Newspaper Page Text
Our Story Corner
W
THE MYSTERIOUS MURDER
By George Pickering.
In'mMaummor, 1883, Johnson county, I ,
startled by a terrible tragedy, which, <n
local newspaper phrase, “shook tho country
from center to circumference." Both victim
and supposed murderer belonged to families of
Wealth and prominence, whoso names were in.
Inwoven with the history ef the state from
the earliest pioneer days.
E Bober t Vendors, the murdered man, was the
Only son of Hra. Anna Vanciure, a widow, re.
Biding at “The Oaks/' near Honmonth, ths
largest town in the county. Ho sras a young
man of great promise, a general fovorlte, and
idolized by his mother and two sisters. The
Beene of the tragedy waea one story 001tags on
•portion of the estate some miles from "The
Oaks.” It had been erected for the purpose of
furnishing shelter to any of the harvest
hands who might bo working in that vicinity,
letter it had been used by yonog Vanclureas a
Bort of sunggery, where he was in tholhabit
of passing much ol his time during the sum*
rner months. At the time of the tragedy har
vest bad not yet commenced. Two men only
Were employed on the place. On the particu
lar day young Vanciure had ridden over early
and passed the morning In directing their
work. A boot noon he went to tho oottege.
Shat was tbs last time ho was seen alive.
Two hours later one of tho hands went to
the cottage to inquire about tome work. A few
minutes after hit companion heard loud cries
from tho honao, end saw his. partner running
toward the field. Boeing something was amiss,
the other started for the house, to bo puet when
pert way by thecry, "Vanclaro’aklllcdl” Both
men hurried to the cottage. In ths dining-
mom everything was in its place and tho sun
Streaming in brightly through a dormer win-
slow in the low sonth gable. Opening out of
this was a bedroom. On entering this they
found the body of their young master, half
lying, kneeling. Above the right choekbone
tras a bullet wound, from which a thin etrosm
Of blood trickled down.
They raised the body and laid It carefully on
the bed, and then hastened to give the alarm.
It was noticed by the tiro men that the body
was still warm when found, showing that ths
fatal shot had been dred not long before. In
the course of two hours the sheriff and coronor
arrived from Narvln, the county-seat, which
Was only a few miles away in the opposite di
rection from Uonmoutli. Tho news of the
tragedy traveled fast, and the law officers were
accompanied by a score or more of citizens. A
jury was Impaneled and tho formality of an
inquest cone through with at once. The thoory
of suicide was vary generally dismissed as im
probable, both from lack of cause and of weap
on, as tho most careful and systematic search
failed to show any traco of a woapon with
which the wound that caused Vanolure’a death
could have been inflicted oxoept a twonty-two
caliber spotting rifle, whleh hung on Its hooks
In the living-room. This, on exeminstlon, was
found to have been recently discharged, the
empty shell of tho cartridge remaining. Tho
breech of the rifle wet quite warm, but this
was accounted for by tho piece lying fall In tho
S lereof thoenn as It come in through tho win-
ow. At the inqueat James Jackson, tho farm
band who had drat discovered the body, testi
fied that on approaching the lroaie he had noted
on nnnsual clUlness. Entering tho living-room
be saw no signs of Vanciure. Nor did a hasty
glance in tho bedroom disclose more. It was
only when ho wont to the door and looked In
that he discovered the body* In tho posture
first stated. He then ran oat and called his
companion. Tho latter corroborated Jackson’s
Btatcmeut as to finding tho bodyjsnd Its position.
The death of Vanciure was shown to havo been
nccail -ned by a hall of twenty-two oelthor,
which bed token a dlagona' and upward comas,
penetrating tho brain and causing instant
death. A clear case of murder, bat by whom?
Ths Jury loft this for tho sheriff and his depu
ties to answer, and contented themselves with
drawing up tho customary verdict in cases of
thatkind. As thoy were doing this a man redo
Up tnd took tho sheriff to one side. Tho con
ference laslod but amomenf,and then thojury
was recalled; and Tim BlnlaloU sworn.
Blnlsdell was a farmer residing u short dis
tance below tho farm on which the cottage waa
situated. His testimony was to tha effect that
when passing the cottage on hla way to Nsrvln,
between 13 and 1 o'clock, ho heard loud talk
ing In the cottage. Aa ho redo by tho door ho
taw Vanciure walking bock ana forth, apps-
xtntly In a great rage. Back In the room was
smother perron, whom Bletsdell could not seo
plainly. Outside the fence, however, a hone
wu hitched, which he recognised as Will Car-
rolton'e riding more Hint. The effect of this
testimony wee peculiar. Tha faces of those
present looked as if the owners had nasud
brough a dust-room. Carrolton wu thoInsep
arable companion of the murdered man and a
prims favorite all over tha county. Tha story
ncemed incredible. "Go toll that to tho old
women,'' growled a big fisted farmer as toe
facta began to press heavily upon the startled
listeners. “I packed that boy on my book long
before bo csald toddle, end long after it, tor
that matter, and he isn’t tbo chap to do no such
piece of work.’’ A murmur of sympathy
went roond tha circle, only to bo Interrupted
by the harsh voice of the foreman of tha Jury
«s bo read the verdict: “We fiod Eobert Van
ciure came to hla daath from a shot flred by
William Carrolton.” The sheriff, after maklog
arrangements for sending the‘body to “Tho
Oaks," started with hit deputies lor Carrol-
ton’s home, which was two miles beyond Hon-
month. Carrolton had lost both hla parents
when quite young, end had been brought up
in tbs pleasant old rambling mausioo on Chest
nut hill by an aunt, who still continued to set
aa hla hr ustkeeper. Tho boys had baan play
mates in youth, schoolmates later, want
through college together, graduated with equal
boron, and then returned, each to taka the
management of hia estate, which together
made a good third of tho county. Not tho least
young men over since my arrival in tha oouoty
five yean befbre. Carrolton especially was a
great favorite. Hia sturdy honesty, drmneas
of character, and reliability had inclined mo
more toward him than ths memorial Vauclnro.
