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ivcl. xvin. ATLANTA, GA-, TUESDAY MUJUNIN^ JULY 20 1886 PRICE FIVE CENTS BET CROW. A Dialect Story of Georgia Life. (Written for "The Buffalo Express" by Material, AOtflor of stories In “The Century," etc. Copy right, lsro-1 Mr. Jesse Crow sat on the front fence with hU feet com fortebly resting on the lower roll,whit, tlinf a stick. Crape had been “laid by” and ha felt that he could afford to ait on the fence and engage i u the pleating recreation of whittling. But it was not on thin particular occasion en joyed at heartily aa usual. It teemed to bo a mere mechanical occupation to aid him In tola Ing a knotty problem. He waa a small, wiry, mild-eyed man, with a deeply tanned complex, ion and a good-humored expreaeion. He wae a prosperous firmer and highly respected in the settlement, where he had a good reputation for fair, ‘honest dealing and clear jodgment, thoneh often permitting hit love of money to -overrule the rigid laws of justice. “Hit ain’t no oao In bein’ hard on enny era. tar,’’ he would soy mildly. “We ’uns ain’t all been tried erlike, an* tbar monght be extin guiihin' sarcumatances ter Jedgo by if we ’ana could we 'em.” But this morning hit browa were drawn to* ({Other in a perplexed frown and ha stored at the slowly sharpening splinter with abetraoted eyes. The steady, oven fall of hoofs upon the bard diy road roused him from his reflections, and gisucing np he oaw Jim Edwards, his neighbor end crony, approaching on bjseid gray mare. Ur. Jcsss Crow hailed him with hearty delight. “Won't you’nns light an' come in?" he asked hoepltabljr. “No, reckon not this mornin’. Nancy’s in or pow'fol hurry for somo truck,bat I don't know II I min' a jlntn’ you’nns tbar n little wliilo.” He dismounted, threw the bridle over a low projecting limb of the greet chestnut tree stand lug near the gate, and in a few mlnutee ■at on the fence by the side of hla friend. “You’una have beam erbont Tom Fannin a taking that money from Bill Sudors, down whar they air a workio* on the new railroad?" ho ■aid’,fumbling for his knlfo from mere force of habit, and settling himself for a little gossip. “Yes,’’ said Mi. Crow, seriously, “an’ I don’t min’ ssyin' that I never was moro tuk down.” “Woll. I thought bettor o’ Tom than that myself, hut yon’uua know what tho scripture Bey 'bout Satan alius a havin’ work forldle hands ter do, an’ ltspmty well knoivu Fannin's as lazy as hfs hido kin hold.” “Yes, that’s so," asserted his companion. ‘Edwards stole a glanco at him, shifted the tobacco around in his mouth, and then— “How does Bet tako hit? 1 ’ ho rather difli. dently inquired. “That's what’s pesterin’ me erbont the mat- ter, Eda’rds,” exclaimed Hr. Crow, dropping tho lastMirer from hit whittling, and tnrniog toward hla companion. “Bet 'loin he didn't do hit, she knows in reassn he didn't, an' ter that polot she sticks.” “Bat. men alive, the money waa found in his pocks t. Hit wus this way, an' I hearn hit frum W(.i\S “HOW, BET, YOtr’OKS AIN'T AOOIN’ TElt BE ONSEASONABLE ’BOUT THIS FANNIN SCRAFE, AIR YES?" Bill bItself. Him an' Tom has been n roomin' together since Tom tnk an’ start to work down tbar, an’ Bill oao mornin' put SJO in the top tr bis trunk with nobody Mela’ hit bat Tom. At dinner time hit true gono. The men, black an' whit*, wus ill for havin’ thoir pockets searched, an’ when they coma ter Tom's coat a hingin’ on er bosh tbar wus the money (tucked down in tho littlo pocket. Some er tha boys aay he turned mighty white an’ Towed he didn't know t'wea that, in’ kept on denyin’ hit, bat the pint in haw did hit come thsr then?” "I’ve tolc Bet that tima an’ axin’, bat every time aba ur, ’Pep, I know he didn’t take hit.’ ” “How do yon’ona know?" aay I. “ T'auao beau so,’ as if that kin clar np tha ■natter. Thar aiat no reasonin’with wlmmeu folks, Ed'arda” “That's so, Jams. If yeu'una as em why they ballava aech an’ aech they’ll apt ter aay Ter, ’cause.’ an’ that’s all Use aauaa yon'ana kla git oul'er ’em.’’ ‘ lilt aint my fault Bat’s been a keepin’ comp'ay long o’ Tom Fannin—hit’s er puzzlin' thing ter me now aha kin like him, knowin’ he Is lazy an’ sorter triflin’, bnt Bet’s got or head o’ her own,” with a sadden touch of pride, and flawing along the rail for another loom ^TSke'e or likely gal, If I do aay hit Ur you’una, Jana Crow, an’ I’d a been mighty vied if aha’d a tnk a likia' Ur Pink. Bhs knows how ter work an’ abe aint afeard ur put her n/l in hit,” “Bor mam haint spilt bar, that’s a fact,’’ mid Mr. Craw, modestly. '-Thar she cornea now," he continued, railing bis head and glancing across tha road. She had been to the spring, and walked briskly op the peth and across the duty rood, her eon-bonnet swinging from one hand, n pail of water poised evenly on her head. Her black hair knng in a thick braid down her back, the son had tinned her akiotoolno brown bnt, n tuddy glow in her cheeks end fall, Ann lips. Her bright, steady ayes wen dark gray, and whan aha mailed tiro rows of oven white teeth were disclosed to view. “A likely ’ girl indmd, dressed In a neat, clean cotton gown, IU clumsy folds not nbla to bide the graceful development of her figure. She was Jesse Crow's only child, nd ho re- guded her with o Just feeling of pride, end, though it hod now token a perplexing tarn, frit secretly pleased at her disposition and Ibflily to hsvs karowa way. Edwards nodded to tor with a friendly amUo. “Mornin, Bet." “Hornin’, Hr. Ed’erda. How’s Hiss Ed’ards and tho chillun?” she inqolred in a pleasant, soft-toned voice, pausing tt tho gate. “ 'Boot as common, Bet.” She looked inquiringly at kirn. Hr. Edwards cleared bis throat. “Now, Bet, yon’ana ain't goln’ Ur bo ourea- sonable ’bout this Fannin scrape, air yer?" A andden flush passed ever her bee and she lifted the brimming pail from her head and placed it on tho fence. “Depends on what yon’una mean by that, Hr. Ed'ards, hopin' you’ll Uke no offense o talkin’ so plain.” “I mean yon’ana ain’t egoln’ Ur hold np for him ogln everybody else on’ pester yer mam »«s trembled; ahe looked at her father. "Pap knows I ain’t a moanin’ ter neater him.” “Yes, honey, we’nos know that,’*he said, her appealing glance malting hla heart to Under- nets at once. When had ha over tailed to re spond U her Joy or sorrow?" “Now, thar’a Fink, an’ Silo Jill, an’ BUI 8andera, an’— “Don’t bo a namin' BUI Sandora Ur me, Ur. Ed’arda, if yer pinnae,” oho exclaimed quick ly- “But hit ain’t fair ter bo a blamin' him for Tom Fannin’s fault, Betsy,’’ shaking hla head reprovingly. "How kin I help it, Mr. Ed’ards, whan I feel an’ know that in some ‘ ’ cause o’ hit,” she cried, mor In hor voice. “Hit fer me ter b'lieve in Tom, apito o' everything, an’please don’t ax mo not to, for I most; I can’t help it. She opened the gate, and took np the poU of waUr and went on inU tho honae, and a few minutes later the men beard the steady click clack of the loom. All day ahe sat on tho high beneh, weaving steadily a etripo cf Una and a stripe of brown, counting the threads carefully; but her heart -lay heavy In hor bosom and her ayu ware i She had been deeply shocked at tho el against Tom Fannin, bnt her faith in hia hon ;ty remained unshaken. Sho understood hla nil p is, nr. na-araa, wood i zoci somo way or other ha’s tho cried, with a passionate tre- “Hit ain’t a hurlin' nobody looking or oo prosperous aa others, Pink Ed wards and Bill Sanders, ahe loved him. Tho heart of woman is post finding out. Bet Crow might have bad pick sod choice among tho heart of the acttlcment, and 1 attend of favor ing tho salt of one of her smart, industrious lovers ahe choae Tom Fannin, tho poorest, le ut foitonate young man in the county. Ho had a farm, hat it did not prosper, sod his stock were neglected end shabby, “He's shiftless,” laid hla neighbors, and Bet knew it to he me, though too loyal even to acknowledge It to any one bnt herself. The ahadowa were growing long acroea the yard, azd the soft lowing of the cows wending their way home could be heard, when a atop aoonded in the entry, and Tom Fannin hlmaelf walked into tho room where Bet ut weaving. “ilie'i’rowiaid Jest walk right in," ho said, -topping tii-.r the doov, holding his hat awk wardly in his hr.mli. ‘To be shorn, Tom,” ssid tho girl fooling his new embarrassment acutely and longing to DU t him at hla sue and make him understand that story