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{The Hettcgf Co null) Iftett,
VOL. 111.
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NHWSFAPRR DECISIONS. ...
1. Any person who takes a paper regu
larly from the post office—whether directed
to his name or another’s, or whether he has
subscribed or not—is responsible for the
payment.
2. If a person ordeis his paper discontin
ued, he must pay all arrearages, or the pub
lisher may continue to send it until payment
is made, and collect the whole amount,
whether the paper Is taken from the office or
tut.
3. The courts Lave decided that refusing
to take newspapers and periodicals from the
post office, or removing and leaving them un
called for, is prima facie evidence of inten
tional fraud.
TOWN DIRECTORY.
Mayor—Thomas G. Barnett.
Commissioners —W. W. ftirnipseed, J. S.
Wyatt, E G. Hnrris, E. R. James.
Ci.erk —E. G. Harris.
Treasurer— W. S. Shell.
Marshals —S. A. Belding, Marshal.
J, VV . Johnson,Deputy.
JUDICIARY.
A. M. Speer, - Judge.
F. D. Dismukk, - - Solicitor General.
Butts—Second Mondays in March and
September.
Henry— Mondays iD April and Oc
tober.
Monroe—Fourth Mondays in February,
and August.
Newton—Third Mondays in March and
September.
Pike—Second Mondays in April and Octo
ber.
Rockdale—Monday after fourth Mondays in
March and September.
Spalding—First Mondays in February
and Aagust.
Dpson—First Mondays in May and No
vember.
CHURCH DIRECTORY.
Methodist Episcopal Church, (South,)
Rev. Wesley F. Smith, Pastor Fourth
Sabbath in each month. Sunday-school 3
p. m. Prayer meeting Wednesday evening.
Methodist Protrstant Church. First
Sabbath month. Sunday-school 9
A. X.
Christian Church, W. S. Fears, Pastor.
Second Sabbath in each month.
Baptist Church, Rev. J. P. Lyon, Pas*
tor. Third Sabbath in each month.
CIVIC SOCIETIES.
Pine Grove Lodub, No. 1 77, F. A. M
Siated communications, fourth Saturday in
each month.
DOCTORS.
DR. J. C. TURNIPSEED will attend to
all calls day or night. Office i resi
dence, Hampton, Ga.
I\R. W. H. PEEBLES treats all dis
■*" eases, and will attend to all calls day
and night. Office at the -Drug Store,
Broad Street, Hampton, Ga.
DR. N. T. BARNiSTT tenders his profes
sional services to the citizens of Henry
and adjoiniug counties, and will answer calls
day or night. Treats all diseases, of what
ever nature. Office at Nipper’s Drug Store,
Hampton, Ga. Night calls can be made at
my residence, opposite Berea church. apr26
JF. PONDER, Dentist, has located in
• Hampton, Ga., and invites the public to
call at his room, upstairs in the Bivins
House, where he will be found at all hours.
Warrants all work for twelve months.
LAWYERS.
JNO. 6. COLDWELL, Attorney at Taw,
Brooks Station, _Ga. Will practice in
the counties composing the GoVeta and Flint
Rim Circuits. Prompt attention given to
commercial and other collections.
TC. NOLAN, Attorney at Law, Me
• Donough, Georgia: Will practice in
the counties composing the Flint Circuit ;
the Supreme Court of Georgfe, and the
Uuited States District Court.
WM.T. DICKEN, Attorney at Law, Lo
cost Grove, Georgia, (Henry county.)
Will practice in the counties composing the
Flint Judicial Circuit, the Supreme Coort of
Georgia, and the United States District
Court. apr27-ly
GEO. M. NOLAN, Attornbt at Law,
McDonough, Ga. (Office in Court house )
Will practice in Henry and adjoining coun
ties, and in the Supreme and District Courts
of Georgia. Prompt attention given to col
lections. mcb23-6m
JF. WALL, Attorney at Law, //amp*-
. ton.Ga Will practice in the counties
composing the Flint Judicial Circuit, and
the Supreme and District Courts of Georgia.
Prompt attention given to collections. ocs
EDWARD J. REAGAN, Attorney at
law. Office #n Broad Street, opposite
the Railroad depot, Hampton, Georgia.
