Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

,-^m . r * v K> ^ V^r - * I ?0>+ - -- ? ..,, .- ^ Uf? 4r *1&?- "** * * & PER ANNUM. CHAARB?TRARY SWAY,TY 8 WE CS?IEVLEAPSTTHEIWAYH" IN ADVANCE NEUTRAL IN POLITICS?DEVOTED TO LITERARV, COMMERCIAL tSil# ACRICCLTCRAL, SCIENTIFIC, GENERAL AND LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. VOLUME II. LANCASTER, C. II, SOUTH CAROLINA WEDNESDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 7.1853. NUMBER 31 It. N. BAILEV, Ocneral Stanley?for such was the gen- | silvery moonlight and the countleaa ntnra I "fin.1 ^.ntlil" I * EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR. TERMS : The "Ledger" is published every Wednesday morning, at the low price of TWO DOLLARS per Annum, if paid IN ADVANCE ; Two dollars and n half, if payment be delayed three months, and THREE DOLLARS at tno end of nix months. ADVERTISING. Advertisements will be inserted at sev enty-fivo cents per square for the first inser tion, and thirty-seven and a half cents per square for each additional insertion. Single insertion, one dollar per square. o i ' ? aelerUfl a 1 rLi From the ?S'tar Splanglrtl Bonner. TBI Mil, by f.uoknk st. clair. u Fire ! fir?! the ship's on fire !" Ooldkn and ?ot't gleamed the dying sunlight across tlio waters of the great Mississippi, bathing the noble stream in a radiance almost celestial. High above hung lite azure vault of heaven, like some vast and delicately tinted sea-shell, all unrolled, revealing the admirable blending of its rich and varied hues. The perfumed winds that throughout the long day had swept the river's breast, had died away, leaving it calm and placid, like a mirror of polished steel set in a frame of emerald. On either hand, the shore, decked in its tropical luxuriance of vegetation, lay soft and bright, lending new beauty to the scene. A noble steamer was plowing its way up stream, proudly cleaving the still waters with its sharp prow, and leaving the tipples dancing ami flashing in its wake like a ITbst of glittering gems. Willi niajvwiic motion the stately craft swept proudly on through All this fair scenery of earth and sky, while ever ami anon lire stillness of the hour was broken bv the thunder of her escape-pipe, echoing clear and piercing like the cry of the lone eagle from his lofty home among the clouds. She was thronged with groups of gay passengers, enjoying with peculiar zest the soft ami withing sunset hour. Soiuo were engaged in animated conversation, others silently promenading the hurricane dock, while here and there might ixi seen a lover of tho "weed" enjoying the fragrance of a pure Havana, and watching in dreamy ease tho blue and spiral wreaths of smoke as they went floating upward, assuming a thousand fantastic shapes, until they died away in gossamer transparency, and seemed to mingle with tho ambient air. Seated at the stern of the vessel, Iwucatli an awning, and surrounded by a circle of admiring listeners, w as a young girl of exquisite beauty, touching the strings of a rich guitar with inimitable grace and skill, white she accompanied the instrument with her voice, which now, round, r'ch ami full as an organ's note, would die awrny in its trembling cadence, till it seem ed soft as the softest strain of an vEolian hap. 8he was faultlessly beautiful. IFe form was such as must have haunted Canova's brightest dreams. 8he was unusually fair for a Southern clime, though a faint tinge of olive, mollowcd by the sun's of some sixteen summers, lay soft oe either rounded cheek, ller hair, black as night, was parted above a brow of alabaster, and fell in rippling manses and tangled swell about her finely sculptured neck I ~I I I _ ? it11*i mmiiificn*. lint her chief beauty lay in the largo, dark eyes, which were shaded l.y lout; lashes even blacker than her raven hair, giving theni, when in repose, that dreamv look which the niagio |>eiicils of the old Italian masters loved to dwell tt|>on with ? lingering touches. Oh 1 there w.?