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MERCURY. I. Hns*! tnuttor at the Samlors- April 27, 1880. , viiic Washington County, On. SaiutoJ >'• rrm.isnF.D nv j. JENNICAN, and rmiLisinsR. A. nioriurron soKrir*' 0 .$1.50 por Ye a tub merc i ry. A. J. JERNIGAN, Pnorunrron. VOL. II. DEVOTED TO LITERATURE, AGRICULTURE AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. 81.50 TER ANNUM. SANDERSVILLE, GA., MAY 31, 1881. NO. 9. THE MERCURY. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY. NOTICE. wAll communications intended for this pa per must bo accompanied with tlio full name of the writer, not necessarily for publication, bu t as a guarantee of good faith. Wo are in no way rosponsiblo for tlio views or indoions of correspondents. patches, Clocks AND JEWELRY nrr.uunn nv JERNIGAM rOSTOFFIOE HOURS. 7 00 to 11:00 A. M. 1:30 to 0:00 v. M. K. A. Sru.ivAN, P. M. Subscribe for the MERCURY Only $1.50 per annum. runi.isHun iiy JERNIGAN & SCARBOROUGH BUY YOUR Spectacles, Spectacles, FROM JERRICAN. Nona genuine without our Trade Mark. On hand and for sale, Thronody. Oh, sweet are tlio scouts and snugs of spring Ami bravo are tho summer flowers; • And chill are the autumn winds that bring Tlio winter’s lingering hours. And the world goes round and round, And tho sun sinks into tho sea; And whether I’m on nr under the ground, Tho world cares little for mo. The hawk sails over the sunny hill; Tho brook trolls on in tho sliado; Rut tlio friends I have lost Ho cold and still Wliovo their stricken forms wore laid. And tho world goes round and round, And tho sun slides into tlio sea, And whether I’m on or under tho ground, Tlio world cares littlo for me. Oh, lire, why art thou so bright and boon I Oil, breath, why art thou so sweet 1 Oil, friends, how can you forget so soon Tlio lovod ones who lio at your foot I Cut tlio world goes round and round, And tlio sun drops into tho sea, And whether I’m on or under tlio ground, Tlio world enres littlo for mo. Tho ways of men are busy and bright; Tho eye of woman is kind; It is Bwoct for tlio oyes to behold tlio light, Cut tlio dying and dead nro blind. And tho world goes round and round, And tho sun falls into tho sen, And whether I’m on or under tlio ground, Tho world cares littlo for me. Butif lifo awake, anil will never ecaso On tho future’s distant shore, Anil tho rose of love anil tlio lily of pcaco Hliull bloom there forevermore. Lot tho world go round and round. And tlio sun sink into tlio Ben I For whether I’m on or under tlio ground, Oli, what will it matter to mo? —J. (f. Holland, in Scribner. JERNIGAN —FOB BOWS, STRINGS, ROSIN BOXES, &t Machine Needles. Oil and Shuttles ran AI.L KINDS OF MACHINES, for sale I will nls.) order purls of Machines that got broken, for which now pieces are wanted. A. .1. .1 ERNK■ A IN’ G. W. H. WHITAKER, DENTIST, SANDEHSVILLE, GA Turks Cash. CHIre at his Hcsidenco, oii Harris Streot. April 3, 1880. Miss Darcy’s Bonnet. • B. D. EVANS, Attorney at Law, SANDEHSVILLE, GA. April 3,1880. DR. WM, ItAWLINGS, Physician & Surgeon, SANDEHSVILLE, GA. Oniec at Saudorsvillo Hotel. April 10, 1880. E. A. SULLIVAN, notary public, SANDEHSVILLE, GA. t Sp"c*ui attention given to the collection ol 1 lairne, Ollieo in tho Court-house. 0. H. ROGERS. Attorney at Law, Saudorsvillo, Ga. •’rompt attention given to all business. j j 1 ^’ 1,1 northwest wing of Court-house. c. C. BROWN, T Attorney at Law, Sandorsville, Ga. c<nrb! ''on*' 00 ? n State and United Statei ytyy ilic'e m Gourt-houso. H. N. H0LLIFIELD, 't.Asician and Surgeon, Sandcrsvillo, Ga. ' '" 'I door to Mrs. Bayno’s lnillincry . Harris Street. OR. J. B. ROBERTS, "i'dan and Surgeon, Sandorsville, Ga. Haynes from !) during ■vlion mil !,', 'r residence on Church Stroet, tssr 10 " yrnK!,s ° (i - pi itiv.t in it,'"’Vpbod at Ids office on 1 N m •,, - Masonic Lodge building, otlni-!’• from 3 to 5 p. m.; ivlmn 1|IH residenco on Church M »W. Bend for Illustrated Pamphlet Ws. J.A.J0NE8,WILMINGT0N, DEL !iird • Uie ... rf -CUiz, week ago, and I more wheat whero It was drilled he had mcnsuml Homo row*, and length of row agniiiKt/orfj/* iPolntH 'film, hunt, 1„ I »«ii.-v.,!’ f ''I'il 1 ""- H. CLAYTON, five im‘ s i w .n o/Middleton,Del.,aiul Famur.” r'V'J'our P () i Ilt ; ' ’ t0 the iicro more wheat, where l drilled •aowlug you uo fuv' 1 tho 0,(1 1 kuvc them a fair “ JUSmjA CLAYTON, Jn„ Ml, I>laM.Ut, Dtl, It was it raw, misty evening in early April. Hugh Merrick buttoned his overcoat a littlo closer as he canto out of his otllce and started on his walk up town. Tho koen wind and sharp sloet smoto him in tho face; but ho pulled his soft hat lower over his eyes and walked on resolutely, deciding not to take a car, though lio had forgotten his umbrella. A long day of hard work in his business, with perplexing cares in addition, not of a business nature, made tlio sharp air a relief to him, and the thought of a study oar was ropellant. Turning into Fifth avonuo, at length, a furious blast of wind and sleet nearly blinded him for a moment, and he stumbled against a child coining from tho opposite direction, He was hurrying past when tlio sound of suppressed sobs fell on his ear, and behalf stopped, with au impatient exclamation, “Did I hurt you?” ho asked, scarcely giving her a glance. “Oh I no. Not you,” said the child. “ Well, what is it ? Cold, aro you ? Why don’t you run home ? This is no timo for begging.” And this timo he looked at her, to see if ho had guessed correctly. But tho honest ltluo eyes that looked up at him frankly asked nothing. Hugh Merrick had a weaknoss for blue eyes, and ho felt rebukod when she answered: “ I’m not begging, sir; but just see this.” Slio Hold up to viow a paste board hoy, crushed and broken and stained with mud. “How did it happen?” asked the gentleman, compassionately. “ I was crossing the street, aqjl tho box got knocked out of my hand; and while I was trying to pick it up a man grabbed me right up out of the way of an omnibus, and tho wheels went right over this. And it’s all spoiled, I know, and it cost fifteen dollars. And I had the hill in my hand, and I don’t know what’s bocomo of it.” At the end of this talo of woe tho tears burst forth again. She was a small, thin child, about ten years old, with fair hair hanging out of an old blue hood. Fair hair and blue eyes. Tho most beautiful combination in tho world Ilngh Merrick was wont to think, and tho thought mado him wonderfully soft-hearted just now. “ Don’t cry,” he said, compassion ately. “Whorewere you going to take the box ?” “That’s just what I don’t know,” said the child. “Tho address was on the bill; but I didn’t want to get it ,vet, so I held it under my shawl and hadn’t looked at it yet. ’Twas for some lady on Fifth avenue.” “ Highly deflnito. A bonnet, I pro- sumo. Well, como with me. I am almost home, and we’ll investigate this smash-up and see what tho dam age is.” And then, somehow, though he had novel’ meant it in the least, her littlo rt'et. hand was clasped in his warmly gloved one, and sho was trotting by his side, looking up into his face with grate ful confidence. A few more steps brought them to his comfortahlo bach elor residence. He opened tho dooi with his latch-key, and took tho littlo wayfarer into the],library, whero ho was soon toasting her feet before the grate. “And now t let mo see,” handling gingerly the crushed bandbox. “I niusn’t add to tlio damage ; so suppose you open it. She laughed shyly, took it from him, and managed to extricate the bonnet, iriving utterance to a ciy of dismay, as ® it _ nnf. ni my place, and maybe they’ll make mo pay for it. Oh! what shall I do ?’’ Hugh Merrick's oyes were fixed on tho bonnet. Blue was his favorite color in bonnets, ns well as in eyes ; but there was something in this dainty bit of millinery that sent a pang through his heart. It reminded him of somo one. Ho could imagine just how it would rest above those waves of gleaming gold ; just how those strings would nostlo around a white throat and under a soft, rounded chin. That feather was in tended to fall on tho massivo braid at tho back. Ruined, was it ? To him it was beautiful and perfect. Ho roused himself with a start “ I ddn’t know much nbout such things,” he said, choorfully; “ but thoro doesn’t appear to bo much the matter with it.” “ Oh I don’t you bog?” sho Baid, starting up. “ This side is all punched in and tho lace is torn ; tho feather is broken, too. No lady would over think of wearing it. And it cost fifteen dol lars.” Tho big tears welled up into tho blue eyes. It is a pitiful thing to seo a look of despair in a child’s face. Bo thought Hugh Merrick, and again said, hastily : “ Don’t cry. Perhaps I can fix it. If wo only know tho lady’s name. Couldn't you go hack to tho store aud ask ?” “ They’d know then what I had done; and then I’d loso my pAcc. Besides, tho lady wouldn’t pay for it. I know she'd ho awful mad. You see it’s an Easter