I bad been bu«y all day preparing cues for
the circuit court of tho county, which was to
convene within two weeks. The drat intima
tion I received of the tragedy waa brought by
a doputy sheriff, who said Carrolton wished to
see me In ji!L I waa greatly shocked. Leav
ing a brier note to my clerk, I followed the
messenger, who hurriedly gave mo tho meager
details, ao far aa known, aa we were crossing
the court yard.
I found Carrolton pacing tho floor of the coll
with long steady strides. "Did yon evor hear
such an abaurd charge, Thornton?" waa hie
greeting aa I entered the apartment
1 muttered eomething in reply, and dropped
into a chair to pull myself together. Will scat,
cd himself on the ewlnginc bank and waited
quietly for me to apeak. When at length I
found bay voice I did not hesitate to tell him
that, absurd aa tho chargo zoomed, it was no
laughing matter, as the circumstantial evbieuca
waa remarkably stroog. His f sen sobered as I
proceeded, and into it crept a look of resolve
as when a man sees hla danger and determines
to face It without flinching.
“Yon will of conns defend mo?" ho said
quietly when I concltdod.
“If yon wish It."
“Assuredly I do; though aa I hope to moe
my aaintod mother in heaven, Thornton, I am
guiltless of Robert's death. How can angons
make ao cruel a charge? All know who know ua
that I would havo given my life for him if nec
essary, as ho would si certainly havo given his
for me."
“Why ware yon out then today?"
“You remember Bob wished to buy that sor
rel gelding Dick, lflns’s half brother, bat I did
not wish to sell him. When, howover, I fan ad
how mdeb Bob bed sot hie heart on the horia I
changed my mind. I had a faw hours to spare
this morning, and I thought I would ride over
and tell him of my decision. At 'Tbs Oaks”
they told me he was at tho cottage, so I rode
over there. He came from tho field as I rods
op. Wo walked into tho houio togethor, and 1
made known my errand. You know how quick
he was to appreciate any klndnoss, and I
thought ho would overwhelm me with thanks.
Nothing would do but I mast rest awhile be
fore riding book. We sot there smoking for
possibly half tnhonr, discussing farm meteors,
and then I cure away.”
"What was that loud talkingBUtsdell heard
as he waa pasalog?"
“Loud talking?"
‘ Yea.”
“Did Blaiadell hear loud talking?”
“Ho says he did, and sew Robert pacing the
floor,evidently in s terrible rsge.”
“I cannot tell you.”
I looked np, surprised. Was he docetvlng
me? “Carrolton," I said, sternly, “you under-
•lend, if Inm t) defend you,|I must do so with
my eyes open. There must be no secrets be
tween ns.’’
“But that waa a private matter, whtcb should
not be paraded before tho public."
symptom of rivalry In insuring wee ever dis
cs inert let* sen them until Jackson Halford lo
cated in Monmouth, where be opened a small
bank. Ho was accompanied by a wife and oat
daughter, Anna. The refined beauty and bright
intelligence of the latter set a score of hearts
Listing, but all other competitors withdrew
veben it waa uuderatood that Carrolton sal
Vtrc'ure bad entered tho race. The running
from this on, to u» a racing phraea, seemed
neck ard neck. If Him Hefford hid any pre
ference it waa not allowed to exhibit ftsoif.
What seemed the strangest thing of all wts
the no'
which
ora. The race was clearly to be straight ran
ting, with no unfair advantages around the
luma. This had looted a year, and here wu
the end.
By nig_.
ccunty jail and every store in Narv
come a club-room, where ths tragedy wu dlt-
cum d pro sod coo.
Here my connection with ths caw com-
Ccuctd, I bad been acquainted with both
.... I piacle no reply to thin, trust in ? to the young
man's zoned seme to shoivbiin the Importance
of giving mo bis entire confidence.' Atlongth
he said, with an effort, ns If still doubtful: “It
wu about Anno.”
“Hia* Hefford?"
"Yea. When Miss Hcfforu tint cams to
Honmonib,” ho continued slowly, “Bob and 1
feU victims, with other*, to horchama. Wo
wore both hard struck, and both wore aware of
the other's feeling. From boyhood to manhood
wo bad grown up together with lou than the
usual quarrels batwosn brothers. I determined,
though I felt it to bo a lifeand.doath atrugglo
with ns both, that even Anne Hefford’a ewoot
face should not come between ue. Ouo day I
took Bob into my study and wo made asolomu
compact that cooiowbat might there should bo
nonoef that Jealousy between us which so often
makea tbit world a hall. This compaot wu
ucredly kept on both aides. Afowovsulngi
ago I asked Anna to bo my wile. To my groat
Joy tho contested. Tho engagement wu rati
fied by her ftsthor add mother, but was not yet
announced. Then I learned that a day or two
before Bob had aaked tho same question. Hy
heart ached for him, but what could I do. Wo
had not met linee then until todav. During
onr conversation ho broke out with the story or
hisrelhasl Then, much u it otlood ms, I had
to tell him of my success. The poor fellow
broke completely down. Forafetvmlauteohe
raved np and down tho room like s madman.
