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About Schley County news. (Ellaville, Ga.) 1889-1939 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 30, 1894)
Tho French army is three times aa large as it was in 1870. The Austrians appear to tho San Francisco Chronicle to be among the most restless people in Europe nowa days. __ In Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dukota and South Dakota tho inhabitants of foreign parentage outnumber the native popu lation. Norway is to adopt a uniform time for the whole of that couutry from January 1 nest. The mean time will be that the meridian fifteen de grees east of Greenwich. At present nearly every locality in Norway has its «wu local time. The capitalized wealth of Great Britain was estimated by the statisti cal! of tho board of trade to amount in 1885 to about $50,000,000. There is no official estimate of the wealth of the country, but a recent unofficial esti mate places it at about $00,000,000. Bernard Coleridge, who succeeded to tho. peerage on the death of his father, the late Lord Chief Justice of England, has decided to continue his practice as a barrister, the attorney general having given his opinion that there was no good reason why a lord should not be a lawyer. As some of lords are milkmen the decision seems reasonable. It is projiosed in London to organ ize an insurance company to guard house owners and tenants from enter ing upon or acquiring unsanitary pro perty. The association would exclude from its books houses in bad condi tion, while all property receiving a certificate of good condition for the guidance of investors and households, would be subject to periodical inspec tion. The Madagascar Gazette recently printed an advertisement which called for “a lawyer, capable of interpret ing the laws of China, Siam and Japan. He must also possess a thorough knowl edge of English constitutional law. No applicant who is not willing to as sist at farm work and help in the blacksmith shop need apply. He must also be a good rider and driver.” Marriage by advertisement — and pretty modest advertisement at that— has become an institution in Japan. The Frankfurter Zeitung quotes tho following: “A young lady wishes to marry; she is very beautiful, has a rosy countenance framed in dark hair, eyebrows in the form of the crescent moon, and a small but grac ous mouth. She is also very rich—rich enough to spend the day by the side of her be lovtal admiring flowers, and to pass the night in singing to the stars of heaven. The man on whom her choice shall fall must be young, handsome, and educated.” The advertiser seems to think that this being given, enough has been done to secuie the perfect life, for the next clause refers to the end of it: “He must also be willing to share the same grave.” Commercially and industrially Ger many is in a favorable situation today, notwithstanding the complaints that one hears from time to time, and those persons err greatly who imagine that the country is soon going to be finan cially engulfed by its military burdens, so says James M. Smith, the United States consular agent at Mayence, Germany, in a report to the state de partment, giving some surprising fig ures relative to German investment. He says that the people are laying up from $476,000,000 to $595,000,000 an nually, one-half of which goes into se curities. At least 25 per cent, of the wealth of Germany is now invested in stocks and bonds, and this will prob ably rise to 40 or 50 per cent, in the next generation. In the last 10 years about a billion dollars’ worth of for eign securities have been jmt upon the German market, and although some doubt has been expressed as to the wisdom of taking so much foreign pa per, the leading merchants hold that it is a healthy symptom, indicating a thriving condition of the people. The interest and dividends add $119,000, 000 of wealth annually to the country, benefiting its trade balances and fully compensating it for the loss of these securities which have been about $200, 000,000 in recent years. Mississippi has but 7,259 foreigners out of a population of 1,289,600. Twenty years ago the Sioux were savages, following the warpath and living by tho chase. Now there are fourteen Presbyterian churches among them. .Professor Bell firmly believes that it will be possible some day to see from Washington to New York as easily as one cau convey the sound of the voice that distance. Forty-four out of every hundred persons in the United States aro agri culturists, fifty-six in Canada, forty eight in France, seventeen in Ger many and seven in England. Tho New York Mail and Express observes: Resourceful indeed is the mammoth modern palace of retail trade. In a leading establishment of the kind in this city not only are there interpreters who speak most of the modern European tongues, but an ex pert in the sign language of the deaf and dumb as well, and a large