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About Schley County news. (Ellaville, Ga.) 1889-1939 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 14, 1893)
A Mixed Up Worlif m A mixed up world is this; » Touched with both joy and sorrow, If today is bright with bliss, Iteal grief will come tomorrow. We cannot unwind the tangled skein, Try best as we may, the task is vain. The gold gleams in the sand, Thecloud Is rifted with blue, The sunlight-kisses the land, The night with its lips of dew. Light feet keep time to the music sweet, While the mourner walks the silent street. The serpent coils around The fragrant, blooming flower; The false with the true is found, In every vanishing hour, And we ne’er can draw a line between The good and bad, in this strange scene. Wo bear the solemn knell, For the loved one passed away, Then the chimes of the merry bell That tell of the wedding day. Both '-friend and bride” are decked in white, We weep, then laugh in childish delight. Thus it goes on like a dream, Still pulsing with joy and pain, A drama of mystical scene, Forever touched with change. We sing and mourn, we smile and sigh, As the shifting scene goes swiftly by. —fAL A. Holt. TIBBIE’S PRIZE LILIES. “Five of them. Uncle Kress,” said Tibbie, triumphantly. “Great, rich sorolls, as white us cream, eacli with a golden spear rising out of its heart, and surrounded by rank, green leaves crouching over the edge of Grandma Dallas’s old majolica pot.” “Ilcydav, heyday!” said Uncle Kress. “Our little Tibbie is getting poetical. So I shall have to hand over the prize to you, shall I?” “Gircmnstance8 point that direction, Unole Kress,” said Tibbie, with a gleeful sparkle to her eyes. Ten dol lars in gold. Don’t you wish you had been less rash in registering promi- 1868 ?” “What will Isabel say?” shrewdly questioned Mr. Kress. “Poor Isabel, she is so vexed about it,” said Tibbie. “I really think,Undo Kres9, that if she could have done it •with her glances she would have blighted every one of those calla lily buds of mine,” “Tut, tut, tut,* said Mr, Kress. “Well, uncle, I only say what I think. But where are you going to put the lilies. On the reading desk or at tho foot of the font?” i • Haven’t made up my mind yet,” *aid Uncle Kress. “Take them around to the church Saturday afternoon, and I’ll decide at the eleventh hour where they shall stand.” So Tibbie Kress (her “given name,” as the old phrase is, was Elizabeth), went merrily home, thinking what she would do with the precious gold en eagle, which was to be the prize for tho pot of calla lillies. “A new bonnet is what I need most,” said Tibbie, as she surveyed her limited wardrobe, “a bonnet of split straw, with Nile-green ribbons and a cluster of daisies and mignon ette —a real springy Spring bonnet.” Which was an entirely feminine de cision, especially when it was taken into account that Tibbie had not had a new bonnet in a year, and Harold Vanneker always came down to the little Westburg church to spend Sun day. Isabel and Tibbie were sisters iu blood. Mentally and morally they wore as unliko as if they had been born on different continents. As Mrs. Duckworth, the matronly old lady with whom they boarded, expressed her opinion very plainly, “that Miss Tibbie was worth a dozen of Miss Isabel, and so Mr. Vanneker thought, too, or she was off her calcu lations.” “Well,” said Isabel, contemptu ously, as Tibbie came into the sitting room, “I suppose you have been over to the parsonage to crow over me.” “Don’t be vexed, Belle,” said Tib bie, doprecatingly, “of course I bad to tell Uncle Kress that the lilies were ready for him.” “Aud to demand the prize?” “I had a right to claim Bis promise, Jtolle.” Isabel bit her lip. “I shall never try to bloom lilies •gain,” said 6he. “It’s all nonsense.” Tibbie did not answer. Had Isabel’s lilies bloomed and hers failed, she told herself, she should not have withheld sympathy and con gratulation from her more fortunate rival. The new bonnet—the first new bon- not which Tibbie had ever bought out and out from a milliner in New York —what a marvel of richness and freshness aud beauty it was. Tibbie could not help feeling pleas antly conscious of it as she passed up the church aisle t hut morning, won dering if it became her—secretly glad to think that Harold Vannekcr would be there to sec her wear it. But as she settled herself into her own cosy little corner of the church pew site chanced to glance tip, and to her surprise there was a painted ma jolica pot, and (he rich, arrow-shaped leaves seeming to overflow its brim with greenery on either side; but not a solitary lily was to be seen. Was site dreaming? Out of all the lilies that Tibbie had watched grow and expand to their pearly perfection not one remained. She thought iho time never would come when she could see her uncle comedown the Bteps, with his sermon* case under his arm, and his old fashioned soft hat pulled