-> a World of beauty?si gushing fount of love and tenderness down Tntfie uepths of those betwitching oris*.? Gsce tilt for a moment into their li.juid glories, ami ye were a captive; a rosy enchantment was thrown around you, and 'twere vain to strive to break it, even had you the desire. An air of child-like frankness, mingled with a fervid and impassioned generosity. seemed So nervade her , wreathing the coral lips with smile* of ineffable * wee In em. 8lie wns plainly attired in a robe of white, without ornaments, snvo a single gem of price that sparkled on one of Iter taper fingers. Standing near, and regard; ing her with looks of paternal fondness and pride, was her father, a noble looking man of some sixty years. He was of dign fi?d and aristocratic appearance, mild and courteous in bis manners, and soemed MIQ IVJM VI II W"V UVUIIICIII ^uilMnilinil III very reaped. A ruuitl obserrer could not here failed to notice the striking resemblance twtwcen fathei and child, for there was the aame generous frankness? the sa ne Grecian contour of features in him as in her. Indeed, they were a splendid looking pair?that old man with his eagle eye and regal port, and that peerlew girl, just budding iato the thousand perfections of glorious womanhood. Mkfcwfc idr* ' 'u iS^ ,. uemans name?was one of the wealthiest and most influential planters of Louisiana, and resided some eighty miles north Now Orleans, whither he and his fair daughter Kate had been spending a few days among their relatives. One other person there was on the | summer's deck that we cannot pass by unnoticed, imtsmdeh as be is destined to lake a conspicions position among the few diameters in our tale. This was a line, noble young man, attired in the gard of a common seaman. His garments, tbough of coarse material, were scrupulously neat, and admirably became bis well turned and athletic figure. He wore a dark blue jacket, ornamented with double rows of naval buttons, ami a cap of the same col01, tb it partially concealed a profusion of auburn curls, that fell in rich luxuriance around bis finely formed bend, while bis small feet, encased in well-polished slippers, were scarcely discert able beneath the ample folds of bis white duck trowsers. lie seemed m truth u fine specimen of the gallant American t; r. A critical j observer would not have failed to perceive, however, that his hands were soft and nearly as white as a woman's?somewhat belieing his garb and bad their notice extended further, embracing the noble contour <>f the face, the firm expression of the mouth, and, indeed, the whole bearing of the youth, they would at once arrive at the conclusion that lie was one more accustomed to order than obey, ami whose place on ship-hoard was the quar tcr-deek rather than the forecast!** Whatever he might be, he stood apart frotn all others, leaning negligently against one of the awning lxwts, seemingly engaged in watching the constantly changing scenery on shore, but in reality listening with an all absorbing attention to the rich strains of melody proceeding fro n the beautiful singer before mentioned.? And that voice lie thought the sweetest lie hud ever heard, lu tones fell with soft and bowitcliiiiff effect tinon bis spnsns stealing gently through tho chambers of his heart. IIo turned to gaze upon the maiden, an-1 the hot blood mounted not quicker to her brow than to hie, as lie mot the glance of thoee glorious even, beaming full upon him with something very like admiration in their depths. They were veiled in an instant beneath their jetty lashes, but alas! not soon enough to prevent doing a deal of mischief to the young sailor's peace of mind. "IIow beautiful!" he inwardly murmured, "and so like the glorious ideal of my dreams!" and up from the past came the j memory of a fairy form that used to haunt 1 his midnight visions, when, lulled by the billow*' Mimic, he slumbered in his atormswung hammock, far out on the wide, wild sen. The song died away in its mellow richness, and the gold and crimson of the [ skies gradually mingled with the grey j twilight. Anon the stars came out, and soon, along the eastern stcepes of heaven, the full-orbed moon, resplendent in her cold and stately beauty, swept proudly "P- . , , , . As night came on, many nought their berths or state-rooms, while a few still lingered on deck, charmed with the splendor of the moonlight scene. "Come, Kate, let us go l?elow; you looked fatigued, and need rest," said Mr. Stanley. "You was never more leceived in your life, lather, if you imagine me to be weary. One could never tiro of gazing at this charming prospect," she replied, sweeping her eyes over the broft expanse of water, bordered with its verdant shores. Tint the night air ia bad, darling, especially on those Southern streams." "Well, ' ? it as you will, father, hut I much prefer this still moonlight and soft evening breeze to the confinement of a cabin;" and rising, she gracefully gathered the folds of Iter silken mantle around her, and taking the nrin of her sire, prepared to accompany him below. Unnoticed by her, in rising, she had dropped her