The Harrison Flag. (Marshall, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 1865 Page: 1 of 4
This newspaper is part of the collection entitled: The Harrison Flag and was provided to The Portal to Texas History by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission.
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9
./
El
4
meE
Hon!
4
<■
N
6
advisable for me to Have him moved di-
#
V
re-
lic left me, and
1)
Charles street.
»
I
*
*
*
tion. In the great race for predvininanee,-there
tHewhites, and compared to their present mental
Cen-
to bring the parties home with me; and as. the
“Mr. Eldan,
cd all night by two ruffianly looking men.
and my motions closely watched, caused
RYOT.
Weekssof suflexing ensued before Ralph
Eldan was able to leave his couch, and
Ralph took the proffered hand, and the
two moved to .the door.
) NO. 4
‘sequently, plantefs’ ay reasonably expect to se-
cure the labor they once controlled, nearly asef-
fectually as formerly. n . ....
“Eldan, you are certainly in great dan-
ger, and I do not know how to advise
ed, and the extreme darkness rendered it
impossible for me to distinguish anything.
you. Have you any friend near ?"
"Yes? Just a square ahead on the
corndr of Fayette, Dr. Weston lives.”
“You had better stop there for an hour
noticing which, he said :
“ I think, perhaps, it would be
tend to it ; so I must say good night, and
•good bye at the same time.”
business w
hands her the following note:
I DEAR ELSIE I shall be compelled to attend
to some business to-night, and lest you may have =
had some '^presentiment’' to-day, (for the realiza-
tion of which; I have no relish.) I have concluded
member now, that they seemed to be
watching my office after they had passed,
and soon after returned on the opposite
side of the street.”
For the Harrison Flag.
The Wife’s Presentiment.
W M/ G . BAR R E TT, 1
VOLi/G.
still Elsie raved in delirium, unconcious
that he for whom she called to come to
her from the grave, was in the house as
anxious to behold her, whom disease kept
from his side. .
Faithfully were (tie invalids attended
by Dr. Weston and his gentle wife, who
often dispairing of the life of the beauti
ful Elsie, grieved as for a beloved child
“ What do you think of her this morn-
as he laid the last aside. “It is right
and here is my receipt,” he added, taking
from his pocket book a strip of paper and
handing it to Mr. Cushing, after which he
placed the money, with the exception of
ten thousand dollars, in it and returned it
to his pocket ; and the two leaned back
in their chairs, each with a self-satisfied,
honest countenance, and commenced a
conversation which lasted but a few min-
utes, when Mr. Cushing arose to leave.
“If you are ready to go, Mr. Eldan,”.he
said, “I will accompany you as far as 6th
street as it is in nyway."
“Thank you, I should be pleased to
have your company in my walk, but! am
expecting Mr. Hilliard, every moment, to
whom I promised to pay some money to-
night. if you can make it convenient to
wait a short time I should be glad.”
“I fear I cannot wait upon you, as I
have some business requiring attention,
and have only to-night in which to,at
the opposite-sidewalk, he recognized the
men as the same that had passed his of-
fie fust as MECushing was leaving, and
said :
“I have seen these men twice before
to night, and I fear they are aware that I
have a considerable amount of money
about my person, as they passed my of-
fice immediately after Mr. Cushing paid
sixty thousand dollars ; and though
footsteps had been heard previously, and
as they proceeded up the street, both
Ralph and his companion, noticed that
they turned several times and. looked
back, apparently watching the office,
Elsie’s presentiment flashed across the
mind of Ralph, as Mr. Cushing said :
“Are you armed, Mr. Eldan ?”
“No, I have never carried any more)
dangerous weapon than a pocket knife.”
“Then accept this,' for it is extremely
hazardous for a person to be in the street
after night, with that amount of money
about them. I presume you saw anac-
count of the robbery and murder in this
morning’s paper, that occurred in West
Paca street, last night.”
“No I have not seen it, having been so
engaged with those papers all day, that
I have not even glanced at the news, I
thank you very muh for your kindness,
but I do not fear danger,” said Ralph, of-
fering his companion the fine Colt’s Re-
volver he had half unconciously taken
from his hand.
“Tut, tut, Elsie. Be a woman as I
I.would say, let yourmatto be work, work, and
go ahead. There is a great and prosperous future
for us all, and to none more surely, .than the
my unceremonious invitation for you to
leave my office and accept, the indisposi-
tion of my wife, as my only apology.”
“Certainly, I am as anxious as yourself
to be at home,” said Mr. Hilliard, “but I
do not know that it will be quite safe for
me, (unarmed as I am,) to accompany
you with so formidable a weapon as that
you just placed in your pocket.”
Ralph Eldan looked up in surprise, but
seeing the laughing countenance of his
friend, he said :
“It is something new to me. Mr. Cush-
ing, who bought my M— street property,
insisted on my taking it as a saleguard,
but I anticipate no danger.”
“Danger is usually most fatal when
not anticipated. That robbery and mur-
it. It is a fine weapon and it is unsafe
for you to leave your office without one.
