The Anderson intelligencer. (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, May 04, 1876, Image 1

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RA.TBS OF SUBSCRIPTION.?Two Dollar? per annum, sad O.vk Dollar for six months. Subscriptions are not taken for a leas period than six months. - Liberal deductions made to olabi of ten or more subscribers. RATES OF ADVERTISING.-One Dollar per square ot one inch for the first Insertion, and Fifty Cents per square for subsequent lcsertienslessthan threo months. No advertisement counted less than a square. Liberal contracts will be made with those wishing to advertise for three, six or twelve months. Ad? vertising by contract must bo confined to the im? mediate business of the firm or individual contrac? ting. Obituary Notices exceeding fire lines, Tributes of Respect, and all personal communications or matters of individual interest, will be charged for at advertising rates. Announcements of marriages and deaths, and notices of a religious character, are respectfully solicited, and will be inserted gratia. BY HOYT & CO. ANDERSON, S. G, THURSDAY, MAY 4, 1876. VOL. XI-NO. 42. LEGAL ADVERTISING.?We are compeHed to require cash payments for advertising ordered by Executors, Administrators and other fiduciaries, and herewith append the rates for the ordinary notices, which will only be inserted wbon the money comes with the order: Citations, two Insertions, - - - - $3.00 Estate Notices, three insertions, ? - 2.00 Final Settlements, five insertions - - 3.00 TO CORRESPONDENTS.?In order to receive attention, communications must be accompanied by the true name and address of the writer. Re? jected manuscripts will not be returned, unless the necessary stamps are furnished to repay the post age thereon. We are not responsible for the views and opinions of our correspondents. All communications should be addressed to "Ed? itors Intelligencer," and all checks, drafts, money orders, 4c, should be modo payable to the order of HOYT & CO., Anderson, S. C. BERKLEY HALL. BY "LA CAROLINE." CHAPTER XVI. "Whiles we abut the gate Upon one wooer, another knocks at the door." A few moments of silent thought fol? lowed the fervent prayer, and Harry, arousing himself from his sad revery, heaved a deep sigh, and turned to seek his horse and buggy, when he was arres? ted by a hard slap on the shoulder, and the greeting of a familiar "voice: "Why, surely, it is not you, Harry, whom I have caught playing the senti? mental? This is really a capital joke. Who would have supposed there was so much of the lack-a-daisical in Harry Maham ? But I will not be hard on you, for our rencontre is to me a pleasant and most fortunate one, if you are, as I sup? pose, homeward bound. I am myself en route for Berkley Hall to pay the compli? ments of the new year to your gentle mother and fair sister, and to take one more hunt with Capt. Harry for the sake of auld lang syne. So, if quite agreeable, I will take the spare seat in your buggy, and promise that the burden of my talk shall be the piquante Jessie Ferguson. If Dame Rumor speaks true, there is no cause for the dolce far niente look upon your face, and the deep sigh you heaved as I came upon you. By-the-bye, man, do tell me where you ever found the courage to face to the music of Miss Jessie's sharp wit and spicy tongue?" A merry, twinkling Light in Harry's bright blue eye quickly dispelled the clouds of sorrow which had shadowed his face as ? be recalled with intense en? joyment the used up expression of the speaker's face under this more than half earnest raillery and pointed satire flung by the gay Jessie at the self-enamored preux chevalier. But Harry only re? plied: <fYou know I always confessed to a penchftit for highly seasoned condiments, even though it be a woman's saucy tongue; I cannot, therefore, take credit for unusual courage. But come and let ua go to the buggy, my mother and sister will wait dinner for me. They will both of them be pleased to see you, and I will feel nattered if Berkley Hall can offer you any amusement to compensate the loss of the 'gay friends, the routs and revels yon have left in the city. Report says the rebel Maj. Egan is a prime favorite with the Federal General, and enjoys prestige as a proselyte with the belles who attend the Federal levees." An expression of annoyance crossed the face of Maj. Egan, for it was?as I suppose the reader has guessed?none other than our old acquaintance, Dick Egan, who had accosted Harry. But the look of annoyance was quickly dis? placed by one of ineffable complacency as he replied: "Why, yes, Harry, even scripture ex? tols the worldly wise man for making friends of the mammon of unrighteous? ness. I claim to be one of the wide? awakes ! Earth has been assigned me as my dwelling place; it is the theatre upon which I have been called to play my part, and that the part of a practical business man. Poets, parsons and girls it suits well enough to live in dreamland, indulge in heroics and sigh for wing* to ?soar among the clouds, but to be Richard Egan the millionaire is the goal of iny ambition! Yes, the game is over with the South, and I am for Dick Egan and gold. Gold, glittering gold, can buy man's applause and woman's sweetest smilesi" Although too noble himself to stoop and cringe for selfish greed and gain, Harry did not, as Marion or Jessie would have done, shrink with repulsion and scorn from the ex-Confederate officer who had almost boastfully given expres? sion to his sordid feelings aud aims, for Harry's life in the army had given him an old man's experience of the varied characters of men. He knew that even in the ranks of the noble Confederates there were many time-servers and self seekers who were like Dick Egan, greedy of money and place, and who, although they had sworn most loudly their fealty to the "ldst cause," were then ready to sacrifice every sentiment of patriotism for gain. Many of them even seeking to dignify their sordid sentiments by call? ing patient submission. Harry did not, therefore, exclaim against the sordid views of his old acquaintance, but si mply remarked: "Money is indeed a mighty power, but the love of money is an unholy passion. It was the fatal transgression which caused the fall of the unhappy Judas from his high and dangerous post. Even when fairly and nobly won, and humbly received as the gift of God, wealth entails upon its possessor a fearful responsibili? ty ; and the rich uyin may well tremble lest an unheeded Lazarus be found sit? ting at his gate! But, Dick, although I am compelled to admit that