Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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nvTn imTrc? win WFOfmrnin. l\h\i iMliiJ THE ELTPTY CHAIR AND TEE ABSENT ONE WHO TvAS VISIBLE ONLY TO THE MOTHER. The Matter Contained on this Psise of !lio " I'rojis J!?iuicr" is a Thankspivir.;; Pasc" of S'liito 3I?lt' * which was Intended for that holiday. lusi which we IBojic wit! not Lc I.?(? Kiijoycd on Sew Year. * K ?L$M XJ te;4. i THE SONS OF THANKSGIVING, j I TTo*r? thankful for a ho?t of things Too numerous to mention; Tor sweethearts troe ai:cl hearts to woo, AnU al! th.'n?s worth attention. For ail r.sd i v -n thin;,- that gives Our lives no much or" plonsuro TVo o.Tcr than':.*. Lon? r.iny wo taste Tiiir.e overflowing measure. OUR THANKSGIVING. Tho morning caine. It camo as other Thanks^ivinq; mornings had come ? with fresh, frolicking winds and sunlight, and blue skies; with merry voices, with clout!less faces and happy hearts. I remember just how yellow aiul murky the sunshine lay on the floors that morning, i ond how I thought tho wind wailed about the cornel's of the hou<c?to mo it had no frolic. Tiio children came in irom piay wunc I was at work, all flushed and eager, and happy, jostling and pushing each other goodnaturedly in tho entry. Dinner time came at last and they gathered round the table '.rleefully?just as gleefully, I thought, with a half bitterness, as if they had ail been there. "Why, what's this fori" asked Harry, j stopping. ''Mother, you've got one chair too many. "Hush, Ilnrry?I know?don't you see?" j ami then Lucy finished her sentence in a j whisper. Why had I done it; I hardly knew. To | lay the plates anil set tho chairs, and pass i that one plate by?that place that always was by mini.'?it seemed hard. It was a very | little thing; but you know how dear these little tliuigs become to women sometimes. So I had put it there?tho empty chair; and with irs pitiful, appealing blankncss be- j ride me, I sat down to tho festival meal. I remember just how everything looked, as in ! a picture?my husband's face, with its peace ful smile, and tho children grouped around in j t!i<> n!il nl.ift>s! and a flock of vellow sunlialit i that lm<l fallen in through the warm south j window upon the table cloth. I remember i everything. I know that John had just j bowed bis head to ask a blessing on our food, ; ami the children's eyes were closed, when I j saw?I saw as distinctly as. I see this paper upon which I write the words?a shadow lall across the empty chair. I turned my head, and I saw him, my dead boy Willie. 1 know it was Willie. You need not doubt me, for I tell you I cannot be mis- [ taken. Should not I know him, I, bis mother? I looked deep, deep into his eyes. I 'saw the old, rare smile; I touched his own bright curls upon his forehead; I spoke to him; he spoke to me. * "Willie!" ".Mother!" The voice was breathless, but it was his. "Willie! Willie!" ' ' Again tho old, rare smile. With one hand bo motioned silence. Ilis fathers voice lsusScd the omen, and the children looked up and began their chatter. "Did you speak to me, Mary?" asked my husband. "So." "Why, 1 thought some one si>oke during the blessing." So they did not see him. I alone was , chosen. 1 looked into his face, smiling, emil- i ingdovn into mine so tenderly?you cannot know how tenderly; but in his eyes I saw? and I thought my heart would break to see it?a certain, sad, reproachful look, that I had caught on his face once, "years ago, when ' I accused him of injustice of home trifling, 1 childish fault?a look that had haunted ino in many n still hour since. And then I heard hii.i say distinctly, though to not another ear was the breathless voi -e audible: "I want Ihein to 1>-.- happy. I want you to enjoy the day. Did you think I should not! be with you, mother;'' IIo was with me, thank God, and I was happy. I talked, I laughed, I chatted with the children; their merriment increased with j mine: my husband's pale face lighted up; I felt mv own eyes sparkling. And all the ! whilo, whore they saw only that empty chair, j 1 saw the beautiful, stiil face and happy j smile. I saw him pleased with the old fa- 1 miliar customs. I saw him mindful of the children's jests. I saw his eyes full of their It-.vn Ji.il.ir. Inrrt tnni fp.ivi mi? In niwifiir't* i And back again to me?1 saw anil I was eon- > tent. All that day ho was beside me. He followed us into the sitting room and took his ! old seat by the oozy fire. He listened to his father's stories and wr.tdied the children at ' their games, and joined us when we gathered wound the piano for our twilight song. I i lieard Uis voice; the children usked what made me sin'; so clearly. i j I ~?\ \\\\ ? !???> -ri-i mwtii 1 ! M4iQc i j#U ; ? my'/ 'mm ml/ I j Ox I ! 18 ; ,. Vi I ? ; iA--~Yi isl/Yt -*~ -*' ^ 6^ (f t:je ciiildrk." co:.ti:;o i\ ritoM pt.ay. Just as the shades began l i fall heavily ho drew ii 10 toward him l>y the frost I ott::d window. Hu stooped and kk-ed inc. IIo ; took nm ia lus arms and said, m bo had said i before: "Did yon think I should not be with yen, mother?"' I And then I missed bim. I c:dlcd to him, but ho did not answer. I stretched out my arms to him, but lie did not eonie back to me. The room dark; my head swam; I tottered over to my husband. "()!i. John! I have lost him!'' "Mary?why, Mary! v,;,.it is the matter?1' and ho caught me in his arms. I looked m>. I was not in thy parlor by the frost bound window; the'children wero not l>oside r.io. Tlio Fitting row (ire hail died down into the ashes; the door into the ball was open, and my husband bad on his overcoat. IIo was