Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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

I lewis m. grist, proprietor. | Jfatnilg fUtospaptr: Jor % Iromotux of fjit $afifical, Social, ^gritallnral aiti) Conrattrtial Interests of % Sontji. terms--$2.50 a year, in adyance. J i ?.? VOL. 34L 7 YORKVILLE. S. C.. WEDISTIpSBAV, MAY 9, 1888. NO. 19. ibe Jftotg feller. IMPRISONED IN CUBA. t . PART L THE MYSTERIOUS PACKAGE. There is not a class of men in the world who possess snch a horror of police and prisons, and regard with such veneration and respect -the law and its oftentimes mysterious workings as' "those who go down to the sea ih ships," and although they often find themselves "fouled" in its meshes, it is generally due to acWdent, or' the machinations of some "land; shark;" or perhaps, in 1i i wUk .) JwMHtuMnliij) Tuwmln - VTCZUXlIg TTXbU UUp |AV|/1V wvug shore," the sailo? m&y be unwittingly caught in the net spread t6 ensnare him. Although the mariner may be a veritable giant when upon the broad, trackless ocean, he is a mere child if placed among men who have received their training upon terra Anna-, and the simplicity of the. sailor is often the cause of his being arraigned before the bar man deliberately committing a deed which will lay himself liable to arrest, and when such a case is met with it will almost invariably be found that the act was done to assist a friend or shield a comrade from the consequences of some misdeed. A few years ago, shortly after the capture of Captw Frye and crew of the American steamer Virginius,.and the subsequent execution of a part of the same by the Cuban authorities. I became entangled with the Spanish soldiers of the beautiful tropic isle of Cuba, and my acquaintance with them came very near patting an end to my voyage of life. I was a master of a trim little bark sailing from Boston and engaged in the West India trade. One evening while the vessel was lying at ' a wharf in the latter port, wher^ she was receiving cargo for Matanzas, I was sitting upon the quarter rail enjoying an after sapper smoke when I observed a young man of perhaps 25 years of age coming down the dock very leisurely. As he got abreast of where I was seated he stopped and with a very affable smile bade me "good evening" and then inquired if we were not bound t the West Indies. Assuring him that we were, he stepped aboard, remarking that he belonged in Cuba and was looking for a vessel in which to take passage. I rather liked the appearance of the stranger, and seeing a chance to make a few dollars for mv owners hv talrinca nasuamrer. as we had plenty of room in the cabin, I offered to take him and we soon agreed upon terms, the stranger promising to give me fifty dollars in the morning for his passage to the island. The following day, while sipping coffee in company with the mate, I was surprised to see our prospective passenger with a small valise in hand hurrying down the wharf. There was no one about, as the hour was quite early. He stepped quickly on board, and with the utmost politeness bid me a very "Good morning." After partaking of a cup of coffee with us I invited hhn below and showed him the room he was to occupy during the passage. He was very well satisfied with the accommodations, and taking out a well filled wallet he paid me the price agreed upon, then aqfl there.; "this bag," he remarked, indicating the ; - small sachel in his hand, "contains some , articles of value, and I should be well pleased if you would take care of it for me until we reach Matanzas." Of course I was perfectly willing to accommodate him, and took the bag; he then went ashore, promising to be on board in the evening, as we were going to sea the following morning. When left alone I turned my attention to the bag, which was still in my hand; it was small and neat, and, 1 judged, quite an expensive afi'air. Turning it over I observed an address painted in white letters upon the bottom; it read: "Senor Roderiquez Gonzalez, IS Plaza di Poco, Matanaa, Cuba." The Plaza di Poco I knew quite well, as I bad been many times to Matanzas and had roamed considerably about the city. It was a pleasant little open square, sur, rounded by the homes of the middle class, most of whom were native born Cubans. However, I had not not much time to spend with the bag, so I threw it into my bunk and 1 closed and locked the stateroom door before roinc ashore. A master of a vessel is always very busy on the day before sailing, as there is sure to be a great deal of business to attend to, and my passenger never entered my mind but once, and that was when I went to "clear" at the custom house. It was quite late when I returned to the vessel, and on entering my room the presence of the bag reminded me of the Cuban, so calling the mate I inquired if the stranger had yet come aboard. "No, sir, I've seen nothing of him," wa3 the officer's reply. In the morning everything was bustling and active. The crew were aboard and the towboat alongside shortly after daylight, but nothing had yet been seen of our passenger. The pilot and the captain of the tug were anxious to start, but I was bound to wait until the last moment to give the young fellow a chance. Soon our overtaxed patience was rewarded. A hack dashed down the wharf and drew up at the vessel's side. It was not the Cuban who alighted, howaver, but a telegraph boy waving a dispatch in his hand and calling for "Capt. Graham, bark Rambler." ? "Hero, boy, herel" I cried, jumping into the mizzen channels to reach the message, which I quickly tore open and read: "Capt. Graham, bark Rambler, Constitution wharf, 3oston. "Through unforeseen circumstances it will be impossible for me to make the passago with you. Please deliver the little bag I left to the address upon it, and retain the money I paid you for your trouble. Gonzalez." Hastily thrusting the bit of paper into my pocket, I called to tko pilot, "All right, pilot, let her go"?and in a few moments we were heading down the harbor, the tow boat puffing away alongside, while the crew were rapidly spreading the white canvas to catch the strong westerly wind that was to give us a good start upon our voyage, and, as may bo supposed, there was no thought of the Cuban lett behind. The passage down to tho island was with1 out event and we came to anchor in Mantanzas after a run of eighteen days. ! We were, of course, boarded by the full force of Cuban officials?revenue, military and naval?and after a close scrutiny of our papers and a rigid search of the bark I was allowed to go ashore to report to the consignees and "enter" tho vessel. I had not thought it necessary to inform, the customs authorities of the Cuban's trust, as I felt assured that I could any time during our stay in port deliver it to the address and no one would bo the wiser. It is truo that tho officers looked at mo veryqueerly when I explained the absence of tho passenger whoso name was 011 11.0 manifest, but as bo had not been found on board tho vessel, they were obliged to accept my story; still I noticed that my movements wero more tfloeely watched than tlicy had ever before been; they even went so far as to place, beside the regular custom house officer, a soldier of tho army on board the vessel. This strict surveillance did not at all