Then be teemed to remember whet he wu
doing, quitted down, and asked my pardon in
that winning way of hit, and gave ma hla con
gratulations, which I.knew came from tho
heart. Boon after I left; Dob accompanied mo
to tho gate. Aa I rode away he Mid he thought
ho would go in and lit down for a while. The
lut I saw of him wustandlng in the doorway
waving his hand u I turned the bend. That,
Thornton,ia tbo whole troth. Of whatoecur-
red at tha cottage later I have no knowledge.
Who killed him I can tell ao mire than yon.
If there wu any chance for accident I should
ray it wu that, u I don’t believe there le s
men in the county who would raise a hand
againat Robert, and I am sure ha did not com
mit suicide.”
The more I pondered the story when again
in my office, the more It impressed mq with Its
truth; but bow could I bring a Jury to my
opinion in the face of tbo evidence presented?
Then, again, who did kill Vanciure? Too pro-
limlnery examination was waived, sod Car-
rolton wu held without bell. Freed from tho
eonfhsion attending tha preliminary steps, I
began the preparation of a defease. But the
more I wont ovor tbo ground the more discour
aging did tho case appear. Tho chain of clr-
cumitancos was so perfect that the attemot to
break itaumed hopelou. In not, eo clear did
the cau sum against Carrolton that many of
bis warmest frlenda advised hia pleadinggall'.y
and throwing himself on tho mercy of the
ccurt. Outside of Will’s family, hiebstrothel,
and myeelf, I do not think a half-dozen persons
In tho county believed Mm innocent.
But a week now intervened before the court
wu to open, end not a rsy of light hod u yet
penetrated the gloom In which I delved night
and day. In sheer desperation I mounted my
horse and rode overt# the cottage. I had male
the same trip a number of timet befor j sod
returned empty handed. The day wu one of
these scorching midsummer visit istione, on 11
wu not sorry when, having tied my horse iu
the shed, I sat iu the cool li via if-room of lira
cottage recovering from my hot ridAt I s it
there the ih night fleshed acrosi my mind .net
the day much reserabitd that ou which tho
tiagzdy occurred.
1 again weet over the incidents of the at uod
murder, scanuiug the room u t > and divu,
lengthwise and breadthwise, in tho vain h pi
that the sympathetic wooden walls w.i tld
whisper aomo word that would save an Inna
cent man from punishment for a crime which
be had not committed. Over and overagtiu
I endeavored to formulate some theory on
which a defense could be bated. Tost the
motive wu not money woe shown l>7 ’.ho foe!
Vaucl arc’s watch and money had
undisturbed. Ineheernervousaeu
I erou and began pacing np and down the
rcom until, tired out, 1 threw myself dova in
an cosy chair. How clearly I recalled Van's
leva for conifoitakla lounging scats, a choree
terlstic for which his eontberq bin! wts partly
accountable. Ae I eat there, my heads behind
toy head,my attention wu attracted to a «?>t
between the book* where the UtU* iportbg-
INDISTINCT PRINT
rifle used to hang. I say used to hang, at It
had been taken in charge by the aheriff, so
there sras nothing now bat bare well. About
where the breech of tbo gun would havo
come I noticed a rpot where the wall seemed
charred and blackened. I arose and wantorer
to examlno it. Somewhat to my surprise I
found the mark boro tho appearance of haring
been burned. Tha paper wu:charred and the
plaster beneath sras baked to a stony firmness.
Aa I stood there a abaft of sunlight came
creeping along tho wall. Looking np I saw it
came from tho dormer window. I noticed it
wu on o line With the burned placo. Aa I
gazed the thought flashed serosa my mind that
pcai ibly this ray was responsible for tbecharrod
paper. Resolving to tut my belief at once, I
tore a sheet of paper from a memorendom
book In my pocket and pinned it over the spot
and returned to my Mat to await tho result.
With an intensity of feeling hardly to bo do-
scribed 1 watched that bright spot of light.
Gradually it crept up to the edge of the paper
then full upon It. Eagerly I 1 aird forward
Wu 1 mistaken? No. Aa I lookod a black
•pot the also of a pln-hoad showed In tho can
ter, growing rapidly larger. Another second
and a thin film of smoko arose, followed by a
puff cf flame, and ’the paper wu In uhea.
Faint with the intensity of my emotions I
•unk back in the ehair. I believed I held the
key to tho mystery as clearly as though I had
stood by and witnessed the ahooting. Tho
■rene rose before me. Tho creeping sunlight,
tbo burning ray heating tha breech of tho rifle
until tho cartridge had ignited and
exploded. With almost insane eagerness I
pushed over to tho gothic doorway.
There sras tho mark of the ball whore it had
•track and been deflected. By the aid of a
chair I next examined tho window. There in
onoofthepaneswaiallaw half ths airs of my
band, which In romo unacoonntablo manner
had concentrated the rays or tbo son, u in a
boning glass. Glanoing at my watch I found
it wu Just 2 o’clock, the hour wm u nuru
could be determined when poor Vanclnro met
hla death. Butnow to prove ft. 1 breathed
no word of my discovery to a living creature
least of all to Carrolton. There wu still a
possibility offkilore in my proof. This must
not bo approximate, but conclusive; so clear
that oven the slightest shadow of guilt should
bo removed from Cerroiton. I hardly aiept
that night. Early the next morning 1 secured
arlfloof theeame make and caliber u tbat
from which the fatal shot wu fired, and waited
impatiently for the time to arrive when I could
test my theory, loonier to divert auapioion
I started somowhat oarllor than usual, and left
word tbat I bad gone out for a day’s hunting.