would not change her retard. “Jos Uko tr cheer.” She did not stop hor work, and he drew a chair np near tho bench, laid hla hat on the floor, and then for tho first time looked •tralghtly and frankly at hor. His eyes ware clear and honest if not handoome. Bet frit hla steady look and flushed, and tho hand holding the ahuttie trembled slightly. “ You’una bare beam ha aaid at last, with a deep, dejected sigh. “Yes,” suddenly facing him and looking Into his eyes They did not wavar, thoagh his sun burnt faca flushed. “Hit was in my pocket, Bet, but if hit’s tho las’ word I’m ever ter aay I don't know how hit got tbar." bo said, solemnly. “I know'd you'una didn’t do hit," she aaid with a generous faith. “Bill Handera mot’ bo at the bottom o’ hit himself.” “I don’t know. I don’t know nothin’ orbont tho matter at'al. I can’t aaem ter nnderatan why ennybody’d wanter spile my I’ve been ahiftieaa an’ Isay, I’ll Tow that" humbly, “an’ I don’t know as yon’ana oughter a put up with me, bnt I navor tak nothin’ that didn't berlong tor me, an' navor lifted cr or to harm a human creator.” la voice shook (lightly, and ho loaned hia head upon the weaving bench, hia free hidden In o fold of Bet’s dross. She trembled in a passion of tender sympa thy, ttaia filled her eyes, ran down hor tut, Ilt’l never make enny difference with mo, I don’t cor# what they aay." “Bnt the whole world *H be turnin' agin mo now. Bet. I’ve come over to tall you'una I won’t think hard o’ yer for takfu back yer promini,’’ be aaid with an effort. “Promises air promtsas, an' I never make ’em Tbout wantin’ tar hasp ’am," aho aaid steadily. Ho raised hia head, ns aaw the tears on her face, tha trembling of hor lips, and alerting up threw one arm around her, and pressed her v —■* ftjpdnit him. od A’mlgbty bleu yer, Bet.boney.for k ser in fer aech a poor creator os I, when you’una ‘WT’i. never make aasy difference with *E, I DON'T CASE WHAT THEY OAT.” ■nought git tho beet. If I don’t make some, thin' o' myself now trier this, I’ll never ox yer to ktop yer word," ho whispered, passion ately pressing hia rough ebook against her smooth warm oao. Fora moment the girl did not move,then the gently removed hie arm, and sitting no. right began to look confaaedly far her shuttle, flushing, paling, not daring to moot her lover's eyes. “Can’t nothin’ be done to clear np the mat- lerT' aba said finally in a low tone. Fannin ohaok bis band aadly. “Nothin'; hit woo tbar, an’ I kaiat no way gravin' I didn't pat hit tbar.” That was tins and gomip was rife through out the settlement tod the members of Cool Spring Chorch met fa ulsmn goads veto “dosT with the erringfyoung man, who penitted in denying hia guilt, thereby adding the sin of a lie to the tin of stealing. He lost hla situation on tha railroad, he lost hla frionda, and seemed to sink to the lowest ebb of fortune. But hla trials pat n new spirit Into him, or elsa called forth a greet deal of latent atreugth, for ha met the (lights or hla associates end neighbors with quiet dignity and went to work energet ically on hit form. “I Towed yon'ana ’nd be n huntin' a new homo.” laid one of hla neighbors tc him, oyo- log him enrioualy. “No, I’m goto’ tor stay right t'hnm,” he re plied doggedly. “He’s er turrlblo (inner,” said the goaaips on learning hia determination to remain at hu old home. Those long summer days were wretchod ones to Bet Crow. Sho devised a thousand plana for clearing her lover, but they all came to naught. She firmly believed BUI Sanders had canoed the trouble-thouth why or how aho conld not dot ermine. Ho had been one of h er moot ardent were workmen from the bridge, and a desper ate locking gang they were to hor frightened •yea. Itr a moment her heart quailed. They 1 Bandera He was incapable of offering any defense Just then, and pity filled hor heart. Her eyes flashed, hor 11 pa were set In a determined lino They Humid not got him if she conld help It. “Quick, mam, blow the born for pap," sho aaid, then sprang np on a chair and took down her father's ahot-gun from over the door, n trusty weapon ho lorod next to hla wife and danghtcr. 