Newspapers / The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, … / Dec. 25, 1885, edition 1 / Page 1
Part of The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, N.C.) / About this page
This page has errors
The date, title, or page description is wrong
This page has harmful content
This page contains sensitive or offensive material
-mmmmmm ' ' (' ' f VI ' j era W4 OLD SERIES : VOLUME XXXIV. CHARLOTTE, N. j C, FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25, 1885. New Series VOLUME XVI. NUMBER 7ii THE Charlotte Home - Democrat, Published evebt Fbiday bt YATES & STRONG. Terms Two Dollars for one year. One Dollar for six months. Subscription price due in advance. o " Entered at the Poet Office in Charlotte, N C., as second class matter," according to the rules of the P. O. Department T. O. SMITH & OO., WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DRUGGISTS, CHARLOTTE, N. C. May 11,1884. J. F. McCOMBS, M. D., Offers his professional services to the citizens of Charlotte and surrounding country. All calls, both night and day, promptly attended to. Office in Brown's building, up stairs, opposite Charlotte Hotel. Jan. 1, 1885. L. R. WRISTON, DRUGGIST, Charlotte, N. C, Dealer in Drugs of the best quality, Paints, Oils, Dye Stuffs, Combs, Brushes, &c. Everything usually found in a Drug Store will be sold at sat isfactory prices. Irwin's Old Corner on Independence Square. Jan. 25, 1884. i. B OR WELL. P. D. WALKER. BURWELL & WALKER, Attorneys at Law, CHARLOTTE, N. C. Will practice in the State and Federal Courts. Office in Law Building. Jan. 1,1884. HUGH W. HARRIS, Attorney and Counsellor at Law, CHARLOTTE, N. C. Will practice in the State and Federal Courts. Special attention given to collections. Office adjoining Court House. Oct. 17, 1884. y HERIOT CLARKSON, Attorney-at-Law, CHARLOTTE, N. C, Will practice in all the Courts of this State. Prompt attention given to collections. Nov. 7, 1884. tf W. P.BYNUM. W.P. BYNCM, JR. BARTLETT BHTPP BYNUMS & SHIPP, Attorneys and Counsellors at Law, Charlotte, Ni C. tSF Practice in State and Federal Courts. Office in Harty Building, next to Court House. March 13, 1885. F. I. OSBORNE. W. C. MAXWELL. OSBORNE & MAXWELL, Attorneys at Law, CHARLOTTE, N. C. Will practice in the State and Federal Courts. tW Offices 1 and 3 Law Building. July 3, 1885. 6m DR. M. A. BLAND. Dentist, CHARLOTTE, N. C. Office in Brown's building, opposite Charlotte Hotel. Oas used for the painless extraction of teeth. Feb. 15. 1884. DR. GEO. W. GRAHAM, CHARLOTTE, N. C. Practioe Limited to the EYE, EAR AND THROAT. Jan. 1, 1884. HOFFMAN & ALEXANDERS, Surgeon Dentists, CHARLOTTE. N. C. Office over A. R. Nisbet & Bro's store. Office hours from 8 A. M. to 5 P. M. Dec. 14, 1883. W. H. FARRIOR, Practical Watch-Dealer and Jeweler. Charlotte. N. C. Keeps a full stock of handsome Jewelry, and Clocks, Spectacles, etc., which I will sell at a fair price. Repairing of Jeweliy, Watches, Clocks, &c, done promptly, and satisfection assured. ESStore next to Spring's corner building. July 1, 1884. SPRINGS & BURWELL, Grocers and Provision Dealers, CHARLOTTE, N. C, Have always in stock Coffee, Sugar, Molasses, Syrups, Mackerel, Soaps, Starch, Meat, Lard, Hams, Flour, Grass Seeds, Plows, &c, which we offer to both the Wholesale and Retail trade. All are Invited to try us, from the smallest to the largest Jan. 1. 1884. K. A. LEE. SPRINGS & BURWELL. R. A. LEE & CO., Cotton Buyers. Office in the Chambers Livery Stable Building, Uollege Street. Sellers will do well to sec us. If we do not buy our lasi urn snail ne tne value of the cotton. Jan. 30, 1885. A. HALES & SON, Charlotte, N. C. Go to Hales' New JEWELRY STORE for the Best Goods at lowest prices Trade Street, Next to A. R. Nisbet & Bro. and T.L. Seigle. Repairing fine Watches a soecialtv. Jan. 1, 1885. HARRISON WATTS, Cotton Buyer. Corner Trade and College Sts., up Stairs CHARLOTTE, N. C. Oct. 14, 1884. 8 The Southern Thunderbolt says: "A man tbat will take a newspaper and not pay for it, is mean enough to steal our milk from a blind cat." That is true, and it is very bad to let a paper come to your address, and then let it be cat off, and not even pay for the time you have received it. Some men seem to have no correct idea about integrity or honesty. FOR SALE. I offer for sale my PLANTATION, two miles from Charlotte, with 100 Acres of Land or 260 if desired. On the Plantation is a good 8-Roora Frame House, Gin House, three Tenant Houses. A fine young Orchard of nearly 1,000 Trees, and Grape Vines of the most improved varieties, a succession of ripe fruit from May to November. The location is high and healthy, with the best view of the city to be found anywhere. Terms easy. Apply early to J. C. DOWD, Dec. 18, 1885. 