A Friend of the family. (Savannah, Ga.) 1849-1???, May 17, 1849, Image 2

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them awful curses, you see, on Ba^ e , ihe name— and said he was at the bottom of all the mischief. Well, well, dying men don t, often lie, and what they say is generally correct. The dram-dealer did not remain to hear more remarks, but moved away with a clouded brow and a burning heart. He soon concluded his business, and, as the night tell, .commenced Ins journey homeward. . c , He Was well mounted, and his fleet-looted steed bore him rapidly on ; but, haunted by bis own memories and thoughts, he felt fearful and insecure. The night was moon-lit, and singularly quiet, so that the clatter of the horses hoofs echoed far and loud. This circumstance was not grati fying to the dram-dealer—be wished the wind might rise—that a storm might break over him that the thunder might speak from the firmament —in fine, that something might interrupt the quiet of the night. It seemed that nature had hushed all her ministers, that she might look with a more piercing, merciless eye on him —that she mig it read the dark parchment ol his soul in a stionger, steadier light. . . The bad cannot love beauty and quiet; their natures cannot harmonize with the other features of the universe. The dram-dealer rode on, not, however, with out casting frequent glances ol apprehension on either hand, as though he anticipated an attack ot banditti. He was particularly cautious wherever the road happened to be shaded by trees, or wherever a hedge orblufl might possibly conceal a danger. At length, a sudden turn in the road brought him face to face with another horseman, and in immediate proximity to a precipice, which yawned at his left hand. The horseman, who sat about as erect and steady as a reed in a tempest —who was about fifty years of age —and who seemed to know’ the dram-dealer well —this individual, I say, stopped very short, and called out — “ H-o-w-w-w a-r-e ye, m-m-my lord, as t-t-they say in mo-o-o-n-archical gov-ov-ernmerits —line riding, by the holy ! ” Now the dram-dealer recognised in the eques trian one of his best customers; hence he felt compelled to stop, and 44 pass the compliments,” —especially as there was every probability that the said equestrian would hand many more dol lars over the Squire’sbar ; though it must he con fessed that the latter, on the present occasion, was anything hut socially disposed. 44 How are you, Snider? ” he returned, coming himself to a halt; “yes,it’s a fine evening, and fine riding. But, man —I declare! —why you’ll have your horse over the bank ! ” “Not J, b-b-by the Lord!” responded the drunkard, reigning his horse on the very brink ol the precipice, 4 * I-I’m a better horseman t-t than that, S S Squire. But t-t-the fact is ” 44 Man alive I you’ll be to your death this mi nute ! ” shrieked the dram-dealer, as the uncon scious rider seemed determined to urge his strug gling and more intelligent steed down the abyss. But not so thought the rider. 44 The f-f-fact is,” he continued, 44 that licker of your’n is better—isb-better than ch-ch-chalk—it’s worth more, I do swear ! ” The dram-dealer screamed with agony. Ri der and horse were tottering on the brink of the precipice. He endeavored to seize the rein, bent forward, stretched out his hand, and —was ail in stant too late ! Down, down they went —rider and horse!— Like, heavy clods they struck, mangled and life less, an hundred feet below! The dram-dealer gazed down into the abyss for a single instant only. The moonlight flung its rays faintly and tremulously there, and in that pale light he saw the dim and revolting outlines of the lifeless bodies. An instant—then the dram-dealer, with a groan of pain, rode furiously away. But though he might flee from the corpse of his victims, he could not flee from avenging thoughts. Louder and farther echoed the hoofs of the fleet steed, until the white foam glittered on his noble breast; but the rider cowered still before the armed clam ors of Conscience, and struggled with the viper of Remorse ! No sleep blessed his couch that night. His peace was evidently broken. In a few days more, men began to remark that a wonder ful change had come over the dram-dealer. He was abstracted, gloomy, miserable, everybody saw it—everybody talked about it—everybody marvelled. It could not be denied, or hidden —he was haunted ! Day and night, sleeping and waking, the images of his victims thronged through his rebellious, shadowy mind. It was not long before the community traced this change and this suffering to their proper sources. Then his bar-custom gradually dimin ished, for tipplers did not like to see the 44 head of the establishment ” troubled by his conscience. His enemies too, the wives and children of his victims, began to annoy him in a thousand differ ent ways, as soon as they discovered that he was susceptible of suffering in the maimer I have men tioned. Two years passed away. The dram-dealer was still a haunted man ; and the evidence of deep suffering was traced on his form, which had be come thin and bent, and on his features, which were sharp and haggard. His friends bad often advised, and even urged him to give up the traffic, and his o\v n family ha joined