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About Gallaher's independent. (Quitman, Ga.) 1874-1875 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 14, 1874)
“GALLAHER’S INDEPENDENT," PUBLISHED EVERY SATUBDAY AT QUITMAN, GA., by J. C. G A L L A H E R. TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION I TWO DOLLARS per Annum in Advance. THE QOLDGI SIDE. Thorp ip many a nut in the road of life, Tf wo would only atop to take It; And mauv a tone from the bettor land, If the querulous heart would make it I To the sunny mnl that is full of hope. And whose beautiful trust ne'er fkiloth, The grans is n on and the flowers are bright, Though the winter storm provailoth. Better to hope though the clouds hang low. And to keep the eyes still lifted; For the sweet blue sky will sisin peep through, When the ominous clouds are rifted 1 There was never a night without a day, Or tin evening without a morning; Aud the darkest hour, as the proverb goes, Is the hour before the dawning. There is many a gem in the path of life, Which we pass in our idllc pleasure, That ia richer far than the jeweled orown, Or the miser's hoarded treasure; It may be the love of a little child, Or a mother’s prayer to heaven, Or only a beggar s grateful thanks For a cup of water given. Belter to wo*e in the web of life A bright and golden tilling. And to do God’s will with a ready heart, And hands that are ready and willing, Than to sump the delicate, minute threads Of onr ennons lives asunder, And then blame heaven for tin tangled ends And sit aud grieve and wonder. IdSOME’S ROM ANCE. ‘‘Murk my words, Leone, your beau ideal you'll never find; your estimate of men is too high.” "No, Arthur, it is but a great estimate, j *nd you have no right to judge me. harsh . ly, because I would not throw my life away upon some society man of to-day. I um young yet, hut twenty, you kuow, aud there is time enough yet. ' "Yes, time enough, Leone; hut I agree with Arthur that yon have too high a, standard of manhood, a romantic school. girl admiration of qualities that few, if any man, possess. Complimentary, very, to vour husband, sir; hut I wish for my husband strength either of sonl or body, mind far above the . average, and determination and purpose i sufficient to raise him from the level of the human herd; mark me, if I -never find such a one, I will ever remain Leone Lightfoot. an old maid fond of tea, cats and gossip; hut I see Charles has brought my horse around so au rcroir." The speaker was a woman of twenty, 1 queenly in form, aud whose face, though possessing character beyond her years stamped thereon, was radiant with loveli- ’ ness. Robed in a dark-blue riding habit, which clung gracefully around her superb form, and the face half shaded by the drooping ? lumen fulling from her jaunty cap, Leone lightfoot was indeed what she appeared- j a surpassing lovely woman; one. who hud visitors by the score, for she was rich as well as accomplished and beautiful. Three rears before she had been left, by the death of her parents, under the guardianship of her brother, some ten rears her senior, and at bis elegant coun try seat ill New York State she had lived, the idol of society and the pet of Arthur Lightfoot and his pretty hut weak little wife. Between the three, Arthur Lightfoot, Leone and Mrs. Lightfoot, was the con versation held that opens this story, and the cause thereof was the refusal by Leone of the heart, hand and fortune of a worthy bachelor neighbor. "She is incorrigible, the old judge would have made her a good husband,” said Arthur Lightfoot to his w ife, after they had seen Leone mount and dash away at full speed down the grand avenue, "Yes, she’ll never marry, I fear,” sighed Mrs. Lightfoot, who always echoed the sentiment of her husband. In the meantime Leone rode at a pace that chimed in with her humor, and an elegant horsewoman, she held her steed well in rein, und enjoyed the springing, fleet motion os mile after mile was cast 'behind. But suddenly her horse shied violently and gave a tremendous leap, almost, un seating his fair rider, who, recovering herself quickly, spoke soothingly to the frightened animal, and glanced back ward to note the object that had so startled him. The color fled from her face as her eyes fell upon the form of a man lying by the roadside, anil apparently lifeless; hut nerving herself by a linrd-drawn sigh, the brave girl sprang to the ground and ap proached the spot, glancing intently down into the pale upturned face. The features were moulded with re markable regularity', the partly opened mouth displayed even white teeth, and the dark brown hair and moustache pre sented a marked contrast, to the white face from which every tinge of color had faded. Dressed in a light summer suit, Leone even then discovered that it was well and stylishly made, while the gauntlet gloves aiid riding whip proved that the stranger bad been on horseback. “He has been thrown, doubtless, lint God grant he is not dead 1” exclaimed the maiden, as she knelt beside the prostrate form, and drew aside the coat to place her hand upon his