See, there are those ruffians going down
the opposite side of the street, I tell you,
Mr. Eldan, you must be on your guard
to-night; for it is my impression, those
“I have found no errors Mr. Eldan, and
am prepared to pay the' sum, You will
please count this,” he added, emptying a
heavy purse upon the table, and then tak-
ing from his pocket book a large roll of
bank bills, he laid them with the other
money. A
Ralph counted carefully, laying it out
AV
t N
that labor... They cannot do so ; that is a matter
for the States, and all laws .respecting special con-
tracts will have to be equally binding on all.
Under State Legislation, the Freedman will be
obliged to work and when once he has entered into
a contract, to fulfill his obligations.
Let no one be deferred by Ilie uneertainty of
labor, for that-uncertain tjr will‘be of short dura-
pense. Listen, it is eleven o’clock and
he has not come. Oh ! he will not come,
for he is powerless. My aching heart
tells me so.”
Dr. Weston became momentarily alarm-
ed at the protracted absence of Ralph,
and taking the cold hand of Elsie in his,
he led her once more to the sofa, saying :
“I cannot leave you alone in this con-
dition, but if you will try to control this
excitement, and remain quiet, I yill bring
Ralph to you in an hour.”
“Anything, Doctor. Command me and
I. will obey implicitly."/
“Take this, then, and as soon as I see
you quiet, I will go to his office and see
what detains him.”
Thiss communication being preliminary, it was
not my intention to remark upon.any particular
, matters of farm economy. I will conclude by
urging planters to prepare- their - land bysdeep
ploughing. and proper dr a Inage y for without both you
will only, partially succeed, and often, fail,jin your
crops. There is .an .evident tendency to plant
over much cotton. This would be a great mistake.
There certainly will be a heavy immigration into
Texas for years to come, and planters who reside
on the great highways ought to bear this in mind
and plant corn to meet that demand. You can-
not plant too, much corn !
Mr. Editor, I must crave your indulgence for
having taken so much latitude in this communi-
cation. In future, I will - be more brief and keep
closer to my text.
in one hand ; and ever, and anon, she
glances- up from her .employment, to be-
stow a caress on the s.weet, bright-eyed
boy, who tiring of chasing the gay but-
ter-fly as it flits, from flower tofowgr,4 can be but one result, viz/:-the social elevation of
reaches out his plump, dimpled hand for
“ more doodies' A quick joyous bark of
the beautiful yard dog, attracts her at.
tention, and as she rises with her basket
heaped with the delightful berries, the
office boy of her husband approaches and
status, a r<mdgradationbf the negro race.
viled Dr. Weston and lady to accompany me also:
so as to have a social hour, when done with-dull
care.
Pleaselsend the carriage half an hour earlier
than usual, and make preparations for the enter-
tainment of six or eight persons.”
Ralph.
Col Kir CARSON, THE GREAT INDIAN FIGIT-
Personal Appearance.— Kit Carson
and Col. Brent called on Gen. Pope yester-
day morning at St. Louis, andhad a some-
what lengthy interview. “Kit” is descr-
ibed as follows :
Col. Carson is a man below the medium
size, rather squat in stature, of compact,
passing, and was instantly joined by a
man from the opposite side of th street.
I was so stunned by the blow as to be
unable to call a police, though I had just
passed two on the corner below. They
left me with curses, after having searched
my person, threatening if I -made any
noise, to put a bullet through me. They
took the revolver which I dropped as I
fell, and I was left with my only hope,
being that of an officer passing the hour- ■
"rounds ; but this soon died away as I
dressed ; after which, he began to set the
broken arm.
A quick cry of intense pain, was the
first sign of cohciousness, but the pale,
bloodless lips, closed immediately after-
wards, as if death had indeed set his fa-
tal seal upon the noble man.
But it was not so... Before the break-
ing dawn had heralded the coming, of a
new day, Ralph Eldan opened his eyes,
and life seemed given back to him and
before the close of the day, he was fully
conciousof his sisnation, and asked for
his. wife ; but Dr. Weston prohibited his
talking, and administered a potion, that
soon produced an . easy slumber ; and
leaving a servant to watch beside Ralph,
he went up to the chamber of his suffer-
ing wife.
All day she had laid in a-heavy stupor,-
seldom opening her eyes, and now fever
had set in, and from the. symptoms attend-
ing it, Dr. Weston apprehended great
danger ; and before midnight his fears
were realized. Brain fever, of the most
agravated character, had set in, and El-
sie Eldan tossed in wild delirium, calling
upon her husband to return to .her, plead-
ing with him not to leave her ; and then
wailing, in most piteous tones, “ He is
dead ! my husband, my Ralph is dead !
and they will not bring him to .me ; will
not let me behold him again !”
