University of South Carolina Libraries
lewis ivt. grist, Proprietor.j ;|it Jttiqjtttai Jfamilg ftttospptr: Jfor % $romotr<m of % political, j&ocial, ^griraltaral aab Commercial interests of % jSortj}. |TERMS?$3.00 A YEAR, IN ADVANCE. VOL. 24. YORKVILLE, S. C., THURSDAY, JANUARY 31. 1878. NO. 5. fcfr j^n #?giaal Jteg. Written for the Yorkville Enquirer. MARIPOSA ; OR, THE HEART OF A BALLET GIRL. CHAPTER IX. * When they entered the parlor of her che&teau, Madame Preville, laying aside her shawl and quilted silk hood, seated herself in - i>ii.ii-konifoa okair near the window, and a Ul^U'uvvavu Vuw?> adjusted her gold-rimmed spectacles upon her nose. "Give me the letter, child/' she briefly aid. While she read it, Helen, standing near the fireplace, indulged in various and rapidly-succeeding reflections concerning the singular and unexpected news she had received. With one little foot resting upon the polished fender, her hands loosely clasped before her, her head, from which her straw hat was carelessly pushed back, slightly bent forward, 0 - and her eyes fixed dreamily on the glowing eoals, she stood motionless, and quite uuconsoious that Victor, from a distance, was intently and mournfully regarding her. His expression was something more than mournful. It had an intense hungering, yearning wistfulness, pathetic, almost despairing. It seemed to say, "Now I must look my fill, for soon you will be lost to me forever." In his own mind, she was lost to him al ready. Madame Preville read the letter through very carefully, from beginning to end. Then he went back to the commencement, and went all over it again ; this time murmuring pithy comments as she proceeded. " 'Dear nieceyes, no doubt. It is surprising how fond people get of others who have become suddenly prosperous. 'News of 1 an interesting nature.' Highly interesting to them. I can easily believe. H'm?h'm ; a pretty property, I admit, very pretty. Not difficult to imagine how greatly it enhances the importance of its new possessor. 'Warmest congratulations'?'sincere interest.' Dear, 1 dear, how remarkable that this wonderful interest has waited until now to develop itself! Oh! this 'dear uncle' shares the sentiment, of course. He always manifested the most tender regard for his brother's child. Poor innocent angel ! Yes, madame, the son, too, nndoubtedly entertains the most friendly sentiments for the wealthy heiress. That is just ' *rT1- - ?-?i SI It BbOUia 06. "lies ui uiuiuai iiwiwu- | ship'?a close tie, forsooth. I can't make out myself where the relationship comes in! But no doubt they can explain it satisfactory ' ly, if desired. 'Recall to your mind the ' fact.' Bless my soul, it's the first time I ever 1 knew the fact was there to be recalled?I 1 don't remember any such arrangement. H'ra?think of it! picture the anxiety of those loving, simple, disinterested hearts, waiting ' to receive the poor exile from the land of the i stranger, the cold, inhospitable foreign land? i to the native home from which she has been i banished so long. Hoping to become per- ' sonally acquainted.' There I accept your as- ' sertion, my dear madarae as absolute good faith; give you full credit for sincerity in 5 making it. Dear, loving, affectionate Aunt ' Augusta; what a treasure your niece possesses I in your regard I" 1 With which concluding remark, Madame folded up the epistle and returned it to its ] envelope. i "A most astonishing letter, my dear Helen," \ she said aloud. Heleu started front her re- t verie, on hearing her name, and comiDg for- \ ward seated herself on an ottoman near her ( old friend's knee. ] I " j i "1 can naraiy realize 11 m an, sue icjuiucu. "Realize your good fortune, you meau ?" f "My fortune, good or bad, whichever it ? may be. I am sure I doD't know whether I ] am most pleased or sorry," answered Helen, s with a puzzled look that confirmed this state- < ment. ] "Pleased I Of course you should be pleased, i my child," said the old lady, kindly enough, < but with a touch of sharpness in her voice. ] "Reflect, it is not only the acquisition of > this fortune, upon which you are to be con- < gratulated, but so much besides?the dis- 1 covery of your relations' warm love and re- 1 gard, which they have never manifested be- ] ^ fore, and which I am sure must cause you i great joy!" * Helen's eyes met Madame's glance wonderingly. She did not quite know how to in- I terpret her words. < "It is quite evident," pursued the latter, "that they have only been awaiting a suita- i ble opportunity to invite you to return home; i and what better opportunity could be afford- i ed than this, when it is only natural and i right that you should hasten to unite your- < Belf to them, that you may all rejoice togeth- i er over your good luck, of which they are so disinterestedly glad ! Their anxiety to welcome you now is almost too great for expression, as you may easily perceive." i J.tie sarcastic mnexiou iu u?x vuiuo *??o Dot to be misunderstood. The color came into Helen's cheek, and she looked down. "I know what you meaD, Madame," she said, in a low tone; "you believe that this anxiety is only attributable to the fact of my sudden prosperity, which has made me of new importance in their eyes." "But then, what is more reasonable?" somewhat ruthlessly continued her friend. "It has been, no doubt, wholly with a view to I your advantage that you have been suffered t to remain away so long. A foreign educa- j ' tion is of course of immense importance to! young girls from your country, where there are j none but modern institutions. Then, too, you I were removed from all the horrors of the civil j war, while it lasted ; besides being in the enjoyment of a salubrious climate, most benefi- j cial to your health. All these, and other advantages needless to enumerate, were doubt- ! less the cause of the admirable self-denial i practiced by your uncle and his family, in ! permitting you to pass your childhood and ; youth away from their fostering care, in