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P /C 'PDaW»
THE CONSTITUTION.
JlUuStk-
fiJL. XYil.
ATLANTA. GA., TUESDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY 10 1885. TWELVE PAGES.
PRICE FIVE CENTS.
A COMPLETE PAPER.
The Conatltntlon Interest* ill Glasses and
Appeals to All Tastes.
The leading topics of this week's Issue are:
TALMAGE’S SERMON.
“T1IE DOWNFALL OF RELIGION."
“By Inheritance," by Mrs. Nora L. Hussey.
“At tbk Capital," items gathered by our special
Corrcsr ondents.
“Buuc Day*,*' tho story of a Runaway Slave.
"Gordon Ovebwiikuif.’V ami Khartoum In
the bonds of El Mah.11.
“Bossa Shot," au Englishwoman wound3 the
Irirb dynamiter.
“Lireluno mn Dear,” Genera) Dufl Green'
grandson speaks In his defonso.
"The Great Exposition," au interesting talk
With Mr. Smith Clayton.
"Our Noble Navy," not that which Is, but
that to be.
Bill Abp's Letter." the Cherokee philosopher.
“The Romance op owl Hollow," by Betsey Ham
ilton.
Her llest Hours.
“Wlint is the best in human life?" you questioned
ycFterday,
Thinking of all the garnered years, I tried to Just-
. ly weigh
The hour of my experience, and now I plainly
see
Which of them all, without alloy, havo held tho
best for me.
I mured upon the moment spent In gay society.
When, with an Idle mind and heart la youthful
fancy free,
aurr. and dtL _ _
pleasure day and night,
I thought of all tbe hours spent in steady, earnest
*1., jj:u m t-m unpin iiuu im-u;
They were full of satisfaction, but I found In them
no rest,
At tost J vondcrcd on the hours spent at home
with you,
When, seeking to enhance your Joys and help your
dreams com© true,
2 quite forgot tho outer world of fashion, fame
and gain:
Forgot myself, my Intellect, In trying to attain
Bweet rest for you. A lowly aim? Ah, proudly
confess
That all ray Joy I balance by your lifo’s deserved
success.
But one, and be of noble dm, most worthy, mau
BLUE_DAVE,
The Story of a Runa
way Slave.
BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
f 'U anybody over'sec dVb^ai^'er dat?” ho
exclaimed. “Ef Mars. George gits in dat
creek dey's got to bo a morakel como 'boat el
ho gits out." llo stood in tho road a moment
longer, still ecratc king bis head as if puszled
then ho addressed himself indignantly.
“Looky ycr, nigger, wa’tyou stan’in’ ycr for?
Whnr yo’ manners, whar yo' perlitoncss?"
Thus, half-bumoroulsy, half-scriously talk-
Ing.to himself, Bluo Havo wont trotting along
in tho direction taken by Georgo Bonham,
moved without apparent oxertion, but with
amazing swiftness. But tho young man in tho
buggy* had alio moved swiftly; and, go as
fair as ho might, Illuo Dave could not hopo to
overtako him beloro ho reached tho crook.
For George Denham was impatient to get
home,—as impatient as bis hor&o, which (lid
not need even the slightest touch of tho whip
to urge it forward, llo paid no attention to
tho fnmilliar road, llo was thinking of pret
ty Kitty Kendrick, and of tho day, not very
for in tho futuro ho hoped, when, in going
homo, he should he driving towards her iu-
atead of away from her. llo paid no attention
to tbo fad that, oa ho neared tho crook, his
horse subsided from a swinging trot to a minc
ing gait that betrayed indecision; nor did it
strike him as anything unusual that tho horso
should begin to splash water with his loot
long beforo ho had reached tbo banks of tho
creek; no doubt it was 0 pool loft standing iu
the rood after tho heavy rains. But tho pool
Steadily grew deoper; and whilo Georgo Don-
ham was picturing Kilty Kendrick sitting on
one t ido ol his fireplace and his old mother oa
the [other,—his old mother, with her proud
face and her state ly ways,—nls horse stopped
nnd looked around. Young Denham slappod
the animal with the reins, without taking
note of his surroundings. Thm reassured,
-'the horse went on ; # but tho water grow deeper
and dccpcr,and presently tho creature stopped
ogain. This time it smelt of tho water and
emitted tho low, deeply drawn snort by which
horns betray their uneasiness; and when
George Denham would haye urgod it forward,
It struck tho water impatiently with its f>ro-
foot. Aroused by this, tho young man looked
stroued; but thcro was nothing t > warn him of
his danger. Tho fence that would otherwiso
have been a landmark, was gone. There was
no loud and angry flowing ortho floods. Bo*
hind biin tho shifting clouds, tho shining
stare, and tho bluo patches of sky mirrored
then-selves duskily and vaguely in tho slow
creeping waters; beforo him tho shadows of
the trees that clustered somewhere near tho
bank* of tho crcok was so deep and heavy
that they seemed to merge tho dark waters of
the flood into the gloom of tho night. When
the hone was quiet, peering ahoad, with its
■harp littlo ears pointed forward, there was
no sound save the vague sighing of the wind
through the tops of the scrub pines and the
gentle ripple of the waters.
As George Denham urged his horse forward,
confident of his familiarity with tho surroun
ding, Bluo Dave ran up on tho littlo ridgo to
the left through which the road had boon cut
or worn.
“Mara. George I" he shouted, “don't you sei
whar bouts you iaf Wait, Wars. George f
pull (1st hots up!"
But Bluo Dave was too late. As lie spoko,
the torse and buggy plunged into tho flood,
nnd for a moment they were losttoviow. Tneu
the struggling animal teemed to strike rising
grour d; Lut the buggy was caught in tha r0-
■Ut.’eis current, and, with George Denham
clinging to it, it dragged the horse down, and
the swirling waters seemed to sweap over au 1
beyond them. Blue Dave loit not a moment.