bonnot.” “Oh! on Easter bonnet I” said Mr Merrick, slowly. “ And it’s worth fif teen dollars? Well, as long as it is bought, it doesn’t matter who tho pur chaser is, I suppose. I’ll take the bonnet.” “You!” and tho child’s faco was radiant with joyful relief. Then she added, doubtfully: “But yon can’t wear it, sir.” “ No, I supposo not, ovon at Easter But my sister may bo able to fix it up and make it quite respectable.” Oh, hypocrite! You know you never mean to let your Bistor know what a fool you have made of yourself. Throw ing away fifteen dollars to gratify whim! To own a bonnot that might ltavo adorned tlio bead of a woman yon do not intend to marry! Tho child’ eager eyes seemed to confront him with his folly. Ho hastily put tho monoy into an envelope, soaled it, and handed it to the littlo errand-girl. “There, tell your mistress the truth, and don't try to conceal anything; because, just think of tlio agony of the unknown lady, i her bonnet doesn’t arrive in timo for Easter. Good-bye.” Ho did not ask her namo, nor giv her his in anwer to her grateful poti tion. Ho felt as if she must bo laugh ing at him inwardly, and ho wished to got ri l of her and never to see her again —tho one witness of his lunacy. Tho littlo girl, Mollie Burke, hastened back to tho milliner; hint her heart failed her as sho came in sight of tho fore woman’s sharp conntenanco, a very Miss Kwag’s for acidity. Sho handed up tho envelope without a word. Where’s the bill, child ?” Sho didn’t send any,” faltered Mol- The forewoman uttered an impatient exclamation. “Some peoplo aro the earelessest!” Then, turning to the book keeper: “Miss Green, you’ll have to rnako out a now bill, and send it, re ceipted, to Miss Darcy.” Mollie heard tho name, and wished she could have told her benefactor, who, perhaps, might know the lady. Meanwhile, Mr. Merrick had locked his library door, placed the bonnot upon his table and established himself in his easy-chair directly in front of it. His eyes were fixed on his purchase, but his thoughts were a mile away. Yet it was just about a mile from bis house to the homo of Agnes; and it was two weeks since ho had ascended that long flight of steps or seen Agnes’ face at tho win dow. Two weeks! Two years rather, it seemed to him. Why, three months ago ho had thought himself the happiest man that ever walked the streets of New York. The. most beautiful woman in the world, the only perfect one, belong ed to him. And now a few hasty, angry words had parted them forever. What had they quarreled about ? Ho could scarcely remember. “ It all seemed then, in the lapse of timo, Such a vory littlo thing.” But lie had been jealous and she had resented it. She had said she would never seo him again, and be must abide by her word. With his steady gray eyes fixed sternly on tho coquettish bonnet, ho remained for nearly an hour lost in reverie, until his sister called him to supper. Then he camo out of the library, locking tho door behind him. “Whathave you got locked up in there?” demanded the gay little lady who presided over his bachelor estab lishment. “ Oh! my papers are lying all about, and I don’t want things disturbed,” re plied Mr. Merrick. The next day Mr. Merrick locked up away suddenly and went out leaving tho bonnot in full viow on the table. Ho lmd been in bis oflicc two hours be.foro ho remembered that tho key of tho li brary was in tho door, and not iu his pocket. About an hour after his de parture his sister Ethel, entering tho room with a gay song on her lips, stop ped short in astonishment, and the tuno died abruptly. “A lady’s bonnot! Hugh Merrick! Agnes Darcy was quite right to break off the engagement. Where did tho wrotch get it ?” Approaching tho table bIio lifted the damaged article and scrutinized it care fully. Well, I never! Can it be her bon net? That is certainly her tnrquoiso buckle that sho woro all lost winter. Tho mystery grows! How did Hugh get possession of this ?” At tho very timo that Ethel Merrick was puzzling her brain over Miss Dar cy’s Easter bonnot, in a daintily-fur nished boudoir, a littlo further up tho avenue, a sweot-facod girl was knitting her brows over another phase of the same mystery. Robed in a morning wrapper of palest blue, vastly becoming to her roseate complexion and soft gold locks, sho sat before her Davenport, looking with the most puzzled expres sion at a slip of paper in her hand. Aunt Helen! Como hero a minute, plcaHo.” Then, as* a portly