Newspaper Page Text
XIX.
ATLANTA. GA. t TUESDAY, AUGUST 16,1887.
PRICE EIVE CENTS.
A
BY WALLACE .P. REED.
For the. Constitution.
I.
,r Whcn is it to be?”
I asked Jolrn Strong this question because
he was my Intimate friend. He had told me
all about hit engagement withVarinn Vincent,
the pretty school teacher. He had opened
his heart to me,and I felt that I had tho right
to ask when the wedding would take place.
To my surprise Strong’s handsome face
clouded, and he paused for a moment before
making a reply.
“To tell you tho truth,” ho said, “we do not
see cur way clear to an early marriage. We
are both poor, but wo aro young and can afford
to wait.”
I said nothing, bnt I could not help think*
Ing. In u small town likb|Cottonville Strong
was regarded as a very pit
He had saved a few thorn
salary was the highest paid
place. {Only a few years
entered a country store as
tion wages, Ho had advaVu
he had become the cashier of the only bank in
Cottonville.
“I have dono pretty well,” resumed Strong,
giving ine a keen glance, “but I do not know
exactly how I stand. Bomo of my Invest
ments may turn out well, or they may ruin
me. Besides, I lmvo borrowed some money.”
“That is what I cannot understand,” I inter-
rnpted. “You are prospering, and yet yon
borrow money for speculations. That is not
wise.”
Strong laughed, and throw his head back
proudly.
“Old fellow, you don’t know ray plans,” ho
answered, “I liavo never mndo a failure yet.
I have tho gift of sec ng farther ahead than
most people, and I aui going to utilize it. I
borrow monoy but I know where to place it.
I don’t venture beyond my depth. Debt is a
blessing under sotiio circumstance*. The most
succcsdul nations and individuals go the deep
est in dobt.”
It was useless to argue with Strong. In our
debating society ho had always conic off victor
in ©very discussion. Self poised, well
equipped and magnetic, there were few men,
or women cither, that he could not win over to
bis side.
“ Varina understands me,” ho said. “She is
willing to wait. Slio knows that it is best for
us both,”
“Well, my young Napoleon,” I remarked,
\“I hope that one of your brilliant, speculative
campaign*.* will satisfy your ambition, and that
you wifi then settle down and marry, and tako
life as you ilnd it, Onlyafow men find tho
short cuts to fame and fortuno, and it is danger
ous to seek them.”
Everybody in Cottonville called Strong tho
tciui* Saiwloon of tatare*. fltfjMgUwgrj
th« (!•''•! lirli'ilis I-Iiiisi'- if 'ir.--. ...mn.vn.lt In-
Bomblcd those of tho great Oratcan, had fixed
tho namo ou him wh mi he wai in his toons.
And ho liked it. All men llko to think that
they resemble heroes and conquerors.
“Twenty thousand dollars profit in cotton
futnros!”
It was a big thing for Cnttonrille. But the
young Napoleon took it quietly. Ho was not
surprised, ho said to his inquiring friends. Ho
haa felt cortaln that lie would make a ten
“I am off for Now York,” said Strong, tho
next day after tho intelligence of his good
fortuno had reached him. “Goodbye, old fel-
“Bnt when are yon com ng Kick?” I asked,
holding him by the hand.
“t ..i, I don’t know. I *»n’t very well say at
present.”
N. “There Is Varina!” 1 e claimed, “Ah, I see.
After your return th ro 'll !»e a wedding.”
“Don't bother me \v:;li Unit subject now,”
snapped my friend, “my In .id is full of im
portant business matter mid I must goto Now
York. There fi no way wn of It. It is all
right tVltli Varina. O' • • e I am coining
home as soon as Tpos*.l<'y mn, but I liavo nu
opportunity of getting •:!«* inside in Wall
itreet, and I must go. ’
“Getting oh tho lurWV '
“Yes, I said so. il.it you know nothing
about speculation oml c; r** less. I mean just
this, I havo somo friend Hire who win put
me up to something that will pay better than
any of my past ventures"
“My dear friend,” I urged, “why not let
well alone. With your present start >#>u will
soon bo the richest man n Cotton ville.”
“In Cottonville!” he nm 1 * red. “There,
never miml that. I Hire tho town and I aui
coming back. Good y '•
People shook their lr; dsui first. In a few
weeks their smpicions wi re coniinned. Strong
had til tinged into tho very vorux of tho spec
ulative maelstrom in Wall street, and it was
not long before we heard that ho had inado
another lucky hit.
“Strong is a phenoure: ul genius in his way,”
said Banker Jc
I.doubt that
r Jones to m <ni« ilay. “lie reads
_ ire at a g!nn «*, and .^n ad
■elf to any clast of men. i l:a*. «•mule
he Is as much at home nmnig the lfi
capitalists as if ho had Ikm. onesrof them al
ways. And ho will linpn * them, too, juit os
ha impressed people her .'’ .
I ventured to expse* a doubt.
“You oro mistaken," srd Jones. “Have
C u never noticed a fe v rare men ' ho scorn to
ve nothing In coin non with th* people
around them—men who, from their birth, are
cosmopolitan by nature. wit u nothing provin
cial about them? Strong». i ch a man. A
stranger oould not tell lio n hi* appearance ana
conversation what part of the country he Is
identified with. In New York, San Francisco
or New Orleans, he would lie at home. It is
only here, where he was h»n». that he appears
to be altogether different lr.u-i hi* fellows.”