Arriving atthe cottage 1 placed theriflein pot-
itlon, and thon passed two of tho most wearl-
•omo hours that over fell to tho lot of mortal.
Fortunately there wai no one about tho pluo,
to I wu undisturbed. The day wu clear, and
tho ran poured down hla rays in piercing shafts.
For tho hundredth time I looked at my wateh.
Tbo Lour aptroached, and with it came tho
glittering ray of light to whloh slimy hopos
were pinned. At first It spread tho also ortho
window over tho wall. Gradually It crept
clour to tho hooks on which tho riflo rested, a
brighter spot appeared iu tho co itor, plowing
tii:a]’crof;{!^.dvAnced. At length it reached -ho
point where the full intensity of tho ray was
focused an tho breech of the gun. With m.v
lout in my throat 1 waited. 'Tbo eecouds seem
ed minutes and tbe mlnutu .hours. Was I to
be disappointed? Already the shaft of aualight
wu pairing over, and I had begun to fed tha
ponge of l ho damned when there came a sharp
report, and almost the same instant a spat u
of a bnlltt slil .lag against aboard. Ihadsuc-
ended. No need to sell mo that. I hurried
into the bodroom,whert|ontha bed I had placed
a board on tbe spot where Vsue]urn’s heal mast
have lain. There, buried deep n tbe board
was tho bollct. On tho oaken door jamb wu
the ume scratch commingling with the first.
The ro was now nothing to bo done but wait.
I did not dare tell Carrolton all I had dis
covered, bnt I told him enough to pot now life
in his veins and firs bis soul with fruit hope,
which wu also communicated to hif flaocod
and relatives.
Buoyed np with hope, ths few days Interven
ing before tho opeoing of the court puied
quickly, As it had bun announced that Oar-
rolton would bo trmdot this term, thotiwn
wu filled with people from all ovor the oouoty.
When tho call of the calendar wu being made,
I roes and asked that tha case of tho ststo
against William Carrolton for murder be taken
op at ones, before turning to the civil cal
endar. Tho court wu writing provided tho
district attorney wu ready to proceed with the
cose. Tbat official signified his complete read
iness, and ths COM was accordingly set for tho
next morning.
Long before tho hour for opening tho court
had arrived tha court-room wu pound with a
sweltering iraiaofhumanity, drawn thither by
feelings of tho liveliest curiociy. Nearly
oveiy one In tho court-room had knesrnoneor
both of tbo principals In “tho cottage tragedy,’’
as it wu generally knosrn. Onmaoyawoath-
er beaten face could bo traced feelings of tho
deeps at sympathy u Carrolton, accompanied
' riff, walked up tho aisle and
laths bar. Theopenlng forms
wen gone through and tho Information against
tho pil. oner wu being read.
“To this information do* yon plasd guilty or
not guilty?”
“Not guilty.”
Tbo answer created a vlsibo sensation
throughout the room. In ume nnsccsunubio
way a rumor had boon given current circu
lation tbat Carrolton would plead guilty at
onrst and take hlaoentence.
Before tho stir eauad by thobritf announce
ment had died away I was on my fett. In as
few words u porelble I stated to tbo court that
rnr defense would bo that tha killing of Robart
Vanclnro, on tbo 34th of Jnae, had bun acci
dental. and brought about by ayaneltsentirely
beyond human range. In condition Iukod
that the court adjourn at 13 o’dock to tbe cot
tage in which the tragedy occurred, whore I
would prove tbe troth of my ouertlona.
8o odd a request met with
. considerable ob-
ection, but I carried my point. Tho impanel*
ng of tbe Jury waa completed, and soon after
1” a motley procession started on tbo raid to
the cottage, headed by hla honor Judge Went-
woitb, and cloud by tho moat heterogenous
araortment of vehicles that aver graced tbo
trainofacourtofjoitlce, for tho now) of ths
nnsel proposition had bean rapidly noisod
through tba county-seat and folly one-half of
the population of tba town wu to bo foind in
tbe piocinlon. I bad asked tha sheriff to ace
that the rifle from which tho fatal shot had
been fired be cleaned and loaded with a long
to enty-two cartridge, which wu the tuts as
that which contained the fetal bullet. For
tunately for my plsns the day continued cloir
ard the no ponred down a boat which, but
for the (weeping elms that shaded tbe road,
would gave made traveling an irksome task.
As it wu, nono were sorry whan tbo place
wss retrbzd. No one wu allowed Ineide the
cottage bnt the court end Jury with the dis
trict attorney, •bertff, sod prisoner. This,
however, did not prevent every window and
doersray being usurped by u many wide-eyed
ercctaton u could crowd bitsroaa tho Jembi.
I had provided a figure, which had been eent
on before ue in charge of a deputy sheriff. This
me now disposed on the bod in the position
which I assumed Vaaciuro had token. The
rifle was placed on the hstoke ia the pie!tton in
• Licit it Be* found ua tha dag of tea shading.
S^ I o"Sw^. hHk ~ TW “ h - ,J “ 7,,,,
result ofmy former experiment, thoexpreuion
of incredulity which cub face had assumed at
first gave way to one of quickened curiosity,
and all further operation) were sralohod with
a (crntlny that augured well for the complete-
non ofmy victory, or that I bad no doubt.
Stem tbe time the abaft of sunlight cams creel
log in until tbecioae I felt uraro of the reeul.
u I did of my existence. Carrolton had never
before been made acquainted with tho details
of my theory, and on hla face hoi
struggled for mutery. Butul—
gradually Increasing pallor ho .mads oo algo.
