The New York Herald Newspaper, December 29, 1875, Page 4

; } ; 4 JOYCE'S NOVEL. Choice Extracts from His Forth- coming Autobiography. WIS FIRST KISSES OF LOVE AT EIGHT. Joyce Preparing for the Priesthood and Making | Love in a Nunnery at Thirteen. iA POTATO PEELER AT SEVENTEEN. "The Rapturous Outpourings of a Poetic Soul. OME SPECIMENS OF JOYCE'S POETRY. Ievvensox Crry, Mo., Dec. 23, 1875, This is the advance copy of extracts of Joyce’s forth- ycoming autobiography, ‘Johnny Jackson,” as tur- ished tn his own handwriting, introduction and all:— sOYCR’S AUTONIOGRAPHY. The following are extracts from the autobiographic movel of Colonel Joun A. Joyce, now confined in the DMissouri State Prison for alleged complicity in the ‘whiskey frauds. This is from the first chapter: My father was the youngest of seven children. Me was the pet of his mother and his nature was ex- tremely generous. At the age of seventeen he became @ husband by running away from sehoo! with my mother, who was only fifteen, They had known each other from childhood, separated only by # salmon wtream that divided tho village of Molough from Shraugh, near the sea on the westera shore of Ireland, ‘he parents of my father were dead when the marriage Rook place, and as the old stone house in the village wemained in charge of the youngest son and a sister, Iho new fledged couple began at once the cares of con- Miubial life, A small holding of land, a horse, cows, sheep, pigs and poultry constituted the main worldly pweaith of my father, and with a heart as light yas the = mountain air he tilled the soil, yeared for his flocks, drawing upon the river gs the sea for luxuries to supply his humble board. fhe village acknowledged him a leader in everything e undertook, and, although his youth and wayward ‘mature often aroused opposition, tho old people would isten to his counsel and act upon the suggestions of be pushing arguments. He bad a good education for he time, Whathe lacked in the embellishments of cholastic arts he made up in natural attainments, culled @rom the winding road of observation. When the jabors of the day were ended my fathor would sally forth into the mountain wilds to enjoy a dash at deer and lmon, in deflance of landlora laws that placed an em- argo upon what God and nature intended for man. he beasts of the field, birds of the air and fish from he water were registered by English laws for the enefit of a few petty land tyrants, while the glorious ons of toil were denied everything that might aid he development of their physical and mental constitu- fions, . The dance, wake, hurdle and foot race never missed the presence of Mike, who bore off laurels in ‘many contested village struggles. Thus time went by wantil the 4ih of July, 1842, ushered into life your hum- Die servant, Johnny Jackson. CHAPTER 1. My mother was only sixteen when I was born. Ble was the youngest child of her partnts. Her mother died soon after she was born, and she was raised junder the care of a stepmother and loving father wwho did everything in his power to bring out the Jatent talent that slumbered in the deep nature of Riis child. At school she could generally be found at the head of her cluss, when not in some mis- chief with the girlsorboys that happened to come Jn contact with her volatile ambition. When she Birew up her books at the age of fifteen for the Purpose of becoming a wife the parish said she was Bhe brightest and handsomest girl to be fougd be- ween tho Peak and tho rocks of Connemara Her Nature was bounding ‘like the step of the gazelle, Bnd she soared above her station like the lark that spurns the valley aud mounts into the upper blue. Ber eye was colored like the violet. Her nut-brown hair strayea over the shoulder to-her waist and the winds played hide and seek in her flowing tresses. Her teeth were even and white as alabaster. Her Jips were moulded ia lines of beauty and pouting in life end love; ber cheeks were as ripe peaches that the sun had warmly kissed, and her full form from head to Moot bespoke the perfect woman. Her voice was sweet f# tho linnet or thrush, and even now, after a blank of Awenty years. her glorious volume of song awakens @choes in the halls of memory and wafts me back to the long ago when I looked into her beavenly eyes and fell aslecp upon her loving bosom. She was all to me ‘and I was alito her, but a cruel fate intervened and Diotted out forever the sweetest and dearest love on earth—that between mother and son. FIRNT SCHOOL NEAR SARATOGA, ¥. ¥.