Banker Jones was something of a philoso
pher and I had to yield to him.
I aaw Varina every day. Nonetime* I was
at the postoftice when she called for her mail,
and I was always well pleased to see her bend
her pretty bead end hurry off with a white
envelope bearing tho New York postmark, and
addressed in the handwriting so well known
*°Itwas nearly a year before Strong returned*
and then It was only on a flying visit. A special
car bearing some of the Mggest railway mag
nates in the country passed through. Strong
was with th# party, but Ire left It, and spent
half a day at his old home. He was with
Varina most of the time and I saw him only a
moment.
“No changes, I see,” sold Ire in a curt busi
ness-like way, “not a ho*i pa nt* d, and not a
hammer has been heard s nee 1 left, fcvery-
**’ > Is just the same.”
■ arms, too'.’" I s_ x-rated.
“Yes, Varina, too,” Ire replied. "Poor little
thing. Do you know that * e lack* force of
•"JMthfnknothingnftie kind,” I answered,
ahortly, “she certain'* » great deal of |
patience under ttyii . « ir. ■m .tanceH, and j
there is some force of that. j
Strong’s eves fell, an :<• g-ite me a parting ;
tlasp of the hand. H»* 1.-?•! rejoin the rail-!
C»y kings at their re « ;.pitig place. It;
was hard to tear hint* if away, but it could ;
0< HkTvtotcouM not have been very eatisfoc- |
tory to Varina, for from that time I saw a i
change in her. ner face began to have a
weary, sad look, and the plodded on with her
school work, withdrawing herself almost en
tirely from society. She still received letters
from Now York, but they were less frequent
than formerly.
When Strong paid his next visit to Cotton
ville, the following year, he was a millionaire.
This time he remained several days, and was
at his best. Everybody remarked Hint pros
perity had not spoiled him. Ho was devoted to
Varina, but the poor girl seemed to bo in a
dazed state. She saw something in her lover
that no one else saw, a coldness that she
alone could detect.
After liis departure we all began wondering
when the marriago would tako placo. I had
said nothing to Strong about it, and ho had not
mentioned it to me. Only once had ho said
anything that remotely referred to it.
“You people call mo a rich man.” he said,
“and I suppose I am, but you do'not know how
complicated my business is. I am liable any
night to go home a million or two richer or a
wretched pauper. For God’s sako let specula
tion alone:”
I thought of Strong’s words often during the
next year. From tlnio to time we heard of his
success. Everything that he touched seemed
to turn to gold. Even in Now York men spoke
of him os tho young Napoleon.
It was an awful crash, and it carried some
of tho proudest firms iu the great city down
with it. ....
Iu our little villago we could hardly roilize
it. Surely Strong had been prudeut enough
to save something out of tho wreck.
Our hope proved to bo without foundation.
Not only bail Stiong’s entire fortune been
swept away, but ho would liavo to begin the
world again, owing fully a million dollars.
The brave follow boro up for a few days.
Ilis conduct was so manly tliatthoro was soiuo
talk of setting him upon his foet again, and it
was predicted that ho would retrievo bis losses
and mako another fortune.
But tho strain was too much. Finally ho
staggered to his bod, and when he arose from
it, long weeks afterwards, Ids attack of brain
fevor had dono its wont.
“Ho is a mental wreck,” said Banker Jones,
who had just returned from Now York.
“Is there no liopo?”
“None whatever. Ho will never regain his
senses. Ho may imnrove physically, but his
mind is gone forever.
“We must do something for him,” I said.
'Something lias boon dono,” replied Jones #
with very moist eyes. “Varina—”
“What lias she dono?”
“That, noblo woman, sir, wont on to New
York with her undo. They took poor Strong
and placed him in a private asylum, where ho
will receive every care and attention. Yon
know that Varina has given up her school and
is living with her uncle, who Is going to make
her his heiress. Well, those two are going to
foot tho bills and see to it that Strong is taken
care of as Mug as he lives.”
• •• •••#• • •
It was years afterwards when I saw Strong
for tho first time since his mlsfortuno.
Business had called mo to Now York, and
on tho second day after my arrival I visited the
asylum, a short distance from the city.
At first I thought that Strong had complete
ly recovered, he was looking so well, but his
-slow
old place, too slow, no progress, nothing to
keep a man or ability there. Why don t you
come here ? 1 liavo somo big school ea on loot,
and possibly I’ll lot you in.”
I was glad to seo that he recognized mo, and
I humored his rambling talk for an hour.
“I saw Varina bofore I loft,” I said.
'•Varina! Oh, littlo Varina Vincent. Do
mo tho young Napoleon of finance. Now, how
would such a wife havo suited mo?
Well, I managed It so os not to hurt her feel
ings. I let the engagement run along, and at
last she offered to release mo. I nccuirfal her of
not having faith in mo, and got in a high dud
geon, and accepted my freedom. Good, wasn't
it?”
It was too much for tno. I rose to go.
Strong accompanied mo to tho door, and
chatted about his imaginary speculations.
“Stayl” ho cried as I was leaving.
He handed mo a little flower from tho pro
fusion that decked his table.
“Give that to Varina,” ho said.
I took it and rushed off unable to speak.
Of course I pressed that flower, and took
the utmost care of it until I reached Cotton-
villo.
