University of South Carolina Libraries
' "Vol. c J ASP Kit COOP KIv'S liKTTKR. I A JUVKNILK STORY. HY 8AK^1I 1\ MUIOHAM. ] "1I?? who does one funit at lirst, And lies to hide it, makrs it two." | ^NIv name i.s .Jasper Cooper. On ' the morning of my thirteenth birthday, I received two presents which ! made me feel vcrv rich ami happy. ! One was a small gun, from Undo Herbert, with plenty of powder and i shot. A letter accompanied this 1 beautiful fowling-piece, which con- 1 tained these words: ' "1 am sure you will enjoy a gun, Jasper, but remember lire-arms are very dangerous weapons unless ban <llcd with great care." The other gift was a fine spaniel dog, from my father. A boy is a rare one whose happiness is not complete with a dog and u gun, and it seemed 1 had come into t he sudden possession of an immense fortune, and a long ssason of sporting pleasures arose, and was unrolled like a gay panorama before my eyes. All the rest of my birthday was 1 . M passed in admiriugnnd talking about my presents. "W hen Uncle Herbert makes a present, he knows exactly what to ' give" 1 said, with a glow on my face. "There's nothing I've wanted i ? 1 so much jis a gun. Father mid mother smiled. "And my dog is a real beauty; not one in town like him in color," stroking the animal fondly. "What a good name he has, too?'Cesar.' If 1 had chosen it myself, 1 could not like it better." The dog had been taught to carry baskets, and a number of tricks, like falling suddenly on the floor whenever a certain word was given, and pretending to be dead, to bark at a signal, etc. His canine understanding appeared wonderful to me, and noth inggave me more pleasure than to make him show off his knowledge. Just two months after Cesar's nr. rival, one bright autumn morning, as I stood bv the gate, 1 saw Nathan Hagley come up the street. He had been away several weeks on a visit to I relatives in Kentucky. I numbered him among my choice friends, aiul|' hurried joyfully to meet him. "How do you do, Nathan?" I ex claimed, grasping his hand. "Very well, and how are you, ' Jasp?" "Tiptop. Clad enough to see you. 1 When did you get heme?" "Night before last. I've had a grand time. I've been boating a ' good deal. 1 can swim real well; been tishing and hunting, and I've come back quite a good shot, they ^ say. I hear you've been coming up j in the world, too; that you have a 1 i .. .1 >> ?iiii ami a <-iog. "Ye*," I answered, laughing. "Cesar, come here.'' The dog ran to my side. " Why-wouldn't like to own such ' a fine spaniel as that?" 1 inquired, 1 proudly. "lie is a first rate-looking dog," re plied Nathan, warmly. Uncle Herbert sent me the gun ' and a lot of powder and shot. We must go shooting together often." "I'm going 10 Make's Woods to ' hunt tl is afternoon. There is plenty } of small game there. We can get a ' - bag full by night. Go with me; ( do!" "Cant; 1 must go to school." "Can't you get excused?" "No; Mi. Lowe told us he should ' not excuse any scholar without a ' note from one of his parents; and ' father is out of town." 1 "Your mother will write one for you." 1 "She can't; she's real sick. She's 3 'I , j been since last evening, and hasn't, sat up a minute." Nathan looked disappointed, and ' there was a long silence. Then I ' said rellecti vely: *'I want very much to go ami hunt with you, but don't know how 1 can." *'Oh, you must go." "Well, how can I?" "You can contrive a way to get excused front school, I know. You've ( J a clear head, and a long one. I ' wish ntino was half as good. Just 11 start up your wits'and you'll find a * way to go. You arc sharp*, .Jasp. I ' Lshftll expect you right after dinner." * After a little further conversation, A )ONWAY^ Nathan went home, and I went into tho house. I was pleased with Nathan's coin[iliment. He was two years my senior, find had great influence over me. To have! him call me "sharp," and think 1 had wit enough to get a respite from school for ;i hunting frolic, without aid from my parents, flattered my vanity, ami weighed more with me in my tempted state of mind than any fear of wrong doing. I wanted to go and hunt with Nathan, and soon all my power of mind was di reeted to the accomplishment of thisj purpo.se. How could 1 contrive to go? II revolved the question again. I' would he impossible to get. either father or mother to write a note to Mr. Lowe, asking-for my release from school duties; ami what could 1 have us a substitute? Sudddenly a thought dashed into my mind. Why couLl I not write a no'e.myself, and sign father's name? I was not a good speller, but a good penman, and I was certain 1 could easily counterfeit father's' handwriting, and no one would know I the difference. 