2w Charlotte P. O. Administrator's Sale of Land for Assets. By virtue of a Decree of the Superior Court of Mecklenburg county, I will eell, at the Court House door in Charlotte, on Monday the 18th day of January, 1886, a Tract of LAND, late the Property of Hiram T. Capps, in Long Creek Township, in said county, adjoining the lands of Samuel McElroy, W B. Parks, John Sample, and others, containing, by estimation, one hun dred and fifty Acres. Terms 15 per cent cash, and the balance on twelve months, bond and approved security re quired. Title retained until purchase money is paid. G. W. ALEXANDER, Administrator of Hiram T. Capps. Dec. 11, 1885. 6w SHERIFF'S SALE. I will sell for cash at the Court House door in the city of Charlotte, on Monday, January 4th, 1886, at 12 o'clock M.. to satisfy Executions in my hands the following Real Estate, to-wit: Seventeen and three-quarters (17) Acres of LAND, in the Town of Pineville and county of Mecklenburg, adjoining the lands of Sam I. Younts, C. A. Withers, Calvin Good, and others, sold as the property of Thos. B. Meacbam. Also, at same time and place the reversionary interest of John S. Means in the House and Lot formerly owned by his father, and now occupied by his mother, situated on College street, be tween 5th and 6th streets tn the city of Char lotte, N. C. L. A. fOTTB, Dec. 11. 1885. 4w Sheriff. Mortgagee's Sale. By virtue of a Mortgage Deed executed to me by Wiley Rudisill and wife, recorded in Book 33, page 196, I will sell by public auction at the Jourt House door in the city oi Unariotie, jm. v., on Monday, 28th day of December, 1885f the Tract of LANU adjoining lands ot . ti. UUton and others, and particularly described in said Mortgage, containing about 76J Acres, to satisfy the debt secured by said Mortgage. Terms, Cash MARY E. WRISTON, Dec. 4, 1885. 4w Mortgagee. LAND SALE. Under an Order of the Superior Court of Union county, I will sell at the Court House door in Charlotte, on Monday the 4th day of January, 1886, the Lot of LAND known as Lot Number 1 of the "Erwin Laud," bid off at the former sale by T. H. Hoover, containing 18 Acres. This sale is made under a Decree of the Superior Court of Union county. F. LEE ERWIN, Dec. 4, 1885. 5w Commissioner. Mortgagee's Sale. By virtue of a Mortgage made to me by W. S. P Hunter Rnr) wifp. and recorded in Book 31. page 350, I will sell at public auction, at the Court House in Charlotte, on Monday, the 28th day of December, 1885, at 12 o'clock M., one Tract of LAND iu Mallard Creek Township, adioinine the lands of J. H. Garrison and others, containing twenty-seven Acres. Terms, Cash. J. Al. KAVlO, Nov. 27, 1885. 5w Mortgagee. "To Persons wishing to Invest in Florida," I offer my services and will purchase ' BEARING ORANGE GROVES, Or locate State or United States Lands. Then T.nnda r.t 1.25 ner Acre will DaV a larger profit than anything now before the pub lic Tin. onnrmnna emigration still Continues. and Railroads are penetrating every county. South Florida has climatic advantages possessed bv no other State or Territory, and is bound, soon, to become ine garaen oi ine unueu oiaies. Address It. JT. DAV1D3U.W, Crescent City, Putnam Co., Florida. Dec. 4, 1885. 4m Executor's Notice. na Executor of the last Will oh Testament, of James A. McNeelv. deceased, I hereby give notice to all persons having claims against the .Estate oi saiu ueceascu, iu picocm them to me, duly attested, within twelve months from December lam, 1000, ana an persuun m debted to said Estate are notified to make pay ment to me. , K. A. MCJNJSJfiJjX, Dec. 11,1885. 6wpd " Executor Pure Reliable Drugs At WILDER'S Drug Store. An assortment not to be excelled in quality and prices anywhere. in f ..ft pvprvtniuz Kcui in a lirsi uiaso uiuk anr in he found in this establishment. Give us a call. . . H. Al. VY1L.D.EK, Cor. Trade and College Sts., Charlotte, N. C July 10, 1885. Surgical Instruments. I n en nniv ft need lone felt bv the Medical Prnfoiainn f this section, we have now and will keep constantly in stock, a full line of SURGI nir, INSTRUMENTS, which we warrant. Wa in aia nrennred to cive anv and all dis- counts in any of the New York Instrument Cata logues. Give us a can. K. 11. JUKUAfl C6 VAA, Nov. 13, 1885. Druggists, Springs Corner Tin - Ware, Stoves, &c. A. A. GASTON Has again begun business at his Old Stand under the Central uotei, iraae oireei. He asks a share of patronage from the Please give me a call for such things as you may want in my line . r A. A. GASTON. Julv 10. 