holding r.ic tightly in his arms. ' I thought?oh, John! JohnP A:ul tlsca I told lihn all iny dream. When I bad finished Lj was still a lo:iy lime, tben ^lary, perhaps tho boy has been to you." I At this moment t!:o clock on the mantel ! struck 1:2. We listened to its strokes till the last one (lied away. "It is Thanksgiving morning, 'said my bus banrt, soicmniv. When the morning really came, with its fresh, frolicking winds and sunlight, nnd blue skies; with its merry faces and gay voices, and the happy children rapping at my j door, 1 thought of what he said, "Perhaps the boy has lie-on to you." Sometimes I think , he must have been, so real and sweet is, even now, the memory of his coming. All that day ho stood besido me. A11 that day I saw his peaceful face, nnd felt tho blessing of his smile, nnd heard his low, sweet voice. What for months 1 had looked upon j and feared with tho bitterness of a great j dread, the face, and smile, and voice made almost painless. Tho children's merry greetings did not hurt me; my fingers did not trenilile when they | twined the fresh green leaves about the walls, j The older children went with us to'church that morning. The little church was very still and pleasant, and somehow the service j stole away down into my heart. It was no i eloquent preacher that we "heard; only a plain man, with (.Tod's plainest gifts of mind and culture? But the day was real to him, j and I listened. A bit of Mrs. Browning's music kept singing itself in my soul: I praise thee while my days go on, I low t'.i.'e while my days go on; Tlirnu.Ji dark an.l dearth, tlii-onvrh fire and frost, Willi emptied arms and treasure lost, 1 thank thee while my Cays j;o oil. I think that I diil thank him?I who, only last year, li.nl sat there with luy boy besideane. I think that, when the dear familiar words flooded the chuivli with harmony again, as on that other morning, and John and I clasp.'d hands silently?I think we uttered the old, old erv: "Blessed be tie name of the Lord." Vv'e stopped after church together where the boy was lying, to let JI ay lay down her little green wreath, and I was glad that she could do it calmly. Somehow 1 felt as if teai-s would be profanation just then. Then we went quietly home. It was a happy home that day?as happy as it could be when we did not see him. Yet I knew ho was there. ' Did you think I should not be with you, mo', her f I heard it over and over; I hear it owr and over now; I shall hoar ifc when the next Thanksgiving sua brightens his grave. IIo wished us to b'j happy; I know he was with us. I tLink he always will be. JClizajjDtii Stuart PncLrs. l&n V jf Cl. - jrjf^ A TnAXKSOmXG "ICHTMAnn. FOR WHAT SHALL V/E DE THANKFUL? Sonic Old, Oft Iifj?oafoiV CuosUous, tuitl Their r:i'Rs!iiona!ilc Antiwors. "For what shall we be thankful:'' say the sorrowing. "(rriof abidcth with us. and in I our hearts is the bitterness of continued > trouble." "For what shall wo be thankful.'" say thai poor. "The earth overflows with plenty, but we are destitute. Cold and hunger is cur portion, and want is our companion all tlio days of tlio year." . j "For what s hall we be thankftscy tho\ hopeless. "The days pro on, but they l riu;c us no joy. TIi? sun and the moon traverse t!ie irniTOiKr niir <-1-|V!.ul Jx>ni!< or lighting ens* ?3arl: pathway." "For what shall we liy t isnulrful f" sa;>* tho disappointed. "\V!;?rover we tun?, there,, waiting to dishearten r.n, lurks disappoint mont. VvThfii wo rise i:6 it i > that onuses us again to fall." t 'Tor what stall we be thankful;"' say (ho temptod. the i:;i::ta!fitko fallen. "Our tsinpt-nio'ir. hnvoovereomo u->; nr.r mistakes have destroyed nr.; our si:r? have crisaJrd rs. I For r.s thcrehnnMiinglcitlmt wret !i< dness." "For wh::t thill we >?e thankful." pnv tho bodied. Wlx 11 wo strive we fail; when we l>ray no answer comes; when we hope our hopes are never iva'ized; when wo love our. lovers arc las'to us." ' j 'For what shall wo be tr.y the bereaved. "Death has robbv,] i;s ?v:d If ft us! moaning. Our wive h earts cannot take up' the cry of rejoicing, for wc v.xcp imcor.iforled!" Tor what:kail we l:e thankful;"' rav tho sick. "Y\'e sutler and know i;o ease. Woaro full of ai'C'iiihh un:l dnv." " ?i i- 11 ii ii ! "ror Mitiii v.f iiiuu.iii.i: seeui ed. "<>;ir enemies outmimlxT k?.: our bur?Vns are cr than we ran 'For what rhall v.n tlim;I*ftilr** say the v.vnry. nse wrtndo:'. 1L0 for?n!::?. tlitj ii-avy oflicurt. 'Tor t'; f.;< ro into iv\(, no happiness, no help. Y.Vanness is our pottion and burdens o:ir i:i!i:ritnn<T. We luiv?* no er.t:>o for rcjoi -ip'; from the bejimitiv; of ti:*.* \oar ' lo the ovl." F< r lliese, for nil . it i- wr:!t' * : .'Ic.-t ; i:j tho Ti'irl. Oli, i\ s' i:i (lie Lord. Y.V It jr.- ] tientlv t'?>r ll:m u:ul IIj shall give ll.'o tliy Ik art"- desire." Tollies:', to all thesrv lha rrrrr.i ' ' "Z5 bwit ' given. To these, lite words from a; !ai'i oM i si ri.i*>:i eom with j-ov:-. r f >heal: "Vlrre is ; si ill heaven lo l.e t'imihfiil for. Y.'hatover . fo: rows bereave in lure, whatever fat; 1 iiiis- : lakes darken our lives, wliat'-ver irr< ! c:.