number of regular customers of that afflicted class patronize the firm employing him. If the ramie fibre, which is slowly coming into use in the manufacture of fabrics for clothing, should become common, the Atlanta Constitution opines that frequent changes in fash ion will be the only thing that can save the business of the tailors and dressmakers. Professor E. Water house, of Washington University, St. Louis, says, in a recent paper, that the material is almost indestructible from wear. In China, where it is woven into cloth, children are often seen clothed in garments handed down by their grandparents. The fibre is very long, very strong and has some what the sheen and luster of silk. It is claimed that by a recently invented machine, the manufacture of the fibre from the stalks will be done very cheaply and that it will be largely used in making cloth. It will surprise many to learn, thinks the San Francisco Chronicle, that since the death of Henry Ward Beecher, the clergyman who preaches to the largest congregation in this country is Rev. Russell H. Connell, a Baptist of Philadelphia. He addresses 8000 people every Sunday, and he has established a college where 120 students are taking a regular course and 3500 others are attending classes in various subjects. These popular classes begin at 3 o’clock in the afternoon, when the regular college students are through with their work, and they continue until 11 o’clock at night. Applied science, especially chemistry and electricity, is very popular. With social and char itable gatherings, lectures and enter tainments, this church and college form the centre of a religious aud in tellectual activity that cannot fail to have a great influence on the life eveu of a big city. The system, which has been built up by one man who is full of enthusiasm and eager to help aU who wants to learn, is worthy of imi tation by other cities. The San Francisco Examiner solilo quizes: “In spite of the commercial character of the people of New York City, in spite of the small army of commercial travelers whose address is New York, it is still true that the great body of the people know next to nothing of tho rest of the country. Tho West knows the East, the East does not know the West. This is true because tho West came from the East in tho first place, and because thou sands of Westerners visit the East while only hundreds or tens of East erners visit the West. The struggle for existence in New York City is so severe that the body of the people have not the time, if they had the in clination, to acquire general informa tion. Life with them is intense and swift, but it runs in a very narrow channel after all. In a very real sense the people aro provincial. They ask the visitor from Kansas City if he knows their friends in St. Paul. They ask the visitor from Denver whether he enjoys any religious privileges in that city of churches. Many of them not only know nothing of America be yond a few streets of the metropolis, but they actually take pride in not wanting to know anything.” SCHLEY COUNTY NEWS. Between the Showers. Beo and blossom, blossom and bee! Oh, but life Is all flower to my spirit and me. Give us time for exploring, For coming and going, For winning and storing, For feeling and knowing. Oh, tho wonderful life! oh, tho magical flowor! Give us time, give us power— And we’ll count disappointment and sorrow and pain But a shower of rain! Bee and blossom, blossom and bee! What is earth but a bell upon God’s starry tree? Give us time to dip in it, To do our endeavor. Alas, in a minute It closes forever ! But oh, joy! for tho Tree has a myriad such flowers— They are his, they are ours; And each loss we shall count in tho light of net gain But a shower of rain! —Vida Briss, in Good Words. MY FRIEND THE MAJOR, I am taking a rest after a round of gayety and social activity which I never equalled before, and I doubt my going into the “swim” again next wiu tor, or for some winters to come, for that matter. I atu desirous to explain my reasons for this withdrawal from society, and in order to do so I shall be obliged to tell you my relations with Major Hoffman. You see, I have always felt that it was, in a sense, my duty to move in good society, and I have been at some pains so to arrange my affairs and social relations as to be able to attend most of tho better class of private en tertainments given in the city during the past two or three winters. It not only gave me no small enjoyment, but it also assisted mo materially in my business. It ivas a matter of considerable dif ficulty to secure an invitation to the Yan Schoonhoven reception, but I managed it—no matter liow—and it was at this reception that I made the acquaintance of Major Hoffman. I had strolled into Dr. Van Schoon hoven’s office to get out of the hot and crowded reception-room, and in the dim light was leaning against the window casing idly tapping on