1885. Charlotte JUST RECEIVED. New Lot of Ladies' and Children's BLACK HOSE. LACES, etc., at ELIAS & COHEN'S. Sept. 25, 1885.: How to Make Winter Evenings Profitable. This is the season' of short days and long evenings, the best time of all the year for stndy and improvement. , Perhaps you are a young man desirous of obtaining , commercial employment. One of the best passports in that direc tion, next to good character, ia good band-writing. Of course, you know how to write, but like the great majority, pro bably, you have never trained yourself to write well. No merchant wants his books disfigured by awkward and illegible scrawling. No lawyer will submit to badly written copies. We suggest yon devote yourself this winter to persevering endeavors to improve your penmanship. You will be surprised at the improve ment which real effort in this line will achieve. May be you would like to learn sten ography and type writing.. The faithlul employment ot your winter evenings in this work may make you a first-class graduate before the long days come again, and enable you to earn a handsome sup port. Do you wish to become expert as a mechanical draughtsman? There are ex cellent instruction books, sold very cheap ly. 1 be industrious occupation of your evening hours as a learner will 1 surely be fruitful of results. - We know of excellent draughtsmen, now enjoying good sala ries, who taught themselves to draw in evening hours, while companions idled away, their time in smoking, cards,' or gossip. Are you Of an inventive turn of mmd ? The best of all times to study up and think out plans for new contrivances is in the quietude of evening. The results of earnest thought in the. production ot in ventions are simply astonishing. In gen eral, it is the improvements in simple de vices, things of everyday use and that everybody wants, which are : the most profitable. Ine patent for the little in vention of the spring window shade roller, now so generally employed in all dwell ings, has brough great wealth to. the for tunate inventor. He is now a millionaire. His device was truly a happy thought. We know of a lady in Chicago whose patents for the inveution of a moving belt for drying eggs, albumen, etc., have revo- utiomzed certain great branches of trade, and now bring her a great' income. The people want improvements in every con ceivable form. Not only . is the field of invention vast, but it is open to every body. There are no distinctions in re spect to sex or age. The way to invent is to "keep thinking ;" . the way to ac complish anything is to "keep working." ffelF According to the latest official statement published by the authorities of Russia, there are in that country uot less than 14,000 square miles of oil-producing land, but of thin vast territory the field at Baku is the only one worked, and even this covers only the limited space of some three and one-half square miles. ' The out put is enormous, and the fact is stated by one who witnessed the opening of a well in that locality that a column of oil spurt ed to a height of 100 feet, carrying great stones with it, the now continuing until a large lake of petroleum was formed. The product is refined on the spot, the residue being used as fuel tor steamers and rail ways. STORE FOR RENT In Statesville. Brick with Tin Roof insurance consequently low in the Arcade Building, 100 by 27 feet. on. Broad street, and centre of business, and near the Tobacco Warehouses and Public Square. Suitable for a large business of any kind. Rent only $300 a year. The opportunity offered is a rare one. Address E. B. DRAKE, Dec. 18, 1885. 2w Statesville, N. C. CITY TAX NOTICE. I am required by the City Charter to settle for the Taxes with the Board of Aldermen in Jan uary, and it is therefore of the greatest import ance that all persons who have not paid their City Taxes should do so at once. Dec. 18, 1885. 2w City Tax Collector. CLOSING OUT. Great Sale of Ladies', Misses' and Children's HATS. We offer our entire Stock of Hats and Bonnets at Half Price. $1.50 Hats at 75 cents : $1 Hats at 50 cents 50 cent Hats at 25 cents. A large lot of new style Straw, Felt and Vel vet Hats, just received, are included in the sale. No such an opportunity to purchase new, de sirable and fashionable Goods at such prices has ever been offered in this city. U. M. (jUJSltY. Dec. 11,1885. TOBACCO SEED. We will eive to any reliable Farmer in Meck lenburg county as much Tobacco Seed as he de sires and complete directions how to plant, grow, and cure Tobacco. We expect to open a TOBAOCO WARE HOUSE in the centre of the City, and thereby enable Planters to get the best cash prices for their Tobacco. Don't fail to give Tobacco a trial. It pays better than Cotton. CARSON BROS. Dec. 11, 1885. 3m JERSEYS! JERSEYS!! Elias & Cohen Have just received a large stock of Jerseys, all qualities and prices. Also, Ladies' and Gents' Woolen Underwear, Blankets and Comforts. IS" Give us a call. ELIAS & COHEN. Dec. 4, 1885. ATTENTION ! ! This is our notice to all persons indebted to us by Note or Account to call and settle at once. We need money, and will issue no second invi tation. W. E. SHAW & CO. Dec. 11, 1885. 