FlUiging himself into the flood from the van
tage- ground on which he stood, a few stroke!
cfliis sinewy srrus carirei him to whore ho
■aw George Denham disappear. That young
znsn wis an expert swimmer; and though tha
sudden immersion had taken him at a disad
vantage. be would have made bis way out
With little difficulty but for the, fact that a
heavy piece of drift wood had’been hurled
•gaitst bis head. Stunned, but etill conscious,
he.was making an ineffectual attempt to
reach the shore when be was caught by Blue
Dave and bom# safely beck to land. The
hone in Ha struggles, had fucceeded In tear*
ing itself loose from the buggy, and they
heard it crawl up the bank on tne other sido
and shako itself. Blue Davo carried Georgo
Denham out of the water os one would carry a
child. When he bad sot tbo young man down
in a comparatively dry place, ho exclaimed
with a grin,—
“Dtr now, Mars. Georgo! wa*t I tell you?
Little mo’ cn de tarry pins would ’a’ bin a nib
blin’ attcr you.”
George Denham wae dazed ns well as weak.
IIo put his bond to his head and triod to
laugh.
“You wero just in time, old fellow,” ho
soid.
Then ho got on his feet and tried to walk,
but he would have sunk down again but for
Blue Dave’s arm.
“Why I'm as weak as a stray cat,” ho ex
claimed feebly. “Let mo lio down hero a mo
ment.”
“Dat I won’t, Mars. George i dat I won’t I I
tuck'n* brung you out, en now I’m n gwincter
take’n’ ca’cr you back dar whar Miss Kitty
waitin’.”
''Well, you’ll have to wait until I cau
walk.”
v “No, sir; I’ll dcs squat down, en you kin
crawl up on iny back just liko you useter play
hois.’’
“Why, you can’t carry mo, old fellow;
loo heavy for that.”
“Shoo 1 don’t you b’leeve de half er dat t
Mare. George. I toted bigger turns ;dau w’at
little higher. Now, den, don’t you
er failin’.”
Blue Dave roee from his stooping posture,
steadied himself a moment, and then moved
on with bis living burden. He moved slow
ly and cautiously at first, but gradually iu
creased his pace to a swingin walk that car
ried him forward with surprising swiftnoss.
To George Denham it all seemed liko
dream. He suffered no pain, and it was with
a tort of queer elation of mind that ho felt tho
huge muscles of the negro swell and subside
under him with tho regularity of machinery,
and knew that every moment carried him to
ward Kitty Kendrick and—rest. He was
strangely tired, but not otherwiso uncomforta
ble. Ho felt abundantly gratoful to this poor
runaway negro, and thought if ho could over
como his mother’s prejudices (sho had a hor
ror of runaway nogroes) ho would buy Bluo
Davo and make him comfortable. Thus they
swung along until the negro's swift strido
brought them to.Mrs. Kendrick’s gate. Thcro
Blue Dave deposited Georgo Denham, and ox-
claimed with a laugh ns ho lcanod against tho
fence,—
“Y’cu’cr right smart chunk or moat Mars.
George, cz sbo cz do worl’d!”
Georgo Denham also leaned against tho
fence, but lie didn’t laugh. Ho was thinking
of what seemed to him to bo a very sorious
matter.
“Mother will bo frightened to death when
that horse gets home,” ho said.
“You goln dnr cn git worn, Mars Gcorel"
paid Bluo Davo. “I’m gwino round by do
High Bridgo cn tell uni whar you is.”
“Why, you'll ty-cak yourself down,” said
Georgo Denham. ’ v
“Ah, Lord. Mars. Georgel” said tho negro,
laughing, “time you kin in do woods long oz I
is do four milo ’twix’yer on yo’ housoTl look
mighty short. Go in dar, Mars. Georgo, “ ‘
you git col’l"
Shortly after this, George Donham was in
bed and fast asleep. He had been met at tho
doer by Kitty Kendrick, in whose tolHalo
face tho blushes ol that .heartiest ol all wel
comes had chased away tho pallor of droad
and anxiety. Mrs. Kendrick was less sympa-
thcticin word than in deed, fino had known
tfttMenW. bice* U warn4W boy m
short clothes; and whilo sho approved ol him,
and had a sort of motherly aflootion for him
sho was disposed to bo critical, as aro most
women who hnvo the knack of managomont.
“And so you'vo como back dripping, havo
J ou? Well, you ain’t tho first headstrong,
igb-strung chap that’s foumF out water Is
wet when tho creek blots out tho big road, I
reckon. I’m no duck mysolf. When I boo
water, I’m liko tbc|o!d cat in tho cornor; I
always feel liko shaking my foot* Kitty, call
Bob and tell him to make a fire in tho big
room. He’s asleep, I reckon, and you'll havo
to holler. Set a nigger down and ho’s sno
ring directly. You look pale,” Mrs. Kendrick
continued turning to jeorge. “You must
havegono in over your cars. I should think
a drenching liko that would tako all tho con
ceit out of a man.”
“Well, it has taken it all out of mo, ma’am,”
said George, laughing. Then tho young nun
told Mrs. Kendrick of his misadventure, and
ol tho part Bluo Davo had homo in it.
He f s tho nigger that roosted on top of my
house,” said Mrs. Felix, bustling around and
putting a kettle of water on tho firo. “Well,
its a roundabout way to pay for his lodging,
but it’s tho best he could do, I reckon. Now
don’t you worry yourself, Georgo; in ton min
utes you’ll be snug in bed, and then you'll
drink a cup of composition toe, and to-morrow
morning you’ll have forgotten all about trying
to moke a spring branch out of Murder Crook.