over his brow. In the breezy churchyard tho willow boughs swayed to and fro, the short grass was starred with dandelions and the bland spring sunshine folded every thing in a veil of gold; but a cloud seemed to descend over all these things when Tibbie caught the grave, re proachful look on her male’s face. Harold Vannekcr stood beside Mr. Kress; he lifted his hat to Tibbie; but the girl scarcely noticed his presence. “Uncle, ydu are vexed with me!” she cried. “What is it? Is it the bonnet? Did you think it was to gay? Aud oh, Uncle, what became of the lilies?” Uncle Kress looked gravely at her. “1 scarcely expected Such a tritiky thing of yon Elizabeth,” said he. “If voq had wanted the S10 so badly why didn’t you tell me aud I would have given it to you out and out. But deceit—even practical joking—God’s altar is not the place for that!” “Uncle,” she gasped, “I do not understand you I” < « We will not discuss it further,” said Mr. Kress, waving his hand. “You will find your lilies lying out there under the southern caves. Take them and go!” Tibbie was turning vaguely in the direction to which her uncle pointed, but Mr. Vanneker was before her. Stooping down he gathered up a handful of coarse paper scrolls with gaudily painted yellow pistils in their centres. “These are the lilies that I found fastoued rudely iu among your green leaves this morning,” said Mr. Kress, coldly. Tibbie looked from her uncle to Mr. Vannekcr without a word, For tho moment it seemed as if speech were frozen upon her lips, but all at once she broke into a piteous cry. i * Who has been tampering with my lilies?” she wailed,“my white, beauti ful lilies?” “1 think I have a clue to this puz zle,” said Mr. Vanneker, calmly, “1 was in the back part of Durivage’s store yesterday, looking at an old black letter edition of Chaucer, that he had laid aside for me, when a lady came into the front department and asked the price of some paper lilies that lay on the counter. To my astonish ment the lady was Miss Isabel Kress, and she bought the lilies and went out. Wo came down from New York in the same train, but I was prevented from going and speaking to her by a man who button-holed me on business matters, and I do not think she knew of my being near. When I strolled past the church last night I saw Isabel Kress herself going in. I stopped and asked the old sexton if the church was open. H * Noa, not reg’lar open,’ he answered, ‘but there’s a young lady a' puttin’ flowers in.’ “Naturally I thought of Tibbie here aud went in. But it was not Tibbie whom I saw in the far end of the church, stealthily breaking off the pure white blossoms iu the great majolica pot and inserting the odious imitations iu their place. It was Isa bel. I stood still and watched her as she transferred the real lilies to a basket that hung on her arm, ami then gathered her shawl around her and glided out again.” “Yes,” said a quick excited voice ©lose by, as Isabel emerged from the sheltering shade of a group of lau rels, “its all true, evory word of it I SCHLEY COUNTY NEWS. I meant to take down Tibbie’s pride, and I’ve dono it—for a moment, at least. There’s my confession—make what you will of it.” And with a short, shrill laugh, she swept away, her lips curved contempt uously. “My dear, said Mr. Kress, drawing Tibbie to him, “forgive me. 1 judged too suddenly. But 1 didn’t think it was in Bello’s nature to be so vin dicative.” “Let mo walk home with Tibbie, sir,” said Mr. Vannekcr. “You are in a hurry, and she does not seem able to walk fast.” They did not make great haste back to Mrs. Duckworth’s cottage—not by any means. When at last they reached the cottage, and Vannekcr parted from her at the door, old Mrs. Duckworth nodded her head and looked won drously wise. “I don’t mind a bit my pudding be ing overbaked now,” said she. “Bless me! don’t 1 know what it all means? There’s a ring on her finger th–t wasn’t there this time yesterday; there’s a look in her eyes that warms my heart. AVell, well; Sunday is a good day to get engaged upou.”— [Waverlcy Magazine. Adventure in a Balloon. It was indeed the fierce bluster ol the gale tearing its way through leaf and branch that we heard. If tho balloon should dash against the hedge of spears ambushed there, it would bo not only wreck, but the sharpest peril of life. “We must trust to luck,” said Donaldson, grinding his teeth; “we can’t do anything. But be ready to spring for a big limb, and hold on for dear life when I give the word.” We were not long in suspense. The downpour suddenly lessened, and our halloou rose a little. It still thun dered and lightened, but the rage of the storm had spent itself. The cap tain clutched my hand with a hard grip. “We’re all right now,” with a quiver in his voice, for his iron nerve had been shaken; “but lot me tel] you, you will never be so near death again and escape it.” He bent over the side of tho basket. “I think there’s a village