The Atlanta constitution. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, January 18, 1887, Image 1

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Newspaper Page TextYOL. XYIII. ATLANTA. GA.. TUESDAY MORNING JANUARY 18 1887 PRICE FIVE CENTS NEW YEAR’S PRESENTS FOR AJL.L We call attention to oar plan for distributing New Year’, present, to onr friends, described on tho last column of page six of this track’s issue. Wo want every subscriber to sharo in these presents. The plan la simple. You send us a new sub- tcriber. Your name is at once written on stag and put in our Kcw Year's box. On February 1, the box is shaken and the tags mixed up, and a committee draws oat a tag. Tho narao on that tag gels the $100 present. The second tag the $00—and so on till all the presents are taken. Cf course overy person who sends a subscr iber will not get a present, but every ono will have AN equal chance. The lady who sends cno subscriber may get the $100. Somebody BUEELY WILL. Why not you? Kcmember your name goes in once for every subscriber you send, and onco far your own subscription. If you send ilvo subscribers at one dollar each you get ono of onr superb pictures free. For fivo subscribers at $1.00 each, by adding $1.25, a watch and chain. For ten subscribers at $1.00 each, a watch and chain freo. In each case your nemo goeelnour NewYoarisbox for every name you lend. Nowire urgo every subscriber to be repre sented tn our New Year’s box. There is not one of the 83,000 subscribers this week who cannot Get one subscriber—that ono subscriber may get you $100. Tho box Is closed January 3lst, promptly. Our Story Corner A LEGEND OF TOLEDO. The good pcoplcof Toledo aro very proud of the bridge of San Martin, aa well thoy may be, for it in a noble structure, though it has replaced ono that was nobler still. It has, too, a special Interest from a legend connected with its erec tion. It was In the year 1308 that Don Earl ques, Fount of Trastamira, a brother of King redro tho Crnel, raised the stsndaid of rebel lion acd besieged the city of Toledo. Tho loy al Toledans madessturdy andTilorousdefense for n whole year. Many a time did they make dear crate sallies across the old bridge of San Martin and, throwing themselves upon tho camp of Don Enriques, in the Clgarrales, Inflict sanguinary havoc on the besieging forces. To prevent & repetition of these sallies, Den Enri ques determined to destroy tho bridge. Now this bridgo wss ostcemed by tbo Tole dans as ono.of the most precious jewels in the girdle of their imperial city, and was espec ially dor to them as giving access to those de lightful gardens with their pretty houses for xecrestion, and orchards, and groves of benutl- ful trees and ahrubs. One night all 'these blooming trees were ent down and thrown in heaps on the Bridge ofSsn Martin, and at dawn of day u vivid blsro of li jht from the bridge it- Inminaicd all the neighborhood, lighting up the gardens, tho waters of the Tagus, tho ruins of the palace cf Don Itodrigo, and the "AicvW or Los lingnoade Fiorina. The ld-rocamo from tho burning trees on tho bridge, which soon set fire to the bridge Itself. Then came a loud and terrifying explosion of the vast strong blocks of stone that formed the arches and buttresses of the bridge, wrought with all that surpaaslng skill of chisel anil brain which created the mar vels of the Alhambm. That dull heavy roar was as the sorrowing complaint of art crashed Martin from the ruin which was impending. But they rushed invaln, fora teirifllc crackling noise, that was reverberated through the vab leys and windinp of the Tagus, told them too sorely that their beloved bridge existed no more. And snchiinded was the cue, for when the sun hail began to gild the cnpains of the Imperial City, and the maidens ofTolcdo, as was their habit, went down to tho river-fldc to till their pitchers with the fresh clear water, they returned quickly wdth their vean lsempty but their hearts Ailed with indignation and sorrow. And then they told those whom they met, with tears and lamentations, how, when they went down to the water, thoy »a w tho rapid current of tho river rushing on, turbid and toiling, sweepingalong in Its furious whirl pools the stilt smoking rains of the Bridge of Sian Martin. Thentuelndignatlonofthepoople knew no bounds; fbr that bridge, os I havoai- tvifly mentioned, was the only direct way to those hundred pandisea the Ctgarmles. Those gardens they inherited from their Moorish con querors. and with them they also inherited (for the Tolcdsna Intermarried mnch with the Moors) the passionate love for orchards, and gardens, and Dhwcn of that molt poetical people. This outrage had the (Sectorstimula ting the people to now exertions, and their cour age, which had began to flag, gained new strength to resist and repel the Invaders. Ae- cording] v the camp of Trastamara was in turn assaulted with great fury by the be sieged. who utterly routed the besiegers, drenching the grennds cf the Clgarrales with torrents of Mood. And so ended the siege of Toledo, and perished the old bridge. Now the good people of Toledo were in a sore plight fbr want of a bridga to cross over to their beloved gardens. But who would undertake to boild a new one? Kings and archbishops bad from time totime ardently desired to see