As tbo succcsiul mistress of a household,
Mrs. Kendrick, knew precisely what was uac-
(•spary to be done. There was no hitch in hor
system, no delay in hor methods, and uo dis
puting her remedies. Georgo Donham was
ordered to bed ns if lie had been a child, and
Ihc-kch tho “composition" wae hot Jn tho
mouth and hitter to tho palate, it was useless
to pretest against it. As a cousequonco of all
this, tho young mau was soon in tho land ol
dreams.
everything was quiet, Kitty prepar
ed a very substantial lunch. Then, calling
her littlo brother Felix, she went tho
ard to the quarters, end stopped at Undo
Xanvd’s cabin. Tho door was ajar, and Kit
ty could sec tho venerable old negro nodding
beforo tho flickering embers. Shu went in and
called his name,—
* Uncle Manuel!"
Kb! Who dat?" Thon, looking around
ard perceiving Kitty, tho old negro’s woathcr-
bsctea Iflcoshouo with n broad smilo of sur
prize and welcome. “Why, honoyl Why,
littlo Mistita! How come dis? You makos
dc ole nigger feci proud; dat you docs. I
fear’d ter sx ycr ter set down, honey, dc cheer
so rickety."
“Uncle Manuel,”said Kitty, “do you know
Bluo Dave?"
Uncle Manuel was old, and wlso, and cun*
ning. He hesitated a moniont before reply
ing; and even then his caution would not al
low him to commit himself.
Blue Dave, ho’s dat or runaway nigger,
ain’t he, honey? I done year talk un him
lota er times."
Well,” raid Kitty, piecing her basket up-
Uncle Manuel’s tool-cheat, “here is some
thing for Blue Dave to eat. If you don’t see
him yourself, perhaps you can send it to him
by some one.”
Uucle Manuel picked up the basket, weigh
ed it in his hand, and then placed it on the
chest again. Then he looked curiously at
Kitty, nnd said,—
“Honey, bow come you gwlne do dis? Ain’t
you year tell hit's ag’in de law fer tor feed a
runaway nigger?"
Kitty blushed ss she thought of George Dea
lt m. “I send Blue Dave the victuals be
cause I choose to, Uncle Manuel,” she said,
'tbo law has nothing to do with that little bas
ket.”
Eho’started to go, but Uncle Manuel raised
both bonds heaven wards.
“Wait,little Mistiss,” be cried, the tears
running down his furrowed face; “dee wait,
little Mistiss. Twon’l hurt yon, honey. De
ole nigger wuz dee gwine ter get down ter hi*
pra’rs ’fo’ you come in. Dey ain't no riper
time dan nis.”
Uncle Manuel’* voice was bosky with sup
pressed emotion .%With hie hand* si* 11 stretch
ed toward the ski**, and the tear* still run
ning down his face, he fill upon bis knits tod
exclaimed,—
“Saviour cn Meritor cr do worl’l draw nigh
dis night and icok down intor dis ole niggers
heart; Ibsen ter der humblest er de humble.
Blessed Merrier l eomo run wild and aomo go
at ray, some go hether on somo go yau’;
all uu uiu mua’ go bofo’ dy morcy*soat iu
cen*. Some’U letch big works en sorae’U
fetch great deeds, but po* ole Manuel won’t
letch nothing but one po* sinful heart. Dear
blessed Mi ruler! look in dat heart en see w’at
in dar. Do ain dat’s dnr, Lord, blot it out
wid dy wounded ban*. Dear Mars ter, bless
my little Mistiss. Her comln’s en her gwines
is des like one cr dy angels of mercy; she scat
ters bread en meat ’moug9’ deni w’at’s lone-
aomo in dcr ways, cn dem w’at runs up cu
down in do middle cr big tribulation. Sa
viour 1 Merrier! look down ’pon my littlo
Mistiss; gedder her ’nead dy hcv’inly wings.
Ef trouble mus’come, let it come r |>on tm*.
I’m olo, but I’m tough; I’m olo but I got do
strenk. Lord 1 let de troubles on do trials
como *pon de ole nigger w’et kin stan’ uui, en
savo my little Mistiss turn sheddiu’ one toar.
Ku den at de las* fetch us all homo to hov’n,
whar dey ’a res’ fer de w’arv. Amen.”
Never in her life before had Kitty felt so
thrilling a sense of nearness to her Creator as
when Undo Manuel was offering up his sim
ple prayer; and alio went out of tho humblo
cabin weeping gently.
HI
orant. Once, as be aped along, ho was chal
lenged by the patrol; but ho disappeared liko
a shadow, and came into tho road again a
mile away, singing to bitnsolf,—
Run, nigger, run! patter roller ketch yon;
Run, Digger, ran, bit’s all mot' day!
He was woll acquainted with tho surroun
dings at the Donham Plantation, having been
fed many n time by tho well cared-for nogroes;
and ho had no hesitation in approaching tho
premises. The clouds had whirlod thorn-
selves away, and the stare told him it was ten
o’clock. Thcro was a light in tho sitting
room, and Bluo Dave judged it best to go to
tho hack door. Ho rap]>cd gently, and then a
little louder. Ordinarily the door would hive
been opened by tho trim black housemaid; blit
to-night it was opened by George Denham’s
mother, a prim old lady of whom everybody
stood greatly in awe without precisely know
ing why. Sho looked out, and saw tne gigan-
tig negro looming up on tho doorsteps.
“Do you bring news of my son?” sho asked.
Tho voice was low, but penetrating; and tho
calm, even tones told tho story of a will too
strong to tolerate opposition or even contradic
tion.