heart. With a cry of terror she sprang to her feet, her hand stained with blood, for from his side a small stream welled up slowly. ‘ ‘He is dead, and has been murdered * "No.” “It was almost a whisper, and the heavy lids raised from the dark eyes —eyes filled with angiiish, hut yet strangely dark and fascinating. “Thank God, there is yet hope; he quiet, sir, I implore you and I will aid yon all in my power,” exclaimed Leone, and drawing her habit around her, she ran rapidly a few paces down the road to where it was crossed by a small stream, and saturating her handkerchief.returned, and without hesitation drew aside the clothing, and placed it upon the wound— a small bullet wound in the loft side over the heart. "You must keep perfectly quiet, and I will soon return, ” she said softly, hardly knowing whether she was heard or not, and then in an instant she was in her saddle, dashing at her utmost towards the nearest farm-house. Dashing like wind up to the door, and startling quiet Farmer Jessup and his family nearly out of their wits, Leone oried: “Mr. Jessup, let your son ride at once to Dr. Wells, and” toll him a gentleman lies dangerously hurt on the road near Hillside Spring; tell him to come there at once, and you, Mr. Jessup, please come on with your carriage, and bring all that you think necessary. ” VOL. I. Every one in the country knew and loved Leone Lightfoot, and rapidly her orders were obeyed; observing which, she wheeled her foaming horse, ami again sped away on her return to tho wounded stranger. There ho lay just as she had left him, but groaning slightly, and each instant dampening tho blood-stained handker chief, the girl awaited the coming of till? surgeon. Would they never come? she thought; but at length, when it seemed hours in stead of minutes, the sound of wheels broke on her our, and the next instant tho surgeon drove up at a rapid pace. "You are a noble woman. Miss Light foot, and if this man lives lie owes life to you,” said the good old physician, as he approached and knelt beside the prostrate form. “But will he live, doctor ?” * For some minutes no reply was given |by the man of ss.kmce, who c-nrefully | probed and examined the wound, but j then lie said slowly: “It is a serious injury—ha ! here I have j the hall; yes. I ho]>e he will live?’ and Dr. Wi lls’ took from the wound a small bullet, while he continued: “Now he needs the most careful nurs ing.” “He shall have it. Thank God, here comes Mr. Jessup,” and immediately after the damage drove up, and telliug the doctor to come on with the wounded stranger to her brother's house, Leone again mounted her horse and rode on to have all in readiness fur his arrival. It was a week before the stianger was sufficiently recovered to tell his story re garding the wound that had so nearly proved fatal to him, and then by careful nursing, he informed Leone, who lmd been untiring in her devoted cure of him that his name was Clarence Ainslit—was an Englishman, who nearly a year before had come to America, and purchasing a few acres of land in the West made it iiis home. He also stated that business had eulle 1 him to New York, and that while enjoying a horseback ride he had been suddenly final upon, was thrown to tlie ground, and had an indistinct remembrance that sonic one was robbing him, for liis watch, pocket-book and nil tlie valuables he had about him were gone. That Clarence Ainslie was no ordinary man Leone Lightfoot knew when she saw him lying by the roadside, hut that ho would ever possess the power to control her life she had not believed. But so it wus, for ouch day proved to her that she liad met tier beau ideal; and yet was he for her ? Might, lie not already liave loved? Might he not already have married ? The thought chilled her very heart. And yet when she saw the dark fascinating eyes turned upon her with admiration, and read —or hoped she did therein a deeper, holier feeling, Leone felt happy, and begged to be a very slave and become a mere automaton to the euprico of Clarence Ainslie. Now Arthur Liglitfoot and his pretty wife looked upon the matter in a different light, for, though hospitable in the ex treme to the stranger guest,, they looked upon him ns a poor English emigrant, a petty Western farmer, and did not like the idea that he should control the heart of Leone, for they were not blind to her devotion to the wounded mau. Still they could not but admire the courteons'mariner of their stranger guest, when, after six weeks, lie sufficiently re covered to join them in the . a lor in 1 at dinner. That he had been reared a gentleman was evident, and that he had traveled and seen something of the world was also evi dent, as was also that Mr. and Mrs. Light foot had never seen a handsomer man, they were ready to admit; but that Leone, the hello, the heiress, the most lovely woman of the day, should marry an un known and poor Englishman—hah ! the idea even. Was ridiculous. When the trunk of Clarence Ainslie ar rived—for lie had sent for it as soon as hi 1 was able to speak Mrs. Liglitfoot, paced around it for half an hour in the vam en deavor