handkerchief, hut the quick eye of the young sailor had noted the fact, and dartmg forward, raised it, and lifting hi? cap with an easy grace, presented it to the | inRNicn. "Your handkerchief, tliut yon dropped a moment since, lady," he Mid, courteously. The ?mile that parted her ro*y lip*, revealing teeth pure and white as pearls, would hive been aauflicient icward to the youth for his trifling act of gallantry, had ahe not expressed her thank* in tone* which, though very low, were strangoly soft and musical, falling upon the ear of the entranced youth like tlute-notee tame by gentle zephyr* o'er the moon':t bosom of a summer lake, in the atill hush of eventide. A moment more, and the waa hidden from hi* view. One by one the occupants of the deck descended, until the young sailor waa the only person thai remained; and there he Mt for hour*, musing upon the beauty of earth, iky, and?Kate Scanty. It wee near the hoar of midnight. Silence reigned throughout the rente), tare the eontinooua dang of machinery, that toiled away with unwearied energy. "A few feint cloud?, that at nightfall had retted on die w at tern horiton, had increat ed in magnitude, and at the hour* wtned, gradually apraad themtelrea over the whole erpenae of heerto, abutting out fhe % "* ^ ,0r a * that hitherto iind twinkled in tlie placid sky. The wind, too, had risen, and came sweeping down from the northward in fierce and sudden gusts, dismal to the ear, and lashing into fury the waters of the mighty stream. It was at this moment that the startling cry of "Fire! fire! the steamer's on fire !" rang out through the darkness from the pallid lips of a sailor who was about ; descending into the hold. The young sea- j man, who still remained upon the hurri- J cane deck, thus suddenly roused from his 1 waking dreams, leaped instantly to his ; feet ami rushed forward, from whence the thrilling cry had proceeded. His eye took | in the horrible truth in an instant. The I hold, in which was several bales of cotton, was thoroughly on fire, and ti e greedy Halm's were already lapping their forked tongues around the hatchway. Owing to the combustible materials everywhere | ready to feed it, the flames mounted with j inconceivable rapidity, and before sufficient help could be organized to extinguish the fire, the whole forward part of the hont w as one sheet of fiame, and that fast j driven aft by the wind, against which the j "k%.?iiivi ???i? i < |'i<11v moving. Tin* utter impracticability of attempting ' to arrest the progress of the flames at once presented itself, and the captain gave orders to the pilot to bench the vessel without delay. It was a dangerous proceeding, as the river was full of snags, against which the boat was any moment liable to run, owing to the intense darkness, that made it seem like a second Styx, and which prevented the helmsman from guiding Iter in a safe channel, llis order, nevertheless, was at once obeyed, and the huge mass of flame went tearing through the inkv blackness like some mighty fircdemou bent on an errand of death For a few minutes the boat glided on without obstruction, and the throng of passengers clustered aft indulged in the hope that she would he able to reach the shore before the flames communicated to that part of the vessel; Vain hope !?not half of her tire-lit passage had been completed, when, as had been feared, she struck with fearful force a concealed snag, staving a largo hole in her bottom, through which the water rushed with uii appalling scund. A wild cry oi agony arose from the deck at this terrible discovery. Shrieks and groans, prayers and curses, rose alternately to heaven. The only hope left was the boats, which had been lowered away the moment she struck; hut not more than half of the passenger* could l>e accommodated, and what was to become of the rest f? The horrid fate of death by fire or water was inevitable. Every boat was instantly tilled, yet a large number still remained. The lire was gaining rapidly, and the hurricane deck was beginning to l>o almost insullerable from the intense heat. Wives and children clung with frantic cries to husbands and fathers, beseeching them,in NgOlllf.lllg lOIieS, lO ?IU U1HI WIIICll I11PV, I alas ! Ii.nl no power to do?to save tliein ! j At the extreme end of the boat stood j <?en. Stanley and hi* daughter. It wast fearful to see the workings of that old man's face, convulsed with anguish intolerable at the fate that apparently awaited hi* child. ' Groat (iod!" ho almost shrieked, "this is horrible! Will no one save her?rny darling child f" A manly and athletic form sprang through the crowd to his side, and the words, "I will save her or perish !" fell upon his ear like sweetest music, from the lips of the young sailor. "Lady, will you trust yourself to my guidance in this hour of peril ? 