money is the "Sesame" which opens many doors, and may win the smiles of the fair and false, ? I am quite sure the pure and true, such women as I know, cannot be bought with gold P* An incredulous smile curled Maj. Egan's lip as he replied: "Upon my word, for an old soldier you are the most verdant specimen of the genus homo I have ever met, and I feel like making the significant but ill-bred query: 'Does your mother know you are out?' Have you forgotten the quotation from him who had cause sad enough to know and rue the faithlessness of woman: "Maidens, like moths, are ever caught by glare, And mammon wins his way where Seraphs might despair." "But I am thinking, friend Harry, you must contemplate playing the role of old 'Noah?" No young man in ordinary intercourse likes to be accused of preaching at his comrades, and Harry, while a brave and manly fellow, was remarkably modest, and even painfully sensitive of his own unworthiness as a Christian. He realized that his goodness was worthless in God's sight, and with humble gratitude he had accepted the glorious robe of Christ's righteousness; but Maj. Egan's sneer had aroused the old Adam within him, and he replied hotly: "I feel well satisfied that any preaching to you would be labor lost, even as was righteous Noah's oa the scoffing antedi? luvians. But, Egan, I must request you not to speak of women at all to me, un? less you can do it with respect. Remem? ber, I have a mother and a sister!" For one moment the hard, worldly nature was touched, and Maj. Egan's voice was slightly tremulous as he said: "Excuse me, Harry, I intended no insult. Ahl if I had such a mother! But from my earliest childhood I have never enjoyed the influence of a mother's or sister's love!" "Then you know nothing of woman, Dick, and I am sorry for you," said Har? ry, in a mollified voice. Sken a ken (who had been saved from capture through Croppo's fidelity) had lost none of his fleetness, and a brisk and pleasant drive soon carried them to Berk? ley Hall, where Maj. Egan received kind and generous welcome from the ladies. Besides being an old acquaintance, Maj. Egan was intelligent and gentle? manly, and endowed with a gift which very few men possess?a talent for small talk?and this, like every other talent he possessed, he knew how to turn to ac? count for Richard Egan. He was brim full of city news. Mixing familiarly with Federals and Confederates, he could tell of the sayings and doings of both parties, and could conjecture quite shrewdly the motives which governed their actions. Under the circumstances no more acceptable visitor could have appeared at Berkley Hall. The change from the bustle and excite? ment of camp life to the sad quiet of Berkley Hall was irksome to Harry Maham. Even his favorite pastime of hunting did not afford the pleasure it had done in lang syne, since it recalled so many cherished friends who had shared with him his holiday sports, then, be? side their fallen comrades, sleeping their I last sleep close by some hardly, bravely, but, alas, vainly contested battle-ground! Ahl yes, porr Harry found the sadly altered home life was hard to endure, and many times when alone the unbid? den tear would start, and he could be beard murmuring: "In vain, in vain those precious lives were given?we wear the yoke of slavery!" To him, then, Richard Egan, full of the instinctive principles of self-preservation and the worldly principles of accumulation, and cheerfully elated with the consciousness that he was nearing his desired goal, and, above all, retailing occasionally for Har? ry's especial benefit bits of news he had gathered of the old comrades whom Harry lovingly called "the boys," came as it seemed to Harry a heaven-sent boon. His company was not less agreeable to Mrs. Maham, breaking as it did into the monotony of her invalid life. His vivid relations of the scenes enacted in the beau monde for the moment seemed to call back the feelings of her youth, and the repartees and bon mots he knew so well how to repeat, often won a smile from her pale lips. Even Marion was won for a while from her grave reticence and sad reminiscences by his unvarying cheerfulness and pleasing conversational talents, and her heart softened gratefully to one, who could sometimes win one of the old gay smiles from her beloved mother. Thus, unperceived at first even by themselves, Richard Egan was gradu? ally but surely instiling into their pure hearts the poison of his scoffing and worldly spirit. Richard Egan's ruling passion from his very boyhood was the love of money, and this unholy passion made such rapid strides that it had reached maturity before the boy became a man. It was Dr. St. Julien's known wealth that had made him a suitor for Annie St. Julien's hand. Annie's beau? ty and gentleness he could not fail to admire, but the deepest feeliug she had ever awakened in his heart was a petting tenderness which men exulting in their physical strength feel for women and children. It was left for Marion Maham to make him feel woman's magical power over man's heart. Marion's beauty had elicited his admiration, her earnestness and her independence had compelled his esteem, and his fancy lingered with de? lighted pride upon the time, when the high-spirited girl would yield to him the homage of her heart, for he really be? lieved that wealth was almighty to win woman's love, and he might often, could his heart have been listened to, have been heard whispering, "for pomp and power alone are woman's care !" Richard Egan's parents had died when he was a very young child, leaving him, their only child, and n small patrimony to the care and guidance of a bachelor uncle, whose own means being quite limited he had little to give his young kinsman, except a large share of spoiling, an excellent education and the profession of a lawyer. The opportunities which were afforded him, young Egan made the best use of, and having graduated at col? lege and then at the bar with considera? ble credit, he might with his advantages and talents have reached a high position in life had he not sold himself a slave to money, having, as he himself had said, engraved upon his heart as the ultima thule of his loftiest ambition, "Richard Egan the millionaire." And already he was in a fair way of reaching the coveted prize. Having just graduated at the bar when the war between the States broke out, he espoused the Confederate cause with just warmth enough to bring him into notice, and render him popular with those who, to use his own expression, "could make it pay." He soon worked his way