“Impossible ! I promised to be at home
by ten oclock, and it is after that now.—
Elsie will be very anxious, and I must
hasten on. See, they have turned down
----street. I think your fears concern-
A year has passed, and Elsie Eldan is
stooping over a bed of luxuriant straw-
berries in the garden of her beautiful cot-
tage home. A low, sweet song ripples
out on the evening air, as she adds clus-
ter after cluster of the rich, ripe fruit to
the already, half filled basket she holds
me to shudder as I proceeded ; and draw-
ing the revolver given me by Mr. Cush-
ing, I prepared to defend myself, should
I be interrupted ;■ but I had scarcely
takenit from my bl'cast-pdckct, when a
blow upon my head, felled me to the
pavement, crushing my arm under me.
planter and farmer. And I. hardly need remind
— age — , -- .. - them that there is much to do on their farms in
ill only occupy a short time, I have in-ttne Short fime t0 elaps before The planting sea-
son. 0t" no o
But it is time to return to our subject.. To all
Two ruffianly looking- men passed as
they approached it, though no sound of
in parcelsof a thousand dollars each. - or 0 least. I shal ( :
Sixty thousand,” he said, looking up —
your note. I suppose you have examin-
ed the papers.”
“Yes, and found them all correct. I
will take Elsie out to see the place to-
morrow. I am delighted to have secured
it; and now if you have no, other busi-
ness, I will walk with you until our paths
diverge,” he added, placing the revolver
in his breast pocket, and entering the
back apartment to lower the window.
“I am ready now,” he said on return-
ing to business at his office, I suppose.
He called on me an hour ago and asked
me to come and see you.”
“An hour ago ? Oh, it seems ages have
passed since he left me. What time is
it, Doctor ?”
“Just half past nine, but what ails
you child, what has occurred to trouble
you ? You look wild and haggard, and
this excitement is unusual in yon.”
“Oh ! Doctor, a presentiment that some
/02
served power. Mol f . -. ambeg 6
He appeared reserved, modest, and of a
retiring nature, as is often characteristic
of men of positive character. His coun-
tenance was bronzed from exposure, and a
gentleman who met him said “there goes
an Indian.” lsa '
He was dressed in a colonel’s uniform,
with rather broad shoulder-straps, and his
dark hair .slightly sprinkled with grey,
flowed down upon his shoulders “ ala wa-
terfall.” He wore a ratherbroad brimmed
felt hat, and altogether, presented the ap-
pearance of a sturdy little man, destitute
of all pretension.
Word soon came from Gen. Pope to
admit the two gentlemen into his private
room, and Kit took off his felt hat and gen-
tly bowed himself into the presence of the
. commanding General. Col. Carson served
felt myself growing weaker momentari- as a Brigadier underGeneral Crocker in
i ly from the loss of blood and the extreme New Mexico.. Cairo Democrat,
It was while watching with his wife,
on this night, that Dr. Weston learned
from her of Ralph’s having left his pocket
book and watch with her on the previous
one, and of his fears that he was followed.
The ensuing day Mri Hilliard called,
and Ralph being much better, though in-
able to change his position in. the least,
was allowed by the Doctor to explain the
manner of the assault. -
• “ I had not passed the second square
above CharlesEstreet after leaving you,”
he said, addressing Mr. Hilliard, “ before
I noticed all the lamps were extinguish-
The assailant sprang from an alley I was
men are watching you. Good night.”
“Thank you. Good night/’
When Ralph was alone he laid the pis-
tol on the table, and sat down, his mind
dwelling upon his wife, and her anxious
pleadings recurred to him as he counted
the minutes as they passed.
“Twenty minutes of ten,” he said,
glancing ata fine gold repeater he bad
laid upon the table. “Twenty minutes
of ten, and I promised to be at home by
that hour. Why is Mr. Hilliard so late ?”
At that moment the gentleman stepped
into the office.
“Good evening, Mr. Eldan, I am sorry
to have kept you waiting on me, but have
been unavoidably detained. I hope you
will pardon my delay.”
“Certainly, Mr. Hilliard, and as I am
anxious to return home, (having left my
wife quite unwell,) if you are prepared,
we will attend, at once, to our business.
Be so good as to count this,” he added,
offering him a chair and placing a pack-
age of bills before him.
“It is all right, Mr. Eldan, and here is
Ralph inquired, i( the Doctor had return-
ed, and on receiving a negative reply, he
told the boy to send Mrs. Weston to him,
saying he would wait in the hall.
. He was quickly obeyed, and in a few
moments the Doctor’s wife made her ap-
pearance, and invited Ralph and his com-
panion to the parlor.
“Thank you, no. I am in haste to get
home, where I expect to find Dr. Weston,
as he promised to be there on my return.
I have a considerable amount of money
with me, and having reason to believe
that I am dogged, I wish to leave it and
my watch with you.” He handed her
his pocket book and watch, adding :
“I will thank you to take charge of
them to-night, and I will call sometime
to-morrow for them.”
She took from his hand a glass, swal-
lowing its contents, and sank back upon
the sofa, and in a few minutes was com-
paratively quiet.
•Calling a servant, Dr. Weston gave or-
ders that Elsie should not be disturbed,
unless she needed assistance, saying that
he would return in an hour, and then
passed from the house ; and hurried down
the street, his mind filled with strange
misgivings, for he had known Ralph El
dan from a boy, and promptness and
punctuality in all engagements, whether
social or business, was one of his most
prominent characteristics.
He had gone briskly on for a few
squares, when he met two policemen,
who recognizing him said : .
“You seem to be in mad haste to night,
Doctor. Who is ill 2 ,
“Yes, I have just left. Mrs. Eldan in a
state of nervous excitement, bordering on
insanity ; and am.on my way to the of-
. fice of her husband.”