>ib!a looses liofallus. we limy yet rt -f in the Lord, , and waft patiently for l:l:n i:i l!:e lit'.le life 1 that remains; f<>r ivor.d Hit's world's or i l;>ss, hi^h in l!i?wrf:.eair of heaven, wiiou ox- I isteuct# roasts lo lie a lesion and Iktoui's vivid life, there and only there shall lis jv-e iisonr heart's desire in i's immortal fulhi^s. ]li re , knowledge is ( . i'i -1. love is imnerfeet. purity . the result of fiery trial, wealth nKed into . co vet (..unless; but m lr-sven is I If? very native country of pure lmov.icd^e, perfec t in\v, nt- | ter sinlrssnorR, nr.d riebesthat m iilur r oilj , nor rust corrupt. tlj?t lilcss and eurso not.'1 HOssIN. Words too U'.'h'ly seoken Come l ic-k ng-iiu. Ami sweet. I'tids arc broken 11 y the softest rn: 11. Words may strike as sorrows, \Vi:li to > cruel smart : lie win* heeds the ?i> n i'iws ileitis tin' woundi-d Words may l?csond ar.irds, Wunred uiili Ittv.j aiut Hearing tJod's evunt'ls To the homes of li^ht. Words may l.e as devil?, S i(VIll'j "Where tlli'V fail, (>h: iIn11 itt-T evils C.HIlii:? al tileir call. Guard ili** mi:.!.' thus Liven, swtiijj ivoi'd> or ilowers, *S;>rea Mine he!l or heaven Willi those wonts of ours. fur "In winter, when it l'rcozes, !ii winter, when it sin.ws, Tiv-j'atli to school is ron?li and drear O'er which tliesiliool l-oy goes. 'T".t when the pie >>::nl summer covics, Willi birds, and I'rtiii. and rs, The road iose!i nil. Iio'.v .-!t rt i' is ! How short l!:.- sunny liull.s! "llii! to Hi" hoy w!io i >'.< : to ! *a"ii, And woi ks wit !i, in:, ; lit a in I main. Toe road lo?.cho.! i- aiw > * >*|o. i, Iu snnsl in \ suov, in r in." ^ mi^u ; its :: Ki-tvor.'fr. .1 :</: \t f < V'!<v/.- i lc. It. 1*. of I:. W'HmI, S. is otii; I.f t! e <;l' Iluii. vmn lo.vn. V. i!i. t liiv.' l::i- lii- w l*i I i SliT-J i:i her iirhii!!' Imir.'t their vt>\y ii!<> tls<? i<* |l!'ii!!8. Mr. l..!il;c 1?;*S "I'liM :i< !IM!i*il !: r t; ? ? oil \\ (Mill it- :n;. (11: i: i v.illtl.i i 01" Mmili, iuhI he (.lc-orv. s ; > gr?i\v ;n<> j<i r tvsiii l:er. I'lid'r'. ?i : I'. ImJ?.TKS Wiil |o C!tv. ii\v?? :n! in jis^lsl I'm!. .S. i'. t'oosi'i' in liigi) ftCliOUl lii illul loWU. I \ * SsMtJ Z -fesi ^ r*r* C\|I(L . i\> t ' i!v'<3^^/t!JVv( h 'yfu /TC^KA '/.*/ . ! ^jT*.1,o v///^'~";>**r,"<""iS^-ia - 1 life-it ^ r> /jVrvVW*v?-y-jC\, ' B ^ <T AN OUTfilDE TIIAXirsniViXG SCENE. A HUMBLE THANKSGIVING. V.'c cannot show a jrrand array Of toothsome thi:>gs Thanksgiving Day? The day so very Hour; Oar little pantry will not boast Delicious viands by tiio host To every pulato dear. 'Neath weight of all i)ic pood things known ! Our little table will not groan, No, n?>( the very least; Our little lionie will not l>e blest With many a welcome, joyous guest To help us at the feast. Vrf nrrf withstanding what we lack. We'll not regretfully look hack And sigh for bettor days; But we vfill (ill in every part Tbi! spacious store rooms of oiir heart WUli gratitude an:l praise. We'll count cur present blessings o'er, Ami we shall (in.! they number more Than oil our trials do; Our happy, thoughtful hearts shall bo Delightful guests?right royally They will reward us, too. To s.'atr, we once did occupy We'll not look up with wistful eyo And covetous umvpt; Dut bending low dowa our pazo To poorer homes, to sadder ways. Than!: Cod wc era so blest. Thank Cod that though our home is small, 1 It si ill contain:* the dear ones all, r.i/h iu afi'ection's wealth: Than!; Clod we have enough to oat, Than!; Go J for clothing warm and neat, Thank God for perfect health. Thank Cod we feel t!ie fire's warm glow, While many cold and tireless go In many a cheerier lionie. Oli. yes. most gratefully we'll lift \ Our e.ouls to Cod for every gift, And trust for all to eo:iu*. Thus "round our frugal little board, v. mi rj.i*i no u [u ua^ vtiw uui u r An?l keep i!io j:ibi!oo; Xor shall there anywhere bo found, V.'iMsia this nation's utmost hound, A happier family. Fanny Pehcival. THZ OulGIN OF THANKSGIVING. A Purely Puritan Festival of ltcjoiciiig Over Worldly Things. As if to resist the bitterness and sadness of i the failing year, tho most genial and kindly I of all our festivals occurs at tho end of No- j vemher. Its very name, "Thanksgiving,"' l? j traj's its pious origin?an origin unmixed v. ilh ! any prior tradition. Tho great Christian ' festival of Christmas stretches backward to j yule logs an I mistletoes, to Scandinavian and Briton heathenry; nor does it lose by tho j graceful, happy association. But Thanks-, giving is l-ui'ely Puritan. It is the good, warqt heart concurring tho tough head and j ascetic.* manner of tins old pilgrims. In Elliott's "Xcvv England History" you ! may rea l tlr.lt in after tho harvest, Governor Bradstrect sent out a company to j shoot ganrj ta furnish a dainty feast of re- | joking after the labors of the colony. Hav-; ing followed tho directions of the governor, | unci tbo principle of tho excellent Jlrs. Glass, they cooked their game and invited Idassa- I soit and some ninety otlier savages, and all fell to and devoured "he feast, thanking God i ' 'for the good -world ar.d the good things in it." Think of that little shivering band chr-tcrrd on tho bitter edge of tho continent, with the fiitnrs lipforo them almost as dark as tho j fo:vsL behind them, many cf them v.iUi such j Ions lines of happy memories in Old Imsland fljisninjf across the s?a ir.to the gloom of tbcir , pros'jr/. position like gleams of ruddy'rclijht' j the! stream Tar cut of tho ehccrful chimney ! i::'o tho roM winter n;~bt?ar.d tbin?: cf llio s.i:i!3 festival r.crr, when our govern- 1 ors and o;:r president invito millions cf peo-.I? to return thanks to tbo great giver of harvests; and tho millions of people obeying, sacrilii-e hoeatoinbs of turkeys and pumpkins and pour cut seas of cider and harmless wine, j I L-- hfii'i' ,> r l* mPm LvC L Arw h i&fcm, fO' M \> k fel: \t& i\?f >hr w I' r D#] htk I 1/ y^) > t m \ N P\ 4I *)/ 'ffri! tfAsktfew Am l v' -?"VJ ?'( / /v B-l U/y/ I Vv^r'vu^r ./ \ //V hi-W/ {"i V\ \}SM'iw^^Xs km ;H fvi /Wm i <v'' v p|:-M :' p I| ' *"" ! GOOD OLD TITAMvSGIVlXG CALT.INQ IX THZ POOR AND WEAP.y. It might bo dangerous to stake one's reputation uj.n:i the at-.