Blue Dave hesitnied out of sheer ombr.rrns-
ment nt finding such cool serenity whoro ho
bad probably expected to find grief or somo
such excitement.
“Did you hoar ino apeak?" the prim old
ledy esged, before tho negro had time to gath
er bis will. “Doyou bring mo news of my son?"
“Yeasum,” said Bluo Davo, scratching hi*
head; “dat w’at I como for. Mars Georgo
? wino to stay at do Kendrick I'laco tor-night.
speck he iu led by dis timo.” he addod re
assuringly.
“Ilia horco has como home without buggy
or harness. Is my son hurt? Don’t bo afraid
to tell mo tho truth. What has happenod to
him?"
How could tho poor negro—how could any
body—know what a whirlwind of yearning
affection, dread, and anxiety was raging bo-
hind theso cool, lovcl tones?
“Mistiss, I tell you do trufo: Mars.
Georgo is sorter hurted, but ho ain’t hurled
much. I met *im in do rood, ®n I tuok’n lob
*. im dry wtu rffrtc.heWu Mu* der Creek; but ho
dcs laugh at ms, en he drlv’ in dos liko doy
wa’n’t no water aar; cn don w’en ho mnko his
disappearance, I tuck’n plunge in attcr ’im,
cn none too soon, n'er, kaxo ho got struckon on
do head wid a log, on w’on I fotch *im out, ho
11s all dozzlo up liko. Yit ho ain’t hurted
much, Mistiss.”
“What is your natno?” tho prim old lady
askod.
“Bluo Davo, nia’am.'
“Tho runaway?”
Tho negro hositated. looked around and
then hung down his head. Ho know tbo
calm, fearless eyes of this gentlewoman were
upon him; he Iclt tho influence of her firm
tones. Sho repeated her question
“Are you Bluo Dave, tho runaway?”
“Yeiwm.”
Tho answer seemed to satisfy tho lady. She
turned and called Eliza, tho housomaiu.
“Eliza, your rooster's cupper is in tho din
ing room by tho fire. Hero aro tho keys.
Take it into tho kitchen.” Thon sho turnod
to Blue Dave. “David,” sho said, “go into tho
kitchen and cat your suppor.”
Then Eliza was sent alter Elliek, tho negro
foreman; and Eliick was not long iu finding
Bluo Davo a suit of linscy-woolsoy clothos, a
little warmer and a little dryer than thoso tho
runaway was in tho habit of wearing. Thon
tho big grays were nut to tho Denham car
riage, shawls and blankets wero thrown in,
and Blue Davo wnA called.
“Havo you had your supper, David?” said
Mrs. Denham, looking grimmer than over as
sho stood on her verandah arrayed In bonnet
and wraps.
“I hanky, Mistiss I thnnky, ma’am, I ain't
hod no meal’s victuals liko «lat, not soacs I
lef* Ferginny.”
“Can you drive a carriage, Dayld?" tho old
lady asked.
• Dat I kin, Mistiss.”
Whereupon he seized tho reinsand let down
the. coinage steps. Mrs. Denham and her
maid got in; but when every thing was ready,
Blue Davo hesitated.
“Misties,” ho said rather sheepishly, “w'on
I como 'long dcs now, do patter-rollers holler’d
attcr me.”
“No matter, David," tho grim old lady re
plied; “your own master wouldn’t order you
oil ofruy carriage."
“Keep yo’eye on dal off bossl" exclaimed
Elliek, ss tbo carrioge moved off.
“Hush, honey," Dine Dave cried, as exult
antly i!3 a child 5 “’fo’ dey gits ter de big
gate, I’ll know dezo ycr bosses bettor dan cf
* y wuz my br’er.”
After that nothing mors was said. Tho
road had been made firm and smooth by tho
heavy beating rain, ond tho carriage swung
along easily nnd rapidly. The negro house-
mala fell back against the cushions, and was
toon fast asleep; but Mrs. Denham sal bolt
upright. Hers was an uncompromising na
ture. It bad been said, and certainly it seem
ed to; but as tbe carriage rolled along, thcro
grew before her mind’s cyo the vague, dim
outlines of a vision,—a vision of a human
creaturo hiding in the dark swamps, fleeing
from tho deep woods and creeping swiftly
through the pine thickets. It was a pathetic
figure, this fleeing human creature, whether
chased by dogs and men or pursued only by
tbe terrors that hide tbcniso.'/ei behind tho
vast shadows of the night; end tho figure
grew mere pathetic when, as it seemed, it
sprang out of the very elements themsolves
to match her son from the floods. Tho old
ledy sighed and pressed her thin lips together.
She had 11.ado up her mind.
l'rcsently tho carriage drew up at tho Ken
drick place; and in a little while, after tffu-
live greetings gll around, Mrs. Denham was
sitting at Mrs. Kendrick’s hearth listening to
the story of her sou’s rescue. She wanted to
said Mrs. Kendrick# who had a kvaolc of hid
ing hr r own emotion, “by telling Georgo that
. I've fallen iu love with him."
This gave a light nnd half-humoroas turn
to affair*, nnd in n moment Mrs. Denham was
os prim nnd as uucomproi'uising in apponr-
au* «• as over,
“Well{"exclaimed Mrs, Kendrick, nflor
she did Kitty hud retired for Jtho night, “tho
dnyl worth living if only to find out that llo-
bcee.t Denham has got u heart in. her insides.
I briisvo actually sho’d V cried for a littlo.”
“the did cry, mother.” said Kitty, solemn
ly* “There were tears in her eyes when *8110
leeits-1 over me.”
“Well, well, well!" said Mrs. Kendrick,
she.always put me in mind of a ghost that
can't be luid on account of its pride. But
we’ u-wbnt the Lord mode us. I reckon, run
people deceive their looks. My old turkey
gobLicr is harmless as a hound puppy; hut I
retv;>n he’d bust if he didn’t up and strut
wbvti strangers are in the front porch.”