lady in walking-dross appeared in tho doorway, She held out tho sheet to her. “ Seo that receipt from Madam Claro for my Easter bonnot 1” “ I did not know that your bonnot had come, my dear,” said Mrs. Darcy, as sho glanced at tho receipt . “ That is tho funniest part of it. Tho bonnet has not como, and I have cer tainly novor paid for it; and yot hero is tho receipt. What can it mean ?” “ Shall I stop at Clare's and see about it?” asked Mrs. Darcy, linablo to solvo tho mystery. “If you liavo time; but don’t doit unless it is perfectly convenient. My old bonnet will do perfectly well for next Sunday.” And a cloud eamo over the lovely faco. “ You don’t seem to earo nbout any thing, Agnes, since you quarreled with Hugh Merrick. I thought you had move pride. Perhaps you will make it all up again before Sunday, nnd tlieu you will wish you had your bonnot.” “Don’t speak of that, please, Aunt Helen.” And Miss Darcy’s voice was decided, though sweet. “I do not ex pect to ronow my engagement with Mr. Merrick. He has doubted mo.” And tenas rose to tho blue eyes aud Miss Darcy had to swallow a lump in her throat as sho turned away. “Miss Merrick, to seo you, Miss Agues,” said a maid at tho door. Agnes roceivod her visitor with some secret trepidation, though outwardly composed. “I will forgivo you, you nnnghty girl, for breaking my poor brother’s heart, on ouo condition,” said Ethel, vivaciously. “ Of course, you know, Ethel,” began Miss Darcy, with dignity. “ Novel’ mind. Only lot mo see your spring bonnet, and we’ll bo friends.” “ I wish I could,” said Agnes, some what hurt by her friend’s levity; “ but Madam Clare has just sent mo a re eeipt for a bonnot I have never soon nor paid for.” “How funny!” cried tho volatile Ethel. “There’s witchcraft iu it Then come homo with mo and seo mine, Oh! you needn’t bo afraid. Hugh never comes home in tho morning. I’m not plotting against you.” Somewhat against her judgment Miss Darcy consented, and was soon walking along tho avenue with her friend ; but when they had entered tho house, and Ethel led the way to the library, Agnes drew back. “ No, Ethel, I have no wish to enter your brother’s rooms,” “ But you must, my dear, or you can’t see my bonnet.” And Ethel whirled her faintly-resisting companion into the, library, and exclaimed, triumphantly : < ‘ There ! Isn’t it a beauty ? Some what crushed, you perceive ; but easily set to rights. Never saw me in a blue bonnet before,” rattled on tlio merry little brunette. But Miss Darcy stood motionless. “Ethel Merrick, that is my bonnet! How cam6 it here ?” “ You know as much as I do, my«dear. I discovered it this morning. Has Hugh stolen it, out of malice, to pre vent you from shining on Easter morn ing?” Agnes laughed, in spite of herself; and, taking up the bonnet, was soon trying it on boforo the mirjor iu tho hall: “Is it bocoming ?” she asked, turning, with a mirthful face, to her friend. A sudden sound of a key turning in the front door caused Ethel, who had a keen relish for “ situations,” to beat a hasty retreat; and Miss Darcy turned, with a startled face, to meet Mr. Merrick, who was the image of conster nation. “ Agnes!” “ I came for my bonnet, Mr. Merrick,” sho replied, enjoying his discomfiture. “ The bonnet belongs to mo. I paid “ But tho receipt is mado out in my namo,” sho said, drawing it from her pocket. “Yen cannot provo that you paid for it. Iam at a loss to know how you camo by it.” ‘ ‘ Never mind how I found it. Agnes, I must imploro your forgiveness for my unjust suspicions. I have tormented myself ever sinco wo parted for—” “Lot us settle about the bonnet, first,” interrupted M#s Darcy, tho sea- shell tints of her check taking a deepor pink. “Don’t trifle with mo, Agnes;” but, seeing the willful mutine look on her face, he changed his tone. " Yon know that you did not pay for it. By tho right of purchase it bolongs to me.” * But I ordered it, nnd I want it.” ‘ So do I!” deoidedly. ‘ Ono of us must yiold,” said Agnes, pouting. “I need tho bonnet.” “ But you cannot wear it.” “ Oh 1 yos. Thoro is not much harm done. I can repair the domago easily.” Well, I thank you for giving mo tho privilege of paying for your bonnot,” lio said, with an amused light in his eyes. Sho flashed out: “I will pay for it, Mr. Merrick.” You forgot that you have tho re ceipt, providing that you have already paid for it. I will give yon tho bonnot, to go with tho receipt.” 