Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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-jj?MM?????-? 1 g---g-ga-a_^ VOL. XXL WED?iSD?Y IM?WING" JANUARY 25, 1S71. jjQjjj; "* Tlmeo Santos Et Oona Fereute?.~Virs. ~~ j^^K^^T^^^^ffiEin AND GENERAL INTELLIGENCE. The Sumter Watchman. (ESTABLISHED IN 1850.) Il PCPLISHED B 'SXT WBDP?ESDA?' .DORMMi AT 3?MTER, S. C., BY : lit LU t? KT & FL.O W ERS. Terms. On? * ear.$3 00 ' Mt launtos..... 1 ?0 lacee mon tba. 1 00 ADV?KTiSB.MKNTS inserted at th? rate .>f ONE DOLLAK AND FIFTY. CENTS per ?quire for the lirat, ONE DOLLAR ?or lae! ?eeoaJ, and FIFTY CENTS fur each ?ubset-ueiit ntertion, for an; period le.-? than three months OBITUARIES, TRIBUTES OF RESPECT aai all communication*, which subserve prirate ntireats, will be paid tor aa advertisement*. Special Message of the Governor RENEW OF THE CP COUNTRY TROUBLES. THE PEACE OF THE COUNTRY IS NOT THREATENED TO SUCH A DEGREE AS TO WARRANT THE CALLING UUT OF THE MILITIA. COLUMBIA, S. C., January 16 Governor SCOTT'S Message to ihe Legislature was read io both House.? to? day, creating great sensation in the Radical circles The House referred it to the Judiciary aud Military Coin aaittees. It is as follows : STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, ") EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, (? COLUMBIA. January 16. 1871. j To the Si vate and Uouse of Represen tatives : -I have received the concurrent resolution of the Senate and House of Kepresen tat ives, requesting rue to in? form the General Assembly why a suffi cient military force fur the protection of life, liberty and property, have not been stationed in such counties of tins Stale as have been hitherto riotous and re fractory ; and further, why have no' the outlaw? in them bern bron?ht to condign punishment ; ami why the pro visions ot Section 2 of Article lo tit thc Constitution has nat been enforced, and also, to inform the G?nerai Ass. mid) wbai further legislation is necessary to oflVct the parp?se herein (.tated In furnishing you such information as it is in my pow ci s> suppl). at?<J whit. I deeply deplore the. disturb.rees to which your resolution refers, I can scarcely venture, as Executive of the State, to pronounce any of ?t* conuti s riot-jus and refractory, upon the reported eases of individual oucrugc, and while, no informatiru has t een received in this effice indicating anything like a count) organisation to defy or to defeat the law. 1 am the more c.-.uiiotjs i? ihis respect, because, i' will be recollected, thai vert many cases of individra! violence have hitherto been reported both fruin lite counties of Abbeville and ridgefield bu jt the prompt and impartial ad's, in ist ration i of justice in r ii eat* c? unties Las proved j thal : he civil power was sufficten for it the protection if the !.("... liberty and!' property of our citizens; -tod tites- c?u>i M tics arc now as quiet, peaceable ami j. orderly as any portion of the Sr:?r?* - But if there wa- any part of the S a?e in which violence and disorder were so general as to disarm the power of the civil Courts, I must say, fr ukly. thai I have no such militia lorie as would be competent D? suppress them.and ??'I bad | ! 1 have no mean*, to place an 1 maintain' sue;; :t force tu ?lie C' id II by the oui laws who have not been brought to condign punishment, you mean those!: individuals who hare lately perpetrated j i the outrages in th?* counties of Spartan * burg and Union. I can only say that ?i every cffori has beeu made, that could j s lawfully be made by the Executive, to discover these criminals and brin-i them to speedy trial. In some instances those H spected of guilt have beeu committed for trial, aud iu their cases the Kxecu tive is without power, as he ought lo bc without disposition, to interfere with the due- administration of the law In other instances thc perpetrators of these crimes are not known, and have not yet been discovered. 1 can only promise that every effort shall be nude to arrest and bring them to justice. 1 am not aware that the 2nd Section of the 13th article of the Constitution ! t has not been enforced That section I i provides :''The Governor shall have!' power to call out the militia to execute the laws, repel invasion, repress insur? rection, and preserve the public peaee." I cannot say with truth upon any infor? mation in my possession that in any section of the State the laws are not executed, for not a single case has been reported in which the officers of the law have been r?sist?e' in th?, discharge of their duties. There tb no invasion which I am called on to repel, no insur j s rection which I am called on to s p-j' press. r While I cannot say that the public : a peace of thc Slate is threatened to such a degree as to warrant the exercise of the power of carling out the militia, given in the Section of the Constitution just quoted, I deeply regret that it i> my duty to io form you that thc condition of several of the counties iu the State is disturbed aud dangerous. Io Laurens, Union and Spartanburg persons and property are not secure. Repeated in? stances of violence, disregard of the law and murder have been reported, and there is a well founded apprehension