to find something plebiun about it; but the trunk was a good cue, English make, and bore on it simply the letters “C. A,, England.” With a disappointed look the inquisi tive little woman ordered it sent to the sick man’s room, and sought her chamber. “Arthur, Leone really loves that wound ed man, and wlmt will become of it all ?” “It is Leone’s romance, little wife; she will recover from it. A few tears at part ing, hard riding for her poor horse, u few sentimental songs, and all will be over.” “But, Arthur, suppose it should not be; suppose he should love her; for you knew he's poor and she’s rich—what then ?” “Well, he cannot have her, that’s all." And Arthur Liglitfoot went out for u drive. At length the hour came for Clarence Ainslie to depart, for no longer could he impose upon the kindness of liis host and hostess, and determined to leave that evening, lie asked to see Leone alone. With pale face but quiet manner the young girl entered the room, and stepping forward Clarence Ainslie said, feelingly: “Miss Liglitfoot, no longer can I impose upon your kindness, and to-night I leave you. Shall it be forever ?” No answer came, and the Englishman continued: ‘ ‘To you I owe my life, and to you I would dedicate the years that yet remain. I am unknown to you—a stranger in a strange land—and you have but my word for it that I offer you a love that never was offered to woman before, a hand and heart that has never sinned intentionally against a fellow-being. Will you accept what I have to offer ?” “I will.” “You will trust me; take me as I am, and become my wife ?” “I will.” No other word was spoken, but their hearts were perfectly happy. Of course, Arthur Liglitfoot and his wife objected and decidedly refused, but Leone was determined. It was no romance with her, arid when she flatly told them that she would marry Clarence without their consent, they made a virtue of a necessity and gave it, consoling themselves with the thought that, after all, he being a stranger and a poor man were really the only faults that they could find in him. At the request of the parties most inter ested it was a quiet wedding, just six months after the meeting of 'the lovers, and Dr. Wells and Farmer Jessup’s family were only invited, and to this day the 1 good old’ lady has not ceased to gossip QUITMAN, GA., SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1574. ' about the magnificent trousseau the bride i had, and the quiet happiness that slumo j in tlie eves of the young couple. I It had been decided that tlie bridal tour ■ should he to Europe, as Clarence Ainslie , said that business would call him there 'soon; and Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot had been persuaded to accompany them; so the day after the wedding the steamer Imre a very happy quartotte from our shores. Arriving safely in England, a few days were passed quietly ut the hotel, and then, by an invitation from Clarence Ainslie, the party started out to visit the spot where lie passed his boyhood's dnys. Through meadow Linds and lovely country the carriage drove, until suddenly Clarence, who wus driving, wheeled into a grand gate-way leading to the superb country seat of some man of wealth. A few moments more, and tho carriage drew up before the marble steps of an ele gant mansion—one of those old rambling structures found in England- and sping ing lightly to the ground, the Englishman said, while a merry light twinkled in his eyes: “Leone, T welcome you to your home. Mr. and Mrs. Lightfoot, Lord Clarence Ainslie liegs that yon will accept the hospitality of Ainslie Castle.” Tears tilled the beautiful eyes of Leone. Arthur Lightfoot’s.cheeks colored, hut he was silent, while, after a second’s hesita tion, his wife exclaimed: “Clarence Ainslie, you are a cheat, Why, I thought you were a Western farmer— “ That was all the land I owned in America. I purchased it and built a shooting-box thereon, because 1 was fond of your Western sport, and in America I was simply Mr. Ainslie; but hero I am Lord Clarence of Ainslio Castle. Am I forgiven ?” Render, w’e all have too much human nature now a days to for a moment suppose the deception practised was not pardoned by one and all; in fact, Mrs. Lightfoot says she likes to be deceived, and in this ease Arthur echoes the opinion of his wife. THE MAD MINER. BY JOS. E. 11 ADO EH, JB. | In tin? year ’59 I found myself, after two years of leisurely rambling through the New Dorado, fur down in Mexico, in the province of Guanajuato, While tar ry ing for a while at tlie city of the same name—a not very romantic pile of adobes i —I heard so niueh talk of the silver mines, j and especially of Los Rayas, that 1 finally i concluded to pay the mine a visit, if only 1 for the nonce. This mine is second in size and wealth | only to that of Valcnciana, in the State of j Guanajuato. Its hi-tory presents no new ! feature in the mining system of Mexico, a hrit f explanation of which is necessary to a right understanding of tlie operations of th-- mining code. Over the fertile valleys in the vicinity of Guanajuato the Cordillera rears its