Special attention given to commercial and
other collections, and cases in Bankruptcy.
BF. McCOLLUM, Attorney and Coon
• se!!or*it Law, Hampton, Ga. Will
practice in Henry, Clayton, Fayette, Coweta,
Pike, Meriwether, Spalding and Butts Supe
rior Courts, and m the Supreme and United
States Coort*. Collecting ctaimsa specialty.
Office no sta're in the Mcln'oeh Building.
SILENT SONGS.
When the song’s gone out of your life
That you thought would last to the end ;
That first sweet song of the heart.
That no after days can lend—
The song of the birds to the trees—
The song of the wiud to the flowers—
The song that the heart sings low to itself
When it wakes in life’s morning hours—
Too can start no other aeug;
Not even a tremulous note
Will falter forth on the empty air—
It dies in your aching throat;
It is all in vain that yon try.
For the spirit of song has fled.
The nightingale sings no more to the rose
When the beautiful flower is dead.
So let silence softly fall
On the braised heart’s quivering strings;
Perhaps from the loss of all you may learu
The song that the seraph sings
A grand and glorious psalm
That will tremble and rise and thrill,
And fill your breast with its grateful rest
Aud its lonely yearnings still.
Written for Tn Weekly.]
Ruth Powers ;
OR,
THE TRAITOR’S FATE.
A Story Founded on Fact.
BY JAMES H. SMITH, OF MACON, OA.
CHAPTER I.
In one of the middle counties of good old
North Carolina, and on one of its highest
hills stood, in the days of my story, a neat
and exceedingly picturesque cottuge. The
hill itself was largely composed of solid
granite, but this did not prevent the growth
of numerous large and healthy oaks io close
proximity to the house. On account of the
rocky nature of the soil the place was called
Reek Hill—a name suited to it, precisely.
The owner of this plantation was a far
mer. No one need be told he was a thrifty
one. A single glance at his well kept cows,
horses, sheep and hogs, would convince them
of that fact. He was indeed a model far
mer.
He was given to hospitality, ton, as all his
neighbors could testify. The latch-string to
his doors hung on the outside, and it was
only necessary to pull it in order to secure a
hearty welcome from the big-hearted planter
and his amiable family.
The well-known love of company of the
owner of Rock Hill, whose name I may as
well state here was John Powers, caused the
place to be the chosen meeting point for the
young people of bolb sexes for miles around,
so that scarcely a week passed without a
gathering of some sort taking place there.
And when it is remembered that this was in
the good old times of peace, when there were
not only giants but plenty of hospitality iu
the land, the reader will understand that
much enjoyment and fun was experienced
thereat. Those of my readers who are of
sufficient age to know from experience of the
abundantly flourishing times of forty years
ago, and then look at the present state of
affairs, will wish heartily for a return of
those good old days. But they will come no
more.
It is upon this hill of rock that this “a’er
true tale” is founded. The writer was an
actor in some of the scenes be proposes to
narrate, and hence will state that the story
is founded on fact—the only Action about it
being in the names of the different persons
mentioned.
Mr. Powers, while he had been persever
ing in the cultivation of his fertile acres, had,
also, as the result of a happy marriage, been
mindful of the divine command relative to
“multiplying and replenishing the earth.’’
The sequence was a large family of sons and
daughters. At the time at which our story
opens, nearly all these were considered grown.
In fact several had families of their own, and
owned farms. There remained, however,
under the paternal roof the old gentleman’s
two youngest daughters—lovely and loveable
girls—the reigning belles of the entire neigh
borhood. They were twin sisters, and so
elosely resembled each other that it was out
of the question for a stranger to distinguish
ooe from the other. Their Dames were re
spectively Mary and Ruth. Tall, well formed,
and with fine, expressive features, they were
sure to receive the lion’s share of attention
in every place they entered. They differed
only in disposition. Mary was «■ quiet, re
tired girl, with but little inclination for dis
play. Being a member of the church, ehe
did not indulge much In the gayeties of the
world, but delighted id aidirg her mother in
her domestic affairs. Ruth, on the other
band, was ever ready to unite with the young
ladies of her circle in bdj plac for inoocent
recreation or amusement Unlike her sister,
she took not much stock in household a&{-
HAMPTON, GEORGIA, FRIDAY, MAY 30, 1879.
ter». Full of life, in the enjoyment of pen
feet health and with abundant resources ol
enjoyment, her greatest pfeasure was to bt
happy and aid in making others equally so.
