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JOURNAL AND' MESSENGER. THE FAMILY JOURNAL—NEWS—POLITICS-.LITERATURE—AGRICULTURE—DOMESTIC NEWS^Etc.—PRICE 12.00PER ANNUM. GEORGIA TEL APH BUILDING ESmiSHED 1826. MACON, FRIDAY, JANUARY 20,1882. VOLUME LVI-NO 3 xnu 8A3tEDF.AU hasd. The bells ring ont ft happy sound, The earth is mantled o’er with white, It is the merry Christmas night, And love and mirth and joy_abound, And here sit yon and hero sit I; J should bo happiest in the land, For, oh, I hold tho same dear hand I’ve held lor many a yoar goneby 1 It is not withered up with care; It is ns fresh and fair to see, As sweet to bold and dear to me, As when with chimes upon the air On Christmas nights of years ago I held the some dear little thing And felt its soft caresses bring Tho’flushes to my throbbing brow. ah, wo were bom to never part! This litUe band I hold to-night. And I. so with a strange delight I press it to my beating heart, And in the midnight’s solemn hush I bless the little hand I hold, In brolton whispers be it told, It is tho old-time bobtail flnsb. —[Denver Tribnno. • “3IB. SMITH.” t m- From theAraoiy CHAPTER I. It was about 0 o’clock upon a Juno even ing, and tho rays of the declining sun were still shining down hotly upouasaall railway station in the midst of a sleepy, agricultural district. A long, low build ing, with a graveled platform and. one iron bench, inclosed in woodf n ’palings, formed the whole erection; anJ nil glitter ed incredibly white In the warm sun beams. To break the perfect repose of tho rural scene there was but one moving figure, which was that of a rather small and stunted boy In a dark, quiet livery- His Consequence, however, was sufficient for an army; as ho strutted up and down the platform he was casting contemptuous glances at the low, white station-lions at the pastoral landscape, at the sliiuil lines of rails. This superior being was presently aroused from tho contemplation of his greatness by tho appearance of the ain in the distance, whan be immediately pruned a veryjbusiness-like, wide-awake pS Rut the approach of the train had ^mccama known in other quarters also, and an officer now lssured lrom tho low white building, carefully locking tho door be- bind him. Upon the stoppage of the train it became apparent at onco that there were but two passengers for Redbrook—one a stout ” V’*ountry-woman, with a market-basket * * ’ .•Pfe’faw arm; the other a young man, • •V* rwMp*I* r A u C briskly from his compartment, y Vj. Tlariad® his way to the luggage van* , Living the country woman to get her fat t 4* ,y irte*.a ter basket out as best sho might, -v, -' theory officer bustled up to tho first ' tho.rv.uger. iy *, v, £*’ luggage, sir? Was it labelled v,’ « What name? ‘Smith,’ did you Thank you.” - . now the sma 1 land important ser- camo up^iAMdtzfir his hat, andspeak- the, taking a bag d. “What Iug- it; the carriage ; air and his port end then J,/trolled ;?t>y the %fd the jv uame ny-’carriage <,'ayouDglady. in print dress, jiale colored rib- e its monotony, straw hat, as attire; and for in its youth- lg. But low car- made a Smith, ) wor- Igly, not , prove to ice inform- r siglit of bis lief baud her voice her ap My fatli- to come 'he bad an And this after- outstretched hand, elf that he should as much in the cqm- ighter as in that of ; perhaps more so. i?” said the. girl next, i seeing to'yonr lug- will bring it.” occasion of a great deal nhadjaligady come it, so that need not ‘twered the young siness-like way was a cltarac- gbt, Thomas?” ’ho now came ce; upon which up the ponies, P»M- ,a>'lions to point out to you, that unless you can admire y landscape, I am afraid iisappointed m the neighbor- £ a scent of bay harvest in the \ ragged-robins in the hedges Sir pink heads; the delicate grasses waved gracefully; the )jgly and in groups, stood out in ' ji masses of foliage; a brown stream "rough the fields, beside which . Jartested, ruminating in full con- ail was rich, peaceful, pastoral, and •mng man looked around him quite with his position and the pros- ■%. ‘‘itmay be a great deficiency in taste,” •tfr - -- ■“ ^answerei *» tkal he, laughing; “but I am not are that I do not like a rich agricultural country like this better than the grandeur Qf wilder scenery.” • “Of course I like the country; I never ijod it dull; but I am afraid of our not bqlng able to find you much amusement.” - Jeffrey was beginning to deprecate this * view of the case, when he was interrupt ed by the ponies being pulled up. They had overtaken the old woman, who had been the other passenger In the train by which he arrived. “Well, Nanny.’ a warm evening. Shall we take your basket for you? You can call for it at the house, and get some sup per as you go by.” “Thank you, Miss Lettice; ’Us warm,” answered the old woman, wiping her heated face, and preparing to disburden herself. “Here, Thomas,” said the young lady to the servant, who was looking on dis dainfully with folded arms, “help Nanny up with her basket.” And at the com mand of his mistress he bad do choice ut to unfold his snns and assist the old oman, who was anxiously covering up le corner of her basket. “What have yon got there, Nanuy? A iw cap?” “Yes, Mias; and you will see as those "“d* of yours don’t get fittiu’ nn on.” "ery well, Nanny,” said the girl laugh- ahe laid her whip lightly upon the ’ shining flanks, and started afresh, nkthat Is only Nanny’s delicate way ot putting the case; it is really myself whom she is afraid of not bc’ne able resist the tempting adonflhent.” “I am not sure that her misgivings are without reason,” said Smith, smiling In his turn. To feel otherwise than friendly toward this frank girl was as Impossible as it would be to treat her with other than the truest respect. “I shall make my first duty to look alter Nanny's In terests.” “I’ray do. Come, my beauties,'we must be geitlng on,” she added, shaking the ponies’ reins encouragingly. * “I hope you did not mirtd my stopping - .