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the mute postman. fTrjo«.’*toI from fan* MoutotJ .S' tiie peusanUi ” exctalmed CJtete u E .ioiSnetodowlth them. During *J S '“ t H^freat«l the Prussians bet- tW .S treated us. The sharpshoot- S hated t^ m wor “ ttaul they lmte,i tho are wrong, my good fellow, " raid rfam N. rot, who was leaning ngainat tho ““I; 1 ; } . 0 u know better than If” asked CI Hyk An occasion arose recently -flitch 1 roved to me that during that'ter- Sieve;’!' true French hearts throbbed the blouse os well as under the uni- t0 There were eight or ten members of the circle grouped about Pierre Nerot. “A story!” they all cried. “ Last summer, said Aerot, I was wiili au old college friend, Dubreuil, who had established himself as a physician nt hh heme in a little place in the V osges ti e had risen from the table one day and „i,out to go for a walk in a neigli- wood Dubrcutl had lighted Ills pine and I my cigar, aud we were already the steps when the sound of footsteps made us mm our heads. There is the posimau.' said my companion. 'Wait for me »second; I have a letter to give him. 1 left it up stairs on my bureau.’ Saying this he re-entered the house. “I looked at the new-comer. lie was a voum: man of 20 or 27 years, apparently of a'pleasant yet energetic disposition, with an open couutenanco and a bright dance. When he saw me he inclined nis head slightly In salutation. ‘Ah,’ I said to mvsclf, ‘this is not a garrulous person. He does not even sav good-day. Then ad dressing him, I said: - -It is hard work, is it not, running »bout in the warm weather?’ ** “He nodded his head in assent. Ah, I thought, he docs not know how to speak. The young man read my surprise in my looks, lie smiled, somewhat sadty, and then, putting two lingers to his bps, he ghook lifs head. This time I understood. “ ‘Vou are dumb, my poor fellow?’ I "At this moment Dubreuil returned with his letter in his hand. lie had heard mv question. "‘yes,’he said, ‘lie is^lumb, poor Jean liarrot. But that does not prevent him from performing his duties well, since he can read and write and hear all that is said to him.’ "•Then he was not born dumb, as he is not ilcaf?’ "*Xo, lie was not born dumb.’ “‘Did he become so by accident?’ “'Accident is, perhaps, not the right word. Is it, Jean? 1 “The young umu smiled iu au embar rass* d manner. He extended his hand for the letter which Dubreuil held. Tho lat ter laughed. “ ‘Ah, my boy, that annoys you. You know I am goiu£ to tell j’ our story und you do not wish to remain to hear it. Very well, I will not detain you. I will not tell it till you have gone. ’ “Aud Dubreuil, giving him the letter, pressed his hand warmly. “The young mau saluted up, turned his hack, and departed with Jong strides. Then Dubreuil took my arm and told me the following story, as he led me toward the wood whose verdure seemed to slumber in the white light of the August sun: “Jean Barrot, ho informed me, was 15 years old a little beforo the breaking out of the war. Jlis father, already old, lived with his two sons in an old house in a corner of tho field. Jean was the younger of tho brothers, Louis being ten years ids senior. Jean being too voung to light remained at home. Louis departed with his regiment. He fought well in two or three engage ments. But he also rendered other services. Knowing the country well he asked the perilous privilege of bearing dispatches across the German lines that separated the army of Metz from the rest of France. Three times already, had ho accomplished that dangerous journey, and old l arrot, whom his son had, without Joult, visited some dark night, was una ble to hold his tongue, and told of Louis’ exploits everywhere, bo that tho Prussians, who had held that part of the country for ieveral months, quietly kept watch or his hut, behoving that some day they would make a good capture. “And it happened just ns they had fore seen. One eveuing when Louis had ar rived and was talking with his father in a corner of the kitchen without a light, heavy footsteps were heard outside ami the door was suddenly battered with tho butt end Of muskets. It was too dark for tho father and son to sec eaoh other’s pale face, but they joined bands iu the dark ness and clasped each other in a convul sive embrace. The house was surrounded; they were lost. Presently, Louis called his brother In a low voice. “ ‘Jean,’ he said, 'come here. Try to "^arvay and conceal that in the field.’ He tore away a package of papers that was sewed to the inside of his shirt over his breast and handed it to the boy. Tho tatter took tho package, opened a door «»d disappeared. “At the same moment the door at w mch the men were buttering gave wuy md seven or eight Prussian soldiers en tered with revolvers in their hands. Tho explanation that followed was short, ‘heir brutal hands seized tho two men by the shoulders. The spy and the father who had harbored him were there. They would he shot the next morning. In the meantime, not to lose a moment, they J^arched the young mail, taking off lm w ;«we and shirty They found nothing, ‘The dispatches that you brought, where arc they?’ demanded tho leader of the soldiers. * The dispatches?’ replied Louise Barrot. I have none.’ ‘"What, then, was there a moment inee?’ said the officer, pointing to a strip « ripped cloth which had formed part of j * pocket and from which the threads still ! hung % there?' 011 lhat 1 carried papers H ‘I am certain of it. You must have mw mein there a momenfi ago.’ ’Well, then, since tluV are no longer there, look for them.’ ** ’Search everywhere 1 cried the officer to his men. “The soldiers obeyed, opening every “rawer, overturning the furniture and ex- annuff the ashes on the hearth. They , souna nothing. Presently two soldiers appeared on the threshold of the door i *dth little Jean. They had been left on pard without, and had just seen him as Jo w»s crawling behind a hedge. They pushed him before them into the circle of tl ,light cast by the fuming lamp. \ the Imy concealed his hands behind back. “‘What i* that you are hiding there?' j - vi* officer to aim in a rough voice. u ‘Nothing.’ 1 J&° w . T out hands then.’ Ah ' you Unto niwlt' swlaiasd tbs officer, 'it mi you who concealed the pa per*. Where are they?” “The hoy remained silent. “ 'Listen,' said the German. 'There It your father, is he not? aud there is your brother?” “Little Jean twice nodded his head. 'V ery well If you do not tell where the papers are they will both be shot. I! , you Jell—they shall live.’ “The boy turned his eyes toward' his lather. “ ‘Jean,’ said the old man, ‘listeu well to what I say. Even though we die in your sight, do not speak.’ “The boy replied, ‘Very well.' “ ‘To morrow, then,’ said the officer, with an angry gesture. “The next morning at dawn, iu the square before the mayor's offico iu the neighboring village, old Barrot and his sou Louis stood erect, with uncovered heads, immovable and pale. Twenty steps from them stood the firiug party, with their arms at rest. AU about, kept hack by a cordon of soldiers, were women and old men, who craned their necks in their efforts to catch a glimpse of the prisoners, murmuring angrily, their lip; trembling and their eyes bloodshot. Near the tiring party, between two sol.liers, stood little Jenu, his face livid, but hit head erect. “ Half an hour before tho officer hai led him into a rr nn in the mayoralty, where his father and his brother wet: guarded, and ordered that they should Ic left by themselves. What did he hope from the interview? That the two nun would melt before the tears of the lad. The boy wept certainly, for his eyes were red. But what had his father said? When little Jean came out the officer said: “ ‘Do you wish to sneak now?’ “Little Jeau replied that he did not. Then his father and his brother would lie taken from him. They would be placed together against the wall before his eyes. Even now they were there before him awaiting death. “There was a moment of horrible sus pense. At last the officer gave a com mand in German and the soldiers leveled their muskets. The officer turned to tho boy. “ ‘Do you wish to sneak?’ he said. “The boy’s lips did not move; but his form trembled, au expression of frightful anguish passed over his countenance and he uttered a half-stilled cry. Then he tottered. “The officer approached him, listening for the confession which he thought would full from his contracted lips. It was not a confession that issued from his lips, but a How of blood. “The officer sprang back. On his un. form on his breast just over the heart, was seen a red stain, while at his feet a shape less thing, also red, fell on the pavement. The boy^had bitten his tongue in two and had hurled part of it forth into the face of the tormentor. “ ‘Fire!’ cried the latter, furious with rage. “A discharge of musketry sounded like a peal of thunder, and little Jean, fainting, fell nt the moment when old Barrot and his sou Louis were killed. “ 'And that,’ said my triend Dubreuil. ‘is the reason why our postman is dumb. ’ ” Hurddto Jtlokei a Gordon. [Brooklyn Eagle.] I think I will make a garden. In fact, I am positive I will. To confess the whole dreadful truth, 1 have made one. I dig- daily in the ground and inhale the whole some gases that ariso from the mangled earth and feed worms to the robins. In deed, that is principally what I dig for, because when the worms give out the prince makes me abandon tlic claim and prospect in another place, and when wo strike a claim that assays about 200 writhing angleworms, iu all stages of am- putatioii, to the spadeful, he compels me to follow carefully tho trend of that lode in all its dips, spurs, unglcs aud sinuosities, through nil manner of uquulic indication, consisting of oyster- shells und upheavals of anhydrous silicate bearing brickbats and agatb.cd quartz, with truces of discarded gum shoes in the E orphyrltic blend. That makes pretty urd cligglng, and tho erratic impatience of the youth makes us run lurgely to pocket miniug, so that tho lawn and the entire yard appear to have been vaccinated for an oil towu, and callers who come after dark fall into more holes between the gate and the porch than they can count. But so long us the robins wax fat and kick tho prince Is satisiled, and I lmvo to be. I haven’t much influence with the adminis tration. After all, what do we livo for, if it isn’t to please the children and feed the robins? Electric lilslil In China. [North China Herald.] A special correspondent at Foo-Chow thus describes the effect produced on the natives by an electric search light from the French flagship. “I happened to In going down to the anchorage last night iu a steam launch, and just na Pagoda au- choragc hove in sight the Volta, tho French flagship, lit her electric search lamp aud threw a blinding ray on each Chiuese gunboat iu turn to see if they were slyly slipping their uuchors or rigging torpedoes. I steamed through the Chinese fleet while the search light was on them, and the effect was most ludicrous—tho cries aud autics of the men on board, who seemed to thiuk there was something very awful in a light so strong that their eyes could uot bear to look at it. It was a curious sight seen from a little distance. The night was slightly hazy, and the ray from the lamp seemed like a gigantic wedge'shaped arm thrown out by the vessel T he Volta had two torpedo-boats alongside with steam up, and all on board were moviug ubout in an excited, restless mauner. ” Fop People Who Wear Spectacle's! [Exchange.] A staid looking elderly gentleman was chatting pleasantly with three young ladies who stood waiting for a street car. He took from his pocket one of those little lx>oks of r /ce paper that cigarette smokers use to roll homeopathic smokes with, and, opening l\ tore out a leaf. “Why, you are not going to make a cigarette are you?” said one of the ladies. “Make a cigarette!” exclaimed the old gentleman, “bless my soul, ladies, no, in deed, ” and, whipping off his gold bowed spectacles, he begun to polish the ienses with a bit of rice paper. “I accidentally discovered one day, ” continued he, indus triously rubbing the glasses, “that rice pa per was the best thing in the world to wipe my spectacles with, and I always carry pieces of it in my pocket for that purpose. When you are as old as l am, girls, you will appreciate the valuo of the discoveiy and thank me for tho infonna- lion I urn giving you. ” Scarcity of 9111k* The correspondent of a London paper alludes to the terrible dearth of milk in many districts. All is sent up to London and the poor can get none. In one Tillage in southwest England milk not Ipug wit only told on the production of * med