Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, November 27, 1873, Image 1
#
lewis m. (iiiisT, proprietor.| ^ii Inkjicrtknt Jfaiiuln ftrfospjjcr: jfor t|t |prontofioit of t|e apolitical, Social, Agricultural aitb Commercial Interests of tljc Soofj). {terms?$3.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE.
VOL. 19. YOEKVILLE, S. O., THURSDAY, NOVEMBEB 27, 1873. NO. 48.
$hc s?td'i> <TrUcv.
From the New York Mercury.
A STRANGE TRADING TRIP.
A NAUTICAL ADVENTURE.
"It is useless for you to ask for liberty, Mr.
Gomez, while the Shadow lies at anchor in
Havana, and you know I have good reasons
for not granting your request."
"I do not care about your reasons, Captain
Thurston," replied the other in an insolent
tone. "But if you think I am going to make
a trip to the coast of Africa before taking a
. i > > 1 .i .?:ti
run on tne neacn,you verocuuueu mmuuijuui
master, that's all."
"You knew what the agreement was before
you signed articles in New York, and
you acceded to it without demurring. Now
I shall hold you to it."
"O, you will eh? How will you get along
on the coast without me. You know I am
your mainstay.. You have never been there
before and I am a valuable man. In order
to keep me I demand once more, a month's
wages and twenty-four hours' liberty. Refuse
at your peril. I could, were I so disposed,
give you considerable trouble."
"Mr. Gomez, I am captain of this schooner,"
replied the other calmly, "and captain I
intend to be. You have been drinking, otherwise
I would not have put up with your insolence
as long as I have. Give up the notion
going ashore, for we will sail to-morrow at
daylight."
"Sail at daylight, eh ?" replied the man
gradully working himself into a fury. "Sail
yog may, but you'll not take me. How
would you like to have a lieutenant from the
English man-of-war board you ? That would
lower your pride, you Yankee dog."
"You Spanish rascal," shouted the now iufurated
cantain. "do vou dare to hint treach
- - 1 ' ?r
ery to me. Take that, and that, and learn
that I am your superior."
Suiting the action to the word, the athletic j
young skipper dealt his subordinate two
heavy blows in rapid succession, causing the i
Spaniard to roll ignominously on the cabin
floor. But he was far from being subdued, j
Leaping to his feet, his swarthy features j
stained with blood and distorted with rage, j
the Spaniard quick as lightning whipped out 1
a loug, murderous dirk, and rushed toward his
victim.
But the young sailor was not to be caught
so easily. Gliding rapidly around the cabin
table, he drew a small but wicked looking J
revolver, which he leveled at the now comiug
Spaniard. |
"None of that, Mr. Gomez, for it's a game
two can play at, and I hold the winning card j
this time. Drop your knife, you billious-colored
rascal, or I'll make it too warm for you.
Now go on deck and remain until the seabreeze
cools your excited brain."
Muttering slowly to himself, the baffled
rascal slowly retired, after throwing a glance
full of malignant hate at Captain Thruston,
who had quietly resumed his 111s tasa 01 porting
over some papers spread out before him.
A loud splash, followed by a cry of alarm,
suddenly aroused him from his labors, and,
rushing on deck, he was met by the second
mate, a young man hailing from Cape Cod.
"What is the matter, Mr. Crowell ?"
"The Spanish mate has jumped overboard,
sir," was the reply of the secoud mate, between I
whom and the Spaniard there had been a j
feud from the start. f
"Hark, sir ; he is hailing the schooner." ]
"The sharks will have him, the drunken
fool," muttered the captain, as he jumped in- j
to the main rigging to listen.
The shades of evening had gathered over
the harbor, rendering objects indistinct, and j
making it impossible to make out anything so 1
small as a man's head.
"Do you hear, you Yankee fools," and a
voice, hoarse with rage, came floating to the
captain's ears way up to windward. "I am going
ashore, and I'll have revenge. In less
than a half an hour I'll be back with a boatload
of English man-of-war's men. A Spaniard
never forgets an injury."
Every word was heard distinctly onboard
the little schooner, and the threat caused a deep
shape of anxiety to cloud the handsome face
of the youug captain as he hastily descended
the gangway leading to the cabin. Sending
for Mr. Crowell, they were soon closeted together.
"Mr. Crowell, that fellow means mischief, i
and I am afraid we will have tiouble unless I
we slip out of the harbor under cover of the
darkness."
"But the Shadow is an honest trader, sir,
? and what do you care if John Bull does come j
Wo will finrl nnthlnrr. to oriminate i
us."
"Very true; but circumstantial evidence I
would be strongly against us. In the first
place, Crowell, the Shadow looks suspicious. 1
Her sharp lines, clear runs, and rakish air 1
would lead Johnny Haul Taut (man-of-war's- j
man) to suppose we arc a slaver. Then, again, j
I have taken in here at Havana forty water j
casks and one hundred and fifty steel brace-j
lets to trade with on the coast. Now, John- j
uv Bull would say at once that we iutend to
run a cargo of darkeys, and those articles in j
the hold would tend to strengthen the belief.
Now, as you know, every dollar that I am
worth in the world is invested in this schooner
and the cargo. If I am detained, I run j
the risk of losing my all, besides my mother's
sole support. Such news as that would kill j
hoi- therefore. I nronose to sail at once, and
**v* ? ? " I 1
get to windward of Mr. Gomez and his revenge."
"Eut the crew, Captain Thurston. Can
you depend upon them ?"
"They will do as I tell them, or suffer the
consequences. Call all hands, and we will
m start. Everything is in our favor. The
night is dark : the wind and tide fair. Offer 1
the men a month's extra wages per man. That
will stop their growling."
Hastening on deck, the men were soon informed
of the state of affairs. The liberal offer
was accepted without a dissenting voice,
and in thirty minutes the Shadow was
gliding out of the harbor close under the
walls of the Morro Castle, which threw a
sinister shadow over the water.