When I gave it to Varina. and told her who
sent it the poor thing cried over it until I
thought her heart would break. Women aro
so peculiar.
A BULL IN THE CELLAR.
Singular Situation of n Young Lady and Her
Lover.
Tho Now York Evening Sun has tho follow-
igdispatch from Stamford:
Elbert Ilurd, tho milkman who lives on tho
Putney road, has a lively blonde bull and a
charming brunette daughter. All the neigh-
Iwrs nro afraid of tho former and all the neigh
bors’ boys are crazy after tho latter. Last Sat
urday night tho bull brokelooso from tils stall,
aud after foraging around the garden boss crop
found tho back door open. He entered and
bellied himself toa pan of apples, tho old folks
being out he poked open the kitchcu door and
went in. Instead of coming out the way he
entered he chose tho parlor door, and os soon
as ho crossed tho threshold a rotten board gave
way and tho ugly taast descended to tho cellar.
The good folks old not return until bedtime
and no lamps wore lighted. Doors were closed
all around aud quietness prevailed.
Tho next morning, Mary, the pretty daugh
ter, insisted that she heard groan* during the
night, but sho was laughed at, and no more
was thought oflt. Tho'wholo family started
early for a day at Seaside park, in Bridgeport,
and caino home soon enough for Mary to be in
when her lover came. Soon after dark ho
knocked at tho front door, and to escape mos
quitoes the coupio entered the patior.
Mary started for the shelf for a match, and
down she went, landing plump on the Jersey
bull’s back. Ilcr exclamation was one of sur
prise rather than pain, aud her lover quickly
ran to learn tho cause. Qucker than a wink
ho landed in Mary's arms, and tho situation
became decidedly interesting. It took more
than an hour to straighten matters out so that
sparking could be resumed, and everybody, In
cluding the old folks, promised dead silence.
Tho story of the accident leaked out this
morning, and is enjoyed none tho less because
it is true.
IHE MAD EMGINEE1}.
DY J. BI. BARRON.
am
ifc*
owl
Written for Tho Constitution.
“That is a very good story, boys, and reminds
roo of something that happened several years
ago, when I was filing for one of the best
men that ever pulled a throttle," said a vet
eran engineer in a crowd of railroad employes.
“If I thought it wouldn’t tax tho patience, of
you too much, I would tell yon about It—
although,” ho said, after a moment's pause,
‘fl have never dared speak of the accident, or
Incident, since it happened, ii\ 18G8,1 believe-
“Let’s have it, Uncle Tommy,” spoke tin
the crowd as ono man, who well knew UnelF
Tommy’s undoubted ability at story-teli
when tho subject involved railroading.
“To begin with,” said ho, after tho cro’
had become quiet and assumed a listening atti
tude, “it is necessary to tell you about my en
gineer, in order that you may the better appre
ciate the story, mid be less bitter in your de
nunciation of liis conduct on the night in
question, for tho story I am going to tcll'you
happened at night.
“His namo was Wendftll—Earl Wendall,#
very pretty name, you will say, but it was very
appropriate, for I will go on record as saying
that he was the handsomest man that old Tom
ever laid eyes on. When I say handsome, why,
that is just what I mean exactly, for ho w#s
really and truly handsome, and what made him
still more so in my eyes, ho didu't know it.
That is, you wouldn't think ho knew It, from
his actions. He was just simply good, hand
some Earl Wendall of tho '50.' I had been
firing for him about eighteon months, and liad
come to loro lihn as a brother. This same
Earl Wendall that I am telling you about was
In love. He loved one girl, and the Lord only
knows how many girls all along the lino were
head over heels in love with him. Daring my
run with him never a day passed that some shy
maiden didn’t tend him flowers, or somo littlo
token of friendship, os we wore passing
through. Sometimes they would come then*
selves, then again tlioy would send a messen-
S >r. It was that way all along. I have seen
ml’s box full of flowers. He would accept
them in every instance simply with a bow and
a faint smile, returning his thanks to the
sender, throw thorn into liis box, and that was
the lust of them until they withered; then ho
would raise tho box lid and cast them ont,
seemingly unconscious and littlo caring of tits
pang that such action would cause in the hearts
of tho fair donors had they known the fate of
their flowors.
“Earl appreciated all this. I am confident,
MVail upprcciiuuu uii 11119, a .win vuiuiucm,
but os I liavo said, ho was in love, not with the
girls at evory station, but with one girl, and lie
was determined to keep his heart for her and
her only. How this action was appreciated by
tho favored one you will know after awhile.
“About fifty miles from Providence was tho
supper house for our train. It was called t!
‘Bush supper house.’ Bush was a Jolly v
German and was universally liked by ti;
endall, Uucle Tommy ?'
asked Boss, as I walked in.
“What should I say?
“ 'He’s not coming to supper tonight,' I re
plied ; 'he is not feeling well.’
“ ‘I’m sorry,* was her comforting reply.
“I congratulated them, as under the circum
stances I was compelled to do, but I could
better have wrung tho villa*n’s neck; for I had
come to the conclusion that ho was a villain.
“I came ont to the train with the bride and
n tn. They got on the coach attached to the
:ht, put on os an accommodation for
passengers. I went on down to the engine,
and found Earl sitting upon the box with liis
face buried iu his hands. He was the very
picture of despair. A dark fbowl overspread
his counteuauce. As I climbed upon the
ongiue a low groan escaped his tightly closed
lips. Poor Earl! What could I do or say to
cheer him up in this hour of his utter despair?