cu the part of law abiding citizens that un? less these outrages are prompiy checked, the evil wiji have become too irreut for ordinary remedies. ? do not propose at preseut to refer to these crimes in detail, nor to attempt the discussion of their cases. It is enough to say that they are so grave and so numero ts as to call for the uufiincbiug application of all the power of reform which the Executive can lawfully exercise. It is proper for me to state and I am glad to be abie todo it, that the public 8entimeut of these Counties ?cetus to be aroused to the character * and ooo sequeuces of this state of affairs. a*?d public meetings have been held, .in which the responsible and influential citizens of Laurens and Sparianourg have declared in language sufficiently strong, their abhorrence of shese er une* * and their willingness to aid the K? ecutive io tbe suppression of them,. If these opinions are carried out io action, we may anttc||?ata^he^pe^dy ^?-rtoration of peace ana* otdei ; bat strmef nitr^ mon is Leeded than th?.i^kti.OD4J.^awe.f ar just and[gener?os insentiment. . ?ia oy opinion that the ?til law of ?J?? State ought to be ?r?cient, and it is my determination that it shall be sufficient, H every and any ?3t^??^eS*a^ ???w- i \ ever li u tu Lile, friendless, or obnoxic ? cannot bring myself to contempt the ase of an armed force to punish dividual violations of the law, in ali of profound peace. Such a rem? would he as bad as the disease, a would be a public declaration that th< was no civil Government iu South Ca lina, and that we are living in a con lion of social anarchy. lam bound by oath of office, as thc Executive of t State, and in reverence for those prin pies of Coustitu ional liberty, which i the vital loree of true Republicanism, see that the law is drily enforced, bef? I resort to other and dangerous powe I dare not and will not assume tl justice cannot be administered until t effort has been made and the failu evident. It is thrrefote my intention jo s that the law i- enforced, and when fail in the effort I will un li c>i tating call upon you for the extraordinary ai to which society must resort for sel protection. Eut at present, I would et your attention to the fact that all tl cases of reported violence are individu violations of tlie law ; i hat none of thc have assumed the character ol' publ gonibinations against the law, and th they an; all within the regalar jurisdi rion of the criminal Courts of ?he cou try. But I do not think that the a ministration of the criminal law is sufi [Mently vigorous. As the Executive i ;he State, it ia impossible for me I (upennieiid or control the trial of crin mais This du*y must be left to tl Attorney General and the Solicitor ivho are the pi "?< cuting officers of rli State, and to whom the administrado if the criminal law in their respectiv iphereaof duty, is committed by th ?ame law which defines my own duti( ind powers; that these officers hav lone and will do their duty I have n loubt, but I do not thu k that thei ?nwers are sufficient ly strong or thei means of art ion sufficiently large. T illustrate my meaning more fully, eac olicitor has several Counties unde us nffifial charge ; a murder is cow ?lilied in one of th-; remoter district ?There he does not reside; a warrant i issued; a Cornel's inquest makes a ver .n-?ti-.'ac i??y report of th? circumstao .es. UIII-SM -li fri en tis or ?amity of th . ie ?in are . .??nci il!y active. A fet .vi tu esses are bo'iiid over, and the paper ir. put in the hand? iT the Solicitor I'lte ?Ly that thc C.,un opens, and ?fi :iu? hill is found, h . goes on with thi rial, with a ? I i ir !? f and imperfect prepa 'atiou, thus made nor can thc solicito ie blain ed. Hehns many . Courts ft i : rend, very many cases In prepare, am ias nor hid an opportun ?ty to hear th? rircumstances of his ca-e. or the chirac er of iii? testimony Now, in ordiuarj ?mea, <ehen ca*es ol'violence are rare iud shock ihe humanity of public opi lioii. and excite the indignant activity d'those who arc interested in the suffer, rig parties, thc labor of preparation wa? pared thc Solicitor, b.eamc he alwayf . ad an individual prosecutor behind lim. hut when the crime is otie in which be sympathy of public opinion is uot rarmly interested, or where a disturbed tondit ion nf popular sentiment is not lisposcd actively toa*>?st public justice, vhere thc parties suffering arc too riendle?.s to make themselves heard, hen. the duty of the Solicitor, while it ?ecomes more imperative, also becomes nore difficulty to do justice He ueeds irj?r powers and more assistance. 1 would therefore recommend a more ninplete a::d efficient organization of he machinery uece?