into the office of P. Q. M., which, in his skillful hands became quite lucra? tive. And thus commenced his career in the race which he had purposed even from his childhood to run. Circumstan? ces favored his hopes. Sometimes the homes of refugees?who were obliged to sell in order to obtain the means of sub? sistence?were bought for a trifle. A pure act of charity on the part of the kind-hearted Maj. Egan, who of course could have no use for property in the enemy's lines. "Running the blockade," too, became a fruitful source of gain to the lucky worshipper of mammon. But it was when the war, the disastrous war, closed, and the tear-stained cheeks of bereaved mothers, wives and lisping babes paled with sickening fear at the gaunt features of a homeless poverty, that Maj. Egan gathered in his richest harrest. More than one beautiful home in the Sunny South under the hammer of the auctioneer was "knocked off" to Maj. Egan for a song, and the lucky speculator would perhaps after a few days sell for five times its cost to him the sweet home, over whose loss some poor martyred patriot's wife was weeping and recalling its departed joys. In almost every Southern State Maj. Egan owned property. Already men applauded, and, alas, it is too true women smiled sweetly on the man, who they said had bravely breasted the billows of adversity I Maj. Egan's life was truly in a fair way of being called a grand success. It was under such auspices that Rich? ard Egan made his first visit to Berkley Hall as a suitor for the hand of Marion Maham. But let not the frank reader suppose that the cautious and wary lover would make demonstrations so early in the campaign. His first object was to survey the position and take notes. Vig? ilant and cunning as he was it was not strange that in a very few days he shrewdly suspected that a strong rival barred the door of the girl's heart against his entrance. But this knowledge only gave the excitement of opposition to his ardent desires and his determined will. One night Richard Egan stood for hours gazing out into the cold moonlight, and before he sought his couch made a memorandum of this resolve: "Resolved, That Marion Maham shall become the wife of Richard Egan. Money shall win Harry Maham in despite of his heroics. The want of money shall win the poor invalid mother to magnify its value. Harry won, her mother won, I will win Marion Maham if a legion of Hubert Grays hold the citadel of her heart. Yes, gold, all-powerful geld, shall win the day 1" Once a fortnight, sometimes oftenen, Maj. Egan repeated his visit to Berkley Hali. For a few timeB, the pleasure they gave his hospitable entertainers was un? feigned and unalloyed, but Marion soon felt (for it was at first scarcely percepti? ble) that a change had taken place in her frank and. cheerful brother. He who, when forced to lay down his sword to superior numbers, with a moral and Christian heroism unsurpassed even by his soldierly courage, had manfully ac? cepted his changed position, and cheer? fully determined in the great battle of life to be a conquering hero, was becom? ing a moody and irritable misanthrope. And with a woman's unerring instinct, she traced the sad change to the advent of Maj. Egan at Berkley Hall. And then she bowed her head in humble prayer as she thought that she, too, had not escaped, unscathed the influence of his worldly spirit. His frequent quota? tion, "noblesse oblige" had not been with? out effect on the petted heiress of the once wealthy Mahams, who had often paused when engaged in some irksome drudgery and petulantly exclaimed: "I was born for higher things! this should be the work of menials." But quickly was heard the low sweet voice of admo? nition, which whispers to all who love the Master, "It is God's work. He put teth down one and setteth up another." The voice was heard and obeyed, for rais? ing her beautiful eyes to heaven, Marion exclaimed: "Yes, truly 'noblesse oblige,' what nobler birthright can we claim, than children of Heaven's glorious King? What higher work canape desire than to do His will?" Thus, Marion was enabled to resist the evil influence to which poor Harry? whose temptations we must admit were greater?was passively yielding. It was after one of these protracted visits that Maj. Egan on returning to the oity left an unpleasant blank in the home circle at the Hall. The Major had been cheerful even to gaiety, for just previous to his visit he had made a lucky speculation in which, by a brilliant coup de main, he had acquired several thou? sand dollars. Of this "great luck," as called it, he was never weary talking. It bo happened that just about that time everything was going a tort et a travcrs with poor Harry; his greenbacks became fewer each day, while an almost empty larder stared him mercilessly in the face. Then, too, it was planting time, and the "freedinen," if they went at all, moved lazily to their work, for the "share" sys? tem did not work well. Under such cir? cumstances it was natural that the de? pressed young planter should have felt painfully the contrast between himself and the fortunate and gay speculator. A few evenings after the Major's de? parture when the home circle had gath? ered around the tea table, Mrs. Maham feeling very much ennuyec by Marion's gravity and Harry's gloom, suddenly exclaimed, "How much we all miss Maj. Egan I" "Yes," answered Marion, reluctantly, "and yet I do not like him." "And why not, Marion," said Harry, tartly, "I am sure he is very agreeable, and enlivened us so much that I can scarcely endure this dull old place when he leaves." The tears started to Marion's eyes as she said: "Poor old Berkley that you used to love so much! And this is the very reason I do not like Maj. Egan. I do not think his society healthful or bracing. While I am listening to him I cannot help being amused with his won? derful stories of how fortunes are made in a day, and his own not less wonderful genius for speculating; but now he has gone, in thinking it over, I recollect the text, "He that maketh haste to be rich falleth into a snare." Already I feel, dear Harry, that you and I have almost fallen into that snare just in listening to him. Have we not both, since Maj. Egan came amongst us, been disconten? ted with our lot, and our work, forget? ting it is the lot which "Our Father" assigns us, and the work he has given us to do? I think, too, that Maj. Egan's object is to make us discontented. I know not why, unless ho? thinks it will make him look 'bigger' for us to envy him." "You are too hard on Dick Egan, Marion, he is a