Here, then, is a brief and necessarily im
perfect introduction to Rock Hill, its genial
proprietor, arid certain members of bis
family.
A few miles distant from Mr Powers
lived another family. The place was only a
hamlet then, but is now a beautiful town of
several hundred inhabitants. This family
consisted ol a maD, his wife, and two sons.
These boys were fully grown, and having
spent much time in the city of R , only
half a score of miles distant, were well up in
town fashions and manners. On account of
this, they were regarded by many of the
country as “stuck up city folks ” But these
two boys—Robert and Rufus Potter—were
in the main really clever. They could not help
occasionally showing their city breeding,
but as they were in Rome they made every
effort to do as Rome did. Rufns, the
younger, was very sociable.
Of course it did not take long for the two
families to become acquainted. And when
once the ice was broken, intimacy was the
result This was the posture of affairs at
the time when the following conversation
ensued. The two young men sat on a grassy
mound located in the midst of the orchard—
both with thoughts evidently centred on the
lovely maidens bat a short distance away :
“Robert, have you any engagement for
Sunday?” asked Rufus.
“Why do you ask ?” replied Robert.
“Oh, I had not heard yon say,” returned
the other.
“Well, yes, I am going to church," Robert
answered.
“Alone ?”
“No.”
“With a lady?”
“Yes.”
“With Miss Ruth?”
“Yea.”
“ Wbat church ?’’
Pizguh.”
A, pa use. • t
“Do you think Miss Ruth beautiful?”
“I can’t say she is really beautiful, but
she possesses a charming manner, a lovely
form and face, and all these combine to cap
tivate a less susceptible heart than mine,”
replied Robert, with some little earnestness.
“But what do you think of her sister ? f
notice you pay her marked attention when
ever yon are in her company.”
“I consider her one of the most amiable
girls of my acquaintance,” replied Rufns.
“True, she is not as demonstrative as Ruth,
but is her exact counterpart in form and
feature. Her disposition is superior to that
of the other, and if she ever marries will
make tier husband a good wife. No doubt
of that.”
“You think very highly of her ?”
“I certainly do.”
After a short pause, during wh'ch each
appeared busy with bis own thoughts, Rob
ert said :
“I am going to town to-morrow.”
"You are ; for what purpose V' inquired
Rufus.
“I want my picture made."
“Ah 1” yawned the brother, as he began
munching an apple. “Going to town—pic
ture! Q’lick work.”
While this conversation was going on be
neath the apple-bearing trees at Arkdale,
one of similar import was being held in the
shade of the noble black-jacks of Rock Hill.
The two girls were reclining on a moss
covered knoll close to the natural spring Dear
the foot of the hill. It was a cosy nook, se
cluded from the pryine eyes of either farm
people or travelers along the road, and a
favorite resort of the sisters. It was from
this spot that the writer was introduced to
the attractions of this floe plantation, nor
will he ever forget with wbat pride and en
thusiasm the proprietor pointed oxt the
various objects of interest.
But let us return to the girls.
“Roth. I do candidly believe you are iu
love,” said her sister.
“In love I Pray, with whom ?”
“Why, with Robert Potter.”
“Wbat makes yon think so?”
“Because, before you became acquainted
with him, you were a different girl from
what you are now. Besides, there are a
number of young men right here in our own
settlement yon used to smile upon, but whom
you treat now with something like indiffer
ence. 1 can account for this somewhat
singular change on no other ground than of
your being in love with somebody, and that
somebody I am inclined to believe is Robert
Potter.”
“Well, what if Ido love him, sister. Is
there ai.y barm in that?” spoke Ruth.