—AGH RIGHT. I was introduced to Mr. Tiptoe, the teacher—a tail, Taw-boncd man, about twenty-five years of age. His hoad was square and his face was sharp. His eyes were Dine and his hair long and yellow like the silk on In- dian corn, There were about fifty scholars—boys and girls—ranging from five to eighteen years of age. I noticed when recess came that the teacher and Rosy Ramsey, a big girl, plump and gay, were closely con- versing while the balance of the schoo) were tearing and ripping at play. Rosy would not go out to play. She, it seoms, had bard sums to Uo, and wanted Mr. Tiptoe to assist her. While attempting to work ou the slate I believe in my soul she was pay- Ing more attention to what the teacher said about the | party at Squire Morten’s and the quilting and apple pooling they attended the previous week at Farmer Brown's. 1 was shy, and remained near the stove. Tho pair would look at me occasionally, and when they thought my eyes were off them ely fingers would work wonders and loving lips would tell tales that I woft’t ropeat, Ob, no, I never saw anything, but felt in my yyoung heart the force of the example, and that even- fing, after aghool, strolling home through the woods ‘with Dolly Dolen, a sweet little chub, I broke over tho walls of embarrassment and kissed her. Tae recolloc- tion of that audacious kiss hauntsmy memory yet, and | often in the winding paths of life have I reverted to the | fiuttering of my heart when fret I kissed Dolly Dolen. She said she would tell her father, but I found after- ward she changed her mind and didn’t, Our ages were about equal, she a plurap brunette, with black, spark- Jing eyes, with all the witchery of a fairy. For six months we were neighbors and schoolmates. In the early morning I would pass near her house, wait at tno ‘wicket gate until she appeared, take her basket, and, joining hands, we would skip away to school, IfT had anything to cat that was sweet and good my first impulse at noon was to find Dolly and lay the con tributions of love in her lap. She woula asoften return the compliment, We wandered through woods and flelds In search of bright blossoms, and | believe the first bird's nest I ever robbed was owing to her importunt- Bies. The little blue eggs were so cunning and speckled, nothing would do but she must “take them home to hatch under the canary.” I gratified her overy wish, I believe had she desired it I would have thrown myself over the neighboring cliff, where often in the lengthen- ing rays of the setting sun wo watched the walking Shadows as they travelied homeward for the night! Sit- ting on a mossy bank at the foot of some lofty pine we would often snuggle like two little birds in a nest, and ‘with fluttering hearts promise unuying love. I never Aired of kissing her. She appeared to enjoy it very qmuch, for whon | talked of going home she would | ‘brow her dimpled arms around my neck and say there was yct lots of timo. Her mother was dead and & married ister kept house for her father, She had no brother. | Alled the void of Prother and sweetheart, and never in this world wera heir love and hearts more pure. Dolly, dear, where fre you now? If this wandering child of my bram whould over catch your eye, what delightful recollec- ‘tions would it call to mind! Maybe, like myself, you Dave sinned and you have suffered. The rushing cares of married life or the cold scorn of the world may have chilled your beart or dimmed your beaming e: vutl feo! that in the bright mansions of memory you cherish the green spot of our childhood and often water it with the tears of affection. Yet, how snd to me the thought Muat in come lonoly churchyard your fair form mingles NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1875—TRIPLE SHEEr with the dust and a Droxen headstone 1s all that tells the story of my darling Dolly. But why pine in sad- ness, when I know that a few more days will number the sands of life and I shall fie down by your side until the tramp of the archangel sounds the resurrection morn. Then we shall meet around the white throne and love forever in the blissful realms of eternity. AOHOOL IN WEST VIRGINIA~AGR, THIRTERY. Tt was the purpose of some of my friends to ft me for the ministry, I attended the Cathedral school. I was initiated into the good graces of the ruling spirits of the Church. Professor Pike took @ particular fancy | to me, and the good Bishop, now dead, honored me with bis friendship. Through little favors, presents and commendations extended me, I was fast getting | the inside track of sacerdotal manners. Even the rs and gray nuns stumbled, accidentally, I presume, upon my walks about the church, parsonsge and through the nunnery grounds, How little did the Mother Superior think at that time that a young vandal like myself ever entgred the sacred preciucis of those neat little cells, where the Virgin Mary, pearl beads ard Christ cracified upon an altar, exemplified the de- | votion of Sister Agnes, To a lad of thirteen she pos- sessed the most celestial charms imaginable, Sho was of a wealthy prominent Virginia family, crossed in love, seeking that peace that earth cannot give. In this dismal nunnery sho bid her disappointment and endeavored to bury her love, I remained in her cell one whole night, for the reason that the bolts and ) bars could not be loosened outside until morning. | Great