1 searched his desk, mil found an account-hook written ; by him. I carried it to my room, iind placed it on the tahle before me, j in ill for a half an hour wnscomplete-1 ly engrossed in attempts to imitate: his (diirograpliy. At last I thought 1 had succeeded remarkably well, and the result of my labor was the production of a neat, carefully worded n<>to, so ox-' net a counterfeit that I was sure Mr r.l^ir.1 1 1 .1 ll.Vt'AI. 1....'., .. .I.ml.i r I I 4V It \ 11 Will VI III 111 11 III' <1 IIIMI IM, U1 its genuineness. My chief difficulty was in the sig nature. When I came to that, I stopped, puzzled to know what, to put at the bottom of what I had written. I could not remember how father was accustomed to end his letters. I had brought letters and papers from the postoflic-',addressed to "Mr. Asa Cooper," "lion. Asa Cooper" and "Asa Cooper, Ksq ,"but whether Ife would put one of those titles to his own name was a question J I could not settle. I bunted about, :md found three letters I had received from him while I was at grand -' father's but they were signed "Your I ifTectionate father," and were no Gjuidc now. I wanted to see his business letters, but none could be had. After much deliberation, my workwas done, and 1 gave si chuckle of lelightat beholding it. ! wrote as follows: "Mit. Lowk?Dear Sir: Will you Oblige me by excusing my son Jasper from school this i\ M. his Stud ics are wearing upon him and I think lie needs more Open air and xercise. "Very Truly yours. Hon Asa Coopkk." I read this three times, to be sure thore was no inaccuracy in it. The | capitals ami punctuation seemed to tne to be correct, and 1 placed it carefully in my pocket, took my hat and books, and hurried to school. Just after the forenoon session I presented my note to Mr. Lowo, and watched him narrowly iis he read it. I noticed a faint smile stole over bis lips, but he asked no questions, md gave me ready permission to he ibsent, and 1 supposed lie had no loubt of its genuineness. I went home jubilant, enough, ate a basty dinner, called my dog, and with my now gun on mv shoulder started for Nathan. He was expectng me, and stood on the piazza as 1 ipproached the house, lie shook ny hand joyfully. "So you contrived to get excusced from school," he said; "I was sure rou would. How did you manage t?" "Oh, easy enough. 1 wrote a note md signed father's name to it, and it ;0ok the master in completely. He et me off without a word." xr-.i. i i * iiui'UHii laugneu. "You've a good head, Jasp. You'll liake your way in the world." lie took his gun and game-bag, nid we walked off toward Wake's iVoods. I was very happy. Itseomjd as if u sudden transformation had aken place. In the forenoon I was i plodding school boy, and a little bier found nie a real sportsman on a lunting expedition, the tirst I hud ;ver experienced. We crossed several pastures a rocky 1 tm , " He True to ) 'on S. P., THU hill, ami then came to the edgo of the woods. The trees were just tinged with the gold and the crimson of an'lunn, and every now and then a| l.l I'll fil? .1 cr* 11 I *.>..11 It'll utinll li.iliivnw* ' v/ii m 11 o\|uu i vi if iio otrii il v/|' J M from brunch to brunch. Nutlmn fired at a small flock of black birds; one was h;s particular murk, but (ho instant the report of his gun was heard there was a quick flapping of wings and a rapid as .out into the air by the entire (lock. Not one was killed, o? even appeared to be wounded. lie next aimed at a blue jav, and though it. did not drop to the ground as he confidently expected; one of its tail feathers did, which convinced hi in he hadjibnost made a good shot. ' If one can once get the knack of shooting, it is easy enough. The last time f wont hunting was in March, and 1 brought down one at every shot," said Nathan. "I've done well, firing at a mark," I said, "I've hit it lots of times. Pon't see why if won't be just as easy to hit game. I'm sure I can." "Stop talking; keep still; there's a squirrel," commanded Nathan. lie hurried w th swift, noiseless feet toward a large oak tree. Hang went his gun, and the frightened squirrel hopped into a hole in the trunk of the free, and was seen no more. We went n little further, and crept quietly behind a clump of low pines' and remained there, keeping a sharp look out for game. "Look!" I etelai ini'iL "there's a dozen crows coming this way; they arc lightin', sec 0111? now let lly; you'll give some of them a raj) this time." Nathan raised his fowling-piece, and carefully