“There may be no harm in the fact of your
loving him, provided his woids and conduct
baa bceu
intentions are to propose marriage. Bu», to
tell you the truth, my dear sister—my dar
ling twin sister—l may as well say it now—
lam afraid of him. While his conduct is
that of a gentleman, and his bearing such as
t%give no tangible evidence of anything
I *rong, somehew I feel that he is winding a
i coil around you which will prove voor ruin,
'lliere is something sinister in his expression
*at makes me feel afraid. I would warn
you to be careful. Depend upon it, he is at
bead a had man, however plausible aud
deter he may appear.”
Juth was aroused by her sister’s earnest
ness She had rarely seen Mary so terribly
wrobgbt up. But she replied :
‘‘kever fear for me, dear sister ; I shall
be o» my guard, and if Robert Potter en
deavors to ploy me false our brothers will
makehim repent the hour he was born. But
let mejtell you the truth—let me confide in
you, and tell you now that be has whispered
words #f love in my ear and told me some
day hi would ask me to be his wife. All
his conduct toward me has been most cour
teous] for he knows full well that Roth Pow
ers would resent promptly any unseemly ad
vances oo his part.”
“And still I warn you, Ruth, with all the
earnestness I can command—because he is a
bad nan, and I fear you will only find it out
when it is too late.”
Tbs stars were shining brightly when the
sisters* left their trysting place and returned
to tht house. The conversation between
them affected both deeply, and how for
Mary was right in her estimate of Ruth’s
lover the sequel will show.
CHAPTER 11.
As stated before, Robert visited the city
the day after the convention with his
brother. As he was well known among a
certain class of young men he was soon en
gaged in having what, in the popular par
lance of to-day, would be termed “a high old
time.” Naturally inclined to dissipation,
and thirsty from his long enforced abstinence,
he indulged so freely that even his associates
saw 4e was likely to be “dead drunk” on
-4heir bands unless measures were instituted
to stop him. But his appetite was too keen,
his longing for strong drink too intense, for
anything short of physical force, and this
was what none of bis comrades liked to
adopt. He. kept on drinking, until nature
would take no more; and then, crazy—
furious—he rushed up and down the streets
yelling and howling as if all the devils of
purgatory were torturing him. Poor fel—
Ipw 1 'Truly doth the good book tell us that
“wine is a mocker ; strong drink is raging,
and whoso is deceived thereby Is not wise.”
It so happened that a brother of Ruth was
in the city and chanced to meet Robert
while he was in this bacchanalian mood.
He to advise the crazy man to go
somewhere and cool off, but Robert at once
drew a knife and made such a furious attack
on the young man that Ruth’s brother, in
order to save himself from bodily harm, had
to knock him down. He was then secured
and locked up in the station-house, where
he was compelled to remain until reason once
more resumed her sway.
It was hoped that after bin initiatory ex
perience he would in future avoid looking
upon tbe wme when it was red, when it gave
its eolor in the cup, but it bad no salutary
effect upon him. On tbe contrary, he con
sidered himself an ill-used individual; de
clared be would have revenge, and flourished
a huge pistol wherever be went. One of his
associates, thinking to apply tbe force of a
little “moral snaslon” was seriously wonnded
for his trooble, and became a cripple for life
from * discharge of Robert’s pepper-bnx.
Th# perpetrator of this act was tried for
tbe crimo of “assault with intent to murder,”
escaped the just penalty of his
crime by a technicality of the law—just pre-
as many now go “unwhipt of justice.”
Or course Ruth and her family were made
acquainted with all these facts ; nor did they
lose one iota in their transmission over tbe
distance between tbe city and Rock Hill.
If anything, they increased in momentum
every mile, so that when they reached Ruth's
ears, they were all that Mary or her futber
and mother could wish.
Ruth, however, was a woman ; and more
than this, she won Id not believe that Robert
was guilty of anything beyond a little indis
cretion. Her brothers entreated, her parents
begged, her to cut him off 1 “without beoefit
o£eiergy," but so firm a bold did the erring
jobug man have on tbe affections of Ruth
that entreaty at>d tears were of bo avail.
Mr. Potter and Rnfus were mortified at
Robert’B eoDduct. They were cast down m
the very dust of humility at the course he
was pursoing, and they both felt that he was
fast “going to the dogs.”