warmly in the request. But firm to o stt nacy in his purposes, he struggled on wit fate. And yet never did he become so hardene again, as not to bleed from the lash of Remorse, whenever the drunkard's ragged and famishec children, and pale and despairing wife, wandered across the arc of his vision. He is still a haunted man ! . A strange destiny still flings the corpses of his victims before his eyes. Never was man a more perfect witness of the miseries he has fathered. The eyes of the community are upon him to wonder. His profits are small, his shop little fie quented ; for no attraction of the bar can induce topers to come within the atmosphere of the Haunted Dram-Dealer. Yet he persists in hi wretched employment, hoping that the heaven o his soul will brighten at last, and unable to bear the idea of yielding to the nobler demands of his nature. But that will of his, so haughty and strong, is itself fulfilling the Law ot Justiee. He is haunted still ! A FRIEND OF THE FAMILY. SAVANNAH, THURSDAY MAY 17, 1849. • AGENTS. Mr. J. M. Boardman is our Agent for Macon. Mr. S. S. Box for Rome. Mr. Rout. E. Seyle for the State of South Carolina. PHCENIX FIRE COMPANY OF CHARLESTON. This fine body of Firemen paid a visit to our city on Thurs day and Friday last. They were received at the wharf by Oglethorpe and Washington Fire Companies, and escorted to the Engine house of the former in Liberty Square, where a collation was spread; they did not linger long around tho fes tive board, and from thence they were conducted to their quarters at the Pulaski house. On Thursday afternoon at 3 o'clock, a parade was formed in Liberty Square and marched to the junction of South Broad and Bull Streets, where the Engines were placed in line, Oglethorpe at the Cistern in Chippeway Square, Washington at the Corner of Hull, and the Phoenix at the side of the In dependent Presbyterian Church from whence she threw a stream of water upon the steeple up to the cap of the columns of the second tier of windows, she then played three streams and changed places with the Washington,which threw within 30 or 40 feet of the height of the Phoenix, through a length of hose. The line was taken up and marched to Ar mory Hall, where a collation was spread by the Savannah Fire Company t— “ A merrier set, Within the limits of becoming mirth, Sure never spent an hour’s talk withal.” After the collation the members of Savannah Fire Company • joined the ranks of the Phoenix and assisted in drawing their engine to Liberty square. In the evening a ball in honor of the guests was given at Oglethorpe Hall, where “ The music, and the banquet, and the wine, — The garlands, tho rose-odors, and the flowers, — The sparkling eyes, and flashing ornaments, — The white arms, and the raven hair—the braids Aud bracelets—swan-like bosoms —the thin robes, Floating like light clouds ’twixt our gaze and heaven, The many twinkling feet, so small and sylph-like, * Suggesting the more secret"symmetry Os the fair forms which terminate so well,” was prolonged for many an hour—all was joy and happiness, and it was with regret that we tore ourselves from the scene. At 11 o’clock Friday morning, lunch was served at Armory Hall by the Savannah Fire Company of which the Phoenix partook, and at 4 o’clock in the afternoon, the Oglethorpe and Phoenix Companies, led by martial music, drew the engine of the latter to the Charleston wharf, and at eight o’clock in the evening, escorted them from the Pulaski House to the boat, whence they took their departure amidst the cheers of the firemen and citizens of Savannah, who will long treasure the memory of their visit. RIOT IN NEW YORK. The great mass of our readers doubtlessly have heard of the recent deplorable outbreak in New York, so that it would be but waste of room to repeat the tale. We will but briefly state for the benefit of those yet uninformed of the matter, that last Thursday and Friday an immense concourse of persons attacked the Astor Theatre in New York ; the immediate cause of this manifestation of public feeling being the quarrel between the two great rival tragedians Forrest and Macready. The latter being the obnoxious individual. The riot act was read, and this being disregarded, cannon were fired by the military upon the mob, 21 persons were killed, and some 25 or 30 wounded. Mr. Macready has gone to Boston to take passage in the steamer for Europe. FOR LIBERIA. The bark Huma, Capt. Henry, left on Monday morning. She takes out 184 emigrants. A portion of them are from Charleston and South Carolina, and a few from Augusta and the interior of this State, but much the greater number from this place. Some fifty or sixty who entered their names to go at this time, were unable to make their arrangements, and will therefore wait another opportunity. 