With Hint Mrs. Kendrick addressed hor
se! T;*. her prayers nnd to slumber; but Kitty
lu} awaken long time, thinking and thinking,
mull finally her thoughts becnino tho sub-
start‘O of youth’s sweetest dreams.
THE HUSH BLACK LEAGUE 1
p«i
THE STORY OF THE BLACK LEAGUE Mil
A Young irishman, Whoso Overweening Ourloattjr is
eaid to Bovo Led to Bio Beoth-an AUsgsd
Bob*me to Bombard the BrUIso Cou,«
Of Parliament With Dynamite.
IV.
tu( Why should the tender dreams of this
pure-J cart bo transcribed hero? Indeed.
vrly rhould theso vaguo outlines be spun out
to Ui.r .-aiiishing point, like the gossamer
tin ends that float and glance and disappear
in GmSeptember skies? Bomo of tho grand-
chiTdren of Georgo Donham and Kitty Kon
dri^k will road these pages, nnd wonder, ro-
tnnniie youngsters that they aro, why all tho
lov> passages hnvo been suppressed; other
realm, more practical and severer, will r.slc
themselves whet possible interest them can
be in tho uarative of a simple episode in tho
life cl an humblo fugitive. What reply can bo
made, what explanation can bo offered? For*
tupately, what remains to bo told may most
ly he put in the sonteutious language of Broth
cr Johnny Bunch.
One day shortly after tho events wliioh
havo been described, Brothor Bramium roda
up to Brother Bosch’s mill, dismounted and
hitched iiis horso to tho rack.
“You’re mighty welcome, Brothor Bran
mun,” Bald Brother Bonch from tho door, ns
cheerful under his covering of meal dust as
the clown in tbe pantomime; “you’ra mighty
welcome. I lind as lief talk to my hopper as
to most folkn: but tha hopper knows 1110 by
heart, nn’ dessenttnko too many Itborties
wi* <t. Como in, Brother Brnnuum; thor’s no
grrot head of water on, nnd tho gear is run
ning cobcrly. Snl’days, when all tho rocks
arc moving, my mill is 11 fcnralo woman; tho
cl&Ucr is turriblo. I'll not deny it. I hopo
you aro well. Brother Rrnnnum. And Sinter
Bi r.nuin. I'll never forgit tho savor of her
Sunday dumplings, not it 1 live a thousand
years.”
We’re well ns common, Brother Boach,
well ss common. Yet a twitch hero and ti
twh go thcro tells U3 we’ro moving along
to’(*.ls eternity. It's ago that’s n fooling of
us, Brother Bunch; and when wo'ro ripe it’ll
pluck us.”
“H’h age rulher than tho dumplings that
I’l) tako the stand on,” exclaimed Brothor
Bcr„ b. “Yit when It comes to that, look at
Mizzers Denham; that woman can look ago
cut of Countenance any day. Thon thoro*-*
Gimr’l Blcdfoc; who moro nimble at a tnui
ter than tho Gincr’l? I seo '0111 both this last
goLe Bat’d ay, nud though I was in-about up
to my eyes in tho toll-bin, I rolished tho ooo-
irg sod tho hearing of ’em. But I reckon
vr.- An heard tho news, Brother Brnnnum,”
■ % Bench, tumloeily deproettfog hil
d’vffijforts* ol lammiitlait. % . * 9 >
“Bless you l Not me, Brother Boach,” sail
Brother Bronuum; “I’vo hoard no nows.
Down in tny settlement I’in cut oil from tho
world. Let them capor as thoy may, wo'ro
not pestered wi’ misinformation.”
“No, nor mo nuther, Brother Brannuin”
said Brother Boach, “bekazo it’e as much ns I
can do for to listen at tho racket of my mill.
Yit there aro some sights mcai dust won’t bo-
gin to hidiynnd somo talk tho clatter of tho
hopper won’t nigh drown.”
'•what might thoy bo. Brother Boach?”
Brothor Brannutn hrushou tho dust oil a box
with his coat-tails, and sat down.
“Well, sir,” said Brother Boach, pushing
his hat back, and placing his thumbs behind
his suspenders, “lost Hut’day go no I was a-hur-
rying to and fro, when who rhould pop in at
tho door but Ginor’l Bledsor?
“ 'Hello, Johnny I’ says ho, froo and fatuil
liar.
“ ‘Howdy, Ginor’l,* says I. *You look holp
up, sneaking off-hand,’ says I.
“ 'That I am,.Tohnny, that 1 am,' says bo;
I’ve tnado a trndo that makes me particular
proud.’ says ho.
“ 'How’s that, Gincr’l?*
says I.
rick would consent only on condition that
ho was not to be arroused.
“It is (eolith to soy it,” said the old lady,
smiling at Kitty as she camo out of tho room
in which her son was sleeping; “but my son
seems to look to-night just as ho did when *
baby.”
Kitty smiled such * responsive smile, and
locked so young and beautiful, that tho proud
old lady stooped end kissed her.
“I think I shall love yoa, my deer.”
“I reckon I’ll have to get.even with you,”
J cars ago, I bought him for fivo hundred
nra, and now 1’vo sold him to Miztcrs Don
ham for a thousand,’ says ho. '1’vo] got tho
cold cash in luy pocket, uud n^w lot ’om
ketch tho nigger,’says he.
“ ‘Well, Gincr’l,’ says I, ‘it’ll bo timo for to
marvel nrtrr you see tho outcome, boknxo.’
says 1, 'when tliera’s business in tho wiuu,
Mizzcrs Denham is nS long-hoadod and as
elu’r-sightedasa Philadelphia lawyer/ says
“And (would you believo it, Brother Bran-
num 7} tho outcome happened thou and tbero
right before our very loco and eyes.”