3w ' Rubber and Leather Belting. Just received, a large lot of Rubber Belting of all sizes. We warrant every foot we eell and guarantee our prices against any house south of Baltimore. . ., , HAMMOND & JUSTICE., Oct 9,1885. A'.Macli Needed. Change. -: i " ' iThe manner of electing solicitors for the judioia: districts in North Carolina ought to be changed,'' add 'that speedily.1 These officers should be' elected by the entire State as the Judges are 4 or they ought to be elected, by the General As sembly. It was the fear of making Re publican districts thai caused the last Geueral Assembly to lay off the judicial districts ' without regard ; to' the interest and' convenience of the' people or the judges holding the courts. If these offi cers were elected by the State at large or by the Geueral Assembly, no political ad vantage could be gained' by-manipulating and gerrymandering the Districts; they would be laid off -with some"7' regard to common 6eose and the7 interest of the people. ' The effect of erecUng a black district out of a few Eastern counties where the negroes are in a large majority, is to give us an incompetent man-to fill one--of the most important positions in the -State. Our tax payers', are suffering, on account of it. It is the duty of the State to pro tect its citizens in the enjoyment of their rights and privileges, and to .do this an officer is provided to prosecute . all ; viola tions of law. This officer-should be as honest and upright as the judge on the bench; he should understand the criminal law of the State, and - be thoroughly familiar, with the practice in the criminal, courts. , These qualifications are absolute ly necessary for the dispatch of business, for the. vindication of the laws of the State and for the protection of. its -citizens. Newbem Journal. , h f iVi ; heturnine; from Texas. We met on Monday a gentleman, with his wile and four children,' who' had lived near Beuuettsville, S. C, and had sold out a farm and farm utensils and house hold goods in geueral, and the week beiore gone to Texas to try his fortune amid the glories of the Lone Star State. He had beau attracted to the great Texan Empire by the gilded pictures of its at tractiveness seen in the papers. He was en route home now longing to hear again the sighing of the pines, to. see the glare and feel the warmth' of the pine knot and quaff the pure water of his native 'heath. Three days in Texas, convinced him he had made a mistake He said no poor farmer cOuld live in a land without wood and water. We asked him what he meant by the words "without wood and water." He replied, people had to 'haul the water they draik eight or teii -miles. And when it reached the house after' its long journey -over -the land it was sleek like home made soft soap, and its effect upon a Tar Heel like the specific effects of Epsom Salts. Wood, he said,' was so scarce coal was being used very generally. He waxed warm ia asseverating that Texas was no place for a poor man. We asked him why didn't all who migrated there return, and why didn't Texans mi grate to really attractive North Carolina, if Texas was such a repulsive land ? He replied with great feeling, they would if they were able.' - ii't : . One thing we know,, dear old North Carolina stands among the States unsur passed, if i not unrivaled, for a tarrying place during the "span" we are to live.- Monroe Enquirer. ; . ' A Wonderful Invention. The microphone an . electric . stetho scope whose sensitiveness to the faintest sounds has been described as making "the walk of a fly seem like the .tramp of an elephant" is likely to become of great use in medical diagnoses.- In the Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal Dr. Eve describes an interesting series of experi ments made by him with the instrument. He was able to detect . the nature of ob scure fractures by the character of. the sounds conducted through the Jnstru ment, and could differentiate aneurisms from tumors by the sounds of pulsation. Intracranial and muscular sounds were made out with' great -clearness, and in diagnoses for stone the instrument worked with mathematical accuracy. The doc tor suggests that an audiphone con structed on the principle of the micro phone would prove inestimable to people of impaired hearing. A flftrmari nritin thus distin guishes between ridicule, wit, irony, and hnmnr: "Ridicule U the wit of a stunid or vulgar person; wit the ridicule of a superior intellect or a man ot me woria; irony the wit4of a thinker, and humor the irony of a poet. Hidicule is like a blow with the fist, wit like the prick of a needle, irony like the sting of a tborn, and and humor the plaster which , heals all these wounds." . . ! . Charlotte Female Institute, . REV. WM. . R. ATKINSON, 1 Principal. The Exercises of the Institute after the Christ mas holidays will be resumed December 30th. The first of the year ia a most convenient time for new pupils