the ! land of the stranger?the land where none but alien hearts surround you, aod to which you cannot too speedily bid farewell!" Madame Preville had not intended to 6peak with so much warmth. Iu the excitement of her feelings, she bad permitted herself to fall into a strain of reproachful irony?directed not against Helen, but her relatives; but which, nevertheless, was acutely felt by the young girl. "Oh 1 Madame," she exclaimed, in a trem bling voice, while the tears rushed to her eyes, "this land of the stranger and these alien hearts, as you term them, are far, far dearer to me than any others can be. To you, who, in your generosity, took the orphan child to your home, I owe far, far more, than I can ever repay." "Forgive me, my Helen?my love, my cherished one," murmured the old lady, fondly laying her hand on the brown glossy head, now bowed upon her knee. "It was not of you I was thinking ; but I should not have spoken as I did. Think you I could ever doubt the sincerity of your love ?" Victor Duclos could not longer remain a spectator of this little scene. He went out of the room into the open air, leaving the pair miogliDg their tears together, with a fierce, restless, unspeakable grief and craving at his heart. "What is their trouble com ??? ? - *1 Li ttA paired witn miner ne mougm. yuo, u? them is already old, and beyond caring mach for any change or event in life which may occur. The other is fresh, ardent, enthusiastic, ready to turn with the eagerness of a child to receive new impressions, which will quickly obliterate those that appear indellible now. If she goes?and who can doubt that she will ??the memory of her home and friends here will gradually fade from her mind, or at least become of secondary importance, in the interest and excitement of her new surroundings ; her new position. She will receive flattery, adulation, be courted, admired, fawned upon by worshippers who prize the gift upon the altar rather than the altar itself. Her vanity will be excited, her pure, simple nature and ingenuous mind sullied by contact with worldly associates and worldly influences. Can I hope that under such circumstances I will ever claim a place in her thoughts? I should be a fool, indeed, to do R/v yy BO. While he paced restlessly up and down a garden path, secluded from view of the parlor windows, chafing at the destiny which he was powerless to alter or resist, Helen and her kind old friend, gradually calming down after the first outbreak of sympathetic emotion, were beginning to discuss future possibilities and plans. "What ought I do to, dear Madame?" oalro/4 and MarlflmA nns rpf} UC1UU uau ao?uu, uuu ? "My child, if your uncle desires it, you had better go." "But it will not be necessary for me to go, will it? Cannot everything be arrauged without me ? I don't know anything about business," the girl pleaded. "It may not be necessary, but it will be expedient, mon enfant. There are many reasons why you should not act against your uncle's Bxpressed wish in this respect. One is the Blaira which by right of near kinship he certainly has upon you; the others?" she hesitated. "What are the others?" asked Helen. "Well, ch rie, to be frank with you, one very important reason is the certainty that, :f you remained here, your decision would be imputed to our persuasions, from mercenary motives?a desire on our part to keep you with us in order that we might profit by your wealth. Don't you see ?" Helen sighed. "It is a hard case that one ihould be obliged to regulate one's conduct ay the opinions of the world," she said. "I, tor one, should not care what any one thought." "But I should, dear child. I would not lave the people, Monsieur votre oncle and the est, cherish, for one moment, the idea that I was actuated in my conduct toward you by a tingle selfish thought. What I have done for fou, I have done iu love, without dreaming )f any recompense but your love in return. Let it not be said, 'This worldly old woman b profiting by her influence over the simple jirl to reap a rich reward for having protectid her and given her a mother's care all these fears; doubtless it was with a view to some tuch windfall that she has acted as she has lone.' No, no, my Helen, return to your own people, and let them see that not one restrainng word has been uttered to keep you back, )r to seek a favor at your handB ; and after j fou are arrived at such an age as your laws nay prescribe, to allow you a freedom or jhoice, follow the dictates of your own leart, and if that bids you return to your iome and friends here, come and fill your old alace among us, which can never be filled by my one else, and I will say 'the blessing of 3od be upon your return!"' Helen silently pressed the kind old hand ibat clasped hers. For a moment her heart ? *? r..n c? vyas iuu iuu iui opmt>u. "Come, come," resumed Madame Preville, in a more sprightly tone, "we will not dwell upon melancholy thoughts. There is time snough yet before this anticipated parting must take place. Your education is not yet entirely completed ; aud even after you leave school, you may be permitted to wait a little while before bidding France adieu. Let us rather look upon the brighter side of the picture. Think how much good you may accomplish; how many hearts you may make glad, with this vast fortune which has fallen into your posiession." "Yes, but I suppose until I am twenty-one I will not be allowed to have the management of it," said Helen. "Then you will have the more time and opportunity to lay and mature plans for the future. You will do nothing imprudent, nothing rash, but with careful choice and wise discrimination, select your objects of charity, of benefaction, consult your taste, your ambition, your desires, and be prepared to carry out your projects more to your own satisfaction than if you heedlessly plunged, without forethought, into their accomplishment." "What a heavy responsibility money seems to entail upon me," said Helen, peusively. "At