* We try to help our neighbors hero iu the country; we have not much else to think of," sho added apologetically, turning round and glancing into her companion’s face. • “I was amused at the idea for a mo ment; but I think it was a very good thought of yours,” answered the young man warmly. A short space marc of the country road with its flqwery hanks, and the carriage turned o(T. and bowled smoothly up an avenue of chestnuts through a park of small cstcut; and in a very few minutes more they pulled up at a low, straggling house. It w*s an irregular building with a high-peaked roof and many angles, but pernaps in its main outline it might be said to follow the lorm of three sides of a quadrangle, having at one bend a .short square tower, which gave dignity to the structure and somewnat relieved its low, rambling character. The door stood wide open to admit the summer air, fragrant with the balmy breath of many roses; ud the girl, giving the reins to the groom, stepped from the carriage and conducted Smith across the wide ball to a room at tho rear of the bouse. “My father will most likely he in the library. Yes,” said she, flinging wide the door after a preliminary peep within, glancing over her shoulder to the young man who was Inflowing her. “Hero is Mr. Smith, papa!” Her father, who had been seated in his Jh^Chair reading the newspaper, laid it down upon the entrance of bis daughter and taking oil bis spectacles, rose to greet his guest with a bland smile of welcome upon his face. But as his eyes fell upon his visitor, the urbane expression of his countenance changed to one of blank sur prise, and he drew himself up stiffly. •‘Who are you?” cried the old gentle man. Jeffrey, upon his part, was little less taken aback at his reception. “Is Mr. Lorimer not at home?” “How should I know? What do you mean, sii?” M “Is Mr. Lorimer not expecting me? Where is he?” “In Ids house, a dozen miles from here, I should imagine!” cried the-little old gentleman; his face pink, and every hair upon his white, woolly head seeming to bristle with pugnacity. “■In his own house, a dozen miles from here!’” echoed Jeffrey Smith, blankly. “1 can’t understand you.” “I can’t understand yon, sir!” retorted the other. “Stay, there is some mistake,” cried Lettice, who had been looking iu amaze ment from one to the other. “Mr. Smith, whom did you come to see2” “Mr. Lorimer, of course,” answered’ the young man abruptly, turning to the girl with evident relief. “But we have hardly a visiting acquaint ance with them! Why come here?” “I have never been there, but it is place called The Cedars, and I thought was coming to it now; is not this it?” Wbat reply the young lady might have given can never be known, for the old gentleman, Mr. Warburtou, took up the subject again. “I see it all!” lie cried throwing up his hands. “The boy should have gone to The Cedars, aud he has come here six miles out of his way!” “Then this w not Mr. Lorimer’*! How stupid! I was to ba7e gone there ou i week’s visit.” “Most extraordinary to me,” Mr. War- burton muttered to himself, “how a per son does not know where he is going, and takes care he gets there.” The color rose to Jeffrey Smith’s fore head; and be was none the less annoyed that ho felt the blood mounting to his lace. “I am sorry for any inconvenience that I may have caused you, sir,” he said; “and I think now that I had better lose no time in starting for my destination.” “Tut, tut, tut, young man, don’t mount the high horse; sit down; I was only think ing cf you. For ourselves, if we have not tho right visitor, we are very glad of the wrong;one.” “You are very kind, hut I will take np no more of your time. Besides, 1 imag ine 1 shall get no conveyance in these rustic parts, therefore the sooner I start the better,” answered Smith, melting Into his genial self at the other’s more cordial manner. “Nonsense! there la no conveyance to be bad here. I can not send you such a dis tance, for one of my horses k lame; so you must rnako yourself comfortable for the present. You came of your own lrce will and choice, and you must stay now against it. It would be an ' excellent joke, too, hut for poor Smith cooling his heels on Bedbrook pi it form.” “I don’t think, papa, he coaid have ar rived,” said Lettice, who had laid aside her si raw list, and sealed herself beside the table* “You were expecting a friend by this train?—Of course,” added Jefirey, cor recting himself; “or the mistake could not have arisen about me. No person got out of the train but myself and the old lady with the cap,” smiling at Lettice. “I looked about me thoroughly, so I can as sure you no one was there." “Very well, all’s well that ends well. Ring the bell, my dear, for this gentleman to be shown to his room—he can have Smith’s,” said Mr. Warburtou, as impul sively hospital now as he had been un bearably irate before. With ail his sim plicity ami impulsiveness lie was not with out some judgment, and he had taken a liking for this young stranger with Lis good looks and gentlemanly bearing, and was honestly pleased to hare him within his doors. Miss Warburtou had kept quite silent and aloof throughout the discussion; but when be at length yielded to her father’s sereitaslons, Smith could not resist steal ing a glance In her direction to read he mind, and he fancied be could detect a faint smile of satisfaction dimpling her pretty mouth. So in improved spirits he >roceeded to his room, where he was in- ormed his luggage was already. In twenty minutes his toilet was complete, and he made his way back into the room in which he had been received. Quick, though, as he considered be had been in dressing, be found Miss Warburtonhad been yet quick er, for as he opeued the door, he beard her clear voice in conversation. “Well, I must say I thought he looked rather young.” “I should think so. How you could take that lad for the Professor—” Mr. Warburton was beginning, when he was awakened to the fact of Jefirey Smith’s presence in the room. A slight flush dawned upon Lattice's fair cheeks at the unexpected entrance of their subject of conversation, but she faced the poeition frankly. “Yea,” she began, with her low sweet langb; “we were talking of you. I was just saying that, although no doubt of your identity entered my mind, you did not fulfill my idea of a learned Professor.” “I think that unkind, Mlsa Warburton. You should have left me under the illu sion that I looked the embodiment of wis dom and erudition.” “How did the mistake arise? How was ittbat you came from the station with me?” “I can not tell you exactly; I have been thinking over the circumstances, and I can only remember tliatjyour servant came up aud took my hag from my hand, saying (lie carriage was waiting for me outside the station.” “I Knew it!" cried Mr. Warburton. “I knew that young rascal had something to do with it; ho is at the bottom of every piece of mischief. We’ll have him here to give an account of himself.” “What is the use, papa?” said Lettice, laughing. “He will only prove every body tohe iu the wrong but himsplf.” At this moment dinner was announced, Miss Warburton being given into Smith’s charge; with which arrangement lie was well pleased. The more he saw of Let tice, the more lie was charmed with her vivacity and intelligence. Sho was also prettier than he had at first thought her, now that he saw her with her pretty hair uncovered, and her bright, youthful face set off by evening dress. This was as sim ple as her outdoor attire had been, but it was ot some shining white material, and it left her round white throat aud arms exposed