metal liferous crest, whose sides are veined with lodes of silver and gold, and which de livers to the barreta of the miner the j immense treasures of tho vita mndro, or ' mother vein, perhaps the richest, lode of ; silver in all the world. The striking con : trust that is visible between tho laborer ! and the miner is nowhere so apparent as jin this portion of the bajio, or bottom of 1 the valley. Humble and submissive, the Indian husbandman is at every one’s ! mercy; the miner, haughty and independ j cut. takes a higher rank, aud this claim is j j notified by the importance of the duty ; which he performs. Prosperity, gene j rally speaking, is not long in coming to ! him. The slopes of the hills, the ravines, | and even the summits of the mountains, ! swarm with a dense population, among | whom the lucky finders of anew lode (scatter tlieir hard earned money with a i thoughtless liberality, and squander ill one day tlie earnings of six months. From the French miner, Laberde, who discovered the mother vein and lavished thousands upon cathedrals, tlie history of this hold workman has been the same. Fortune is the only God he worships. He goes to his dangerous occupation as if specially sent there by Divine Providence, and his proud thought is, by the biw* of the country, highly favored, the privilege according the title of nobility to the worker in tlie mines. Even at this day he cannot be dispossessed of his mine by a creditor, if lie can still afford to work it. Borne j times, after tolling for a month, earning ! barely enough to exist upon, in a week, or ! even a day, ho recompenses himself for ! this long privation. The miner then | thanks Dame Fortuno, and scatters his ■ gold with a lavish hand. When he strikes a bonanza, as a very rich portion of the 1 mine is called, and works in partylo, or on shares, what he receives is often a fortune. Besides the grand shaft (t.rio general) Los Rayas has two others of less magni tude, one of which reaches a depth of nearly eight hundred feet. The trio general, remarkable for tht; diameter of its shaft.—thirty-four feet—and for its frightful depth of nearly twelve hundred feet, communicates with three principal galleries, one above the other.. These shafts and galleries, together with their accessories, form the most complete set of gigantic workings that are to be found in the country. Of its cost and gloomy grandeur I do not mean to speak; better pens have described them; nor of the workings continually going on in their depths, save such as may be necessary to explain the adventure I started to relate. It was about midday when I arrived at the opening by which visitors obtain ad mittance to the mine, and here I was fur nished with a guide, a tall, lithe, yet snowy-haired man, who led the way with a torch. We descended many series of steps, each connecting like a terrace, wind ing and turning, every minute changing our temperature und direction. Then we began to percieve, in the distance, some slowly moving lights that east huge, gro tesque shadows upon the walls. A few minutes later we stood in a square apart ment, fashioned like a clmpel. In the centre stood an alter, lighted by wax ta pers, ranged before the figure of a saint. Before this knelt a miner,returning thanks for liis bonanza. In the distance were miners passing to and fro, a candle stuck in the hand encircling their grimy fore heads. reminding one of Hie fabled gnomes guarding the bidden treasures of tlieir mas ters. , I was soon satisfied with sight-seeing, for the gallery was cold and damp, and signified to my guide my desire to ascend the trio general instead of wearily climb ing the steps. Even then I remember feeling’ a little surprised at his eager as- J sent, when he said that he would aeeom j puny me, adding that no visitor wus al | lowed to ascend alone. We had just been Watching them send up water in huge ox-skin hags, the ascent and ! return occupying a quarter of an hour, i The bng was drawn ill the gallery for some distance and filled. Then the signal was I given and the huge windlass began to turn. Upon a narrow space between the I two pits, in the midst of almost utter darkness, a stout peon held on to a double rope passed around thelmgo cable holding the two ends in his bauds. Then, as he was pulled with frightful rapidity to tho very edge of the gulf, he suddenly let go one end of tlie rope, thus deadening the force with which the loaded hag struck the sharp rocks beyond, else the skin would have been punctured. Yet had he made a single false step or clung to the rope a siuglo second too long ho would Lave been precipitated down an almost unfat hornless abyss. Yet his wages amounted to one dollar of our money per diem. The signal was given that a visitor wished to ascend, and 1 hastily donned the thick woolen sack and trowsers handed me as the water shot forth in fine spray at several points ahead. My guide bade me clasp the cable, and then secured a plaited rope of nloe hark around both it and my body, forming a sort of loop for me to sit in, firmly tying the ends to the cable. In a similar manner he