least, you need not allow the responsibility to weigh upon you yet," rejoined Madame Preville, smiling." There will be time enough for that when you have the control of your fortune, in your own hands, see now late it is getting, and the fire needs replenishing. Ring for candles and some fresh coal, and then go and put away your things, which you have forgotten to restore to their places, and we will make ourselves comfortable for the evening. Where, I wonder, is Victor?" Victor was, at that moment, coming in out of the chilly dusk, having schooled himself into a stolid cotuposurt of aspect, which did not deceive his aunt':- searching eye. She looked at him inquiringly and a little anxiously, as he drew his chair 'd opposite hers, but said nothing in regard to the object which lay near both their hearts. Indeed, there was no opportunity for her to do bo, for Helen, who had run up-staira with her hat and shawl, returned immediately, and took her usual place near the table, on which lights were placed, her embroidery in hand. "I must make haste now with this," she remarked. "I may have a shorter time to comj plete it in than I anticipated." The evening passed as their evenings to1 gether commonly did. There was conversa| tion, chiefly sustained by Madame Preville and Helen, and, at the request of the former, ; even a little music. Helen played well, j thought not brilliantly. She had also a sweet voice, and sang with much expression. Victor was passionately fond of music, and usually took his station near the piano, sometimes turning over the leaves of the music; but on this occasion he remained at some distance, as though afraid to trust himself to the enjoyment of what he loved too well. To stand by Helen, to watch her face as she saDg, and occasionally to join in some familiar air, had heretofore been a source of keen pleas ure to him ; but now he felt, "All this must soon be at an eud. Why, then, should I continue to indulge myself in a luxury which will be the more difficult to relinquish, the longer I partake of it?" Helen was the first of the party to retire. After she had left the room, Madame Preville, approaching her nephew, kindly laid her hand on his shoulder. "My dear Victor," she said, in a gentle tons, "this is a heavy blow to us both." "Don't let us speak of it now, Aunt," he rejoined. "After a little while, perhaps, I shall be able to bear it better." "I don't think, however, that you need despair," she continued, "Helen is not the sort of girl to be changed by an event of this sort. Her heart is constant and true." "You speak as if I had, or dreamed of having, some claim upon her constancy," he replied, with a dreary smile. "You forget that I am nothing to her beyond an ordinary acquaintance, or at least a friend." "Nay, I am not so Bure of that, Victor; but she is still too young to think of love. Of course you have said nothing to her?" "Of course not; and equally of course, this inheritance of hers is an effectual barrier to the possibility of my ever doing so." "I do not see that," said Madame Preville with energy. "You are not needy. You have a competency, and, therefore, need not fear having mercenary motives attributed to you. Helen, I am sure, would be the last person to dream of such a thing." "Ay; but Helen is not the world. Besides, who knows ? Money changes people strangely. Perhaps she will not have been in possession of this fortune long, before she aoquires worldly ideas. She will find that her wealth gains her flatterers and admirers, and in learning to be suspicious and distrustful, may distrust even the most honest arid sincere." "Helen will never become suspicious or distrustful," confidently rejoined his aunt. "It is not in her nature to learn such lessons as you speak of." "Allowing that to be the case, you must still remember that I have no grounds whatever, upon which to build any hopes of her favor," answered Victor. "I would give my right hand now to have profited by the opportunity which has all this time been mine, to have gained, at least, some idea of her feelings toward me; but it has slipped from me now?forever!" "Helen, I am assured, will return to us as soon as she is at liberty to choose for herself," said his aunt. "Believe me, Victor, these people, among whom she is going, will never usurp our places in her regard. When she comes back to her old home, you will theu be justified in revealing your true sentiments towards her, and I have strong hopes that you will not have waited in vain." "You talk idly, ma tante," replied Victor, a little bitterly. "Are you unsophisticated enough, really to believe that, during the four years which must elapse before she comes of age, amid new surroundings, and all the temptations of wealth, she will retain her present ideas? For my part, I look forward to her marrying long before the expiration of that time. Her hand will, doubtless, be eagerly sought after, and what more likely thau, amid a crowd of suitors, that she should find one pleasing to her fancy and her heart ? No, it is best for me that I should put this dangerous dream, in which I have had the folly to indulge, at once aside, and, if possible, forget that I ever cherished it. It is my only chance of peace." Wo annkft with such force that his aunt did not venture again to contradict hira. She thought that, perhaps it might be wiser, instead of dwelling too persistently upon the question now, to leave it to be eettled by time. In her heart, she was inclined to wish Mrs. Mary Forester's legacy at the bottom of the j sea. She did not believe that the happiness | of its recipient would be at all enhanced by it, while it only threw difficulties and complexities about her arrangements for the future. It was her most earnest wish to see Helen united to Victor. She loved them both warmly, and felt that her nephew's character and disposition were such as must assure the ! happiness of any woman whom he might sucj ceed in wiuniug for his wife. She believed i that, with