While I was thus thinking, knowing not what
to say, fearing I might wound instead of com
fort film, he suddenly turned upon me with
a look I shall never forget. HU eyes, usually
bright and sparkling, wore now flashing fire.
He had nursed his wrath as long at he could,
and now it burst forth iu all its fury. His teeth
chattered, and hi* faro was livid with rage.
" ‘Where are they?’ he asked, graspiug tho
throttle of his engine.
“ ‘They havo boarded tho train,’ I answered,
in as quiet a tone as possible.
“ ‘Then, tlioy go with us?’
“ ‘Yes.’
“ ‘Where to—wliat placo?’
'* 'Providence, I believe.’
'* 'Very well,’ lio said, in a quiet tone.
“By this time a dark, heavy, ominous cloud
had gathered in tbo east. I never saw* a cloud
gather as quickly, and when we left that sta
tion it was amidst the tliundor’s roar and tho
lightning’s flasfi. Tho lightning fairly danced
ou the track before us. Tho rain came down
lit torrents, aud altogether it was a very deso
late night.
“Earl Wendall pulled liis engine wide open,
and sho shot out like a caution ball. Faster
and faster we went, until the cars jumped and
rattled as though they were going to loavo the
track every minute. I hardly knew when we
reached the first station. We whizzed by like
a streak, not checking in tho least. Tho rain
was by this time blinding. My hair fairly
stood on end. Earl, Booing how frightened I
was, gave-a loud laugh, which chilled mo to
,;r
Georgia ought to own property which brings
her in competition with her own citizens.
Tliis proposition was fully established the
other day in the advene action of the house
on the*. Charter of the Marietta and North
Georgia railroad, and It doesn’t need to be
argued. If private railroad enterprise and
the proper development of any portion of
Georgia are to be retarded lieeause tho state
own* a railroad, then the time 1ms come for
the state to go out of the railroart business.
Sell the Western and Atlantic railroad for
muney enough to pay the bonded debt of the
state and give private railroad enterprise a
allowing. Georgia can’t afford to tako a mo
nopolistic advantage of her own citizens. She
can’t afford to violate the spirit of her own
constitution for the sake of money-making,
which, in such connection. Is the meanest of
considerations. There is in it neither wisdom.
C stice nor m</deration. Sell the state rood
fore Georgia gets mean, and recent develop
ments indicate the need of dispatch In the
proprietor of the Bus!? house fie was tho fa the
of os pretty a girl as ever took a stop. Her
namo was Bessie, and sho was Earl Wendall s
Ido). I can’t begin to describe lier, but sho was
just tho girl, 1 thought, for Earl Wendall.
Earl thought the same way and had made her
promlso long ago to share his fortune with him.
All the railroad men knew of Earl’s and Bes
sie's engagetnant, and speculation was rife as
to W’hen tho wedding was to 'come off.’
“Occasionally Karl wonld come from the
Bush house bringing his flowers. These had a
separate place lrom tho rest, and I have known
him to Irani ono of her bouquets a month, and
then part with It with a sigh.
“One day Earl said to me:
" 'Unalo Tommy, how do you liko Bess?’
“ ‘Mighty well, Karl,’ I replied; ‘Miss Bush
is what I call a first-class little woman.’
“Earl w as silent for a moment. Then he
said:
" -I’m glad *o hear yonsayso, Undo Tommy.
Well,Bern and I are going to get married next
Sunday week.'
“Karl nlwnjn called her ‘Be**’ for short.
" -Is that so?' answered I, feigningsurnriKO.
‘I expected as much, Earl, but I thought It
would ho too inquisitive to ask you.’
" -I should havo told you,’ ho answered, 'but
I thought It best to keep It a secret, at least
until now. I wunt you to bo at tho wedding.
It will take place at her father’, bouse.’
’‘This conversation took place on Wednes
day, I behove. When we stopped for supper
again It was on Friday. It took ns two days to
maf '* "•
frel .
their time,
“When wo walked Into tho hotel office Bea-
alo introduced n stranger to Earl and myself,
a. a Mr. Eubanks. I did not think unythiug
about It much, but 1 noticed adarkacowlcaiuo
Eurl’a hnndsoino face.
“It looked as thongh Bessie was ratheratten-
tlvo to tho stranger and was less so to Earl,hut
I thought tluat was only natural, as ho was n
stranger and Earl an old acquaintance. It waa
one of old Buah's hobbies to make every
stranger feel at home while at his house.
Probably this was inoro to gain custom than
anything else; I don't know. However, Earl
ato Ids supper In silence, and was off again to
his engine bofore I wot halt throogh. I left
tho stranger and Bess In tho olUco together,
chatting very pleasantly.
“ ’Do yon know Mr. Kubanka, Tom ?’ asked
Earl when I got to tho engine, putting a great
deal of stress on tho ‘Mr.’ part of bU question.
“‘I do not,’I replied. ‘Why?’
“ ’Nothing,' ho replied.
“Wo made tho balance of the ran in silence.
I don’t think Earl anoka a word. I could tell
though ho waa writhing In the agonies of
jealousy.
T don’t think Earl and Boa spoke the next
he never had told mo as much, I knew that it
couldn’t bo olberwlee.