to enter, and it is hoped that they will be present by January 1st. Never has the School done more successful work than in the present session, and it is not surpassed by any other in the South in the tnor ouehnes8 of its methods and its standard in every Department ; neither is there any other School more economical wnen tne character oi the instruction and the home it affords Its pupils are considered. ' Correspondence solicited. REV. WM. R. ATKINSON, Dec. 18, 1885. Charlotte, N. C. THE . CHARLOTTE COTTON 1ND PRODUCE EXCIIIiXGE Cobnbr Tba.de And College Sts., , Charlotte, N. C. 8. H. PHELAN, Proprietor, mem ber new iorK motion .bxenange and Uhicago ttoara oi iraae. J. F, LYON, Dec. 4, 1885. Manager. CHRISTMAS GOODS. A Full line of . . . : r . Toys, Vases ana-Dolls At greatly reduced prices at ' ; " '. V; 8. M. HOWELL'S. Dec 18,1885. ; Into the: Lion's Cage. . An English sportsman, in the Zoologi cal Gardens of the Queen, became en raged at a valuable hound tbat had failed him in some performance, and beat it and bruised it most unmercifully. To make an end of the punishment he seized and thrust the dog through the bars of a lion's cage. He expected, ol course, that the beast would at once spring upon him and crnsb him as a thing of prey. , But what was bis chagrin as he saw the lion oome up to the dog with a seeming look of com passion, and begin to lick his wounds. He then relented a little, and thought he would like his dog again. ' So he. chang ing his voice,' called the bleed'mg animal K i v. . ... l uy uame ',o come out. rus ne am not come. He whistled for him very familiarly, he coaxed very affectionately - Already he bad laid, down beside the lion, and seemed . quite contented B with, : his : new, sympathizing friend..; Still he called,then he commanded, .then he threatened, then he stormed in impetuous tone. The ; dog paid no attention to him. " Just then the keeper came near. , "Mr Keeper.to punish my dog lor displeasing me, I put him into this cage, and I . cannot get him out. M ill you please help me? He is a . very vajuable dog and I desire to take him away." "You put him into the cage, did you ?" "I did, sir." "Then, sir, you may get him out !" ' ! '': " I 1 i A Leaf from the Past, Correspondence of the Statesville Landmark, March, 1785, "The Assembly of North Carolina passed a bill for ' raising 8,000 for assisting the colony of Virginia against the encroachments of the French." We' learn from an old magazine of August, 1785, that North Carolina is bounded by Virginia on the north, the ocean on the east, by a liue drawn in 34 degrees from the oceau to the mountains on the sooth, and by tbat part of Florida possessed by the Indians on the west. It is divided iuto 14 parishes or townships; but we do not hear of auy church or town of note in the country. In , the same way South Carolina is bounded on the west by the Indian country. it is thought that there ares more in habitants in the North than in South Carolina, though , not any significant towns.". We are. apt to forget: that the products of the country are now very dif ferent from 1780, when "we are informed that in that 'year they shipped! from Charleston, S. C., 200,000 lbs. of indico (as they ' spelled it then) to England. There is at least one man now living in Statesville who could tell of raising it for market in this region. i : ' A Carious Calculation. , The New York Times makes this curi ous calculation as to the bulk of the Van- derbilt fortune: . -- - - , Mr Vanderbilt was worth $2jOO,000,000. If we say that he was worth 1500,000,000 or $ 1,000,000,000, do we get a perceptibly different impression about the bulk of his fortune. Most people do not. To the average mind the conception of enormous wealth is much the same whether it be reckoned in hundreds of millions . or in vigintillions. The' human mind cannoi grasp these great sums or clearly', ap preciate the dinerence 'between' one hundred millions and two hundred mil lions. Let us try and describe Mr Vanderbilt's great fortune in terms of linear, square, and cubic measurement, and of weight. Everybody understands these terms, and they make a definite impression on men's miods. If this sura of $200,000,000 were in standard silver dollars it would present such features as this : Put lengthwise, dollar after dollar, it would streteh a distance of 4,672 miles, making a silver streak from New York across the ocean to Liverpool. rilel op, dollar on dollar, it would reach a height of 355 miles. Laid flat on the ground, the dollars would cover a space of nearly 60 acres.' ; lhe weight ot this mass of silver wonld be 7,160 tons. t To transport it would require 358 cars, carrying 20 tons each (this is the capacity of the strongest freight cars), and making a tram ol just 2 miles long. : Un ordinary grades it would require 12 locomotives to haul