sufiicient lime ana opportunity, j Helen would have learned to regard him as | he desired ; and what more natural than for | them to continue to live with her in the old chateau, (which they both regarded as their i home, and of which Victor would become the I possessor at her death) brightening it with I their presence, and throwing a halo of con| tentment and joy around her declining days ? | It was a vision upon which she bad long loved j to dwell, musing over it many a time, as she I sat alone, with Victor engaged at his business | aud Helen away at school; adding, contini ually, in fancy some fresh tint, some enliven ! iug touch to the pleasant picture. And now | she mtiBt cease to let it occupy her thoughts, or, at all events, cease to find her former comfort in it, since the prospect of its fulfillment seemed so much fainter than before. [to be continued.] The Salt Lake Tribune reports the death | of three childreu who had diphtheria, and j says that it was due to the persistency with j which their father prohibited the employment j of remedies or the consultation of a pbyai-1 cian, he relying entirely upon the teachings j of the Mormon elders that the laying on of hands is the ouly neoessary remedy for healiug the sick. The ward bishop was sent for every day, aud laid hands upon them, This was all that was done. ?0Utttg THE BONPSOF YORK COUNTY. Report of the York County Investigating Committee. To the Honorable, the Senate and Home of Representatives : The Commission appointed by his Excellency, the Governor, to investigate and ascertain the public debt of York County, report: That there appears to be no county indebtedness beyond eurrent expenses, unlesss certain bonds, issued by the County Commissioners of said County to the Chester and Lenoir Railroad Company, constitute a debt of the county. The bonds in question were issued to the amount of $100,000. Eight thousand !>??? Kaon Mtaro/i until 1 flOO half UUliniO UATO UOVU 4 V?lt W4| ntku WW ?m. yearly coupons, and 2,324 yearly coupons, in pursuance of the provisions of the act of 1875, directing a special tax to be levied to retire, annually, $5,000 of these bonds. There is now outstanding $92,000 of bonds, with coupons attached. Of this sum, about $43,000 are pledged as security for the purchase of railroad iron, and $1,900 haye been delivered to the County Commissioners, to be retired when paid. The County Treasurer declines payment, under instructions of the Comptroller General. The average realized from sale of bonds, has been about 75 per centum. For particulars, we refer to the statement of the treasurer of the company and of the clerk of York court. These bonds were issued in pursuance of a subscription, made on April 11th, 1873, by the County Commissioners of York County, for and in behalf of the county, under authority, as they claimed, of the 11th section of the act incorporating the company. It was made by bonds, redeemable io 20 years from date of issue. The act of 1875, directing tbe retirement, annually, of $5,000, alters the contract made by the commissioners and enforces payment of that much of the principal before it is due. The operative words of the 11th section, are that it shall be lawful for aDy county in ICrWLCU III LUC UUUObI UUblVU Ul vuu awmm ?W subscribe such sum and to be payable in such manner, as the people or proper authorities of such county shall deem best, determine and authorize." The said 11th section is a copy of a section in the amended character of the Air Line road, under which charter the question of subscription was submitted to the people in the counties of York, Union, Spartanburg and Greenville, through which the road passes. A popular construction, had, there: fore, been given to the words "proper authorities," and the Legislature, in subsequently granting the Chester and Lenoir charter, must have intended that the words "proper authorities" should be taken in the sense in which they were then understood. Whether the Commissioners had authority to make this subscription and bind the county as a stockholder, without the consent of the people, is a question of much interest in York, both on account of its magnitude and of the principles involved. Before the snbscription was made, a public meeting of citizens was held in Yorkvilte, daring nnnrt. week. It was a lar^e and resnect able ooe. It was resolved, without any objections from any one, "That the County Commissioners of York county, be requested to submit to the voters of York county, on the 20th of May next, the question of subscription, by said county, of $100,000 to the capital stock of the Chester aud Lenoir Railroad Company." Judge Mackey addressed the meeting, and urged the people to vote the subscription. He also expressed the opinion that the Commissioners were authorized, by law, to make the subscription. The witness, Hullender, testihes that he was present when the subscription was agreed upon by the Commissioners; that Judge Mackey (who had been sent for) informed them that they had the power to subscribe, or they could leave it to the electors as they chose ; that Roberts, one of the Commissioners, remarked they would not have an election ; the 1 j __i :u: :? people were uppuseu iu buumiiuih^ , nuuiu cost a great deal of money to have an election; that Judge Mackey then said, go ahead and put it on them anyhow?they had the power to do 80. L. M. Grist, who was also present, testifies that he does not remember that Judge Mackey used those words, ["put it on them anyhow,"] or any words similar to them. Daniel Williams and M. L. Owens, members of the Legislature when the Chester and Lenoir bill was passed, testify that they both understood the question was to be determined by the electors, and that Ratchford, a member from York, who introduced the bill, also so understood its provisions. To test the question, a proceeding was had by certain citizens and taxpayers of York, before his Honor T. J. Mackey, Judge of the circuit. It