secured himself, just above my head. Then with a stout, leather-covered stick to case the blows as the cable swayed back and forth, j the signal was given, and we swung out over the edge, rapidly whirling around un til my brain reeled, a million stars seemed floating across my vision. But tLeu 1 re covered sufficiently to recognize my guide, his naked, bronzed body just above me. We ascended steadily, slowly, the shaft seeming to he divideiiiuto three distinct zones. At my feet a thick darkness dimmed the horrors of that gulf which no eye could fathom, and yet the very vague-1 ness of the danger rendered it tenfold more trying, with the tepid vapor mount-1 ing around us. In our immediate vicinity the torches feebly dispelled the gloom. | In the upper region a dense column of thick mist pressed around the circle of I light, shutting ono completely from the : light of day. Suddenly the . rope ceased to ascend. 1 ; asked the reason of this. “Beeause I have given the signal that] you wisli to inspect the walls,” replied the miner, and I fancied that his voice was changed, “and I wish to show you some thing see !” and lie lighted a bunch of j tow and dropped it,. “That is your life — see! ’tis gone! Just so will your spirit vanish --for the Blessed Virgin has re voided to me that you must he sacrificed.” I laughed, but ’twos vacantly, for, though T believed the miner was trying to frighten me, there was something wild and un natural in his tones. But the next mo ment, with another shrill laugh, he pro duced a long knife, anil bending, drew it sharply across the cable, below his sent, above my head. For a moment I felt as though fainting. I could uit move a muscle, I seemed bound by a spell stronger than my own will. Another sweep of the knife, a id T saw that one of tlie huge strands was severed. Trembling jvitli horror, 1 drew up my feet and tried to rest them upon the ■oop in which I lmd sat. .lust as I succeeded, tho second strand parted beneath the huge blade. Then, shrieking aloud, 1 sprang madly upward, clutching both ankles of my intended murderer. It was a movement totally unexpected by the miner, and the sudden shock nearly tore him from liis perch. He dropped both knife and torch, clutching convul sively at the cable above to steady himself. But he had done ljis work, the cable had parted, and nothing held me from a hor rible death but my clutch upon his feet, und knowing this, I compressed my fingers with the grip of a vice. The vibration given the cable forced it to and fro, until cur forms were nearly dashed against the jagged rocks, to touch which would be certain death, for the ascent once more was resumed. The miner thought to shake me loose, but in | vain. I knew that if one hand, a finger : even, should slip, a horrible death was i inevitable that I would shoot down— j down through flit; vast tunnel, and if not I suffocated, ho dashed to pieces upon the rocks below. The miner shrieked wildly in liis terror, imploring me to loose my hold—that the plaited strap of hark by which alone we were separated from death was slipping, slowly slipping down the smooth, hard cable. It would bear the weight of one—-of two it could not. I fully realized my danger, j hut wliat could Ido to avoid it ? If the I miner would only allow it, I could climb up liis body and thus gain the rope abovo. j But I knew that, were I to loosen one ! hand to grip higher, the liberated foot j would quickly dash my hand from the | other ankle. There was nothing for it but to wait—wait and pray that the outer j world might bo gained ere tlie slipnoose dropped over the end of the severe cable. | I fixed my gaze despairingly upon the j end of the cable. The gloom was dense, j yet it stood clear os a wax-light to my preternatnrally acute vision. Slowly, but all too rapidly, it crawls away, until to my j strained eyes it seems like a drop of molten gold, millions of miles above me. Now it has vanished. The body of the miner conceals it from me. Each moment that passes, it seems that I hear tlie sud den burr-r-r of the noose slipping over the end. Ah ! the horror of those few min utes—so short in time, so long, countlessly long, in experience ! This hanging sus- I pended by a frail cord, between life and death, slowly nearing tho one while yet j the oilier o.eeps niglier. I closed my eyes with a shudder. Such i a death ! Then the mad miner uttered a I wild, piercing cry—not ono of despair, but jof hope. The mists above have vanished, and the blue sky is visible. Ah blessed sight ! ShrieK after shriek wo send up for help, ] and eager, half-frightened faces peer down i toward us. Then the crocking of whips | and loud shoots; the cable glides more switly up the two. But O ! i not three inches hold the strap. | With a hoarse .cry I draw my j self up by the ankles, and then, with a i desperate spring, unloose the ankles. To fail is death—to succeed is safety and life, j I clutched the miner round the waist; I then by the inch I climbed up liis slippery 1 body despite liis efforts to shove me off, | swiftly, surely as a monkey. I grasped ; the cable with both