^rtion that Th.!iil;s;;ivi;i? is a stri.-l ij' religious feast. It is inlay of praetiivil in thngixvl tilings of this worM, n:i l there innyevoii be p. nplo whoso mouths c:v fuller of turkey than ili- ir hearts of thanks. Cut every year I he area of the fonst enlarges. Every yonr thero nn; mom people him :>it tiov. a i i "groaning Noams, the reporters happily crepitus. if, jijhjii cava- ! sions of civic festivity. Dear oldThanksgiving! Lon^ar.dlong may Iks hospital !.? l'O.inl lie spivad. l*o:ig aiul ; ! jii*t liny livJ stand, lienipiatit1, lit liis door, calling in llm poor an ! the weary, the Mind find the lanie, oven as the old Puritans calk*! in Ma^sa. oit and ninety oih< r savages. Jiieh in LI-'f- ln/.s end r< VLr: nd in years, nmj* g<??d old Thanksgiving la?-t \v"'h the continent, knitting t !o;?.r the li s of family and friend< I;vei iViiii -xs training like the .-mile oi' a patriarch: i s i harity burning li!:e a eentiTil I!iv, warming n'l the year mid lighting * '* ?'"Mux * :#] Oll'f/lU' Mi--- W i : 11 i < 1'jiv's. I 'if* dansh'or of .fcT""k.'i:. |)iivi>-. i!ri ??rs xvi'li rv'n ii c ?- sti; Hi lly. ;il i'. Jtl- In 11>::? !'! i! Ii iN-ir Vi'iv 1 it 11" ::I <<111 t1 t; jiiort-'B. !li<r far'* is ?.f 15?:* far smitlsp-n ! y yi' ? tl;i?'l*-c?>iinilcxionctl. hrnwr.-fyi'il mul ov:i!. ii in' lifi* Iriir Is .it" li'ne'f. *"'1 w is fall, awl ho!(l< hi-rsi-lf very rrpcl, Slip is ImIpivsIhiir ami Inlpll'Wual rathpr thnii vrptty. Ilpr I'riPtiil*s'ii.v dial site osfccts lo ;\Uoi>t literature u:>u prolls.-luu. ?i?1?? THE MIKADO'S FATE. A THANKSGIVING TKAGI1DY. It was about tho first of November that the big turkey, the Mikado of the farmyard, wtis given a house all to himself and everybody waited upon him in the most untiring man- j ner. At first ho was somewhat astonished at 50 marked a changc in his fortunes. Such , extraordinary consideration as ho now re- j ceived at every bod} 's hands amazed liim for j a lime, but he soon settled it in his mind en- , tircly to his satisfaction. "Ho! ho!" ho said. "Ha! ha! They have | just learned my worth. I have always known ! that I was a great genius, with a brain as big j as a wash tub, and J. think tho other turkeys, 1 poor insignificant things, and the chickens, f sorry creatures, knew it also. At least, they j have all shown a wholesome respect for my ; power, but I must admit that I have been 1 slow to impress the people with my import- j mice. It has como at last, however. Sea how they truckle to mo, kow-tow to me, sup- j ply my every want almost before it is felt, ! and make menials of themselves to cater ! to my pleasure!" This he said to himself as ho walked by ; himself. The'other citizens of the farmyard j 1 f -?/^no nnd thn . lUUKL'll ill iillll Ml 1UV.V.O u.u. v~w | bitterness of envy in their hearts. IIo had always tyrannized over them, and they j hated him with a hatred ail the more deadly because it was concealed under the mask of respect. Now, though ue had never , done a humane or generous tiling in his life, ' they beheld him housed and feasted like a king, with the sauce of admiration served up J to him every hour. They couldn't under- | stand it; they saw no justice in it, and they , murmured against it. i VJS^'?> A.;; -%V& > ilggjgl) "J^skyiL "on, r AM THE GREAT MIKADO." A poor, hard working hen who had brought -. 1..XI* fnmiltr 1.*. flirt ctvinf/ict. rtnniiniriV ntlll UI-.11VI IIWUU., V.J ?- ? 'J most faithful industry, and who had been robbed of her last bite again and again by j the heartless Mikado, spoke her mind about it. | ' It's an outrage," she said, "an outrage 011 ! all decent fowls to see that brute of a Mi- f kado in clover up to his comb while the rest of us scratch from morning till night merely . to keep life in our bodies. Such things ara I rapidly creating an aristocracy of sex. In : the future when male and female are bot.i equal before the law there will be none of this. But it's the way of the world, an 1 always lias been. The basest and least deserving get into power, because they are so j course that they can riilo right over any . obstacle, liavin? 110 sensibilities to wound." Here a groat swe ll of a cock, a monopolist cf high degree, looked away and pretende;! 1 not to hear; but the others listened attentive- i ly, sighed, and admitted that it was hard to rise in the world while such monsters as the Mikado had the power 1.0 oppress. A middle-aged anarchist sputtered around at a great rate; but as bo had always talked 1 rather more than he should tbey didn't give him the closest attention. A fair and fat hen of good fi.rure sniilod scornfully, and said (hat OHO COUKl OTrpccc lioiuiiijj nur. riiarss uiuu; from a person of r?al!y lo.v pedigree Ii!:o the ; Mikado For her j >::rt, como what would, sho i bad the comforting knowledge that the blood j of the Brahnsas flowed in her veins. IJer ancestors were Asiatic kings. Then sho strutted around to s-how oil her figure, which really was perfect. A young turkey, who was considered somethins of a crank because he wore glasses, was greatly given to ph;:osopliy and metaphysics. bad gone so fnr as to lecture a little and was thinking of starting u newspaper, here piped up: "It; is my opinion, friends, that we era to blame for our lac!