was our trepidation lest we should be discovered, Reconeilistion soon set in. How that saddened heart poured out to mo the deepest secrets of her soul while sitting on her iron cot. She purely and fondly prossed me to her heart aud bade me put my trust in God, whe comforted the weary and heavy laden, Her angelic face shone in the moonlight like a spirit let loose from © great gray eyes and youthful form with a ray of hor immaculate reare in this world who have heaven, and t fill my heart to this da Bow few men th purity. had the good fortune to look into the heart end cell of anun! How little is known of their lives! How ernel the world im tts corrupt insinuations! If every nun occupying a secluded cell to-day can boast of the pure soul of Sister Agnes they, {in my opinion, may de> positively certain that God wi alm their fears in life and cherish their spirit beyond the cold and silent grave. I often met my dear sister when none saye the stars and our God | witnessed the holy inspiration that blessed our Jives, She would frequently revert to the outward world, and seemed over to linger upon the lone and cruel fate that separated her from the hearthstone of family affection, But again she would blot out ail memory of the past, and with @ sublime eloquence gather consolation from the present, trusting in our Heavenly Father for his future forgiveness and love vouchsaled to those who do His will on carth, Was sho happy? Ab! that is the enigina, Twenty years have passed. If living, let her heart speak the truth of the cloister, and if dead, pray for ns at the feet of our Redeemer. STEAMNOAT EXPERIENCR—AGE, PIPTERN. My frst experience after leaving home was gained in the kitchen of the City of Wheeling, one of the fuest steamers on the Ohio River. I boarded the craft at Belmont, where she was taking in a cargo of nails for Cincinnat!, I had only $3 in my pocket, The boat rounded to, and soon after ® dapper looking clerk came down oa deck, searching for waifs like myself. I was snugly seated onabale of hay near the long shaft, reading a yellow back novel which pictused in glowing colors the heroic conduct of Naney Downs who killed five Indians anda panther with her ltue hatchet! Suddenly a quick commanding voice rang out, “Hello, Johnay, where are you going?” This familiar addres*wou me at once, and with a confiding smile mantling my countenance I replied to the nice young man that I was bound for Cincinnat! and should be pleased to render him any assistance in my power, Book and pencil in hand and, gazing on me with look of supreme power he simply said, ‘Six dollars; hurry up!’ This was a stunner, for he saw my pile and doubled the blind, I told the young man tliat I was unable to respond to bis demands. He then re- marked, “Go ashore; I knew you was a wharf rat,”’ He seemed to know more than I did, for up to that moment I was ignorant of the term “wharf rat.” I afterward learnod, however, that this pecoliar animal foraged sround freight piles and wharfboats during the day aud slept in sugar hogsheads and on cotton bales over night, picking up his “hash” about steamboat kitchens and laying in wait for the happy ery of “Grub pile.” You often found the “wharf rat” rigged out asa boot black, newsboy, deck sweeper, knife shiner or texas tender on some floating craft. He could whistle, sing and dauce for the edification of the passer by, while be was continually pressed for cash he never lost bis humor or stout heart, but, like the Arab, when dissatia- fied, took up bis blanket and silently stole away. The clerk finally took me by the collar, introducing me tothe mate inastyle that was not at all compli- mentary, punctuating his remarks with a pair of “long nines” that seemed to have been made for that special businesa. Although young and weak, I resented the insult by heaving at the.head of the nice young man a stick of stovewood that lay near the kitchen door. It barely missed his classic countenance and unceremoni- ously aroused the slumber of am innocent deckband who bad bunked up among the-wheels and pipes of the engine room. I was to be put ashore at the next land- ing and chastised by the mate, in whose charge I was’ left. Soon after the nice young man went above I ex- plained to George Pepper, the mate, my unfortunate situation. For some time he was incredulous as to the truth of my story, but as we neared the landing where | I was to be put ashore his human nature got the better of his rough intentions. vid Black George, the cook, had been an observer of all that bad passed, and, seeing that the mate relented, asked that I be allowed | to work my passage by peeling potatoes, There bap- pened to be a vacancy in this important position, Im- portant, I say, for the reason that the 300 cabin passen- gers depended on the humble potatoe peeler for the weight of their dinner, Whenever I caught sight of the clerk ascow! would involuntarily pass over his face. He