hands, resting my feet upon his shoulders, while ho yelled and ‘ tried to bite ms like a madman. And then the bark-rope parted 1 It slipped from the cable, falling upon the miner’s shoulder, who grasped the cable end with a death-dutch. A hastily-formed noose was flung from the mouth of the shaft, missing me and striking upon tho minor’s fa ;e. Crazed with terror lie released one hand to grasp it, thus sealing his death-warrant. Ho missed the rope. The hard cable slipped through his benumbed lingers, and as liis body swiftly descended the ghastly shaft, one wild, pieicing shriek , was all; it was his last breath of life 1 Nearly unconscious, hut still clinging to the cable I was drawn to the mouth mid j secured. Then I swooned away. For dnys after I knew nothing; hut I finally j recovered, and learned the story of the mud miner. A year previously, in a fit of delirium | tremens, he had thrown his only son down j the iro general, and ever since ho had been regarded as mad, though in a sub-1 dued, quiet w ay. One of the minora after wards told me that the mad miner had I dreamed that the Virgin appeared to him, I saying that liis crime would he forgiven if j he sacrificed another life in the same man- ] ner. And from this dream arose liis ] attempts to destroy me. But from that day 1 have never again entered a mine of any sort. Old Virginia Courtesy. We once heard of an old Virginia gen tleman who had so much State pride, and, at the same time, so much courtesy that ho made it a rule never to ask a stranger where he was horn for fear that he would he put to the mortification of acknowl edging that lie was not born in Virginia. Hut one of the best anecdotes of old Vir ginia courtesy that we have heard recently is by John Kollin, who w as, at one time, a clown in John Robinson’s show. Rollin was celebrated for his ready wit and quick repartee, and in answer to a question whether he was ever at a loss, when in the ring,to reply to any remark made by a spec tor, said: "Never but once, and that was when our company was exhibiting at Wurrenton, in Farquier county. It was part of the role to play the drunken man. I came into the ring as usual, in full clown costume, with a bottle of whisky in my hand, and, while acting the various char acters of intoxication, I noticed an old fellow standing near the rope which in closed the ring, occasionally winking and nodding at me, as much as to sav, "if con venient, please pass that bottle around this way.’ His greasy black clotii suit, high crown hat sligntly mushed in, gold headed cane and red nose told who he was. He lmd evidently seen better days, hilt was a fine illustration of a broken down Virginia gentleman, whose de cline could he traced to an o’er fondness of looking upon the wine when it is red. Passing around the ring. I stopped immediately in front of the old fellow, mid extending the bottle usked him to drink. With one hand ho took the big cud of tobacco from his mouth, throw \ ing it on the ground, liis looks exhibiting liis desire for a strong pull at the bottle, while his smiling countenance plainly told | the intense satisfaction lie enjoyed in an- I ticipation of so soon satisfying liis appetite j when, just as lie readied to take the bottle I suddenly jerked it hack, und, placing my ' thumb to my m, wiggled my fingers at ; him. The old fellow threw himself hark lon liis dignity with an air of offended I pride, straightened himself up, and in a ! tone of anger, mingled with mortification J said: ‘Sir, as an old Virginia gentleman, I | only proposed taking a drink with you | through courtesy, and not that I wanted | your whisky, you infernal spotted-coated s'll of a gun.’ I was so taken back by j by the old Virginian’s language anil man ner, and the yells of laughter from the i spectators which followed, that I didn't do ! any more good that day. After making two or three vain efforts to proceed with my part of the performance I withdrew, completely vanquished by “old Virginia courtesy. ” Opening of Petbaboii’s Tomb.— A sin gular ceremony took place at Arqua, in North Italy, where Petrarch lies buried. On the 7tli of September the tomb of the poet was opened in the presence of tlie municipal officers of the town and a few invited spectators. It appears that the remains had been enclosed in ail imper fectly-made coffin, and the bones thus ex posed to the effects of the atmosphere were discolored aud moist. Tlie skull, of me dium size, was entire, the development of the forehead being yet perceptible, j Several of the teeth were well preserved, and the hones of tlie body were but little decayed. From the size of the skeleton lit was easy to infer that Petrarch must ! have been u large, robust man. Permis sion to examine those honored remains ; had been given by the authorities to oer . tain students of anthropology, and it wus ; to aid in their researches that the coffin was opened. These gentlemen took ac tual measurements of tlie remains, which * were then carefully placed in anew coffin. The brief exposure to the air, however, had its effect, and the skull partially fell in, while some