“The next trip we made was Earl’s wedding
night. Ha had on bit overalls, and was un-
tun, lly solemn and morose, not speaking to or
even looking at mo during the run of fifty
miles. I was on the point once or twice of
asking him if this was not his wedding.night,
but I did not, knowing too well that It waa
<1 junto met ns ai toe noor.
“ ’Fife minute too late, pens!’ he exclaimed,
grasping both our hands at (lie same lime.
“ -Why? Is supper over?' I asked.
“ ’No, noj plenty uv upper,’ ho replied,
•till holding oar hands. ‘Exlrle supply uv
supper. Her reddin’I der reddin’ rat'e shut
.“Tn 0 wedding?' asked Karl and I, In a
breath. ’Who’s marrried?’
“ ‘Why, mine Bess and Mr. Eubanks, nr
course. Dey lakes der bridal trip terectly.'
“Earl fell back In dismay. Poor fellow! I
had felt all day as though I knew this would
happen.
“•Bess married!’ he gasped. looking as white
as a sheet, ax be clutched my hand.
“‘Yea,’ answered the eecmingty Jubilant
German, ‘und dey leaf on your tialu ternlghd.’
“ ‘Ah 1’ answered Earl, as he strode back to
the engine. Teuder her my congratulations.'
“That was all be uld.
“What had he rewired upon?
“I went In to upper, feeling about a* badly
u Earl, I imagined, for I waa really aorry lor
b Intended to run the train ol? tho
track, it possible, and let every soul on hoard
S crUh. lieforo I was aware of what he was
iilng he had disappeared through the cak
window and was making Ills wsy to tho front
of the engine. In another Instant tho lioad-
light was out! Ho had turned it oil, and wo
were plunging Into utter darkness at the rato
of thirty miles an hnnr!
“Coming baok Into the engine with bla pistol
In Ills hand he took his seat ou tho box and
gave himself up to the most hilarious laughter.
I made a spring to Ills side, with tho Intention
of shutting her off, hut lid slapped his cocked
pistol in my face, and cried:
“ 'Back. Tom, or you aro a dead man!’
“ 'But, Earl,’ I said, ’you will run tho train
off und causo fearful destruction to lllo and
I property!’
“ 'Thai is wiiat I waul to do!’ lie screamed,
with anollier hiiigii. .
“By this tlmu the conductor, knowing some-
thing was wrong, caino over the cars to tho
front, followed by two or three jiassongors,
among them Eubanks.
“ ‘Wliat Is tho matter?’ asked the conductor,
as ho sprang on to tho engine.
" ‘Stand back I’ shouted Karl, with hts pistol
S resented. 'I'm running this cnglno, and the
rst man who attompts to Interfere Is a dead
man I’
“Eubanks made a rush at Earl, who, at sight
of his rival, fairly foamed with rage.
"‘Villain!’ ho scrcamod, 'you dare inter
fere? You, of all men?’
"Eubanks recoiled, horror stricken. In the
meantime, we were plunging along In utter
darkness, knowing not what rnlnuto we would
all bo dashed to etorntty.
“While the conductor and Earl wore talking
In an oxcilod tone, Eubanks slipped up
behind Earl with a billet of wood, ready to
atrlko.
“’Look behind, Earl!’ I cried. In an In.
stunt ho had turned and saw Euhonlu, ready
to brain him I
" ’Villain! Not satisfied with whining mj
bride, you would kill mol' And ns ho salt
theso words tils pistol rang out ntnid tho din
aud coufttslon, and Kubunka'a bridal tour bad
ended.
“'Now,* hoaald, turning to the conductor,
'you uioy stop the train. I’ve bad my revenge. 1
“Grabbing hold of tho lover the conductor
shut off the steam, and the train, which a mo
ment ago waa plunging along at such a terrific
rate of speed, was at a standstill. I went hack
to tho passenger car. and conducted Bcaslo to
the horriblo aceno which awaited her coming.
When aho bohold the dead form of her young
husband her loud, piercing screams could liavo
been heard a mile. Turning her eyes up to
Earl, who waa standing there with a contempt
ible smile ou lilt face, alio demanded:
” ‘And you are the author of this?'
“Earl did not a|ivak. Her cold, reproachful
glance cowed him. . ... ....
“When Earl raid ho had his revenge ho told
tho truth. There upon the floor ol the engine
waa tho dead form of Beetle's husband, and
she waa bonding over him, giving vent to tho
most pitiful moans.
“That waa more than reveago!
"Ho hod widowed a beautiful girl and ho-
camo himself a felon, a criminal of thedaopost
dye. Picking np hla hat and pnttliig Ms ret
smoking revolver In bla pocket, Earl bid tho
silent spectators to hla awful crlmo adieu and
d *rdllrtheydo^rUh - Wendall?" asked
one of tho listeners.
"Nothing. Ha came to trial not long after,
but waa aaqulttod, the jury finding from tho
evidence that he acted In •elf-defcnse.”
“And Mlsa Boaale—Ills sweetheart?”
“Oh, eho la my wire. A year after the events
transpired wo were raarrlod, In the came mom
that she and Eubanks were married In. Yohng,
you say, to marry mo? Oh, no. She waa
twenty, whllo I waa only thlrty-fiTa."
Dangar for the LeConteyear.
From the Alliany, tie., News.