When et last Robert recovered from bis
debauch and returned home be had so
was compelled to admit that something bad
gone wrong with him.
The conduct of Robert, as related to him
by his own son, forced Mr. Powers to speak
to Ruth in very plain terms, and be ended
by telling her that her lover wor.ld In future
be forbidden the house, and she herself most
decline his visits. In vain Rnth pleaded
that this wag Id* first folly, that he had been
misled, taken vm*wares'—wonld never do the
like again, and a thonsund other excuses
which only a woman cun offer for the man
she loves ; hot all these were more than met
by statements of facts which her father had
collected and treasured for the emergency.
Truly, is woman “wonderfully and fear
fully made.” She will learn to love a man,
and be he a lord, doke, count, preacher, or
“cor of low degree.” will eling to him
through thick and thin, love him through
good and evil, stand by him in aix troubles
and not desert him in the seventh. The
greater the scoundrel the closer wiii she
clenve to him. Bhe will stand close to him
on the gallows, emh-ace him when his hands
are red with another’s tdood, and even when
bis abuse of her renders life dangerous to
remain with him, still will she defend his
name and protect him from the contumely
of others.
The old gentleman's mind was made up ;
and whenever he came to a decision, it re
mained as one of the statutes of the Mede«
and Persians, a fact with which Rnth was
well acquainted. Therefore he sought an
opportunity to speak with Mr. Potter npon
the subject, and these two came to the con
clusion that Ruth had not chosen wisely ;
her lover would not, in their judgment, deem
any promise too sacred to be violated, and
for Ruth's sake the prospective match wsa,
ao far ns they were concerned, interdicted.
But love—and sometimes a baser sentiment
lhujlis at opposition. Ibe more it is op
posed the more earnest ar.d determined is
the purpose to consummate it. So far aa
Ruth was concerned, she had given the
whole wealth ol her a fleet ion to this man,
Hitd, worthy or unworthy, loved him.
But while this love remained bright and
pure and firm, her faith was sorely tried.
Especially was this tha case when, on one
occasion, and that, too, after his solemn
promise of amendment, be appeared at
church in a condition of intoxication, and
on the conclusion of the services insisted on
riding with her borne. This was a sore
trial to Ruth, and caused her many a heart
ache. But amid all her tronblea she was
constrained to soy with her namesake of old
—“Entreat me not to leave tbee, or to re
turn from following after tbee, for whither
thou goest, I will ge ; and where thou lodg
ed I will lodge; thy people shall be my
people, and thy God my God ; where thou
diest will I die, and there will I be buried.
The Lord do so to me, and more also, if
aught bat death part me and tbee.”
CHAPTER 111.
Mary, after the conversation with her sis
ter at the spring, determined to seek an in
terview with Rufus on the very first oppor
tunity. This was not long delayed. Rufus
wag in great distress on account of his
brother’s dissipated habits, and the fear he
entertained that Ruth’s affections were being
trifled with.
Rufus wag an exceedingly moral youug
man. His attendance on the services of the
church were regular, being prompted by a
sincere desire to become benefftted thereby.
In society he was a favorite simply because
he was eodowed with a high sense of honor,
and knew bow to so conduct himself as to
win the good will of those with whom he
associated. His acquaintance with Mary
Powers bad resulted in engendering mutual
esteem, and each was regarded a model of
their sex.
When, therefore. Mary resolved to con
salt Rufus id regard to the matter betweeo
her sister and his brother, it was with a
consciousness that she would be met in a
spirit of candor. With do other person
could she have taken this course without a
sense of humility; but knowing him as she
did, tbe resolution was taken.
It chanced that Mary and Rnfus met one
day on tbe highway near her own home. As
if by some sort of intuition each divined tbe
purpose of tbe other.
“Good morning, Miss Mary.”
“Good morning, Mr Potter.”
After this there was a pause. There was
no attempt to conceal the embarrassment
each ODe felt ; but Mary, reviving herself
for the doty she had to perform, said :
“Mr. Potter, if your time will permit I
would like to Bpeak with you in reference to
yoor brother and Ruth.”
“My time is at your service.” be replied.