The clank of the oars came faintly to the
ears of Captain Thurston, who smiled grimly
as he imagined the disappointment of the manof-war's-men
at finding their anticipated prize
gone.
Suddenly a colored rocket rose sparkling
> i i i : r* ........ ? c.;..
and bright on tne aura nuruuu. it aignal
from the sloop-of-war. A heavy gun
from the parapet of the castle broke the deep
stillness of the summer's night, and the solid
shot whistled high above the trucks of the
Shadow. It was a significant hint for the
f > little vessel to heave to, as no vessel was alto'
lowed to leave her anchorage after dark.
But the darkness grew more intense, the
fresh sea breeze filled the sails of the fleet
clipper schooner, and despite all the dangers
that menanced her she kept steadily on.
When morning dawned the island of Cuba
had suuk beneath the horizon, and not a sail
H was in sight.
W The schooner was ten days out from Cuba,
V having made good progress towards the coast
of Africa, where she was bound on a trading
K trip along the numerous rivers and inlets.
m Captain Thurston had promoted Mr. CTowell
to first mate, a position he was well qualified
' to fill. He (the captain had stood the other
L watch himself, not careing to take a man out
F of a forecastle for au officer. They were a
mixture of all nations ; coarse, illiterate, and
somewhat disposed to be turbulent.
It was a beautiful evening The captain
and Crowcll were walking the top of the
house, conversing on the prospects of the trip.
; The wind was light, the ocean smooth, ruffled
' by a light breeze that sent the Shadow rippling
, through the water not faster than four knots.
"Is that the moon rising, sir?" suddenly
exclaimed the mate, stopping short in his
} walk.
! "The moon in that direction. What are
you thinking of, Mr. Crowell? That is alj
most due north instead of east."
"What is it, then ? Do you see that bright
spot growing more luminous every moment ?"
"Faith, you are right! By heavens, can it
; be?? Steward, hand me my glass; quick,
man.
J Adjusting the glass, Thurston took a long,
steady look at the strange light.
I "What do you make out of it, Captain
; Thurston.
I "A vessel on fire. I hope we may be in
time to take off the crew, but the weather be
j gins to look ugly there to windward."
; "Yes, sir, we will have a heavy squall, but
we may he in time."
The course of the Shadow was changed so
j as to bring the burning vessel directly ahead.
; All sail \vh6 made, and the breeze freshening,
1 the schooner darted through the water at a
rapid rate. Under the direction of Mr. Crowi
ell, the long-boat, stowed over the main hatch,
| was brought out, and put in preparation for
i launching.
, In the meanwhile the heavy black cloud on
! the horizon was rapidly mounting to the ze|
nith, its dark, ragged edges twisting and twirl!
ing into vast, irregular columns. At intervals
! vivid flashes of lightning would illumine the
I dark spreading canopy, followed by the deep
i rumble of thunder.
Close under the cloud, and along the line
I of the horizon a fine, almost indistinct, thread
| of white could be discerned. To the eye of
the experienced seaman it served as a warning
to take in sail without delay. The squall
would soon be upon them.
Rapidly the schooner closed with the unfortunate
vessel. As they approached nearer,
the deck was closely scanned for some signs of
the crew, but not a living thing could be discovered.
The brig (for such she proved to
he) had every appearance of being deserted,
the boats gone, and davit falls unrove. The
flames were rapidly mounting aloft, lapping
eagerly at the cotton sails. The thunder
j roared ominously above, warning Thurston to
act promptly if he intended to board the
stranger.
"Let four hands tnan the boat, Mr. Crowell.
I I'll jump aboard for a moment. There may
j be something worth saving. You can heave
to ; I shall not be gone long."
"I should not advise you to, sir ; that squall
is coming up rapidly, and there is more wind
| than rain in it, I fancy."
"Keep a good lookout for me. I'll risk it,
and here goes."
A few rapid strokes aud Thurston was alongside
the doomed vessel. The smoke was pouring
out of the seams as he clambered over the
side, followed by two men, the others remaining
in the boat.
The deck was strewed with clothing aud
provisions, as though the crew had departed in
a panic, leaving nearly all behind them.
Through the cabin doors and skylight the
smoke was rolling out thick and dense, but
dropping upon all-fours Thurston boldly advanced,
followed closely by his men. Once
in the cabin the.smoka.did nnt appear so thick,
and Thurston proceeded to search the various
state-rooms without losing a moment. In one
his hand came in contact with something
warm and palpitating,jthat sent the life blood
rushing back upon his heart, it was so unexpected.
It was the body of a female, but still
alive. Taking the insensible body in his arms
he shouted for the men to follow. Staggering
on toward the door, nearly suffocated for want
| of air, he gained the deck, still bearing his
burden in his arms. His two men were close
i in his rear, dragging after them a small chest
bound with iron, which they declared con:
tained gold. They had found it in the capi
tain's stateroom. But the rush of the ad!
vancing squall warned them that there was
j not a moment to lose. The Shadow was rang|
ing up on the quarter of the burning wreck,
and watching a favorable opportunity, Thurston
shoved otf, regaining the deck of his own
j vessel in safety.
The iron-bound chest was passed over the
rail, and scarcely had the boat been secured
when the squall burst upon them in all its
fury.
The mate had charge of the deck, and
Thurston, unmindful of the crash and roar of
the elements around him, devoted his entire
attention to the lady whom he had rescued
from death. The air, cool and fresh, had exerted
a beneficial effect upon her, bringing the
blood back slowly to her cheeks, while Thurston,
astonished at her beauty, watched her
slightest motion.
.She was young, not over eighteen years of
age, with long, luxuriant black hair, dark
eyebrows, a complexion peculiar to the Cuban
Creoles, and teeth white and perfect as j
Oriental pearls.
Slowly her consciousness returned, and as j
her black, expressive eyes rested upou Thurs- j
ton, that gentleman scarcely knew how to act. ;
Mustering his self-possession, he managed by !
degrees, to relate the particulars pertaining to i
her rescue, to which she listeued with the '
deepest attention.