smart fellow, and de? serves credit for his rise." "Deserves credit! A very vulture in seizing his prey! What widow's heart has he ever soothed? what orphan's tear has he ever dried! O, Harry, Harry, I do not recognize my brother in what you say 1" "Maj. Egan must render his own ac? count. I cannot see that we are called upon to say how his wealth shall be spent," said Harry, shortly. "No, brother," said Marion, still much excited, "and if he would but leave us alone, I would try and not judge him harshly. But, oh! Harry, he is a bard, worldly man, and we are catching his money-loving spirit. Brother, have we heard those sweet 'melodies of the ever? lasting chime' since Maj. Egan came among us ? Oh! no, those holy strains are not heard by the worshippers of mammon!" "My daughter, are you not uncharita? ble?" said Mrs. Maham, in a low voice, as she placed her hand caressingly upon the shoulder of the excited girl. Marion's heart was too full to speak ' again, for she realized that neither moth? er or brother felt with her. But she pressed her lips upon the rebuking hand, and inwardly prayed that a heavenly antidote would be provided for them to counteract the poisonous influence of Maj. Egan's company. The Major continued to visit frequent? ly at the Hall, and Harry began to speak of him always as, "My friend Egan." Their unfailing topic of conversation was how to make money quickly, and ef the wealth lying dormant in the domin? ions of Old King Cotton?a wealth which Maj. Egan enthusiastically de? clared could easily be drawn out by a little money judiciously used. "Why, Harry, man!" he exclaimed one day, "it is a grand speculation, and I will lend you the money." "But I may fail, and you will be loser," said honest Harry. "Pshaw, I would hardly miss the little you would borrow, and would not mind losing it, to try and help a friend. But if it would make you feel better, you can just give me a mortgage on Berkley Hall." "I don't, see how I can do that; my mother has a life estate on the place, and my sister also holds a claim, although I know they would do anything for my welfare, I would not like to ask them to relinquish their claims." "0, certainly not! just take the money any how. I am not lending them the money, and would prefer they should know nothing of it. The mortgage would only be for appearances, for one crop will lift it." "The papers would not be legal with? out their signatures," said Harry, in a yielding voice, as he caught at the glit? tering bait?a fortune made with one crop, his mother's and Marion's enjoy? ment of it, and, above all else, the bon .nie bridal which would take place at Dr. St. Julien's when Harry could go to his old friend and say: "I can take care of my wife, and have come for her." "Don't think any more of the mort? gage," said Maj. Egan; "I only men? tioned it because I thought you would prefer giving it. Men usually do, be? cause they think it looks more honora? ble," and there was the slightest possible sneer in the tone of the Major's voice as he spoke. Harry was stung, and quickly replied : "I, too, would much prefer it, but wished to show you honestly how matters stand." The money was borrowed, the mort? gage given, and Richard Egan became the master of Harry Maham's fortunes. It was to he a secret bond, so that neither mother, sister or gentle betrothed would ever guess the secret of the shadow which darked and marked with premature wrin? kles the smooth, white brow of Harry Maham. How to Get Rid of Flies.?Rev. George Meares Drought, writing from Ireland, says: "For three years I have lived in a town, and during that time my sitting-room has been free from flics, three or four only walking about my breakfast table, while all my neighbors' rooms were crowded. I often congratu? late myself on my escape, but never knew the reason of it uutif two days ago. I another house, while I remained on for two days longer. Among other things moved were two boxes of Geraniums and Calccolaries, which stood in my window, the window being always.open to full ex? tent, top and bottom. The boxes were not gone half an hour before my room was as full of flics as those around me. This, to me, is a new discovery, and per? haps it may serve to encourage others in that which is always a source of pleasure, and which now proves also to be a source of comfort, viz: window gardening." ? It is not the gold or the diamonds I about a watch that keeps the time. to be continued. then had occasion to move ;oods to From the Abbeville Medium. PEN PICTURES OF THE PRESS. EDWARDS 13. MURRAY. Edwards B. Murray, junior editor of the Anderson Intelligencer and Corres? ponding Secretary of the State Press Association is one of the youngest news? paper men in the State, and a lawyer of rare and brilliant promise. He is the oldest child of the Rev. J. Scott Murray, a Virginia gentleman, who removed to South Carolina in 1848, and has ever since been a citizen of this State, and for the greater part of the time a resident of Anderson. Rev. Mr. Murray is a man of considerable prominence, and has been for years one of the leading men of the Baptist denomination in this State. Be? fore the war he was pastor of the Baptist church at Anderson, and Principal of the Johnson Female University at that place, which was forced to close its doors by the exigencies of the situation, and has never since been re-established under its old name and in exactly its original capacity. Alter the war Mr. Murray re? turned to the practice of law, which pro? fession he had pursued in Virginia before removal to this State, but has never ceased his ministerial office, and is now the popular pastor of the Baptist church at Anderson. This much by way of in? troduction to the subject in hand. Edwards B. Murrav was born in New berry county on February 5, 1854, and from his early infancy to the present time has lived at Anderson Court House. He was put to school when quite young, and made such progress in his studies that at the age or fifteen he enterea the Intermediate Class of Furman University at Greenville, and there spent the session of 1869-70. He was a diligent and laborious student, and led his fellows in the race for learning. He took an active interest in the literary societies connected with the University, and was elected anniversary essayist and session orator, a distinction alone given to merit. At the close of the session he repaired to Char lottesville and entered the University of Virginia, where he remained during the session of 1870-71. In this institution he was a model student and always to