please me, and I was now determined to deliver tho bag to No. 13 Plaza di Poco in spite of all the Spaniards on the island. I fully realized that it would be 110 easy matter to get the bag out of the vessel without the officers detecting me, although if was but a small parcel. I watched my chance, however, and one day it came. Several American captains, whose vessels were in port, had made up a party to visit tho renowned Crystal cave, that lies upon the eastern side of the Bay of Matanzas. Of course eftch one must carry some refreshments for themselves and their boat's crew, and here I saw an opportunity to smuggle the bag ashore. Accordingly, the night before the picnic, I spoke to the officers over a glass of brandy which I put out for thei special benefit, and requested permission to take some eatables ashore the nexu day. They gave their consent without hesitation, and I at once called the steward to pack up his "dog basket" -with provisions and drinkables, and purposely had him make a display of doing this beforo tho officials, as I wanted them to see everything that went into the basket After it was full we left it on the cabin table ready for the morning, as we were to start by daylight. Along the middle of the night, when I was sure that everything was quiet, I turned out, and, securing the basket, hurried back to my room, where I removed some of the food and put the Cuban's bag in its stead and again returned the basket to the cabin table. All the time I could hear the footsteps of the officer who was on watch pacing the deck overhead, but as there was no light in the cabin I had no fear of being detected. In the morning everything worked as I had expected; I went over into the boat in which were two of my men, and the steward handed down the basket; waving an adieu to the officers we pulled away across tho bay. When well over to the eastern shore I took the bag out of the basket and changed the course of the boat so as to land on the outskirts of the city. * Reaching the shore I instructed my men to pull for the cave where they would meet the other captains and deliver the basket to them, bub I would join them some timo during the day." A few minutes later I was seated inavolante (Cuban carriage) and was being driven lowly (a Cuban team will never travel fast) in the direction of the Plaza di Poco. Turning into the square, in the center of which were growing rare and beautiful plants, I observed several policemen and Spanish soldiers lounging about, but as one cannot take fifty steps in any Cuban city without meeting one or more of these servants of the crown, I paid but little attention to their presence. I, however, ordered the carriage to stop several doors from the house of which I was in search, and, after dismissing the driver, I proceeded on foot. Number thirteen differed little from its neighbors save an unusual air of quiet by which it seemed to be surrounded; it had the same large iron gateway leading into the inclosed area peculiar to all Cuban houses; the same long, barred, open windows, but, like the majority, those were furnished with close blinds, which effectually precluded the passerby from obtaining the slightest glimpse of the interior of the dwelling. Approaching the gate I rapped loudly with the ponderous knocker and my summons was quickly answered by an old man who took in my whole dimensions before dropping thf< fastenings of the gate, and then not until I had repeated the name of Roderiquez Gonzalez, 13 Plaza di Poco, several timoe. Finally, appearing satisfied that I had a right to call, he opened the gate just far enough for mo to squeeze in, and then, after again securing the fastenings, ho led the way across a paved court, in the center of which was playing a miniature fountain, into a large, cool room, and from ihe^-.:. into another which was quite darl, a it as my eyes became accustomed to tho gloom 1 could that it was a chamber nicely l.wnished, and upon a couch in the middle of the apartment was the outline of a recmbent form which started up at our approach. My guide spoke a few words in Spanish and then retired, while the person upon the couch arose and, throwing open one of the blinds, allowed a stream of light to enter the apartment, and by its aid I could see that I was in the presence of a fine looking gentle imui sumewnat past mo inuriuiou ui rnu uuu with a tall figure still erect and with eyes that flashed out brightly from beneath a pair of gray brows. Turning he addressed me in his native tongue, only a few words of which I could understand, but by those few I know he bade me welcome and inquired the object of my visit. I replied in English, asking if I had the pleasure of speaking to Senor Roderiqnriz Gonzalez. "I am he," he returned in English, which bad but a slight accent. "In v.hatj can I servo your' Before I could respond his eyes fell upon Che bag. Instantly his whole manner changed. Involuntary ho sprang forward and reached out his hand as if to grasp it, and then collecting himself ho looked searchingly into my face. "That bag?where did you get it?" ho exclaimed, impetuously, but in a low, subdued voice. "It is yours," I replied, handing hira the sachcl; "at least this is the place where I was instructed to leave it." If tho bag had contained the riches of Golconda ho could not havo received it more eagerly. "Excuse me a moment, but remain here," and with that ho hurriely left tho apartment. He might have been gone perhaps ten minutes when he returned, and approaching tho window closed tho blind, which left us in total darkness, then drawing a chair close to mine, he inquired eagerly as to how the bag had come in my possession. I gave him tho whole story, described the young Cuban, and showed him tho message which I had received the morning of sailing. "My boy, my boy," ho murmured, and several times during tho recital he broke in upon me as though he was about to tell me something, but would then quickly check himself. At the close of my narrativo I arose to go, j when the strange old man requested me to be i seated a few minutes longer, and then again left the room. To say that I was surprised at his manner does not express it. There was certainly something very mysterious in it all, and I was half tempted to sneak out of tho house like a thief, so wrought up were my feelings, when my host again entered. "Captain," he began, "you havo rendered a service, tho value of which you may never know, and thousands yet unborn will bless you for It. It is impossiDlo for me to repay 3*ou for all the risk you havo run, but take this"?thrusting a packet into my hand?"as a slight memento of my gratitude. I should invite you to renew this call upon me, but it would be dangerous to us both; eventhi3 may do you injury, though I trust not," and pressing my hand he unceremoniously pushed me before him through a series of hallways and rooms to a rear entrance and left mo bewildered upon the street with tho package in my hand which I had not had the presence of mind to refuse. For a moment I stood still, not knowing exactly which way to turn, and feeling that I had undoubtedly escaped from a call upon a lunatic, when I was startled by the exclamation: "Bonis dios. senor!" and looking ud reco?r nized the features of an army officer who had frequently