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{The Hettcgf Co null) Iftett, VOL. 111. Advertising Kates. One square, first insertion $ 75 Each subsequent insertion.. 50 One square three months 5 00 One square six months 10 00 One square twelve months 15 00 Quarter column twelve months... 30 00 Half column six months 40 00 Half column twelve months 60 00 One column twelve months 100 00 4*as“‘Ten lines or less considered a square. All fractions of squares are counted as full squares, 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