the old Bridge of San Martin replaced by another of equal beauty and solidity, and though many able architects, both Christian and Moorish, S re anxious to undertake the work, yet when >y came to look at tha place and consider all the disunities to be contended with, few of them had the courage to undertake the work. Now end then one was venturous enough to rommence tie work, hot not one of them at! was aide to complete it, Car the rapid current of the stream swept awsy the ImttreMs and semirings before the the gigantic arehee eonld lie emtrd. And so yean and yean passed by, and the anxious wishes of the Toledans were still nnsalisflcd. At length, in the beginning of the sixteenth century, Gudinal Pedro Ten- oria, tlin archbishop of Toledo, one of tbo yreafert i f her prelates and the moatmunil!cent of her patrons, to whom she owed u much ns to her king* was determined that if haman jskill ct old prevail—no matter at what cost— his children of Toledo shenM one* mare have their bridge and enjoy their rambles in the Cigai isles. Aeeoidingiy he caused advertise ments to be sent through all the cities and town- cf .Spain, as well these of the Christians as of the Moore, inviting tho most ealabratad and competent architect i to rebuild the Bridge of Sin Martinet Toledo. For a time there was no result. As before, mea came, looked at the riare. shook their heads; and went their way. At last one day a man and a women, whs were quite unknown, arrived at Toledo through the gats of the Cambron. They passed unsottdag and nnnoticed, skirting the town till they ouMtothitopofthinm across which the old Bridge of Sen Martin bad been thrown. Having careful V examined the rains and sur veyed the situation, they went away, and find* tog an uuinhabited houso not for distant, they hired it. Then the man returned to the ruins and spent eomo hours thoro. After that he mude his way to tho palace of tbo cardinal I archbishop. It happened at the time of his ar| rival tbat his endnenco was engaged conver sing with acvoral prelates, wise counsellors and eaballt-ros, whom ho delighted to bring contin ually about 1dm, attracted by his wisdom and piety. Great was his joy when an attendant announced that an architect who hadcomo from a distuuce solicited the honor of appear* ing in hia presence. m The archbishop lost no time in giving an auJ (1 fence to the strangi r in a private apartment] 'i he man that entered the room was still young! though much thought, aud it may bo many trials, had made him look an old man, or non mucli less. He mado his obeiwneo to the prcl late, which tbo hitter returned with kindliness, I pointing to a chair opposite to whero he was sitting. The man remainedstandiugandsaid—"Your Eminence, my name is Juan do Arevalo—it] must be entirely unknown to you—Aud I ami an architect by profession.” m “Ah!” observed the archbishop, “it is prob] able, then, that you bavo heard of the advcrl tiscuients which 1 sent everywhere, inviting architects to rebuild our bridge?” “1 bnye, Kiuinonciu, aud it is that which | brought me here.” “(iood. Have yon seen the ground?” “Yes, senor; I have been ovor it.” “Well, then, I presume you aroawaro of tho difliculdrs which the rebuilding of tho bridgo presents?” “Yea, tenor, lam perfectlynwarc of thorn.” “And that many have failed in completing it?” continued the prelate. j “All this 1 know, Kmincncin; but I believe that I am capable of overcoming all these dif- Acuities.” * J “Sir, you spcale confidently: may 1 ask whero you have studied your profession?" “In SelamtncA, tenor.” I ■ “And what works, pray, hire you executed! to certify to your skill and knowledgo?” 1 “None, senor.” The archbishop made a gesture ofdlsappoint- went and distrust. Tho stranger did not fail to notice It, and hastened to odd— “A soldier in my youth, ill-health obliged mo to abandon a life that was unfit for mol and returning to Castile, my native country, I devoted myself with ardor to the study of aichltccture—first learning it theoretically, and then practically.” “I am very sorry,” replied the archbishop, 'that you aro not ablo to refer" to some work which could establish your knowledge of your art.” “X havo erected some works on tho Tormos and tho Douro. which liavo brought honor to ethers, when the honor belonged of right to him who now Las the privilege to address your eminence.' Ate, “I do not understand you,” sold tho f *7w&s»ptfr uuttjMner,"and hnknhwn; _ hod to choose between gaining my dally bread and henor, and so I had to renonnee honor, and content myself with getting bread.” “Ah! oue lasilwa!