"You will not find him there, I am
sure, for we met him on the corner of
--street, just above Charles, when we
made our rounds at half past ten. He
merely spoke in passing, and seemed hur-
ing my safety are groundless.”
“Their turning off is a bad sign, as it
is evident they have perceived that they
are noticed, and in all probability, have
turned off to avoid suspicion, and meet
you farther on. I tell you, Eldan, you
had better take my advice and stop.
Here weare, and there is a light in 1"
parlor. Will you call ?”
Ralph hesitated a moment and then de-
cided to follow the advice of his friend in
part, for the strange presentiment of El-
sie recurred to him again with a force
that made him shudder, and he said :
“I do not wish to appear obstinate, or
to dare danger, and will therefore call,
and leave my money here, though it is
impossible for me to remain myself. If
K .you will accompany me, I will keep you
waiting but a few moments, and we will
continue our walk as far as Charles
street.”
“But Eldan, have you less interest in
your own welfare than that of your mon-
ey. You are unwise indeed.”
“No. But I must be at home as soon
as possible to-night. Will you stop?”
“Yes. Ring.”
. A servant answered the bell, of whom
BY CORINB CLAXTON.
“Don’t leave me to-night, Ralph.”
“Elsie, I must. Indeed I 4iad much
rather remain at home, but my business
is urgent, and I cannot postpone it.”
“Cannot ! Oh Ralph, for this once, let
business wait until daylight. Do.not
leave me.”
“Why Elsie, what do you mean ? You
are nervous and excited, and I have no-
ticed you have appeared pale and unwell
all day. I must go, love, but I will call
at Dr. Weston’s and send him up to see
you. I prefer roses here, instead of these
-Lillies,” and Ralph Eldan pressed his lips
to the cheek of his wife, adding:
“Good-night Elsie, only for a short time,
I shall certainly be at home by tend'clock,
at farthest.”
“Oh Ralph, you surely will not leave
me. You must not. Oh you must not.”
Tears were fast flowing from the eyes
turned so pleadingly up to his, and as
Ralph pressed the (trembling form to his
bosom, he said :
“Elsie, I cannot understand the mean-
ing of this emotion. You were never
thus before. Tell me, my wife, what it
is that troubles you; and why you are
so loathe for me to leave you to-night,
when I assure you, that my business is
of such a character, as to command im
mediate attention.”
“I cannot define-my feelings Ralph, or
give, what you may consider a sufficient
reason, for my wishing you to remain
with me to-night. Some undefinable
prompting, some vague presentiment of
danger, in what form I cannot tell, like a
dreadful nightmare, has weighed my very
soul to- earth all day. In vain have I
tried to drive it from me, in vain tried to
fly-from it ; but like a horrible spectre, it
Mias pursued, dwelling upon my heart with
a power I could not resist ; and when at
tea, you spoke of business to-night, it
rushed noon me with an overwhelming
force; rendering every effort of mine but
futile,To dispel, or drive it from me.”
“Foolish little Elsie ! You Aire only
nervous, and need more fresh air than
can be had in this warm, dusty city. Lie
down-and rest, and refresh yourself ; and
I’ll wager, you will meet me at ten, with
a smile at the absurdity of your presenti-
ment. And now Elsie, I must go. It is
after eight o’clock, and my engagement
is at nine. Look up and smile, for I can-
• not bear to leave you, with tears dimming
those eyes, that were made only to beam
with joy.”
“Oh ! Ralph must you go ? What is
this business, may I not know ?''
“Certainly, I have no wish to keep any
thing from you Elsie. I will tell you all
about it to-morrow, and it may prove a
pleabant surprise. Yom’kw it is your
birthday, and the ahiversary ol our mar-
riage.”
“Yes, yes Ralph, but the business,
what is it ?"
“You are unusually excited-to-night,
Elsies You must lie down and rest, and
I will tell you to-morrow.”
“No, Ralph, I must know to-night.”
“When I return then, Elsie, I must go
now. It is lath and the walk to my of-
fice is long."
“No, tell me first.”
“Elsie, I have sold my property in M
street, and Mr. Cushing, who bought it,
is to meet me at my office', at nine o’clock,
to pay the money, a part of which I have
invested in the purchase of that beauti-
ful cottage, which we saw yesterday,
about two miles east of the city, and
which you admired so much. This I in-
tend fora birthday present for my little
Elsie. My friend, Mr. Hilliard, from
whom I bought it will also, be at my of-
fice when I shall pay the money, and take
up my note given this morning. And
now Elsie I have told you my business,
you will not detain me longer. Lie down
love, and rest,, and dream of your beau-
tiful suburban home,.with its wealth of
fruit and flowers and to-morrow we will
drive out and examine it.”
Ralph kissed her once more and turn-
cd to the door.
“Ralph, Ralph cannot this be postpon-
ed until to-morrow ? Oh ! though my
heart swells in grateful acknowledge-
ment of your thoughtfulness and kind-
ness, yet I would ten thousand times
rather you would remain with me to-night,
than to possess the wealth of the world
to-morrow.”