ical ctrufisaU u to itTusesssity. — THE PEOPLE’S Ratified by the People! THE PARTY OF ECONOMY! REFORM. WE RESPECT TIIE 1UG1IT8 OF TIIE POOR. WE MAKE TIIE RICH RICHER. GOOD WILL TO ALL. PROTECTION VS. OVERCHARGE. NO DISTINCTION IN SEX. NATION ALITY OR COLOR. ONE LOW PRICE TO ALL. WIDE AWAKE AND BOUND ’TO WIN. REFORM! Whereas, Many citizens ol this community have heretofore subjected themselves to unnec essary expense and burdensome overcharges in the purchase ol goods; Therefore be it Resolved, That the interests of the people demand the for mation ni a new party which shall concentrate its patronage on one close-dealing candidate, and thus combining with cor rect principles, make still small er profits practical and result in the greatest good for all. To this end weaunounce our self as the OUR PLATFORM! Low tariff on all goods used by the people, such as Dry Goods, Notions, Fancy Goods, Millinery, Clothing, Boots, Shoes, Hats, Trunks, Etc. As low prices surely incrcae. es trade and results iu the greatest good to both buyer and seller Values must govern prices. Deal only in good re liable goods, making the prices as low ns possible. (A poor article is dear at any price.) No misrepresentation. Sell every article on its own merits and at its true value. JOIIV -UTS! Be on the winning side. Al ready we are elected—elected to sell you -heaper, than the cheapest; elected to show you the best and newest; in fact elected as the people’s true bar gain-giving, fair dealing candi date. Be one to help roll up the big majority iu favor of cor rect principles andjthe advance ment ol true economy and re form. See us penjgpally and learn our civil service principles. In return lor patronage we promise Fair Dealing, Straight Goods, Bed-Rock Prices. Polls now open and will re main so until further notice. Vote early and often is the wish of ypurs truly JOHN R SHAW, Forsvth Street, Americus, Ga , THIRD ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION 200 VALUABLE LIFTS, Americus Recorder TO ITS ADVANCE PAVING,SUBSCRIBERS. Me&dayv Maareb. £*ad, 1@@S. Deviling to increase the cltculutlon of the Rf- cordf.r, aud nt the same time to encourage tho payment of subscription* In advance, wo have for the past two years annually distributed a number of valuable and useful prewnts among those of our subscribers who paid up all arrears and one yssr in advance. These Distributions wero so fairly conducted, and the presents gave such gen eral satisfaction, we have determined to make another distribution on the 2d of March next, at which we shall distribute among those of subscribers who pay up all arrears and one j In advance the following presents:^ ONE TON G8TMA8TODON GUANO ETMASTODON GUANO !“^l Mnnntactured by tho Georgia Chemical Works,of Augusta, Ga., and sold by Toole, McGarrah «c Tondco, Americus, Ua. This brand la acknowU edged to bo without n superior In It* fertilising qualities, being of hiRh grade and manufactured of the best material*. This ton will l>e distrib uted In throe prises—one of one half ton, ono ot GOO pounds, and one of 400 pounds. ONE TON CSTCOTTON SEED MEAL!*^ tlTCOTTON SEED MEALHS3 Manufactured by tho Americus Oil Company. As a fertiliser Ibis Meal has proved to I* of the greatest value. It not only produces Immediate re .wit*, but It* effects can bo seen on the soil for •• „»eral years after. It is also u flno food for stock, it Is sold by the Oil Company at their n ill lor $22 per ton. This ton will be distributed In ihreo prizes—on#.of ono-balf ton and two of onc-quar- ter ton. WHITE SEWING MACHINE! WHITE SEWING MACHINE 11 WHITE SEWING MACHINE I!! Vunul.ctur.-d by l , 1 '« Company, Cleveland, Ohio. mMbin. F.ncy Cover, Drop Lot two end oi Table, aud I* handsomely flnivhed through out. There go with It *11 the modern •ttad}* inents, and It i* warranted tor five Improved Machine la the crowning fe^ture of yawi of successful efforts; is a model of he»«ty, ot unexcelled workmanship, embodying (»U the latest improvements known to sewing msrbhi# mechanism, executing a larger , , ll# j do ng It better than all other machines The machine can be seen at the Dry Goode fctoru JOHN It. SHAW, on Forsyth Street, who is Bile Agent tor l*s tale tn Atm-riais. G5TOENT8’ FINE 1IAT To be selected by the lucky man from the Isrga aud line stock of Calvin Carter A Hon, th ®.f ,0 P“* lur Shoe and Hat dealers af Americus. This «»> suic* the po«sc*sor ol tha fortunate ticket the Hn- it hut to* be found In Americas, us he can select uy vtylu from the entire stock. tSTTAIK OF LADLES’ FINE SHOES ! Krom’lhe celebrated roanufaetunog establishment If sKlbley * Co., Cincinnati,Ohio who have at- ts'mU kiuttlonal reputation in tln-ir line, l neso *ho?