—what a pity!” said the goed prelate commisaratingly. “I am grieved tint you have not the means to assure me that il l trust in you I shall not trust In vain.” “1 have security, seuor, that I hope will sat isfy yon.” "What security, prarf* "HyW “Your life! I don't understand. Bo so good i to explain yourself.” “When the centrings and timbers that aro to support the principal arch of tho bridge •hall bo removed, he who has planned and di rected the work shall stand on tho keystono of the arch.” The prelate looked at the stranger for a mo ment in silence. There was that In his fkce and manner so candid and honest, so calm and self-reliant that the good archbishop could not but trust him. Then he said— “J accept tho terms which you propose.” “Aud I will comply with them, senor.” The archbishop took the hand of the urchi* tcct and pressed it kimdly. Tho latter took bis leave and turned his steps toward his house, showing by his manner tho joy of lih heart. Tho woman who had come with tho architect to Toledo was anxiously watching at the window of the house for his return. She was still young and beautiful, despite the suf ferings which had dimned her beauty. As soon ns she saw him she run out hastily to meet him. “Catalina! my own Catalina!” exclaimed tho architect, embracing her joyfully. “Amongst the monuments that adorn Toledo, there shall yet be one that will transmit to posterity the name and fame of Juan do Arevalo.” It was scon noised about the city that an architect had again undertaken to build u now Bridge of Kan Martin. Ere many days the good people of Toledo saw the stranger pre paring for his work. Day by day they anx iously watched its progress, till at last they saw the bridge arise—slowly, indeed, but strongV secured by scaffolding and supported ty solid Uittrcsscs. Tlicu came the three- arches, which were turned on the timber centrings, stones accurately and beautifully wrought, aud fitting closely, awaiting the key stones to bind them together. Two of these were already placed in the extreme arches, that in the center alone remained to be fixed to complete the work. Meantime the praises of Juan de Arevalo were in every mouth. Who but he had suc ceeded to the very last point? The archbishop and the people loaded bfm with sifts, and awaited with irrepressible anxiety, but entire confidence, the last act which was to crown the labors of the dexterous urchito.l whose bold and massive structure had defied the fury of the impetuous stream. It was the 21st of January, the eve of the feast of Kan Ihlcfonso. Tomorrow the last keystone was to be fixed, the scaffolding taken down, the centrings removed from the arches, and the architect, to redeem bis pledge, shosld stand triumphant on the keystone of the prin cipal %rch. The composure with which Juan de ArcYalo on that evening awaited tho ter rible ordeal which ho was pledged to abide, fnspired the people with entire confidence in -him and hia work. And now the joyful ring ing of all the bells of Toledo, and the prods- xnatlona of the town-criers, announced the solemn benediction and inauguration of th«- new Bridge of San Martin on the following day. The {«ople, wild with joy and excite ment, gazed from the heights that crowned the valley of the Tagus at their beautiful t fgsrrslcs that they ahould revisit tomorrow, after to many years of separation-no longer cad and deserted, bnt restored to their ancient animation and loveliness. Tie shades of night were beginning to fall, leaving the city to quietude, when Juan de Arevalo went for the last time to the bridge, to tee that everything was In readiness and order fbr the operation which on the following morn ing was to prove thefwork. Staging low and joy ously to himself, he went along, examining in defail all the joints and fastenings of the mas* ive atones, till he stood on the central arch. s hc noticed that of her husband, which was pallid aa death. “Ah, me!” ahe exclaimed; “you are ill, my dear husband.” “No, Catalina mis,” he replied, endeavoring to dissemble his despair. “Nay, do not deny it,” she said. “You are ill, surely; your countenance shows mo you are.” “The evening has been very cold, and the work was too much for me.” “Come iu, come in, Juan mio,” said his wifa “and sit near the fire. The warmth and your supper will soon restoro your health and plrits.” “My fpirits!" murmored Joan with profound sadness, while h!s wife was busying herself preparing their cupper at the fire, in which some dry sticks of oak-wood were burning. Tbo supper was placed on tho tabic: Juan made a mighty effort to overcome his cad- ncss and want of appetite, but in vain: ho could not swullowr a morsel or look cheerful. “Juan, for tho first timo in your life you are concealing a sorrow from me,” said Catalina, locking at her husband with tender reproach. “How is it that I do not seem to you now to bo worlhy of tbat confidence and lovo which I lmve always deserved from you?” “Ah! Catalina, do not grieve mo by doubting tho love I havo for you.” “There con be no love, Juan, whero there is no confidence.” “For jourwn Sake, wifo, and for mine, do not seek to know the secret which I conceal from you.” “Juan, your secret, I see very plainly, is f omo profound sorrow. Your*wifo socks to know it that she may try to lighters it.” “To lighten it? Ah, wife, that is impossi ble.” sighed Juan. “To a love such as mine for you thoro are no ‘impossibles.’ Tell rao all, Itosoech you.” “Well, then hear. Tomorrow I shall loso MlrM ______ Catalina, saw him and can out to receive him, ber fcstnra* kemmlmg wKh hapyta— cal Im, Then a deadly palenesi overspread her face as viiii, Him in.