“ It is impossible, Elsie. Do not im-
portune farther, I entreat you. My word
has been given, the papers all drawn up,
and Mr. Cushing leaves at daylight, on
the steamer Washington, for Europe.—
Good night once more, I will be with you
at ten o’clock.”
“May God shield and protect you Ralph,
if you will go ; but, oh ! this presenti-
ment crushes me. It will not leave me.”
Elsie Eldan threw her cold, ivory-like
arms around the neck of her husband, as
if she could not permit him to go forth to
meet the dreadful danger, that her heart
told her was pending over him.
For a moment he folded her slight form
to his manly bosom, then disengaging
her arms he placed her upon a sofa, and
passed from the house.
Fainter, and more faint, was his hur-
ried footfalls heard, as she bent her eager
car to catch the sound, but soon the last
had died away in the distance, and clasp-
ing her cold, white hands, Elsie Eldan
bowed in prayer to the great All-Father,
imploring Him to watch over and protect
her husband, and' return him safely to her
anxious heart.
The city clock had struck the half hour,
as Ralph Eldan reached the residence of
Dr. Weston, and hurriedly ascending the
steps, his quick ring brought the Doctor,
himself, to the door.
“Good evening Doctor,” said Ralph, “I
am glad to find you at home. I have bus-
iness at my office to-night, that will occu-
py me for an hour or two, and having left
Elsie quite unwell, will be glad if you
will call and prescribe for her, (and if no
other engagement commands your atten-
tion,) remain with her until my return,
which will be at ten o’clock.”
“Certainly Ralph, I will do as you de-
sire. after having visited a patient in L—
street to whom I was just going as you
rang.”
“Thank:you, I will be at home by ten
o’clock. Good night.”
The two resumed the examination of
the papers, and when the last was re fold- me sixty thousand dollars ; and the
ed and laid with the rest, Mr. Cushing J‘thought nothing of it at the time, I
8aid: s 101“r eo- el—- --l —oce-dl
4
—___±-tuentbasmeht-----——
A Family Paper, Devoted to Politics, News, Literature, and the Dissemination of Varied and Useful 1 n formation."
gitig-_4__:________________,’_-l0-___K"__-- --------_____----"--U.- jacieeuaguszueo"-—---
prove groundless. But will you and Mr.
Hilliard not come into the parlor and sit
with us for awhile ?”
“No, thank you, I am already later
than I expected to be. If you will excuse
my unseasonable visit, I will hasten
home. Good night.”
“Good night’, Mr. Eldan.”
A walk of a few minutes, brought
Ralph and his friend to Charles street,
where they shook hands and parted ; and
at the corner of the next street Ralph
met and passed two policemen, and gain-
ing confidence by their proximity lie hur-
ried on.’
* * -31 8*.0 *‛ $91*-0%
Dr. Weston rang the bell at the resi-
dence of Ralph Eldan, an hour after they
had parted at his own door. A servant
answered, and directed him to the parlor
where the gass still burned.
Entering, he found Elsie in the same
position we left her, and approaching, he
took her cold hands in his and raised her
to the sofa, saying :
“Elsie, child, what is the matter with
you, what does this excitement mean?
You are as cold as marble on this sultry
evening.”
“Ralph ! oh, Ralph ! Doctor, what of
him ? Where is my husband ?”
“Ralph ? Why, he is well and attend-
“ Don’t talk now, Elsie, you have been
very ill. Too ill for Ralph to see you,
though he has wished to much. He is
now waiting to be admitted, but Elsie, he
has been ill too, and you must expect to
see him somewhat changed. May I trust
to your self possession ? Can you avoid
excitement which might prove fatal in
your present state ! ” -
“ Oh ! yes Doctor. Only let me see
my husband, and I promise you will have
no cause to complain of me. I can bear
joy, but sorrow and anxiety crushes me.
Let me see him. Oh, bring Ralph to me
now 1"
“ Elsie, remember your life and the hap-
piness of Ralph, depends upon you now.
You must not become excited, remember.
Now I will send him to you.”
“May I go up now, Doctor?” said
Ralph Eldan, meeting him at the foot of
the stairs.
“ Yes, if I may trust you not to excite
Elsie. She is much better, but any ex-
citement may throw her back. Here, I
will take this bandage from your head
first, and if you can support, yur arm
without the sling, drop it for a. short time
You can resume it after having seen her.”
The Doctor’s skillful fingers were at
work as he talked.
“ There now, you may go, but remem-
ber my injunction—no excitement.”
“ I promise Doctor.”
“You are,prompt Mr. Eldan,” said Mr.
Cushing, stepping up just as Ralph open-
ed his office door.
“Yes, it has - ever been my rule to be
punctual in all business engagements,
though I feared I should not be in time
to-night, having Veen detained by the in-
disposition of my wife ; but there is the
first stroke for nine o’clock. Walk in, I
will have a light in a minute.”
As he spoke, Ralph touched a match to
a piece of sand-paper near the gass tube,
and in a moment more a brilliant light
spread over the entire apartment; then
placing a chair for Mr. Cushing, he said:
‘■‘Take a seat and rest a moment, and I
will get some ice water, the evening is
unusually warm, and my walk has over-
heated my blood.”