was entitled Glenu and others vs. County Commissioners ofYork Couuty. The question in the case was whether the County Commissioners were, in the the sense of the act, the proper authorities to make such subscriptions without the consent of the people. His Honor had formed and expressed his opinion in the matter at issue, in speeches at York and Chester; be had, himself, introduced resolutions, at a public meeting at rla/ilorinn ttiaf "tV>p f"!nm misflinnfirfl \JLiCObCi | UVViuiiug VUMV wuw had full power and authority vested in them by law to make the subscription within their discretionhe had been consulted by the Commissioners of York before they determined to subscribe, and had instructed th$m that they had the power to make it. With the case thus prejudged, he sat in judgment and sustained, by decree on the bench, what he had proclaimed on the rostrum. From the decision of Judge Mackey, the plaintiffs appealed to the Supreme Court. The action of the Supreme Court is described hy Chief Justice Willard, then Associate Justice. He testifies, in answer to the question whether there was a consultation after argument in the case, and what was the the result, as follows: "In answering this question, I shall be compelled to rely upon memoranda made at the time in my diary, in which it was my custom to enter the results of consultation. Referring to the entries made at that time, it would appear that as the result of consultation, the members of the Court determined to reverse the decision of the Circuit Judge in favor of the defendants, and to allow the appeal brought by the plaintiffs ; and that Justice Wright was, by the assignment of the Chief Justice, appointed to write the opinion of the Court. "That he never wrote such an opinion. "That after the conclusion of the consultation referred to, a very considerable delay occurred, which resulted iu the Chief Justice aud Judge Wright uniting in the entry of an order per curiam dismissing the appeal. "That, the order was never the subject of consultation by the members of the Court. "That he was never consulted with regard to such a change of conclusions, nor as to the propriety of putting the action of the majority of the Court in the form of an order per curiam; thus departing from our usual custom of completing the action of the Court by filing an opinion with the concurrence of |he other members, "That it bft? been the Invariable praotice of the Courts, for the majority of the Court, in view of dissent, to give their opinions in writing. . I never knew an instance to the contrary." Judge Wright testifies, that upon the consultation aforesaid, Judges Moses and Willard agreed to reverse the judgment of Judge Mackey; that be was not sure whether he agreed with them or not at that consultation. That, subsequently, Chief Justice Moses and he agreed to sustain Judge Mackey's decision. That he was appointed to write the opinion of the Court upon the first consultation, and did not do so because Judge Moses said it was not necessary. Ex-Governor Moses testifies, in substance, that after argument in the case of Glenn and others w. County Commissioners had been heard in the Supreme Court, he ascertained f: jm Judge Wright that the Court was divided, as the Chief Justice had expressed himself in favor of sustaining Judge Mackey's decision, and Judge Wright held contrary views, and that Judge Wright was inclined to adopt the views entertained by Jndge Willard. He reported what Associate Wi-inlit ko/1 ani/4 trt .TiiHitA Mflikpv <,uo"w' " 4,5"B " *" ?w ??e- -?-?j, who seemed worried about it and said we must have Judge Wright's decision in favor of the road. Subsequently, Doctor Davega called at his (Moses') house, in company, as witness thought, with Judge Mackey. The matter was talked over; Davega gave witness $260 for himself and the same for Judge Wright, and the witness undertook to procure the decision of Judge Wright as they wanted it. He delivered to Judge Wright, pledges from Judge Mackey of support in his reelection, and promised the same on his own part. Judge Wright yielded to these pledges and promises, and, therefore, rendered his opinion in favor~of sustaining Judge Mackey's decision. The matter of money was not mentioned to Judge Wright. In this connection, Judge Wright testifies that Gov. Moses frequently spoke to him aboot cases in which he supposed he was interested ; that he has no distinct recollection whether he spoke to him about his views in this case or not. That he did not remember whether Gov. Moses asked him to sustain Judge Mackey's decision or not; that he has no recollection about it. A. H. Davega testifies that he had no conversation with Gov. Moses at any time during the winter of 1873-'74; that he did not ask him to induce Judge Wright to decide in favor of Judge Mackey's decision and knowB of no one doing so. That he did not pay him any money. I. D. Witherspoon testifies, that at a meeting of Directors at Chester, January 80th, 1874, Doctor Davega presented an account mat ne aesirea toe directors to pass upon, with a view to payment; thinks the account was for $2,000. The Directors refused to pass the account on the grounds that it was not itemized. Doctor Davega insisted that it was a proper charge against the company. At a meeting of Directors at Yorkville, Feb. 13th 1874, he again presented the account, and the Directors again declined to approve payment, unless it was itemized. There was some inquiry why it was not itemized. He replied that it was a proper charge and ought to be paid. The account was not itemized or paid, to his knowledge, up to the time be resigned, March 25th, 1874. Thinks the account was in writing. . L. M. Grist testifies that he was a Director and at the Chester meeting. Thinks Davega made verbal application to the Board to order payment to him of $2,000. In answer to an inquiry as to what the amount claimed was for, he (Davega) gave no satisfactory information, but merely stated that the claim was a