<ii. iuiuurnin i oumi lunu both lifts and honor, they shall' both perish in the river with that structure that I liavo raised with so many anxieties and so many “No!no!no!”cried Catalina, clasping her husband in her arms with intense love, and repressing to he; heart the grief which his rev* elution lmd caused. “Alsal yes, dearest, it must bo so. At the moment when confidence in my success and triumph was at the highest, I discovered an error in my calculations. Tho result will bo fatal tomorrow. .When I take away the cen trings and scaffold, and stand upon the key stone of the arch, aud the winter torrent that is now raging comes down against the unpro- tec ted bridge, it will fall—fall Into tho TSflfUk bearing with it me, my life, my honor, all tbat I have planned and directed and roared • In vain!” ana ho buried hia head in his hands, and bowed himself down upon tho table in an agony of despair. The wotnan rose to her foot with a geit- ure of brave devotion that mado her almo.it sublime. “The bridge may fall into the water*, bub you shall-not Oh, my lover Iwmijflrdown on my knees to the noble cardinal, and aup- plicate him that he ahall not require you to comply with your horrlblo promiso.” “My Catalina, you will entreat him in vitn Assured)* he will not yield to your request. And besides, I do not yish for life without honor.” “You ih#H have llfo and honor too,” said Catalina, with resolution. “Heaven will not suffer your life to bo sacrificed. Como, put yourtmitln God. Take some refreshment and then retiro to rest.” The wintry morning had not and the city of Toledo waa not yet astir. Cat alina lay beside her husband, feigning to be bo asleep: and Juan, ovoroomo by weariness and grief, had at length fallen into a broken slumber; but hi* sleep waa troubled and rest less, like that of oue under the influence of nightmare. While he was In this state, CUta- lina, who had keen watching him, rose stealth ily, taking care to mako no noise, and scarcely breathing aloud. She then went into tbo kitchen, the window of which looked upon tho Tagus. Catalina opened U gently and gazed without. The night was very dark, and flashes of lightning now and then lit up tho darkness. She looked toward the valley of the Tagus and listened intently for the round of human voices in that direction, but none such met her cur. Tho only sonu'ls shc heard were that of the river rushing wild ly and of the wind which whistled aud howled through tho fecaffolding of the new Bridge of San Martin. Catalina drew in her head and shut the wiudow, taking care not to make any oise. The cold night air had evidently chill ed lie-r, for the trembled and looked pile an death, as she approached the hearth and raked up the smouldering pieces of oak-wood, and stretched out her thin, cold hands over them. After a little time shc flung a cloak about her, and opening the street door, wort out into the daikncts. Where could thebe going at such an hour, and in such a wild night, and on what errand? Ah! who knows? Let us follow her as Hbo cautiously made her way through tho douse darkness all around, now tumbling over some nigged spot, now well-nigh falling over m >mo o! those precipitous rocks that lay by the side of the perilous path she was treading. On still •Le luM, regardless of all dangers with a courage and perseverance Incredible iu one of her slight frame and delicate constitution. Alter many risks aud much toil she reached the Bifdgcof Ban Martin. Then shc paused to take breath, and looked anxiously around on every side. It would seem that no otlirr human being was ubroad on that terrific night. The wind was howling tbrongli the arches, shaking the timbering, trying as It were to pull *:cnt down. And the river ran roaring against le buttresses, as if enraged that it could not MVi'l* before it those obstacles in its course from which the Count de Trastamara had freed it nearly two 'centuries before, and from which it had freed itself so many times after wards. Catalina crept cautiously to the scaffold, and stooped down ki if to examine it. Just at that moment a flash of vivid lightning showed her the fearful chasm beneath her, and a loud ncal of tbundr gelled close over her head, re verbal • ting through the ravine and up the hills. Flash aster flash followed, so close to her that shc lelt almost blinded. Terrified, but not de- tened from her intent, whatever that might he, she held her ground. What war she doing there? We know not. Wm she trying to dis cover if her husband's fears were well founded, acd to satisfy herself by an inspection of the work? it may be so. Who can tell? At ail events, after a little time she seemed to have •cromplishyd her object, for with a sigh as if relieved of some weight that had oppressed her, and looking up to heaven, her lips Moved in prayer. Then she begun to retrace her . . .... .. i^qnent reached her - . .Liking rire tu make bo Boise either In opening or shutting the door. Her hnsband waa still sleeping when she went into their chamber, and Cata lina undressed in the dark and lay down be side him without bis perceiving ft There she lay, sleepless. out the alarm, and a thousand voices uttorod the mournftil cry of “Fuego!” “Incendio!” aud then followed a tremendous explosion as of bursting stones. Tho people, lialf-drcisod and affrightod, rnslird through tho streets, guided by the lurid light of the flames and the noiso of crack ling timl>er and exploding stones, to the river. Thcro they beheld a signt that drew from them a cry of grief such as was uot heard siuco the old bridgo of San Martin perished beneath the fires kindled by Don Enriques el Rasturdo. Tho resinous pine-wood of the scaffolding Lad caught fire, aud burnod