1 will do all that man can do to preserve your life!" exclaimed the youth. "Think not of me, kind sir, hut oh 1 save iny father, and my last prayer shall ascend to Heaven for you !" n:_ i.- ii- i ?!.v ' > * mn uiw swelled Willi feeling* OJ IUImiration at tho generous heroism of tho noble girl, and lie would have given worlds to have exchanged places with her father, and clasped her peerless form to his own manly breast. "Fear not for your father, lady?he, too, shall escape this horrid death ;" and undo- | ing froin his waist a life-preserver, ho | Ixnind it about the old man's form, saving, j "there, sir, that will sustain you in tho water until assistance roaches you from tho shore; hut we must hasten," ho added, "to tho lower deck, where we can easily swing off into the river." The flames had nearly enveloped the whole vessel, and were driving the torrorHtrickcn passengers over the sides into the water, where, with wild, unearthly screams for help echoing through the gloom, they sank fi>rever beneath the dark and turbid waves. o_:Ai_ f?i?: i ? vgmiKiy iwm-iiiiik n ru|l? I Jill nffKF, 10 the steamer's side, the young seaman prepared to drwi ntl with hia lovely burden, which he had sworn to nave, or die in the attempt. Mr. Stanley Drexaed hia child to hia tmsom, and imprinted upon her pure brow, it might be, he thought, a last Viae; then turning to the romh, he eaid? "Noble youth, t?> God and yonr akill and bravery I entrust all that I hold dear on earth !" and without farther words he boldly swung off into the stream. A scream of terror issued from the maiden's lips as she heaid the plash of her father** body, but the young man beds her not to fear, as H was Impossible for him to sink with the Hfc-preaerer around him. vwvt gmii? o*?v ?v? "hut I fear I shall ho a greater harden than you can support to the shore," she added ; "if there is a doubt of it, leave mo, and seek your own safety while yet you may, I would not that your life should be .sacrificed in the endeavor to preserve mine." "Desert you in this fearful hour, sweet lady! May the name ofOorden Meredith bo accursed to the remotest age when he consummates such a craven act!" r>iie gazed up into Ins handsome face, and a bright smile wreathed her lips at this exhibition of his generous nature, while a feeling of security, to which she had been a stranger during all the trying scene, once more took possession of her breast. "We c * unot tarry longer, lady ; sec? the liames arc almost upon us! Fear not and all will yet be well;" and twining his muscular arm around her slender form, he grasped the rope with his disengaged hand, and quickly lower?d himself and > burden into the water. Willi a bold and confident stroke?for ho was an expert and powerful swimmer? ho breasted the waves, supporting the form of Kate Stanley hIkjvc the water, and struck out for the shore, distant about three-fourths of a mile. And now began the peril of the undertaking, for all around him were struggling wretches, grasping at everything within their reach, ami it required all Ins presence of mind to avoid their death-clutch ; r.nd over the scene, far out on the waters, fell the glare of the burning boat. The wind against which he had to swim,dashed the waves around and above him so powerfully that, notwithstanding his skill as a swimmer, and his great physical strength, ere two thirds of the distance was accomplished, he felt that lie could not hold out much longer; but the thought of the treasure which lie bore?the wild joy of her sire at once clasping her to his bosom ? lent him new vigor in lib arduous task, and with an inward prayer for strength, he clasped hbv bQrdcu eVwer to his side and continues t<? buffet fiercely with the waves, lint hark! the wind brings down the sound of Voices and the dash of oars. Ilis strength is almost gone. He raises his voice in a faint hallo. Is it heard ?? Yes ! and as a heavy stick of timber floated down the current, strikes the exhausted swimmer's head, and he feels his arm grntlually loosing its hold of its precious charge, half a dozen ready hand* draw their unconscious forms into the boat; they were saved ! ***** A week had passed sirrc the foregoing incidents of our tale The hour was about the same as at its opening. In a sumptuously appointed