1 What magnanimity! ’’ she said, with a faint laugh and not resisting ns ho took her two hands in his nnd looked at her with love-lighted oyos. * 1 What will yon givo mo in return, Agnos?” Sho looked at him then, hor oyos brimming with suddon tears, and said, softly: • Perhaps I will give you tho receipt.” ‘ I doclaro, Agnes,” said Aunt Holon, coming in from hor shopping expedition late in tho aftornoon, “ I forgot all about your bonnet; and to-morrow is Satur day ! But you said you didn’t cave.” 1 Novor mind, Aunt Helen, the bon not has como. And—I supposo—Mr. Merrick will bo lioro to dinner on Sun day. Perhaps I shall wear it, after all.” —Independent. she saw itjwas wofully crushed outoi ^ ch * s0 before go ing to business ; shape. “I knewiit.was spoi c • ■ ^ following morning he was called for.it,” he retorted, wailod. “And 111 get tuineu ■ . • . : The Grand Duke's Tallow Candle. Among many amusing incidents of tho Russian imperial family related in tho late Karl Bender’s Memoirs is tho tho following highly characteristic story of tho occoutrio Grand Duke Con stantino, Czar Alexander’s eldest uncle. While residing at Warsaw Constantine gave a splendid banquet to n numbor of tho great Polish nobles, to each of whom, at the conclusion of tho feast, an ordi nary tallow candle was served on a platt^ by tho attendant lackeys. As soon as all his guests wore supplied with these peculiarly objects the grand duke, who hud given orders that an imitation enn- dle, admirably executed iu marclipano, should bo placed upon his pinto, rose from his seat and exclaimed: “Gentle men, let us cat, to the honor of Russia, tho favorite national comcstibio of my country. Look at mo. This is tho way to do it.” So saying, ho threw back his head, opened his mouth wide, and inserted therein two inches or so of the dainty in question. As he closed his tooth, how ever, the expression of his countenance suffered an extraordinary change. Ono of the noblemen sitting in his imme diate vicinity had contrived to substi tute liis own genuine tallow candle for tho marchpane imitation set before tho grand duke, who, not choosing to betray himself to his guests, found himself condemned to chew at least one copious mouthful of good Russian tallow as an example to all tho victims of his de testable jest, none of whom, of course, dared to abstain from doing as the ter rible Constantine did. It is needless to say that the dexterous appropriator of tho marchpane candle while devouring that toothsome article with a joyful heart, baffled suspicion by tho most hideous visual contortions expressive of loathing and nausea. In Self-Detense. According to the Georgetown (Del.) Inquirer the old salts who live down at Henlopen are a pitiless, not to say hard, cro wd. That paper says: Some seamen wandering along the Rehoboth beach last winter found a drowned man. They took the corpse up, carried it to Captain Tredendick’s barroom, stood it up at tho corner of tho bar and wont out and told Tredendick a friend wanted to treat tko crowd. Tho crowd drank and left. To Tredendick’s surprise he could got neither money nor answer from the corpse, and becoming enraged, struck him. Ho fell to tho floor with a thud. Becoming scared ho called on the man’s friends, and each solemnly declared the fellow was dead. Treden dick, white as a sheet and with tremb ling voice, was at first dumbfounded, but at last lie exclaimed: “Well, I did it in self-defense; lie drew a knife on mo before I struck him.” The styles in millinery this year are very unlike last year’s; but the spiteful remarks which each lady feels it her duty to make about her neighbor’s bon net will bo pretty much the same as usual.—Yonkers Uiuelte. The City of Mexico. Mexico is a boautiful city, with houses chiefly of brick and stucco, built plainly about a central court wi th a grand car riage entrance or porte cocliore, and oharming to tho eyo. The city is ex tremely compactly built, hardly a vacant lot being seen. Rents aro about as with us as to cost, but tenants are far more permanent. Tho pavements are not first-class. There are no suburbs, out- sido the city limits being marshy and a regular Pontine marsh in tho wet senson. Hotels nro superb ia appoint ments nnd comfort, and generally cheap. Ouo of our friends had a parlor with throo sleeping rooms adjoining, for two dollars por day ; and Mr. D., wife, and daughter ten years of ago, were boarded nt tlio tablo d'hote, superbly supplied, nt ono dollar and a half tho three. A