had ahard berth, it is true, yot his lack of | common sense often made him ridiculous and was for- ever geiting him into trouble, Tom Taylor, for that was | his name, must have been twenty-five years of age, and | had red hair, fish eyes, pug nose, puckered mouth and a | face like an undertaker, His position, no doubt, made | him sad, for no matter bow the winds blow or rain fell Tom was always found, early and late, checking off the shipment and delivery of mountains of freight He | wore bis pants in his boots and eupported a swallow tailed coat that was bequeathed him by @ continental | grandfather, You never eaw a petty tyrant put on #0 | much style, He would plant himself on the | highest pinnacle of potatoo piles, hay bales salt barrels and cord wood and gaze down upon the “poustabouts”’ and deck passenge:s with that supreme | | air ofcommand that must have characterized Xerxes when he surveyed his millions marching on to battle. | See him in the cabin when the floating palace glided | | awiftly down the beautiful river. He was completely | metamorphosed im conduct. The beck of the first | clerk, whisper of the captain or Interrogation of Ge: | eral Miles, the iron king, would settle him at once into | an attitude of submission—bat in hand, sycophant smile and mock as a mouse. In short, he tyrannized over all | below and toadied to all above, Tom Tayior could havo | been the twin brother of Utiah Heep, for he bore ali the | marks and brands of that noted hypocrite. | Goorge Pepper stood six feet in his boots; strong and | straight in proportion; age thirty-five, His head was large and his face was bold, but his heart was as tender as that ofa woman. The crew sald ne was severo hut just, Prompt to every duty himself he allowed no shirki in others, Wind and weather found bim taking the same fare with his men. When labor ceased he could be found playing “oid sledge” or “poker” with the | boys behiad the wheel house, and, strange to say, tuis | familiarity never for a moment lost him the respect or confidence of his men. He waa one of the few born to rule, who can mix socially and command officially. | ‘They are ecarce, In due time we arrived in Cincinnati, * . . * . . A MIDNIGHT SCENE IN CINCINNATI, Pepper and myself had jast lef Wood's Musenm, ‘The crawd separated us, and I wandered alone toward | the boat. In the neighborhood of a large hotel I paused | | to reat and think The hour was midnight, dtfal gusts | | of wind swept over the stony streets and whistied mournful music around the corner gas lights, which | poso and fell like waning tapers in adying room. The sound of foreign footfalis occasionally broke upon my ear and vanished away into silence, The patrolman’s cub sent its warning echoes down tho lonely street to some brother watcher, The clock in the tower tolled | gwolve, and its mournful notes echoed among the silent hills and over the river, like loving invitations to keneol at the tomb of buried love, The sweeping winds went down and # calm came ovor the city. A houseless shot from the fists of Pluto. Suddenly 1 beheld a poor, ragged girl approach from a line of empty store-boxes that skirted tae pavement. in her arms she held an infant child, and in her eye the tear of sorrow glistened like a diamond on the brow of royalty, Her look was retirea and innocent, her fowing hair straggling in wild profusion down her shoulders. She could not have been more than sixteen, yet the lines of melancholy that shaded her sweet face gave her the look of one and twenty, The little infant cried from cold and hunger, ‘and the youthful mother begged me for assistance. I emptied my little pockets of all they contained—seventy five cents—took off my vest for the shivering child, ard | gave all to that heart-broken unfortunate, whose sin lay at the door of a wealthy Jew that kept a cloth- ing establishment on Fourth street. She blessed me, kissed my hand and disappeared like a ghost tnto the fitful shadows of the night, the little babe bidding me its last goodby in solemn tones of weeping melody. I wandered slowly to the boat, sought my bunk in the Toxas, and pondered painfully upon the vicissi- tudes and misfortunes of life. That whole night I lay awake thinking of the poor child of poverty and disgrace, who wandered an oujcast in the streets of opulence, while her betrayer slept in downy couches, drinking wine and laughing the hours away in company with boon companions or beautiful belies who rivalled each other for the hand aud beart of the rich Jew. Ab! girls beware lest the fate of this poor waif be yours. Libertinism has no line to mark {ts bounds; no mansions to measure its audacity, and no law to limit its terrible temptation—ever seeking, plotting and betraying the holiest sanctuaries of affec- tion, Avoid itasanaspand an adder; regard It 9s leprosy or smallpox, that blots and kills ak touches. The sordid, smiling villain that kneels & your feet ts the viper