He took a large pitcher from a table,
and stepping to the cooler in a small back
■apartment, soon drew it full of water/—
Then raising a window to admit air, here-
turned to his companion and proceeded to
unlock a massive walnut secretary. Open-
ing it, he touched a spring in an aparent-
ly solid portion of it, when a small door
slid back, and a private drawer was re-
vealed, from which he took a package of
papers and laid them on the table before
Mr. Cushing, saying :
“You will do me the favor to examine
these papers, I finished the last but a mo-
ment before leaving mhy office, and have
not had time to look them over myself.
Should any errors occur, it will take but
a few minutes to correct them.”
Mr. Cushing opened the package- and
glanced searchiugly over each ■ paper,
handing them to Ralph as he finished.
The third had been laid aside’ when both
gentlemen started- up, and assuming a lis-
tening attitude Ralph said :
“I thought I heard some one, or some-
thing in the adjoining reme I will see.”
He entered the apartment, the door of
which he had left open, but there was
nothing unusual there. He noticed the
cooler was dripping and stepping to it
turned the spigot, looking out the win-
dow as he did so, to see if there was any
one in the yard ; but finding nothing sus-
picious attracted his attention, he return-
ed to his companion.
“It must have been some stray cat that
disturbed its, I presume. They are fre-
quent visitors to the receiver -of my wa-
ter cooler, this warm weather.”
MARSHALL, TEXAS, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1865.
— ‘ -H J —e-----—----------—-------------
A light was soon produced, and as the pain I was suffering uandinai shortdime,
first ray gleamed upon the broad whitei was unconcious of anything.”
browof the prostrate man, Dr. Weston’s f ■ * 1 - a
fears were realized, and he exclaimed :
“ It. is Eida! Ralpl Eldan, and this
blw Will kill tfis wife,' Here, police, raise
him up and help me get him to my resi-
dence, it is only a few squares below. He
is not dead, thank God ! and I may be
able to do something for him.
By the dim light of the lanturn, held by
the policeman, Dr. Weston saw a severe
cut upon the head of Ralph, and on rais
ing him, found one arm badly broken, on
The conciousness of having been follow- iron frame, and a countenance besprinkled
ed all hioht bv two rinffiamly looking men with slight wrinkles, betokening an ex-
pression of great determination and re-
der of last night, is, or should • be, suffi-
cient warning to put us all on our guard,
especially as the person who committed
it is..still at large.” vaainov
They had walked on several squares
together, when Mr. Hilliard said in a low
tone :
“Mr, Eldan, I think we arc dogged. I
have noticed the twos men on, the oppo-
site pavement, following us since,we left
your office; crossing and re-crossing the
street a square in our rear, but keeping
close to us ail the time. They are an ill
lobking pair, and I should dislike to meet
them if they, have any uncharitable inten-
tions towards either of usd'
Ralph, who had been interested in the
conversation of his friend during their
walk, .had not Inbticed that they were be-
ingfellowed ; but on turning his eyes to
For the Tarrigon, la.
Plantation and Farm Economy The Ques-
tion of Labor, &q,
Mr. Editor:
. Under the- abovcaption, I propose todurnih
your readers an occasionalarticle
At no period in the history of the Southern'
States, lias the time been more propitious, nor
the occasion more urgent than the present, for the
tillers of the soil to enquire into, audio practice
the best methods known to the experienced and
scientific agriculturalist in the cultivation of the
productions of the soil and the busbanding of the
various resources which appertain to rural and
domestic economy..
The most striking feature, .of the times, and
that which most affects the interest of the-planter
and farmer, is the question of labor. The sudden
revolution in our system of labor, caused by the
emancipation of the negro slave, has n cessitate
in the South new plans, new systems, and renew-
ed,vigor in all the industrial pursuits, and most
of all. in that of agriculture. That, a people, after
a desolating and bloody war, whose' dependence
was mainly on theTpidue of slave labor, has
been and is able fobear up and sustain them-
selves under the shock of the suddn change, is
the best evidence, amounting to proof, that they
can shake off the Shackles of any adversity- which
may overtake them, and advance toa prosperity
second to no nation onceaith !
Upon this question of labdr, Nr!Ellitor, Thave
in this preliminary number, some' ideas to sub-
mit. I am one of those who-believeimplicicly in
the decrees of God. When the late war wasibe-
gnu and carried on, on the issue (in point ffact
of slavery, I for one, was prepared to accep t the
result as one of those decrees ; and as God does
all things well, I. begin to look around me to find
wherein that good consists. Now, it 1 mianifest
to my mind, that although the South in her grt
struggle lost the (battle, she,,has.' achieved more
than success—fame imperishable, and honor un-
tarnished, and a future., of political power and
prosperity, which promises, in a brief period, to
eclipse that of all other sections of this greatRe-
public.
But to the question of labor. There are five
well defined and distinct races of man : the Eu-
romeau, the Asiaticsor Mongliau, tyelow in color.)
the Indian, (redHadthe Nlalay (brown,) .and the
negro Race, (black.)