>ary for the admin? istration of criminal justice. The At orney General is the propel rcpresen'a? ive of the criminal justice of the State, nd he should have the authority not illy to prevent, to consult and advise nth the Solicitors, but to review and tired their action, and they should be equired to report to him regularly the ondition of the prosecutions in their espectire circuits and to be governed y his instructions whenever he may teem it judicious to issue them. He hould also have the power whenever, n his opinion the importance of the case equire- it, to retain assistant counsel nd see that the State is fully and cf iciently represented. _ .1 think also that a corps of Detective 'oliee Officers should be placed under itu control, to be used by him and the iolicitors. as occasiou may require. I 0 not propose that these officers should ave any power of arrest This responsibility must bc assumed y the law officers of the Stale, but thc rimes from which society is suffering an never be suppressed without some fficient organization, by which the reliminary investigations can be coo ucted. the traces of guilt promptly fol jwed up. and such testimony procured s will jmtify a prosecuting officer io iking from conscientious jurors a ver ict of conviction. Neither the Attor ey General or the solicitors canJ?V6 lore chao a general superintendence od skillful direction to such investiga ions, and they need the aid of a body f discreet, practical, and temperate linded men to perform this important uty _ As the Attorney-Gene/fl^sod be eoVieitnrs are'elected bjMhe people, hey have it in their power to select jen. in whose characters they will find ufifcieni guarantee that this power will : or be abused, To carryout ibi?,plan, rould require thatia continjieoFwiubV ufficient i jueet its expense, he placed < t the control of the Attorney General, rhich I therefore recommend. 1 think it proper, also, to call tc vettr 1 ttentioo the fact that; the jttfi$$L ?strict in wh>h thc*e diatucbanoeA i re most flagrant is practically with ut aJu. ge. The presiding ?agCoT hat Circuit is now under impeachment i eforA^i >ns^for JWM^ | ?t.idemeaoora; and while it v?uiG w** .o':hine *a*W ?k^^^^^^^mm^^^^ ftoTfcoro 06st4ir/,to tx of order than the presence io the Coo o? this Circuit of a magistrate who ali possess the a o H Lt y -to kBow his .'di the resolution to do his duty, '?Vd f high character which is in itself a pil of strength to the good, and a lin admonition to evil doers. Nor ca leave this subject without express: my regret that the Trial Justices bi so- sigoally failed to meet the quirements of .their office in a conditi of things, such as we DOW deplore. 1 preliminary investigation, io nearly the prosecutions of the 'crimes We w to suppress, is within the province the Trial Justices, and the prompt a efficient administration of the crimil law is in aJarge decree dependent up their ability, discretion and coarage qualities which I am sorry to say t system has aol developed. Believing firmly that a vigorous a ministration of the law will be snfficie to repress crime, I make these re ommendat.oDs, pledging myself that ever it shall be iouod impossible to a minister that law, I will come to y for those extraordinary powers, whi I shall then not hesitate to accept ai use. I have the hoDor to be, very respe? fully, . KO BE RT. K. SCOTT, Governor. THE GAME FOR LIFE. AN ADVENTURE IN TOE FAR WEST. It was a terrible stormy night; dat as pitch, and blowing: a hurricane. AJ overcoat was wet through, and ray jae! boot-, completely filled with water. Tl lightning kept up one constant succei sion of vivid flashes, and the dec thunder rolled in every direction. Ul der the most favorable circumstance su<?h a night would not be considere pleasant ; but when you are alone in country you don't know, have lost yoi way, ar d can't see a foot beyond yoi horse's nose, I don't think any one ca imagine anything more nnpJeassn This, however, was my case. I was i the far, far West, in fact, at a great? distance from the Atlantic seaboar thau I had ever attained before. Bus ness had called toe there, and for e'er tutu reasons I had had to travel towar the backwoods, taking with me a coo edderablr. sum of money, which itw.s c tito utmost in-pttrtance I should delive safely at its destination as soon as pos si ble. In my anxiety to perform ray mis? sion ?ell I had foolishly passed th place where I ought to have rested fo the night, fondly hoping to reach anoth er station before the close of evening but the storm coming on, I lost my way :.nd there I was, stumbling about ore stumps ol trees, my horse knee deep ii the mud, and I without the slighes idea which way to turn. Oowu came the rain in torrents, beat ing the mudd} earth as if it wished ti wash it clean. I was wet through t< the skin, and my horse at every ste? seemed Kinking deeper and deeper ?ott the mud, till at hut he refused to movt i step furthtr. In vain I plunged mj -pur* into his sides, and used my whip not atiothci oot would he move, bul jtood with trembling flanks and extend pd nostrils, the picture of agonized fear so I was forced to dismount and lead bim. But you may judge my surprise when I reached his head to find that he was nearly touching a wall. I stretched forth my hand, and, to my delight, it -as a log hut. 