of the bones were resolved into dust before the eyes of tlie spectators of this curious exhibition of mortality. The most magnificent-looking woman in Washington is Madame Bertiuatti. She' was Madame Bass,of Mississippi, and mar ried, the Italian Minister just at the close | of the war. Her husband is now Minister at the Hague, and she is passing tlie win ter in Washington, prosecuting a large | cotton claim. A Dubuque hummer went into a prayer- i meet!rig,professed great contrition for past i misdeeds, and requested the prayers of the | assemblage and a pair of boots. The for mer tendered him, but there being no dis position to bestow the latter, ho cursed the horrified brothers and sisters in a most vigorous manner aud took his departure. Boston Globe: “A Detroit Justice of the Peace recently told a girl who appeared beforo him that she had an artless way j about her that reminded him of a hen j balanced on the top of a picket fence, but he sentenced her to ‘ninety days,’ never- ■ theless.” Chicago boasts of having the heaviest, cattle dealers in the world. One man bought 197,4117 head last year, aud paid I therefore $13,130,071 14. The public debt of the United States is only about sixty thousand times greater than it was in 1836, less than forty years • go. GRANGE SECRETS REVEALED. Xlow Initiations are Conducted. [From tlie Randolph Enterprise.] On being brought into the ante room of the lodge (Greengrocer Temple, No. 101), ! I was told that 1. had been ballottod for j atul accepted. My informant, who was j securely masked by what 1 afterwards [ learned was a large burdock leaf, perfora , ted with holes for the eyes, told mo that if I valued my life it would lie liect asary for |me to strip. As I did consider that of j considerable worth to me, and as ho itali cised his wishes by carelessly playing with a seven shooter, I withdrew from my | garments with eagerness. My masked friend then furnished me with the regalia of th ■ first degree—called “The Festive Floughboy"— which consisted of merely I one large cabbage leaf attached to a waist,- I hand of potatoe vines. In this airy t .me I was conducted to the door, where my companion gave three distinct raps. (1 was securely blindfolded by binding a slice of rutabega over each eye.) A sepulchral voice from within asked: “Who comes ?” Mv guide answered: “A youthful agri culturalist who desil’ses to heeome u gran ger.” Sepulchral Voice—Have you looked him carefully over? Guide—l have, noble gate-keeper. 8, V.—Do you find any ngrcultural marks about liis person ? Guide—l do. 8. V. What are they ? Guide—The candidate lias carroty liair, reddish whiskers, and a turnup nose. 8, V.— Tis well. Why do you desire to become a granger ? Guide (answering for candidate) —That I may be thereby the better enabled to harrow up the feelings of the rascally poli ticians. 8. V.—You w ill bring in the candidate. My worthy stripling, as you cannot see, 1 will cause you to feel that you are received at the door on the three points of a pitch fork, piercing the region of the stomach, which is to teach you the three great vir tues—faith, hope and charity. Faith in yourself, hope for cheaper farm machinery, aud charity for the lightning-rod peddler. You will now be harnessed and in repre sentation of tlie horse, Pegasus, will be tested as to endurance and wind. The candidate is here attached to a small imitation plow, by means of hempen harness, A dried pumpkin vine is pul in liis mouth for a bit aud bridle—he is made to get down upon all fours, the guide seizes the bridle, and urged on by a Granger armed with a Canada thistle, which lie vigorously applies at the termi nus of the spine, the candidate isgalloped three times around the room. While making the circuit the members arise and sing: ' Get up nail dust von Lully bov— VIIII wouldn't Li- a (lianacr? If the thistle’s priek don’t einisu you joy. To feeling you must be estranged, ah! After Ibis violent exercise he is rubbed dry with corn-cobs, beeswaxed where thistled, and brought standing up before the great chief—the most worshipful pumpkin head. M. W. P. H. —Why do you desire to bo a granger ? Candidate (answering for himself)— That I may learn to extinguish sewitffe machine agents. M. W. I’ H.—Have your hands been hardened with toil? Candidate—Not extensively, but then I am not running for office. M. AY. P. II. —’Tis well, for our lodges contain several who are supposed to be ready to sacrifice themselves for the good of their constituents. Do you feel pretty smart this evening? Candidate —Yes, where tho bustle goes on. M. W. P. H,—(Savagely)—Give, me a chaw of tobaeker ! Candidate searches himself thoroughly, but as there is uo place about him to stick a pocket, tries to explain, bqt the must worshipful pumpkin-head interrupts him with: “Nevermind, my dear young friend—l am well aware that in your present condi tion you can no more furnish your friends with the weed than Adam could becomfor tablo in a plug liat and tight boots. It is merely to teach you the great lesson of economy—doing to others as you’d like to have them do to you. Y’ou will