with rapidity nml fury, fanned by the w ind of that wintry morn ing; nml then tho huge atones of the Hrchos, round which tho flames played with intense beat, burst asunder with an explosion Uko the firlug of cannons, anil fell into the river. All this noiso and uproar awakened Juan de Arevalo from bis sleep, and ho sprang up in terror, leaving his wife hesido him apparently asleep. Dressing himself hurriedly, the archi tect was about to go into tho street, whon look ing cut he taw* that tho Bridgo of San Martiu had disappeared, and tho flame and smoko from tho timbers told tho can ic of its des truction. But how did tbo timbers of the bridgo tako lilt? That was tho question that each citizen at kid his neighbor: and the usual answer was given which a Spaniard is Mire to givo wlion hocautiot givo any reason—“Qulcn sabc?— Who knotty” But ns nobody know, neoplo were nothing tho wiser. Tho good archbishop was decidedly of opinion that tho lightning which was so frequent and intenso during the night, had struck the bridge anti sot fire to tho rcoiniiUitimber. The pcoplo of Toledo wore divided in opinion, some agreeing with the airhlii.diop, mid Romo thinking It was tho re mit of accident. But whether the cuuso was from heaven or from earth, all felt tho great est [errow for the poor architect, who must of conricbe plunged iuoflliction and despair at the lots of tho noble and perfect structure which was to resist the assaults of flood and time, null crown him with undying houor. Ah for Don Juan, he felt that, whatever caused the destruction of the bridge, the event savod both bis life and honor. Like a wiso man he bold lis tongue, nml kept his mind to himsolf. uryjMjf u i. flV>o ■ ngBBnl rern mono up to into mi about At lut the cocks began to crow, an<l the trey cold morning broke on 8>n IMefonro’e day. TUn a great glare of red light illuminated Ibo whole horizon, and a murmuring of voleeo, riaing to a long and deafening enterr, aroie through the city. Then l hundred hell* tang wb made tho pcoplo respect and adnllrc hi.n all tho mure. At tho name time he wot a good Chrls- tlun, and devoutly believed that all good Clirii- 1 t!aua were under tho apoelal protection of Uod; ? «d«o ho did not hooitate to boliovo that ho bridgo lmd been destroyed by fire from heaven. And Catalina, wliat did ahe lay? Why, like n good wife, ahe eatd, when ankod, that alia at- Fwiftegrecd with her hiuband. But whether the destruction of tbo bridgo r.unc from heaven or cartli, tho cltixeni were all of ono mind on one point: that tho bridge should ho rebuilt. And eo, aided by their nobjo nxbbiehop, they went to work again under tho ip/'et lIon of Juan do Arevalo. In ono year, even upon the noxt feast of lldefonto. the new bridgo waa completed. ’ _ support, end centrings were all roraovod, and in tho midst Of a crowd of spectator*, and tho planditaof the people, Don Juan do Arevalo ■tood triumphantly on tho top of tho central arch, whilo tho river ruihod beneath In Irapa- tent rage, dashing against the bnttrosaei. Thou tho new Bridge of Ban Martin was formally opened with groat cerembny fbr tho public, and the Toledans crossed over In multitudes to vlalt once more their lovtil and beautiful Clgarrales. Tho Cardinal Arohlilakop gave a grand banqnet to celobrato tho auspicious cAcnt, aud to honor tho happy aud aneceisful architect, who was seated Instate on lil, right hand. Turning to Catalina, who aat on hia other aide, tho good prelate said to ber with a amlifr— "Ah,tenon, you have great causo to bo oud; for yonr worthy husband, our belovod lend. Jnan do Arevalo, may be told to have two triumphs today, for on flan Ildcfonso’t Day ho haa twice succeeded In building a per fect Bridgo of ban Martin. Lot us thauk Uod tbat the hand that destroyed the lint haa spared tho second.’’ "If I conjecture rightly,’’ said I to my Span, ish friend, who told mo this story while taking ourcoCeeln thoso gardens of Tolodo, ’’the rardInal’s remark was more true than ho know of. I have a strong snsplolon that I could nnnio the band that burned tho bridgo.’’ “Ab, cpiion aaIie?”iBld my friend. ’There ccttalulj I, a tradition that a piece of half- burned eak-flrewood was found at tbo foot of the bridgo, after t» conflagration, but no human being was seen near H on that night. If, in hersiibllmc devotion and lovo, Catalina hail ret fire to tho bridga toaavo her husband’s honor and life at tho riak of her own. let us hope that llko another erring end much-loving woman ahe waa forgiven. At ell events whet brought her out tbat night, and what she did, is a xci'rctknown but to two—hereelfand her find—and with them ft will remain until tho day when all serreta shall be revealed.” Dying Young, •c m I be New York World, (llndtlone Hoses a year of work with hia seventy-seventh birthday, and iu thepromlto of Ids future activity, refrains from saying on unbind woid iu answer to his senior, John lirlgbt. in France, Grevy enters upon a second reven years term at eighty—a record which already . asses tbat of a Thiers or a Palmerston. As for Germany, the nonogenarien emperor is only two jeers ahead of his warror chum, Von Moltke, while Bismarck Isa mere boy seventy- seven. How diflerent the record here! Oftbe dis tinguished Americans who died last yeer not oue hsd reached the ago of seventy. In politi