'Here is a shelter, at all events," .aid Ito myself, "though 1 scarcely da ierve it for my foolhardiness io riding past the station. Well, I suppose I (hs!! have to go supperless to sleep, ind heaven knows that Ls bad enough n my present condition." Drawing the bridle over my arm, 1 ed my horse round the building, feei? ng carefully so as not to miss the door? ray. I passed down one side and torn id the corner, when, to my delight, I perceived a light shining through some diinks in the logs. Whithout pausing i moment to consider what guests might >e assembled inside* I hastened, to tba loor, and bea: i ag loudly upoa it, de naaded admittance. I had oot long to rait. Tba door opened slowly, and a all, thin man stood before t. e. Tire" fellow was roughly dressed,- and rora a largo broad brimmed hat throwa carelessly on hit head ; a cloak, much be wor*a for wear, bang from bis boulders, and nearly reached the fro und ; bis figure was spare, bat very ?werful. With his left hand ha held ba door, sa as to be ready; torlose it ia ,n instant, and in bis righi a Colt's ol ver-Young Ameriea'a ooostaat com lanion. - Haring glanced, rt his toiltt, I turnad ?y attention to his face, and I must ay, a nore disagreeable one. L neter ritnessed It waa long and 'bro? ont ery sallow, high cheek bones, sharp, vii looking eyearnn cse-lite an. eagle's teak, low, Hrtdjfek 'J^9*A? ?**V . lage?aatMtfeil^h^ i lon? taft of hair bang tro? ^gb%, etc the touch oTa^a^^fo^ome days^ ne, and taken a good inventory o! my >eraonal. ?ppearanc.? and. nfleo??, he Heeled bis pistol, and drawled out : "Wal, what's the matter?" ! 'Mai?atr ? i ??m^V tnongb, I shonlo thin*. I bare lost ind draw hack aa if to ?bat xha* door. <;But ,I>eed atotter*. I cried^ "=*y .'Yon du look as if you'd bean making retina* of ycnre?lf," ha drawled, rpttting bis mouth, and showing his j ,ortaa-d aballar fr ^7*^1$* ! rf ?biak you shall kt wa? pmWfi b "There's a barn at the end of the for the 'oss," said hs" jerking his I in the direction. "You had better and pot bim ap, stranger, and ( come here." ' Aa I saw there was no help for j led my horse tu the barn, made him comfortable as I could, and then tal my saddle bags over my arm, eut< the hut. If was a wretched hovel, compc of rough-hewn logs, rudely put toge er, and plastered mud, great masses ! which had fallen away, leaving the ! ? exposed to view, and the sharp w whistled through the chinks in a t erable manner. The hearth was cc ?posed of atones beaten into the ea fand upon this blazed a large fire, whi j although it filled the room with smc .was, in my condition, most acceptai My newly made acquaintance ; peared to have fallen fast asleep bel the fire, so giving one look to his di greeable countenance, I took off coat and waistcoat, laid them out to d and placing the saddle-bags for a pill* prepared to go to sleep "Wal, stranger," said my host, sta ing up with a snarl, "I du think j might be more perlite, and just ha over the news. I guess it isn't oil we get any down in these parts, a therefore we don't lose a chance of r ing any when we can." "I must beg your pardon ," I repli* "I thought you we're asleep, and thei fore was quiet in case I might distu you " "Air you hungry ?" he demanded. "As a hunter," was my emphatic r ply. "I gue8syou won't object to this 1 of corned beef then," said he, pushi s otu 0 coars bread and salt meat iowa me. "On the contrary," I replied, "notl ing could bo more acceptable." "I guess you're thursty," he said, a ter watching me tievour thc meat. "Sahara is n ot h i u jr to me," I avowe "I don't know anything about yo Sarah," he replied, "but I du know girl named Polly, who does drink, si du ; a patent double pressure engine nothing to her, that it ain't ; she tak in more liquid than a Mississippi stean boat, and when she's at Ililli pressu I guess she's as dangerous." I expressed my sorrow at Miss Polly failing, and asked him if he hud an) thing to drink. "Wal, yes j here'ssome Bitrbon whit ky ; put voursclt'outside that, and yo won't feel your soaking." I needed no second invitation for, i spite of the huge fire, I was shiverin with cold ; and as I had most importai business to execute, was most auxiou at any risks to keep up my strength, s as to accomplish my journey. As I drank the whiskey roy compnn ion lasped iuto sileuce, aud [ began t ponder upon the weakness of humm judgment, and the unfairness of wha people call "impression" iu particular "Here is a man," thought I, "thu everybody would proclaim a scoundre from his diabolical countenance; judg? ing from that, you would say that lie wa mean, cruel and unprincipled; yet, al though I have not seen him before, hi not only gives n e the shelter of his roof but also shares his supper aud whiskey with roe. I will never trust to appear ancos again." Whilst I had'been making theso re? flections, I again prepared for sleep; but my doing so evidently displeased my companion, for stretching out his long legs to their full length-evidently to kick mine-he gave a terrible yawn. "Darned if you ain't the slowest coss I've met on this side of creation," hu growled. "Ain't you got no news ?" Half angry and half amused at his strange manner, I replied : "I am extremely sorry that I have no news to give you, and unfortunately I have not the imagination of some of our New York papers, or I would iuvent some for your amusement." "Now, look here, stranger, none of your impertinence. I guess you are a Bostoner. which accounts for your in? fernal slowness. What's the good of a paper, if there isn't something new in it ? S'pose there's a murder or a rob? bery, and it's a real one, wal, you read it and enjoy it. But s'pose it's a false one, 'bout people you know nothing about, wal, you enj oys it, and there isn't half the darned sight injury done. You laff or cry as much over one as the oth Br, aod you don't know the people ; therefore, what can it matter to you whether it is true or fake * it does just the same." Not feeling inclined to argue with toy friend over the matter, especially is I could see that be was a man who aould not take contradiction quietly, readily owned that I was wrong and he aaa right. "S'pose you don't want to sleep di. rectly, stranger ?" "Indeed I do, for I am very tired." "I guess it's not safe to sleep in these parts, unless you can manage to keep one eye opea" Why? Surely we are sate here?" 