close at band. Look sharp, and you wilt see the twinkle of a light down there.” And it was so, surely. As we moved on more lights shot into view. We were hovering over a valley between two mountain ridges, one of which bad been so nearly our ruin. It was an hour after midnight, and the Villagers were asleep. Donaldson’s gayety frothed like champagne after our recent danger. “ We’ll wake the people from their dreams with a blast from the skies.” He laughed, and seized a bugle which hung near at hand. “How’s this for Gabriel’s horn?” He blew notes of piercing sweetness (he had been an army bugler), which rose and swelled and sent their wild echoes flying among those midnight hills. Lights began to shine in every house, and moving lanterns and the clatter of voices betokened a general alarm. What this midnight summons out of tho skies might mean filled the rural fancy with terror, and the note of fear could bo heard in many of the voices which floated up to us. We were so near the earth that we could hern- the drag-rope slapping the sticks and stones with its tail. “Village aho-o-oy!” whooped tho captain, at the top of his lungs. “Aho-o-o-oy there! Bear a hand,you land-lubbers, at the rope, and pull us down to earth.” So our rustic friends with a hearty cheer tumbled over each other in their zeal to get hold of the rope—fear now blown away by ad miration—and we were soon safely on the ground with our air-ship anchored for the night. — [Harper’s Youug Peo ple. Value of the Eucalyptus Tree. The value of eucalyptus tree or plant in pulmonary troubles has been demonstrated. Oil of eucalyptus is a valuable disinfectant, and its external use in cold is wide, It is saicl that in localities where these plants grow thickly immunity from fevers is en joyed, a suggestive fact that ought to bear fruit in localities where fevers flourish. And somebody further sug gests to place in hospital corridors, particularly hospitals where consump tives and fever patients are treated, tubs and pots of this plant to test its virtues and if possible, derive benefit from it. — [Now York Times. A DELICATE ART. Making Marketable Perfumes From Flowers. Process By Which Various Scents Are Produced. Tho manufacture of marketable perfumes from flowers is a delicate art, in which both chemical knowledge and quick natural perceptions are re quired for success. The first process is the extraction of the essences by distillation. A large copper vessel or alembic is filled Xvith water about two thirds of its capacity; tho flowers to be treated are then introduced, and it is hermetically closed. It is then placed on a fire; usually gas or steam is used for this purpose. S’cam is generated by this means in the cylin der, which is constantly kept replen ished with cold water, and is furnish ed with an overflow cock. The pipe, in its passage through this second cylinder, assumes the form of a spiral coil. The coil ends in a cock at tiro bottom of the cylinder, from which the volatile essehce exudes drop by drop as the steam becomes condensed in its passnge through the spiral coil. In this manner the essence is collected in a small glass vessel, while at the same time tho wafer containing a small portion of the scent, which still re mains in the alembic aforesaid, is itself perfumed, and becomes the rose-water or orange-flower water of commerce. All flowers are not susceptible of this treatment—some of them, such as jessamine, violet, cassie, tuberose, etc., containing no essence, have to be treated by a different proeess. Of the flowors producing essences, the orange flower produces but one pound of essence for one thousand pounds of flowers. This essence is styled “neroli,” and is the principal essence produced in the district between tho Var and the Italian frontier. The volatile essences thus obtained and mixed together with a certain quantity of alcohol, are used in the preparation and as the basis of ean de cologne, toilet vinegar, lavender water, etc. There are two processus used for the purpose of extracting perfume from flowers which do not contain the volatile essence. The first may be described as the cold process, and the second as the hot process. Thte former is generally used for cassie (Acacia farneriana), jessamine, jon quils, tuberoses, violets and some other flowers. Freshly gathered flowers are placed upon a layer of pure lard, one-fourth inch in thickness,spread over h sheet of glass about two feet square, which is framed in wood and forms a kind of tray. These trays, sometimes forty or fifty together, are then piled upon one another; the flowers are changed every twelve, eighteen or twenty-four hours, according to circumstances, and the process is thus continued until the lard is sufficiently charged with per fume. Jessamine and tuberose are frequently changed as often as fifty times before the lard is considered to be sufficiently impregnated, cassie and violets forty to