cal life tbe veteran Kimon Cameron stands alone. The statesmen of today belong to a younger generation. All of oar preeidento since Buchanan went Into ofllcc young, and not one of them Is living except Heyes; not ono of onr vico-preStllcnts except Wheeler. Not only those who gained the presidency, but these who were nominated end defeated bare failed to reach old ego.. Ttlden luted until seventy, and Fremont Is seventy-three. But Grant, Johnson, Arthur, Hancock, McClellan, Colbx, ISrewn, Klalr, Wilson all died at the age when European statesmen look forward to twenty year* of active work. In tbe army two generals are old enough to lw retired at theageofslxty-three. Iu local polities there ere no old men. Whet le tbe explanation of It? The ex ceptional ranea of longevity in this coun try prove that Americans ca i live long. Tho death roll proves tbat they do not. it la not tbe climate tbat kills; it is tha pace. We livo tspmm h, wo live too fast. The ma chine is overworked, it carries too much strain; itUnotallowid time for repaid. Wo know how to wotk, hut we do not know bow to net and begin the new day’s work before the old day’e work is over. Tbe strain Is perpetual, the wearand tear unceasing. We Keep our nervee always at their full tension, and the mind wean out tbe body. Tbenutfler success It achieved.tfler the now- Mf of the mind aro ripened end tbe experience of yean boa liven wisdom, just when ell tbe gains of the lifetime an ready far use and of value to the man and tbe nation tbe body breaks down, and tbe nation U called on to mourn a real lorn, where It might otherwise bare hoped to enjoy the harvest of the life’s fruition. What a knon to ambition: NIXIE. From too Chicago Tribune. Nobody would tako little Nixie Markham for la heroine, nor would supposo that little quiet figure possessed nerve enough to save hundreds Jof lives by her prompt action, but this was tho | It was a hot summer afternoon, and tho most absolute quiet reigned over tho little railroad station of Parkcrstown, up in northom Now Euglnnd,ou these sweltering July days. Not even the customary loafers wero around, and only at train time was there any show of lifc.L The down train was due at 5:10, but until] then, as the sctiHational writers say, “all was quiet ns tlio grave." Nixie was the station agent’s daughter and | only child. Sho was 15, although so small ahe looked three years younger, and was usually quiet as a mouse—“not much zip to hcr,”as the country folks said. Iu spite of the current opinion, however, she had, except tho saiall portion of time which tho little country town set apart for tlio school season, spent nearly all of her time in tho ticket oflico with her father, ph-kirg up, letter by letter and word by wont, the sounds of tho Morsoinstrument; and, final ly, ono day shc astonished her tat her by taking a telegram by sound, giving him a nont “copy.” From that day Nixie was installed as tele- graph operator, acd tho indulgent father often -aid “Nick could run that oflico jest us well ns hr could himself”—which, considering that Mr. Markham wn* considered by by tho boys “a plug tqicrutnr.” might bo called a doubtful coma {diluent to Nixie. Well, this particular afternoon wearotolk< ing nhoot, tho aforesaid “plug” sauntered Into the depot with trouble enthroned on ItimrOes* tic brow. “Nick, I am summoned on a jury the Centre Village this afternoon, to got anybody here, even s’posiDj anybody to get. Wbat are we going,, it? .S’poso you can *tcud tlio concern til I get back—nrobnbly by <J?” 1 “J guess•n. father,” replied Nixie.' “Thoro won’t he tnueli of anything to do. Likely there won’t l>o many passengers for tho down train this hot day, and I hope I know enough to soil u t ick< t or two if there ere.” 1 Well, sec tbat those boxes go by express. Tho waybills aro ready and in tho drawer— guers you’ll got aloug all right”—and off he went, leaving Nixie mistress of tho situation— which phmso meant more than you might im agine, that ver/ particular day. At first she felt her newly acquired impor tance somewhat and stepped briskly around, dusting the musty little office and watering tbo few plants in tho window, but there being ah- solntcly nothing to do and no ono coming near, she dropped Into inactivity and listened to tho click of the telegraph Instrument, which to her was as companionable as' tho talk or near frieuds wonjd bo Ar the afternoon passed drowsily along the heat and stiikftss ovswxme her, aud dropping her flaxen head on the dosk before her. slio was soon—as one of tho good ladles of Barkcrstown wa* wont to express it, “in the mma of Morphine.” Afterward, tho flrat thing tho could remem ber about If. a voice seeming to como from her dioims raid: “ 'Tint like she is left here alone, and asleep, too,” “No,” responded another evil voice, “theold man's prob f ly 'round somewhoro—but,” In a lower tone, “eomc on, let’s go 'long. Tho down train ’ll bo along and wo’U Juit lay ’oni out.” Nfxiewaa wide awake enough now, but slio hud presence of mind in her small body, and realized that safety lay in keeping still. “ITow fur Is it up there?” “'Kb! Keep muni. Do yon want to knock tlio bull thing in the bend, and yourself too?” And then the girl’s quickened hearing caught the sound of heavy footsteps {tassing by the window aud on up