'il don't know that. I calo'iate you ifr a stranger In these parts ?" "I am * "But I guess you've heard of Silas Cass-he dwells hereabouts " Silas Cass i I had indeed heard of him as one of the most desperate and 1 depraved' charniers that hatroted the 1 3Ut:settleuuBts of America. He was inspect ed-nay, it was morally certain i -thai be had committed mort murders 1 tn4 robberies; than any men in. the 1 werta; ant be had contrive**: to. evad* 1 [he Jaw. for although suspicion waa i ?m\?^?$mTt> ttodUie wreteb. 1 he^aswayaeacaped the puuiehmeot be i ronch? d?terad. AalU^edAttbediabclicaifacebe* fore me, I wtt oxivieeed that my hos* 1 my forehead, aad a terrible dryn seized my throat. A fiend like expr sion of delight spread over the wretch face as he noticed these symtams terror ; his thin lips were drawn ba in % devlish grin ; his greenish eyes w< fixed on me with the malicious gaze o cat watchiog a caged bird Gathering all the resolution I cou muster, I replied ; "I have heard of Silas Cass, but rei ly can't believe the stories they t about him. Some people are born rj lucky, and it has been the misfortu to Cass to be.placed in suspicious circu stances ; but there has never been a proof of his guilt, and therefore I pi fer giving him thc benefit of the doo -in fact, I think he is more sinn against than sinning". The monster threw himself back a roard with laughter at what he thong my credulity, and pushing the whisk bottle toward me, ordered me to drin I placed the bottle to my lips, ai pretended to take a hearty draught, b very little of the fiery liquid entered n mouth. "Wal, you air a queer cuss," said tl ruffian. "Now, I shouldn't besurprisi if those saddle-bags of yours held ago< amount of dollars ?" "A few," I replied ; "aud there is tale belonging to them." "Just so," said Silas, pushing tl whiskey-bottle toward me. "S'posit you take another pull." I took hold of the bottle, and kept glued to my lips for such a length i time that Silas's eyes seemed ready i start out of their sockets. "Guess you're a tall driuker, strati ger," he said. " ''Yes/' I replied, io as drunken voice as I could assume; "that's ho I came by those dollars." "Bully for you." grinned Silas. "Pi heard of many a boy drinking himse out of a fortune, but ne'er a one th: drunk himself rich." "Oh," sighed I, with drunken earn estness, "I once was honest." "Once !*' said he, opening his eyes "Yes," I replied. I held a place i the Broadway Bank as one of the chic tellers; but I took 'o gamingat.d driel ing, and lost all ray money." "Wal, that didn't make you rich ?" "No ; but iu a fit of despiratioo I em ptied my till, and the dollars are there. vVhew !" whistled Silas. "I gu?s you did it up pretty spry ?" "You haven't any cards about you ? I asked. "I guess I have, though," he replied "s'poging we have a game of poker?" My heart beat with delight as he drei a pack from his pocket, and, graspin the cards, I commenced dealing then with thc assumed eagerness of a regula gamester. I saw the wretch cheat me ever time 1 lost and lost; still, I continue* playing, only repetitiug my losses io i maudlin drunken way, that made urn companion roar with 'nighter. He com menced to thoroughly enjoy himself di rectly he saw my mysery ; he lighted hi: pipe, and began stroking. He did noi puff out the smoke as au ordinary mac would have done, but opened his mouth and let the dense clouds roll round hi; horrible tusks and long, thiu tongue. Ivie h time he won, he seized the bottle and drank heavily of the whisky. When the bottle was finished, he produced Another from a small cupboard at the back of the hut. This soon disappeared, ind was replaced by another; but the more he took the better he seemed. As he swept up my dollars he roared with ielight,flinging his huge legs about io the most grotesque manner. He began chanting bits of songs, certainly not flt for respectable society. To make the <cene more horrible, the storm without bad become so violent that the hut ?hook beneath the heavy claps of thun? ler, and the blue lightning flashed brough the cracks between tbe logs hat composed the walls perfectly paling he red light of our fire., and nearly >liuding me. "Lost again !" shouted Silas, as he iwept up my last few dollars. "Hear tow the boys are playing skittles up ibove ! I guess that bowling saloon mya, thej play pretty constant. What's rour next stake?" "I haven't a cent," I groaned. "I'll play you five dollars against rour saddle-bags." I knew they would be his anyway, and herefore staked them. Need I say