bob nor a spirit level to a split post. It
won’t pay. But a good eye will do the work.
I’ve seen palings nailed on all catawampus
in front of fine houses, and it always gives
me the conniptious to look at ’em. But we
arc building a plank and wire fence. We got
good chestnut posts, some split and some
round, and we packed them well at the bot
tom. That is the secret of making a post
firm in the ground. Don’t fill up full and
then pack at the top. Our posts are twelve
feet apart from center to center and the
plank are a full inch-thick. The base is nine
inches and there are three more plank six
inches wide with sprfce of three, four and six
inches and then comes a barbed wire eight
inches higher which makes the fence four
S TERMS, $1.50 PER ANNUM.
I SI.OO for Six Months.
feet high. The joints arc all stripped with
six inch plank and a good chestnut stob driv
en down in the middle of every pannel and ,
the plank nailed to it, and the posts are saw
ed off with a bevil a few inches above the
wire, and this is our kind of a cheap farm
fence and if any fanner knows of a better
one I would like to know it. I don’t know
exactly how long a good chestnut post will
last, but nabor Freeman sa3*s he has seen one
up in Gordon that a gate was hung to by
General DeSoto, or some other feller, and it T s
there yet. lie says a chestnut sorrel horse
will last longer than any other color. I wish
I could find a chestnut sorrel cow. I would
buy her, for old Bess is dead. She was a
noble animal, and we all loved her like a
friend. She has given us about six thousand
gallons of milk—good, rich, healthy milk—
but she will never give any more in this
world. She has gone where the good cows
go, if they go anywhere, and I reckon thoy
do. The cow pen looks lonesome now, and
Mrs. Arp is sad, for Bess was her favorite,
and she knew it. She was a game cow, and
disdained a dog as much as possible. Old
Bows tried to nose her one day, and she
throw’d him up about fifteen feet and he come
down on her back, but he dident stay there
long. They never made friends fn life but I
hope they arc now at peace and have becomo
Reconciled, for they were both good friends
to us. Bows had no tail to speak of for it
was cut off in infancy, and I’ve wondered
how it would be if dismembered bodies all
come together at the resurrection how Lis
puppy tail would fit onto the old dog’s stump.
We are fixing now to plant corn and my boys
are half crazy for a cultivator. I reckon they
arc a good thing and save labor, but I saw
one at work last summer and the darkey who
drove it broke down a power of corn in turn
ing at the end of the rows and a right smart
at other places where the stocks were a little
out of a bee line. They can’t dodge round
like a single plow. I wish there was some
better way to drop corn and have it all cotno
up in a perfect row, and I wish there was
some contrivance to lay off corn rows and
cotton rows perfectly parallel. The mule has
to have sense, and the man, too, to make a
decent furrow and uot many- of them have
got it. I wonder if a man coulden’t ride a
horse and pull after him a thing with wooden
teeth that would mark several rows at once,
though I wouldeu’t advise the using of it in
stumpy land on new I like to seo
a farm look like a great big garden that is
laid off and worked by a line. Gardening is
my forte if I have got qny forte which satis
fies me I am a descendant of Adam, for that
was his. I’ve just built anew arbor for the
grape vines to run on, and the chestnut posts
were long, and green, and heavy, and they
had to be toted about fifty yards, and I
thought it my paternal duty to take the heav
iest ones and leave the lightest for the boys,
but before I got the first one to its place I
wiggled powerfully, and felt like I was knock
kneed and box-ankled, and when I looked
back the boys were holding on to the fence
most dead with laughing, and'that evening
they had Mrs. Arp out in the garden to show
her ray circus, and I havent heard the last of
it yet, but green chestnut is heavy timber, I
tell you. I’m working the gardon now with
a line and a level and Mrs. Arp she sits
about with her sun bonnet on and ever and
!
anon encourages me with an uxorial smile.
'She is a splendid overseer, she is, and has an
eye to beauty and to me. When the dogwood
blossoms she is going a fishing and take mo
along to kill snakes and bait her hook.
Bill Aiip.
Logan Daraeron applied for a pew in St.
John’s Methodist Episcopal Church, the most
fashionable edifice of that denomination in
St. Louis; but his preliminary deposit of
monc\y was returned to him, with the inform
ation that tire official Board declined to rent
him a seat. It is said that the refusal was
brought about by Brothers Scruggs and Cup
pies, who arc wealthy merchants and leading
Methodists, and with whom Dameron, also a
foremost Methodist, had once quarrelled in a
church affair. Last Sunday Dameron entered
the church with a camp chair under his arm,
marched up the centre aisle, and seated him
self conspicuously close to the chancel rail.
An usher invited him to occupy one of the
many empty pews, but he said that he would
not use a scat which was not his own. 110
joined with great unction in the exercises,
singing quite loud, though tunefully, and
reading the responsive verses of Scripture in
a strong, clear voice, but did it all with per
fect decorum and apparent fervor. His con
duct, nevertheless, ruined the services, for he
commanded the attention of the whole con
gregation, and caused a great deal of titter
ing. He declares that he will be a regular
attendant, and will sit on his chair until the
officers rent him a pew.
A certain literary gentleman, wishing to
be undisturbed one day, instructed his Irish
servant to admit no one, and, if any one
should inquire for him, to give him an
“equivocal answer.” Night came, and the
gentleman proceeded to interrogate Fat as to
his callers. “Did any one call?” “ Yis,
sur, wan gentleman.” “ What did he say ?”
“He axed was yer honor in.” “ Well, what
did yon tell him ?” “ Sure, I gave him a
qaiviklc answer jist.” “How was that?”
“ I axed him was his grandmother a monkey ?”
Christian Reaisttr.
NUMBER 6.