the front. Close attention to his books and unremitting industry so impaired his health that he was compelled to remain at home the next year and recruit his shattered energies. But absence from the restrictions of the class room did not detract from his love for study, and enter? ing his father's law office at odd times he became so deeply interested and so much in love with the law that he gave up all intention of returning to college and settled regularly down to the study of law. In September, 1873, before he" was twenty years of age, he stood his exami? nation in law at Anderson, and obtained an order of court admitting him to prac? tice when he attained his majority. He was unwilling to wait ior the slow lapse of time, and in 1873-74 secured the pass? age of an act by the Legislature covering his case and authorizing his regular admission to the practice of his profes? sion. Before the court at Greenville in March, 1874, he was regularly admitted under this act, and has since that time been associated with his father at Ander? son under the firm name and style of Murray & Murray. Mr. Murray has always felt a deep interest in the politics of the State, and of late years has taken an important and influential part in such affairs in his county. During his stay at the Univer? sity of Virginia, he was much impressed with the practicability of the fusion movement under Walker in that State and of its adaptability to the situation in this State. He thought a half loaf better than no bread, and gave the Bolter's Movement in this State in 1872 his cordial and enthusiastic endorsement and support. He thought that this ticket would do for South Carolina what the Walker faction did for Virginia, and was willing to sacrifice his preferences and prejudices for the good of the State. In the campaign of 1874 he gave his sup Eort to the Independent Republican [ovement under Judge Green, although he was not fully persuaded that success could be achieved in this way. The defeat of that ticket convinced him that there was no virtue in coalitions or com promises, and he has ever since con? tended that the thorough, complete or? ganization of the Democratic party is the only safe and sure way to save the State. He has recently given valuable assistance in the organization of the party in his county, and has been elected a me'mber of the Democratic executive committee of the county. He is conscientiously opposed to further dallying with false hopes that have only succeeded in disin? tegrating the party and made our politi? cal foes stronger and more aggressive. Mr. Murray's connection with the State Press began in September, 1873, when, together with Messrs. J. H. McGill and A. 0. Langston, he purchased the An-, derson Conservator, a paper not one year old, from Messrs. Brown & Haynie, and, together with his partners, published it for something more than a year, when he made purchase of the office und ran it until its consolidation with the Intelli? gencer in July, 1875. Until his purchase of the Conservator Mr. Murray had had no connection whatever with journalism, but soon developed into a ready writer, and now has but few superiors in the State. He keeps a close eye on men and movements, has a fine memory, a good stock of words, and eliminating all super? fluity of style has got down to a "hard pan," plain, common sense way of saying things. He is a severe critic, and says what he thinks without shirking any re? sponsibility. Together with himself and Colonel Hoyt the Intelligencer has one of the stoutest editorial teams in the State, and is quoted as authority in important matters both at home and abroad. Mr. Murray is a member of the Bap? tist Church in which he feels the liveliest interest. He takes an important and in? fluential part in the affairs of the Church, and for the last four years has been a member of the Executive Committee of the Saluda Baptist Association. The greatest objection to this man is that he is a bachelor. This can be cured in time, and, we think we may safely say, will be. Benjamin Franklin's Adventuee. ?Somebody has brought out the follow? ing interesting remiuiscence: "When Benjamin Franklin was a lad, he began to study philosophy, and soon became fond of applying technical names to com? mon objects. One evening, when he mentioned to his father that he had swal? lowed some acephalous mollusks the old man was much alarmed, and suddenly seizing him caWed loudly for help. Mrs. Franklin came with warm water, and the hired man rushed in with the garden gump. They forced half a gallon down enjamin's throat, then held him by the heels over the edge of the porch, and shook him, while the old man said: 'If we don't get them things out of Benny he will be pizoned, sure.' When they were out, and Benjamin explained that the articles alluded to were oysters, his father fondled him for an hour with a trunk strap for scaring the family. Ever afterward Franklin's language was mar velously simple and explicit." The Democracy and the Negro. It must be apparent to all that one of the most important tasks to be done by the Democracy of South Carolina is the division of the negro vote, by inducing at least a portion of the colored people to range themselves on the side of honesty and reform. Heretofore there has been but one thing needed to condemn an as pirant for office in their eyes. It has only been necessary for him to avow him? self a Democrat for him to loose the last chance of success by means of a portion of the colored vote. The Democratic party has been considered the worst enemy to the freedom and the welfare of the negro, and this delusion has formed the basis of every platform upon which the Republicans have carried South Carolina. A few years ago, it was. perhaps somewhat natural that the negro should listen with some suspicion to the pledges made by the Democrats of the State, and this suspicion has been con? stantly increased by the lying statements of many of the white Republicans.? Upon" them chiefly must rest the respon? sibility for the powerful delusion which has been so imparted to the negro that he finds it difficult to divest himself of it. We have no intention to make a sweep? ing charge against all white Republicans, for there are some exceptions, aud these few deserve credit for their good sense. But there are many whom the cap fits, and they may wear it and" be welcome. It will doubtless take considerable effort to disabuse the negro's mind of the false impressions with which carpet-bag poli? ticians and home-made demagogues nave filled it, but such an