I ost? As Silas rose to procure some more rhisky, I took the opportunity of sciib iliog a few lines upon the back of an m ve lope, which I slipped into a slit in ny coat-lining. He made me stake my horse, my coat nd waistcoat.; in fact, everything 1 lossessed. I lost all, and theu threw nyse If back as if in despair, bewailing ny bad fortune and rashness in having rusted to cards. Silas seemed highly Iclighted with my melancholy, consol og m<with the assurance that there rere plenty more banks in the world, nd I might regain my fortune. After ?earing his taunts for some time I pre ended to cry myself asleep, but look are to place my face in such a position hat I could see all that >ilas did with mt appearing to watch him. No sooner had my first snore sounded han Silts rose from the ground, and, Ira wing his revolver, advanced toward se. "Ot all the darned fools I ever did neet, this one beats them all. He a h ?cf! Bah I be ia a disgrace to the lanae. I s'pose it's co use potting him ; ie can't bring anything against me ? ie Tost ail his money io play. Besides, ie won't care about kicking up n noise n ottseof the bank finding him. ind rei b* would be safer. - As be spoke, he leveled the pistol itraight st my head. I shall never fot; te| that terrible moment. L ko sw that he Rightest'movement would . be the signal for toy death, aod so remained perfectly motionless ; bot the strange, horrid, cold calm that stole orer me will never pass from my memory. "Bah !" he said, potting ap the pistol, "let him live ; I've got the other one to attend to," He tamed away and left the hat, care? fully closing the door behind him. I listened to hie retreating footsteps, and when they sounded distant I sprang to my feet. My first idea was flight, bat a moment's consideration told me that that would be certain death. I crept to the door and peeped through the chinks in the wal). The storm still raged, and by the constant flashing of the lightning I was enabled to see for some distance Silas was coming toward the hut, carry ing a heavy burden on hie shoulders. He stopped by the side of a pond about ten yards from the building, and threw down his load-it was th? body of man. Silas then took some cords from his pocket, and with them bound a hage stone to thc body. When this was done he picked up the ghastly object, and with more than human strength hurled It into the pond. The lightning gleamed out brightly; the pale, ghastly fae seemed turning one appealing look to heaven for revenge ; the cold, dull wa tera closed over it, and all was still again. Struck wtrh borrow, I could scarcely move, and wuh difficulty regaioed my position by the fire before Silas re turned. Quietly taking off hts own coat and waistcoat, which were as bad as they could be, he threw them into one corner of the room, and then, with all the cool ness imaginable, dressed himself io my garments. He again left the hat with my saddle bags, and a few minutes after ward I heard the ring of my borse'r feet as he galloped away. In a moment I bad seized his coat, and putting it on, dashed from the hut in pursuit. I ran until almost ready to drop. Still I pressed on ; the spirit of revenge had entered my soul, aod boro me op. At last I saw a horsemen crossing the hill. I knew the figure bat too well it was Silas Cass. Till morning I dodged from bash to bush, keeping as close to him as I dared Had I had a pistol with me I fear Silas would have stood a very poor chance At last I perceived a party of horsemen riding toward as, aod io a minute I barst from my hiding-place and com meuced shouting as loudly as I could. "St jp him, stop him ! he is a mur derer !" Si Ls looked quietly behind him, and, seeing me running, drew his revolver, presented and fired. The bullet whis? tled close to my head, but did no damage, a By this time the horsemen had heard my cries and were close apon Silas, who hesitated for a moment whether to at? tack me or not, but seeing the party of horsemen were armed, he tamed bis horse's head as if to galop across the country ; but the leader of the horsemen swung hit rifle round, and presented it at Silas, called upon him to stop. "I guess this is a pretty shindy," said Silas, coolly, "all about a fellow whe has lost his money at poker." "Stop that man," I cried ; "he has robbed me of my money, horse and clothes." "Why,you darned viper." said Silas "didn't you lose them to me fairly at poker, io the block-hut?" "No," I cried; "ba robbed me there, and I call upon you all to help me arrest him for having committed murder. I saw him throw the body into a pond by the log hut last night. Expecting the same fate, I wrote on an envelope these words : "I have been robbed and mur? dered by Silas Cass-James Ansel."gYou will flud it in a slit in the lining of my coat, which that mao now wears, for he is Silas Cass." Scarcely had the 'words escaped my lips when Silas again presented his pis? tol, and this time with better effect, for the bullet pierced my arm, but at the same instant one of the horsemen dealt Cass ? heavy blow with his rifle, and laid him senceless on the ground. Silas was handed over to the authori? ties and searched; my envelope was foti ad upon him. The body was fonnd in the pond as I described. My story was told and proved true, and in a few days I had the satisfaction of knowing thal Silas Cass was no more. HOW TOBE HAPPY, What does happy mean? A little trirl lately said it is "to feel as if yon watted to give all your things to your little sister." Yon smile, hat I scarce* ly see why you should. This little girl felt that to be happy, she must be un lelfish. She waa right, nod you know it Did you ever feel happy when yon liad selfish feelings tn your breast? I mess not. LI?