"You see, senorita," (Thurston could speak !
Spanish like a native) "I am hound on a tra-!
ding trip to the coast of Africa, and I cannot,
afford to lose all the profits of the trip. I am j
afraid you will be obliged to remain 011 board j
until an opportunity occurs for me to land j
you. The cabin, with my state-room, is at
your service, and I trust you will be comfortable."
In a voice low and tremulous, the young
girl thanked her gallant preserver for all that
he had done.
"I was born 011 the island of Cuba. My j
narne is Luiz Leon. My father is a large
planter. I was bouud to Cadiz with the in-I
tcntion of visiting my father's relations. I do
not know how 1 was left alone, deserted, on
that ill-fated vessel. I was in my state-room
when the alarm of fire was given. I was surrounded
by smoke that rolled up around me, j
effectually stitling my cries as I attempted to j
leave the cabin half mad with fright. Prob- J
ably the crew forgot all about me. At all
1 events, I was left to my fate, and but for you
would have shared the fate of the poor brig.
For the services you have rendered, I will see
that they are properly represented to my fath(
er whenever I may be able to join him."
"Your separation will not be of long dura-1
tion, senorita. I shall not be 011 the coast j
over two weeks, and then, if no better chance
offers itself, I'll take you back myself."
In the meanwhile the mysterious box bad
? ^ ? 1 n 1 ... t_
been stowed away in tne iorwaru caoin, awaiting
Thurston's actions.
By his directions the Shadow had been hove
to, with the idea of lyiug by the wreck until
daylight, in the hopes of saving some portiou
of the crew. But the squall increased to a
furious gale, forcing the light schooner to leeward,
while the fierce breath of the cyclone
rapidly hastened the end of the hapless brig.
Before midnight a sudden shower of sparks,
followed by a huge, wavering pillar of flame
shot up into the murky heavens, announcing
the last of the Spanish vessel.
With daylight the gale lulled, and before
meridian the Shadow was once more under
full sail, heading up for the Gambia River.
No trace of boats could be discovered, and
1 Thurston knew full well that an open boat1
could never have lived through the fury of
the storm.
i The low, sandy coft9t of Africa, with here
! and there a ragged, straggling palm rearing
j its lofty head above the horizon, was finally
sighted, the news having a somewhat strange
effect upon the sailors.
Clustering round the windlass, they appeared
to be holding a hurried consultation, and
: then, as if agreed upon their plan of action,
[ they came aft in a body.
Thurston, Mr. Crowell, and the young lady
were the sole occupants of the after-portion
of the vessel, save the man at the wheel.
The quick, restless eye of the captain was
| the first to discover the strange movement of
I the men, and an ominous frown darkened his
I fine features.
i "There's a breeze coming, Crowell," he
said, in a low tone, to the mate, "and that iron
box is at the bottom of it. Let's see what
thev have to say. Well, men, I see you are
J aft. What is the trouble? Is there anything
the matter with your grub?"
A seaman, bearing the cognomen of Manilla
Joe, who acted as spokesman, stepped forward
; to reply. He was a burly, wicked-looking
| rascal, feared by the men, and disliked by the
officers.
"It ain't the grub we cares about, sir," he
I commenced, in a shuffling, hesitating tone.
: "But we feels we have a right to have an understanding
about that box, and the ballast
inside. We've waited for some word to come
about salvage, but it's no use. So, you see,
J we've come to inquire how much comes into
the forecastle. The boys found it; nary a
| thing but the womau would have been saved j
! had it not been for them."
"So you have finished, have you? If I did ;
; right I would treat you to a dose of double- j
I: ?:?i. i j v?? I
; irons >viiu uieau miu nnici. x vu, it .
; are the sea-lawyer of this craft; but let me j
: tell you, if you practice on board here you j
; will have me for both judge and jury. Re-1
, member me. Men, one word about that box, i
and let it be the last. I shall return that box !
j with its conteuts to the owners in Havana,
and claim whatever is our due. Admitting
l that it contains gold, we would be classed as
1 pirates to keep it when the right owner is j
j known. You shall not be defrauded out of j
j one cent belonging to you. Now, go forward." |
Grumbling and growling amongst them-!
i selves, the crew sullenly obeyed the command.
It was easy to perceive that Thurston's logic I
I did not suit the sailors, who had evidently !
made up their mind for a spree on the coast
off of the contents of the box, which in reality :
was filled with gold. As a precaution Thurs- j
ton overhauled his fire-arms, an example that
: Crowell followed, while the men were careful- j
ly watched.
Under easy sail the Shadow glided over the
bar, the white-capped rollers roaring and tumi
bling after each other in quick succession on
! either side of the narrow channel. Proceedj
ing up the river a short distance, the schooner
I dropped anchor before the first negro village,
; barely visible through the thick growth of
; trees and mangrove bushes lining the banks.
| The first night passed in the river was seized |
i by the crew as an opportunity to desert. !
i When daylight dawned the Shadow could j
only boast of Thurston, Crowell, the steward, ;
I flio I Q/I \7 naaciMinrpr
. U..U W.V, M^J "h?
It was an anxious and trying positiou. That
I the men were bent upon violence, Thurston
| was well assured ; and if once they gained the
I upper hand, the lives of those on board would
: surely fail a sacrifice to the passions of the.
' ignorant crew.
j The negroes, wild and savage, would rejoice
at the prospect of plunder, and readily join
j under the leadership of Manilla Joe in any
1 plan he might propose.
A loug and serious consultation was held :
; in thecabin of the little Shadow upon the best I
I course to pursue. It was madness to remain !
! where they were. They could not hope to dc-\
! fend the schooner successfully against such a
' force as Manilla Joe would muster together,
j Three men to manage the schooner at sea
i was certainly short-handed ; but there was no
! alternative. Better by far brave the perils of
| the Atlantic with their puny strength, than
; risk the results of an attack.