“Thank you,” said she, and then, after a
pause—“do yon believe four brother is
he has all the love I can possibly give him,
yet truth compels me answer your question
squarely and fairly, jam mrry for your
sitter" said Rtifne, bowing his head, while
tears coursed down his cheeks.
“Then yon believe that his purpose is not
to marry Ruth 7"
“Precisely.”
“Do yoo know exactly how they stand to
ward each other ?”
“Yes? they are engaged, and as anon ae
they are murried, so brother says, they will
remove to W . This, however, depends
on circumstances; for, as you are aware,
they have beea forbidden seeing each other.
But I tell you, Miss Mary, I do not believe 1
they will ever marry ; for in my honest judg
ment, my brother trill go to W alone.
I tell you this that yon may take such ad
vantage of it as circumstances require, and
because my conscience forces me to reveal
it.” !
“Yoor brother does not love Ruth I” said
Mary.
“That is just my opinion,” said he.
“Cannot some plan be devised to stop
this ?”
“I fear not. If opposed, he will persevere
from spite, fie is of a vindictive, vengefnl
nature, as you may be awnre, and that he
may defeat others he will do that which his
better judgment tells him should be left un
done. If you take Ruth nwo? and hide her
somewhere it would serve no good purpose.
Therefore, the only plan I see is to invoke
the aid of Ruth herself. If she could be in
duced to bring family pride to her aid, then
•he might dismiss him summarily, and at
once, eveo though at the price of a life of
bitterness and misery. If I understand Ruth
she is no ordinary woman. Her loves and
hates are lasting as the rock upon which
her lather’s bouse so securely stands ; —with
her “to be or not to be,” is the question.
See her and make an appeal to her pride,
and better judgment. That is all I can say,”
said the yonng man.
“My sister inherits all the force of our
family, ar.d her love for yonr brother is of
too true a sort lobe turned aside by ordi
nary measures. But l can at least make
one effort to shield her from barm; And
now good day, sir.”
“Good day.”
They separated, each to commune with
thoughts that would intrude, and to plan
and hope.
Mary, as she continued her way toward
home, remained in one unbroken reverie. So
far hr Robert F’ofter’s family was concerned,
no fault conld be found. Mr. Potter was
the equal of Ruth’s father on the score of
wealth, and had moreover been several times
honored by his fellow-ettmens with impor
tant trusts ; bnt thea*. tR» not weigh any
thing in favor of Robert's treachery. They
were lost—wealth, position^,standing— air
were engulfed in oblivion when tested by
the unscrupulous conduct of tHe reprobate
son.
CHAPTER IT.
“Fire!—fire !!”—loud and full, was borne
npoD the breeze over the city I The cry was
taken up, and men began to look for the
alarming cause.
“Where’s the fire?” asked one.
“Thp StHte Bank bag beeu plundered and!
pet on fire 1” whs the answer.
“Great heavens 1 the bank I—and all I
have In the world is there,” shrieked oue old
man.
The alarm sgpo spread all over the city,
and hundreds upon hundreds of terrer
stricken citizens ducked to the scene of cou
fiagratiotw
Not a&reat while bpfore, a large portion
of one of .jjx busiest blocks bad been destroy
ed, and now to sufler again was something
terrible. There were no well organized Sis
companies then hs now. There were no ap
pliances to extinguish the destructive ele
m®lt, such as are in use now iu every city,
but people resorted to such means as they
could command, aud these were simple
enough.
The man who declared the bank had been
plundered and then fired was found to be
correct. The perpetrator had broken open
the vault, secured all the tuDds he could, and
then set fire to the building to conceal bis
crime. 'Hiis was undoubtedly tbe fact. The
bank was burned to tbe ground, but a large
amount of money and valuable papers, with
most of the books, were saved.
Who was the perpetrator ? was tbe ques
tion. It was a problem none could uuravei.
The bank officials went diligently to work.
They resolved to spare no effort to ferret out
tbe criminal. The most skillful detectives
were employed; every kuowo agency was
set to work to discover the perpetrator,
though it was considered, to use a modem
phrase, “x long shot and bad chaoce.”
NO. 47