this train. On roads of Bleep grades and sharp curves, 15 or 20 loaomotives would be needed.. In one-dollar bills this two-hundred-mil lion-dollar fortune would assume such shapes as this : , The bills stretched lengthwise would extend 23,672 miles, or nearly the circum ference of the earth at the equator. , . riled op one on another, close as leaves in a new book, they would reach a height of twelve miles. y Spread out on the ground they would cover 746 acres, or nearly the whole sur face of Central Park, including ponds and reservoirs. , , - ; ; . A , safe ; deposit vault to contain these bills would require to be 23 feet long, 22 feet wide, and 20 feet high. Abe thebe Jointed Snakes? In your issue of Oct. 10, 1 see a piece headed "Delusions About Snakes." I am now nearly seventy-nine years old. When 1 was a boy, about thirteen or fourteen years old, my father had several hands mowing grass. - While at work they came across a snake some twenty inches in length of a green color. ' When struck with a stick, it broke square oft The head part, some eight inches long, still tried to crawl; that was struck, and broke square off. - The tail end was struck.and it broke; and so the whole snake was broken into pieces about three or four inches long ' It did not seem to be hollow but pithy in the center. The pieces of that snake did not unite and make a new snake. 1 noticed then for several days. -D. E. Warlick, Catatoba county, N. ?., tra Nashville Ad vocate. " , A certain strain of nobility of character is needed to enable one to see without envy the better fortune of bis neighbor, even though that neighbor be also bis '. friend.'. It sounds absnrd to declare that success it . not sinful in itself,- bat it' is a truth many' never learn, or, if they believe, never practice. A Shop-Boy's Story. ; ; I have good reason to remember my father's advice to me in early life. I was going after my first situation,at a grocer's shop, when he took me on one side, and said; "Now mind, John, don't be ashamed to say you don't know, if the master asks you any thing you do not understand, iiemember, we all have to learn." I listened most impatiently to . what I then considered this unnecessary caution, regarding him as a foolish man, who did not know how to get on in the world; so, having formed my own ideas of what was right, I walked into the shop and inquired for Mr Harris,whom I at once took kindly to; he looked good-tempered any thing but a bully so having no fear, I said all I could to induce him to give me a trial, greatly exaggerating my capabilities, thereby impressing bim with a false notion of what I could do. I saw that my point was gained, and that he considered him self a luoky man to get such a clever!, lad, adding sixpence per, week on the wages be had paid , my i predecessor. Just as I was leaving the shop I was surprised to see a chum of mine (a sheepish-looking fellow) enter, asking to see the master.; I passed close by him, observing, in an un dertone, ."You're too late; I've got the place.!' ''You can't take both places," he replied. As this was the first I had heard of two boys being required I said no more; my thoughts, however, were very busy on my way home. . Somehow, the fact of this second .berth rather put a damper on my spirits. Was it better ? were questions rushing through my brain. My doabts were soon solved. On the folio wing Monday we met again. . A few words passed between us, when I discov ered, to my chagrin, that Tom's was a second interview; in the first he bad been questioned, as I was, with the result tbat "he did not know town well; could not make up neat parcels;" nor could he drive a horse ar.d cart if required, so was put into the desk to take the cash, with two shillings per week more than I was to have. It seems our school-master had recom mended us both, leaving it to Mr Harris to find out whioh was most fitted for the rough work; so this was all the good I had done by scorning my father's advice. Of course, it was soon discovered that I knew no more of neat parcel-making than Tom did, and as to knowing my way about town, it took me half my time making in quiry, besides being often sent wrong, so that I was always getting bullied by the meu for being so long gone. Didn't I envy Tom, that's all!" While I was fagging about with heavy parcels,, feeling too tired to keep about in the hot sun of July,he was perched up in his desk, taking money, giving change, looking as cool and comfortable as possible. "Thifr oomes of koowiosr-too- much," said I to myself. "Father was right, after all." No complaint ever dropped from my lips at home, however, I not wishing him to know how foolishly I had acted. Time passed on; I had settled down to the life of a drudge; my hands had grown bard and homey, while Tom seemed get ting more smart every day. A coolness