61 are professors of religion;*s are preachers; 105 can read; 31 can write; 24 have purchased themselves, and paid an aggregate of $15,750> money made by their own industry ; and 47 have been man umitted. The company is composed mostly of parents and their children, and many of the families are large. There are 66 under 10 years of age, and 19 over 50. The Society by this and other shipments is $20,000 in debt, and trusts to a liberal public for relief. ZW 3 The Board of Health have elected Dr. Soloman Sheftall Chairman, Dr. S. A. T. Lawrence Chairman pro. tem ., and P. M. Russell, Esq., Secretary and Treasurer. masonic journo-marietta, oa. Contents March Number: Objections to Masonry answered —Freemasonry and Religion—Freemasonry and Education — Editors’ Table. April Number: Exclusiveness of Freemasonry—Acacia — Reminiscences of the Past—lntemperance a Masonic Offence Freemasonry and Woman —Qualifications and Duties of Candidates for Freemasonry —Ancient Craft Masonry—The Recognition—A Sketch —Editors’Table. The typography of the present issue is much improved. [y We inserted in our last an article concerning Campbell’s 4 Gertrude of Wyoming ” for which a somewhat captious friend of ours blames us. He says it is not true that the de scription of the valley is accurate, however beautiful the poem may be as a poem. We must confess that a poetical license was employed when M ngnolia trees were placed there, and the crocodile, condor, and flamingo figure in the scenes he describes. \Ye inserted the article without meaning to en dorse its truth. DIARRHEA. Rice parched brown, and boiled or made in a broth, but we believe the first is better, will frequently stop the Diarrhea— Being not unpleasant to take, and a cheap remedy, always at hand, we recommend it as worth remembering. Siy After the business of the day has closed, and the heat renders refreshment desirable during the evening walk, it may be gratifying to many who promennde the Common and woods out Bull Street, to learn that they can find Ice Cream, Lemonade, Cakes, Ac., a stone’s throw from the Jail, in Jef ferson Street, at an establishment fitted up by Mendenhall for this purpose. GP* An inquest was held on Friday last at the house of Nicholas Hernandez, on the body of Bernard Centres, who died from the effects ot a cut inflicted with a hatchet by Ed ward Murray, on the sth inst., and a verdict of murder ren dered. The prisoner has been committed for trial at the next term of the Court. ty The Proprietor of the Mountain Banner, published at Rutherfordton, N. C., advertises his paper for sale, he says : “For a Printer, with capacity for the Editorial Department, this would be a valuable investment.” Gp The Cherokee arrived on Saturday morning in 66 hours from wharf to wharf. jy The last night of the Heron Family was a real bumper, such as their delightful performances deserved. eiiissiSrif iii For A Friend of the Family. BIRTH DAY LINES Respectfully addressed to Miss on the arrival of her Eighteenth Birth-Day. BT L. T. VOIGT. “ So guard the blosoms thou bearest now That when Summer shall be o’er The fruitage of Autumn tin every bough Shall prove the Winter’s store, And when Time’s brief season no changes bring, Thou shalt know an everlasting Spring.” Bernard Barton. Hail to thy Summer—bright one! for the laughing Spring hath flown, The beauteous bud that blossom’d then, in the glorious rose has blown, * Like dew that gem’d that bloom of morn, thy girlhood’s pass’d away, And the dawning hails thee “ Woman ” on this, thy natal day t And we perchance may scarce regret, as we behold the flower Blushing in mature loveliness, the now sped blooming hour ! For though ’twas sweet to mark each leaf unfold its dewy light, Our joy was mingled aye with fear, lest aught that bloom should blight. Well may we—loved and lovely one ! well may we wish that thou Should’st ever find life’s devious maze as flowery, calm as now; Smooth as the sky-reflecting stream, still may the peaceful tide Laughing in light and loveliness, with thee all rapture glide. If fervent prayer for other’s weal may aught avail on high, Then will ours woo its choicest gifts, from the benignant sky, Richly all wealth the soul holds dear on thee it still should shower, And thy glad path be redolent with every fragrant flower. Yet, though we e’en would beggar Heaven to bless thee with all joy, We feel our prayers must fruitless, prove—no bliss without alloy May here be tasted, —though earth’s wealth were flung with lavish hand, ‘ Still would thy soul, amidst it all, sigh for 44 the better land.” Then, whilst thy morning yet is young, and the sun beams bright above, Fix thy fond trust bring thy pure heart to HIM whose name is LOVE ! Now, “whilst the evil days come not —nor clouded years draw nigh, And thou no pleasure in them find ” —Oh to that refuge fly ! • There changeless pleasures greet the bless’d, and streams of rapture roll, Up-gushing from the Fount of Life, to fill the ravished soul ! And when earth’s flowers by thy freed step no longer shalt be trod, Thy soul shall mount on angel wings up to the throne of God! For A Friend of the Family. THE MUTABILITY OF THINGS.