chamber of a stately mansion, whoso pillared front faced the broad waters of the Mississippi, lay the j form of Gordon Meredith. lie was very pa'c, and sleeping. lieside the couch ixMit the graceful figure of Kate Stanley, and as one of her taper fingers rested lightly on the sleeper's pulse, a sunny smile of joy illumined her face as she marked its regular heating. "lie is Ix-tter, thank Heaven! his sleep is calm, and the fever no longer flushes his brow," murmured the maiden. Her voice was very low, yet the youth stiiTed, nnd opened his eyes at the sound. Intelligence once moie beamed in their depths, and he gazed around in astonishment, like one who had been dreaming. Iljs glance instantly rested on his fair nurse, and in feeble tones he exclaimed? "What means all th!:t lady ? Where am 1 ??what horrid dream is this that ritigs confusedly through my brain ?" "Nav, I cannot tell you now ; you are too feelde to talk or listen to conversation at present. Indeed, you must obey my command," she continued, gently placing her tiny palm over his month, as ho was iilxnit to speak again. "When you are stronger, you shnll know all, hut now try ami sleep ngain." Unresistingly the youth sank back upon I _ _ Til I -I A 1! ilia pillow, a.HI cinwu m* lis IT in sloop, but his mind was engaged in actual thought, ntid as it gained strength, slowly to his scattered senses carno the memory of the burning boat?his nohle effort to save the maiden's life?the desperate struggle in the river; but after that all was a blank. Again he opened his eyo* and spoke? "An, ladv, I remember now?this has not been all a dream. But how came I here f Indcod, you must relieve niy curiosity ; I can bear it." And the young man listened with closed eyes and lieating heart, all that seemed a mystery to him. The boat, it seemed, had struck but a short distance below the residence of Mr. Stanley, and the men in the boat recognizing Kate as his daughter, at once conveyed them both to the ntanaion, where they were soon after joined by the general himself, who, owing to the lifepreserver, was enabled to sspport himself until picked tiy by a boat from shore.?Kate had soon recovered by the I f V uui (Gordon Meredith, who had received a severe out 6p hi* forehead, ;m found to be in a precarious situation. He received the kindest attention; medical advice was at once procured, but four anil delirium set in, ?nd for a wpek I# hjAremained in a eute of unco aa ifeiflwWjPft h V*',,, ? 7\nu now snail i ever repay you for all tit is kindness to a perfect stranger, lady!' ho asked, as she closed her recital. "By never mentioning it. Did you not save mine and my father's life!?and as for your being a stranger, you arc quite mistaken, for during your illness, we have gathered from your talk that you were a Virginian, holding a lieutenant's commission in the U. S. Navy, and heing on furlough, was making a pleasure trip up the Mississippi,' she replied, gaily, and added "the only thing that seemed strange w s your simple seaman's dress.' "Only a freak of fancy, lady. I care little for gold lace and epaulettes, and j chose to travel in the unpretending gard j in which you first met me,' lie answered. "It gives me great pleasure to see you so much better. We have all been fearful that your life would pay the forfet of your generous attempt at our rescue,' said the maiden, after a short pause. The young ollicer turned his full, dark | eyes 011 ners, ana in tones, it might be, J that trcmb'ed through weakness,replies!? j "Twould he a pleasure to diu in rendering you a service, sweet ladv.' The tinge deepened on her cheek, and hastily rising, she said she would send her j laithor to see the great improvement in | their preserver, and glided silently from I the apartment. The invalid gained rapidly, and soon j was able to enjoy a seat on the piazza, in j company with Mr. Stanley and Kate, while she 'touched her guitar lightly' to some sweet lay; and but a few weeks had passed before the youthful couple were walking, riding, or sailing together with all the unrestrained freedom of old acquaintances. It was astonishing how well the got along together, and how the handsome young sailor progressed in the good graces of his still handsomer partner. And over the lino features of the general a quiet smile would gleam, as lie marked their j happiness; and when the youth, in his own dashing, off-hand style. nsk<al his consent to their union, the old man brushed a , bright drop from his eye and placing her j lily hand in that of Gordon, said? 