proper one. The Board declined to order payment in the absence of any satisfactory information. At the Yorkville meeting, he presented the same claim without any explanation as to the items or what the account was for; the Board again refused to order payment. Has no recollection that the board, at either of these meetings, advised him to present his claims to the general meeting of stockholders. A. H. Davega, in this connection, testifies that he presented an account of $2,000 in the spring of 1874; don't recollect the exact time; it was for money advanced for counsel fees and other incidental expenses; it was not paid by Directors, and they suggested that he should present the claim to the stockholders in general meeting. He presented his claim to finance committee, who reported favorably, and the stockholders ordered it to be paid, and it was paid. That the account was for $1,000 which he paid C. D. Melton counsel fee, and for $500 paid Joseph Crews to report the bill for railroad charter to the Legislature; the remainder was for personal expeuses; that he did not inform the board of directors that the account was for these purposes, at the time they refused to pay it, because he did not deem it necessary; that he simply presented his bill and no request was made by the board to itemize the account; that he presented the same account at Yorkville, and the board declined acting because it was not a full board. Merely a quorum was present at the second meeting. That when he presented the account to the finance committee, he did not itemize the account or explain what it was for; he told them that it was counsel fees and other incidental expenses. C. S. Brice testifies, that upon being elected Director in May, 1874, he felt it his duty to make inquiry as to this account, and Dr. Davega told him the account was for counsel fees in part; in part for getting charter through the Legislature, and in part for his personal expenses while attending Supreme Court when the case of Glenn and others was before it. That he became satisfied from his f fltofn monf fKof f KQ OIQI'm Q7QO ft ^I/a*CgO OJ DliaiAJIUQUV Ulinv VUV VIM*(U ?MV M proper one." lhe following entries appear in the Record Book of the company as certified by the Secretary of the company : January 30th, '74.?A bill for incidental expenses, amounting to $2,000, was presented by A. H. Davega, which was laid orer for a fuller meeting of the board. Yorkville, February 13, '74.?The President, A. H. Davega, again presented his account of $2,000 for incidental expenses of the company. On motion of C. C. Macoy, the consideration of the claim was postponed until the next regular meeting of the board. May 8th, '74.?The committee appointed to examine books and vouchers of the President and Treasurer, report that they have carefully performed their duty and find them correct. They also find that there is a balance due the President sf $1,485.95, cash advanced by him for the company, and we hereby recommend that they be received as entirely satisfactory, and the Treasurer authorized to settle the balance due the President. I. L. GUN HOUSE,) G. D. HEATH, ^Committee. J. L. CHAMBERS. J It appears from the account current of A. H. Davega with the company, amounting to $4,781.42, that the balance due him, and paid 19th May, 1874, was $1,485.95 as reported by finance committee to stockholders, and that one item of his credits in it is, "January 22, 1874, counsel fees, advice, Ac., $2,000," it being the same amount which had twice before been rejected by the directors because not itemized or satisfactory, and which, according to his own statement, he did not itemize or explain to the finance committee. There appears to be no voucher for this item. The report of the committee is no voucher, nor do we perceive how the item was satisfactory to the committee, as the President made no mor: explanation to them, than he had done to the directors, The report of the committee might well be satisfactory to the stockholders, as they relied on the accuracy of the committee. It is not satisfactory to us ; neither is the explanation, now made by the President, satis factory. On bis examination, he (Davega) testifies that the account of $2,000 consisted of $1,000 paid G. D. Melton, counsel fee; $500 paid Crews; the remainder personal exj penses. W. A. Clarke testifies that he was a law ! partner of the late C. D. Melton, from Octo; ber, 1871, until his death in December, 1875. : That C. D. Melton was not employed in the case of Glenn and others vs. County Commissioners, and had no connection with it, to his knowledge. That he has examined the books of their office and can find no record of a fee of $1,000 having been paid by A. H. Davega. That if such a fee had, during the term above mentioned, been paid, he oertainlj should have known it; he being not only his partner, but son-in-law, and intimately acquainted with all his business. rr T u?1? UUUgU 1. U< lunukvjf) ICSlllJiug, u?ui?g vuaii he asked Gov. Moses to induce Justice Wright to sustain his decision in the case of Glenn and others vs. the Commissioners while its hearing was pending in the Supreme Court, and says that he bad not one word with Gov. Moses on that subject; that he was, at that time, his declared enemy, and had publicly denounced him from the Bench for prostituting the pardoning power. That he was never present at an interview between Gov. Moses and Dr. Davega at his house or elsewhere; that be never saw Davega in the presence of Governor Moses. That he had publicly declared his opinion in the case prior to his hearing it; that this was known to the plaintiffs and they had the right to apply to any other Judge for the injunction. That when his opinion was declared, be had no idea that it would be tested in the Courts. That after his decision was rendered and approved by the Supreme Court, the stockholders voted him a testimonial for bis services in cavassing in behalf of the road, and that Devaga proposed to