snddle-horso of fine Arabian stock will cost n gentleman ono dollar for an after noon. Tho ladies walk or lido in tho stroets as freely as here, nnd ovorybody goes to tho Alomodn daily to ride if they are ablo to, or sit on tho honchos as at the Bois do Boulogne, in Paris, and see tho others if they cannot ride themselves. It is otiqnetto for gentlemen to admire nnd exclaim openly, “ What a beautiful woman I ” or, “Oil, yon lovely croaturo 1' to any pretty woman ho soes pass, and tho womon movo on apparently uncon scious, but store up these “flowers,” ns tlioy call them, to recount in the even ing to their friends, and really deem them vory preoious acquisitions. The Mexican ladies of tho better class did not impress our party immediately by their benuty, but tlio Indians, men and women, nro generally a handsome race, inflnitoly ,moro so than our Northorn aborigines. Tho favorite roHort of gentlemen is tho cafe, or what wo should call saloons; these aro fitted up beautifully, and men sit hero all the evening and smoko and chat and drink nguardionto or gin or pulque. Tho latter is a Hort of drink having about tho amount of in toxicating qualities, according to Mr. Dickson, of tlio ephemeral wine of the modern Greek, or as Gonornl Burbank expressed it, of our common beor. It is mado from tlio well-known agave plant, or maguey, tbnt is grown exten sively in tlio wild plateau on which Mexico is situated, for this purpose. Tho plant, at a suitable size, say about ten years of age, lias tlio crown cut, forming a basin ordisli, into which the juices of tho plants, roots and remain ing loaves exude. This is dipped out and fermented, and looks nnd tastes n little liko buttermilk, but baa somo in toxicating or nt least exhilarating qual ities that make it tho passion of tho Indian population of that country. Our soldiers under General Scott took to it kindly when our army was thoro thirty odd years ago. Mexican coffee, that is beginning to bo largely cultivated, is equal to Java, and Mexican tobacco and cigars aro largely bold both hero and in Havana as the best of Cuban leaf. Business in the city of Moxico is largely controlled by English and Ger man capitalists, and having enormous means it is likoly to be hard to dispos sess them, even with Yankee grit. Taxes are assessed on tho income of property, so that vacant houses or lands aro not burdened by imposts. Titles to property are generally straight, and re cords so clearly kept as to mako it safe to make investments.— Cincinnati Times. First Gold In California. General Sherman has given this account of the first discovery of gold in California: I remember one day that two men, Americans, came into the office and inquired for the governor. I asked their business, and one answered that they had just come down from Captain Sutter on special business, and they wanted to see Governor Mason in person. 1 took them in to the colonel and left them together. After some time the colonel came to his door and called me. I went in and my attention was directed to a series of papers un folded on tho table, in which lay about half an ounce of placer gold. Mason said to me: “ What is that?” I touched it and examined one or two of the larger pieces, and asked: “Is it gold?” Mason asked me if I had ever seen na tive gold. I answered that in 1844 I ’ was in Upper Georgia, and there saw some native gold, but it was it uch flnor than this, and that it was in phials or in transparent quills; but I said t if this were gold it could easily be tested —first by its malleability and next by acids. 1 took a piece in my toetli aud the metallic luster was perfect. I then called to tho clerk (Baden) to bring an ax and hatchet from the backyard. When they were brought I took the largest piece and boat it out Hat, and beyond doubt it was metal and a pure metal. Still, wo attached littio im portance to the fact, for gold was known to exist at San Fernando, at tlio south, and yet was not considered of much value. Steel knives may be saved from rust ing by being nibbed with mutton tallow, wrapped in paper, and put into a haizo- I lined chest. The Groaning Tree. The story of tho groaning tree is this: About forty years ago n cottager who lived near the center of the village of Badesley, near Lymington, heard fre quently a strange noise behind his house like that of a person in extreme agony. Soon after it caught the atten tion of his wife, who was then confined * to her bed. She was