the glass with my nails, when I noticed at the top of the window sash a bit of metal gleam ing in the semi-darkness. I touched it and found that it was a part of a burglar alarm, moving when tho win dow was opened upon another bit-of metal two inches above, and by con tact completing an electric circuit of some sort. I am somewhat of an electrician , and my interest and curiosity were at once aroused. Without stopping to think, I unscrewed the upper bit of metal with my kuife, and after twist ing off the wire which led from it into the woodwork was examining it when I heard a light step at the door, and looking round found standing by the table a tall, dark-skinned man in even ing dress, with black mustache and imperial, and long, rather curly black hair—in all suggesting at once the popular idea of his Satanic majesty. By one of those impulses which overcome us all at times I slipped the bit of metal into my pocket and turned towards the stranger, whom from his dress and manner I assumed to be one of the guests at the reception. “I hope I do not intrude,” he said politely. “Oh, no,” I hastened to reply, “I am glad some one else can enjoy the coolness here.” “I think I have not the pleasure of your acquaintance,” the stranger queried smiling, and with a light foreign accent. “As guests iu this house I trust we need no formal in troduction—my name is Hoffman, Major Franz Hoffman.” “And I am William B. Vance, very much at your service, sir,” I returned, decidedly pleased with my new friend’s voice and manner. “I am indeed glad to make your acquaintance, Major.” I found Major Hoftman a very agreeable fellow, a gentleman of re finement and culture, polished, well informed, a ready conversationalist, though decidedly reserved as to him self, and a smoker of excellent cigars. Wo discussed books, yachting, horses, politics, etc., the major showing him self a man of wide reading and depth of thought along many lines. I could learu nothing, however, as to his own occupation— he was es pecially reticent on that point. Major Hoffman casually lot slip that he had been in Europe until recently. His business had taken him there on two days’ warning and had brought him back as suddenly. He could not tell how soon tho present matter would be disposed of or where ho would go next. “I am an uncertain fellow,” he said, laughing, “and never know my own plans two weeks in advance. Indeed, my plans are largely made for me, and I go and come usually at the bidding of others.” While he was talking Dr. Van Schoonhoven entered, and I did not see the Major again that evening, as I presently returned to the reception room, the Major remaining for a chat with his host. I was decidedly ill at ease, for I had that piece of burglar alarm in my pocket, and could find no opportunity to put it back. I was fully aware that my hasty action might be miscon strued by one who did not know me, and I was anxious lest the Major had seen me take it down, though not m the most remote way had either of us referred to the subject. It was no business of his, though, in any case, and I deemed myself m no way bound to consult him in so trivial an affair. Besides I was inclined to think he had not seen me take the piece of metal. It subsequently appeared, however, that he did see mo take it, and that his actions were strongly influenced by the ideas the trilling incident sug gested to him. As it happened, I found no oppor tunity to approach the window again, and I went home with the bit of metal in my waistcoat pocket. That night an attempt was made to rob Dr. Schoonhoven’s house, the burglars entering by the very window from which I had removed the burglar alarm. They did not succeed in se curing any plunder, but were fright ened away before any valuables were found. Now, this attempted burglary was similar to several others which had taken place at some of the finest resi dences in town, in each case followed only day or two after a reception or ball similar to that at Dr. Yan Schoon hoven’s house. As it ha 2 >pened, in every instance but one I had been a guest at the entertainment, and I had almost begun to fear lest the people who had invited me should regard me as a bird of evil omen and cease to “request the honor of my presence” at their houses. Probably you are thinking of Major Huffman in connection with these rob beries? I mustconfess that I did not, though I had occasion afterwards to associate him, more or less directly, with all of them. I had met him but once and for a short time only, and his name did not occur to me until two weeks later, when Senator Cox’s daughter was married. At tho reception in the evening I met the Major again, suave, 2 eolite, but, a3 before, suggesting Mephistopheles. I encountered him a dozen times that evening, on the back veranda, in the conservatory, in the garden till I be gan to regard him as my evil genius. Particularly did he hover in tho neighborhood