It was now nearing 2 o’clock. Again tho broad
golden band Of annligbt came pouring in from
tbo window. Bio*' ......
lying there ou tho
point a smaller spot, gradually increaming
in brilliancy, began to show itself as before.
Now it wu gliding np tho barrel, until it stop
ped full on tbo breceb. To have said a pin
could have been heard to drop would bo givlni
a Tory faint Idea of the stillness which provailoc
for thou few precious momenta, not only in
side hut outside the cottage. At length, as
before, the bright burning spot togan to pass
off. A sneer of oontempt was curling tho cor-
nerofthedistrictattornry's month when crack
went tho rifle. A rash ms mads at once for
tho bedroom, court, Jury, and sheriff, in their
astonishment, Joining in tho race. There on
the foes of the figure, in identically tbo ume
•pot of Vaoduro’e wound, wu tho imprint of
toe bullet. An examination of ths door
showed the bail to have been deflected in ac
cordance with my prediction. When tbo re-
suit wu made known to tbo crosrd outride a
cheer went up that was heard nearly to Nuvin.
Then n break was made for the door, and for
the next half hour Will wu kept busy answer
ing congratulations of tho heartiness of whleh
ho could moke no question. Tba return wu
n triumphant proceariou. Carrolton ut in tho
cxrr age like oneatonned. It wu not until ths
outskirts of the town wore reached that he be
gan to emerge from hie dim eounambulletlo
(tale.
When our party reached the head of ths
stair leading into the court-room tho aheriff
took Carrolton by the arm and pushed blm in
to tho office of the distzict attorney adjoining.
As tho doer opened I caught a glimpu of a fig.
oro in white, heard n soft cry of Joy u a pair
of nund urine crept about Will's neek, and
than tbo door dosed. Further proceeding!
were merely peifonctory, auda fow minutes
liter Will Carrolton waa n free man, relieved
from nil legal or moral taint of tho doatb of
Robert Vanclnro, and tboro ended my connect
ion with one of tbo most rooarkablo cues *
ever met with.
MOBBING THEMISSf ONAItlBS.
New Yoxk, September IS.—[SpoolsL]—The
critical disturbance! in Bulgaria have ao on-
angered the missionnriei cent there by the
Methodist Episcopal church of Amotion, that
Bishop Nfnde bu hastily sailed for that coun
try to savo tbe ministers of tbat denomina
tion. •
- Tho peril that immediately be* ts them and
islU ly to drive them out of tho country Isa
bi'jqvtt -lfjuzt about tbo same sort that In- be
come familiar in this country. Tho wholo
story 's that about twenty yr-iri ago the Amer
ican hoard of foreign ml jaiona attempted to
develop • field in Bulgaria. It la an odd fact
that tbe Werioyan missions in Europe
are almost exclusively' of Amort mu
origin end under American control, while tbo
Pacific Islands, and heathendom generally,
are cultivated by the English Wcsieyans. In
all tbe world, probably^ no sovorer trials
have been endured by mlselonarioe than ia
Bulgaria. From the very (tart govsrnmsnt
influence has boen bitterly turned ageiust
them. Tt la nominally true that presohon
from abroad Lavs tbo privilege of eptoch
tbeio; so orach tbe government bu bod to
grant by rcuon of the relatione with foreign
and Christian lands; but tho privilege bu been
mode to mosn aa little as possible by
surrounding she preacbor with nil sorts of
dlicomforts and diffioulllee. Through clerical
and c-fficinl channels the minds of tho people
sroinetllled with prejudice and auiplclon
againat tho Hethodiau. For tan yean a vain
sirogglo to get a foothold hu been maintain
ed,aid the results wereso discouraging that tho
muslonarlea were withdrawn, luring tho
work to be kept up by suoh natives as had
dared Identify themulvu with tbo faith. Af
ter twoor three years more, tbe Uissionery
society took up tbe field again and sent oat
ncwwoikcrs. The umo old diffioaltlea havo
been encountered ever riuoe. Rus
sian influence hu bun iteadlly
directed ngelost the mlarionarloi. If thoy
wanted to mako purchases the people are par-
susded not to uli. The misrionsrisi decided
to boy lend for t church; they had the money,
more then enough, to moot tho price asked,
but tho owner declined to trade. For over n
year tho misrionsriu want from ono reel
relate owner to another trylog to buy n little
land before they succeeded in aocuriog a title.
Tbe gentlemen et the head of tbn missionary
work hero are ioatho to uy outright tbat Rus
sian supremacy in Bulgarian affaire will be a
Laid blow Co thair plana and dedres, bat that
ia evidently what they fear. Tboy managed
to straggle elong while Alexander maintained
n shadow of independent authority, bat hia
abduction renders them very Insecure. It
wu therefore from tha conviction tbat tho
missions in Bulgaria needed every poaslblo
eirengthenlng element thet Bishop Nlnde wu
dispatched thither. Ho will lift the boycott
if no cea.
Washington, September 17.—Minister
Dtnby, et I’ekln, hu reported to the secretary
of Mate two cases of recent outregu perpetra
ted by tbe Chineoe upon Americans, Rev. A. A.