It was finally decided not to make an at-1
tempt to retreat during the day. Too much j
| haste in dropping dowu the river might em-'
; bolden the rascals to throw off* all conceal;
meut. Under cover of the night they might j
! hope to escape the danger that threatened j
j them.
It was an anxious, restless day for all. i
j Donna Luiz had been informed by Thurston j
; of the true state of affairs; and although her '
i cheek paled at the information, she declared |
j her intention of assisting in the defence of the \
j schooner should an attack be made. "I can .
fire a revolver, Senor Thurston, with the best i
; of you."
"You will have an opportunity to try your i
skill, I fear," was the reply, as the captain re-j
turned to his post of observation, when, glass I
in hand, he watched on both sides of the
river.
Quietly, under cover of the bulwarks, the j
chain-cable was prepared for slipping. The
sails not having been furled, were ready for
instant use, and with hearts agitated by alternate
emotions of hope and fear, they beheld
the deep shades of night settling down upon
them. i
A profound silence fell upon the scene.
Stream and shore were alike wrapped in repose.
The noisy chatterings of monkeys, the j
scream of paroquets and other birds were :
hushed, and no sound came from the dark,
tangled forest save an occasional murmur of
the evening breeze among the branches. The
river rolled sluggishly along, now surging
past the thick mangroves with a low awash, j
and then rippling against the schooner as she
swung with the tide.
As the darkness increased, a thick mist crept j
down the river, rolling out of the forest in
" - , - o
dense clouds. Gradually, both shores became
indistinct, finally fading entirely from view, 1
which was hailed with delight by the anxious
hands on the Shadow.
The decisive moment for action had come.
The steward stood by to cut the stopper, the
mate grasped the jib halliards, while Thurston
grasped the spokes of the wheel, with .
Luiz by his side.
In a low tone the order was given to slip, a ;
sullen plunge followed as the chain ran outboard,
and as the jib crept slowly up the stay
the schooner's head swung dowu the stream.
The Shadow had scarcely gathered steerageway
when the gleam of a dozeu fires shone'
with a lurid glare through the white mists.
They were signals of some kind, the impor . of
which were probably understood by the wild !
horde ashore.
A series of wild, discordant yells rang out
on the still night air, followed by the rattle of'
paddles and the splash of water. The natives
were manning their canoes for the purpose of
cutting out the schooner.
By dint of hard efforts the mainsail had
been partially set, the sheet slacked off, boom
guyed out to catch the slightest breath of air, j
and a smile of satisfaction lingered about the '
mouth of Thurston as he felt the first puff of
the invigorating sea breeze.
"If we can only keep them off fifteen minutes
it is all that I will ask, he muttered, as he
peered into the fog astern.
Rushing out of the gloom a number of dark
shadows suddenly loomed up, which were recognized
at once as canoes. The negroes were
plying their paddles with rapid strokes, urged
on by the fierce cries of the white deserters.
"Do you join the mate, Captain Thurston, |
and trust the helm to me," whispered the
I Creole. "I can steer."
"No, no, girl, you must not be exposed. ;
Go down below. . If I want you I'll call."
But the brave girl withdrew to a dark cor-1
ner, where silently1, cocking a revolver, she ;
i awaited the onset of the furious fiends. i
There was one advantage enjoyed by the
, defenders of the Shadow, and a very important
one. They had the prestige of firearms, while
. their opponents were forced to rely on their
own primitive weapons.
Grasping a rifle ^fhurston brought it quick1
ly to his shoulder and fired. A scream followed
the report, testifying to the accuracy of i
; the captain's skill. A savage yell pealed forth
| from their throats as the canoes, urged on to
the top of their speed, ranged up on either
side of the schooner.
"Now, then, Crowell, give it to them. Aim !
low, steward, and don't get excited."
"Aye, aye, sir," was the cheery answer, and .
in quick succession the firearms rang out with
deadly effect.
The swell from the ocean was now felt, i
slightly causing the Shadow to rise and fall j
with a gentle motion. Occasionally a puff of |
air would fill the sails, then die away as the
canvas, with a heavy slat, would collapse,
j Pouring in over the head-gear, the negroes, i
with a shout of triumph, took possession of!
'< the entire forward portion of the vessel. The i
white dress of the Creole had caught the lust
ful gaze of Manilla Joe, who had obtained a
foothold in the main chains, and with a sav-!
age cry of exultation, he rushed forward to
seize his victim.
Thurston, with his back to the taflrail, be-.
held the girl's danger, but was powerless to I
avert it. Surrounded by a yelling horde of j
savages thirsting for his blood, his strength !
and activity were taxed to the utmost in de- j
fending his own life.
The Creole, unmindful of the arrows hurl- j
ing through the air, had not shrank from the j
common danger, and now that she found her-1
self confronted by the leading spirit of the j
mutiny, with his fell intentions blazing forth i
from his black eyes, her courage did not de-;
sert her. With a nerve of iron the brave girl '
awaited his onset, and as he stretched forth
his hands to seize her, she shot him through !
I D
the heart.
| A yell of triumph burst from Thurston's
lips at the achievement, while the enemy wavered
and fell back, dismayed at the loss of
their leader.
Then it was that the little blue band of defenders
concentrated all their efforts, and became
in their turn the attacking party. The
steward threw open one of the galley doors,
sprinkling with a lavish hand boiling hot water
amongst the demoralized crowd. Thurston
seizing an axe, rushed furiously upon them,
while the revolvers of Crowell and Luiz con-!
tinually thinned their ranks.
A cry of dismay arose from their midst, and ]
?ii! !ii. ?__ it _ u_:i: I
yeuiug wan puiu >is uit uunmg wuuut aiiunued
over their naked bodies, they tumbled over
the rail into the canoes towing alongside. It
was touch and go with the Shadow, as during
theconflict the breeze had imperceptibly freshened,
and the schooner had glided rapidly
through the water toward the breakers that
thundered along the bar. The white, feather
foam was flying across the deck as Thurston
caught the wheel in time to bring the gallant
little craft to the wind. With sheets hauled
aft the schooner headed well up for the channel
and ran over the bar in safety.
