The Russellville Democrat., 1879-01-02

of Capt. Richards, from St. Fiaucfs county.
 We had pleasant call this week from Mir. c. N. Benhifleld, who has set good example for all our citizens by thus early renewing his subscription. f fN--Notice has been served upon J. l.. Shinn, T. J. Russell and others. repre- senting the petitioners for the recent election on the County Seat removal, that the validity of that election will be contested at the term of our County Court which convenes next Monday.
 The supper given by the ladies of the Presbyterian Church Christmas evening was decided success. The receipts at the door exceeded Thirty Dollars, and we are certain that no one who attended could regret contributing to so good a consequently when they got so excellent supper.
 The new Catholic Church in St.Jo- seph's Colony, at Atkins, was dedica- ted last Sunday. A special train for the accommodation of visitors came up from Argenta. ,This may be taken as the final step in the successful planting of this enterprise in our county, aud in this connection we beg leave to con graduate the Colony upon the progress made, and to wish it, a useful and pros porous future.
 We received none of our exchanges which should have been brought to us by the Ft. Smith western bound mail train last Monday. From the frequent irregularities in mail which passes ov- CT this road we are very strongly in- clned to think that there Is some one somewhere, who is not doing his duty-whether it is the fault of the Lit tie Rock office officials or of the mall agents on the train, We cannot say.
 We tender thanks to some kind friend in Dardanelle for an invitation and complimentary ticket to Grand Ball and Musical Concert, at the Perry Opera House, in that place on the eve of Jan. l, 1879, We regret very much that we were unable to attend, for from the pames connected with it, we know it was splendid affair. The invita- tions and tickets were gotten up in very handsome style by the Arkansan job office.
 --The Christmas tree at the Metho- dist Church on Christmas eve was a very pleasant affair and decided sue cess. The programme of the evening was well arranged-just long enough to be interesting and short enough not to weary any one-and the whole affair passed of to the entire satisfaction of all present, and to the huge delight Of the little folks especially, for whom the tree bore rich harvest of pretty things.
 Through the kindness of Prof. Wm. s. Speer, we were delighted to receive a token and message from our good friend Dr. D. J. Tankersly, formerly of our county, but now of Springfield Conway county. We are pleased tc hear that the Doctor is prospering, and that he has not forgotten the DEMOCRAT He is citizen of whom Springfield may be proud.
 KEEP PosTED.-The coming session of the Legislature will be an important one, and we shall make it point tt complete running synopsis of the ses. sions proceedings from day to day. Il behooves every voter and taxpayer tG keep an eye upon the conduct and act, of their representatives in the Legisla. l ture and we urge upon all our people to enroll their names as subscribers toi the DEMOCRAT, and keep posted. -VIcK's FLORAL GUIDE.-This worl is before us, and those who send fivt cents to James Wick, Rochester, N. Y. for it will be disappointed. Instead ol getting a cheap thing, as the price would seem to indicate, they will re ceive very handsome work of 10t pages, and perhaps 800 illustrations the very best of calandered paper, and as set-oif to the whole, an elegan Colored Plate, that we would judg, cost twice the price of the book. \ .--One of the most elegant Christina! gifts which we have seen was a very handsome ivory comb and hair brusi Iencased in beautiful morocco casket received by our young friend, Mir { James H. Shinn. Our good looking friend Capt. McAnally also received , handsome gift, but as he showed it tt us only on condition that we would say nothing about it, we'll not tell what i was. He perhaps has got it dressed by this time and as he is always obligins and courteous will, no doubt, let yol take peep at it if you will call on him
 -THE PENN VAN MYSTERY This i! the name of the new Illustrated Week ly Family Newspaper of Leon and liar riet Lewis, the first number of which bearing date of Jan. 4, 1879, is on oul table. We find the Mystery most ex cellent paper, indeed, possessing in al eminent degree, that high merit whicf