Fulton and wife, and Min Hary Folton, H.
b„ all of America. The I’reebyterian mis
sion in China ulahllahed a minion hospital
and station at Ksrei Ping, about four hundred
miles southwest from Centoa. When they bad
expendtd a considerable sum in putting up
Inga, placards appeared on the waifs de
spond
nfldln. ,
daring that tbo “foreign devile" must go la
" * ' •*-' buildings nut be da-
AlIpr»te«ltdKtUi;iiq
three deys, and their
•tiojed. Tbe Literati as usual were at
tbe bottom of tbe disturbance. A
crowd gathered near the hospital and
Hr. Fulton set out to secure the protection of
the military. He wu stoned on hie way and
not permitted to return, and no sold lore wore
■er. t to protect the mission. Oo Hay flth a mob
pil'd straw and faggote agalost a building occu
pied by Mis. nod Miss Fulton end n little
daughter of tbe former, upon which tha in-
males lied, end the bouu wss looted and
refuge on boots,
i destroy any boat
id after some delay
tbiy reached a point where Mr. Fulton baa
hern compelled to remain. Two dnye liter
th'v were pnt on boats end conveyed to
Canton. Tbo value of tbo property It about
(.'.SCO, and Consul Keymour la preaslng a
demand for payment of this amount in dam
ages
Tbe second cassia of more recent dote.
Hunt ay, June Alb, in the absence olallthn
gesitlcmcn connected with the Hethodiet Epia-
re pal Mission hospital, at Chung King, and
while only one lady wss preunt, a mob col
lected, broke down tbe gates, threw stonu at
tba indy, one of which cot open her index la
ger its entire length, while ah* wai otharwtu
isjnred about bead and arms.
Complaint wee made to the Officials, bat tha
matter was treated HthLly, This is a urloag
cue, wiltee Hi, Duty, and any bqatosi sue.
ARP’S LETTER.
The DMtrted Taberntcle at G«rt«rarm*-t*ai
JoncVa Careir and Wbat Ht Ilaa Aooom-
iiUkbcd-Sau Bmall’a Great Sermon-A
Preachtr of the Olden Tima.
The big meeting Is over. The great taberna
cle stands lonely upon its eminonco. There la
a sad and solemn stillness about n deserted
mansion—n shelter that skelters no ono—n fire
side with no tamily clrolo—a piazza with vines
and flowers that greet no ono with n welcome
—no dog to bark—no router to crow or hens
to cluck around. Even churchu have a weird,
dead lock, u they stand with doors and win
down closed durlug week days, but hero la
tabernacle, a sanctuary that Is to sloop for
year—a whole yur. It ia open all around, but
empty, strangely empty. Tbo spacious platform
is deserted, the place Jwbere tho preasban
stood and prayed and dispensed tho oracles of
Oi d and mingled warning with good cheer—
wlioro tbo singers ung tho aongi of Zion and
made music, sweet music, that umo o’er our
softened scale, Ilka tbe sweet aouth wind that
breatbeaupon a bank of violate. Thou alient
vacant seats must wait now—wait for tho us
ions to come end go and the shaky earth to
make Its annual pilgrimage around tho sun.
Then tho tabernacle will como to life again
and tbe people will gather there and wor
■hip and from yur to yur it will bo n tryst'
Ing place for thorn who loro peace and hope
f»r heaven. But some will be missing,for old
Father Time will cat down some. Ho tskos
hie toll. Ho tithes the people and not always
ccntent with the old and weary he ptaeke
here end there a bud or a bloom or n fall
blown flower for hie bouquet. Wo lore these
ycerly meollnge. They give use social religion
end bring the peoplo together upon a bails of
common interest and common peril and com
mon security. They (mother for a season the
icenlnga to bigotry and nrqjadlce. They
broadtnour rheiltlcsand uHim Jonos lays
tboy loosen tho bide and open tbs pores and
piumoto a healthy elren’
Bam Jones bu been t
tuna!. It don’t matter
a insn Urea in Bam will bit him If hohsato
smash a window pane to do It. He rocks every,
body aod keepa ns dodging nil tbo ttmo. Toe
fun of it and lire pity of it is tbat wo are all
willing to take our ehanoes
at dodging If ho will giro a
sockdologer to onr nabora. “Tiiat’e nabor Mum
ford ho’aalter now” thought I. “That’s nabor
Freeman bo bit Just then and didn’t he s»k it
to him,” and in a few minutec he hit me a
croereyed lick tbat stunned me and I wilted.
Ereiy time Bam bite tho mark ha runs Ills
Ingres through bis bock hair with a smilo of
tai-faction audsays, ' That's it.” Humanity
hie hunting g round anil he Icvco to reat hie
il musket nj on a roil nml take A crack. Home-
tiiuri tho wounded fight back and fight hard
'n.t Ban. .uoils square to his gun h,, 1. says,
'Jlu t: u hit ill r.th-it yelps.” Sunie'.iiOM to
gets a lt..rd ahot hlinsoll and it Jini'ts and he
yelps a littlu too hut t,h«
loads lip quick nud fires anffii
Erecntrio electric and aonintiniM mane,
be still fights on maintaining hla position or
else adranclog, bnt oarer retreating from ths
enemy. When tbo church will not bock blm
in bie aaunlte he ehom no white flog bus gnu
t alone. In rain bie esatione conservative
brethren remonstrate end advise. In vain tbe
press denounces. In vain tbo critics make
snort. Ho still flghta on bis own llnoand with
tbs same old weapons, and hu mala more
havoc single handed than any soldier of tbo
chinch militant during the last half century.