* JrA." handvomebt pair ever bmught to Am. ricu*. aud retail at 10 per pa r. Ihj mm at the Diy Good* and Shoe Htoro of John U Hmw, who Is Bole Agent for ,the»« goods In AmotkuM. 1000—TWO 1IOXE8-1000 DUKE OF DURHAM CIGARETTES!.! MannA-toml by W. Duke, bon. A Co., DurhUB, Noith Carolina, who have made this brand known throughout the world as the be*t, being made from old North Carolina leaf, the finest In tho world. The value of the** boxes Is 10.00. In order ihnt as many a* possible may enloy their, they will be distributed In packages of iUU «acb. HANDSOME tSrSETII THOMAS CLOCK Fun.Uted by MeBrbJ. A C<»., of Atlanta. tar ONE BOX-FIVE POUNDS “31 AY LEE”SMOKING TOBACCO! Manufactured by W. Duke, Sons k Co, Durham, N. C., from old North Carolina loaf, tho finest »wok tor leaf 1» the world. Th* bo* it fully worth five dollars, and will be approtUted by a vor of purs wood, la order that aoro Ml C 3IONARCH 6 tar BOUND BOS031 SHIRTS!! From thol well-known house of Geo. U. duett. Urn. dr Co., Troy New York. Theso shirt are the very best made, both in material, cat and workmanship. They are handsome, durable and never fid! to give satisfaction. Thvy can bo soen at the store of John It. Shaw, on Forsyth street, who is agent for their sale. Go and see them. ONE BOX-FIVE POUNDS “CROSS-CUT” SMOKING TOBACCO ! Manufactured by W. Duke, Sons Jb Co., Dur ham, N. C , Irom old North Carolina leaf, and put up in handsome foil packages. As we would like as many ns poeslblo to try it, we shall distribute it Iu packages ot ono pound each. FIFTEEN BOXES- TWENTY BARS EACH- LIGHTNING SOAP !! J Manufactured' by W. C. J Ncff A Co.,«TAthnta. This Is a uew soap, one of the most wonderftil dis coveries of the age. By a new process this soap is made to that It will wnsh clothing almost with out the use of tho wash board, at tbe #am<* time flensing without in tho least injuring the fabric. It ia the finest laundry soap ever made, and In or der to give as many as poariblo an opportunity of trjinu it, tt will be distributed Influxes of 90 100- B-O-O-K-S!—100 BY STANDARD AUTHORS !! BOUND ^IN CLOTH AND GOLD !!! These 1*ooks arc all by tho most popular authors. good paper, handsomely bound In Cloth and (.old, und would make a valuable * * Ultiou to any libraiy.] Br;B-I-L-V-E-B VV-A-T-C-II ! Fine Casa and Good Movement fraudulent goods, fbr when a man he wants ono he can rely upon. tarsiLVEU BUTTER DISH ! with Cover, a Handsome Article. •• • -• SILVER PLATED TABLE SPOONS, SILVER PLATED TEA SPOONS, SILVER PLATED FORKS. CHAMBER 8ETT-FOUII PIECES, KCIIINAIFRUIT DISH, BBS SILKI IAN KERCHIEFS^^*' 32S B1IONZE LAMP, “ HANDSAW,’ ■ JEWELRY, | BUGGY WHIP,; Anil n Number of Olher|Artictn. MANNER OF DISTRIBUTION: The DintribuUoii'Will be madejn the following manner: The name .and post'office of each sub scriber will be written on * slip of paper and pnt in an envelope, and all placed In a box. The name of each of the presents to bo drawn will also be placed In envelope* end pat in another box. On the day of the distribution rheso boxes will be turned over to a committee ufrcapons bla gentlemen, wha, before the drawing begins, will call u( on ionic of tha andlenee to mix tho con tents of the boxes [their satisfaction. After this, two boys, one at each, will, take envelopes MmiilUneoqsIr from tha boxes at d baud them to the committee, who will first read tbs same and then the present. The secretaries will keep corieet ll«t of the names of tho subscribers and the articles drawn as they nio called out. This will continue until every article boa been drawn from tbe box of presents, when the committee will declare tbe distribution completed. In the box of preeent* there will be no blanks, hence every name drawn from the l-ox of names before the presents are exhausted wlllfgetjono of these article*, most of which are worth many times tbe amount paid tor subscription. Rsmiltaacsa may U mad** by post offics order cr register* d letter. Clnba.