The low, unwelcome coast of Africa loomed
up through the darkness like a black, undefined
cloud rising along the horizon ; but it
was astern, and 110 further danger wa9 to be
apprehended from the natives. Suddenly
shrill cries of agony and prayers for mercy
came floating over the water. The negroes,
enraged at the loss and pain they had undergone,
were putting the unhappy seamen to
death. It was the last act of the awful drama.
Thurston's trading voyage had not proved
very successful, in a pecuniary point of view,
lie was returning to Cuba with the self-same
cargo he had takeu out; hut, on the wnoie,
he was not dissatisfied. He had been the
means of saving a human being from death,
and that was worth a great deal. Besides,
there was the strong box of gold.
The high land of Cuba was finally sighted,
and, running by the Morro Castle, the Shadow
once more anchored in the spacious harbor.
Donna Luiz lost no time in making known
her safety to her father, who hastened to claim
his child as one riseu from the dead. He
would have showered gold in thousands upon '
Thurston and his comrades, but the hardy j
seamen would not accept a reward for dis- i
charging their duty. The old Don, with his J
daughter, left them, promising that they should !
hear from him in a few days.
The box, with its treasure, was returned to j
its owners intact, and the merchant, appreciating
the rare honesty of Thurston, sent the
sum of forty thousand dollars on board as a
mark of his esteem.
Before the Shadow sailed for a home port, J
Thurston found a sufficient quantity of sugar j
and molasses awaiting his order in Havana to '
load the entire schoouer. It was the Don's j
present, while a small miniature, encircled :
with diamonds, revealed the beautiful features j
of the young Creole who owed her life to j
Thurston.
- * ? 11.11
The profits of that trading trip enauieu ;
Thurston to retire in affluence, while Crowe! 1, j
with his share, purchased the controlling share j
of a fine ship. The steward, contented with |
the thousands coming to him, loft salt water ;
forever, preferring a home on the sandy shores j
of Cape Cod.
Cultivating a Puke Expression.?Eve-!
ry word that falls from the lips of mothers ;
and sisters especially, should be pure and con- I
cise, and simple; not pearls,such as fall from j
the lips of the princess, but sweet, good words,!
that little children can gather without fears' j1
of soil, or after shame or blame, or any re-!!
grots to pain through all their life. J1
Children should be taught the frequent use
of good, strong, expressive words?words that ;
mean exactly what they should express in , J
their proper places. | i
If a child, or young person, has a loose '
(lung-together way of stringing words when
endeavoring to say something, he should be (
made to "try again" and see if he cannot do : 1
better.
It is painful to listen to many girls talk. | <
They begin with a "My goodness!" and inter- ;
lard it with "oh 1" and "sakes alive!" and 1
"so sweet!" and "so queenly," and so mauy j 1
silly phrases that one is tempted to believe <
tney nave naa no training at an, or eise men j
mothers were very foolisli women. There is i 1
nothing more disgusting than the twaddle of 11
ill-bred girls ; one is provoked often into tak- i
ing up a paper and reading, and letting them j <
ripple and gurgle on, like brooks that flow i'
they know not whither. j i
My heart warms with love for sensible girls i
nud pure boys ; and, after all, if our girl^ and I
boys are not this, I fear it is our own fault I
that this great trust rests in the heart and ' I
hands of the women of our land. If we have i
a noble, useful purpose in life, we will infuse ;
the right spirit into those around us. i
: 1
Five Bales of Cottox ox Oxe Acre.? I
Mr. Columbus Warthen, of Washington conn-' ]
ty, produced this year five hales of cotton on <
one acre of laud. Some of the stalks made
as high as six hundred bolls. One replant i
stalk, planted on the 9th of June, wasexhib- 1
ited at Sandersville last week with four lain- j'
drcd and thirty-seven open bolls on it. The <
manure cost about 8141. Say the working, j ]
picking, etc., cost 834 more, in all 8175. The !
five bales, at 13 cents?allowing that the bales , s
averaged 500 pounds?would yield 8325, or I (
a net profit of 8150.?Atlanta Constitution. ' 1
|Ui5ccUiutmi!S Heading, j
SWIFT JUSTICE.
A merchant left St. Petersburg to travel
across Europe. In the course of his journey
he arrived at Warsaw. Being furnished
with a letter of introduction, he repaired to j
the house of one of the chief citizens there,
and was courteously received. He stayed at j
Warsaw for a week, and his host showed him |
everything worth seeing in the town. Indeed,;
the visitor was quite overwhelmed by the un-1
usual amount of kindness, really shown to i
any friend of long standing. At length the (
pleasent visit drew to a close, and after'
breakfast the guest expressed a wish to see
some parts of the town of which he had ,
heard.
"But," said he, "I have with me a small
box of great value that I do not like to risk
in such places ; if it were my own I should ,
not be so particular; but it was intrusted to 1
me by a Iricnd, who requested me to deliver
it to a person in another town. It contains
diamonds and other valuables. Would you
do me a great favor of taking charge of it for ,
one day ?"
The host, with usual urbanity, agreed to
the [proposal, and the merchant departed ,
with a light heart on his tour of inspection. :
Next morning, after breakfast, he cordially
thanked his kind entertainers for their zeal-j
ous hospitality, and added that, as he was
about to depart, he would now resume his J
charge of the box, which had never before ,
i i j : I 1
quitted ins person since ne nan reeeivcu il |
from its owner. The host and hostess stated !
at him in well acted amazement.
"What box?" asked the host, "I remem-j
her no box ; do you, my dear ?" turning to his
wife.
"No," she replied, "I have no recollection;
of any box whatever."
"What was it like?" asked the host. "Per-'
haps you left it in your own room."