't yoo’ona coma enny nlgher till yon at you want,” ahe said clearly, railing tho gnn in hor none too ateady hands as they mmbled ovar tho fonoe. For a moment they woo nonplussed, and stared at har with a mix- tare of aarpriaa and uncertainty. “We want the nun thet’a hid in thore,” acid Me lowering follow fiercely. •What fort" “To hang to tha nearoat tree.” “DON’T YOU’UNS COME ENNY NICHES Tilt YOU TELE WHAT YOU WANT,” admirers, and botrayod as much anger as dis appointment when sho refused to “keep curop’ny” with him, hut sho did not connect that with Tom’ii disgrace. After that one af ternoon visit hei lo.er did not come again to see her, and if they met accidently at church or elsewhere they only exchanged the briefest and quietest greeting, bnl eye* may apeak aa well as lips, and there were glances eloquent and sweet to both. Bet did cot parado her feelings and poopla laid she had come to her senses at leak and hal sect “shat triflin’ Tom Fannin erdrlft." One day Bill Handera stepped boldly op and atked permission to walk home from masting with her. She curtly refried. • What’s the matter, Bert It’s onjoit to treat me in eecb er way 'thont er cause,” he said in wounded tones# * You’una know I can't baa wantin' enny o’ yer comp’uy," abe said, and before tho rlgh- tcona anger of bar eyes ho shrank back abuhed. The rammer passed slowly, dowey downs, languid ranlit noons and dusky evanloga. The corn ripened, and tho cotton field! prom ised a fair yield. Tom Fannin worked steadi ly early and late, aa though finding In con- aunt occupation a panacea for hla trouble!. “He'll toon git tlrtd o’ that; min' what I ray,” laid one prophet, “an’ go tor idlin’ round ! But ha did not, growing thin and brawn with constant toil. But tho change had coma too late. The charge of theft could neither bo forgiven nor forgotten in that community. Ear mar Crow carafolly refrained from men tioning Tom Fannin’t name to his daughter since Ike morning bo aat on the foooe and talked with Hr. JTm Edwards But bis shrewd, kindly eyes observed the young maa'a de meanor with approval. “Ha’s got moro grit than we'nns calkerlated Honey, mighty At last ha broaeltad tha subject to Bet. “Hit's a pity Torn Fannin sp'Ut his fortune o tekln’ that money; he’s a doin’ so mighty well now.” Bet looked reproachfully at him. “How do vn’nti. hnOW ha took hit, p*p?” do wa'nns know he didn’t, Bert don't be a deceivin’ yerself. I’m _ . proud you’una have dropped kla tomp’ny.” “1 baint dropped bit, pan. We'nns arc jeat a waitin.” * U sighed. 'Yon’ana air pow'fnlly lot In yer ways, Bet, for er young creator." “Pap, I monght as woll give op livin’ as tor give np Tom. Yon’nna know bow ’tie,” har ayaa traveling to tho round, placid face of hor mother sitting oat la the entry knitting. Hor fother’s face softened. •Well, well, honey, don’t do nothin’ you’una T1 be sorry for, that’s all I ax. Waitin' la sometimes a mighty tryin’ thing.” “Bnt hit mu’ bobettar'n not hivin’toy- thing for wait for,” aha aaid, solemnly. Bat os time earned monotonously without bringing any vindication of hor luvar'a nemo, and hops died slowly and painfolly, aha learned tho bitterness of wittier. - • » • ■ e 0 “fodder.puUlna" tfme.and tho formers were oat from dawn nntil evening stripping tha yellowing bladas from tha com, tying it, and stacking it in tho wldehot fields. Tha now rail road skirted tho western bounds of Hr. Jsssa Crow’s farm and through the almost brestblsaa stillness coold bo heard tha ring of hammer and atoal from tho bridge building over Cool Spring Crock. Home of the strange workmen bad a reputation for lawlessness quite shock ing to tha simple, peaceable country poopla. It was about tha middle of the afternoon, end Bet Crow wu spinning listlessly, while her mother corded the rolls for her. They were not d reaming of any danger, when a man, costless, batlaaa, covered with dost, ood pout ing heavily, leaped tha fence and ran acroag the yard. It wu Bill Bandars. ““MU’ Grow, for tiro loro of Ood let mo hide in hero,” ha giaped hoarsely, atambliag over the door-step, and than staggering into tho —an. Bill Handera, what on the face o' theyethl” cried the frightened woman, har fraah-eolored face growin pula. “They air arter me, they mean to kill me,” be (sated, crouching