* of success. The Mikado is merely carrying out tho theories of the new school of Boston thinkers end the oceullists cf tho cast, which ho has dropped on, I vavi-y believe, through mj' teaching. lie has a powerful will, and he has sscre'lv and persistently demanded tho gocd things of life and is getting them. The great, i few. mv friends, is min 1. Cut while wo | have been talking about it, ho, liko tbo pirate bo is, lias grabbed tbo idea and put it into operation." An old and opinionated cat tbat bad been apparently sleeping 0:1 a fence post now bad a word to say. "You are very inexperienced crealmv?. When you have lived as long r.s I i have (which none of you are likely to do, I | am sorry to say, for reasons it would be in- J delicate now to mention) you will know that | what appears sometimes to Lo great good for- j tune is really I'ao greatest curse that could ' befall us. I will not here go into particulars, ! but I will entreat you not to lie enviouscf tho j Mikado. Tbfc ij a very dramatic world. Tho ) man who is up to-day may be down to-mor- j row. Envy no oiw. Perhaps your hard lot is better a thousan 1 times for your soul's good i than the wealth of a Gould or u Vanderbilt, ! or even the ^iikado. Bs.il F.anklin spoko wisely when he said: lie that-is dawn need fear no fall, lit- that is UuuibL* none nt ail." Just (lien the Mikado, whose doors hail been I opened by the beautiful daughter of the house j to give hi:u an hour's walk in the sunshine, ! came near them <\ itli lordly gait, licad erect ! and wings srrapir.g the earth in overwhelm- J ins pride. In spite of the cat's sermon on humility, in the iface of the fact that they knew she spoke tbe truth, they felt shriveled and moan in the presence of this petted and j admired creature. Ho walked near them, smiled scornfully, and said: Stand out of the way, you creatures small, Stand out of t ie way of my shadow; For I am the king and lwss of all, Oh. I tun tins pvitt Jlikmlo. Ami they stood out of his way, though here and there was one who could not refrain from shedding tears, so deep was his , humiliation. The mistress of the house, accompanied by j a friend, just then appcnml on the other > - ?hi i-j?.? ~r 11? suic 01 mi! I'-nei.', unci me uiijvi-b ??i im i. trillion scon led to lie lite .Mi kudo. lie wasn't slow to show liis ai>pivfi:ition of the distinction, either. lie strutted and gobbled i:i t!:o most pompous and sclf-gratulatory way. t:ir mikado at the fi:ast. ' Isn't lie innpiilieent.-'' said the visitor. '"I should thi'ik Ik> tvi'iuM weijh marly twenty poiiiid.--. < >h, isn't lie a treasure;'' The rdi!:a<l?> Leard this remark and almost faulted with del5:;ht. "Ah," li" thought, "1 w.v.- righ! hi rdways IHivving myself an imported j> ivonage. I !:? ;!!* it now from I he ii; :: ??F Wmsl' \V!io n;iv?> lltTClvmrv lin-u-itum to ! ?:y Isr-.t do y<m fi-orl lii:n on?" askcil llio "Oat- r.vr.l kit.WoI in Jsnt milk ami various li'ilo ilafcili-'.s. It's a joy to w-j ];i;n cat." At ti:i; Hie Mi !:.*>.' > felt *ii:usc*lf burstl.12 ; wilh {li-L*. .... - _ ' i "Sly daughter is to be married on Thanks-' giving day, and he is to be the great feature ' of the table," said the hostess. "Oh, my," thought theMiUado, "won't that | v>q flnoi!" T nm to fis-ure at a weddincr. to bo ' the groat featuro of the wholo proceeding, it seems. I must order something nice to wear." , The cat on the fence post also heard, but she only licked her lips and smiled knowingly. The days went on and the Mikado only grow fatter and more domineering every hour, and the other fowls became more and more east down. On Thanksgiving morning his doors wero opened and he was invited to come forth. ! This was the day on which he was to receive greater honors than ever, and he waddled out, cumbcred by his excessive flesh, with more arroganco tban usual. Ho was a little surprised when the hired man grabbed him by tho legs and suddenly inverted him. It was an undignified altitude for a bird of his plumage, to say the least; but he reflected a ? 4. flirt f if xx-nc Imf. fir municno uuu v.uuv.i.?nvu vuMH * ... ting, after all, for a creature of his distinction to bo carried, anil of course this awkward fcl'ow didn't know how to carry him gracefully or even comfortably. He had no time to frame other thoughts, ' for in a moment more f he hired man had assassinated him, and his head was lying on ' one side of the chopping block and his body on the other. His late envious associates ran in nil direc- ' tions, chilled with horror, nor were they seen : again that day. He graccd the feast, to bo ! sure; ho was the great feature of it, but not in tlie capacity he had so conceitedly nntici- | pated. Instead of the fine suit of fashionable ; garments ho had expected to be arrayed in, | be appeared shorn of his feathers, with lib j skin cruelly browned and Ills legs cut off at ] the knees, a sorry and humbled Mikado, I surely. In a short time his very memory was for- j gotten, or recalled only with a sneer, or to be I * 1?1 ciccci as an exarapie ui ? uu iuhuh ?, m u> any one to. The day after Thanksgiving there was a 1 little talk over his head ami his bones, which | were found in a ditch by his despised comrades. His fate was a lesson to them. "After all," said one, "wo might have known that such a sudden rise into affluence could bode no good. Up like a rocket and down like a stick, you know." "Do you remember my words," said the cat, who came strolling along, bulging in body more than usual from having enjoyed extraordinary Thanksgiving blessings. "I told you to envy no one; that it was a dangerous thing to roach such eminence as the Mikado enjoyed. Poor fool, he did enjoy it while it lasted." "Could it be," said the young turkey with the eyeglasses and taste for metaphysics, "could it bo that my doctrines led him j astray? Still, he was a good illustration of | the truth of what I have been preaching? j that if you persistently desire the bciit you will got