to view, and set off her light and graceful figure. There was a slight dash of independence in her manner and speech, but it was only sufficient to lend a certain piquancy to her remarks. He had a con siderable experience of her powers of en tertainment in the course of the evening for Mr. Warburton fell asleep immediately upon their adjournment to the drawing room. By the help of some music,and Miss War- burton’s conversation, the evening flew by, and Jefirey Smith was first recalled to a sense of the time by Leilico ringing for chamber candles, and bidding himself and her rather good-night. The slight stir had awakened the latter, and he now took tho office of entertainer. “Do you smoke?” asked tho old gentle man, blinking his eyes and pushing his fingers through the snow-wliito wool that covered bis head, as he sat very erect and looked at Smith. “Not regularly; but when I am shown a bad example, 1 sometimes take a cigar.” “Very well; I’ll set you Uuft bad exam ple; we’ll havo just one whifl before going to bed. But we must go to my sanctum. Do yon notice what a queer bouse this is?’ asked Mr. Warburton as, followed by Ids guest, he shuffled along an extensive cor ridor to a far-off room. “It covers a great deal of ground, surely.” “Yes, for if is built entirely ou the f ound floor, but for the small tower that have added; my daughter considers the rooms In it hers, the windows look over the woods and are pleasant; at any rate, they are her choice. Tho man who lived here before me, and for whom the house was built, was blind. You recollect your bedroom, I suppose; it lies over there,” the old gentleman concluded, pointing over his shoulder. * ‘Yes,'I marked Its position, at the end of tho uassage, past tlia tower staircase.” “Right! now I thing; I can give you a cigar that you will enjoy.” CHAPTER n. • By 11 o’clock that night Mr. Smith was in bed; but 12, sounding from some clock in tlie neighborhood, discovered liim still awake, and when the single stroke of 1 in due time came trembling through tho still summer air, Ills restlessness L:.d only increased. This wakefulness was becom ing oppressive, and he at last set to court ing the-perverse and fickle goddess in sober earnest, and strove to remember all the methods that he had heard recom mended for obtaining sleep. He had been told that counting was an infallible charm; well! Jeffrey reckoned up the national debt, and was as wide awake as though he had been Chancellor of Exchequer. Then he remembered tho true method of composing One’s self was to fix the mind upon a single Idea, such as sheep success ively jumping a hedge. Accordingly, he saw the flocks of Abraham over tin he had conjured up in his imagination, with the result that he was rather more lively than before. Theu he tried repeat ing poetiy, and went hunting for a miss ing line through halt the « English poets. And last he essayed tho reiteration of a word again aud again, till at length it had no more meaning or sense than tne changes rung upon a bell. Stop! at this rate ho should soon land in hopeless im becility. He would rise, walk about, read, occupy himself in some manner; and springing up, he sought a light. Tho matches were not to bo found, but there might be a match of two in his own bag, This he recollected to have been left m the dressing-room [which adjoined his bed-chamber. The window here was not screened by thick, dark blinds, as thole of the sleeping apartments were, aud he soon found his bag; when as he was feeling among its fittings for his match box, ho became conscious of a peculiar smell and sound In tlio room. The door had been left overnight accidently ajar, aud through this opening tho strange In fluence stole. The next moment he was convinced of the cause. The place was on fire! Jeffrey ventured out and looked forth, and there at tho end of the passage, roll ing onward to meet him, was a volume of white smoke. Without a moment’s loss offline he turned back into his room, and, hastily assuming some ot bis clothes, hur ried out again. Perfectly ignorant which rooms were tenanted and which not, ho knocked at every door shouting, “Fire! fire!” He himself pressed on to the im mediate scene of the conflagatlon. The origin of the fire he could not discover; but upon turnlDg tho corner of tho long corridor it was apparent that the tower stairs were burning. The column of smoke was now very dense, but the flames seemed to be issuiug from beneath the staircase. Good Heavens! Was it not here that he had been told Miss Warbur ton slept? How far had the fire reached? Had it already done its work ot distrac tion? Before Jeffrey’s sight swept a vision of the girl as he had seen her last night, bright, sunny, beautiful, and now possibly a mere heap of charred and blackened ruin. It spurred him on to instantaneous effort. He made an attempt to ascend; the smoke was blinding, tliq hot airswept his face with scorching fierceness; but the stairs still aflorded firm and secure foot ing. The flames, however, were licking with ominous greed at tho light wooden baluster and its supports. Ho gained the door which he supposed must be that of Miss Warburton’s room, and, after a hasty knock, turned the handle. Tho floor yielded. He could make out the white bed, could almost catch the shimmer of the golden hair upon the pillow even in that dim light. “Miss Warburton! waken!” he cried. And theu thinking the true cause of the disturbance would he less alarming to the rl than the strange presence in her room, e added: “Don’t be frightened; but the house is on fire.” Jeffrey guessed that she was not the kind ot woman to go into hysterics, or faint, or do anything else absurd; he had reckoned upon her showing courage and presence of mind, and he found nimself right in his estimate. “Yes; who to it? What to the matter?” she sail, bewildered,’but sitting erect, and speaking ealmly. ‘It is I, Miss Warburtou; there is a fire in the house. I do not think it is much, but the srairt are burning. Will you come at once?” “Yea, but—* “Don't waitl Just wrap yourself in something woolen,” he »aid, walking to the door and opening it in readiness, but the next moment be shut it again. The flames had already gained the very lintels. “Quick, Miss Warburton! There is not a moment to lose!” Cried he sharply. The next moment Lettice had elided up to his side where he stood waiting for l er. lie took her hand to lead her for ward; she was very ready and composed, but Jeffrey could feel that she trembled nervously. Holding her fingers now in a firmer grasp to reassure her, he opened the door and stepped out on the small landing. “Not through there! not through there!” she cried, drawing back with a violent shudder at the sight of the smoke and flames. Seeing her dismay and reluctance Mr. Smith spoke to her hurriedly, “Our only alternative is tho window; Is there a verandah or anything of that sort below it?” “No, nothing.” “No projection of any kind to climb out upon.” “None,” she answered, trying to steady her voice; “the wall falls sheer down to the grouud.” * . .