under the loom, quiver- ing with exhaustion, wild-eyed wito tear. "Bet, Bet! whatdoat hit manur* exclaimed her me thsr appealingly. Bet ran to tho door, end (hiding her oyea with har hand looked out. Four or In cue were running along the road toward tha hossa, searching sad cursing fiercely. Hie hod no idea what had happened, bnt aha know they J hat's ho been ndolu’y” llling a friend of our’n down on tho rail- h ,’Jac honor cf It almost took borbroath.bat sbe maintained l,er ilcfcnsfvo attiiudo bravely. “That’s cr turrihlo thing,’’ she aaid, praying that every blast of tho horn would bring hor father. “See hero, young woman, you’d hotter got onter that ana let ua have him. Wo don’t moan no harm to yon, but wo aint got Umo to argon with yon.” “I'm pinm sorry for yon’ons, but I’m bound ter do what 1 kin for tho law. We'oaa air peaceable folks hero, an’ lika ter be punished cordin’ ter law. If you'nna’U git the Jaatieo o’ tho peace an’ have Mr. Handers tnk ter Jail 1 ain't no objcctiona.” Their wroth waa Evidently cooling some- what, and they were forced to a reluctant ad miration of her(dock. If they hod known that aho was trembling like a leaf, that har arms wore fooling nerve- leas and weak, hor eyes dim! Hha knew that ahe;coold not hold oat much longer la that threatening attitude. A moment of dead ai lence fell while tbs men conralted in whispers, and Bet could bear the deep, hurried breath- log of tha hidden un and the horrified uioana and ejaculations of hor mother with a distinctness absolutely painful to har, Bat help bad come. Her strained eyas wandered despairingly from those dark, angry ftoaa con fronting her, and aha aaw hor father and two <r thru other mou com lug through the lot. Matters ware at last peaceably adjusted. Ur. Crow argued so mildly and rsaaenably with the avtualuy party that they contented—the farmers bearing them company—to take their prisoner and allow the law to deal with him. “But I’U tell you what, Bandars, yon owa your life to that girl. Wo would a killed yon aura if ah# hadn't a stood up In your dsfanaa like abe did. Wc didn’t wont to hart hor,” ■aid ooo of the men grimly, and Bandars groanrd heavily. Ha pave Bet one humbly grateful glance as they led him away. The whole occurrence occupied bnt a brief •pace of time io tbe bright summer day. Tbs dust settled softly open tbe road bound tho retreating footsteps of tha self-appointed porae and their prisoner, and ths cricket! shrilling in the grass seemed tho only living thing left. Bet sank down on the doorstep, and hid her face In her hands, faint and weak from tbe strain upon hor norvee. “Drink this, honey, htt'H do yon'ana good" tha details of the trial held at tha September term of tho county court. It la enough to soy tbe young man was acquitted sod walked out of the court-room pore, bat mhdned and quiet. He went direct io Fanner Crow's, and walked into tha room where Bet aat with ha r patch work. Sbe greeted him with gram kindness, end asked him to sit down, but ho declined, preferring to stand. He twisted the doxible willow awiteb ho carried nervously around in hia bands and smllowed audibly aa though aomrtblng chokod him. my lift in'tat , he said finally with an effort. “I don't know what to aay, I ain't much far word, but"— ‘Tleaae don’t aay nothin' 'boot hit, Bill,’’ aho pleaded In greet embarrassment. Folks air a puttin' what I done up too high. If I helped you'una hit wasn't nothin’ more’u do ty, Main’ aa yer wu plom tuckored out with rannln’. I'd a done hit for enaybody. "Don’t I know that botter’n you’uns, Bat," he exclaimed bitterly. “Don’t 1 know you'uns can’t bear the sight o' me, but I'm •goto’to show yar that I ain’t ungretful for what yon’uns dona for me.” Ha (used his hands over his eyas. “Bat, I dona somethin'for you'una that for yer uke I'm now sgoin’ ter undo. Next Sunday la mettle' day at Cool Spring an’ I’m ngoln' tor make public acknowledgments o’ my tempta tions, so' the dolus' o' Satan In my hurt. I've kecrcd for you’una mighty nigh to the ruina tion o'my hopes for a better world. But if Cod A’ralghty kin forgtvo me, then yaa'una kin to, Bet. Good evenin’.” He turned to go. She sprang np Mattering her qnllt