But on the merchant persisting that it was !
with the host himself that it had been left, j
on returning to the hostess and trying to make j
her re* dlect the circumstance, both after appealing
to each other in the denial, became cold j
and distant, and began hinting that something j
must have happened to the merchant to in- j
duce him to presist iu so strange a delusion, i
As the host touched his forehead with a ;
significant glance, the poor man remembered ;
that lie was in a strange city, and the ground j
seemed slipping from under his feet; danger!
to himself loomed in the distance, and he hastened
from the house in alarm. Straight to
the police he went and stated his case. The
official listened imperturbably to the whole story
and then asked :
"You gave up this valuable box to an acquaintance
of a week's standing, without any
witness or any written acknowledgement?"
"He had been so very kind, and a man iu
his position?"
"Bah??vou. a man of business? But
/ '
have you no proof that the box belongs to
you ?"
"None whatever except the key. It is locked,
and I have the key?here it is and he
produced a small key from an inner pocket.
The official remained in thought for some
time, and then said:
"Well, I will do the only thing I can for
you. The Archduke G'onstaine (the Governor
of Poland) is a stem, harsh man, but he is
known for his vigorous justice, and if he believes
your etory he will do his best for you.
I will take you to him at once."
No time was lost, and the merchaut soon j
found himself in the archduke's presence;!
and was desired to relate his story. When it
was concluded, the archduke, after a moment's
reflection, rang a bell. An official enterred.
"Send for M ," naming the treacherous
host.
It was quickly done, and the archduke, without
question or preamble, said to the guilty:
"Sit down to the writing table and write
what I shall dictate."
The man took his seat and took up a pen ;
the archduke began dictating?
"My dear wife: All is found out?"
"No; I won't write that," said the man,
springing from his seat.
"Then you are guilty," was the prompt an- j
swer.
Puzzled and foiled, he resumed his seat
and wrote as he was desired.
"My dear wife: All is found out. Send j
the box by the bearer."
Then he signed his own name, by the |
archduke's order, and a messenger was des- i
patched with it. The messenger found the
lady at her toilet. When she read the mis- j
sive she turned ashy pale, trembling violent-j
ly. Then leaning forward, she drew the box j
from the recess in her toilet table, and hail- j
ded it to the bearer, who, swiftly returning, |
placed it in the hands of the archduke.
He immediately handed it to the merchant,,
desiring him to unlock it; that being done, he
asked whether the diamonds were all there. I
Yes, the box had not been opened ; they were j
exactly as the merchant had left them.
Again the archduke rang the bell, and to ;
the attendant who entered he said, designating
the guilty man:
"Take him to Siberia : he is not to go to
his own house again."
HOUSE COURTSHIP.
Mr. G. Gerald, now of Philadelphia, but
formerly American Consul at Cape Town, j
Cape of Good Hope, communicates to the
press of the former city the following amusing
reminiscence of his African Consular experience
:
rni _ _ 7 . __ a it.. C
mere is a singular custom among me runners?how
to get a wife. If you desire to get
married you should first make inquiry wheth- ,
er the lady you love has a horse; if so, you
must ask her whether she has a horse for sale.
If she says "No," then you had better quit the ,
house at once. She does not like you. But:
if, on the contrary, she says "Yes," it is a good
fign ; but she will ask you a very high price. I (
If the amount named is paid on the spot, the ! j
engagement is concluded, as fully as if the ; j
marriage was consummated by the parson.
On my arrival at the Cape, I did not lcuow j
ef this custom. I wanted to purchase a horse i <
ind was informed by an old Dutch resident j i
that widow had one to sell. I followed !
the address given, and soon arrived at the door j <
if the widow (who, by the way, was not bad j
looking). I asked her whether she had a ']
liorse to sell. She looked at me very sharp;
then asked me whether I had some letters of |
introduction. I said that I was the American j,
L'onsul, and would pay cash for her horse, i
'In that case," said she, "lettersare notneces- i
>ary." I paid down the sura demanded ; then, i'
ifter taking a cup of cofTee, she sent her horse ' ]
ay her groom, and both accompanied me i
home. On the road the groom asked me a i
thousand questions, "Master," said he, "will t ]
my mistress go live with you in town, or will j (
you come live with us ? You will love my I s
mistress, for she was very kind to my old mas-' (
ter (laughing). Where will the wedding; <
be?" (looking at me and laughing). "Truly," 1
I thought the poor fellow had drank too much t
ir he was an imbecile." I felt sorry for him. : <
When I arrived at home I found many people f
it my door congratulating me, not for the ; 1
tiorse, but for the acquaintance of the widow.' i
'Truly," said one, "you have been very sue- (
jessful." "She is very rich," said another, t
[ really did not know what it meant, and 11 j
jegau to be very uneasy, when, to my great j t
surprise, a lady alighted on my steps, and at I t
nice I recognized the widow ! She very cool- I
y asked me when I desired to have the cere-'t
mony of the wedding performed. Then, in-1
deed, I fully perceived the scrape in which I j
was, and told her frankly that it was a horse
I wanted, and not a wife. "What," said she, '
"do you mean to act thus to a l..dy like me ?'
If so, I shall send back for my horse and will j
repay you the money." In a few hours her
groom was at my door with the money. I
gladly gave back the horse, thankful to have
thus escaped. A few weeks after, however, 1
the widow was married : a more ambitious
man had bought her horse.
JEW AND GENTILES.
Israelites live and flourish in all centuries (
and all climes, beyond any other race and nation
; the reason is, the God of their fathers |
promised it, even before thgy became a nation.
At the same time, the Ruler of the
world uses instrumentalities, aud accomplishes
his designs by the operation of natural
laws. A large number of the observances
imposed through Moses and Aaron had two !
main ends in view?to prove their obeidience
and to preserve their lives, to enable them to ,
live healthy, hannilv and long. The result is, |
that of the people who have ever lived the !
Jews only, retain their name and nation and j
lineage. Hence their existense to-day is the
greatest miracle connected with the Christian j
religion, for it is founded on the Bible, and ,
the simple existence of the Jews as a people ;
demonstrates the fact that the Bible is the |
Word of God.