placed it so the barrel; came in range of the crows; then he polled the trigger. ' Bang!" spoke the gun again, and a shower of shot, rattled down on to the ground. "I know I must have knocked some over!" exclaimed Nathan, in wild excitement, and ho examined the place from whore the terrified crows had ascended; but not even a few feathers were to be seen; not a trace of them, dead or alive, was left. Nathan looked a little disappoint ed. "ftven old, experienced hunters fail sometimes," he said, hopefully. "My luck'll come soon." We went on, still eager as ever for sporrt. A woodpecker next appeared in sight, pecking the bark of an ancient maple-tree. "I shall hit this time, I know!" exclaimed Nathan; and again the re port of his gun resounded through the woodsIt was kis first successful shot. The bird was killed, and Nathan's face shone with delight as he picked it up, quivering and bleeding, from oil a rock. (to bk continubd.) Successful Preaching* (Wilmington Messenger.) Thorough preparation for the pulpit, is a necessity. Beaten oil for the sanctuary is a solemn, imperative duty. The New York Churchman lately said a strange thing about writing sermons. It said that "history cannot be written in a hurry like a sermon*" A hastily written sermon will not be thoughtful and meaty.and full of the morrow and fatness of the Gospel* Great sermons like Hubert. Hall's masterpieces or Hobert, Smith's rich and fruity discources, are the product of many days of assiduous toil. The accomplished and able George William Curtis says it takes him three months to prepare an oration, Ho is one of the very best of living American writers and edits Harper's Weekly. Hobert Hall said a common place, ordinary mortal could make a sermon every day, a strong man two, and a first rate man but one in a week. Mr, Webster worked for an hour or two on one sentence in his famous reply to Havoc. The best preaching is the outcome of toil. The Alabama Christian Advocate ]>ertineatly says: "The preacher who goes into the pulpit with an empty head will soon find himself preaching to empty pews. The man of the Nineteenth century wants ideas, not fuss and sweat." 0 f, v Word, Your Work and Yoi ^sdayT^ THAT CIIAKLMSTON 11LOCKADB, How llio A(lrin;it to KaiMe it Came so Near to Suoeess. (From the New York S'nr \ - - ? / The famous attempt to raise (lie Charleston blockade occurred on the | morning of January Ml, i80M, the Rebel rams Palmetto State and Chicora being relied upon to perform this duty * tit was known totheollloers of the blockading fleet that the! Confederates were'building the rams for the purpose, and* consequently they were constantly on guard. The appearance of anything suspicious in the harbor, nojinatter how slight, had the effect of calling the crews of the h'oekadingships to quarters, and the thing was repeated so often that the jack tars were slow in responding to tho boatswain's rattle and hoarse crv. On the Mist of January, at the; earliest dawn, a suspicious hlack smoke was observed in the luibor. There were also soon a number of excursion boats crowded with people, who, it afterward appeared, ,were to follow the ironclads out at a safe distance to witness the import. The foreign consuls wore also! on board, in order to report, the result to their respective governments^ At 4.MO o'clock the Confederate rams were seen from the deck of tlje gun boat Merccditu making their wjayout, followed by the excursion steamers. AH hands wore called to quarters and all preparations were made to give them a warm reception. The Mcrccdita was the first to receive thej attack, and thr Palmetto State siriicK nor inn <>n die <|uartor, making an ugly hole In her sidy and firing into her ill the same moment. Capt. St ill wagon, finding it impossible to use his guns with vlToct, was obliged to surrender, and the crew 1 were at once paroled. While this was going on the Keystone State was lyingon her starboard, and at once slipped her cables, went out to sea in order to get up a full head of steam and return with the object of running into the rani and sinking it. While she was doing this a well directed shot from the ram pierced the boiler, killing twenty-three men and stopping her in stantly. The rain then attacked the Quaker City, entirely disabling her and killing thirty of her crew. Matters began to look serious, ; when one Ilousatonic, a regular na val vessel, came to the rescue, engag- ! ing both rams and pouring in such a j lively lire that the Confederates were | afraid to open their ports. For two j hours the tight continued, until finally the rams