'She is yours, bravo boy! Nobly have you won the right to call her your own.' Not long after, the village bells rung out their marriage peal in gladsome 1 chimes. P. S. White. A correspondent of the Southern Patriot, who signs himself "Lexington," writing from Richmond, Vu., says that lie met the great temperance lecturer, 1'. M. \V. 1'. I'hilip S. White, of Kentucky, and j that he told him he had been lecturing in North Carolina, and that through the iutlnenco of his lectures, 7000 distilleries had heeu shut up in that Slate! Ilrother White's trumpeter must be] dead, or lie would not Ik? compiled to do j such tall blowing as that himself. We ' knew from the first time we saw him, that j he possessed a full share of vanity, but 1 wo thought his hump of prudence would : prevent him from carrying it to such an I extent as that. If he sfiuts lip distilleries at that rate, his mission must soon close for want of material to operate upon.? StOO tll? fnnntnin ??-?-1 ........... ?- ' r ...w .vMMkWMi, itiiu iiiu ouu<llll III1IM I fail of course. j We well rocolloct hearing him in Char-1 lesion, and how an eli'ort was made to get up an excitement, and induce the poo- j pie to cry out, great is this Philip S. White ! of Kentucky, but it was no go, and I think he left tho City and the State, rather chagrined and disnp|>ointcd. lie failed to carry the State by the overwhelming shock of his irresistible eloquence, even with the weight of a "high judicial functionary" at his back, and ho commenced a retreating tire which he kept up till he got heyound its borders. We are b} no means opposed to torn | perance, or tho honest efforts that are boing made for tho purpose of promoting temperance reform, but wc arc decidedly op|iosed to some of the so called "big guns" that have been among us, and hired at *100 a week to make big speeches, and abuse every body that would not sign the pledge, and join in tho hue and cry to immortalize "decidedly the greatest orator of the 19th century I" We are no man-worshipers at best, but if we were so inclined, Philip S. White would by no means !>e the shrine at which we would !>ow; nor would his chapperonc the "distinguished judicial functionary" l>e the "bright particular star" of our ndtniration.? Yorkville Remedy. Sir John Franklin.?The following has appeared in the Freeman's Journal, and it ia aineerely to be hoped that this is not another of the many heartless hoaxes to which the rolativee and friends of the gallant commander have for so long a time been subjected : "A letter has been received in Ireland from Mr. Drydall, midshipman on l*>nrd the British surveying vessel at Pan Francisco, stating positively that Sir John Franklin had arrived safe at Bierabide, in California." .... The rush of visitors to the Fslla. the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser says, is gre at er thia season, then any former year, and j most of the public bouaee ere filled to over-1 B? ^lnn, owin j JNP1 jjp r ?>unilm| Hxmiting J Servants of (loo in joyful lays, aji Sing ye the Lord Jehovah's praise. ______ Montgomery^ m, From the Southern Recorder. vrt BISHOP CAPERS. di< coi INTERESTING INCIDENTS. or About the middle of January last, in I going from Macon, (la, to Oglethrope, l?y 1 till iabroad, it was my good fortune to have i lio a sent next to I )r. C , one of the j tin Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, j ev South. Paring the lir-t mile of travel, the mi Bishop gave mo a very minute description j 1?1< of a gentleman who had that morning | un breakfasted with lis m the city of Macon, j ku and inquired if I knew him. I replied I an that 1 did. Said the Bishop, "lie has fra acted towards me as no man ever did hefore, save one." Fearing that there was | pr< some misunderstanding, I felt exceedingly sai anxious to know what had occurred.? sic Said the Bishop, "Just before the gong ' of rang for hieakfast, and before it was clev- j tin erly light, whilst standing in the entry, da this individual approached mo, and asked h j if my name was C. Yes, said I, that is j all my name, lie was pleased to say, that \ U" it had been his good fortune, about twen- B< ty or twenty-live years past, to have heard i m: me preach a sermon, lie then remarked, | do that ministers, in travelling over the conn- j try, no more.live upon the wind than the ! rest of us, and with this remark tendered j pf ... ? 1 |. 4 . _ i* d.w\ i - ? i.i* !