“Come, then; you shall not bp hurt If I can help it. Escapo is easy enough if only the stairs be stone; at all events, they arc but a short flight,” he said encourage- iogly; but at the same time he stole a glance of much anxiety at the girl. She was only protected by some thin wrapper, but little naked white feet were simply thrust into a pair of slippers, her fair hair hung in a fleecy cloud ovor her shoulders. Plenty for those hungry flames to feed upon; little to resist their voracity. Darting a oack into the room, Smith seized a blanket from the bed; and rolling it around her, lifted her, speechless with astonishment, into his arms and dashed right on. Buidened as h<^ was and blinded by tlio smoke, ho stumbled on, never hesitating till ho reached the base, where wl at seemed To be a solid wall of fire withstood his progress. But it was too lote for hesitatiou, too lato to go hack; and, with a more fervent prayer for help than ever he had uttered In his life before, he plunged on. A moment later they stood sate beyond tbe roach of tho flames. Safe upon the solid ground, sate as by a miracle; safe, though with hearts that yet throbbed quickly from the late sense of peril. And deeply thankful; one at least had never tasted tho full sweet ness of existence until that moment of blessed relief. Sitting his precious burden down, Jeffrey Smith staggered .back against the wall, more exhausted by his exertions, and more hurt by the scorching breath of The flames, than be cared to own. He was aroused by tbe sound of a soft v»ice speak ing to him.* “I know what you havo done, Mr. Smith; I know that you have saved my life at the risk of your own.” “Not at all; it is nothing,” auswered the young man, quickly. “It is so much that I can say nothing,” said the girl, looking up at him, her eyes full of tears, her tones broken by emo tion. “There was no one else sleeping in that irt of the house, was there?’’ asked nervous'y, when she was not using It as a mop to wipe her stained and heated cheeks. “I v ^ telling you, Miss, Jennie Row- landp’tame up for some black currant jam and aunt tent me to the store-room be hind the stairway.” “Now, put the blame upon me,” cried Mrs. Bennett, throwing up her baud with a gesLre that spoke volumes for the in justice and iniquity of the world. “No, aunt, I’m not; I’m only telling how ’twas. And I was obliged, Miss, to letch.. light to read the labels on the pets, and I lelt the candle behind me on the window. 1 suppose I forgot it ’cause it was so light outside.” “V; ry well. Now, Hetty, you must promise ' i be very careful for the future.” ‘■I will Miss, I will,” cried the penitent Hetty, applying the apron more vigorous ly than ever to her eyes. “Yes; recollect that a great deal of damage has been doue, ami it might have been much more serious, costing some of us our lives, but for tbe goodness of God. You must take a warning from this.” “Indeed IT) never look at a candle again.” “An undertaking you’ll find it difficult to keep,” said Miss Warburton, laughing, “You can all go.” “My dear,” said the father as soou as the servants had dispersed, “you should have let me speak a word. We shall have the house In flames every other night whon they tee how easily we take this.” “Xouseuse. Hetty has had a warning for life. Besides, papa, you would only have made us all laugh. Now then, what* shall we do? Shall we take Mr. Smith to see the gardens, such as they are ?” “He shall see my pigs. They are worth looking at, I can promise you, Smith. Come along.” But neitner flowers nor pigs were des tined to receive Smith’s admiration that day; far, just as the three were passing out, a carriage drove up to the door with Jrfilrcy’s lawful possessors, full of apolo- ;ies and explanations for having been ate in arriving at the station the previous day. Mr. Warburtou at onco entered a vehe ment protest against his "departure. “No, no; we’ve got you, and mean to keep you* Miud, you came o! your own choice,” added the litlfcuentlemau, chuckling. He seemed to tlilnluthat there was au excel lent joke in this latter fact. TcJcffrey the fuu of It was not so pat ent. Even witli tbe latter events, he colored somewhat at the recollection of the method of hi, arrival. “Yes, I bare to thank you for your kindness aud hos pitality to a mere Intruder.” “No, no, no, dear me! dear me 1 How little we know what a day may bring forth—thought your coming so odd; it was the finger of Providence that led you bere. J ’ Jefirey did not exactly see the reason ing, but he kept the sentiineut witbiu his own breast, only maintaining that be must fulfill hi* engagement with the Lorimej's,and"speud the next week at their house. Jeffrey, starling up, struck by a sudden thought. “No, oli, no,” cried Lettice, laying her hand detainingly upon his arm, fearful that ho was going to explode afresh. “I was r.ot thinking of starting upon second expedition,” said he, smiling, and taking her baud ho held it in his in warm clasp. The next momeut they were interrupt ed by the awakened household assem bling. Oue by one the inmates of the honse camo trooping up lu every form of unfinished and peculiar attire, but all worked with such a will, and the supply of water was so good, that the fire was extinguished by tlio time day dawned. Not, however, before tho staircase was wholly consumed, aud Mrs. Warburton’s rooms partly destroyed aud wholly spoiled by the double action of tho smoke and the ho3o from the gardeu, which had been brought to play upon tbe conflagration. The world ot nature had been some time astir, and tbe sun was some height In Hie heavens when Jeffrey retired to bed for tbo second time, but he now slept soundly until 0 o’clock. Hastening then he found awaiting him in tho breakfast- room Mr. Warburton walking up and down in a state of great agitation, beat- od before tho urn was Lettice herself, looking as fresh as though ahe had passed tho night in tranquil slumber upon a bed of roses, and bad stolen some of tbeir bloom and sweetness for herself. Mr. Warburton hailed Jeffrey as his daughter’s deliverer, making many at tempts to thank him for the great service lie had rendered them, hut as regularly broke down; and as upon each occasion he wrung Smith’s hand almost to the point 6f dislocating his shoulder, tho lat ter was not sorry when he abandoned the endeavor to express his gratitude, and proposed that breakfast should bo pro ceeded with. No sooner was the meal over than Jef frey and Lettice were invited to be pres ent at the