The few LeC'onte pear trees that have died
In this section have given rise to npprehen.
alona that tho tree la subject to blight In this
climate. While there has been no general
damage to an orchard In Dougherty, yet there
ere, porbape, four or five treoe that have what
Is called the blight. One of them U a laiga
bearing tree In tho yard of Captain Y. O. Bust,
our efficient postmaster. The cutting from
which this treegrow waa taken fromtha origi
nal tree In tho GtConto yard of Liberty oonnfy.
An examination of the Umbo, sad leaves of
this tree under a strong magnifying flaxadU-
covered thousands of little anlmalculz. This
discovery la of great Importance to the growers
of pear orchards. They are Bow In poaaeaakm
of facts that will enable them to treat it In-
teliigoatly. Burelyaome application can be
found that will destroy these midget Insects.
A IJxr’s bUre.
From the Philadelphia News.
Bomo old fashioned people pretend to be
lieve e liar cannot look yon fair I In tbs ays whan
he draws a long how. If a man may anils and
unite and be a vUlan.ao cans liar lie end look ea
Innocent aa a baby while h« la shout it. Indeed, an
expert liar prefers to rest hla ays npoo hte victim's
oculars, fcr by that inaana ha can read |nst how aw
be can no with hla wntebed nrevartcatloni with
impunity. A certain mam whohaa bean tied to a
pride that peoptetSahtm to b« » fallible.
/n E/noi^s op /ii/isofi.
The Landmarks of the Bold and
Hardy Pioneer.
[DT tlOXTQOltrUT it. t-ouou.}
For the Constitution.
History haa been unkind to those who lire
In the present generation. There are no re
cords left of many of tho most Interesting epi
sodes of our earlier history. How ninclt would
I like to know whose were the brawny arms
that marked out tho one road that first con
nected Fort Hawkins with the oldest settle
ment of Angusta.
Those bold pioneers were too much accus
tomed to tho dangers and achievements of
frontier lifo to lay mnclt stress on the Import
ance of marking a roadway for several hun
dred miles through tho uubtoken forest
filled with savages and wild beasts.
Tho "Old Federal Boad” wss carved out
through the forest some time about the begin
ning of tho nineteenth century. Previous to
that tlmo tho few adventurous traders and ex
plorers who penotratod the wilds of the Do
tmtlgro Inim followed the tortuous Indian
trails, carrying their effects onwlryUltlelu-
dlunpack horses, and were ever on the alert
for nn ambuscade or sudden assanlt.
Doubtless the Federal road was worked ss
General Jackson worked tho two roads through
Alabama, by cutting notches In tlio big trees
by the sldo of the trail. There remain till
this day, on tlioso two roads, the notches
hncked In the big post oaks by Jsokson's ad
vance guard. One was called the “Seven
V..I..I. •' ami tho other the "Nino Notch."
isdi
Notch, 1 — — .. ,
from the number of cats made ou tho
reapective routes to distiiiguali the one from
the other. There Is no record of how many
notches were cut to mark tho Federal road
across tho country, hut It waa laid
off from Angusta by Madison ntul
Mtlledgovitle. then known as Montpelier,
to the Ocmttigoo Fields, and tlionco lo Knox
ville mid the foils of the Chattahoochee, near
where Columbus has since been built. Out at
Camp Hope, now knuwii as Cross Koys, there
are signs of tho old rood. The two intlli be
tween Camp Hope and Fort Hawkins litre
undergone wondrous oltanges since then. The
original track has been abandoned In places,
hut it was wont too deeply In the red clny of
Fort Hawkins's It'll to V finally obliterated.
From the crest of that hill It wonnd down the
alope to a point Just below Itoso Hill cemotery,
whore there was n lorry on the river. Tho
1 trees still stand on tlio custom bank of
rlvor, to wltlolt tlio old fetty boat waa
tied#
From that point It nscondod the hills and
trended away toward the setting Stub At dif
ferent points along the ronto were taverns
where the woary traveler stopped to refresh
himself. Then) was suali a oue at Cross Keys,
and another out Just beyond tho present city
limits of Mscon.
Coming generations—nsy, oven tho present
generation—will novor know tho stmngo
stories that cluster about theso primitive hos-
telrles. Alter tho stngo coach was Introduced
there qwi.tliu Imtlll Ulto. and tlltf, .Coming < ‘
1 JBSte Inflftcrlng vehicles irgagrSwfl u ilfi fa
more 1 lensura than tho hourly arrival of Hi
swift moving passenger trains on tlio many
railway lines that new center in Macon.
But there wns another soil of transportation
that wns toilsnmo and tedious In tlioso days.
Kvory creek that would float a canoe was com
aidered a navigable stream, and that Is why so
many towns that are now doad and gone were
*°5etore^melllaa a small note book, coverless
and yellow with age. It waa shown me by Mr.
Emory Wlnshlp, the grandson of one of tho
cltlof actors In tho early history of Macon,
Major l'hll Cook, father of General Phil
Cook, the sold lor and statosmsn.