Dr. Neufville, of Frankfort?the birthplace
of Rothschilds?states that, in round
numbers ,the average duration of the Israelites
in that city i9 forty-nine years; that of the
other population is thirty-seven-years.
During the first five years of life, Jewish
deaths are but little over one-half as many as
Christian.
One-fourth of Christian children die before
they are seven years old, while three fourths
of the Jews live to an age of tweuty-eight
years.
Only one quarter of the Christians live
to be sixty years old ; a fourth of the Jews
live to the age of seventy-one.
It is stated, on the authority of Glotter,
that in the Austrian dominions, while of one
thousand of other nationalities who live from j
seventy to a hundred years, there were seventy-five
Germans, while of a thousand Jews,
one hundred and twenty lived to over seventy
years. The reasons usually assigned for these
favorable results are that the mode of life of
the Jews in reference to their eating and
drinking, and personal habits, tend directly
and efficiently to this better showing.
There is, however, another element?that
of general thrift. The ability to make money
and save it, and have it on hand ready to
make profitable investments, gives a certain
degree of independence and quiet of mind,
and a feeling of elevation tending to the promotion
of a pleasurable serenity that is
worth millions of money.
It is for the same reason the Friends, called
Quakers, have an average of eleven years
more than the "world's people." They are
thrifty, clean and industrious, enconoraical
and of a quiet temperament. But there is to
the Jew a sentiment, which gives to him a
fixedness, a settled feeling, which is of great
value?his unalterable faith that there is a
God.
No people on the globe are farther from
idolatry than the Israelites; their faith is fix- I
ed, no doubts ; no uneasiness, no feeling about
for the truth, for it is within them ; upon I
it they are willing to stake their existence
in all the emergencies of life. It is emphatically
true of them, "their faith is fixed,
trusting in Jehovah."
It then follows that the great promoters of
longevity are:
First. Cleanliness.
Second. A proper mode of quiet, consisting
mainly in the avoidance of gross and fat
foods.
Third. Pecuniary thrift.
Fourth. A fixed religious sentiment?a
sentiment which, amid the perturbations and
storms of life, enables its fortunate possessor
to maintain a composed, equable aud confi
dent frame of mind.
But, as a people, the American?the rep-!
resentative Yankee?has no composure, no j
quietudA 110 serenity ; he has no rest until he j
finds iAp the grave.?Hall's Journal of j
Health |
AGRICULTURAL LIEXS.
The seizure and sale of cotton in the enforcement
of agricultural liens is now the !
chief business of the merchants and law officers
of Abbeville. It is proving to the farm-1
ers the most distressing period of this year of (
financial disaster and trouble. If it does not!
totally ruin this whole class, it will give them !
a lesson that will prove of great benefit to the
whole community in the future.
It seems that no amount of reasoning or
logic will do any good in this matter. The
farmers still persist in the suicidal policy of i
making large crops of cotton. Year after j
year the same error has been repeated, apd the j
truth must at last force itself upon the mind
of every reflecting person that the idea of
growing rich 011 King Cotton is fanciful and
delusive.
Last spring, when the crop was pitched and
the whole country "smelt rank to heaven," we
predicted the result which has been realized.
Next year, unless a radical and general change ;
is made, we will be in a still more distressing condition.
The present crop will scarcely be J
sufficient to pay up for advances. To pay a !
merchant two per cent, per month on advan-1
ce3, when a profit of twenty-five or fifty per ;
cent, has already been added to the original
cost, will soon swallow up a bale of cotton.
Tliia hninrr rrrmn ntirl lintllinor left wifll '
to provide for his family or the necessary j
stock, the farmer outers upon the new year I
with rather a gloomy out-look. Stripped of J
the year's labor, what is he to do ? Notwith- j
standing the enormous profits of the last few j
years, the provision merchants will not be !
able to give indulgence. About the only rem- '
L*dy is to sow wheat, oats, and other grain, and j
plant corn, potatoes and vegetables, so as to j
*et enough to live on in any event. If, with '
the staple at ten cents, any one can pay two !
per cent, on advances and twenty-five per
sent, profit, put up with the uncertain labor of j
the present day?vex his soul, waste his time,,
md spend his money for peace warrauts and I
jjectments in the dusty courts of odious trial j i
ustices?then let him plant cotton to his! g
leart's content.
This is a subject of such grave importance !
;o all of us, that we may again revert to it.? j 1
Abbeville Medium. ; g
j
Tiie Western Corn and Pork Crop.? i
Die Chicago Commercial Review, of Friday, 1
mblishes a table of replies received by a pro-1
/ision house of that city from correspondents j
n Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kausas, Ohio and !
[ndiana, to inquiries in regard to the number j
)f hogs likely to be sent to market from their |
sections, their present condition, probable time 1
)f marketing, and the condition of the corn j
irop. Of 97 points in Illinois, 58 report a j
ess number of hogs than last year, 27 about j
,he same number, and 12 more. The corn j
:rop is universally reported short in Illinois,!
Vom one-third to one-half. Of 58 places in I
[owa, 27 report fewer hogs than last year, 20
ibout the same, and 11 more. The condition
if the corn crop they report about the same
is in Illinois. Of 21 points in Indiana, 11 report
fewer hogs, 7 about the same number,
md 3 more. The corn crop they report bet- s
er in several places, but generally short. In 41
Missouri, 12 points report fewer hogs, 8 about c
lie same number, and 3 more. The corn crop a
they report short one-third to onc-nair. uiuo
makes the best showing, 4 points reporting
an increase in the number of hogs, 15 about
the same number, and 8 a decrease. The report
of the corn crop shows it equal to that of
last year. Except in Illinois the condition of
the hogs appears to be about the same as at
the same time last year, but many points in
Illinois report them not so far advanced.
thc utiit v tv rnrriTiov.
To the savage there is no past, no history,
no arts, no science. His individual memory
can not retain the facts that belong to a period
anterior to his fathers or his grandfathers,
or that pass the narrow limits in his tribe,
which transmit them by means of oral traditions.