—We will give a copy of the paper free to any oneggclting up a tlub of ten subscribers cither new or old uti renew lur. Cash to) accompany name* in ail cases. ■Any one can set os agent for the HKCOUDKR, butws will not be responsible until we rexdve tbe money for subscription, £Ws guarantee to furnl*h a paper worth at leavt the pnes s*ked tor it-f 9—besides giving ■* oj»- portunlty to get one of tho .above; handsome Remember that youicamiotyoseibly invn* •• In a better way than [by iu< scribing for tbs RE* Short oropi, no rain, too warn for this season ot tbe year, lot* ol dust, money scarce, cotton too low and dull times are the answer* now given by all the merchants, when tho “How do you do f" is give* them, but how different with tbs Bargain Store men. Here goods arrive and disappear rapidly. On tbe first of September last this new store was oponed with 01* of the largest rtocksof Dry Uoods, Clothing, Cloaks, Hsts, Shoes and Millinory ever brought to Ameri- eu*. Kvcry day since then, new and fresh goods bongbt by their New Tork buyer arrived, and now h* finds himself compelled to go t* New York to make his second com plete purchase iu all tines. Never has anything happened to equal it in tho history of the Americus dry goods trade. The only and best reason that ean be assigned to this extraordi nary success, may be summed up in the pluck and enterprise used by the proprietor, and the faot that the purchaser is not slow to find out that herb is the place to trade. While other merchants have held their goods at regular prices and profits, he saw fit to reduce hi* entire stock to such prices and profits that would meet tbe approv al of everybody and everybody’s pocket, and succeeded with flatter, ing success. But we are not near at tho end yet. Money is getting scarcer daily. Still harder times aro coming, and what will be th* final result is better imagined than told. TkcBarga’n Store man’s pro. gramme will be a regular march. He proposes to march 'down with the prices oi all bis goods yet in stock, in order to march to New York with tiie proceeds to buy goods lower than they were bought before. In order to raise as mueh .money as possible, the Bargain Store ofiert beforo his leaving during this week extraordinary inducements to everybody, including country mer chants. floods will bo sold regard less of cost, price or profit. Respectfully, S. M. COHEN, The Bargain Man. Cotton Avenue. Sign of red flag, opposite Bank of Americus. Meat Market PROVISION STORE. W. H.&T.M.COBB Having ptirchsiutl from Hare it Cobb tbe Mm Market and Provision fito.o o> Mil ci keep on band tie very b4«t cats afj BEEF, FORK, KIR AHD SAUSAGE, and also a full IIm of Green Groceries and Provision!, embracing all kinds of Vegetables and Fruits In tbelr season. Canned Goo*ls, etc. D Is their aim to keep e first class establishment, sad gtv# their cun towers good goods at the lowest price#. ptTII Ignest price peld for — iiidsof country produce. Americas, Dec. 16, lMS.tf nmaiT y° a »■*»>* * •*> st-si»t itep<*tin DUJN i Kifle for $16, a 80 Breech Loading Shot Gan for flfl, a $12 Concert Orro/iette hr #7{ a $25 M* to Lantern fbr $lt, a Solid Gold $24 Watch tor •!&, » ilft Silver Watch for ff. You * an get any ol theec'yfTartlcifs Free If you will devote a few LUUbonrs of your leisure time evenings to intrndueiag our new goads. Om secured a Gold Watch free, In a sTnxlefafter- A ge*tlemna got a silver watch tor ifitea minutes’ work. A bay 11 rears old mewed a watch In one day; hundreds ol othersTVT k TJffl have done nearly os well. If you TV iiU L ba.e a Magic Lantern you caa start a bust, ness that will p»y yon from fen to Fifteen Dollar* every night. Send at once for oar Hlostratrd IVatoguo of Gold and Silver Watch#*, Self-Cock ing Bull Dog Revolver*, Spy Gtoeoa*. India* Scout and Astronomical Telescope*, Tslrgraph Instruments, Typ* Writers, Organs, Acccrdlocs, CO., M, Sun. Sir..,, Snr Hr*. oct4cod*w4w Cotton Seed Heal. Wo ore prepireii to .npp'ylLoss walk Inx Colton Seed Meal in utjr qoantitiM • low.it cub price.. Toole, McGareaU A TOUM. oct30dlw.»3t.