been loitering around the shipchandlers, the custom house and other places about the water front where my business called me. His appearan i recalled mo to my senses, and awkwardly answering the salutation, I turned on my heel and hurried away nor stopped for anything until seated in a boat and being pulled off to my vessel, and did not breathe easy until 1 stepped over the rail to the deck, and even then a glance at the packet which I still clutched in my hand was sufficient to cause me to tremble. Hurrying through the cabin I entered my own room, closed the door and broke open the package and to my sr.iTirise out fell several United States bank bibs. PART II. THE ARREST. I gathered tho money up, and it counted just $2.30; then I sat down and pondered. Surely tho contents of the bag must have been of great value to have called forth such a present, but the more I tried to explain tho affair to myself, the more I was puzzled. The day wore slowlv away; at sundown the boat returned bringing word that the other captains were disappointed at my not being with them. At an early hour I sought my bed in anything but a tranquil frame of mind, for I knew that should the authorities discover that I had carried the bag ashore and loft it, no matter what the contents might be, it would go hard with inc, for the Spaniard of the West Indies has little love for the American, and is only too well pleased to catch ono tripping. It might have been midnight when I was awakened from a troubled sleep by the sound of a boat bumping alongside and the voices of strangers on deck. At length several men came down the forward companion way, bnt they were met by the mate, who refused them admission to the cabin. They then began loudly calling for the captain. I trembled, I'll admit it; but there was no alternative, I must faco them. So hurrying on my clothing I came out into the cabin and met the officers. "Wo-raust take you ashore, captain," remarked ono of the soldiers in English. "For what?" I demanded. "That tho captain will learn when we reach there"?was the only satisfaction that I got, hnd unceremoniously they hustled mo out of the vessel and away?but not before I had a chance to tell my mate to inform the American consul early in tho morning of what had taken place. On leaving the bark I was surprised to see that they did not take the course for the city, but kept away to the westward. "Where aro you taking mo?" I inquired, in dismay. "See, bimeby," was the only answer, and I held my peace. , Soon the dark outlines of tho shore arose before me, but the formation of tho outlino as it broke upon my view caused a shudder to creep over me and almost froze the blood in my veins. It was the fort that wo wero approaching, and the sharp angles and lofty turrets stood out grim and threatening against the star lit clrtr in f Via txracf. All the tales that 1 had ever read of the 'SpimiiWnqwfcitfe* they administer justice (?) in Cuba rushed to fay mind, and again the fate of poor Capt Frye was still fresh in my memory. Still I was sure that they could only punish me with a fine for smuggling the bag ashore; yet, suppose that tho bag contained something of importance to the Cuban patriots? What if I had unwittingly been the bearer of valuable messages to the insurgents? The thought almost unnervod me. If it was so, and the government bad found the packet, I could expect no better fato than fell to the lot of so many of the crew of the Virginius. Wheu tho keel of the boat grated upon the coral rocks at tho foot of a flight of stone steps, I was ordered to disembark, and between two soldiers with muskets, and preceded by an officer, tho ascent was began up tho damp, slimy stairs. Wo had not taken mauy steps whenw? were hailed by a sentry, who was answered by the officer in whose charge I was?we then resumed our way; soon a.bright light shone in our faces, and wo could seo an open door a littlo above us. Through this door wo passed and as it swung to again upon its massive hinges we found ourselves between two rows of soldiers with drawn swords; the upartment seemed to be a sort of guard room or keep. A few moments after our entrance, during which time we had remained standing without a word being spoken, a door in tho further end of the room ojjened and an officer, cravlv bedecked with cold lace, entered and approach^ our party took some papers from the soldier in charge and began to read them very carefully. "When he had finished bo waved an adieu to those who had arrested me, and they at once turned and left the apartment by the same door through which we had entered. Then, at the word of command, two soldier stepped from tho ranks and began to search my pockets and clothing, talcing everything that they could find, even to my handkerchief I was next ordered to fall into lino with the guard and was marched off through long, gloomy passageways, down flight after flight of damp, moldy steps; past strong iron doors which was easy enough for me to imagine were closed upon some jwor mortals who were destined never again to breathe the pure air of heaven, but to lio entombed within this dismal pilo of masonry until welcome death should release them from their suffering, perhaps years after their very names had been forgotten in their own homes. Once I heard?or thought I heard?a low, distinct moan that seemed to rise from the stone flagging bonoath our feet. , Narrower grew the passage as we advanced, and by the feeble rays of tho single torch carried by one of tho guard I could see numberless lizards, scorpions and other creeping reptiles scamper away at our approach. At length, after a journey which seemed to have led me into tho very bowels of tho earth, wo were halted before one of tho numerous iron doors, which the ofBcer unlocked and opened, and without further ceremony I was thrust into a smail, damp, fetid cell, with bare stone walls, floor and roof. By the light of the torch, which streamed into tho apartment before the heavy door was swung to, I could see that it was entirely empty, save a countless number of those loathsome creatures which had darted across our pathway as we came down the corridor. Oh, what a feeling of despair came over me when I found myself alone in total darkness, entombed in this loathsome, subterranean dungeon. Slowly the remaining hours of the night wore away, giving me plenty of time to think over the incidents of the past few weeks and see if I had done anything to deserve such treatment. Easy it was to trace my trouble to the strange youth who had formed my acquaintance in Boston, but I had committed no crime in delivering his effects to his family, save in the act of smuggling them ashore, and that in itself was a trivial offense. The more my mind dwelt upon the matter, the more I was convinced that 1 had allowed myself to become a medium between the Cuban patriots and their sympathizers in the United States, and the information or whatever it was that I had delivered must have been of great importance to call forth such a reward from Gonzalez. Yes, there was no doubt but what I was in for it, and knowing the irascible temper of the Spaniards I felt that my death was well nigh certain. After what seemed an age from the time of my commitment to the prison, a faint streak made its