>' me <? uaiib. noie ui -r^o. i accepter uil> | i?i kind offer, and Adt particularly anxious to 1 know something more of liini." j fat 1 gave him the name and residence of! I" the gentlemen, and said to him, lie can j foi well afford to gi\q?and is in the habit of to doing so whenever a worthy object pre- j he sent* itself. I was pleased with the result j on of this last interview, and begged to be ' pr informed of the nature of the lirst. "It j 1 ' occurred," said he, "shortly after 1 had j tit been licensed to preach, and in South t'a- I rolinn. Aftiy the hd>or of my circuit j M closed, 1 haiTstarted home, and at the end , ^ of a long day's journey, to put up for the ; pr night at a decent looking country inn. A ! ti] number of travellers like myself had stop- j de ped for shelter likewise. Among ali wh?.. 'twere present, there was not one whom I , foi had e 'er seen before. After partaking of j a substantial supper, the company (my- | at" self among the number) retired to a sitting j tic rcom, where we found a fire and other ho necessary comforts provided. 1 noticed a | ho small lad seated in one corner,and as near : M< the fire as lie could comfortably well get, | 'si with his toes peeping out through his de shoes. For a time, no one appeared to sta take any notice of, or care for the lad, at t ac< which apparent neglect, he manifested no sta concern. j ha "A short time after we were all com- ' do fortably seated around the lire, our land- j lord said, "John T would not go to-night I if I were you." At these words the little th: fellow burst into tears, and said, "Why do ( tin you say so, von know I must go." After i ho healing this remark, 1 felt a deep inter- i est in knowing what it was the boy had 1 I" to do. I was informed that lie was a ! th. mail carrier, and had to go that night | oh; twenty one miles. Alter obtaining this j an informal'on, I made inquiry of the lad, ov< and found that the clothing then upon ; *i" him, which consisted of a shirt, pantaloons, j cot and round jacket, all half cotton goods,, was all he had. 1 endeavored to dissuade 1 him from his put)sine. I told him that it on was men noiii raining and sleeting?la of sides, it was one of tho coldest, if not the l'l coldest, night 1 had ever felt ; and that if: ha he attempted to perforin the trip that night eel lie would beyond all questions freeze to j tnl dentil before lie got half way his journey. si<i That if lie would not attempt to go, we j tie would all present write to his employer, on and state to him that it was by ouradviee [ an and persuasion that lie had remained.? ch At this, the little fellow (still in tears) ; tio shook his head, and said, '"I must go; if I ; fro do not, I shall lose mv place, and then my j its mother Mid sister w ill starve ; so don't tell j yc me any more not to go." { Jik 'About this time, tho carrier, who tho ; cai lad was looking for, nrrivod. Upon his it entering the room ho throw off a largo 1 mi bearskin overcoat,drew near the tiro, and ' as swore that bo was frozo through." Said go I, "Friend, if you are froze through, whilst! of warmly clad as you arc, what will be the , late of this poor boy, thinly clad as lie is, who lias to ride twenty-one mile* before j W day, and carry the mail you have brought tu with you ? "lie will not live to got over ad the swamp that is just ahead, and four vi? miles wide," said he. th When I found that nothing would dis- til courage him from making the effort, 1 su went to the landlady to purchase a blank- de et or a quilt as a covering for him. She of ri>rtltA/l fltof alio Oniil/1 nnf ut? ??o> ?????* 1.. ,, jmiv". >' <? vvwi%? iiv* ojrnfV 011J * 111 IlJjJ | \J1 of the kind. "Madam," aaid I, "let ma c?'< have thin half worn blanket for the child ; or I will give you four dollars for it." "No, fe air," aaid she, "you will all find before in morning that I have no blanket to sell." ol Upqn my return to the room, I found the to pooM?oy atill in tears, but preparing to go. na The cartie^who had arrived was atill be- ai fore the fire. "Sir," aaid I, "will you sell J a< me vour ovefMp^ for this boy !" ei "Voa," aaid he, "*if I can got cost for it," ti "What ia the coat!" said I. S "Eight dollars," was the reply. I handed the carrier the money for the ?rerooat, and gars it to the boy, who lost a ' M ' time in trying it on. lie was delighted tli the gift, dried tip his tears, appeared ecrful and started upon his journey with parent joy. "In a short time after this, I retired to v room, and here, for the first time, I is brought to reflect upon tny own conion. 