grew up between us. He looked down on me, while I sneered at his gentility; at the same time I would have given any thing I possessed to have changed places with him. One day the master called me into his private room, and told me that he feared I should have a very hard day on the morrow, as the man who usually de livered a large portion of the goods by driving -a cart, was ill, consequently I should have to carry them all, and to do so, must be there an hour at least earlier. Dreading the extra toil, I asked if I might use his cart. "But you cannot drive, I fear," replied the master, who reminded me that I had failed in all the things I had told him I could do. He therefore presumed I knew no more of driving than I had known of parcel making, or finding my way about. I was greatly tempted to tell a lie and declare I was used to - driving, but learning from the past how useless it was to pretend any more knowledge of any thing, replied that I had never learned to drive, but was wil ling to try. "No, no," he replied: "parcels can be re-done up, the delivery can be done even wnen a lot of time has been lost; but who is to mend my poor horse's legs, and repair the cart, besides, perhaps, having to pay for one you might run into ?" Ibis so provoked my indignation, that hastily gave notice to leave, being heartily tired of my hard work. I don't think my services were ' very highly valued, for I was not asked to stay; and before leaving 1 bad the mortification of seeing Tom raised to a position as clerk, to keep the books, and another boy brought in to take his place. "This comes of knowing nothing," said I, not reflecting at that time that Tom bad proved himself better than he had represented, while I was no doubt a conceited young monkey who knew nothing, but pretended to know every thing. I see it now plainly enough, but at that time a strong feeling that I had been the victim of a great injustice took possession of me, which resolved itself into a determi nation to be a drudge no longer. I next engaged myself to a butcher. I was - to have a horse and cart to drive round for orders, then again to deliver the meat. No more long walks, carrying big loads ! The man who bad charge of the horse commenced giving me a few hints abont driving, seeing I was a novice; but I soon shut him up,leadirg him to believelcould teach him. Of course he said no more,and I jumped into the cart, feeling at last I had begun to live. All went well at first, though I fear many whom I passed on the road were not at all sure I should not get in contact with their wheels. - At last, while taming a corner rather sharply, I came upon a large pleasure van, the driver of which called me all sorts of ugly names, and told me to get on my right ride. t Now, in my ignorance, instead of changing to the pro per side of the road,' I simply shifted my eat a little to the left. At the same time, the shouts of those near.added to the close proximity of the van, so frightened my horse, that it started off at a rapid paoe. I 'used the whip, thinking to check the -beast, but on it ran till the cart was r.r dashed against a lamp-post, '? -! . : ' I was found lying on my back with :an ugly cut on my head, though I was quite jA unconscious of the fact, till I found my-. self in the ward of a hospital; here I was T ' laid up for some weeks, my friends being ; allowed to visit me occasionally. I was .,- . sorry to hear that my poor father : had. . been blamed for allowing me to undertake : to drive a cart, when it was clear I was :i ignorant' of the very: simplest rules of t I driving; stiU, nothing would make mead: ; ; mit that I was in the wrong, being strong- ; , ly of the opinion-that the driver of the . van had caused all the mischief. However, I did promise my father that ... : the next place would not be undertaken i so rashly. . I was soon after engaged in -a, large 7 warehouse, where - many ,, boys were, em ployed, and I think it proved about the best school I could-have-gooe to, lor in an ;. incredibly short space of time my failing. ? ; was. discovered. 1 "Here comes Wiseacre 1 . there's the chap who knows every thing?'