of the roomful of sil verware aud jewelry which comprised the wedding gifts. Though I did not see him touch them or hear him speak of them, it seemed as if some irresist able fascination held him in their vi cinity. I think others noticed it as well as I, for I saw them looking at him and remarking upon his actions among themselves.' When I left the house the last per son I saw was the major, who went out with me and left me at tho corner be low turning down the sido street with a wave of his hand and a cheery “Goodnight, Vance.” I saw the major again that night, and it happened iu this wise: The moon had gone down and it was near ly 2 o’clock in the morning when,with two friends, I stood in the garden in the rear of the senator’s house under the shadow of a large bush. I still wore my evening dress, but had a soft hut pulled down over my eyes and wore a dark overcoat. In my hand I held a revolver as did my two com pan ion s. In pursuance of my project, it was only a minute’s work to quietly open thedoorat the rear of .the house and th* glass door at the head of the stairs within. Two minutes wo were in the room with«the wedding gifts. A dim light burned in the chandelier, and at tho other sido of the room the figure of a man lay upon a sofa, I slipped over to his sido and with my revolver close to his temple, signaled my friends to begin their work. At the first soft click of the silver in the bag, into which they were guard edly slipping tho wedding gifts, the room was suddenly flooded with light, and I heard an oath from one of mv companions. I turned quickly, to see Major Hoftman and three police men standing in tho doorway, covering us with revolvers. I had time only to see the major smile triumphantly and nod in my direction before my arms were seized from behind, my pistol wrenched from my hand, and with two shury clicks I was a prisoner. The major flung back his coat so that I could see the police badge shining on his waistcoat as he remarked: “Hardly expected to meet again to night, eh, Vunce. You tried that bur glar alarm dodge once too often, let me tell you. Gentlemen, you are my prisouers.” As I before remarked, I am now taking a rest from my social duties, I shull stay at this institution somewhat less than twelve years, and there are eight indictments, I am told, waiting to be attended to when I leave. —Mon treal Herald. A Queer Profession. “There are only three men in Chi cago in that fellow’s line of business,” remarked the chatty Wabash avenue barber ns he turned to strop the razor. “Oh, he trades in barber’s crank no tions, superstitions and whims,” the operator continued. “He goes from one shoj) to another with that little hand-bag and trades razors, strops, brushes, hones—anything in the ton sorial line. How does he make a liv ing at it? Easy enough! You don’t know barbers very well, I guess. Well, some of ’em buys a razor for, say $2, and after he’s used it awhile makes up his mind that he doesn’t like it. So he sells it to this man for $1. This man leaves it on trial with some other barber and gets $4 worth of old razors in exchange, and then he sells one of those old razors to the original purchaser of the $2 razor. He does the same with strops and hones and brushes. Of course lie makes money, dresses well, smokes good cigars and works only when he feels like it. There’s money in it for the three fellows in the business, but the snap will be overdone as soon as the scheme is better known. Capital necessary to begin? Cheek and ac quaintance are all that is necessary. When tho razor broker gets a cranky customer who shaves himself, and doesn’t care what his outfit costs, pro vided it suits him—why, then he does what any one else would do. He makes the crank pay for his cranki ness.”—Chicago Tribune. Railroad Spine. A man with largo responsibilities is Dr. S. Marks, of Milwaulkee, the chief physicians of the Chicago, Mil waukee and St. Paul railway system. “The railroads are suffering,’’said Dr. Marks, “from an epidemic of ‘rail road spine,’ and it is costing them a great deal of money. ‘Railroad spine is the name given to cases where a claimant for damages on account of sustained insists that he D suffering great pain, but where the is unable to locate any cause for such suffering. The surgeon will go into court and swear that he cau discover no injury, but the court will hold that he cannot swear that there is no pain. I had a case o f that kind some time ago. The railroad settled the case, and with the settlement the pain disappeared.”—Washington Let ter. A Pretty Fancy. The Lithuanian mythology says of life and death: “When a child is born, the ‘verpegn’ spins a thread am a star at its end. On the ap of death this thread of destiny and the star falls headlong to earth and is extinguished.” A machine for making tark^ " fl8 in 1806, but not put into use until near tho middle o century. Now the world consumes tacks a day.