Now, Mr. Editor, what does flic history of each
race exhibit?. Have not the European or white
race attained- thedighest civilization and the
greatest success in the arts and sciences? and, to
be brief, io, not the .negro the, lowest in thesscale,
undoubtedly ? Some races, and not a few.-of. the
subordinate races, have been, and ever will be
“ the bowers of wood, and drawerswater;'’
and my conclusion, antecedent- to my reasoning
is, that the’ negro iace are destined to be that
very class mentioned in the bible.
Let us reason a little from analogy and natur-
allaws. Toillustrate. Iff the animal kingdom,
there is always an adaptedness to the purposes of
the creation. The Creator endowed both men
and animals with varied capacities, powers, and
fitness. Take the horse. What are his most
thinking characteristios? 1st, size; 2d, strength,
or power,; 3rd, fleetness ; 1th, spirit and docility.
Of the same species nexts look at the Jack. What
do we see ? namely, less sizes, strength, power,
and spirit, but more of the most inferior of the
qualities of the horse, '&eility'. Both show dis-
tinctively an adaptedness to the purposes of the
creaton,,. ; r. . .1,
And so I arguc in reference to. the negro nice.
They were created for ^purpiose, and that purpose
certainly leads, them not.into chan nets of litrera-
ture or the fine arts— to the erection or mainten-
ance of governments, or the development of hid-
den arts—if we may judge by the experience of
the last six thousand years. What then isthe
purpose of his efeation ? and what may we rea-
sonably expeet His eohditioh to be? I answer,
emphatically, servitude.
Whateverof-ci vilizafiel the African has attain-
ed is- duetakis daily abd personal proximity to
the white tad ;- and as long-as lie remaisis in Um
South or elsewhere, amongst the whites, he-will
continue to be subordinate and subservient,to
.them ,as u laborer- God and nature has. made, it
so, and that is a higher law than the emancira-
tin act. It is folly, to expect. Cogress to enforce
. “Certainly, I will do so with pleasure,
I rasistupon your receiving. Mr. Eldan, but I hope your fears may
rect. Unless you do, my efforts can avail
the nothing,"
“Command and I will obey, if you will
only bring me my husband. If you will
give Ralph back to me unharmed. Oh !
Doctor, my brain seems to be in a wild
whirl. I shall die of this horrible sus-
“Yes, yes, Doctor, but it can do me no
good. Until my husband returns, I can-
not dispel my fears. All day this pre-
sentiment has hung over me, clinging to
my heart with a dreadful tenacity, and
baffling my every effort to drive it from
me. Oh ! how the hours lag. Ralph
promised to be here by ten o’clock, but
Doctor, he will not come.”
“Not another word of this, Elsie, you
I must take some brandy, and if it does
not drive this spectre from your mind, I
must give you sometliiug that will.”
He rang for a servant andlorderetbran-
dy, whichlwasisoon brought, and making
a strong toddy, offered it to Elsie, who
swallowed it mechanically, like a child
who dared not disobey.
“Now lie down, and you will feel much
better in a few minutes ; and look less
pale and ghostly when Ralph returns.—
He will be here in less than ten minutes
I warrant-; for the bell is just striking
ten, and whoever knew him to be behind
his time.”
Elsie clasped her bands over her eyes
as she laid still and death-like. The Doc-
tor watching beside her, but incapable of
noting the deep agony she was enduring,
as the next half hour rolled slowly
by, mistook her quiet for sleep, and
was startled when she leaped frantically
from the pillow, (just as the bell sounded
forth the half hour,) crying in deep an-
giish of heart :
“Oh, Doctor ! It is half past ten and
he has not eme. Oh ! he will not come.
Ralph, Ralph, my husband,, why did you
leave me ? Oh I why go forth to meet
the danger I felt too surely would come
upon you ?”
All the Doctor’s efforts to quiet her
now were of no avail, and she paced to
and fro, the length of the apartment, now
in silent, heart rending agony, and now
giving vent to low moans and the deep
wailings of Sorrow, and Dr. Weston felt
that there must, indeed, be something be-
side business,-Io detain Ralph but me
willing that Elsie should know or sus-
picion his feelings, he approached her
once more, saying':
“Elsie, indeed I cannot permit this ex-
citement to continue. You must lie down
and endeavor to wait quietly for Ralph.
His business probably has detained him
longer than be anticipated. He will be
here soon.”
“Ralph is always cognizant of the time
it will take for any business, and makes
his appointments accordingly. He has
never failed before. Oh ! I know some
evil has befallen him, or he would have
been here now. Doctor, save me, save
me ! My heart seems paralized."
“I will do all that is in my power, for
you, Elsie, if you will be guided as I di-
have always known you. You are ner-
vous, and unnecessarily excited. You
need something to stimulate you. Have
you any brandy in the house ?”
Excited Orator.—“ We have taken At-
lanta, we have taken Savanali, Columbia
and Charlestown, and now at last we
have taken Petersburg and occupied
Richmond, and now what remains for us
to take?” An Irishman in the crowd
shouts : “Let’s take a drink b”
The crowed disperses in various direc-
tions.
Nothing was so much dreaded in our
schoolboy days as to be punished by sit-
ing between two girls. Ah, the force of
education ! In after years we learn to
submit to such things without sheding a
tear.
Some wives are so jealous that they don't like
their spouses to emprace a fair opportuuiy.
story opened.