But a book may be the memory of the
human race for thousands of centuries. With
a book in our hands we may recall the lives
of Moses, Homer, and Socrates, of Plato, Ciesar
and Confucius; we know their sayings
and doings, and in the order in which they
took place. We have therefore lived in all
ages and centuries, and know those who were
great, either for their deeds, thoughts or discoveries.
And, indeed, the Almighty, as if
he would show mankind the importance of the
written word, has given us the most ancient
book in the world, the 6rst book penned by men,
the book par excellence?the Bible?which
has come down to us through forty centuries,
translated into a hundred different tongues,
studied by all nations of the world, and uniting
them in its course in the bonds of
a common civilization. When the nascent
sciences, after centuries of barbarism widened
the sphere of intellectual action over the
world, the publishing of the Bible was the
6rst effort of the infant press. The reading
of the Bible laid the foundation of that popular
education which has changed the face of
those nations which posesses it ; and lastly,
with the Bible?the primitive book, and
father of all other books?the English immigrants
crossed the Atlantic to establish in the
north of our continent the most powerful
states in the world, because most free, and
those in which all, without distinction of age
sex or fortune, know how to read all that the
science, talent, genius, experience and observation
of all nations and ages have treasured
A /inmnlata nmtpso nf oHlinntinn
U p 111 IIUWAOl XX V^UI^IVbV VUUigv VI vwmvxviv..
may be thus simply expressed; read what is
written in order to understand what is known,
and continue the work of civilization by adding
the fruits of your own observation.
A Famous Telegraph Operator.?
Among the victims of the fever at Shreveport,
was Alfred Saville, one of the best known and
most accomplished telegraph operators in the
country, and attached to the command of
Geueral John H. Morgan during the late war,
the story of whose practical and profitable
jokes od the Federals enlivened the gloomy
annals of those times. His feats on the euemy's
wires, throwing large forces of Federal
cavalry off the scent, directing them to right
and left, opening their lines for the dashing
Morgan to sweep through in quest of men and
horses, are among the most romantic incidents
of the war. Few have forgotten how, early
in the game, he took possession of the wires
between Nashville and a body of Federals
operating in Southern Kentucky, giving peremptory
orders not to send anymore troops,
but plenty of provisions and ammunition, and
how an old friend, then in charge at Nashville,
detecting the peculiar touch of the fingering
of the bogus operator, flashed back to
him this good humored answer: "Get out,
Saville, or I'll send the cavalry after you."
Saville volunteered his services at Shreveport
afterevery resident operator had been stricken
down, and died at his post? Macon (G'a.)
Messenger.
4^.4
Singing to Cows.?Cows are sociable and
understand more than we suppose. The way
I came in possession of this choice bit of
knowledge, Tim and I used to sing to our
cows. They knew very quick when we changed
from one tune to another. We have
tried them repeatedly. When we sang sober
church hymns, they'd lop their ears down,
look serious and chew their cud very slowly,
reminding me?no irreverence meditated?of
nice old ladies in church listening to the words
of the preacher, yet all the time munching
cloves. Then we'd change to some quick air,
"Yandee Doodle" or the like, and they would
shake their heads, open their eyes, blink at
us, as much as to say, "Stop, don't you know
we are the deacons's cows?" But when we
would stop entirely, every cow would turn
her head, as if asking us to go on with our
singing. If it was pleasant, we generally
sung together through the entire milking. I
love the dear animals that add so much to
our comfort. Boys, will you not be kind to
the cows ??Canada Farmer.
A Sailor's Description of his Wife.?
A sailor who was recently married, gives the
following description of his bride and her apparel,
which we think will put some of the
"society" papers to the blush: "My wife is
just as handsome a craft as ever left the millinery
dry-docks ; is clipper built, and with a
figure head not often seen on a small craft.
Her length of keel is five feet eight inches,
over all five feet eleven inches; displaces
twenty-seven cubic fee t of air; of light draught
which adds to her speed in the ball-room ; full
in the waist, spars trim. At the time we were
spliced she was newly rigged fore and aft, with
standing rigging of lace and flowers, mainsail
part silk, with forestay sail of Valeuciennes.
Her frame was of the best steel, covered with
silk, with whalebone stauncheons. This rigging
is intended for fair weather cruising. I
am told that in running down the street before
the wind, she answers the helm beautifully,
and can turn around in her own length if a
handsomer craft passes her."
Rolling Wheat?Alternate thawing and
freezing is very destructive to wheat?especially
is this the case in the late winter mouths.
Phe ground "spews." The roots of the wheat
plants are left exposed to the influence of the
air, without the protection of the earth. The
ground assumes a honey-comb appearance ;
ind a small crop or total failure is the consequence,
unless it receives attention.
The best treatment consists in rolling the
and. Some of the roots will be destroyed
jveu by this process, but the earth will be left
lompact, the roots imbedded in the soil, and
i portion, if not all of the crop saved. We
iave seen this tried and we know whereof we
ipeak.?Rural World.
Ready Money.?Keep ready money on
land if you can. No matter if it is a little
;um. If it is only sufficient for the current
ixpenses, it is a great convenience to say the
east. Any one who has tried and compared
lie credit with the cash system, will readily
idmit the correctness of the above remark.
When you buy for cash you generally get
nings cneaper?get oetter weignt and measlre,
and all the favors the dealer can extend
o his patrons. On the chronic credit system,
he matter is usually reversed. If you try
o avoid credit by borrowing, you improve
natters very little, if any. Hence we give
his advice, "Turn an honest penny" whenevir
you can, and always have sufficient
noaey on hand to meet your small engagenents.
?
SGP"James Jenkins," said a schoolmaster
0 his pupil, "what is an average?" "A
hing, sir," answered the scholar, promptly,
'that hens lay eggs upon." "Why do you
ay that, you silly!" asked the pedagogue.
'Because, sir, I heard a gentleman say the
ither day as a hen would lay, on an average,
1 hundred and twenty eggs a year."
Q