appearance upon one of the walls ol my cell; it was the first break of day. The small aperture through which the light struggled was only about five feet from the floor, and I could easily look out. The slit was too narrow to allow a very extended range to my vision, but I could see that I was confined on the water side of the fort, and directly fronting the shipping. But this fact afforded me little consolation, for I felt sure that I should only leave this dreary dungeon to march to my death. I was gazing wistfully out through the tiny aperture, when I heard the heavy bolt thrown back and the ponderous door swung open on its rusty hinges; and turning I was confronted by an officer and a file of soldiers armed with muskets. The officer, with drawn sword, stepped into the cell, and in a pompous manner ordered me to "fall in," and we took up our march through the tortuous passageway to the light of day above. Issuing from the underground labyrinth of corridors we emerged into a spacious square, across which I was conducted unci placed with my back against the stone face of a wall, while the soldiers were drawn up iu line a few paces in front of mo. Several soldiers now appeared carrying a table and some light camp stools, which they placed quite near me, but little to 0110 side, and then retired; two of them almost immediately returned bearing that grim symbol of doath, a coffin. That my time had come I was certain, but I resolved to make a very vigorous protest agaimt sucn summary measures, ami caneu loudly for a hearing. But I might have saved my strength, for my protestations were not taken the slightest notice of. Presently a number of officers appeared crossing tho plaza, and to my unspeakable relief I recognized the American consul in their midst. I was 'then to be granted tho semblance of a trial at least. Tho officials wasted no time in further ceremony, but seating themselves at tho table liegan at once by one of their number reading tho indictment, which was repeated in English by an interpreter, and which accused me of "aiding and abetting the Cuban insurgents, who were in arms against theii lawful sovereign, tho king of Spain, by delivering into the hands of one of the chiefs of the insurgents incendiary papers to incite the people of Cuba to further deeds of violence against tho government, and also money t enable them to carry on a desultory war fare." To have attempted to disguise anything o? withhold any part of my share in the unfortunate affair I knew would be disastrous to my cause; so I told mvstory straightforward from beginning to end, and the consul, I saw, was faithfully translating it. 'Several times, I afterward learned, the party employed as interpreter construed my language so as to make me appear much more guilty than 1 really was. The fact that I had concealed tho presence of the bag in my cabin from the officers, and then stealthily conveyed it ashore and delivered it to tho address upon it, was a strong, very strong point against me, and it required all tho eloquence of the consul to prove that I was ignorant of the contents of tho bag. "If tho prisoner had been aware what was within tho bag, would he have dared to havo taken it to 11! Plaza di Poco in broad daylight, when tho plaza is full of soldiers and members of the socret servicer' asked my countryman and defender. This argument bore weight. For some ten minutes the officers conversed apart, while tho consul did his best to cheer me up. When everything had been fixed appar ently to tneir satisfaction an elderly soldier, 0110 who seemed to be chief among my judges, arose and in a lengthy speech imposed my sentence. "The court had found that I had been but an unwitting agent, and therefore was not \v Holly responsible, but inasmuch as I had surreptitiously conveyed the bag ashore I had thereby violated the customs rule and was consequently found guilty and ordered to pay a fine of ?500 in gold, and to retnain imprisoned within the fort at flfntiuuiM until i was paid.11 '-<* Oh, what a relief. I almost fainted on hearing tho sentence, tho reaction was so great! As may bo imagined it required but a few moments for the consul to give his bond for tho amount, and I was a free man. I had no desire to remain longer within the walls of the grim old fortress, after my release, and in company with my defender hurried out through a sully port which was opened for our egress, and as wo were passing through, much to our surprise, tho contents of my jKJckcts (which had been token from mo tho previous night), were returned to me. Thus was ended my first and last tilt with tho blii d goddess, which far famed lady may bo said to bo doubly blind in tho distant ijiands of the Antilles. I afterward ascertained that tho Spaniards had failed to sccuro tho person of Senor Gonzalcz as ho had left the city tho samo day of my visit, but as I had been seen to enter his house with a bag and leave it without one, and as he was known to hold strong revolutionary principles tho authorities thought it their duty to arrest mo, thinking that I was at least a sympathizer, and that through fear of instant death I would reveal somo secrets of the insurgents. Small Things That Kill.?The newspapers have warned the public against swallowingtheseed of grapes, oranges, etc., because of the danger of such substances getting into a small intetinal bag or cul-de-sac, called by doctors the appendix vermiforuiis. This, explains a correspondent in the Hartford Times, is a receptacle formed at the junction of the large and small intestines, but its use or object no physician-knows. It has been thought to be a rudimentary or incomplete formation?or possibly somo meaningless survival of a lost anterior type. At any rate, its existence, while presenting no apparent "reason for being," as the L^xariiih dqtt la nn Iho nthar hand a 1' iUUVIl Of* J ) iUj Vil VIIV WV1.V? M positive and constant source of danger, because of the liability of its becoming the receptacle of some undigested seed or other indigestible substance. In that case it produces a state of inflammation, which, in nearly all cases, proves fatal. Fortunately, but few seeds among thegreat nu m ber so heed lessly swallowed seem to get into this little death trap, although any one seems likely to lodge there. Perhaps more cases of inflammation of the bowels than 'the doctors suspect may be, in reality, due to this obscure and disregarded cause. An Adage.?The saying, "God tempers the wind to the shorn iamb," is commonly attributed to the Bible. It is the story of "Maria" in Sterne's "Sentimental Journey." It is nearly word for word with a sentence in the "Premices" of Henri Estienne (1594): "JDieu measure in froid a la brebis tondue." Herbert, in his "Jacula Prudentura" (1G40), has: "To a close shorn sheep God gives wind by measure." In the "Memoirs of Henri de Beauregard" (17571824), a Savoyard abbe remarks, less poetically: "God cuts a man's coat according to his measure." It is not unusual for persons to make use of favorite quotations and to credit them to the Bible, who, if they knew the real origin of them, would hesitate. Not very long ago a gentleman who said he regarded Shakespeare as "vile and wicked" (some person had told him so, for he admitted never having read any of the great poet's