pieces right and left. “lull!" aha gufmd, but he strode hMtlly out of the room, mounted hia horse, and rods away. daiaatood up. and eleartng hla throat looked around on the people. As he met theourfow expectant area fixed upon him, he aeemed to waver, to flinch from hla purpose. “Jee' apeak out, Brotbor Sanders," uid tha putor encouragingly, and tho kindly voice of the old men gave him fresh strength. “Brother'll on’ aUtrin, hit becomes my duty ter tell yon'na o’ the temptations I’ve been a foilin’ under this year, an' ter ax yer forgive- ness an’ yer prayers. I’ve been a wandorin’ for from she right any. I dose er tnrrtble thing ter brother Tom Fannin, took away hla toed name, an’made him a byword an’ en example o' ovil among yer. For do uke a’ ono who hit ain't bocomln’to run tor name here, an' who a!n,t ter blame any more'u a Innocent child, I’lowed myself ter hate him, ter wanter cut disfavor ’pon him.” lie paused, and a-plnfall might have been heard in that church, ao intensely quiet, ao breathless wore the excited people. He look ed at Tom Fannin loaning forward eagerly on hla seat, then bis cyca rested fer a moment on Hot Crow'a drooping fsre, and ho could almost fcrl thoqnlck flutter of thopiilso In hor round nnft throat. Ills oyea sank to tho lloor, hedrat.' a long briath. “Jlrotbr’n, tbls Is cr public acknowledge ment; an' tho solemn, blndln* truth; I put that money in Tom Fannin's pocket with my own hands.” He said no moro, but sat down ond hid his Aice in hla bands, and a stir and murmur seemed to sweep over the church like a wave. The agitation, excltcmaut, aeemed about to brisk dignified Christian bounds, whan Mr. -rose Crow roan and aolamoly said: ''Brother'll, wo'nna bava all burn tha pub lic acknowledgements o’ Brother Handers' wrongdoin’. Ha bu tol* hit ’thout bein' aud an’ o' hla own ft»o will an’ inolarnatlon. In dralin' with thiserrln brotbor wa’uns mu' bear In min’ tbar air altua extingulabln’ ur- cumatancea surroundin' ovar’ deed done by weak mortal crutur hn'a oonfomion o’guilt is er long way to'arda complete repentance.” . Well, that public confession was tha climax of that year of events In tha Cool Spriugaat- Cement, if I except the wedding at Hr. Jam* Crow'e later in- the aesaon, when hoaro end yard overflowed with aueots, and all united in giving a kindly hand and a hearty word to tbe bridegroom. Bill Sander* wu not pres ent. He had gons out wut to look a now home, indict ua hope that ha was in Umo as happy si Toni Fannin ond hla wife, ones tha balls of Cool Spring settlement—Bet Crow. the riiiNT anor or tuk war. they'd a Tt'E my un SUCRE or thax MAT MAD NT IV HIT HADN’T A BEEN FEE YOE’ENl, BET.” aaid her mother, boldinE a brimming gourd o* water to har pala lips, and aha drank a little am’ >1 re ared that aha Alt hotter. “Do y< u’uoa epooe they'll bang him, Bart” in a fearful whisper. -I don’t know, mom, if he’s tnk human life”—aha paused with a abnddtr. A cow (enaction had been furnished the aet- item eat, ond a for greater oao than tho mar* theft of * iittio money. Tho men met to din. cue* the crime, tad the woman spoke of it In low, awestruck tones. Then it wu discovered that the man had mot been kilted, bat badly wonnded and atoanad. A quieter spirit vailed, and whoa Itc r apb that tha atrau- ger had (track tha first blow ond that 8andtra bad only acted on tha defensive tho tide of poblle sympathy In tied In his flavor. It dceo not belong to this etoiy to go In to all An Interotllng Iiemlnlarcnre of tho Attack on Fort flumter- Charleston. 8. C.. July 13.—In view of tha contradictory statements which coatinna to bo made concerning tho firing of tho lint goo at Sumtor. the Newt and Courier naked Colonel Alfred Bhottio give hla recollections on tha subject, and those, It will bo mod, do away with moat of tho difficulty u mark lug tho dis tinction! between tbs obeli fired u a signal and Ibo first hostile shot. Colonel Bbstt asya: on the morning of the nth of April. MSI. at (bout 4S0 am., the battertes unrounding Fort .