- A MORAL ESSAY. * How full of a poetic melancholy is the contem plation of that gloomy destiny which overhangs this sublunary scene ! How touchingly sad is the reflection that all beneath the sun is under the dominion of change and surely tending to destruc tion. Yet such is the great law which controls the economy of things. The fiat of Omnipotence has gone forth through all her realms and upon the wide front of nature’s vast domain stand in. delibly impressed the marks of mutability and decay. Every object within the broad circle of her empire—all that makes imposing or renders engaging—all that contributes wonder or lends enchantment to the splendid pageant of creation, unite to declare and attest this mournful truth. J t is blazoned on the dazzling disk of the sun, and written on the foam-wreathed crest of the sea; it is graven with an iron pen upon the varied fea tures of earth, and traced in diamond letters over the azure dome of the firmanent. The crumbled and prostrate ruin of to-day was the cloud-capt summit of yesterday—the fair and blooming gar den of to-day will be the dreary wilderness of to morrow. Nature through all her m ultiplied phases silently preaches to us of her passing away. The eternal storm of change which sweeps the com pass of her empire is spreading ruin and desola tion in its destructive march, and soon every vestige of this mighty fabric will be obliterated by its tempest breath. Thus, too, is it, and in a more emphatic sense, with all the boasted works ol man. Upon the most gigantic monuments and collossal structures which human exertion has ever reared, the hand of destiny has carved the gloomy inscription “ Tempus edax rerum , tu que , ivvidiosa cetustas, omnia dcstriutis .” Where now are the once powerful and renowned kingdoms of antiquity? Alas! the blaze of their glory, has become extinct and their only existence is in the narrations ot h/s ----tory —the strains of eloquence or the songs of poetry. Where, too, are the famous cities of earlier days? Alas ! their pomp has vanished, their splendors have faded, and all the pride ot their former greatness now lies humbled in the dust. Where is Babylon, with her magnificent temples —her massive gates and adamantine walls ! The loathful serpent now hisses among her moss-covered stones, and the fierce hya?na howls upon her dreary piles. The Euphrates rolls his tide of waters through a desolate scene. Where is Tyre, with her gorgeous palaces and sun-lit towers ? The lowly fisherman spreads his net upon the now forsaken spot where once the proudest mart of commerce stood. Where is Palmyra, with her stately edifices, her gilded luxurious saloons —the famed pleasure haunts and banqueting-rooms of kings and princes and conquerors? Grim desolation now sits, like a heartless victor, upon its ruined heaps, while nought but the fitful screechings of the lonely night-owl wakes the sleeping solitude. Where is Salem, with her dazzling sanes and golden domes? Her flashing minarets and gleaming spires have vanished, and her very site become a sterile waste on which the loose tent-cloth ot the wandering Arab flaps in the desert-blast. Where is Rome, with her galleries and porticoes, her pavilions and colonades? Her triumphal arches have Ion” since crumbled, and now the ivy and the wall-flower idly clamber around the clay-hut of the hermit. Such is the mutability of all human productions. Time, like a giant con queror, holds his onward march, ever strewing his pathway with the wrecks and fragments of earth’s hollow pageantry —ever scattering his road with the dust and ashes of empty pomp. In the wan tonness of his might he breaks down temples, crushes altars, prostrates thrones, and desolates kingdoms, and then shakes his hoary locks in triumph over the ruin he has wrought. Nor is the fame which man acquires ordinarily more enduring than the works which confer it. Occasionally a name rendered illustrious by noble deeds and high achievements is preserved for the admiration and eulogy of coming times. The greatness of a master-spirit born to shape the sentiments and mould the destinies of an empire, may sometimes survive for a while in the impress it has stamped upon its age. But the countless thousands who struggle after immortal fame sink from the recollection of mankind, as they pass from the scenes of their earthly efforts. Human glory is as fleeting and evanescent as the glittering bow woven upon the transparent spray-shower of a fountain, or the gorgeous tower painted on the golden ridge of a sun-lit cloud. Where now is the despotic prince whose unholy usurpations once grasped the seat of power —and whose throne flashed with the splendors of royalty ! His boast ed sceptre has long since fallen, and all the grandeur of his regal fortune withered and de cayed. Where is the military chieftain beneath whose banner mighty armies once gathered, whose victorious car blazed with the rich spoils of triumphant war ? His standard has long since drooped—his trophies have perished, and the high renown of his brilliant exploits past from the re membrance of the world. Such is the transitory and ephemeral nature of all things earthly. One generation moves in upon the stage of action, plays its brief part in the great drama of human existence, and is then speedily displaced by another. As age follows age, each succeeding one developes new and more stirring scenes and events, draws in upon itself the attention and interest of the world, and thus crowds out all but a few of the more prominent landmarks of that which preceded it. In short, change is the great law or principle of things—decay and dissolution their appointed fate. Truth is alone immortal, that truth which is at once the essence and the reflection of the Deity> and of her it has been well and beautifully said 44 The eternal years of God are hers.” k* •i