retired without fully ac- j complishing their object. It was, claimed, however, that they had rais- j ed the blockade, but as the Ilousatonic maintained her ground it was I not allowed. A /I/Wiiwl l II ar infAHni?t-iA??.il i?n<ir#A 1 lU I 11 111 I MH.K U Ml I I the law of blockade is as follows: ' "A valid or lawful blockade requires the actual presence of a suflieient force of the enemy's vessels before a ! certain place on the coast. A block- 1 ade ceases when the blockading force voluntarily withdraws, or when it. is f driven olf by a force of the enemy." In this case anew blocklade re 1 quires a new notification, consequent- i ly had this attempt been perfectly I successful the result would have been to open the port with ships of all nations until due notification, which in , this instance would have taken sixty days at least. At this time the Confederacy were in desperate, straits for war material | and merchandise* They could neither get their cotton and tobacco out or their supplies in except what was done through the blockade runners, and the frequent capture of these made the business very risky and expensive. These sixty days would nave neon ot the greatest value to the Confederacy and might have changed the entire aspect of the, war, and might have furnished a pretext for those unfriendlyjto us to acknowledge the belligerency of the Southern Confederacy. This was the best service the Housatonic ever did. She j was blown up soon after. Previous to this time the navy had i not established videttes to give warn ing of approaching danger. This incident opened the eyes of the navy department at Washington, and afterward a regular system of videttes v /S: ir Cowntnj fOYEMBI was maintained all along the block- [ nded coast. At the time ?>f this light. Capt. Joseph W. Congdon, now command \ ing the I'nited States steamship Manhattan, was the otlicer of the; 11- i 1 t i i * * 1 ui'UK on i no uousaromc ami directed the lire of our guns, which so inato-: rially aided in the result. The Silont Vote. The following thoughtful words from Senator (lorman of Maryland are calculated to make thoughtful men think, '''he Maryland Senator is reported to have said touching the present, overwhelming majority for the Democracy. "1 have been looking over the figures this morning, and I find thut 1 we polled within 900 our full vote in Baltimore city, while the Republicans were several thoutftpid short. So it, goes in nearly all of the States. The returns show that the Republicans were so disgusted with their, leaders in Congress that they refus-, od to vote for them. They did not turn round and vote for .us, but they simply remained away from the polls." How strikingly is this true as to our own recent elect ion Willi some 10,000 or more white voters that remained away from the polls, cither from a feeling of dissatisfaction or for want of registration tickets, we sec before us a condil on of disorganization which bodes the Democracy of the State no eooil. O , It is clear to see that this silent vote is a lnenaeo-which cannot, be very well neglected in the administration of affairs if we are to have a restoration of harmony in the Democratic ranks. The Register is impressed with the fact the harmony in the Democratic ranks and harmony among our own people is the first essential thing to he sought afterWo go further and say candidly and squarely that any rule that fails to secure this harmony must go under, and ought to go under. It is nothing to us who holds the reins, | hut it is everything to us that whoever does hold them should not drive j us to destruction. This harmony is not only essential to us as a common-wealth, but two years hence if we are caught, in any such political snap as that through which we have just passed ?thanks to the good sense and good feeling of the colored voters-?wo will risk losing our place in the Domocratia family. Can the people of South Carolina afford this risk from any standpoint of common sense or patriotism? The Wegistcr cannot, if it. would, oil 11 1 mi t I Inn i 1 ?? jl I A on u ii viiiv uiwrj i ii i jicii n I (lisunu'l. II does not presume to dictate to anybody. It, only desires to put the danger plainly before the people and their chosen representatives, (who it cheerfully supports in any good work) so that the great responsibility of the situation shall come homo to them. Let every man in the State remember that, situated us we are, the first of all duties is the duty of getting together, and that the first ! of all instrumentalities injgetting us together is a prudent and judicious