Forawhiio be wueallad a fraud. Forawhile
he w m Ilkenrd to a rocket that wont np with
n hlose of noisy light, end they arid be would
explode end como down like a stick. Out no
body cries fraud or rocket now, Hla star
la still bright Long may ha lira to wres
tle with iniquity in high places, for that la bis
fort. Hia favorite game moves in the clretea
of polite society. Hypocrisy, vanity nud ael-
flshocii are his targote. Bravo, watchful and
self-poasrstcd, he ia always ready and hla mag-
•sine la full or resources. As I surveyed tbo
greet tabernacle end Us crowded andlenool
said to myself who would, who oould havo
built this bourn but him—who would, who
could havo raised a thousand dollars hero to
day in a fow mlnutu wherewith to beautify
Mid improve the grounds, Ho hu more grit,
ion assurance than all tbo preach-
aucccas In hlallnoandit Ian good
line for tho time#. Reform is tho watchword
now end he le n reformer. About ooinethinga
bo is cranky and bu s trach of fanril jlsm, bat
this docs not matter. Let him be so. 8s wu
I.utber add Wesley tnd John Knox. Reform
er* are alwoys extremists. Tbe pendulum la
■.bilged to awing or tbo clock will atop. Sam
Jonia sees the young man wrecked nt tbe gam
ing table end to he asnouncu n social game of
whlit at tho family flreside. Ho teu a young
slrl in a libertine's company ntn boll end de
nounces dancing In any form or any pise*.
But let blm thunder uataatcards end dancing
and baseball and anything also tbat is carried
to excess. There fa intemperance in most
eveirthing. Boys can pley et marbles too mach
end mint too much. Cflrte ecu rigglo end chew
gum end drru too much. Women can visit
and gossip too mueh. Hen can eat too much
sod drink too much and chow too mush to
bacco. I remember when thepruchera preach
ed igtlait ths fiddle end celled it the dstll's
Instramsnt, and there are still some good old-
fubioned folks who hero s holy horror of an
organ in church. What would tbe old-timo
fathers hare thought of this modem taberna
cle worship with Its paid reporters on tbo
•rand and lis hired riogen end It* restaurants
near by with refreehmenta on sole and e youth
ponding ths sanctuary selling plcturu of tbs
preachers npon ths Babbsth day.
Preichcra ire but men after ell—men of like
passions end like prsjudtcu with ourselves.
The prophets and tbo apostles bad onr iufirm-
riles, and did not always hew to tbs lias.
David sinned and so did Salomon. Old Ell
tailed to bring np bis children aright, and
they were n curse to bfm in hls’old ago- Paul
qngneltd with Rornaku and they separated
In contention. IIow much more udo tie
preacher* or onr day fall short of being immto-
ulate,either In opinion or in condnct ? Is wu
amusing to bstr Hem Jones tell how he wu
going to rtite bis children. Ifn young buck
came to see his daughter bo would Invito blm
trio Ihc parlor politely and und for i’aul end
Ri b in come in tnd entertain him. Well,
that’s one way, and there is no patent on it
either. Ws old-time folks used to go to school
with the girls, end ws were proud to stand up
and recite with them, and wo wore ashamed to
ettad foot, and wo mixed from
childhood to inatnrity and got along
pretty well, and there wu no patent on boat,
for seme times there wu trouble Just tiki
Ibtralsnow. If there is any aura w-.y to raise
them it bu net been recorded (a uy book
for there ere some better and some worse in
every flock. A mu may rusks a cloister or a
convent, or even n prison of hla house, but it
•lUdoao good, Tbo Saotsr. (ills I hare known
were educated <u convents. Tho best chit-
««n W Men Him parent* teach thorn by
precept and example to bo truthfol sal hou
orablo, and who associate with them u com
panions in their youth. A father's oxsmpls
and a mother’s love are ths best safeguards.
But all these fall sometlmoa. Old fathsc
Adam failed to raise Grin right when
there were no barrooms nor gsmiog
hontea, no . dubs, nor bare-
ball or race corners, old Fathor Jacob raised a
dosan and tbaj wen badly mixed. Hut lot us
all do tbo brat we can and bo thankful. Tbo
preachers try mighty herd to raise good chil
dren, but sometimes they feU like the rest of
us. 8em Jones says that If a girl maker good
biscuit snd fries good chicken and helps her
mother a feller will come GOO miles to get her.
Well, he ought to com* a thousand, but I
overheard n girl soy that thou BOO mile nags
were awfol scarce and very oncertain and If
one of them wra coming for her ho mutt bo
coming Inawnik andstoppiogundorthosheda
of every tree ou the road, the uldaho want
ed a “gat-thera Ell" fellrr.
Sam Small used hard words aralnat tha
whisky man, and called them hellions and
other hard names. Wall, of course, he feel*
tbat way. bntl remember that a year ago Bans
Jonea spoke very kindly of them, end said h .
knew many of them In Oartoravlllo to he clortr
men, kind and charitable and good clUsena,
end it wu only their boeineu ha wu flghtiog.
Well, that wu tho beat way to talk to them
and thus men are hla friends now. While
Ur. Small was thundering hia anathemas, I
waa reminded of the time when Abraham
Lincoln first came before the pnblle as a can
didate for congress against Stephon
A. Dangles. Douglas was a haughty aristocrat,
while Lincoln had been raised
n rail splitter and had kept a country saloon
Douglas mid ho had not had tho honor or an
arqoalntenoo with hia opponent, Irat ho re
membered to have seen him on ono oczulonr
acme ytara eg o, when he sru standing behind
a counter retailing whisky by tha drink.
When Lincoln rou to reply, ho put a broad
grin all over hia face and laid: ‘'Yea, folliw-
olilzens, Hr. Douglu ia correct Thatwutho
first time I ever saw blm. Ue wu ea one lido
ef tbo counter and I wu on t ha other.”