effort is therefore all the more necessary. Nor need there be any misrepresentation or evasion upon the part of the Democrat who essays to Eersuade the negro that his rights would e perfectly safe in the bands of a tri? umphant Democracy. The record of the Democratic party, both State and Na? tional, is perfectly plain upon this point. An examination of any of the Demo? cratic platforms adopted since 1868, will show that as to the political rights of the negro, as secured by the thirteenth, the fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution, there has been not the slightest difference between the political principles respectively enunciated by the two great parties into which the Ameri? can people are divided. In National politics there are certain questions, such as those relating to the currency, the school system, the revenue and other matters, upon which the parties take de? cided issue. But as to the political rights of the negro, there is no such dif? ference. As the Republican party origi? nated the measures which resulted in the enfranchisement of the . negro, so the Democratic party stands pledged before the country to do no act which would impair any. of the rights so conferred. And that pledge has been faithfully kept. It is false to assert that in those States in which the whites have a majority the I rights of the negro have been either de? stroyed or impaired. There are certain wholesome restrictions upon the right to hold office, and upon the exercise of the elective franchise, but it must be noted that these . restrictions apply . alike to whites and blacks. They may work temporary disadvantage to the latter, but they must enure to his ultimate ad? vantage. By raising the standard of citi? zenship, there are enkindled in the mind of the colored man thoughts and aspira? tions to which he is otherwise almost an entire stranger. Such has been the real effect of the restrictions to which we have alluded. Working with equal force upon the white man and the black man, they have excited the pride and the ambition of both. Where an educational qualifi? cation is required .for the exercise of certain public duties, the result is that the uneducated man, white or black, is at once imbued with a desire for such learn? ing as will fit him for the exercise of such duties; and the necessary conse? quence is that the cause of popular educa? tion is greatly benefitted. The United States government it3elf has placed re? strictions upon the exercise of certain rights. Every juror in the United States courts must be able to read and write, before he can take his seat in the jury box. This same point has likewise been decided by Judge Mackey, as he holds that in certain cases the inability of a iuror to read is a good ground of chal? lenge. It is thus clear that restrictions upon the exercise of certain rights have been made alike by Republican and by Democratic authority, and the two par? ties are precisely equal on this score. As to the real advantage likely to accrue, to the negro from a Democratic administra? tion in South Carolina, it is only neces? sary to assert, what can be easily proven, that the negro in the South is best off in those States which have been longest under Democratic control. His rights being secured by the constitution, both State and federal, no attempt would, have resulted in their impairment, and no such impairment has ever been attempted by the Democratic party. Such are a few of the many considera? tions upon which the colored people of South Carolina may safely ana consist? ently uuite with their white friends of the Democratic party, in a powerful effort to restore to all the people a good overnment with all its accompanying lcssings. To impress these considera? tions upon the minds of the colored peo? ple is one of the duties now before the Democratic party of this State. Every fair means should be constantly and per? sistently employed, to bring about the desired result.? Winntboro' Newt. Make it Straight.?A good deal of discussion is going on among the people as to the character of the ticket to be put in nomination for the county offices. In this county we are satisfied that a com? promise is impossible, and that only a "straight ticket" will bring out the Dem? ocratic strength. The people are sick of mougrelism and "available men," and they now demand that the best men in the county shall be brought to the front ?men whose political creeds have never been questioned. The day for "available men" is past These political eunuchs of the neuter gender belong to nobody, they represent nobody, and in fact they are nothing but ciphers, and nobody, politically speaking, proposes to have anything to do with them. They have no mind of their own; they have no creeds of their own; they express no opiuion ; they say nothing; they do noth? ing, and they spend their social existence in agreeing to everything. We want pos? itive men and men of ability; men or in? telligence ; and meu of integrity; good men aud true men ; men who think and men who work. Give us a ticket com? posed of such men and Laurcns county is safe for the Democracy.?Laurentvillc Herald. ? "Are you married, my dear?" asked an old gentleman of a pretty girl with whom he chanced to be sitting in a rail? way carriage. "No," said she, "but I've sued a fellow for breach of promise." ?One of the trials of a woman's life is keeping dinner waiting for husband. An elderly lady has a remedy for this. She sits down to cat as soon as the meal is ready, and then he is sure to come. "A watched pot," she gracefully observes, "never biles." Invention of the Cotton Gin. The Augusta (Ga.) CbntHtutional?t prints an interesting article concerning the cotton gin, the main points of which are here reproduced : Some time ago Mr. W. F. Herring, one of the largest cotton dealers in this city, advertised in several papers of the State for an original "Whitney cotton-gin."