works,) used the line: : "There is a tide in the affairs of men," and added, "as was said by Paul in his Epistles." And yet he seemed to be pious and sincere, notwithstanding the fact that he evidently knew as little about the I Scriptures as he did about Shake| speare. Learn a Trade.?The majority j of boys and girls who are taught in ; the schools, despise manual labor ! and crowd the professions and the i parlors. With them manual labor has not risen to the dignity of respectability and they would rather practice law, medicine or make music. This desire to shun manual labor is old and must be given up. There are getting to be too many of us in this world, to suppose any avocation is not respectable whereby a fellow can make an honest living, apd moreover it is illustrated every day that too many men are going j into higher places than they can fill j with success and honor to themselves. J The crowding of population ne;es; sarily demands more practicability I and common senseamong tr^.ues. It i must begin in the school rjom.?San| ford Express. I Seeds op Great Age.?It has : been claimed that the seeds taken i from ancient Egyptian tombs are capable of growth, but proof of the claim is lacking. It has been demonstrated, however, that seeds of a very great age are still capable of development. Raspberries have been raised from the seed taken from the I stomach of a man who was buried (ho vmnurap tfa ; Iltfitl IIIC LII11C Ul niv, liiupvw. A... j drian, and seeds taken from the i foundations of one of the oldest ! houses in Paris germinated and j proved to be the seeds of a plant i indigenous to that soil.?tian FranI cisco Chronicle. Frenck Sardines Again.? I French sardines, which far several j years have been scarce, leading to j the fear that they would eventually j become extinct as a food fish, have | appeared on the French coast more numerously than ever. The dearth i of French fish brought into the mari ket great quantities of American I fish of some sort which, done up in j cotton seed oil or doctored mustard, j have been called sardines. The American product is not to be comj pared to the French article, which, bathed in a plentiful supply of pure ' olive oil, is a palatable morsel. The Heroic Method.?Soldiers in the Kussian army are said to be cured of intemperance by a curious and heroic method. The inebriate is locked up, and given only food boiled in his favorite wretched spirit and water. He soon becomes horribly sick, but is kept on this diet until the very sight or scent of spirit creates in him an inextinguishable loathing for it. Piscrttaucous Reading. THE PAIR AND PICKLE PLORENJE. THE STORY OF MISS FLORENCE LITTLE'S DOUBLE MARRIAGE AS TOLD BT AUGUSTUS MINTZ. [From the Charlotte Chronicle, May 1.] From the many reports in circulation through the press as to my marriage to Miss Florence Little, I am prompted, in justice to myself, to make a true statement of the facts. I -have always known her, from whi<jh my acquaintance ripened and matured into love that was no boyish Mthim. Miss Little is of a respectable family, a woman of beauty and many attractions. She was reared an orphan, which heightened and excited my sympathy, and from our engagement, one year ago, all went wely, and I felt there was a bright future for me, which was inspiring am^njpcentive to every act of my IHerTClas i !nS heart"! believed so true and gentle, proved false, as my story will relate. Not a word ever fell from her lips, nor an act of hers led me to believe my love was not reciprocated, and I always felt that I was in the enjoyment of that confidence, and that I possessed the love of one of whom I was so little worthy. Dr. Atkinson, in the meantime, paid frequent visits to his uncle, Allen B. Crosby, of Black's, where Miss Little spent part* of her time with her sister, Mrs. Jacob B. Ross. When they became acquainted his attention to her seemea to be no more than politeness would require. On the 28th of January I received a note from Miss Little, from Gaffney City, saying she must see me at once. I could not refuse such a summons from her, and on the next day I met her at Mr. Bryan Bonner's and went with her to Mrs. Mary Lockhart's, her sister, who lived a few miles in the country. She seemed sad all the while; but soon those black eyes softened into liquid beau ties, wnen sne soDoea aioua ana said: "The task is too great to tell you. I am to be married to another!" when her weeping grew more bitter. She again spoke, saying: "Can I be the instrument of violating an obligation which has been held so sacred that I have felt our happiness and success in life depended upon it? Can I break the golden link ? Dear Gus, forgive me. I . only am to blame. I don't know myself 1 My wrong I capnot account for. Forgiveness from you will again make me your happy Florence." This was so astounding that it dumbfounded me. When I sufficiently recovered myself I asked who ray rival was. She said: "Dr. Atkinson, of Chester. My ties to you are the oldest," she reiterated, "forgiye me. I liked all men that loved." I felt myself kneeling at the shrine to pay homage to the power of love. The link, suddenly broken, was suddenly welded in fervent love. I told her the only obstacle that had been to our marriage before this was my youthfulness and want of completing ray education. We then discussed the feasibility of a clandestineritoarriage,-until this could be accomplished, which was agreed upon, when I returned to Black's with the lull purpose oi revealing my pians 10 my parents. But the idea of consulting them on such a course, or even of marrying at all at my age, and not at all prepared for the arduous duties of life, to break such a subject upon the kind ears of my parents, weighed so heavily that my heart failed within me. On the 30th of January I received a note again to come to my broken-hearted Florence ; come, and come at once ; "I)r. Atkinson will be here on the evening train." I, with my friend J. D. Goforth, in a vehicle with a splendid pair of horses, drove against time, reaching , Gaffney City at 10 o'clock A. M. I addressed a note, from John Me-. Keon's Hotel, to Miss Little at the residence of Mrs. Lumsden, saying that I would see her. When I met her in the parlor at Mrs. Lumsden's, with a pair of horses at the gate, I asked her to take a ride with me. She said: "Gus, I have just been advised by a lady friend not to ride out with you, but I will go at all hazards." Seizing her hat we were soon in the vehicle and fast left Gaflfney City behind us. We drove around theclassic hills of Limestone Springs, this once beautiful summer resort, until it grew late, discussing the situation, she all the while avowing her devotion to me and that every throb of her heart gave me its genuinness | and sincerity, one remaraea, as we approached where the roads separated, where the final conclusion was to be had and the final step taken: J "This left hand leads to Gaft'ney City and the right to Rev. Mr. Carter's.'7 I suggested the road to Gaffney City was the Atkinson road and the road to the Rev. Mr. Carter's was the , Mintz road, placing the lines in her hands, at th.e same time saying: "Drive the road of your choice," when she gracefully reined the team into the Mintz road. After driving a short pace I seized upon the lines