inquiry Mr. Warburtou was about to institute into the cause of the fire. He was not going to have his house burned down about his.ears and not know tbe reason why. So the entire staff of servants was summoned, and tbe inquiry opened with great formality. Each of the men-servants separately de nied all knowledge ot the matter; but when it came to the women-servants’ turn to be interrogated, Mrs." Bennett, the housekeeper, a homely old womeu, but a privileged person, who bad evidently been on thorns for ten minutes past to get in a word, answered with great fluency and energy: “No, sir; I did not do it* but I know who did. ’Twas that bad, wicked girl, Hetty.” “What l your niece, Hetty!” cried Mr. Warburton, astonished. “Yes, sir,” assented this Spartan rela- tive; «’twas she that set fire to the house, aud tried to burn us all up in our beds.” “Come here, Hetty," In answer to the summons there came forward a plump-faced count*y lass, shaking and crying, but not looking alto- ;etlier the murderer and incendiary she rad been represented to be. “Now, then, wbat have you got to say ?” asked her master, with the air of a judge to a prisoner at the bar. The only reply of the culprit was a fresh burst of tears. Miss Warburton came to tire rescue. ■Look at me, Hetty,” said she, in a kind and gentle voice, “aud tell us how it hap pened.” The .irl turned her moist eyes upon the young lady with some appearance of re lief. “Well, Miss, Jenny Rowland's little girl bad asore throat—” “Tut, tut, tut,” broke lu the old Squire with bis familiar expression of Impatience. “Tut, tut, tnt! We don’t want to bear about the health of the parish. I want to know why my house is to be burned down, and Mire Lettice killed between the fire and tbe fright.” Mr. Smith and “Mias Lettice” lodked up at this ghastly picture; and, their glances meeting, tbe majesty of tbe court as nearly being broken by a peal of laughter. As soon as he conld regain a fitting gravity of countenance, Miss Warburton resumed her prompting. “Pat down your apron and go on,” said she to tbe girl, faltlng " who was pli ; up tbe hem of her apron B ) he departed,* carrying with him the open loudly-expresssd regrets of his late host, and a faint glance of wistful disap pointment from Miss Warburton, that was instantly changed,for a smile and a jest when she perceived his gaze bent upon her. But the sequel proved that he might quite as well have remained at Redbrook, for next day anu every day l'ouud him calling there. - “Somehow I feel an interest in those people. Lettice Warburton is such a nice girl,” he allowed, and deceived himself by tbe candor of the admission. “Not the sort woman to fall hopelessly, stupid ly, head-over-ears in lore with; no daz zling beauty to rave rbout; just a good, honest, English girl, taWbg kindly thought for au old woman, rescuing a poor ser vant from trouble, carrying life and sun shine evreywhere; who could help liking her?” It was tbe final morning of his stay in the neighborhood, and he bad ridden over to Redbrook early to make his adieus. The room in which he was shown was empty when he entered; bnt the next mo ment Lettice glided in, her cheeks aud eyes brightened by the fresh morning air, her hands full ot flowers, with which to replenish tbe vases, $ task she dally per formed herself. “I did not know yon were hero,” she cried, upon seeing Jeffrey. “I can not give you a hand, because both ate full. Have you been waiting long?” ■ “No, I have hardly been here a mo ment. I called to say good-bye, as I am leaving to-morrow.” “Air’—Miss Warburton’s hands were dissengaged now, for the flowers had dropped from thorn, and were rolling in a glittering cataract down her white robe to the ground. The brief sigh and exclama tion might havo been given to the catas trophe, or to the news just imparted by Mr. Smith. The next momeut she was speaking lightly. “How stupid of me! Did you say you were leaving? I thought you were going to stay some time longer, my father is under the firm impression that you would pay us a visit before deserting the neighborhood altogether.” Jeffrey made no answer; he was silently gathering up the scattered blossoms and replacing them in her lap. Something in the last few minutes had shown him his heart. What a fool he had been in talk ing about liking this girl? It burst upon him, with the suddenness of a startling revelation, what a blank life would be without her. ‘Will you give me one of those flow ers?” he asked, as his work ended, he stood waiting beside her. Lettice had in her fingers two or three purple pansies; she stretched ont her hand aud offered them to him without a word. “Heartsease! I shall need them when I am gone.” A slight frown contracted Miss Warbur ton’s smooth white brow; then she looked up with & gentle reproach. “I did not think it was your habit to talk uonsense.” “It is not nonsense,” said Jeffrey ea gerly. “Miss Warburton! yon are dearer to me than life. I have been too stupid to know it, but 1 think I have loved yon from tbe first moment I saw you.” No reply from Miss Warburton, save that her bead drooped a little lower over the flowers. “Give me a word of hope, dearest. Don’t let me go away miserable; speak to me—Lettice." “What can I say? And you are so Im patient—Jeffrey. It was enough for the Waiting, anxious lover. “Lettice, may I go and speak to ^onr father now?” asked Jeffrey presently, when his raptures had somewhat sub sided. “You would not be anxious for it,” an swered she between smiles and tears, “if you knew the treatment other suitors have met at bis bands.” Inwardly quaking, himself, at the or deal, Jefirey sought out Mr. Warburton and tcld his story plainly. “Never heard of anything so ridiculous In my life!” burst out the little old gen tleman. “Yon saved her Hie, and now, forsooth! feel obliged to marry.her. Off with you, and leave me in peace, and never mention anything so absurd again! But, Smith!” be called out later to the young man, who was turning away balk ed and dispirited, “recollect that any time you feel disposed to pay us a visit, you’ll find a hearty welcome here. And perhaps, perhaps—mind, I make no^raeb promise*—but perhaps, It yon list to come and talk to me about Lettice in twenty years’ time, when you have both grown a little older and, I may listen to you.” Tbe wedding took place, however, in _ good deal less than twentyIt was celebrated with fitting magnificence; the bride was lovely, the bridegroom band- some, and there was a crowd of wedding guests rivaling a flock of tropicaf birds iu splendor ot plumage. But Master Thomas considered that he, in a new suit of livery and a favor nearly as large as himself, was the central point of elegance aud tbe crowning pinnacle of glory. THE FEDERAL CONGRESS. Washington, January 10.