a timorous woman, and, boing greatly alarmed, her hns- band endeavored to persnade her that tho noise she heard was only the bel lowing of the stags in the forest. By degrees, however, the neighbors on all Rides hcaid it, and tho thing began to be much talked of. It was by this time plainly discovered that tlio groaning noise proceeded from an elm which grow at tho end of the garden. It was a young, vigorous tree, and%> all ap pearance perfectly sound. In a few weeks fame of the groaning tree was spread far and wide, nnd people from all parts flocked to hear it. Among others it attracted tho curiosity of tho late Prince and Princess of Wales, who resided at that time, for the advantago of tlie sea bath, at Filowell, the seat of Sir James Worsley, which stood within a quarter of a mile of tho groaning troo. Though the country people assigned many superstitions causes for this strango plionomonom tlio naturalist could assign no physical one that was in any degree satisfactory. Somo thought it was owing to the twisting and friction of tho roots; others thought it procoedod from water which had col lected in tho body of the tree, or per haps from pent air. But no cause that was alleged appeared equal to the offoct. In' tlio moantimo tho tree did not always groan, sometimes disap pointing its visitants; yot no cause could bo assigned for its temporary cessations, either from seasons or weather. If any difforonco was ob served it was thought to groan least when tlio weather was wot, and most when it was clear aud frosty; but the sound at all tirnos soomod to arise from tho roots. Thus the groaning treo continued nu object of astonishment during tlie space of eighteen or twenty months to all the country afounJ, and, (or tho information of distant parts, a pamphlet was drawn up containing a particular account of all tho circum stances relating to it. At length the owner of it, a gentleman of tho name of Forbes, making too rash an experiment to discover its cailso, bored a hole in its trunk. Aftor this it nover groaned. It was tlion rooted np with u further viow to mako a discovery, but still nothing appeared which led to any in vestigation of tho cause. It was uni versally, howevor, believed that thoro was no trick in tho affair, but that somo natural causo really existed, though nover understood.—“Forest Scenery.” Brought Him in Alive. A party of soldiers “ out West,” not having much to do, resolved to go bear hunting. They had beon out about six teen hours and had not soon a bear, aud, boing tirod and hungry, returned to camp. On their arrival at headquar ters they missed one of their compan ions, but thought nothing of it, one of them remarking: “ He will return all right.” Tlioy made their camp-fire, and com-, tnenced preparing for supper. They had tho coffee over tho tiro ; ono of them was slicing somo potatoos, and the remainder sat around the fire waiting, when they were all startled by a terrible noiso that seemed to come nearer to camp. Suddenly tho thickets parted, and in rushed the missing man, his hair standing on end, his face deadly white, his gun gone, and his arms flying in the air, as if grasping for imaginary objects, and about two feet behind him came a great black bear. The bear was immediately shot by his comrades. Tho pursued soldier turned when ho saw tho bear drop, and, looking at one of them, said, breathlessly: “ Is lie dead ?” One of the men asked: “ Why didn’t j t ou shoot him instead ol running?” “ What do you take me for?” replied the missing one. “ Do you think I was such a fool as to shoot him, when I could bring him in alive ?” A Snake In a Stork’s Stomach. The Cleveland (Ohio) Leader chroni cles an interesting case at Mount Ver non. Lester Williams shot and killed a stork which was throo aud a half feet high when erect. The bird being strauge, it was taken to the office of Dr. Robinson and examined by ornitholog ical experts. While being handled, the head of a snake protruded from the bird’s mouth. Naturally the spectators dropped tlie bird’s head and awaited developments. Tho snake crawled out from his strango prison in the storks stomach, and proved to be of as rare a species among reptiles as the stork is in North American fauna. The reptile measured four feet in length and thred inches in circumference. Tho amount of hay allowed daily per head for cattle crossing the Atlantic in fifteen pounds, or 210 pounds for the voyage of fourteen days. i gfeff! ' j .