of the fiery steeds that then nervously felt the bit and seemed to be inspired with that same spirit and determination of the happy couple behind them, and drove rapidly to the Rev. Mr. Carter's, where I revealed to the reverend gentleman the object of my unceremonious call. When he consented, on leaving the house he said to Mrs. Carter: "I am going out to kill snakes." The old lady having her suspicions, followed close by and lay in ambush and was a witness to all the proceedings. While in the buggy, just at dark, the Rev. J. G. Carter performed the marriage ceremony between myself and Miss Florence Little. At this moment nature very appropriately drew its dark curtain around as the clandestine marriage was performed, when the queenly orb arose in the eastern horizon and threw its silvery rays around our feet and lit our dis| mal and rug^d way back to Mrs. Mary Lock hart's. 1 took this as a good omen. After reaching Mrs. Lockhart's I assisted the then Mrs. Florence Mintz to the house, and after bidding her good night, drove back to Gaffney City, believing our sacred ties would hold through life. Dr. Atkinson, who had come at the appointed time, was still there, but left soon for his home. During this time the wires were flashing with inquiries between Black's and Gaffney City, "Where are Gus, Miss Little and Dr. Atkinson ?" "Which one did she marry?" No explanation. All was in mystery. When I arrived at Black's I found all in wild excitement. Public opinion was coming down on me at the rate of one thousand pounds to the square inch ; that I had only accomplished this much ; that I had prevented a worthy woman from marrying a worthy man. Many repeated it was a boyish love quick to kindle and quick to die out. I felt keenly the disapproval of a people who were ignorant of the facts. I sought the advice of Mr. Joseph Black, who advised me to publicly acknowledge the marriage ; that my "nurse was impracticable. I received a a mte from Miss Little alias Mrs. Mini-, that she would be in Black's on the llih. I met her at Mrs. R. M. Randalls, at a social party, after which I escorted her to the residence of A- B. Crosby.' On the way she s< remarked: "No one has any idea of our marriage," and said, "Dr. At- u kinson will be here to-morrow, and J1 what will you do if we marry ?" 1 replied I could not entertain such a a thought. When we reached the a Crosby residence I bid her good ? night. On the next day Dr. Atkin- l< son was at his uncle A. B. Crosby's, P where Miss Little alias Mrs. Mintz was paying a visit. I again sought the advice of Mr. Black, who gave 3 t.he same advice. T felt mv cohfl- ? dence in her so great that I left for j, my home, just a few hours before the ti marriage between Dr. Atkinson and g Mias Little alias Mrs. Mintz which n occurred at 1 o'clock A. M., at the t residence of Mr. Crosby, in time to t take the Air-Line train via Charlotte n for Chester. The next day at my u country home the news reached me a of the marriage, to my surprise and c astonishment. I opened the secret c to my father, who went with me to sj the Rev. Mr. Carter, who gave acer- t tificate of mine and Miss Little's a marriage. e In my dilemma, what was to be j, done ? The Mrs. Mintz now appears in society as Mrs. Atkinson. Her e mysterious course I am not able to c explain. Here reason fails and mys- $ tery wraps everything in darkness, t It is an enigma given to the world a with its explanation only speculation v at best. Augustus Mintz. s Suicide and Self-Control.?- ? The frequency of suicides is notable, j and it is believed to be very often t due to the sudden impulse of those B who have never learned to control ? their feelings or passions. These per- 0 sods often meet with great and sud- q den disappointments, or suffer from c great revulsions of feeling, and the g effect of an imperfect control of the s will is that the dogs of passion slip c heir leash and lead the wav to self- _ destruction. The control of the will t is one of the great things to be done t by any one, and it is one of the a things to be done in childhood. The a example of a mother is commended who plunged the head of a rebellious * child into cold water when he per- * sistently disobeyed her. The fight _ for liberty was sharp and strong. ? The mother kept the head under t water as long as she dared to, but the e moment the child could gasp for s breath he breathed defiance. Three c times did the head go under, and it ; was only the third time the mother secured an obedient son. She taught ? him to obey her, and in doing that , he learned to control himself. It is g believed- that there would be far . fewer suicides, excepting those which [ come from insanity, if young people were rigidly taught at home to prac- ^ tice the art of self-control. It looks j as if a large number of the suicides c of younger persons could be traced _ to their lack of self-control and of t training in moral responsibility. j The William Penn Elm.?Yes- | terday we visited the spot where | the famous elm .tree stood under , which Penn made his treaty with ? the Indians. f A sketch of this tree made by Ben- t jamin West in 1775, is still in the t possession of the Penn family, from $ which all the subsequent engravings a have been made. It was near the close of November, 1702, that Wil- r liatn Penn assembled the chiefs, and r that treaty of peace and comity was a entered into, of which Voltaire said, j "It is the only treaty between these ^ nations and the Christians which wasnever sworn to and never broken." From an early date a sacred halo gathered about this elm and preserv- r ed it from harm. When the British I took possession of Philadelphia, Gen- 1' ral Simcoe kept a sentinel under it, ^ and insured its protection. The r Methodists and Baptists frequently v held their meetings in the summer a timeuuderitswidespreadingbranch- g es. It remained until 1810, when it F was blown down in a storm, and it f was ascertained to be about three o nundred and eighty years old. The o spot where it stood in Kensington, s near the corner of Hanover and e Beech streets, has been marked by e a monument with appropriate his- v torical inscriptions.?Exchange. t The Child of Mount Vernon. J George Washington Parke Custis J* died at Arlington, near Washington J3 city, on the 10th of October, 1857. 