-Ulster opened fire ou mat fitft. then held by a pair lion of L'nlled flutes troops. From 4A0 o’etooe o. nt.,|of the Utb until 1:43 o’clock on U» 13th ■ steady lire of shot and shell fell upon flumter. On themornlni of the IJtb o fleeter United States vessels appeared off ths her. After consul- tationiiwu decided to bring matters'to a short conclusion. Two .'U-poonders from tho flumter battery of jfttn Monllri. opened with hot,shot. walls of Ft rest part oi been a of tho An from the in tbe war that roll lives, sad desolated t ran continent. It _ _ , Inquiry, who tired toe Aral (hot in ao (rare a mailer. On account of wld* separal tbe batteries surrounding flumter, — island, James Wand, Mount riassai... Island, It waa necomrjr to arrange aoxatghal lor Oiesteral Are to be opened on flumter In ease of “an ie’iith affairs wen ao strained that we ex- peeled tocorder to openflr* at enymoment. It was than decided tost, as Fort Johnson waa ao much nearer to Charleston toon Fort Moultrie, a mprur ■hell fired from Fort Jobnsoo sronkfba the Mrall 2™TSfSthl? l 2i™ tK raSSAtS!?™ ‘*” rt Moultrie—mat Mini to# fenenu uiniu Weeks bad been prsplfed ln driti and prapar- attests, rad oo to* evening of toe donate, as Fort Moultrie, the ran (quads wen told od-tb Inslrueted to St at their posts at a ntomeal’i —rad tt cles will midnight, when tbe mortar shell was sod, tea men were Instantly at l. lantern was run up. Onr inns h loaded, and everything was read; not ordered nnui tie lloee bed bt tbls bad been doae, afunw SING DIGGERS. 8TBANO DOINGS OP A STRANGS AND PBCULtAR PEOPL.K. Onwiea# Ut$ of tb« (Java Dweller* of W«at Tlr# (ala -Olta. tha Terror, and B«r Wondartat Toto# -XZc r Oh oat Btoga Wild. W«trd Son#* to Boat tha Brida who 8uoo««d*d Har. CuAELtaTON, \V. Vn, July 17.—Thore la a wild country In ths roar of Cannetton moun tain, In tha wsatern part nf Kanawha connty. Strange peoples, masy of whom are notnadlo In habit, strange customs and strange habita tions may be found for tho looking. Horn the "aing-diggera," or cave-dwellers, thrive la wild InxnrlaDce; here the “Brotherhood of Prayer" and church of Ood sects, whose curl- out rites of humility and penance recall tha history of Diuidinal worship. On the tooth- arn slope of a mountain, shoot five miles be yond “tho acttlcment,'' aa them primitive mannered poopla still call the villages, Edom Smith, a Free Will Baptist, (track his tent about ten yean ago. Ills claims for preferment were speedily recognised and a following ob tained. Tbn morn mtaty hla eloquence, the greater honors were heaped upon him. A rude hut wu hia dwelling place, In a dense wood, never touched by aiinshlno, and hard by n little atroam, spring fed, and a twinkling water fall. Here tbo OWL HOOTED OEEWoOUELV in the nigbttlmo. Deacon Brnlth was pale, cadaveroue aud solemn. Hia wife waa of the Gypsy type-dark, of stormy mein, alert and active. That ahe ruled tho doacou with un gentle rod noone had reason to doubt. SUa bold hennlf aloof from “hfs people,” thoagh taking part In the Saturday night services, lie never preached savo at night, and then only In the light of the moon. For thin he geva reasons founded on Blblo teachings and utlilkctorr to tho flock. The dark woman waa held In venorallon by tbe “alng-dlggera," for she sang as nouo oth ers canid, and gam them hOtllng potions and charms against the power of tho evil one. Ouco it in laid that when Edom Hntith spoke of death and tbe grave In his discourse, she shrieked aloud and rebuked her husband with angry words. It was known that urn terror or death amounted to madness, and sho had extorted an oath from him nnver to consign hor body to ton ground, but to encloso it tu an oaken box to be deposited on a certain stump near the house, l-’nr want of sunlight she fell ill of rheumatism in one autumn, and dlod whou tho lenves were comiug out again In tha tsuglu of vines on the tent. Kdom Hmith remem bered bis vow and respected It. Within sight of tbo bridle path that led to the highway u few miles beyond, on tbeatump that Olga h.ul selected, tbe rutiu oak bos, con taining her body, waa placed. Tbo people be sought bint to bury the remaius, but he aaid bo durst not break bM word, for sho had iromiaed to haunt him fer this, aud always promised I kept her« and toe fire became general. captain — James, formerly of the rolled Mates army, afterwards killed in Virginia at. colo nel of the regiment, flm] tbe matter shall ■roan Part Johnson—tha Older being carried from Gen-ral hsanreiatd by a staff officer In a small FUteen People Killed by a Shall. By. I’ETEuaBVto, July IS.