It la simply a “log book," with notos con
cerning a voyage on tho Oconee river In the
winter of nuiMHOO. It begins at no speckled
point, but doubtless at a point above whore
MUledgovlilo uow stands. It begins:
January IS, I800.-Phllln Cook started to
with the boat. Bamncl Folia, 13tli, lticlrn
Bhothor, 11th, John ICinny, 11th, James Mer
cer, IStli, Claries Mirant, Joe Vol, and An-
' thony, 13th, Sarnuol Williamson, 13th, John
Mahnno, tilth. „ „, „
Wednesday, 16 January.—Setoff from Mont-
S iller (MUledgovlilo) with a lioat hound for
amllton, Bt. Simona, and got aa far as about
soven ratios, after getting ou logs and sand five
llitli.—Como on to Samuel Slnqueflrld’i
lending after being aoveral times grounded ou
lTljt.—Came on opposite Jonea’a, Wo landed
and heat through the her In four houre found a
canoe, etoppedand look dinner at Aklna'a
landing, and continued on to Hooker’s lend
ing, tho wind blowing » severe gaie during the
night.
Next morning, 18th, ran nntil 10 o'clock and
got fast at the taw and stern, right land sldo
screw the stream, where we worked lard till
lata and then got aklda to unload the boat so
that aha might rise over the snags, hut night
coming on and wo In a swamp, could not exo-
cuto the scheme for the want of n light, In
this situation laid ouraelvre dawn to sleep until
the moon should rise, bnt Just as the moon
made Its appearance in the oaat we heard a
nolso at tlio lioat, started up and saw her In a
moving position. We ran ou board, heaved off
our aklda anil drew her ashore, for the river
had risen and helped her off when wo did nut
* X $n tho’next morning, the 10th, started eerly
and continued on till near ten o’clock, when
we discovered a raft of old logs and canoes en
tirely screw tho rlvor, where wo omnloyed
ourselves that evening and tUl 10 o clock the
noxt day, SOth. before could get by there canoes
on to Coxa's bland and encamp.
Noxt day, 21at, came on three or four miles
below the long reach at Long Bluff, where we
made an oar to aumily tho place os oos that
F S-ind^Came on to Carr's BInff, ground our
axe* and got some polw, and then continued
on two mneatolow Colonel I’ew a.
On the 23rd ret off end got below the three
forks, where we got one of our Umber bred*
broken off by a cypress stamp that stands In
the river near the Indian. side. Just below got
fast on a tree, where I fell overboard.
21th. It rained after we came a few miles
and struck camp on the rndian ahool and on
2Stb ret off and going threngh the right land
fork of tbo river Jnat below Colonel Jonw’s,
we tew e tree (bet looked dangerous lying
aurora the river and In trying to taka up her
stern wheeled around and Jerked ns loose, and
struck stem foremost against lbs tree and we
endeavored to get through the top where some
limta lad been cut, but coaid not at that time.
I and two of tho boys went end got a saw
of Mr. Hadley end tried to saw the tree tat
the water raised In tho time so aa to let os pass
and at Wommeek’i we saw old Itoblnaon and
some of nil men, took them on and continued
on to a bind where tire boat remaining port of
the crew lay. On tho Sigh, gavo them tome
prov biota and spirits, dismissed old Itoblnaon
endtheneet offend camped on tho first In
dian bluff, three miteo below Lott’a lauding.
Next day, 27tb, camo on by Ford's, got some
venlaon from Indiana ond continued onto an
Indian Muff,opposite Milligan's.
2-th. Came on toFort Jameo. 29th. Cameon
and fastened on tend just above Littlo Hell,
where wo UV all night and tho greater part of
noxt day. The 30th wo got through Littlo
Hsll ^nd csuipsdo
ili Bet oflsnd got into buttermilk land.
February 1st—srrired about twslTS o’clock at
Cooper's warehouse. Bt. Simons. It mined
that day and the 2nd ws gavo our letters to
the clerk at Cooper's store who sold ho would
send them to Cooper by a boy that evening, but
he'did not send them until lato on Monday.
Ou the 3rd day of tlio month, we l&mled eight*
oen hogshead* tobacco from on board, but no
person to receive them and we stored them
ourselves.
4. Cooper came down snd promised us
assistance in taking ont the remainder of our
load when we wore ready, os we were cn*
0. Did but little. On tho 7th wo received
for 200 bushels of corn, end started in tho
night for Frodericar
o. In the evening we reached Darien and
fixed our boat for taking In a load. On the '.tth
and 10th loaded and came on above tho 1’inoy
sands, about one mile.
11. Got to Clark's bluff and encamped.
12. Came on about six miles and camped OB
the Bnltivan sldo.
13. Camo to Fort Barrington In very heavy
rain, which continued greater part of the
night.
14. Bought some pork of Harper, and came
one and a half milrs from Barringtou.
15. Came to Collins, aud stopped to makft
some poles.
lit. Came on within half mile of Littlo Hell
17. Came to Little Hell and went through
in two hours aftor bring several time!* on a log
and ono time on sand, and continued on to
Eleazer William’s field, through rapid water.
18. Camo on aliout four mile*, got on a log
nd and sfoj *
left the salt boat. No land
lt». Camo on a little way and stopped to cook
nn early breakf.^st nearly three hours, then
come ou to Point PulLAnwny ami camped and
roasted a turkey I hud killed.
20. Came on by Doetortown—the only town
nhovo Frederica mentioned in tho diary that
still exists by the saino name—and the First
Sister jlllaflf where 1 killed a goose, and jnit
‘ forth
on to !
terod it and camo on to
irp wns not oi
•ufiiclonl strength to pull ns through. Ws
then dropped baok and, unfortunately, the bow
was thrown around, and soon we wore going
right broadside down tho stream. Tho bow
•truck a cypress that stood In tho mouth of the
cut with such forco that several limits of the
tree oame down ou tho boat nmong the hands.
three miles of Board’*
bluff, the river high aud rising from the time
we left tide-water, Is now at a stand.