—In the Senate communications from the Secreta ry of the Treasury were submitted by the Presideut pro tem, transmitting the an nual report ofthe coast and geodetic sur vey, and also lu response to a Senate res olution of inquky respecting the organiza- tiou of a separate couit'for tbe trial of customs cases. The chair - submitted a petition from the Board of Trade of Port land, Me., for tho separate organization of tbe signal sendee. Mr. Test presented tho petition of^Rn. Henry Hitchcock and others, of Stjjrouls, for the establishment of competljtte examinations for all subor dinate ofijfers of the government. Mr.^fes, of Florida, introduced a bill ‘ e Pensacola and Atlantic Bail- iany the right to build bridges navigable waters between Pensa cola and Chattahoochee, Fla. Mr. Fall introduced a bill granting the right of way through the public lands to Palatkf to the Indian River Railroad y- igan introduced and asked present [atlon of a bill - granting arrears of o the widow of Abraham Lin- Com: Mr. CODSld pensioi coin. Mr. Vance offered a resolution direct ing the Secretary of the Treasury to fur nish copies of ail charges and complaints, reports or other information on file con cerning irregularities in the collection of internal revenue in the 6th collection dis trict of North Carolina, and copies of any orders by the collector thereof forbidding the arrest or taking out of processes against offenders against the revenue laws. Adopted. . a Mr. Hale, from the committee on ap propriations, reported favorably the House census deficiency bill, making an appro priation of $540,000. * The Senate then, on motion of Mr. In galls, took up his resolution declaring that the arrears of the pensions act ought not to be repealed. Mr. Yoorheesla support of the resolu tion said the denunciations ofthe act by the press of the countiy, and particularly by prominent organs of all kinds of corpo rations, were made without the slightest basis for their sopportjor justification. The adoption of these denunciations by a member of the Senate bad filled him with amazement .and pain. If the Sena tor from Kentucky (Air. Beck) should make good his allegations against the pension arrears act, its supporters would Lave cause to hang their heads in shame, but he (Voorhees) claimed that It was a work of justice on the part of the govern ment, dictated by duty and patriotism. He read the terms of the act to show that its meaning was not obscure or liable to misconstruction, and that its design was simply to remove that mean defense to tbe payment of an honest debt, namely, tbe bar of the statute of limitations as to the pensions al lowed under tbe carefully prepared pro visions of previous acts. Taklug up sep arately add replying to the charges made against tbe pension arrears act, Mr. Voor hees contended that they had not been substantiated in one instance. It had been charged that the bill was passed in the Senate without discussion, and uuder some sort of parliamentary compulsion. The record disproved this and showed that twenty-one Senators participated in tbe debate upon it. Mr. Beck said that in the passage of tbe bill referred to both houses of Congress were imposed upon by a set of pension claim agents, who devised a scheme of pension arrearages for tffire" own benefit, and that if its actual cost had beeff’fore- told or in any way indicated at the time, the bill would uot have received tbe sup port of auy of tbe members who voted for it. He gave an outline ol the progress of the bill, showing that it passed the House under a suspension of tberulea, which cut off debate; that tbe measure which passed was uot the one recommended by the committee, but one that bad not been before the committee; that the question was pressed for action upon the eve of an adjournment, when members were going home for re-election and were Indisposed to vote against a prop osition which upon its face bad only a patriotic object. The bill, although not understood, was allowed to pass without dissent. He quoted from the de bates upon it to show that tbe maximum which any member believed ii would cost was*$30,000,000,while $19,000,000 or $20,- 000,000 were the highest figures mentioned in the Senate.’He’Mked whether the Sen ate did not believe a fraud was commit ted when he, as one member, was induced to vote upon a measure which subsequent developments had shown to be entirely unwarranted. He assumed that no mem ber imagined that tbe results of that leg islation would be what they are, and that ii it had been intimated what is now stated by the commissioner of {pensions to be a fact, that 10 per cent ofthe total of arrears would be paid ont on fraudulent claims, not a vote would hare been given for tbe bill. He remind ed Senators that when the bill came from tbe House to tbe Senate tbe latter body was flooded with petitions, with printed headings, which purported to come from vsrious parts of the country. These, he asserted, were gotten up by .pension agents iu Washington, and by them circu lated through the country for signatures, to be used as a pressure upon the Senate. Mr. Beck having asked to be allowed twenty 'minutes to-morrow morning to complete bis remarks, the discussion cl sed for the present, "and tbe Sherman fanding bill was taken up aud laid over i unfinished business for to-morrow. Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, deliv ered a twenty minutes’ speech upon taxa tion, dels ring it inexpedient to reduce the revenue by abolishing all existing inter nal revenue laws, except upon high wines and distilled spirits. The Senate at 3:55 went into executive session, and at 4:05 adjourned until to-morrow. * HOUSE. Mr. Bobeson, of New York, immedi ately after the reading of the journal, called np as a privileged question tbe re port from the committee on rules submit ted by him on Thursday last. The point of order was raised by Mr. Townsend, of Illinois, end Mr. Borrows, of Michigan, that tbe call of States for bills could not be Interfered with. The Speaker over ruled tbe point of order, bolding that a privileged question took precedence of the ftftU of States. Mr. Knows raised the question of con sideration, and tbe House decided not to tr the question of privilege at the present time. Under tbe Call ot State* the following bills were introduced and referred: By Mr. Wheeler, of Alabama, to’prevent the introduction of infectious or contagious diseases; also, to aid iu the the establishment and temporary support of common schools. By Mr. Williams, ot Kentucky, for the erection of a monument over the grave of President Taylor; also, to regulate Inter-State commerce. By Mr. Darrel), of Louisiana, to terminate tbe treaty of Jane, 1875, with bis Mqjesty the! King of tbe Hawaiian Islands. By Mr.J King, of Louisiana, appropriating $500,000 for the Improvement of tbe mouth of the Red river. By Mr. Thompson, of Ifcijtucky, providing that -the tax on distilled spirits shall hereafter be ouly due and payable ou the withdrawal ot such spirits from bond. By Mr. Mcney, of Mississippi, making the Agricultural Department an executive department. By Mr. Houk, of Tennessee, grantiug pensions to civil officers injured in the service of the United States, or their wid ows and children. By Mr. Dibbrell, ot Tennessee, to remove the internal rev enue tax ou tobacco in the hands of pro ducers, on matches, bank checks aud de posits. By Mr. Upson, of Texas, provid ing for a treaty with Mexico. By Mr. Jorgenson, of Virginia, to improve the public road-to Arlington cemetery. Tbe call of tho States having been con cluded and 402 bills appropriately re ferred, the Speaker announced tbe regu lar order to be the presentation of resolu tions to suspend the rules uuder the authority cf the committees. Mr. Oooke, of Georgia, on behalf ot the committee ou pubi c lauds, moved to suspend the rales and adopt a resolu tion calliug ou the Secretary of the Treas ury for infosHation as to wbat action has been taken by tbe Solicitor of the Treas ury to sell or lease all real estate and riparian rlghs now owned by the United Slates at Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. Agreed to. Mr.'Gxrrison, of Virginia, on behalf of the committee on the District of Columbia, moved to suspend the rules’and pass the bill to incorporate the Garfield Memorial Hospital. A half hour’s debate, which uuder the rales is allowed upon motions of this character, disclosed some objection to the measure on the ground tlml there were already euough hospitals in the District of Columbia for all practical purposes, that the incorporation of another would have the effect of bringing to the District persons from adjoining States who should be taken care of in tho various Slate institutions, and that there was nothing in the hill which would prevent the incorporators from applying to the government for assistance. Tbe motion to suspend the rules aud pass the hill was defeated by yeas 140, nays 86—not the necessary two-thirds In the affirmative. The Speaker announced the appoint ment of the following select com mittee on the memorial relative to the services rendered to the government by the late Carl'sle F. Patterson: Kasson, of Iowa; Bobinson, of Massachusetts; Ran dall, ol Pennsylvania; Atkins, of Tennes see, end 'McLane, of Maryland. The Speaker laid before the House the report of the Washington Monumental Association. Referred. The House then, at 5 o’clock, adjourned. to the clerk’s desk and had read a letter from D "strict Attorney James Boyd, de nying the charges. The resolution was referred to the committee on ways and means. Mr. Bel ford, of Colorado, offered a res olution amending Rule 14 so as to pre vent a member who has the floor from pa-celliug bis time out to other mem bers. Mr. Belmont, of New York, offered a resolution r questing tbe President to communicate to the House all corre spondence aud communications between the government of the United State* and IU diplomatic and other agents occurring aiuee the first of April, 1879, relating to the efforts of this government to bring about peace between Chill and Peru and Bolivia, and such other correspondence on that subject as may be in tbe possession ol the Department of State. Referred. Mr. Harris, of Massachusetts, chairman of the committee on naval affairs, reported a resolution directing tbe Secretary of tbe Navy to transmit to the House all papers and correspondence In tbe department relative to the Cbiriqtii coaling stations and the appropriation for the purchase thereof, aud requesting him to withhold all payment for such stations until such Information has been laid before the House aud action hed by Congress. Adopted. The call of committees having been concluded, Mr. ltobeson, of New Jersey, called up tbe report of the committee on rules, increasing the membership of the various committees ol the House. He stated that the thirteen committees whose membership it was proposed to Increase had before them now neany 00 per cent. Of tbe business of the House. Mr. Page, of California, offered an amendment to provide that tbe committee on tbe improvement of the Mississippi river shall not have authority to repsrt appropriations on tbe subject. Mr. Kelley offered an amendment to strike ont the clause iucreasing tbe mem bership of the ways aud means commit tee. Mr. Orth offered as a substitute for tbs committee’s report b>; amendment for tbe election at tbe beginning of each Congress of a commission charged with the dntf ot asslgnmg the membership of the commit tees. Tbe motion was lost—vest 107, nays 140. Mr. King, of Louisiana, moved to amend the report so as to give tbe committee on tho improvement of the Mississippi river power to report appropriations on that subject. Pending further action the Speaker an nounced the appointment of Mr. Beach, of New York, upou the committee ou public buildings aud grounds, in place of Mr. HewRt, of New York,excused. The House then, at 4:45, adjourned. The report of the oommltte on rules will come np to-morrow as unfinished busi ness, Washington, January 17.—In the Senate, a number of petitions tor a com mission of inquiry concerning the internal liquor traffic; for an increase of pay to the members of the life saving service and from citizens of Arkansas' for woman suffrage were preseuted. Mr. Davis, ot West Virgin!*, from the committee ou appropriations, reported with amendments the bill to repeal cer tain laws relating to permanent and in definite appropriations. A bill was Introduced by Mr. Davis, ot Illinois, to permit Ward Uuut, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, to retire, and by Mr. Blair granting a pension to Lucretia Garfield. During the morning hour Mr. Beck re- sumed his remarks upon the Inga'ls teso- iution declaring the pension arrears law ought not he repealed. At tbe conclusion of Mr. Beck’s remarks, Mr. Ingalls said that as the funding bill had precedence to-day be would defer a formal reply to Mr. Beck to a more convenient time. At 1:20 the consideration of the Sher man funding bill was resumed. The bill was discussed by Messrs. Plumb, Pugh, Teller, Saunders aud Pendieton. The Squate at 4 p. m , without closing the de bate, went ipto executive session, aud at 4.20 adjourned until to-morrow. Mr. Plumb argued that the redemption fund for United States notes ought to be diminished. He urged the solemn duty of Congress not only to cut down but to definitely limit that ftind at a stated fig ure, thereby making a saving to the coun try in the item of interest, while allowing the money heretofore hoarded in the treasury