fifty times, and jon quils about twenty times only. The fat thus obtained can be packed in air-tight tins and conveyed any where; and it used to be thus exported m considerable quantities toKimmel’s, in London, from their garden at Nice. When tho hot process is resorted to for the purpose of obtaining the im pregnated fat, twenty kilos, of grease are placed in a copper vessel, together with some five kilos, of flowers; the vessel is then placed over a slow fire and the contents are well stirred. After allowing the, compound to boil for ten minutes, the vessoi is left to cool for some hours; an additional five kilos, of flowers aro then added, and the process is repeated until the fat has absorbed the requisite amount of perfume; tho hot liquid is then poured through a sieve, and tiro greasy flower pasle that remains is subjected to hydraulic pressure. It is in these two ways that tho “pomuiades” of trade are produced. From these “pommadcs” perfumed and alcoholized liquids are extracted by means of grain spirit, and also bv spirits of wine; these arc the “ex tracts” of trade, and it is by the judi cious blending of tho different es sences and the concentrated perfumes, obtained by the processes above il c . scribed, that the numerous scents are produced. — [New York Tribune. How Steel Pens are Made. “Metallic peas have been in use a hundred years, but it is only forty years since tho process was invented for making them fast enought to re* place the old quill pons. “In Burminghatn, England.” con tin. lied tho pen statistician, “150,000,000 steel pens arc made every week. A ton of steel makes a million pens. “Women do most of the work, after the steel has been rolled out to the thickness of a pen, and cut into strips ns wide as two peti9 are long. They sit before presses that cut up the strip in pieces shaped like a pen, flattened out. “Then the pens arc heated red hot and allowed to cool slowly, That makes them 6oft. After that other women take them to a foot press, that hammers down the point and stamps in the name. “The next timo they are heated they are thrown into oil and that hardens them, and when they come out, diny and greasy, thoy are boiled in soda and water till thoy are white and clean. Tltey shine like silver when they come out, but are put iu a re volving cylinder and turned over gas jets until they turn blue. “Cutting tho slit in a pen was once a secret which even royalty might not witness. The workers were bound by oath not tell it. The tool which does this is a pair of scissors fixed in a press. “The pen is held between two square blades of steel and when these come together the pen is cut exactly through the middle from the point up to tiro hole that was punched out in tho first press. “Pens are cheaper in England than anywhere else. You can buy 6ome kinds there at the rate of fifty for a cent. “More steel is used in the manufac ture of pens than in all the swords and guns in the world.”—[New York Mail aud Express. Hamilton’s Thirteen Trees. It is an odd fact that the thirteen frees which Alexander Hamilton plained near his country house, the Grange, to symbolize the original States of the Union, and which are Still standing near the old manor house on Convent uveime, between 142d aud 143d streets, have kept pace with the growth of the States which they rep resent- For instance, New York Siate is represented by the largest tree, standing in the centre of the group. Close to it stands the next largest, representing the State of Penn sylvania. Rhode Island is represented by the smallest tree, which is a mere baby by the side of the others, and the crooked tree is called South Caro lina. It has taken an abrupt turn and grown perceptibly out of the grove; then it turned again just as suddenly, and grew up straight. South Carolina was the first State to secede from the Union. Since peace lias been restored, however, she has been one of the most thrifty and flourishing of the South ern States. The house is now used as a Sunday-school room. It was Hamil ton’s residence at the time of his duel with Aaron Burr in Weehawken in 1804.— [New York Recorder. He Was Entitled to the Prize. A late Archbishop of Dublin, noted for his originality and love of a joke, was one day walking along a road when he came across three tramps lying on a bank by the roadside. They were thus addressed by His Grace: “I would be willing to give half a crown to the laziest of yon, if I could tell which of you is most entitled to it.” One of them immediately jumped up and said: “Stive it to me; I haven’t done any work for six months.” The second came forward and claimed it, saying he had not worked for a year. While these two were disputing about the houor of being the laziest, the third man, who had not even moved, sleepily said: “Come here, guv’nor, and put it in my pocket.”—[Amusing Journal. The worth of a ton of diamonds at the present day is estimated at $35, 000 , 000 .