“In what regards, Brother Boach?” said
Brother Brtnnum, rubbing his bony hand to
gether.
“Well, sir, I glanced my oyo out of tho door,
nnd 1 reo the Denham carriage coming down
an hill. 1 p’inted it out to Ino Ginor’J, and
c ups end snys, says he,—
“'Davy, though sbo may bo n*going to
♦own for to sue me for damages, yit, it Mizzers
Denham’s in that carriage, I'll aalulo hor
now,’ says he; and then ho took his stand in
the door, as frisky ns a eolt and as smiling as a
basket of ehips. Aa they corno up, I tclch’d
the Gcner'l on the shoulder.
‘Gincr’l,’ rays I, 'look clostat that nlggor
on tbo csrriago,—look clost at him,’ says 1.
“ ‘Why, what tho thunderntion!’ says ho.
“ 'To bo certain I’ says I, ‘thnl’s your Bluo
Dave, and ho looks mighty slick.' says '
howdy,”
T^c GIr.c/*l forgot for to any
tinned Brother Boach, laughing until 'ho In-
pon to wheeze; ‘ but Mizzors Donham, sho
leant out of tbo carriage window, and said,
■ays she,—
“‘Good-morning, Ginor’l, 'good-morning!
David is a most excellent driver,* says she.
“TbcGcncr’l]managcd for to tako off his hat,
butjhrjwas in-sbout tbo worst whippod-out
white man I ever zee. And nrter the csrri-
age get out of bearing,sir, he stood in that there
door there and cussed plump toll ho couldn’t
cuss. When a man's been to Congress end
hack, he’s liable for to know how to tako tbo
nt.mo ot tho Lord in vain. But *lon’t toll mo
about the women, Brcthc-r Brancum. Don’t?”
Bluo 1 avo \vaa happy at last. Ho became a
gre • i favrrito with everybody. Ilia voice was
the loudirl At the corn-shucking, his foot was
the iiimblot at the plantation frolics, his row
was the Graighteat and tho cleanest iu tho cot
ton-patch, his band was tbo firmest on tho car
riage rest, his arm was the strongeat at tho
log-rolling. When his old mistress catno to
die, her wandering mind dwelt upon tho ne
gro who had served her so faithfully. She
ft tend she was making a journey.
“The csrriago goes smooth along here,” sbo
said. Then after a little pauso she naked, “Is
Dave driving?” and tho weeping negro cried
out from ■ corner of the room,-*-
“'Tain’t po* Dave, Mistissl De good Lord
done tuck holt er de lines.”
And so. dreaming as ft little child would
dream, the old lady slipped from life Into tha
beatitudes, If the smile* of tho dud mua
anything.
T» in.
Barnrii'it, Mass., January 2S.~Now that
the assassination of Copt, l’helan and the ro-
cont action of congress in regard to tho ex
plosions fu London have turned tho attention
oftho American public upon tho dynamite so
cieties in tho United States, tho history of an
organimt ion which hnd its headquarters iu
this town may bo ol interest.
After tho unsuccessful Ionian raid into Can
ada in 1807 there wera thousands of Irishmen
in this country whoeo appetite for vcngoauco
again el England watt only whotted by tho fail-
uro of tho cflorta on the border. However, tho
proceedings against tho English nation did not
assume very alurming proportions until the
U60 of dy nr. mi to was introdueed to their notice
by tho career of Thomasseii, the Bromorhavon
fiend. The association which was formed in
this vicinity was called tho Black League, nud
hnd branches through this state niul Connec
ticut. Tho greatest ingenuity was displayed
in organising, dicipliuing, nnd maintaining
tlictc bodies unknown to tho public. This
town, being so near Boston, and having In its
lodge some of the most dosperate men in tho
onUr,xraa chosen as the headquarters, at it
was believed that greater socrocy could bo
maintained than in a city.
Tito first known incident of importance that
could l>e traced to the Blnck League occurred
about seven years ago, when the organization
was in its prime. In tho spring of that yoar a
young Irishman named McAvoy camo to
town, representing himself ns recently arrivod
from tho old country, and obtaiuod employ
ment as a shoemaker. McAvoy was a dim-
dent, awkward fellow of 23 or 21 years of ago,
simple, weak-minded, nud perfectly harmless;
but under nil this was nn all-absorbing curi
osity and a quaint knack of saying sharp
things without fully understanding their
mcut.ing, which attracted tho attention oftho
over-suspicious leaguers who. thinking his in
nocent bearing assumed for tho nurposo of hi
ding his real character, saw in him an Eng
lish detcctivo of the sharpost kind. McAvoy
manifestedgreat interest in tho mutual relief
society, and asked a groat many questions
about it of mcmbuj-H with whom ho worked.
Ho (irked to be amoved to join, but was rcluscd.
This rol'ucc 1. together with tho unsatisfactory
niiBWt-rs which his questions hnd^Ueited, only
excited tho more his curiosity to know what
was going on, so one night lie determined to
get into tho building and bids himself whoro
he could hear what transpired. With that
end in viow ho climbed upon tho building ono
evening when lie knew ttio regular mooting
wus to bo held, and, forciug opou tho scuttlo,
let himself into tho attie, immediately over
tbe hail in which tho society met. Hero with
bis eyes to the ventilator ho chuckled to him
self ns he awaited tho coining of tha men.
Unfortunately for him tho coming of the inon
ho wished lor, us ho crouched there in tho
dark, would bo tho sigual for his destruction.