tbo track. Nixlo waited until she couldn’t hear the footsteps and then cautiously turned and look ed out of tho window. Thcro thoy were, twe miserable looking tramps hastening up tho track. She recognized them at onco as two men who had been discharged from a construc tion train, that bad been nt work down tho road. Wnatsboald she do? O, if she could send for her father. Bnt thcro was one anywhere ucar.nud, besides, by tho t be could get home it might he too late, for It wss evident that tho desperate wretches wcri bent upon revenging themselves of their tan dtd wrong* upon tho innocent. Klie lookod at tbo clock. Half past 4! She ran out and looknl around tbe lonely station. No living being in Sight. Bha called omc, IVc Uy, Imt what .v.w tbo use. If she sent for her father she bad no hurry home—only sho waiiuro tli _. _ wss harm coming to the down train—tlmt long crowded express filled with mountain tourists. Rut the must do something. The men had disappeared around a slight bend in the track. Nixlo ran in, locked up the cilice, f natelicd a hat from a nail in tho corner, and then hurried up the track until shc arrived at tbe slight curve. Then sho “mado hasto more slowly,” for there were tho men. Step ping behind a clump of bushes sho watched iliiro. They bad stopped and were doing some thing, sho could not nt first hco what, to the track. 1‘rc-lty noon up come a rail,and Ins minute more it was thrown down a stoop ledge within four fec-t of the track, where the whole train mutt be precipitated in less than an hoar if something could not be done to warn them. Nixie mw it all now, and for a moment stood, ber eyes dilated with horror, while sho saw the scoundrels shake their fists toward her way snd heard an imprcaition. Then they pawed on and Nixie, growing rohl in the sudden ex tremity, turned and sped toward the depot. Tbe rail had been removed on a curve which wns shaded on the west side by a high tank so tbat at half past 5 it was quite dusk there, and as the train always camo in on a down giado they came at full speed. So Nixie thought to beiM lf, “I’m so glau 1 came, for now I’ll hurry and telegraph to Stratford before tbo train romes by,and then we’ll see, Mr. Tramps, bow your little scheme comes out.” She set* bed the office ami looked at tho clock. Five minutes to 5! and the train left Stratford at MB. Well, eight minutes was more f.’isn nb nty of time If she could “raise” Stratford, fehe grasped the key. “Sd-sdad.” clicked the instrument. Never before was then so impa- tl’i.?*) on that lilt*. With h»r«yH on the clock, which seemed then, if ever, to say “foiever—never—never—forever,” she kept up the rail. Somebody on tbe other side “broke her” twice, tat aba gave all th danger signals she rould think of and kept on. The moment* kept on: one, two. three, four, five, slowly pealed the old clock, each stroke an agony to the girl. Meanwhile the agent at Stratford could not operate at nil, and the bo/ who could and who w rved as general chore boy aboq^ the place, bad gone for the rows, and there was no ouo to answer tbo call on which so much depended. A few minutes and ft was too Uto, aud Nixlo was in a new dilemma. Nixie closed tbe key In desptlr. Sho did not know the train signal*, but seized tbe red flsg under the old desk and ran for dear life, liter ally the dear lives of her foliow-crcatures. Not until she got to the wrecked place did she re member that she must go beyound tbe curve to stop them or she would be of no use. Already *be heard the approaching train rumble In tho tataH. Faster, faster sho sped round tho curve straight on up the track. She could see them now coming in. On they rushed, the great engine bent on destroying Its precious freight. Nixie stopped iu tho midst of the track aud frantically swung her red Hag. but still the monster rushed toward her, showing to abatement of speed. Mconwhilo the engineer and flreman bad seen tho slight form or tho girl and the fireman stood aghast, to see the engineer so utterly re gardless of her. ‘‘Stopt man!” ho shouted; “don’t you see the girl?” “Yml” said the half-drunk engineer. “Why don’t the little fool get out of my way? I’ll teach her,” and made no movement to stop. Nixie waited with w sinking heart. O, why did everything go against her? Was it tho will of God that this dreadful thing must hap pen? Tbe engine was dose upon her and she ran up on a jutting rock by tho railroad atUI waving her soarlet flag, but just ss tho engine came alongside of ber she heard tho sharp click of tho rail-bell in the engino and saw the fire man push the engineer aside and reverse tho engine. The conductor, who had just seen her and excitedly pulled tbo bell-rope, jumped off and cumo toward her. But the reaction was too much for Nixie, and shc could only gasp out: “Bound the curvo,” and then she was a whito heap, with no sense of anything. Passengers rushed out, and. after somohad been to tho curve aud soeu what tho little girl bad saved them from, no lady in tho land could *" " > loyally walu^l upon as she was when sho — been lifted into tho car aud. told modestly her little story. It wss some littlo tuna bcforn the track was ready for the train to proceed .and, when Nixie got out at her own station, many kind hands pressed hers In farewell, and tho conductor left something in