-Lay.- Persons not grossly ig Doran t sometimes say thity wt il lay 'meaning lie] down; that they bad ?aid [lain] an hoar, or that the hammer is laying [lyingj by the tacks. Lie ueans to recline; its past t :nse is lay *J lay there all that night ;" its partiei pies lying aad lain. Lay (used of Dre? ien t time) means to put something Iowa-one lays a carpet ; its past is hid -.'I laid it myself;" ita participles hying and laid-"I was interrupted ahile laying it, ead. it wea not all laid an til night." - Jas. Got vm Bennett bas given to the ?Te j ire Department $1,000 for titeir modsa tn preserving bil boase J ?n Washington Bights when it was on ire, tod tba interest on.this ?am it aeed to buy two gohi medea yearly for the member? of thc force ?to distinguish thcBase?vee anet for heroism. ?RS. ROBERT E. LEE. Although very, very lew hereabouts would trouble Arlington, that city cf the dead, where so many t housands of those who d'ed that the Republic might live sleep their last sleep, there is much sym? pathy for Mrs. Robert E. Lee. She ?as the daughter of George Washington Parke Custis, who was the grandson of Mrs, General Washington, and the ward, but no blood relation, of the Father of hio Country. Mrs. Lee inherited the Arlington estate from her father, and with it bis opposition to nullification ; and it was with regret that she followed her husband into Dixie ic 1861. Thirty years ago, when she moved io society here as the belle of Arlington, she was elegant and attractive, with great per? sonal c'iarms and affability of manners. Those who have seen her recently say that she is much changed in personal appearance, having been so afflicted with rheumatism of? late years that she has to be wheeled about in a chair. Not withstanding this affliction she is a most agreeable old lady, conversing on the current topics of the day with great intelligence, and never repining. She is deTccedly cared for by her daughter in-law Mrs. W. H. F. Mee, who was a Miss Bolling, cf the old Pocahontas stock, always famed for beauty and com manding figure.- Waslunytol correspon dence of Hrrperi Bazaar. TSE FISHER tl AN 'S SON. A gentleman walking on the beach came across a little boy sitting on the roid by himself, looking out on the great ocean. '-You like the sea, my boy ; do you not?" "Yes sir; and I hope to follow it when I get bigger." "It is a hard life, besides being dan gerous," said> the gentleman. "Yes sir ; but Jesus Christ went to sea, and he knows the dangers ; and sometimes he preached out of a ship I am sure he loves sailors," said the boy. "But that will not hinder you from meeting with storms, and perhaps get? ting shipwrecked." "Jeans Christ rules the winds and the waves. He stopped a storm once." "Ue does not now," said the gentle? man. "No, sir ; bot he will help us to trust in him ; and, if we hold on to him, noth ing ean much harm us," said thc boy. "You might be drowucd." "Yes, sir." The boy stopped. ' But, you know, my soul would then fly up to God ; and it is ali fair weather up there." "Why, my little man, you are quite a preacher !" said the gentleman. "Father and 1 often talk these ?nings over," said the little boy; "and when he is gone out fishing and leaves me ali alone at home, they ar? company for me. "The sweet, quiet, happy face of the little fellow pleased me." said thc gen? tleman ; "and I felt that he had the best of company." THE NORTHER* PULSE* Mr. J. Howard Brown, io the Aguata (Ga.) Farmer, of a late date, says : "Io September, 1869, we inserted iu 250 Northern and North Western news? papers, through the well known adver? tising firm, Geo. P. Rowell & Co , 40 Park Row, New York City, an adverti? sement in these words : Two cotton crops will pay foran improved farm in Middle Georgia ' Now for the result. We received over 1, 250 letters, or an average of five for every paper issuing the advertisement. AU of the letters expressed the desire of the writers to change their location and come South The only rearons given for not coming tt once was the difficulty in disposing of their property North, and that their minds were not at ease in regard to the safety of Northern men South, and fears that they would not be kindly received. Thus, through the Newspaper pres, we have felt the pulse of the masses North, ind have found that there is a large army af intelligent, worthy, industrious and skilful farmers, artisans, and manufac? turers, who are only waiting for a full understanding of the advantages offers ia? thin old Empire State of the South tu help make it the garden of the world." IS TOUR HAIR DRY ? At a delegate election held in Wood Dury, N. J., prior to the election, the solored citizens, having a majority in me of the divisions, elected one