it. Cut the best, in his ease, didn't scc:n to be really good for him, after all, and now the question arises: 'Is it good for any of us? I must admit that I am somewhat confused 011 this point, and, in spite of tho Mikado's grave fau ts of character, I lament the tragedy in which ho was the victim. For some reason, his death wes the occasion of i general rejoicing in tha house, and I have : even picked up a word here aud there which j goes to show that the people who wore tbo ! cause of his death gave thanks over his body. I Tlicy actually eiillotl the day'Thanksgiving,' j so grntcful were tliey that lie was gone. Per- i haps they feared that in his excessive love cf j power do would rise some day, seize the ' reins of government, and trample them r.ll i under his feet. If so, I half excuse tho ! murder, though I am too much of a Bud- j rihist to sympathize with a festival which j sanctions the destruction of living creatures, j and the eating of thein, too. In the round of , existence, depend upon it, my friends, nil such ' things are evened up. They who kill shall j be killed in turn; if not in thin li^e, in some embodiment in the far future." , V i\Z/ * WL Sfaite'f' i the tali; ovrn his head and bo.ves. Tko ben who was in favor of equal sulTrage ! said that after all there were compensations i in life. She still held her old views; but she j had learned a lesson in patience. Her dream ! of political equality would bo realized; but | she must wait, and while she waited work as ' well as talk. A very aged eld bird of no particular lineage cleared his throat just then, i As he v.as generally silent, he commanded I great attention when he di l speak. He said: "You arc getting on to the trui philosophy of ; life at last. Agitation doesn't accomplish ' half as much as people think it does. The in- | fluences which really move the world nro subtle. Your talkers think they revolution- ; ise tlio world; but the real power comes from higher, much higher" ? and ho subbided into silence. The noted anarchist rooster had nothing at all to say until his views were called for. Even then he evaded it until cornered aiul compelled to talk. Then he straightened up and put on his old time, important manner. "It is the beginning of the end. my friends," he said. 'Oloiistci-s like the luikado die of their own creed. They are their own executioners. Ilad he divided his abundance with us we would all have had a layer or so of the fat which encumbered him and brought him to grief, and he might have been alive to-day. Hut. no?lie must have the earth. Nothing was too much for Jinn. We had to starve that he might live. All of you can testify that he lived upon the prowls of your labor, for you scratched anil lie c ame along just as your bite was ready for jour mouth and snatched it from you, ami you dared not say your souls were your own." ' But what of the lady with the purest blood of Asia in her veins?"' asked a dapper young code. ' [ haven't seen her to-day." "Nor have I," said a dozen voices. Here the cat sjsnUe again. " I am sorr.v to say that our fair friend lias shared the Mikado's fate. The chief cause of pride with her proved her ruin. Her good blood gave her a fine figure, and the ]iconic of this country nro a Hesh-cnti;:g race. They have 110 scruples against cat_ < ...1? ...... nc tn inrjnnyoi yon mm m i; muui iuum> i;i5w'. ;: sweet, clean tlesh. So you see that it is never safe to boast." "0!i, cUr.r; v. -iat a difficult. ami dangerous world to live iis!"' said nil in one voice. The old 1:<>usi? ilo.'T, who was fond of Shakesptare, ?anie < a tlio srene. sniffed contompt^ousjv at t he .Mikado's 'oor.es, awl said: "Alas! he live 1 for self, and now :#>ne are so poor as to do him reverence " C>i!UTI*l'I)E GAttMSOX. Look on Tiii/i I'ieJ:irc. hik! Then on i Cnpt. Lewis Jones, Sr., a dlreeter of ll:e ('. iVC. I!. ntumli-il a mvellii:: ol'lilts nci-i in Al.lii'Vi:|i' lit<t wceSfor tin* pnrptw ol < lectin* otllcers fur r cumin:; yuii'. C.ipl. .loli'S S'VS Ili::| I'rc c.illsll llc!lull I-OilljciIIM'S will cHiiiliiiMif)' t'? gr.idinff ai Aik?-n a!>out lln? middle of Kei-ruaiy and the entire JiI)i- tlirui :rli Soum i iiroiinu win m? chiiij icxoil i:i two yt wcs.?MtKjict'l A(Ivi-rlix-r. Tlio J'irl' iix X' li/im / ST?,v?. In nlitt'liii'^ In tin1 ssiicnt till- Alii'nlie :ilitl WfSli'in lo Siisiii>}? ?<fc Co., tout "Su u ill fin-r ninny a moil:*nTill .Sony boiorc Hint roisd is Imiit." - - o Tiik Or-rnviUe Kiitfrprixr ami Mountaineer, Siiiirlnnburp. nntl New I ?c*try newspapers diil not Mispi'iid during Ciirlstmns wet k. Ulai) the itory of Ca'.-:ar's Vlrglula turkey. cj-sar's yirginiaturkey; Caesar Alexander Shakowell, a colored litizen of Bn'd^eville, owned no turkeys, and his richer white neighbors bad put theirs in 1 special security as Thanksgiving Day drew' i near. Mrs. Shakewell kept nagging Cs?sar I about a turkey until ho determined to have one before another sun set, at any cost. Eo sat down before the fire in the twilight to study out some plan of action on tho important question. It came to him quite readily, it appears, for all at onco ho found liimself carrying it out, He had noticed a loos9 board on Col. Fairmvwn's h.irk fence the dav before. The Fair jroves were easy-going people, not much given to hammer and nails, and they would be sure to have a turkey in a coop in tho backyard getting ready for tho annual feast. Sure enough, the board fell of! at the bidding of liis brawny arm, and there in a pen in the corner was the bird of his hopes. The slats of his coop dropped before the same potent force, as though they had been mere ravelings. It