23. Cam# on to Fort Jsmrs. 24. Got a bars
rei of Hour and set off aboutU o'clock and cams
about fire miles. 25. Came on within throe or
four miles of the Ohoopee. 2U. Carat on to the
White bluff. 27. Came about tlireo miles.
28. A very cold, rainy and snowy day. Wind
right nheud. Made two attempts to como on,
but could not got ntoro tlmu a quurtor of a
mile. Thon made fast for the day.
2D. Came on within about* three miles ol
Coxo’s fields, and camped at upper cud of u sand
bar. March 1, camo on by Coxc's and took in
somo potatoes that 1 had got and continued to
an Indian bluff,abm# threo miles. 2. Cams
by WllUaraa’sfields, gotsoum corn < t Akb
continued
tin
illenf till
nml
- idulLand'V*astn <1 on
within four'mlli-sTT flio hank. l. cunfk mi to
tho fork and entered thy Oroneo rnd .immiikmI
up in tho mouth of tho dead river. That night
Kinney. Charles ami .loo went to mill with our
corn. ti. Camo on by whero wo stopped for
some time, got potatoes and venison, and thoo
cams On twoiniio*. 0. Hot out and mms
tu an Imlian hlufl' and numpnl, 7. Hot off und
camo by thoDovil's Frying-pan and camped
about three miles below Kalflaui’n Huff, and
caino on by whero salt boat wait loft, mad# two
attempt* to weather tlio point and got as often
beaten back, but on third llino mndo tho point
very well, and continued on very well to .Stall
ing 1 * bluff, where wo did hook and Jamb up
with much ado, and tlmn came on about four
miles snd camped on tho White side.
0. Camo up to first Indian Muff called th#
Devil’s Elbow, got nbovo it ond through a cut
off. Going round In tho bend next to the In
dian side, tho bow of tho boat wheeled and
the bow man could not get bottom. .Sho im
mediately foil back end got under such way
wo expected every minute we should sink her,
and steered stem foremost tUl wO got quit#
below tho bluff, whore wo look up with our
poles Iu tlio middle of tho river. Wo cam#
back and tried to wnrp around tho cypress in
the old river, but oould not. 'Tlmu crossed to
the bluff again, went at), crossed the Cut-off,
jjot in the old river gild camped, it raining vorf
10. * Set off: got to Wommsck’s. I got out
to got provisions. Tho boat continued and got
above a small cut-off in the river that runs
around the Island above the red oak log and
camped for the night.
11. Caine on to Silver Bluff, whero I ram#
on board, got dinner and then started to M>:*e-
y’s after somo bacon, tho boat coining on that
ay two or three miles above the bluff. .
12. Started, tho water getting venr h ghi
cameon two miles, opposite tho Indian bluff,
attempted to cross over; liottom bring very
deep, could not givesufliciont prrsvuie to make
tbo eddy: wo struck sldo of the Iduff and
•craped down a quarter of a mil# and camped.
13. Hooked and Junibcd to the upper end ol
tho bluff, whero we tied up on account of high
water. I then got tired waiting at BerrykllT’#
bluff, where I expected to meet them, boardaa
a canoe, rime down end found them here, and
•tayed till the 2Sd. It being Sunday, set out.
came post tho Threo Foil* ♦ and camped about
oue mile below BcrryhiU’s bluff.
24. Came on to the First Rock springs where,
just above it, is a very dangerous cypre« tre#
that fell In from the upper point of the island
mss the old river. .
If a boat goes down there it must warp
through the cut off. We passed that tho morn
ing of the 2Stii, and camped above the uppet
Rock springs, where, just below, we like ts
havo got awe/ against a cypress. Crossing
over to an Indian bluff, 20th, came on tlimugk
Devil's racepath and camped below Psw s cut
off; next day, 27th, came to Carr’s bluff.
28th, cams to Long bluff; 2!Mh, cams about
a mile, the water being again so high we tied
up. Dismissed Bliother and Mercer; paid
them for eoventy-four days.
SOth. Discharged Kinney and paid him £32.
Kiuny returned to the boat April 2d, at nlgnt*
April 6tb we set out with the boat and name
to Lawson's bluff, where I lumped overboard
with the rop# to etop th# boat. Gth, camo te
the Long bluff, took the lo#d out of the boat,
and at 10 o’clock on the 7tb set off and camped
on tbo Each## Reach, Hull's ferry.”
Here the interesting journal ends. It# pa
rasol give# in idea of tli# toils and peril* of
transportation In those primitive days. A Iwt
of expenses append gives au idea ol tho pric#
or things. It states:
Hairri or beef st Fort Jam
Twelrt^pounJl. Iron st
Oijc hundred p^un!»‘
Ti?ventsun Ian*....
One bottle
It appears that the negroes, aw Mttvmi.w,
were tisid extra for Holiday wages, os there are
twelve days. Holiday's wages, credited to each
of them at DO ceuU per day. Tlio tuen go!
cents per day for wending, 43| for cooking
end SO cents for washing. , * . . ▼.
Thus it was that oar ancestors carried thrir
produce to distant markets and brought lack
on return the few necessities that were de
manded of civilization by the dwellers on th#
frontiers.