Mr. Small preached a good sermon, u ho al
ways does, and our peoplo appreciate hla worth
•r so evangelist, hot wo do not think he ean
do any possible good by denounclog slavery u
rinsed to be. Ills all over now, and those old
people who know slavery uit sras far better
than be does have no patieuoa with suoh lec
tor is. Ills Irik wu Uke a wot blanket, and
chilled tba service down toa brief doxilogy.
Wo commend to hla better reflection tho fol
lowing from Dr. Ueyu's address at
Boston. Dr. Uayo la tbo super
intendent? of publlo instruction, n
man of thongbt ana learning »:i<l digniiy. lie
■aid! No llxjnlltlons of people in any luml were
ever so marvelously lea by 1’rovldcuco as tlioy
havo been. All tho good there over was in
slavery wu for thorn. It wss that school of
work and of conatnnt drill In tho primal
virtues tbat over? barbarous race must got at
tho start. American slavery woo a charity
school when it Is contrasted with tho dosola-
tlon of war and tyranny by which ovory Eu
ropean nation has como up tv its ore,out
station of civilized life.”
Rut let tho preachers go on, anti lot them
team all they coo U they go, A young preacher
who does noMmpregoM ha .grow* older had *
better quit. There wss nn old men 'of seventy ■
etched the lut sermon of the mooting, and
was a sermon fit to oiosu it with. 1 uover
enjoyed a sermon more, end wish that ihe
thousands who wore there In the day could
have heard it. IIin numo is Rollins, and ho la
tho learner], eloquent and pious president of a
college at Cleveland. Ibopoho may live tv
revliit the tabernacle for many yoarz to crais.
Bo 1st tho preachers go on, for thoy are bettor
—for bolter than tbo rest of ne-bolter cltl-
zens. bettor fathers, bettor husbands. What
would a town bo without He oharehoa? Whit
old a Babhalb bo without tha unnd of the
lurch-golog bell and Its morning call to
prayer. Bill Aar.
U UK STOHV or AN EX-SLAVE.
Reminiscent* or Forty Years Ago end
tbo Chang# Nlnce Then.
From tbo ilewkliuTllif, Oe„ Dispatch.
Inst Saturday morning, while we were
anted In thn ahado discussing urns trivial
matter, a eitlsea well posted In tho affairs of
Uawkinarlllo for tho lut forty yens, said i
“Do yon mo tbat old colored man in ths
buggy driving aronnd the corner? Well, that
la old Dempary Clark. About forty yoars ago
ho and hla brother Bristow wore u likely
ytung negro men ucould be found among tho
slaves on any plantation. Thoy wore put on
tbo Mock and sold nt public outcry to tho
bigbret bidder before tho courthouse door in
Hawalnsrllle.-
"Amoog the bidders for Dempsey and Bris
tow wu old Jonathan Coley, who wu risk In
lands and riavra. Dempsey and Bristow said
‘i Mr. Odor: ,
■You nrrdu’t buy us. Hr. Colay, ou* wo alnt
•golag to lire wld ye’
'Ob, well,’ replied Mr. Ooley, I’regot plen
ty of doge;’ which meant that If they ahould
ran away ho could capture them with tho
kren scented bounds need in thou days.
. they took to the woods u soon as they
cenld recipe from hi* plants ion. They wen
iiptnred onoe er twloe, bnt made thair escape
'gain, and immediately took up their lrfo iu
“I remember that on on* occasion a party
of hunters with their negro dogs struck ths
nail of Bristow and Dompu and chased them
iato tbe cyprree Jungle and among the lagoons
, oat below Big Creek, four miles from Haw-
ilaavillo, where tho creek emptiu Into the
Ocmnlgco. Tbo giump wu almost impene
trable,out the btn^ifofollowed their dogs,
end approached wlifgfr fifty or a hundred
vardu of *the runaway nlggera,’ u they wart
called. They proved to bo Dampen and Bris
tow, wbo, by soma mesne bad obtalnad a gun
or pistol, and daflsd their pursuers. Damps* ,
and Bristow wort stout men and thoy swore
thay would die before they would bo arrested..
“Among the hunters wu Tebe McGrlff, •
brother of tho present ordinary of this county.
Mr. McGrifl fired one shot at tha fugitive
slavea, and they returned the shot. It then
berema evident that they were armed, and had
determined not to bo captured alive.
‘Tbo hunters withdrew and left Dempee
and Bristow in tho awnmp, and they remained
le the woods three yean. At lsat, old man
Colay, daapairing of ortr getting auy aervici
nut of tham, wld them in tbo woods tv Bryant
W. Brown, of Houston county, Mr. Brawn
told his riavu that ho had bought Dempu and
Bilatow, and thay at once left ths woods and
went to hla plantation, whore thoy remained
faithful riavu until tba clow of tho war.
"I don’t know whore Bnatow is, whether,
living or dead, bnt that bold Dempw *ng
there in that buggy, and ha le nuw koor/n u
Dcmpzcy Clerk. He owns n plantation or four
or fire hundred scree in Houston couaty, and
has uveral good mulea and horse-* 11c is a
good former, livery lodustrlo-,1 sad man-
ego well. He bus good credit among ska
merchants of Hawkiesvlllo Kei Perry, and ha
bu two daughters attequlog college In As*
last*.”
We havo only ■ bit of advice to offer old
Dempwj: U ho bout ofdobt and oame a
form, Jut keep out of debt. A good credit has
raised many a gqcd was.