was 110 trouble at all to to tie his logs, cover his body with an old bag and slip quietly a./ay with him. Once nt home Casar Alexander put him in a barrel and laid heavy sticks of wood on the open top. Then ho called to his wife to come and see him and to quit "joirin'" liim about their Thanksgiving dinner. She appeared, looked at tho bird with eyes like saucers, and then grew very grave. "Whar did yo git him?" she asked, with something like awo in her voice. "Worked for'im, o'course," said her gentle spouse, with a sneer. "Knowed all the time dat I was to git 'im; but you had to hov er fill 0' jorrin' and complainin' at me for a /uthlcss nigger. Knowed it was 110 use to tell ye. Ye wouldn't b'lieve me till hiconic." Mrs. Shakewell looked at her husband, a frosh woll of admiration sorinffinc un in her heart. Ho was a superior creature, to be* 6uro; she w ould never doubt it again. HE HELD IT UP WITH PRIDE AND JOT. Before going to bed Ccesor Alexander Trent {? /> l.io cmoll vowl Hftwl n Rtifir or two of """ ?? =*""" J ? - wood from tlio turkey's barrel and look a long and fond loo'; at bis prize. Suddenly a hand was laid on bis shoulder, and be turned with quaking kneos, expecting to face the village constable; but dark as it was he could sec that the band belonged to a gentleman of his own color, though 0110 with whom he was entirely unacquainted?"a kind of old fashioned lookin' nigger," ho said when teiling the story afterward. Reassured to find that it wasn't tbo law be had to confront, he pat considerable bravado into his voice as ho said: "Who are ye, anyhow; and what d'yo want in a geinman's yard at night? It's foreuenst the law to creep aroun' honest folks' houses 011 tho sly lliat way." "Cesar! Ceesar!" said tbo other, without appearing in the least intimidated; "I am one of yer aiucestors, from 'way back, and I can't come to yer i:i daytime bccause I've been dead a long time." Here Cesar's teeth chattcrcd and his legs gave way under him. "Brace up!" said the ancestor, slapping him on tho shoulder. "Cra-e up! I'm here for yer good, not for yer harm. I wjant ye to kerry that turkey back. Ye've dona something to disgrace the name of Shakcwell, and I won't stand it. The constable will be down onto ye to-morrow moniin' 'fore !3 o'clock if ye don't, an' there'll bo. a neighborhood scandal -1 ?* ?rto!-/? lha irlmlrt rnnn r?' UlJUllL LUIS UU'tft luauu inaftv tu<j ?uv?v . w Shakowclls shake in their graves. Cesar! for the sake of your proud anil honorable aincestors take that bird back, and to-morrow take yer gun niul go to tho woods and git one o' tho turkeys uv yer fathers?an' its a bird that no nigger ought to turn up his nose at, either." Here tho "ninccstor" sniffed delightedly at something invisible, something in Lis memory apparently, and then went on: "It's a bird <!at 110 man owns; it's de time Vahgininh turkey. 'Tisn't a leathered bird; 'tisu't a fowl at all. It wears fur, an' has fifty teeth, a bristly tongue, a long prehensible tail?you see, Caesar, yer aineestor had larniu'?and plantigrade i'eet, Caesar, it has plantigrade feet." "Ugh!" said Caspar, too dazed to utter an intelligible word. Tho "aineestor'' continued: "Its feet has as many toes 011 each foot as a man, and long, sharp claws on every too 'cept its insido one. It uses dat as a thumb. It is a marsupial turkey, Carsar." Here the ancestor smilcu at tllC towering proportions ui uxa udiuiug, but presently talked on. "Aiivo it lias an odor ye can't mistake, an' roasted hi smells better nor a ilower garden. He's a bird worth giviu1 thanks over. Now, take dat ole, droopin', v.Lito folks' turkey back to his yowncr, and go out ter-morrah and git do 'possum, de 'riginal turkey ob olil Yahgiuiali, de turkey of yer fathers"?and, lo! the ancestor vanished. Perspiring at every pore Caesar Alexander shouldered tho turkey and started toward Col. Fairgrove's. Just as he was about to enter the yard, through tho break iu tbo fence previously made by himself, he felt another hand laid on bis shoulder with considerable emphasis. Fearing that another aud still more terrible ancestor was about to have speech with him, he sank to the earth, without daring to look around. Then tho band grabbed him more firmly and gave him a vigorous shake, lie looked up appealingly and confronted the constable. With a groan lie fainted dead away. ' What ye groaniu' and carrying on like an animal fur J" was "the next thing he heard. The question was propounded in his wife's most ungentle voice. He opened his eyes slowly and in aliject fear, and found himself sitting by bis own fireside, the children in bed and Sirs. Shakewell standing by him with her hand 011 his shoulder. He never was so happy in his life. Col. Fairgrove's turkey was sale where it belonged; he had never stolen if, and he hadn't met any dead and gone ancestor at all, only in dreams. Furthermore, ho inwardly resolved that he never would, if ancestors' visits only followed thefts. The next day when he sc-t off with his gun he told .Mix Miakowcll that ho would bring home a "Vnhgiuiab'' turkey. And he diu. He held it up with pride and joy 011 his re.....1 *-' * ? Iiv 11 v.iinli> l'rom that exacting lady. The 'j:ossu:u was eaten with gravy and grauc, aiul Mr. &hakev.oli's standing in tho community remained uninmaiml. As ho bent over his own fragrant thanksgiving board hi? had more than uuuai cause for gratitude. "Vahginiab turkeys was good enough for my fathers, nnd good 'notigli fer me." ho often says; Lilt tlioiigh ho sometimes teiis o? the enioanter willi his ancestor, ho never Uiisof tho eau.io of that woriijy individual's visit to iiim. Max Elton. How to Snvc ?Im Houses. The Troy MrascnQtr sn.vs: Mr. Frank Kelly of this losinty saved his uln house irojn 1 >tii*nit.ic :? leu- d:i.vs inro in ihe followlnsr cheap a:ul novel manner: "lie keeps iwo lvirrrNul wafer, one on i-ach sl.le oi Ids <rin, slttina on the tloor.