present him stock of the company as the testomonial, which he refused to accept. He further testifies, that he stated to Justice Willard and Gov. Hamptou, last January, when the Tilda Norris case was pending in Supreme Court, < * I t 1 ^1 TT . i!,1. .1.1 L. wnicn involved uov. nampion ? uwe, mm u? feared the Chief Justice and Judge Wright would be corruptly influenced to decide against us by Gov. Moses, and stated, as a reason, that Davega bad said, at Chester, in his presence and in presence of several others, shortly before the decison of the Supreme Court was rendered in the Glenn case, that he had met Gov. Moses in the streets of Columbia, and that he (Moses) had hinted to him that he oould hurry up the decision of the Court, if Davega, as he, Moses said, would grease the wheels. That Doctor Davega said he told him he would not give a damn cent. It is justice to Judge Mackev to say that the complicity charge upon him ny F. J. Moses, in procuring the decision of Justice Wright, is not sustained by any other testimony. The Commission further report, that it appears from inspection of the record, that the order of the Supreme Court, dismissing the appeal, was filed January 22, 1874, the day on which the account of President Davega, for $2,000, bears date. That no opinion sustaining that order was filed by the majority of the Court That an opinion showing that the commissioners of York were not, in the sense of the act, the |>ropef"fiutnor?ies to subscribe in behalf of the county without the consent of the electors, was filed by Associate Justice Willard. Thus presenting the remarkable fact, that the only opinion in the case is a dissenting opinion. We rest our conclusions in this report, so far as legal questions are presented, upon that opinion. The Commission, therefore, find? 1st. That the bonds, purporting to have been issued by the County of York, in aid of the Chester and Lenoir Railroad Company, were issued without authority and do not nnn na.f r\f tlia indaKflulnMO ftf uuuouiubo auj |;ai u vi nuu iuuwwuuvww v? said county. 2nd. That the decision of the Court in the case of Glenn and others vs. The County Commissioners, does not establish the validity of said bonds, because? First. The Circuit Judge, by whom the case was tried and determined, had prejudged the case before hearing, and a fair and impartial trial was not had. Second. The decision ofthe8upreme Court, reversing the unanimous conclusion of the Court, upon regular consultation, and made without a general consultation of the Judges, if a decision at all, was not only erroneous, but induced by fraud and improper influences. All of which is respectfully submitted. C. JONES. S. E. WHITE. Col. W. C. Black, a member of the Commission, is unable to be present to sign this report. We are very sure that ho agrees with us in the general scope of the report, and have been authorized to sign his name ; but evidence having recently been taken, in bis absence, we report without bis signature. C. J. S. E. W. The Note Was Paid.?The keeper of a boarding bouse at Washington, when Andrew Jackson was President, waited on him one day, and complained that a Tennessean, who had been appointed by him to a clerkship in one of the departments, would not pay a board bill. "Get his note," said Old Hickory, for the full amount, interest included, payable in sixty days, and bring it to me." That will be no use," replied the boardinghouse keeper, "for be never pays his notes." "Do as I tell you, sir," said Jackson, and turned away. The next day the boarding house keeper reappeared at the White House, and banded the note to the President. He took it, read it, and wrote "Andrew Jackson" across the back in his well known autograph,and handed it back, saying: "Take that to the ?ank of the Metropolis and tell them for me that at its maturity it should be paid by either the drawer or endorser. They will discount it for you." A few days afterward the man who had given the note met his creditor and tauntingly said: "Well, I don't suppose you have been able to negotiate my paper ?" "Yes," replied the boarding-house keeper, "I had no trouble in getting it discounted at legal rates of interest." "Who in thunder is willing to discount my notes?" asked the Tennessean. "The Bank of the Metropolis discounted the one you gave me, upon the assurance that if you did not pay it the endorser would." "But who would endorse my note?" "General Jackson ; and he sent word to the bank that if you did not pay the note he would." It is hardly necessary to add that the note was promptly paid by the maker. Cutting the Gordian Knot.?At Gordium, in Asia Minor, Alexander the Great met with the famous adventure which gave rise to this phrase. The yoke of a cart which had formerly belonged to King Midas was fastened to the beam with a leathern thong, and the knot was implicated in so carious a manner that no one could discover the ends of the thong. An oracle had said that whoever succeeded in loosening the yoke of this cart from the beam should become master of Asia. Alexander attempted it, but finding no success in the way others had tried before him, he presently drew his sword and with one blow divided the knot, and thus fulfilled the prediction of the oracle" Education of the fcopk. THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS. In order that civilization may be perpetuated, the schools and chnrchee of the county must be supported. A civilized community without a church or school, is a sight that the world has never seen. It never will see it It is simply a moral impossibility. This faot will be admitted by all good citizens of every class. It will also be admitted that the school house will soon rot down in that community in which there is no church, and that wherever there is a church in a thriving condition, a school house will, of necessity, be built, and a flourishing school be main* tained. The sohool house is a handmaid to the church. Such being the nature of things, we take