to circulate. He believed a re daction of the fund to fifty million dollars could safely be made. To make his propo sition wholly conservative he had fixed the limit at one hundred million dollars, so as to make full and ample provision for the redemption ot every government obligation. He advocated the redemp tion of tbe 3{ per cents out of the sur plus revenue over and above one hundred million dollars, and thought this total ought not to be reduced except in tbe re demption ot United States notes. Hr. Pugh said that Mr. Vest’s amend ment, being a copy of the Carliale amend ment, while applicable to tbe funding bill the last Congress was inoperative and in consistent with some of tbe provisions of the fanding bill. Ho suggested modifica tions making it applicable. He favored •that amendment upon the consideration among others that tbe failure of the gov ernment to force the banks to take the new 3 per cent* would amount to a dis crediting of the banks, who, in tbe lan guage ofthe Senator from Arkansas (Mr. Garland), were tbe mere fiscal agents of the government. Further, if not com pelled to take the new bonds the interest of the banks would induce them to aid in opposing the establishment of 3 per cent, as the normal interest rate. He was uot con vinced or the necessity of funding under present conditions. Reviewing the opera tions of tbe banking system and criticis ing as impolitic tbe power of the banks to contract the currency, Mr. Pugh went on to aay the opposite extreme* of in flation or contraction of tbe currency, rep resented by tbe Republican and Green back parties respectively, were either an excess to be avoided, and that the Demo cratic party stands betw een these two ex tremes and would keep the country on the ground of safety. There was an irre pressible conflict between toe two ex tremes, and It was the duty of Oongree to restrain them. HOUSE. Hr. Armfield, of North Carolina, of fered a resolution for tbe appointment of a committee of five members to “squire into the report concerning alleged abuses practiced by officers of the Internal revenue or other persons in the sixth col lection district of North Carolina, and concerning all other abuses perpetrated in said district by internal revenue offi cers which relate in'any way to the Inter nal revenue laws of ,tbe United States and tbe conduct of tbe internal revenue officers. Tbe resolution is" preceded by a preamble stating that charges have been made that tbe great expense attending the collection of small internal revenue taxes is attributable to abates among the offi cer* of the internal revenue. . Mr. Honk, of Tennessee, commenting on tbe rtsolntioc as a stump speech, sent WASntNOTON, January 17 The bill introduced into the House yesterday by Mr. Money, of Mississippi, to make tho Agricultural Department au executive de partment and to enlarge Its doties and powers, provides for a secretary and as sistant secretary, who shall be practical agriculturists; that the department shall embrace a bureau of education and labor, whose duty it shall be to collect all information concerning education, wages ot labor, prices of prod acts and cost of living of tbe working classes here and abroad, and all information that may conduce to the welfare and advancement of the industrial classes of tbe country; that this bureau shell especially collect all Information concerning the rural work ot women that may enlarge their sphere of labor and lighten the burdens of the temales of the agricultural population. It, also provides foe a bureau of geolog ical survey and a bureau of transporta tion to collect information concerning the cost of moving agricultural products, merchandize and passengers; also a bureau of manufactures. The important feature of the bill, however, tq that it establishes in each State of the Uulon one or more experimental stations for the purpose ot thoroughly testing valuable plants, seeds, fertilizers and agricultural implements with reference to the soil and climate. Among tbe on Hits in connectioh with the Gultesu trial is a prediction that Juryman Bright will bang the jury on the ground that Uuiteau is insane. Mr. Bright’s father was for some years an in mate of the government asylum for tbe insane here, aud died in that institution. Tne same authority avers that tbe son has always beeu considered by his intimates a “very peculiar man.” Washington, January 17.—At a meeting of the committee on public ex penditures ot the House to-day, the prop, oaitlou to appoint sub-committees to re vise all measures containing appropria tions was discussed, and it is quite prob- ble thatthe committee will insist upon its rights in this respect. For many years past this committee has not exercised its right to supervise tbe public expenditures, and if it undertakes to do so now, and is successful in overcoming tbe opposition which such action may cause, it will become one of the most important com mittees ofthe House. Ex-Speaker Ran dall is chairman of the committee, and Representative Blackburn, of Kentucky, holds tbe second place. ~The House committee on commerce, at Its meeting to-day, authorized Representa tive Reagan to report to the House with favorable recommendations his two bills for tbe establishment of quarantine sta tions on the Gulf coast near Galveston and a marine hospital at Galveston. Fa vorable reports were also authorized on the pending bills providing for tbe estab lishment of marine hospitals at Balti more and New Orleans. The President rent the following nomi nations to the Senate to-day : Postmasters —JohnR. Wallace, at Yorkvtlle, 8. C.; Oscar H. Lelaud, at Waco, Texas. Washington, January 18.—A com munication was received from the Secre tary ot tbe Treasury, In response to a Senate resolution, as to the present rates of duties imposed by France, Germany and Mexico upon American manufac tures. Numerous petitions for a commission to Investigate the liquor traffic were pre seuted. Mr. Davis, of Illinois, from tbe com mittee on tbe Jndidary, reported back favorably a bill to purmit Ward Hnnt, an associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, to retire. He gave notice that he would ask for IU considera tion to-morrow. Mr. Cameron, of Pennsylvania, from tbe committee on naval affair*, reported a resolution for the examination by that committee of the new system of naval de fense invented by Capt. Ericsson and re port thereon. Adopted. A number of bills granting relief In in dividual cases were presented. Mr. Blair offered a resolution instruct ing the committee on public lands to Inquire into the administration of ths taws. Adopted. The remainder of the morning hour was occupied by Mr. Brown la nasrta upon tbe currency* question. HU text was bis resolution declaring the iasxpe- HManBiSBH