? He intends making an exhibition at the Centennial cf cotton in all its various stages of planting, cultivation, and man? ufacture. A few days ago he received from Col. James R. Aiken, a cotton-buyer of Winn8boro, S. C, a letter, and enclosed in the same envelope was an ancient doc? ument signed by George Washington, President of the United States; Timothy Pickering, secretary of State, and Charles Lee, attorney-general, granting to Hog den Holmes, a citizen of Augusta, letters patent for a "machine for ginning cotton" for fourteen years from the 19th of April, 1796. The document was printed on parchment, and signed as above on the 12th day of May, 1796. The names of | Seaborn Jones and W. Urqubart attested the signature of Holmes. The following is the letter written Mr. Herring by Col. James B. Aiken, of Winnsboro. It might be proper to state that he is a brother of | Hon. D. Wyatt Aiken, and the genuine? ness of the contents of the document in question is further attested by the signa? tures of ex-Governor Bonham and Gen. M. C. Butler, of South Carolina: The history of the enclosed paper is this: Hogden Holmes, a native or Scot? land, but a citizen of your own city, in 1775 was the original inventor, and his machine was locked np in Hamburg, S. C, when Whitney, through the influence of a negro, got a diagram of it It was then known as a "patent for taking burrs out of wool." On this infringement Whitney got a patent, and called it "a machine for ginning cotton." This created a lawsuit io Georgia. In the the meantime Holmes expended some $8,000, and died insolvent. His suit was continued to the United States Court, and Whitney sold his claim to the State of South Carolina for $20,000. Holmes left but one heir, and the case was aban? doned. That heir was my wife's mother (the wife of Dr. William C. Cloud, of | Ed gefiel d, C. H.) No one being left to prosecute the case, and no one able to contend against a State, a patent was taken in 1795, and Col. William Mc Creight, of Winnsboro, bought the exclu? sive right for twenty years, and did make and sell all the cotton-gins furnished for the entire Southern States up to 1818. I married the oldest daughter of Dr. Cloud in 1837, and among the funeral effects of J Hogden Holmes, which had not been disturbed for forty-two years, I found the parchment (the letters patent) with a spread-eagle seal of beeswax on it, about four inches in diameter, which has long since crumbled into dust. I might also add it is genuine in every particular as compared with the Congressional Record in the United States Patent Office (in 1844) by myself. There is a book pub? lished giving a full historical record of ] the invention, and the lawsuit, (not very creditable to Whitney,) but the title of j which I now forget. It is thirty years since I saw it in the library of the South Carolina College. Yours truly, James B. Aiken. P. S.?Holmes died about 1796, but re? ceived the patent before his death. No one at that time being interested, and his daughter quite young, the shop in Ham? burg shut for want of funds. After Holmes'8 death only a few gins were manufactured for sale in Augusta. J. B.A. So, it would appear from the above, that Holmes is as much entitled to the honor of giving the world this wonderful invention as Whitney. The citizens of j New Haven, Conn., his place of nativity, have long since erected a monument to bis memory, and thus poor Holmes has been cut out of his share of such things, and Augusta robbed of ber fame as the original cradle of the great king. For a long time Augusta was the biggest cotton market in the world, but she has been crowded out until she is, at the present, about the twenty-fifth in.importance. The Moon and the Weather.?The notion that the moon txerts an influence on the weather is so deeply rooted that, notwithstanding all the attacks which have been made against it since meteorol? ogy has been seriously studied, it contin? ues to retain its hold upon us. And yet there never was -a popular superstition more utterly without a basis than this one. If the moon did really possess any power over the weather, that power could only be exercised in one of three ways? by reflection of the sun's rays,.by attrac? tion, or by emanation. No other form of action is conceivable. Now, as the brightest light of a full- moon is never equal in intensity or quantity to that which is reflected towards us by a white cloud on a summer day, it can scarcely be pretended that weather is affected by such a cause. That the moon does exert attraction on us is manifest?we see its working in the tides, but though it can move water it is most unlikely that it can do the same to air, for the specific gravi? ty of the atmosphere is so small that there is nothing to be attracted. Laplace calculated, indeed, that the joint attrac? tion of the sun and moon together could not stir the atmosphere at a quicker rate than five miles a day. As for lunar ema? nations, not a sign of them has ever been discovered. The idea of an influence produced by the phases of the moon is therefore based on no recognizable cause whatever. Furthermore, it is now dis? tinctly shown that no variations at all really occur in weather at the moment of j the changes of quarter any more than at other ordinary times. Since the estab? lishment of meteorological stations all over the earth, it has been proved by millions of observations that there is no simultaneousness whatever between the supposed cause and the supposed effect. The whole story is a fancy and a super [ stition which has been handed down to us uncontrolled, and which we have ac? cepted as true because our forefathers be? lieved it. The moon exercises no more influence on the weather than herrings do on the government of Switzerland.? Blackwood. A Good Temperance Story.?A good story is told of a little miss of five or six summers, who unconsciously per petratedoneof the best jokes of the season. Wine was passed around, and she was in? vited to take some but declined. "Why do you not take wine with dinner, Min? nie ?" asked a gentleman who sat near. "Tausel doesn't like it." "But take a little then, my child, for your stomach's sake," he urged. "I ain't dot no torn mick's ache!" indignantly responded the little miss in the most emphatic manner. As both questions and answers were dis? tinctly heard by all those aronnd, every one burst into laughter which so fright? ened the little maid that she cried. ? As soon as the novelty wears off, a man never wakes a baby up for the pur? pose of making it laugh. ?Violent exercise is always hurtful. It is steady, persistent work which bring roses to the cheek, soundness to the sleep and an appetite to the stomach. JEROME BONAPARTE'S WIDOW. The Woman Who Wedded the Brother of the First Napoleon. l-atiimore Cor. of Hie Wcuhinglon Chronicle. Mme. Bonaparte, the sister-in-law of the First Napoleon, and widow of Jerome Bonaparte, is still living in Baltimore at a very advanced age. A little less than a century ago her father, Mr. Patterson, was a wealthy and distinguished citizen here, and about seventy-five years ago his daughter, the subject of this sketch, gay, brilliant, imperious, and a noted beauty, made a ready