1 He left one child, the wife of Robert ? E. Lee. afterward the Confederate ^ general. Closely allied to the Wash- 8 ington family, fond of calling him- D self the child of Mount Vernon, he ? was never so much in his Element " as when he was talking or writing e of the great chief and the men and a times of the Bevolution. As he said of himself once, "his was the J* destiny of no common man," for he had been fondled on the knee of the " Father of his Country, and received from him the kindness of a parent. He repaid that care and affection i< with filial devotion, and to the day a, of his death all the recollections of ii his life entered around or radiated o from the time when he was one of k Washington's family. He lived to a d good old, age, retaining his mental ti faculties to the last. Though Mr. p Custis was never in public life, he tl was in his youuger days an eloquent r< and effective speaker, and had a fond- o ness for oratory as long as he was ei able to gratify those constantly call- g ing on him to make public addresses. S Ben: Perleij Poore. ti ? ? fl Facts Concerning the Gulf r< Stream.?Some additional facts concerning the gulf stream are set forth by a Boston scientist. It is, he says, E a stratum of warm blue water not c, more than fifty fathoms deep, and E flows due east at a rate that would take it to England within a hundred days. Off Cape Ilatteras this northward flowing stream is in the form | of a fan, its three warm bands spread- j yt ing out over the Atlantic surface to m ?? KunnHfK nf 1ft7 mi'loa I rP <111 1 cyclic UlCUUlll U1 JUI IIIIIW, . while two cooler bands of an aggre- A gate breadth of 52 miles are interposed between them. The inner- ht most warm band is the one that shows the highest temperature and Di speed, its velocity being greatest where it is pressed latterly by the j Arctic current, so that the rate of 1 y miles per hour is occasionally observed. The peculiar blue color of l(JS the water is probably because the ist river salt washed into the gulf by the 18t Mississippi is held in suspension.? g* Boston Budget. i.n Four Sundays in a Week.? Friday is the Arab's Sunday, but *al it does not put much stop to his si, worldly business unless he so choos- cir es. Then Saturday is the Jews' Sabbath, and next our Sunday, ho on which day the French workman atn continues to work, iu order to take ?? at least a half holiday on Monday. There are four days out of the seven in i the visitor to Algiers runs the risk In of finding a shop closed or a workman not at his post.?/' A. Bridgman in Harper. \ THE FARMERS OfJTHE STATE. | j DDRESS OF THE EXECUTIVE COAT- j MITTEE OF THE FARMERS' ASSOCIATION. At the recent meeting of the exective committee of the Farmers' Asociation at Columbia, for consolation with friends of the farmers' movementand the proposed Agrieolural College, the following address 3 the people of South Carolina was dopted and ordered to be published s a statement of the plans and aims f the Association, and as an appeal a the sovereign people for their aproval and endorsement at the polls. THE ADDRESS. To the people of South Carolina: 'he executive committee of the Farmers' Association, feeling that it is ncumbent upon us as the representaives of the organized farmers of the ] tate to outline a policy of retrenchnent and reform in consonance with he aims and purposes of the agitaion known as thg^rraers' movement, and to explain tKe grounds pon which we shall ask the support nd aid of our Democratic fellowitizens in thecomingelection,would all the earnest attention of all perons in sympathy with our aspiraions for agricultural education and more economical and efficient govrnment to the facts and reasons erein set forth. We claim only our just share of ducational advantages for the agriultural and industrial classes, and hat the same shall be placed within he reach of the average farmer's on, and not, as is now the case, shall ye be compelled to support only uch institutions as are inaccessible o most farmers and which do not rnish the cheap practicable trainng needed. We make no war upon he South Carolina University as a ilace for obtaining a scientific and lassical education, and we reiterate ur desire to see the South Carolina College liberally supported and beome a real university worthy of our Itate; but we assert without fear of uccessful contradiction that farmers annot be educated in a city and re ain farmers, and that in all efforts < o mix practical and literary training he first has been overshadowed: the gricultural students have been few, 1 ,nd the attempt an utter failure. The demands for better facilities or cheap and practical education for , armers has been heretofore 'refused >n the plea of expense, and the oppo- ( ition has not hesitated to scare the ax-payers with largely exaggerated istimate8 of the probable cost of a j eparate agricultural college. With onsummate cunning and unblush- ( ng inconsistency they have taken idvantage of the agitation for a sepirate agricultural college to build up hat wonderful ten-student "annex," ind, while crying out against "dudication of plant and teaching force," rnve actually increased the taxes beyond what the Farmers' Association iver thought of asking for. Not satsfied with robbing the industrial classes of the benefits of the land crip fund, they have stretched forth heir greedy hands and grabbed the Jatch fund also; and a State, which wo years ago was too poor to sup>ort any experimental station at all jow supports three, with their du)licatea attackers, thus frittering md wasting the funds appropriated or scientific investigation. In 1885 he University, includingClaflin and he Citadel, had an income of about ;50,000, and the trustees claimed that, is then constituted, it afforded all he practical training for farmers leeded by the State. Its income iow is approximately $97,000 per mnum, but as an agricultural school t is only a bigger and more costly leception. fortune's favoring smiles. But while our efforts to obtain a ecognition of our rights and needs lave hitherto failed to secure a colege for educating farmers, fortune las unexpectedly smiled on us. The nunificent bequest of Mr. Clemson, yhose affection for his adopted State ,nd wise insight has removed the ;reat stumbling block in the way of iroviding a suitable site and farm or the collcce. skives us the coveted opportunity. By this bequest not niy do the farmers come into posession of property valued at wellligh $100,000, but also of an estate minently suited for the purpose for vhich it is given, and hallowed by he sacred memories of Carolina's reatest statesman. We have the uthority of General Stephen D. Lee or saying that $100,000 is ample for , >uilding and equipping a school like he Mississippi College. Without : ounting anything donated by Mr. ( llemson, except the Calhoun hometead, we propose to show how the ( eeded money can be obtained with- , ut increasing the taxes cne single ollar, and while many havebeliev- , d that the building of a separate gricultural college was and is the ] nly vital issue represented by the ' irmers' movement, we still call at- J mtion to other reforms which we eem of equal or greater importance. REFORM ALL ALONG THE LINE. j ! The purchasing power of money ! -J i much greater than it was ten years go; the taxpaying power has not icreased at all, while the price of | ur main money crop, cotton, has >wered to very near the cost of prouction. The reduction of expendi- j ires, when possible, must then ap- . eal to the common sense as well as le pockets of our people. No good 3 jason can be given why salaries in ur State should remain fixed highr than iu North Carolina and Geor- i ia?both larger and wealthier = tates. We invite the careful atten on of taxpayers to the following gures, taken from the comptroller's * ;ports of the three States: . No. Ca. So. Ca. t 1887. 1880. ] xecutive department... $5,200 $9,500 | ( ompirouer general o,ouu .j,ovw i . ducational bureau :j,100 4,500 Judiciary department 1 * (counting only 8 of 12 1 l Judges as in South Car- { olina) 37,000 50,750 | c oard of health 2,000 0,100 j g ate department 4,000 4,100 r ilitia 7,500 13,000 ^ reasury 0,000 7,100 s djutant and inspector 1 general 1,300 4,400 j t ate House keeper 750 1,550 \ Total ?70,300 ?115,900 j ? [(Terence for doing same work 845,000 | Then here is another table of equal- j i instructive figures: 11 ASSESSED VALUE OF PROPERTY. | jl Georgia. No. Ca. So. Cn. i V 15 $144,00 ,000 j t, ?... $3120,000,000 ?2 2,000,000 141,000,000 I 1 17... 