Legislature. -Columbia Register. llnniMiiy and Calhoun. The recent allusion to ' David Ramsay, the first American historian, who was a nat've of Pennsylvania," suggests that the ruins of his birthplace can ytt be seen in Last Drumore Township, Lancaster county. The il us'rious historian's birthplace is within two miles of the house in which Robert Fulton first saw the light of day. Within a short distance, too, is the birthplace of (Jen. .fohn Steele, who com-, manded a company tit the battle of Brandy wine when only 10 years old, was Speaker of the State Senate after the Co'onies had gained their independence, and it was in his pros illl/UI ll .1 - viiw OIIUO^|UUIItijf) winu; iiU'iny us Indian commissioner, that the fa* inous chieftain, Logan, delivered his eloquent speech, These three distinguished men were born within a radius of a few miles. The blood of Steele and linmsuy llows in the veins of people yet living in Southern Lan- i caster County. The Pattersons and Olendenins, well-known families/jurc relatives of the Hamsays, and urealso uliL 1R rir, I800. distantly connected with the family of John C. Calhoun, whose father! removed from Southeastern Pennsylvania <> South Carolina prior to, the birth of his illustrious son, who was a cousin "once removed" of Dr., Kamsay, S\l!/?!? L- ? nr ll-illl ........ ...1 l.I ' . n n f;iini IU llHIilMIUIIS kinsmen, one of Dr. Kamsay's descen ilunts says: "It is a tradition of our family that David was a very precocious boy. At the age of 0 lie could read the Bible without difliculty; at 12 he was assistant tutor in an educational institution in Carlisle; at 10 lie was graduate of Princeton College lie afterward gra luated at a Pliila delphia medical college and settled in Charlestons. C, when 24 years old. His death in 1815 was sad. lie was shot on the streets of Charleston by a lunatic, of whose mental unsoundness he had given evidence be fore a commission de lunnticojn-fpi i rondo* He lingered two days and then t here died one of greatest physicians of the New W orld and the father of American history." Writ ii?K t ho TInniHglvlnp: l*roelainiit loll. President Harrison (writing:) "Whereas, it has pleased the Almighty in His infinite wisdom to lay the heavy hand of aflliction upon?." Kntor Wananiaker: "Hey, there, ' |> i, 1.I I...I. *' 'VII, ll Hill i3 Mint, Mill Hi t? w Tiling.' President I larrison: "Ah, is that ] you, Wanny? I'm just drawing up (ho Thanksgiving proclamation. That's all." Wnnnmaker: "The d 1, psh! You 1 don't call that a Thanksgiving pro- J clamation, do you? *' Harrison (jumping up:) "Laws mo, what am I writing anyhow, I am bewildered, Wanny. It's that oloction news that did it. Wanny, can't you write one for mo?" Kntcr liaby MeKce: "(*an'pa, oh, gan'pa!" "What, my darling!" "W'en 'oo goin' to bo buried?' "llush, inv child, what makes you' talk so?" "Kvcrybody says 'oo'sdoad, gan'pa.'1 Wipiamaker (gruffly:) "Send that child out here." Wnnnmaker (writing:) "Know all men by those presents t hat I, John Wnnamakor, Proprietor of Philadelphia's Cheap Bargain Counter, do issue this, my proclamation, as a reminder that my goods defy"? Harrison (excitedly:) ' Hold, AVannv. That won't do at all." Wanamaker: "I can write a proclamation, Ben, It's that confounded baby who spoiled it." Harrison: "Let's quit, Wanny, and call in Blaine and let him write it. You and 1 are too confused, Wanny?we're too confused." A 1 > 1281'Kit AT I2*N< HUM MAG 12 A Tipsy Man Starts a How Which Nearly I2imIh in a ltaee War. Jacksonville, Flu., Nov. 17?A very serious shooting affair occurred at Roddick, near Ocala, Saturday. George Sanders, a white man, crazed with drink, ran amuck and tired a revolver at several persons, with ; out doing any damage, however. Two men, named Williams and Fri-! day, succeeded in disarming him after a desperate struggle. A negro, who did not know the cause or the trouble, ran across to j Sanders' store, and told his brother Bob that two white men were trying to kill Georgo. Bob seized a gun and rushing to the scene of the con ilict, began firing right and left. Williams was fatally shot; a young negro, name unknown, was shot dead; Friday was slightly wounded, and a negro woman, who was passing by, was also slightly wounded. During the tight some one, unki own, shot George Sanders in the face with a charge of hirdshor, but only slightly wounded him. Some unknown person also shot Bob Sanders in the side, and it is thought he is fatally wounded. Assistance was telegraphed for from Ocala, and Deputy Sheriff Sellers was sent there. He arrested George Sanders and soon re stored quiet. Williams, the first man shot, died from the effects of his woun'ds at noon to-day. There IL'OkJ " ? 