her hand, too. j tint an the train left, saying, “You aro the bravest little woman in the state.” Not until sho had bc< a in tho oflloo a good half hour with her father, who had got homo from his lawsuit and wondered what mado tho train late and winto Nixio lmd gono to, nml told him all the ntory, did Nixie think to look at the packet. Then sho read a note: “Will Miss Eunice Mnrkam accept tho accompanying from tho friends sho so bravoly saved August 23.1880?” The note wrapped around £100 in bank notes. * O, papa! now /ou can pay off tbe mortgag on (bo houso,” cried Nixie, sod the tathcrsaid: “I declare. Nick, you get higher wages a* agent than I do!” The superintendent of the Q. & L. railroad company camo down to Parkcratown that week, and soon after thcro was a vacancy in ono of tho beat offices of tho company In a neighbor- Ing city and Mr. Markham ^riu tendered tho situation. He accepted, “so Nixie can havo tho schooling she wants so much,” he said; and fother’s heart, who never tires of tolling of tho afternoon “h|s girl was station agent.” A MODEltN GAIN. Tin- Mark of Cain Flitccil on tlio Ulan Who lit 11$ Ills Only Brother, i 1 in the Murphy, N. <'. Rulh.'tln. Many of tur readers nro cognizant of tho fact hut a most brutal murder was committal iu his county about eight or ten years ago. Wo will not go into Bill dotail regarding tho crimes but will give a brief syno{isis of tho crime. What wo wish to state, however, will ho most ly in regard to tho man who committal tho crime, whnt his life ha* been since, etc. In 18-14 a man by the numo of Mortimer moved to this county from VIrglula. Ho wm a wealthy mau—owning any quantity of sluvtp. I’.y turn be w.is a lit* rary nun, am! hml an accomplished education, and perhip'i the finest library in western Carolina. He was Haiti to ho a good nun. NY wish wo could ..ay ranch tew —Ibar. Suffice -It to s.iy shn was not a good woman. When Hu* war broko out all of his property was swept away—everything Iio possemAd, and ho died just before tho surrender, leaving hU wifo ami two little sons to battle their way in the world nlono. They were about eight and ton yoars of ago wlu n tlielr father ni« «l, and, with proper rare and training, they would have undoubtedly made good and urcful citizens; out with such a mother, wo will nsk, what tatter couhl havo been expected of them? She taught them to hate everybody, and that everybody was their enemy. 6hemado them go armed, mud whou one of them was fined for carrying concealed Weapons Hbo paid tho fine imposed, taught him of plitols it buckled around bin wubd, and use them when thought proper. They—Henry and Edward—grew U" to bo lung men, and at the time the criino wax innifttcd. they were about OS and 80 yean d raqiectlvoly. .Icalomy on both sides and a woman wah the cam*; of the crime. Henry had loaned Ills brother Edward six!/ dollar* <»r more, and often he bad asked Iim cr for it, but was always put oil with trifling excuM*. went over to see his brother about It— were liviug on th*- sumo farm, but uot (a ime house—snd he was heard to remark fore be left flic bon-*, “that he would havo money or blood,” and he got blood ! I hey met In front of their mother’s house, 1 were standing within ten feet of each icr. Thsir mother, seeing them Htanding there quarreling, walked out of the house and itcod between them. The conversation that k place between them was never known.' Suddenly there mug out on tbe root, quiet air, tho report of a uiitol, and Edward Morti mer fell dead at nN brother’s feet, the ball having penetrated his forehead, killing him instantly) and in his haud was an open knife. As stated above, the mother was standing tween them, and had he r right hand up to head, putting under her cap lock ©f hair. When the pistol fired the bail took oil’ the forefinger of her rigbt hand, barely missing her temple. Both wars married men nml bad families. Henry Morti mer wms arrested, tried and acquitted, hi* mother being tb<- only wit new in the case. Anti now romes the strange>>t part of thin story —stranger tliau fiction. Henry Mortimer U *» veritable modern Cain. He has not a hair on him from the crown of his head to the soles of l»is first. We have Men and talked with him, ifnd know whereof wc speak. Ho is about six and a half feet high: very stout; converse* splendid, although sonu what reticent in hi* manner at first appearance. Shortly after ho wa* acquitted, and ju-fc after he retired, which was between Hand 10o’clock, he wa< visited by his dead brother. He could see and hear him, but he himself . ould not move or npeak. JIc lav as If dead in n psstivo state. Ho had bcauti/iil auburn hair and beard, which wss his pride. HU brother visited him tho scccnd time, arm and bony l ..... ing his hair—one by one—from hU head; then bis eye brows, eye lashes, beard and so on, until he bad {.lucked evesy hair off his entire body. It wa< not done in one night, but wau kept up from night to night for a period of ataut three months. He is a wanderer on the earth, snd travels si night He Is the greatest curiosity that we have ever seen. He has the supposed, uuxk of Cato, reached out his skeleton ling, is, and commenced plu *

Georgia Historic Newspapers

The Atlanta constitution. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, January 18, 1887, Image 1