“ That if she does not sleep before noon,
। she will not live until night,” he replied,
mixing- a potion and placing it to the lips
of the invalid, adding/
“ If she does not appear inclined to
sleep in an hour, give her the powder I
left upon the table. I am compelled to
make some calls, or I should not leave
this morning ; but I will be here by noon
Do- notpermitRalph to dome up. Heis
-almost uncontrollable, and if Elsie does
not sleep by nonn,T will permit bint to
see her then ; for I do not think I can
keep him below another day, though he
looks scarcely less ghostly, 'than she does ”
Again he placed his fingers to the bound
ing pulse and shaking, his head left the
room.
.. "She has slept all the morning and her
fever is rapidly abating,” said Mrs. Wes-
ton in reply to her husband’s inquiry con-
cerning his patient at noon.
“ Thank God, she will live ! and now I
will watch here while you lie down and
rest.”
Mrs. Weston did as her husband
directed, and weary and' exhausted, she
soon slept. The Doctor moved mot from
tleside of his patient as the hours wore
on.
About six o’clock, Elsie opened ker eyes
and looked earnestly, wistfully ' to the
Doctor, then turned away with a sorrow-
ful moan.
“Are you in pain"Elsie ? ‛ said hof pla-
cing his hand upon her now cool brow.
“ Have they hurried him ? Oh I shall
I never behold liiih again ? ”
“No child, Ralph is not dead and you
shallisee him tonight, if you can be quiet.”
“And is he really alive? Ohl I
thought he was killed: Doctor, have -I
been dreaming? It seems so long since
ing. “We will walk if you will excuse
more ing ?" said Mrs. Weston to her husband,
• six weeks after the night on which our
rectly to his own house, and if you will
remain here, I will go on and have a
lounge brought, on whiel to carry him.”.
He reached his residence in a few min-
utes and communicated to his wife, the
sad intelligence and his fears for Elsie,
when he returned.
A lounge was soon prepared, and two.
stout serving men called to carry it, and
as the Doctor was about to follow them,
his wife approached, with her bonnet on,
saying:
“I will go with you Doctor., Elsie wil
need some one to care for her, while you
are with her husband. Oh, I trust he is
not dead. The blow would be more than
she could bear.”
“ No, he is not dead, but I fear his in-
jury may prove fatal. I postponed an
examination of his body, until I could get
him home, only noticing a severe cut on
the head, and one arm badly broken,
which I think, occurred by the fall.”
Th&y walked rapidly on as they con-
versed and soon reached the spot where
Ralph lay. He was placed upon the
lounge in an apparently lifeless condi-
tion, his broken arm laid palsied by his
side, and the blood that still flowed from
the wound in his head, stained the white
pillow and matted in his dark luxuriant
hair.
Assoon as Dr. Weston saw him in a
position to be carried, he told the police-
men that he and his wife would precede
them,'in order to prepare Mrs. Eldan for
the news, and make arrangements to re-
ceive Ralph, when they arrived.
Elsie Eldan caught the sound of ap-
proaching footsteps, and springing from
the sofa, she bent her car to the window
in agonizing eagerness. Nearer and
nearer, they approached and at last stop-
ping at her door, shecotild bear suspense
no longer. With a wild cry, she sprang
into the hall, just as Dr. Weston entered,
and seeing him accompanied only by his
wife, she threw her arms frantically in
the air, shrieking :
“Ralph! Ralph! Doctor you have not
brought him. My kusband is dead,” and
before Dr. Weston could reach her, she
fell fainting to the floor, and a crimson
stream flowed from her lips.
Dr. Weston raised the frail form and
bore-it. to her chamber ; where, with the
assistance of Iris wife, he soon restored
her to conciousess, and administered an
opiate, the effects of which, was soon vis-
ible. Leaving her in the care of his' wife,
{he Doctor descended the - stair, just in
time to receive Ralph, whom he had car-
ried into the lybrary, on the first floor,
and commenced, at once, an examination
of his body.
Tenderly as a woman, he washed the
clotted blood from the wound in his head,
and with a skillful hand, soon had it
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rying on towards home.”
“Then, indeed, I fear some evil has be-
fallen him. Willyou accompany me ?”
.“Certainly.”
The three walked on, for some minutes,
when one of the policemen observed :
“Here is something very strange. Ev-
ery lamp has gone out on both sides of
the street, and it is as dark as the regions
of despair. Mind your footing, Doctor,
the pavement is rough along here. I
have traveled it so often that I believe I
know every brick.”
At that moment his foot struck a dark
mass upon the pavement, and he stum-
bled over the prostrate form of a man, ap-
parently unconcious of his position, but
recovering himself, he said :
“Some drunken scamp, who could not
maintain his equilibrium over the rough
pavement, I’ll venture. Strike a light
comrade, and let’s see whether he is
worth carrying to the watch house.”
danger is pending over him ; a----”
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Wood, S. D. The Harrison Flag. (Marshall, Tex.), Vol. 6, No. 4, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 1865, newspaper, December 7, 1865; Marshall, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1590991/m1/1/?q=%22United+States+-+Texas+-+Harrison+County%22: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Library and Archives Commission.