Though shrewdly accomplished, his en
trance through tho scuttlo was not wholly
unobserved, and as the lights were ***
ikont brightly on tho aombrs *
his partner in his share of the btwinen. Tin
lihlings to bo demolished were tho houso c
rliamcnt nnd tho homo office. It was th
^jslneasof tho London partner to securo a
garret room as near tho buildingi mentioned
0.1 possible, and one of the moat important con-
eltferations was that tho roof be flat and that it
conAtnand an unobstructed viewof thoso build
ings# Tho men were to represent thomselvos
as cobbers, impecunious artists, etc.
The business of tbe Ameriean partner wav,
ss soon ok such a placo was procured, to sot
about making the mtchino which was to
throw tbo uynamito. This machine tho
American hiwl learned to make and operate
beforo he left /tome, and on Its successful ac
tion tho expedit ion dopendod. It was made
Wholly of wood, with tho exception of a few
nails and a Wsg(V n s P rin ff> and would throw
a throe-pound shel* of dynamite one-eighth of
a mile, or ony fraction thereof, according to ad
justment. The woo* 1 was easily obtained, and
would attract no suspicion, while the spring
was supplied by Wnila co and smuggled into
the lodging. The mac.bine being prepared,
tho men wero next to vh it the roof in day
time and estimate the dietanee tho projectile
would have to bo thrown, tad mark the po
sition in which the machine was to be placed.
Everything would now be r&ndy but to bring
in tbe cartndgo and wait for the rignal. The
cartridges wera to be supplied by Wallace, and
brought in when the chance offered. Eaels
coutdo of conspirators being In readiness,
Wallace wss to pass tho word for tho bom*
bnrdmcnt t> begin.
Tho original plan was to do the Job on the
night of the 13th of May, 1881, at 12 o’olook If
feggy enough, or if tho weather did not permit,
on tho next suitable night. If everything
went right and a good nignt came, tho ma
chine being adjusted to the proper points,
would be brought out and placed in the posi
tions which has been marked
cut for thorn, and tho ammuni
tion deposited at n convenient distance.
Bhortly before midnight the mtchino would
be loaded, and each gunner with hit hand on
tho trigger, would stand ready to fire at the
first stroke oftho hour. Tho maehinss were
noiseless in operation, so that even tho other
occupants of the houso would bo ignorant that
tho explosions which wero occurring In such
rapid auccetsion wore being eaused by men
immediately over thoir heads. Tho dynamite
bombs wore so made that in falling they would
strike upon a rod that would explodo a cap in-
•ido and so fife tho dynamite. It waa oxpooted
that immediately upon the first explosion the
troops would bo ordored out to surround tbe
awnulted structures, and thoy woutd
como in for thsirsbaro of the
injuries from falling masonry and
stray shots, lip iu the darkness and shroud
ed by a London fog, the conspirators felt that
they would bo sofo tram detection, as tho fall
ing missiles coming from ten different direc
tions would givo but littlo indication from the
}K)iut» ironi which they wero thrown. After
the ammunition had bccouiu exhausted thoro
was nothing to do hut pull tho machines into
(he garrets again, rip them apart, barn tho
wood, break and hide tho springs, nnd tho
criminating evidence would ho destroyed.
But Wailnco, tho leader, succumbed to tho
u uuuuri ■uuuuiuuuu hi uiu
temptation of gold, and nold his information
to the BrithMrtnnul iu Boston, and iu tho
purchase it^uded thy^ves of his fellow-Rou
te make preparations for the reception
tinguiihrd guests who wore ft* be pres
evening, the poor half-wiltod lad, foasting
eyes upon thu novel sceno, thought ho had
never seen anything half so grand and awful.
Totally oblivious of his situation, ho eagerly
watolitd the proceedings below, unaware of
tho presence of tho four dark figures that
camo silently through the open scuttlo ouo by
ono am) ranged thoniBoIvcs about him. A sud
den blow, u smothered scream and n struggle,
and McAvoy. blinded by a change from light
to darkness, lay bound nnd helpless upon the
floor. A few minutes later ho was boruo into
tho lodgo room below, whoro tbo mombors,
locking liko demons in thoir regalia and masks,
received him in silence. McAvoy, palo, and
tr< lulling, was placed iu n chair at tho ]foot of
tho commander':! throne, ami ouo of his cap
tors stated the caso and charged him with ly
ing a British spy. A courtinartial was con
vened and tho prisoner called upon to plead.
McAvoy stared about him blaukly, and, par
tially realizing tho awful horror of his posi
tion, tried, in a weak sort of a way, to mnko
them understand that ho was innocoat of evil
intentions, and camo there only as a joke. Ho
said ho was but a poor Irish 1ml in a strange
luntry, without friends to ndviso him, and
jut ho thought thoy worn what thoy reriro-
rented themn Ives to be. namely, a mutual re
lief eisocintion, and if thoy would lut him go
ho would leave tho country.
After ho sat down wituosnes testified that
(hey raw him loafing about (ho hall on sever-
a! occasions when mootings wero being held,
and that bo had oflcn trtfd to learn from them
lit ormation in regard to tho society, ami that
at various limes he had acted iu a manner
which warranted them in bulioving that ho
was au English detcetivo. It is unnecessary
to detail the ceremonies and niummerios which
wero gone through with over- the unhappy
victim. Ho was novor seen alive after tlmt
night, nnd und no traco was over found that
might indicate tho maunor of his taking oil*
until two yean ago, when a deep-wator usher,
at a point in tho northern outskirts of tho
town, hauled iu what lie thought was a turtle,
but which proved to ho u canvas bag, rotten
tad sodden, containing tho skeleton of a man.
Gu the top of tho skull was a holo threo inches *
in diameter. By tho employment of tactics
. liar to themselves, the Black League hush
ed the matter up, and few ever heard of it.