of their )wn race as a representative to the Republican convention. Oe was a -.reacher familiarly known as "Daddy grimes." This action was unexpected, ted not very palatable to his white con ?res. After the nomination was made me of the delegates rather jeeringly tailed on Daddy Grimes for a speech. The old man rose, seriously and with >erfect decorum, and said : "Thar was a Md man I kunwed who woaid swsr io' cheat, an' lie, an* steal' an' get drunk ; tn' be warn't good for noihiu' no how Sat the grace of the Lord eame uuto tim, an' changed his heart ; an' he was ionverted from his etii ways, an' got ?pt ?zed io the river. Jest as he come mt of the water, he began to sin? and hoot. Hallelujah ! Hallelujah ! Glory to }od ! AU my sins is washed away !" in' he kept on shoutin' t ll one of de taters arandin' by laid her ba d on his ?ead an' aha said : '-Why, brodder,your HUT ain't dry yet I" Now, gen'ltnen, I eel jest aa that poor redeemed siuner .It ; and bless de Lord, I could now ejotee an* I could apeak. Bat I know ar, my bar's not ?rj jes.** Thea tb? old ann tat down. He had j J sade a ?peech, and preached a ?ermon j, ft wide application. JOB 0 F EVERY DESCRIPTION PROMPTLY EXECUTED AT TUE OFFICE OF The Sumter Watchman. -IN THE Highest Style of the Art, HARDWARE Store, Main-st. under Sumter Hotel. L. P. LO RING, -AGEST FOR Messrs. King & Huppman, BALTraOBE, 91. D. Would respectfully solicit the patronage of bis friends and the publie. HE HAS IN STORE A COMPLETE: Stock of Hardware and Family Utensils, embracing erery article in this line of business, which he intends to sell at the LOWEST PUICES, FOB CASH. He ?ill keep always in store, a complete assort? ment of Collin's Axes, Ames'Shovels and Spades, Trace Chains, Hoes, Rakes, Pitch Forks, ti rain Cradles, Scythe Blades, Guano Soires, Poe iel and Tapie Cutlery, Brass Preserving Kettles, Tin Ware, Window Glass-all sises. Persons in want of th" most convenient and economical Stoves, can be supplied with the latest improved patterns at prices which cannot fail to give entire satisfaction. June 15 FALL AXD WINTER CLOTHING. CASSIMEEES, &c. I am now receiving a Large and Complete Stock of FALL AND WINTER CLOTHING, OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. CLOTHS, CASSIMEP.ES, TWEEDS, Kentuckey Jean?, of low grades and very cheap. Shirts, Drawers, Undervests, Gloves and Cravats, Suspenders, Collars, Socks, Hankerchiefs, Ac, ALSO A FULL SUPPLY AND VARIETY 0 These Goods I am determined to sell lower than they can be bought in this market. Deal? ing in this line alone, I am enabled to do thia. I only ask my old friends to call and examine, and if they do not find my goods cheaper, I will not expect them to buy. D. J. "WINN, Agent. Sept 28 MONEY CANNOT BUY IT! FOR SIGHT IS PRICELESS ! ! ?s>?5 The DIAMOND GLASSES,manufactured by J. E. SPENCER <k CO., New York, which are now offered lo the public, are prono'.coed by all the .elebrated Opticians of the world to be the moat Perfect, Natural Artificial help to th*: human eye ever known. They are ground under their owt supervision, from minute Crystal Pebbles, melted together, ind derive their name. "Diamond," on account >t their hardness and brilliancy. The scientific principle on which they are con I'ructcd brings the core or centre ot the lens di ?ectly in front of the eye, producing a clear and listinct vision, as in the natural, healthy sight, iud preventing all unpleasant sensations, such as glimmering and wavering of sight, dizziness, ?kc, .ecidiar to all others in use. They are mounted in the fir.ct manner in rames of the best quality, of all materials used <>r th .t purpose. Their finish and durability :ann.>i bc surpassed. CACTI*?H.-None genuine unless bviring their rade mark stamped on every fr:.me. P. HALTOM FOLSOM, WATCHMAKER & JEWELER, SUMTER, S. C. December 91_tf Pacific Guano Company's (CAPITAL SrCCOCOO.) Soluble Pacific Guano. rniS GUANO IS NOW SO WELL KNOWN in all the Southern Settee for its remarkable neets as an agency for increasing the pp-ducts if labor, as not to require special rc-commenda ion from us. Its use for five y.ars past has es ablished itsc!:aractcrfur retiaWte excellence. The nrge fixed capital invested by the Company in his trade, affords the surest guarantee of the oniinued excellence ofits Guaco J. X. ROBSON. Selling Ajrent. CiWIoston, S. C. J NO. S. REESE k CO., Geueral Agents {altimore. January 4 3m COMPOUND- A CI 9 PHOSPHATE OF LIME, 'OR COMPOSTING WITH COTTON SEED. rllIS \RTICLE IS MANUFACTURED BY tue PACIFIC GUANO COMPANY at batlcsion. S. C.. under the ?u per', ?ten dence of tr. ST. JULIEN RAVEN EL. ? hen ompoet d with an equal weight ot Cotton Seed, its Mutts have been found ful*, n(.i?l to the best tankard fertilizers. lu econ..n y murt commend : to the untie? of planters generally. For speeiQc directions for compiling and for applies, apply to J X. ROBSON, Selling Ag^nt, Chnrlc?<;n,S. C. JNO. S. RESE & CO., Genual Agents, ?altimore. January 4 Sro PACIMOS HQTSL, CHARLESTON, S. C. BOARD, PER DAT. 58.00. OST. aaniLToe, ms. x. i~ at:ITKBFTRLO, Superio ter dent. Proprietor Oct h A SPE r-LIlY, FLOUR SACKS, PAl'KK f\ BAOS and WRAPPING PAPKR. At EDWARD PEKRY'v t* M?*etir?g-stccet, opposite Charleston 17-M. Oct 5 ea?