?, "Ask John, he can tell you all v about Jt," besides many other such expressionB,were.c continually said in my hearing, with a laugh and a jeer,tili I began to think those who worked with me the most horrid set. I, of lads I had ever met with. '.t They did not have to wait long before , another specimen of my type entered our . employment, so the diversion went on, but not at my expense. The new-comer was , K tall, genteel-looking youth, who had juBt , left school, and according to his .own. ac-. count, was the best in bis late school at ' Latin, French, drawing, the three R's.and ; could beat all at cricket and boating, I t was highly amused at the way this youth was led on at one moment by professed : admiration, the next by seemingly eager ' questions as to his various exploits -till Iu a could see how truly uncomfortable he was rendered, when suddenly he would realize""""" that he was being led on to greater boast- j ings than he had at first intended. He was constantly put to the test most unex- . pectedly to prove his assertions, m&cir tO( M his discomfiture. ' .' " ' J J . I remember on one occasion the French' '. correspondent was absent.. ' Several of the '. boys heard the manager lamenting' the fact, as some urgent letters required ' im- ,' mediate attention. They lost no lime in ' ; telling him that the youth in question. was Y a good French scholar, and could take the ' place for a day. ' Jr ' ' Never shall I forget the uUer confaaion J jt; poor Henly Was thrown into when 'asked. Vi by the manager if he would read and ' answer the letters. He stammered,turned ': red, then pale, which was attributed . by the manager to diffidence, so "every en-' couragement was given him to undertake , the task. He pleaded sudden indisposi-' tion, and begged to.be allowed, to go ' home, which was refused, the matter of V . these letters being pres8iog,aod the man a ger only too delighted to find he had a French scholar in the house; , so nothing would do but Henly must go with him' ' into the counting-house. The other; youths meanwhile laughed most immoder-; ately,and wondered what the sequel would be. In less than a quarter of an hour he was back in his place, feeling dreadfully ' disconcerted to hear the remarks about his great linguistic qualities. We never heard what had taken place in the counting house, but could pretty well guess. ., i The lesson was not lost on me. ; From ., tbat day I don't think any thing would t have induced me to make-believe I knew -more than I did. Upon several occasions -sympathy nearly moved me to condole with him by relating my experience; - but !; reflecting upon the, matter, also judging ...; ; how I should have received such over , tures in my . career, I desisted, feeling ; sure that he would, only learn .as I had , done, by repeated snubs ruthlessly admin iatered. ., --, . , .... t r, .t;i.;v. I left this place shortly after, losing. f sight of poor Henly for a few years, ; till : one evening not long since, after my tea, ; I took up an evening paper, and a para-; ;- graph caught my eye relating to a clerki accused of manslaughter. Heading further ? ! on, what was my surprise and sorrow to r find the accused person was no other than j .j; ray old shop-mate, Augustus Henly. : I?.,.,. hastily read through the , charge, which u then left no doubt in my mind as to his -; identity. The old habit of knowing every thing, it seems, bad not , been ' knocked out of him, and rather than , s deny that he could make oat s Latin v prescription, he had actually hazarded . bis opinion by giving the wrong one, with 7. the serious consequence of the death of a i; child. ' ' ! It seems a great friend of bis bad been ; , intrusted by his mother with a presorip-, y h tion to be made at the store, which be V carelessly putloosejn his pocket where ; there happened to be an old one for quite another complaint. ' He drew oat the two, and was at a loss to decide which was the -right one, bat remembering that his friend was not only a good Latin scholar, bat f also knew something of medicine,he asked, which would be the one for a child with the measles. He professed to read both ' -most carefully, and selected one, telling ; bis friend that was no doubt the right one, r bat it tamed oat that, knowing nothing ' whatever of Latin, he had actually risked '"' this selection rather than own . his ignor- -ance. The effect of the drug was to check . the development of the disease, throwing" the poor little sufferer into strong convul- . ; sions, resulting in death. . ,', ' Little had I thought before that such a , sequel could result from a pretense of know , ing every thing. How thankful Welt that Y my stupidity had never reached such a ' climaxl I shudder while reflecting how small faults may lead even to crimes if not checked in time. juicer. ; ) V ' ' SST The final result of the British , elections leaves the liberal party, ot which . Mr Gladstone is the leader, six votes short of the number of united Irish Na tionalists and Tories combined. The vic tory therefore is with Mr. Parnell. He' has now what he has been so long, so in telligently and so patriotically been striv ing to secure -the balance of power. 'By "-1 forming an alliance with either the liberal .', or the tory party, he can obtain almost any concession in the interest of Ireland he may demand.
The Charlotte Democrat (Charlotte, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
Dec. 25, 1885, edition 1
1
Click "Submit" to request a review of this page. NCDHC staff will check .
0 / 75