The tiitapticarsnceof McAvoy naturally caused
gn at deal of sjiecuintion and no liiilo ex
citement. Ono man was so injudicious ns to
r.y that lie sow McAvoy on tho evening of his
flibnppcaranco climbing up thu lightning rod
of thu aefociatiou hail. That night tho talka
tive man's bam burned down, uud &s ho hud
suv oral other houses and horns he said uo
more about it.
In 18H0 James Wallace came hero from Iro-
land sad went to work in ono of the shoe
ftho]*«. Wallace was n hard ticket, and had
barely etesped with his life from the old noun-
* . He came hero armed with papers
ich proved to n certainty that ho was one of
the leading men in a terrorist society thcro,
and Irish newspapers of that time proved also
that ho was all no represented himself to bo.
tic ranks of tho Black Leaguo ho was sc-
dingly welcomed, and he was ono of their
. nest trailed leadursr Wallace was not in tho
orgt-nizfctmn many months before one of the
mott ingenious and diabolical conspiracies
ev er planned was mapped out and put in shape
' r i-xieutfon. Lucky U was for tho beauty of
/re of England’s most prized architectural
ha and tbo lives of many of her subjects
ft her gold had it’s old-timo power to savo
r. It is probable that if this plot bad been
it ied tut as intended it would havo caftscd
greater lots oflifc and property than any
thing of the kind sver attempted. The follow
ing dc; cription is from sources which place its
authenticity beyond the shadow of a doubt:
Ten picked men, selected from the various
ledges in the organization, were to procssd
separately to London. These men were un
known to each other. Arriving in London,
they were to report thefr respective addresses
to Wallace, who was in command, and was
thocnly one among them who waa to have tha
address of each. By Wallace ea-h American
was to be introduced to ■ man aogt|cJ in tha
work on the other aide, who waa te serve as
pirators,jfhoni ho vviW anoint out to Eng
heli detectives when tlioy arrived on English
soil, &ix weeks before tho attempt was to bo
in&do Wallace ^wos seen coming out
of tho BritlAh (ydsul's residence in Boston by
a leugum: who wuh pnnsing at tho time, and
.who rcd%nized him in spTto oi a f '
overcoat. *
conclusion that Wallace hnd betrayed them,
and men were appointed torotnovo Tiiin. Wal
lace got wind of the matter, nnd immediate
ly left tho town, aud has not been soon horo
mucc. It was learned that lto was in Kansas,
and two men were detailed to go out ami
“ree" Jilin. Only ono ot tho men ever camo
bock nud ho had a bullet in his shoulder.
Tho other man occupies a gruvo somewhere,
near Leavenworth.
Tho Blnck Leaguers of Into havo eithor
growu moro secret or less active. McAvoy
hnd not been dead more then a year whon ft
letter cotno from a friend in Ireland, which
proved conclusively that ho was a poor, half
witted lad, who had no more connection with
tho English government than with tho Ghiuoso
mpiro.
SHORTON TRIAL.
Captain I’tiolan Asks the Court for 1’rotee-
lieu,
Nnw York, February O.—A largo number
of dynamiters wore In attendance at tha
Tombs polico court to-day, to seo tho arraign
ment of lUchord Short, who committed tho as
sault on Coptain Fholan, in Bos-
sa’s ofllco. Phelan was brought
from tho hospital, and a moment or two later
entered tho court room and took up his posi
tion before Judge Patteraen, Ho was palo
and thin from his four weeks’ confinement
and loss of blood. HU loft arm boiug in ft
sling.
“Yes, I feel pretty weak,” ho said to a re
porter, “but I ain mighty glad to get out oi
doors onco more.”
In the sflidavit which tho clerk of tho court
mode out. Phelan states that “Uicbard Short
did wilfully stab and wound deponent with a
certain dirx knife which he (Short) hold in his
hood; that deponent was so attacked by said
defendaal at and within tho ofllco of Jeremiah
O’Ponovan ltossa, at No. 12 Chambers street,
in said city of Now York, and that "thon and
there received eleven stab wounds in bis body
nt the hands of said defendant.”
While Phelan was making his statement.
Short was led into the room and placed at
tho bar. Ho was looking much bolter than
when committed four weeks ogo.
“I)o you seo tho man in tho court who as
saulted you?” Inquired Juffilco Patterson, ot
Phelan, when tho latter had completed his
statement.
“That is tho man,” bo replied, pointing at
Short, who stood directly behind him.
“Judge, I should like to ask for the protoc-
lion of tho polico while I remain In the city,”
soid I’bclsn, with n show of hesitancy. “I
do not feel safe from the attacks of that man,”
pointing to Short.
“I am lorry I cannot givo you a body guard,”
replied Justice Patterson, “but I cannot.”
“If you will give mo tbo privilege of carry
ing weapons, 1 can defend myself, remarked
Phelan with tome pride.
“Apply to tbo polico. They will grant you
permission.”
Tbe sergeant of tho police court squad de
termined to see that Pnelan got home safety,
bo he sent two police officers ns n body guard
to the captain and his wifo, who were prusoaL
Tbe examination will tako place to-morrow.
The Week's Failures.
New Yore, February fi.—The business fail
ures throughout the country, occurring during
the last week, as reported to ft. G. Dun A C'o.’e
mercantile agency, number for the Unitei
Steles 314 and for Canada 32, total 3t6,agalnsfc
354 last week, and 411 tbs week previous. Tbk
failures are fill numerous in the western amk
southern states. In other sections of the c au-
try the figures are about up to an average.
Without Organization or Influence.
From tbo Linsoln. Neb., Democrat.
OI tbs twenty minion people betongln* to tbo
agricultural classes in America nearly eight mil
lions are active (amcm, and there Is probably not
■aamHHBE