01 t A - JX * ituc ^ivdb I'.vuut'iuwni' ill jirt it was reported that a riot was in progress in Kcdelick, and the Oca I a re-j serves were called out. ?"The tree of deepest root is found | least willing still to leave the ground and this could once have been most truly said of chronic pain of any sort. Hut after the lapse of so many ages, a sovereign remedy has been found in Salvation Oil. Kvery provident hoirseholder should keep it. ISJ"o. r2G. IIIOII IIOPK FOR M>2. Tlio Furmors* Allluiico will Probably Mukc a Siraljjlitout Fight Two Voai'H llcnco. (From tin* Now Yuri* \ Washington, November 10,-Tho spectre of the Farmers' Alliance overshadows all other political considerations here. Clever politicians estimate the vote polled by that organization in the recent election at not less than 2,500,000. The Alliance people themselves are saying nothing that can be construed as an indication of their future purposes* The expectation is that their par*}' will increase so rapidly during tho next two years that their voting strength in 1K92 will not fall much, if any, short of 5,000,000. In that event they will undoubtedly place a Presidential ticket in the Held, with a moral certainty of carrying half a dozen Southern and Western States. Already they are claiming all the agricultural States in '92. This is, of course, an exaggerated and over sanguine view of the situation, growing out of their recent success, but they have a reasonable pro liability of carrying Xort li and South Carolina, South 1 >akota. Kansas, Nebraska ami Minnesota. 1 am told by their leaders hero that not only will they continue to develop strength in the States where they ill ready "shown unexpected power, but that Ohio, 1 ennsylvania, New Vork, New Jersey and Massachusetts otter them an equally promising liold. The work of organizing will goon rapidly in these States from this time, with the possibility of bringing one or inoro of them also under t heir dominion. W11.1? PUSH WITH Vo OTIIKK RAKTY. It is obvious to any student of political affairs that the Alliance people are "feeling their oats," as they figuratively put it. They organized originally for mutual benefit, but they have drifted into politics almost imperceptibly from the start, and thoir manifest purpose now is to secure control of the country, or at least develop such strength as will enable them to hold the balance of power between the two great parties. It is not their intention to consolidate with either. Their leading men tell mo they will welcome any man or set of men who may choose to enter their ranks, but they can only be admitted by renounc nig lorevor meir iorincr political uffi 1 iatioiiH. It is only us a distinct organization with distinct aims and purposes that they can hope to win> and from this course they will not swarvo a hairsbreadth. The Alliance people are claiming fifty-fiive votes in the next House. Of this number forty are straightout Alliance Representatives and fifteen others have committed themselves in writing to the measures advocated by them. The more important of these measures are the free silver coinage and sub treasury bills. They will not stop, they say, until they accomplish the passage of both. .Judging from their conversation they expect to do this before the close of the 52nd Congress. OlM'OSKI) 10 8fcCrlO\AUSM. There is tenet of their political faith which minded men without recard to (it her f?nii?w1.>riiti?i*?a will O " "V" ' "W cheerfully endorse. They are opposed to sectionalism and to the stutemcn who support such doctrines. They tell mo seriously that their principal opposition to Senator I ngalls arises from his malevolent and repeated efforts to widen the breach between the North and the South. His other sins they could forgive, but this they regard as unpardonable. I asked them what in that case they purjjosed doing with Senators Hoar and Chandler. They replied that as sj>on as the organization becamo stronger in Massachusetts and Now Hampshire, these gentlemen should be immediately turned down, unless their "brigadier scalping" tactics, as they term them, are abandoned. The General Counciljof the Alliance will hold its annual meeting at Ocala, Fla, December 2 next. About two hundred and fifty dele gates and fifteen hundred other leading members of the Alliance will be in attendance. The Conference be an important one, and before its close tho aims and purposes of the Alliance for the future will no doubt be better understood.