now be conducted to tho most eminent squash producer, who will teach you tho grand hailing sign of distress. The sign, my worthy brother, will insure you against many of tho ills of the agriculturist— amongst others, against drouths and be ing bit by the ferocious grasshopper.” The candidate is now' conducted to the most eminent squash producer, who thus says: “My worthy brother, I will now in vest you with the order of tlie Festive Ploughboy, which you have well won by your heroic achievement while harnessed and may you ever wear it with pleasure to yourself, and may it boa means of terror to your enemies.” (The M. E. 8. P. then prooeeds to in vest the candidate with the regalia of the Festive Ploughboy, which consists of a long tomato necklace.) “The grand hailing sign of distress is made by gently closing the left eye, laying the right fore finger alongside the nose, and violently wagging the ears. It requires practice, but the advantages are intense. It also hak an important signification, which you will do well to heed. The closing of the eye signifies that in all your dealings with mankind you are bound to have an eye to business. Laying the finger alongside the no.ss is emblematical of wisdom, and places you at once among the “knowing ones.” This is extremely handy in prog nosticating the weather, and saves the wear and tear of almanacs. Wagging tlie ears signifies sublimity of purpose, arid is thought to bo emblematical of childhood’s happy hours. It is also sup posed Viy some profound scholars to have a distinct reference to apple dumplings, but this fact is somewhat obscured by the dust of ages. In token that you are one of us, you will now be branded. This cere mony is very impressive, and consists of two brands. They are both applied ‘while the iron is hot,’ aud consist of one letter of the alphabet each. The first is a large letter 8, on which you will please sit while tlie other letter is applied to the stomach. The letter 8, my worthy chick en, signifies scooped, aud refers to rail road monopolies. It is also supposed to indicate tho sent of learning—the spot where the old-time teacher hunted for brains with the fertile. The second is C, and is applied, as I said before, to tho ■tointteh. It has a double meaning. First, the application Is an. ngrieitltmul Otic "corn crib,” and has reference to tin stomach ust being the gH'Ht receptacle fo. Bourlxm whisky. But, brother, do no be diligent in finding a home market foi your coni. Tho second application o; t.lm letter 0, my distruted infant, is got hold of as follows! When one granger de* sires to ascertain “for sitre" if there Is an other of tho order in the room, he ruiset himself gently liy the slack of hif—-of hie unmentionables—scratches his off thigh with his near hoof, and remarks in a voice of thunder: “Are there any grangers about y” The answer is • Moese wax.” The] inquirer then says, “let Us see” (letter O), and the other party must im mediately pull out his stomach and dis close the brand, NO. 41. These brands are applied in such a man ner that lam enabled to assure you that they will wash. I was hero interrupted, Mr. Editor, tsy r a volley fired into the open window, evi dently intended for me. Fortunately I es caped without a scratch, Mid which is of more consequence, succeeded in fetching off my precious manuscript. This is ul out all there is in the ceremony of any impor tance. I must leave the country ,ut once—armed men are at my heels—they know that T am writing to expose them. You may hear from tfle again by mail, if I should deem it best to expose the other degrees—until theb—adieu. From your snored friend, 11. Four!. Notice.—This ceremony of initiation is used during the absence of the lady members. Tlieir initiatory ceremonies are entirely different, being much simpli fied, as they should be. B USINESS CA RDS. JAS. IIIIUNTEK ATT Olt KEY AT LA W , QIIITMAN, BROOKS COVE TV, GEORGIA. Will practice ip tlie Counties of the Southern Circuit. Echols and Clinch of the Brunswick rind Mitchell of the Albany. 4*roffice at the Court' Houno.-s* juiieSS-ff J. S. N. SNO \Y, DENTIST, Quitman, ..... Georgia, Office Up Stairs, Finch’s Corner. uiig23-4m W. li. BENNETT. 8. T. KINGSUERItY BENNETT & KINGSBERRY, Attorneys at Law Q UITMA X, llroolis County, - Georgia. EDWARD R. HARDEN, .Yll oj*n e y at Law, (JUIT M A N , BROOKS COUNTY, - - GEORGIA. Late an Asßoeiate Justice Supreme Court U. S. for Utah ami Nebranka Territories; now County Court, Brooks County, Ga. muv‘24-K!nio ' DR. E. A. JELKS, PRACTISING PHYSICIAN, CQiiitrna n, Ga. OFFICE—Brick building adjoining the store ot Messrs. Briggs, Jelks fc Cos., Her even street. nun Mpf CURRIER; SHERWOOD & CO., WHOLESALE DEALERS IN BOOTS AND SHOES Thin is ono of the Oldest and Largest Hoot and Shoe Jobbing Houses IN THE CITY. AU their Supplies are obtainedfrom THE VERY BEET MANUFACTORIES, And Sold to Customers on the MOST 4 CCOMMODA TING TERMS. 476 & 478 Broome Street, New York. A. IVY. WATKINS, Traveling Agent. Jv2!Mf GREECE & NEWSOM, DEALERS IN r I) E Y GOO D.S, GROCERIES, Liquors, Flour, Bucon, etc. QUITMAN, GA. VjUHG-tf