342,000,000 210,000,000 I a In... $13,1.00,000 $8,000,000 a $3,000,000 SALARIES PAID, AC. Georgia. No. Ca. So. Ca. ary of Governor $ 3,000 $ 3,000 $ 3,500 ler State officer* 13.500 14,000 15,725 [ireme Court Judges... 9,000 7,500 11,000 cult Judges, each 2,000 2,500 3,500 )lic printing 9,000 13,000 late contingent fund.. 35 375 use contingent fund.. 50 900 tionery, Legislature.. 700 800 OD MEN* CAN BE OBTAINED AT REDUCED SALARIES. ,879 Georgia's assessment was in round W numbers $235,000,000 r\ 1887 342,000,000 . : !_ ir Gain of wealth In 9 years $106,000,000 a South Carolina on the contrary has se gained nothing1, but lost. Butjudgng by the way money is paid In salLries, &c., we are by long odds the richest and most prosperous of thfe three States. Does anybody claim that we have more efficient or abler officials than Georgia or North Caro-, lina? It is urged that a reduction pfpay would briDgina8et6f"bheapn men who would be inefficient. But udging by the scramble over a iejent judgeship or solicitor'^' olace, we think our taxpayers can safely rely on getting just as good men as they now do for the same money paid by North Carolina lor G8orgia. Without going into figareb we take it for granted that our lunatic asyum and penitentiary are!managed in just as extravagant >airway as the other departments,'the one provng a great burden to the people and the other yielding no income, though it might be made to pay at least $40,)00 a year to defray the expenses of .lie guvttruujeuii. REVENUES OP THE COLLEGE. We htfVe showothftt $45,000 can be saved if the same basis of bxpeuditures as in North Carolina be adopted. The privilege tax on fertilizers imounts to over $30,000 annually, rhe work done by it can and ought :o be done by the Agricultural Colege. Here then is $75,000,. to build ind equip the college without either touching Mr. Clemson's money or resorting to new taxation. If then sve leave the University the $34,500 now appropriated to its support and the tuition fees, and relieve it of the axpense of attempting to educate farmers and mechanics in an uncongenial atmosphere, it can accomplish its needed work in a more efficient manner, and be the better for setting rid of these bones of contention, while after the Clemson College is built it would have the following income without looking to the taxpayers at all to run it and the experimental stations: Hatch fund $15,000 Land scrip 5,750 Privilege tax 30,000 Total $50,750 With this sum we can keep up an Bxcellent agricultural school at Fort Hill worthy of South Carolina, worthy of Calhoun, and last, but not least, worthy of Mr. Clemson. STILL OTHER REFORMS. But there are also other reforms and economies imperatively demanded before we can lift the burden Df taxation to any marked degree. We have too much and too hasty legislation. We believe it would be economy and wisdom to have our Legislature meet biennially instead of annually as at present, and to change the date of its session. That the burdens of taxation are not equally borne is too evident, and those iuapayers who arts iiuuesi iu men returns are grievously imposed on. Governor Hagood long since pointed out that our county governments are both inefficient and extravagant, nearly as much being spent on them now as in Radical days. We are handicapped and cut off from any improvement along that line by our Radical Constitution, while our very existence as a free people is jeopardized by the ignorant horde of voters watching and praying for a split in our ranks. We earnestly urge the importance and necessity of a Constitutional Convention to secure needed economy in county affairs, the abolition of useless offices, and to throw stronger safeguards around the citadel of white supremacy before the seeds of discord shall sprout and grow. THE PEOPLE MUST BE AROUSED. To accomplish all this our people must arouse themselves from their lethargy and take a more intelligent and active interest in political affairs, and here we would warn them to see to it that a set of greedy politicians and office-seekers shall not again, as in past years, nominate a State ticket out of hand without having a canvass or even an expression of sentiment on these important issues. Public discussion is not only the means of educating the masses, but is also the chief safeguard of our liberties and the only guarantee of our rights. In behalf, then, of the farmers whom we represent, and as one of the best means of bringing about these reforms, we insist on a canvass by those whose ambition it is to control the State Government during the next two years before they are nominated, so we can know just how they stand. Recognizing the ability of the present incumbents, and in no wise intending to cast any reflections upon them, we yet feel that if they seek renomination they could spend some of their leisure during the summer most profitably in discussing before their constituents these and any olher questions of public interest. Thus they can snow wherein we are wrong if they disagree with us, or give us the advantage of their approval if they ap FARMERS, KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN. See to it then, fellow-citizens, those pf you who sympathize with ourobects and aims, that no tricks be played upon us in the May convention. Farmers are too busy to give much thought to their public duties, Put they can, and should, at least, iemand, and they will obtain, their ight to select fheir officials knowingly, and make no more leaps in :he dark. But in the end the whole matter, both of establishing the Agricultural College and of making needed reforms in the State government, rests with the coming Legisature. Our experience with the one ust adjourned teaches us to beware )f demagogues and fence straddlers, ind weak-kneed individuals without irmness of character or any convicions of their own. We would, :herefore, advise and urge the absoute importance of selecting candilatesof firmness and capacity; and )f requiring of them to define and jxplain their position. If a candilate is too good or too unfixed to dedge himself to any line of policy lemanded by the people, he can and hould be left at home ; and when a andidate, after havingpledgedhimelf and been elected, breaks that )ledge, as did a goodly number in he last legislature, he is no longer vorthy the confidence and respect if any intelligent voter. Appealing then to the good sense ,nd patriotism, not of farmers alone, >ut of all classes of our people, i) aid us in ourefforts to secure equal iistice and equal advantages to all, o purify and elevate our politics and 0 bring about a more economical nd efficient government in State nd county, we are respectfully, D. K, Norris, B. 11. Tillman, H. R. Thomas, W. Q. M. Bixby, E. P. Moore, , John Morrah, J. B. Morrison, Ex. Com. Farmers' Association. Columbia, April 21, 1888. End of the Civil War.?The ar ended with the surrender of onfederate General Kirby Smith 1 Texas, May 20, 1865. There was national thanksgiving for peace obtrved November 2,1865.