1 was then among strangers, at a untry tavern, one hundred and tliirtyc miles from home, and but 25 cents in f pocket. After reflecting a short time, concluded to remain the next morning 1 aft. r breakfast, then to call for my rse, place my saddle bags on my arm, eni to shake bands, and bid farewell to cry one about the bouse, in order to ike tny departure as notorious as possi , that if I should be reminded of my paid bill, I would make my situation own, and promise to send back tho tount as soon as 1 arrived among my mis in Carolina. "The next morning I carried out my vious nlan to the letter. Nothing was id about my unpaid bill, and I rode wlv ofl". I bad another cold day's ride thirty-five miles, which brought ino to L- mansion of a farmer that gave abunnt evidences of comfort and plentj*.? ion inquiry, 1 was told that I could stay night. I was very cold, and before I t comfortably warm, tea was announced, for* the plates were turned, the gentlcnn asked a blessing. His manner ot ing this, and other evidences, convinced > that 1 was among a religious family. "Shortly after tea, a servant, (without evious orders) placed the stand with tho hie and liymti hook before her master, ir," said lie, "I presume that you are iguedfrom your day's journey, and wish retire early. It has been my practice ' many years past, before retiring to rest, call my family together and humbly g forgiveness for past offences against r heavenly Father, and to implore fis otection and care during the night, and a ill he glad if you remain a few mines." "To this request 1 gave a cordial assent, y manner of doing this, or something *e, caused him to ask if I t???l ! ayor. 1 replied that 1 would. Wherc>on his seat was kindly and politely ten red me. After prayer the old gentlcan aakjJ if I were a minister! I inrnud liiin that I was, and was then on y way home from circuit. Tho xt morning before breakfast, the old genman addressed me thus: "Friend," said . "we do not belong to the same dcmination of Christians. \ ou arc a ?thodist, and I am a Presbyterian. It I day say, with the ministers of your nomination as with ours. You, at times, md in need of a little money. "NYill j-ou jept of this, and if your present circum,nees do not require it, keep it until you ve use for it," handing me a twenty llnr hank hill. "Now," said the Hishop, "sec how soon got back 103- eight dollars with moro m one hundred per cent, interest. And it wa* not all," said he. "When 1 got me, 1 enclosed to the tavern keeper n i e ! met with John, $1.50 for my bill, a short time, I received an answer, with i money returned, saying they novcr iir;red preachers for staying all night, 1 begged that I would again call, if I r passed that wa3'. I have many times ce made inquiry for John, but never ild obtain the least trace of him." Moments of Melody.?I remember ee upon the margin of a stream, ?u one tin; low sheltered valleys on Salisbury ain, where the monks of former ages id planted chapels and built hermits' lis, there was a little parish church near; II elms and quivering elders hid it from ;ht, when, all on a sudden, I was stard by the sound of a full organ pealing the ear, accompanied by rustic voices d the willing choir of village maids and ildren. It rose, indeed, "like an cxullan of rich distilled perfume." The dew in a thousand pastures was gathered in softness; the silence of a thousand ars spoke in it. It came upon the heart e tlio calm beauty of death; fancy light the sound, and faith mounted on to the skies. It tilled the valley like a st, and still poured out its endless chant it swells on the ear, and wraps nie in a ldcn trance, drowning the noisy tumult the world.?Jlazlitt. JCtr Tiik Cincinnati Gazette says that n?. Marccy, a colored boy from Keneky, who was in that city last week, can <1 up columns of figure* any length, diie any given sum, multiply millions by ousands within five minutes from the nc the figures are given him, and with eh exactness as to render it truly wonrful. On Friday, in presence of a party gentlemen, he added a column of fige?. e.inht in n lino mul t.J ? ... w MMV| utiM t/ifrv fiwfiurni 7/1/1/ h'not, making the sum total of aeval millions, in about six minutes. Tlio at was so astounding, and Apparently credible, that several of the party took T their coats, and, dividing the sum, went > work, and, in two hours after they comleneed, produced identically the same newer. The boy Is not quite 11 years of [je; ho cannot read nor writs, and in .ery other branch of an English educaon is entirely deficient. He started on aturday for the World's Fair. Joseph R. Dn*n? was found drowned afeW ifles front Wlllmlnfton, "n the tfrth nit.