conquest of the heart and hand of the French Emperor's brother, Jerome, who was then sojourn? ing here. With high hope and the bold? est ambition, the young bride set sail for France with her royal consort in a ship presented by her father. But the Amer? ican bride was promptly disowned by the Emperor. On reaching French waters they were met by a ship commanded by a French naval officer, who presented a royal order to Jerome to report at once to the Emperor, unaccompanied by his companion, the young American lady, who was not to be recognized as his wife. Jerome, fearing to disobey, took leave of bis wife and boarded the French ship.? The captain of the American vessel was . then commanded to follow. But Mme. Bonaparte, fearing to place herself within the power of Napoleon, commanded the captain of her vessel to sail for England, which order was executed by a successful ruse, and she made good her escape.? "So, sir,"^ said the Emperor coldly on meeting his brother, "you have presumed to dishonor your blood by an alliance with a backwoods milk-maid. You must at once consent to honor my commands or be forever disowned." The desertion of his wife by Jerome and his subsequent royal alliance at his brother's command are well known. Subsequently the Em? peror somewhat relented, and for a time Mme. Bonaparte received an allowance from him of $10,000 per annum, which she has by judicious investment so multi? plied that she is ;iow worth something over $1,000,000. Bui the Emperor would never consent to meet ber and she has never seen him. Notwithstanding bis ungracious treatment, she has ever been ap ardent admirer of his character. She considers him the greatest man the world has ever seen and his name the most hon? orable, and for this reason and no other she has never relinquished it. To-day she is Mme. Bonaparte and her marriage has always been sustained by the Catho? lic Church. She had one child, a son now deceased, but she has two grandsons still living. The elder, who was the pride of ber old age, and on whom she had set great hopes, wan a gallant and spirited young fellow and an officer in the French army. The roadame supplied him abundantly with money to entertain as became one of bis blood. A1 though the French authorities would not permit him to bear his rightful name of Bona? parte, his patron had set her hopes on his forming a noble alliance. But when the young officer married against her wishes she transferred her favor to his younger brother, who is to-day a modest yet honored member of the Baltimore legal fraternity. But to return: I am unable to trace the course of Mme. Bonaparte chronolog? ically, though I have heard it from ber own lips. She has spent altogether about twenty years at the various capi? tals in Europe, though her principal re? sort has been Geneva, and she has min? gled freely with the best society of tbe Old World. She is something more than the result of rare opportunities for. cul? ture and social intercourse. Ou meeting her one becomes instantly conscious that be is in the presence of a superior intel? ligence and a royal soul. But she is very old?more than ninety. She seems like the spirit of a past age risen from tbe graves of tbe Napoleons and Welling? tons and Bryons to utter over again the I sayings of the wits and stars of that early period. She is still witty, epigrammatic, full of incidents and memories,- and- of the wise sayings of the notable persons whom she had known. If time and space would permit, I should like to re fort some incidents concerning Voltaire, lamartine, Guiccioli and a score of oth? ers, which she remembers as if they oc? curred yesterday. Mme. de Stael she re? fused to meet, and when I expressed sur? prise, she said: "Oh, De Stael was accustomed to pronounce judgment on every one she met, aud there was no ap? peal from ber decision. If a person newly introduced did not strike De I Stael's fancy, or invent some remarkable ' witticism out of band, ber death sentence was instantly pronounced." Mme. Bona? parte lives in a very modest and retired manner, and occupies herself chiefly in reading her favorite authors and in wri? ting a journal and autobiography, which are not to be published until after her death. She is disinclined to converse on religious matters, but says that her reli I gious opinions are fully expressed in her writings. However, one may infer from her high appreciation of Voltaire's works that her religious views are not unlike [his. Reconciliatoby Meeting.?It must be a source of gratification to every broad-gague citizen of tbe Republic to observe the fact, that while the politi? cians are doing their worst to stimulate anew the animosities of tbe late civil war, the soldiery element of our popula? tion is doing its level best to cultivate the feelings of the reciprocal friendship and good will. While such politicians as Morton, Butler, Boutwell, Blaine and Hill seem to take delight in arousing the antagonisms of sectional strife by a fresh recital of the transactions of the bloody past, it is especially pleasant to see the brave men, representatives of those who fought upon both sides in that terrible contest, acting in the spirit of that an? cient prophecy of the good time coming, when "swords should be beaten into Elow-shares and spears into the pruning ooks, and the nations shall learn war no more." It will be remembered by our readers that last year, upon the occasion of our Centennial celebration of the Bat? tle of Bunker Hill, a prominent feature in the procession was the delegations from Maryland, Virginia and South. Car? olina, who came bitner prompted by the patriotic inspirations of the event to par? ticipate in the general jubilee. Their presence was most acceptable; they were recognized as friends and brethren, heirs to the same heritage, and made to realize through the cordial attentions of our peo? ple that by-gones were to be by-gones forever; and that hen 3fortb there would be only a generous rivalry between them to add to the glory and renown of a re? united republic. In friendly reciproca? tion of our manifestations of regard, the military companies of Charleston have invited the Light Infantry of Boston to join them on tbe 28th of June in celebrat? ing tbe one hundredth anniversary of the gallant defense of Fort Moultrie, one of the famous fortifications of Charleston Har-. bor, and that invitation has been accep? ted.?Boston Herald. ^ ? Tbe Supreme Court of Iowa has de? cided that when tbe loser in a game of billiards settles the score, he is guilty of gambling, and liable to indictment.