* A lVw days nun, with i? lin! room hid) mil of cotton, while his irin wsi-I'timilnis s?l full spee.l. a niateli Hashed in the s,i\v. and in an instant the lint room was ina hlnz" a11 over. Mr. Kelly gatli'-red his bucket ami puiltCil witter Into the -rin vithi.til stopping, :inil the hrn^li showered it nil over the lint room and put out. the lire b.v the time in sin-red over the top of the cotton. The lint row 11 is thiiteen teet si tin re. and what this precaution i!i<| lor Kelly it will do f >r every sinner in the South under like clrcuuisianccs.*' C'AKltv out your good resolutions. " '-v| ..... .... . * Wotice ?TO? " TAX-PAYERS " I The auditor will be at the 4 following places at the time specified for the purpose of receiving TAX RETURNS of all REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY on hand on the first day of January, 1887, as well as ALL TRANSFERS OF REAL ESTATE made since last return. "All tax-payers who neglect or refuse to make returns will be subject to the penalty prescribed by law. Auditor's office at Abbeville C. h., will be open to receive returns irom the first day of January to the 20th day of February, 1887. Ninety-Six?10th, 11th and 12th of January. 1887. Greenwood?13th, 14th and 15th of Jan; uary, 1887. Hodges?17th and 18th of January, 1887. | Donaldsville?19th and 20th of January, ! 1587. j Duo West?21st and 22ud of January, 1887. ' Yerdcry?24th and 25th of January, : 1887. Bradley?23th and 27th of January, ;1887. i Trnv?28th and 29th of Januarv. 1887. I McCormick?31st January, and 1st of February, 1887. Bordeaux?2d of February, 1887. Wellington?3d of February, 1S87.V Mt. Cancel?4th and 5th of February, 1S87. Hesters?Gth and 8th of February, 1887. Latimer?9th and 10th of February, 1887. Lowndesville?lllh and 12th of February, 1887. Mountain View?13th of February, 1887. ,r Antreville?15th and 16th of February, 1887. Gilgal?17th of February, 1887. Cedar Springs?ISth of February, 1887. J. T. PARKS, Auditor; .-/ Abbeville, S. C., Dec. 1,1886. Tli3 State of- Ml Carolina, County of Abbeville. COURT OF COMMON PLEAS. ???? ! John W. Slen, as Administrator of Estate of * Fannie Wallrlns, deceased, Plaintiff, against Anna B. Lomax, Jolm R. Watklns, Robert AWalklns, Harriet C. Watklns, Charles P. Watklns, and J. F. Lyon, as Guardian,He fendanls. SUMMONS FOR RELIEF. (Complaint not served.) I * To the Defendants Anna B. Lomax, John A. Watklns, Robert A. Wa-klns. Harriet C Watklns, Charles D. Watklns, and J. F. Lyon, of whom Anna B. Lomax. Harriet ! C. Watklns. Charles D. Watklns and Rob| ert A. Watkins nro residents of the city of Augusta, State of Georgia: I YoiTARE HEREBY SUMMONED AND required to answer the complaint In this action, which is filed in the office of the Cleric of the said Court for said Slate and Connly, and to serve a copy of your answer to the , said complaint on the subscribers at their or : flee at Abbeville Conrt House, Sonth Carolina, witbin twenty days after the service hereof, exclusive of the day of snch service; and if you inn 10 answer me covnpinm t whuui mo time aforesaid, the plaintiff In tills action will apply to the Court for the relief demanded la the complaint. ! Dated 23 November A. D. 18S6. TERR IN A COTHRAN, Plaintiffs Attorneys. I "-.ii To Anna R. Lunar, Robert A. Wathlns, Ha> riot C. WatiClns and Charles D. Watklns: j Take Not'ce that the complaint In tba above slated esse, with thesnmmonsof which the foregoing Ik a copy, was tiled in my office ?? Hnnon In Cfato nf Smith Carolina, on the 271 h December, 18S6. [L.K ] M. G. ZEIGLER, ! Dee. 2?, 1886, Ct C. C. P. . i PERSONAL PROPERTY : AT PRIVATE SALE. I UNDER powpr irlven in tm> bv Ihe will of KG BRUT C. SHARP, rti-cetifcd. I will Fell 11lie following described p-npr-rty at priva e sale. The machinery Is new and in excellent order: 1 Saw M?II complete, 36 inch Saw." 1 12 II. P. Eric City Engine. 1 Fnrqnhar Thresher. 1 CO Saw Eagle Gin with Feeder and i Condenser. 1 ?^ Wonrn rnnnfv fnrn Mill. Lot Shafting and Pullies. W. M. GRIER, Execntor. Apply to J. M. COCHRAN, I Dee. !0, ISSfi, 3m Due West, S. C. IT WILL HI II If yon propose going West or NorthWest, to write to inc. I represent the Short Line. FUKD. D. BUSH, I>. P. A., Nov. 3 I88G, G;n. Atlanta, (ia. i TiwAllinnr TTonsfi to Rent.. J OFFER to rent for 1SS7, my dwellins house on Main street. For terms, apply to Miss ELIZA CATER, at. Messrs. It. M. Haddon & C'o's millinery store. R. 0. WILSON. Dee. 15, 18S0, tr. Farm to Rent. rj'HAT valuable farm eontalninpc 330 acre?, S on Deiidy plaee, but recently part of the estate of Jacob Miller is olf?-rcd for rfnt. Apply early at the J'ress and Banner office, tf. Valuable Land for Sale. I WILL sell Ht private sale. TWO HI'X- ' DRKD AND FIFTY ACRES oF LAND, wilbin threeanda half miles of Donti'dsvllle. Any one lu-Mi'ius; in uuy i.uin in mai locality wo'nM do well to look at this land. It will be dlvi.icil into ot.c or more tracts to suit pur- &' ! chaser. ? 1 MIlS. SALT-IE I,. MARTIN', Nov. 17,18S0, Ct* Doiialdsvlllc, 8. C. a? I Look to Your Interest. ri^ITE host nnrt cheapest assortment of Fuggy 1 Harness ever offered for sale in Abbeville. Persons buying for cash will Audit to their intore-t to call ami examine them. They iH ri'iigf-Iti price from eialit to twenty five del-. sjS iars per set, at the harness shop of TIlOS. BEGGS. ' Nov. 1", I8i6. M