it that the people of York county are deeply interested in the School* of the county. The schools, we suppose, are watched because they mark the advance or retrograde movements of the communities in which they are sit* uated. To the credit of York county, it may be said that it has, from its earliest settlement, been noted for its schools. When much of the present territory of York coun* * ty was a wild wgete, men of prodigious learning were engaged in teaching school The houses in which they taught were rough in appearance and afforded few comforts to the pupils; but it must be said, to the lasting credit of both teachers and pdpils, that good work was done in those rude "log cabins." It is to be doubted whether our schools of the present day, with all their facilities for teaching, ahd all their pomp and display, turn out such scholars as were turned out from those "old field schools" of former times. County pride, if nothing else, should stimulate us to emulate the virtues of our forefathers. BeA*?A fliA PAHAI ntiAns ?*TT nrC fi fkatr ?OM TVAAW IVIC tuo XDOTUIUUVUOIJ TY?& vuvjr nviv j^vvk | and after the war they were miserably poor. Still, fathers and mothers toiled that they might educate their children. They, to-a commendable extent, succeeded. Many were the intellectual giants which that age of penury produced. Single individuals, communities of individuals?in one word, the inhabitants of the world?are interested in education. The State of South Carolina is in a peculiar condition. A system of education, wholly unknown within her borders fifteen years ago, has been foisted upon her. This system, although it has never been fully put into operation, and has accomplished a very inadequate amount of good when compared with the amount of money-spent in its support; still it has most effectually abolished' the old system. The old system was that every man should educate his own children; the new system is this, the State proposes to give every child living on her soil, an elementary education. Such is the general import of the school law of the State, and as such the people of the State travenrecepted it. < Tne rich as Well; as the poor, expect to receive the benefit of all taxes levied for school purposes. This is, we think, right. It "is, we believe, jnst as it should be. The State has no right to make discriminations in favor of any class of her citizens. If she undertakes to educate one class, to be just, she must undertake to educate every class. In one word, the State must treat all her citizens alike. The constitutional amendment provides that a levy of two mills be made upon all taxable property for school purposes. The taxable property of York county, as taken from the County Auditor's books, is $4,638,470. The school tax on this sum will be $9,276.94. This, distributed according to law among the several school districts, will give Bethel school district, $784.47; Bethesda school district, $816.59; Broad Biver school district, $685.21; Bullock's Creek school district, $984.91; Catawba school district, $1,428.41; Cherokee school district, $545.14; Ebenezer school* district, $675.97; Fort Mill # school district, $789.25; King's Mountain ok . v?l, BUIJUUl Ulltnuij 9U1C/.AU | xvi a ovuv/ui um" trict, $1,097.74; School district No. 11, embracing the incorporate limits of Yorkviile, $820. Besides the above amount, there are, in York-county, 4,197 polls. Each poll is liable to a tax of one dollar, which is, by the Constitution of the State, to be applied to school purposes. Each school district is entitled to its own poll tax. The polls of the several Bchool districts in York county are as follows: In Bethel, 350; Bethesda, 485; Broad River, 288; Bullock's Creek, 495; Catawba, 614; Cherokee, 302; Ebenezer, 321; Fort Mill, 308; York School District and School District No. 11, 570. It is probable that the past indebtedness of each school district will be paid by its own poll tax. This, however, depends upon what action the legislature may take in the matter. -1-1 .L - L - Al .1 .1 __1 1 onouiu iuxq ue me uwu, iut?u m\j*v ouuuui untricts which have no past indebtedness, will be able to use the poll tax of their school district for present purposes. It will be remembered by the people, that the trustees of the several school districts are the only persons who have any legal right to employ teachers in their respective school districts. The law, however, does not grant the school trustees the power to foist a teacher upon a community, in opposition to the wishes of that community, or a majority of it. Hence, we advise that communities select their own teachers, and that these teachers be, formally employed by the school trustees, provided the teachers have complied with the requirements of the law. The people of the county will see that the funds, at the disposal of the school trustees, are not large. Hence, in the locating 01 school houses, great judgment should be exercised by the neighborhoods. That locality should always be ohosen which will meet the necessities of the largest number of children. It Bhould be arranged, by the trustees, to keep the schools open for at least five months. No teacher need expect to receive for his or her services more than twenty dollars per month. The schools may be kept open daring any time in the year. The prospects of the schools, we must say, are encouraging. The trustees, we feel, are encouraged. They manifest great interest in the welfare of their several school districts. This is evident from the fact that they per* form a vast amount of work, for which they do not get, in many instances, thanks. To teachers, we would say, encouragingly, that this is a cash age. / You will receive prompt payment for your servioes. No school teacher will be allowed to open a running account with the State. Remember, also, that merit will secure employment, whilst inattention to duty will drive you from your vocation. > R. Lathan, Sohool Commissioner of York county, * ; i X