—White aa Iron dreter wu unloading a wagon Iliad srllh aid artillery material yesterday, which had beau purchased from the government, a ulna inch •hell, supposed to nave been property on- loaded, *xp!oded among n groan of workmen and others. Bixteen persons, Winding four children, were kilted, and several more in jured. tn the river that they might avoid THE AWFUL SPECTACLE of that dliooTored box, where the figure In white came every twilight and waudorod to tha waterfall. Thla weird vision was a com mon light, it sru laid, and they porilstonlly prayed the detnon to put tho eolliu under giwud where tbe deed belon/. Kuhn acroims were heard iu the midnight hour, It w.ts told, and wild wags, each as Olga used to slug as the ut tnr the cabin door. AII knew that strong, atrangaly aweet voice, and shuddered when they heard ita colmra among the treea. But no one complained to the authorltln of the honor, aud the box re mained through that rammer and one winter nudlatorbtd. It finally disappeared, no one knew why, aud were afraid to atk concerning it. But the myatery wae explained whi was put away,. But the songs west on aa of old, and tho awful erica In tbn gloaming, till they called It the haunted glen, through which belated trsv-' rllcn harried to the nearest babltstian. It wu found that Edom Smith had carried the box to a cavern, almost at the mountain toil, on tbn other aide. How ho sinr-eedwi iu reaching tiro place without aiilstancn was mom than any could understand, but no one questioned about the awful matter. There, on a ledga of rock, in the cave, may yet bo ■ecn tiro oaken box, over which tbn mame* grow, and tbe ancient form, and where the dolraimro ulghtbawks scream a mournful threnody. Tiro EATTEEtNANE* HIM ■bout the phut*, and a fantastic vino drape* th* toouthof the tomb wllhecnrlot blossoms. Tha tale ie told that Deacon Hmith hail never pence In the but with hia new wife fer tha ' and that bis throughout, (■lug no one iving everything as thoagh they would return; hut they nnver did, uono hearing from them, or tbo cause of thalr begin. Perhaps they ware murdered, aay tha ”re»g people.” Who ran tell? Butthofarni- torn dlsapirared from ton hut months later, and than a fire destroyed the house—by what means no maa cnuld (ay. Thi-jr still sag the tongs may yet be beard iu the. twilight and the awful ahrirka In the mldalght hour. And they will tell this tale to succeeding genera- Gone, and warn them of tiro haunted cave near tbs mountain top and the ghost of the loBtlygien. FOUR SUICIDES. An Uid Couple Blow Their llrallts Out-Two . Unknown Men Take Their Lives. Xaw Yoax, July 1*.—Avarlan Cruch and hie wife, Lucy, aged fifty years each, were found dead In their bedroom at 00 Lexington avenue, this afternoon, both having committed anleide by shooting themselves through tha bead. They committed the act between 9 o'clock list night, when they were lost seen alive, end 1 o'clock this afternoon, when their dead bodies were discovered. The husband bad lent a bullet Ihnwb hie head behind the left ear, and hia wlfehadahttherielfthroughthe right tem ple. Freeh was a merchant doing buslooae at 1.5 Beaver street. A man about thirty yearn aid. of ordinary helgm, fair freed, sad with light hair, stop ped Iu front of a tenement house. No. ,) K’ East 47th atrect, at half part one this morning, and shot himself through the forehead. He was nuronaeioni when picked ur> and died to Bcllevua hsapltei, anon after bekg admitted. No CBS knew him. He ware dark clothes and a ehaek Jomper, and waa evidently a la- after 8 o'clock a foil bearded man about flfty-flvn yeare old, dnased in #n old dI»gon*l milt and coarae shoe#, without itockint* or hat. ut down on & tow wall at Twelfth arena* and Ono Hundrod ond Third itrret ond fired ft bullet through hia mouth. 11# died instantly. Both bodie# were Mai to the morgue. Destitution ond *«n*r*l wretch- tdneas seemo to h»ro drhrcu both uiou to mu tcfttxuctioo. INDISTINCT HUNT