The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-11-06

prisoner over tile Mississippi,'' and as she
spoke she advanced.
The rifle fell to the ground, and Frank
stood as if under the influence of magic
spell. His hands were convulsvely clinrh-
ed, his hair stood erect on his head, slivcr
ran through his frame and he iottcred back
several PAGES. But not so the female, who
had recognised her husband as she drew
near, and now exclaimed as she threw her.
self into Ills arms:
"Frank! my own Frank! Do you not
know your wife 2"
Yes, it was his long-mourned bride, her
features stamped with sorrow, but still re-
tanning her early beauty. Mutual explana-
t'ons followed, and when the delighted wife
learned the safety of her boy, all hardships
vanished. 1t now appeared that when the
Indians had entered Bates house, they saw
keg of whisky which they drank freely,
and then plundercd everything, removing
the chest in their researches. Soon two of
them began to quarrel about the llandker-
chief Bates had seen the day previous, and
drawing their scalp knives, one speedily
received mortal stab, and fell directly upon
the trap door, through which his blood ran
upon the hidden wife. She, believing that
it came from her husband, slrickcd aloud,
thus betraying her place Of conccalmcnt.
Dragging her forth, her captors bound her,
then ritling the cabin, applied the torch-
The body of the slain Decotah was con
snmcd, aud over his bones Bates had
mourncd us for those of his wife.
That day they packed the plumber upon
what horses the Decotahs had left, and
started for their homes, which they rcgaincd
in safety. The proceeds of Frank Bates
share of the spoils enabled linn to rebuild
his house, but this time close to that Of his
father, and enclosed with high stockade.
The Decotahs, however, never returned, and
i'll course of time were driven to the far
West. Frank Bates is member of the
State Senate, Judge of the County Court,
and Major General of Militia. Time has
dealt lemiently with him and his wife. but
neither forgets her captivity. Their son
never passes the scene of his fathers flight
on that memorable night, without feeling IL
renewed sense Of his tilial obligations, and
a deeper love for his Loyhood's home.
HUMAN BEING WITH NOTHING TO DO
Most miserable, worthy Of most profound
pity, is such being. The most magnifi-
cent object in nature becomes l. source of
envy; the birds warble on every spray in
ecstasy Of joy; the tiny flower hidden
from all eyes, sends forth its fragrance Of
full happiness F.; the mountain stream dashcs
along with a sparkle and murlnur Of pure
delight. The object of their creation is nc
complislled, and their life gushcs forth in
harmonic work. Oh, plant oh, stream !!
worthy of admiration, Of worship, to the
wretched idler! Here are powers ye never
dreamed Difficulties divine, eternal; a
head to think, lut nothing to concentrate
the thoughts; heart to love, but 10 OBJ
ject to bathe with the living tide of afec
ton; hand to do, but 10 work to Le
doae; talents unexercised, capacities unde-
v;loped; human life thrown away
wasted rs water poured forth in tile desert.
Birds and flowers, ye are gods TO suci, a
mockery of life! Who can describe the
fearful void Of such an existence, the ycarr-
ing for an object, the self.reproach for vast
ed powers, the WEAKNESS of daily life, the
loathing Of pleasure, of frivolity, and the
fearful consciousness Of deadening life-of
a spiritual paralysis, which hinders all re-
sponse to human interests-when enthusi.
asm ceases to arouse, and noble deeds no
longer call forth the tear Of JOY, when the
world becomes blank, humanity f.r-off
sound, and no life is left but the heavy, be-
numbng weight Of personal hopelcssness
and desoIation. Happier far is the toiling
drudge who coins body and soul into tho
few poor slillings that can only keep lis
family from starvation; lie has hope un
ceasingy to light him, n duty to perform, a
spark of love within that cannot die; and
wretcled, weary, unLuman, as his life may
oe' 1t is of royal wortl,-it is separated Ly
the inmeasurable distance OF life and deatl,
from the poor, perhaps pamperod wretch,
who Is cursed for having no work to do
williamsburg Times.
300 -
THE Presidential Eleo.ion- Preparations
TO Ascertain the Result.-We understand.
says the Boston Traveller, that the Asso.
ciated Press of the United States are ina.
king the most extensive and thorough pre-.
parations to collect from all parts of the
Union this side of the Rocky Mountains
the result of the Presidential election on
the fourth day Of next month. In the State
of pennsvIvania for insfon,o tbo.o g., -