that stings when your innocent love worms bim into confidence, The strong battle- ments of your womanhood and the voluptuous parapets of your beating bosom are taken and desecrated when the angel of virtue sleeps on guard, You awake from this soul-killing shock like one outof a frightful dream, gazing about in idiotic frenzy for the form of your honorable (?) lover, but he is gone, and has stolen from you the rarest and richest gem in the crown of purity. Tho novel will be interspersed with original poems. The following are specimens:— Why,” “ First Love,'s “Content,” “The Dead Convict,” ‘The Sunbeam,” “annje Lee” and * Believe Me.” ANNIE LEE. BY COLONEL JOHN 4, JOYCR. [The facts of this poetic story are from actual life, re- lated to the author many yoars ago by arelative of “Annie Lee,” whose father was a wrecker on the North Atlantic coast. The sailor boy, lover and maniac have long since passed over the river of time, but the mem- ory oftheir tate still lingers in loving hearts.) Resting on a crag, I gaze upon the deep, While ocean zephyrs lull the waves to sleep, | And wild birds screaming in their homeward flight Hasten the shadows of returning night. ‘The sun {s sinking in the lonely wave, ‘The ericket chirps beside the grass grown grave, ‘The harvest moon is rising into view, Sad and alone, I’m thinking dear of you, Your bark ts bounding o’er the deep bl ea, Your heart is thiaking now of home and me, fairy messengers impart the charm ‘That God will watch and save you from all harm. ‘The winds ure up and lash the ocean wild, ‘The sky bas changed ; and storm clouds are piled Upon the bosom of the roiling sea ‘That chants a requiem back to Annic Lee. a My heart ts sinking like the sun at rest, Whose light is smothered in the distant West; Yet hope is prompt and fonaly turns to say ‘The darkest night brings in the brightest day! ‘Wait ’sill the morning when the sunlight breaks Upon the ocean tide, where Orean shakes His = y, on the world; in peace and love Thy soul shall bask in glory from above. Sleep, lovely Annie, dream of. singh 8 Moore, Who wanders lonely on a foreign shore, ‘And sends across the deep a phantom sigh, S\ill sounding in thy soul, his last good-by; ‘As on the beach he clasped your angel form. Before he launched alone to wave and storm. Ten years roll by, and Annie waits so true For him who wanders o’er the ocean blue; ‘And in her heart, the light of love still glows For Harry Moore, who, lost to triends and foes, Long since Dame Rumor buried down at sea, Only thought of now, by darling Annie Lee. Who through the creeping years would weep and lag At sunset hour upon that.mountain crag, Where lust she saw that shtp that held her pride Vanish like a dream upon the bounding tide. A parent’s importunities at least prevailed And Annie, as a bride, in heart bewailed ‘The hour that tied the stlver knot in haste, Upon a soul repentant; likea waste + Where gun and sand sting out agninst the sky And only ono green spot in memory nigh. ‘Arrayed in spotless white fair Annie stood With Charley Cooper, innocent and good, Whose heart-felt flutter roso in love aad life With Annie Lee, the beauty, bride and wile. No! not wife to him, The parson just began ‘The marriage service, when, strange and lon’, aman Stepped on the scene, claimed aloud—and svore ‘That Annie Lee was wife to Harry Moore; ‘Who then and there produced the legal prize ‘That ton long years he’d worn in foreign skies; That voice and parchment brought to Anuids mind. ‘The fondest mortal, always true and kind, She raised her eyes, with outstretched arms she few To Harry Moore, who clasped her form ane! And kissed the lovely lips of Annie Lee, Who only mocked the marriage—but to see How fate would end the trouble and the svife Of one who know herself a loving wife, ‘And placed beneath her belt in secret joy ‘A dagger sharp; and keenly to destroy ‘The heart and soul that loved a sailor boy. Charley Cooper gazed in wild alarm, With bounding steps he rushed into the storm, And left the cot where oft the fires of ove Shone on h's soul like glory from above. Throughout the night be wandered farand wide ‘A raving maniac with a phantom brids, That lured him to the top of Ocean Cae, And, leaping bigh in air, sank neath the wave Tuat wrapped him ina lonely, wat'rygrave, Annie Lee would often stroil upon ths strand With Charley Mooro and Harry, han¢ in band, And to ber budding boy would tell hew—long ago— ‘The ocean drank poor Cooper and hii woe. Fifty years have passed, and yet is sen ‘The tragic rock with living forests geen, Mantling its bead, and sighing to the wave ‘That huins a requiom o'er Cooper's jrave. And as the stranger wanders to the spot, Where love once nestled in the glowng cot, The broken hearthstone only meetsthe view And tangled wild weeds mingles with the few Sad relics that time and tide have st On memory’s altar—never to forge! ‘Two lonely graves upon the hill wemeet; The sad sea sighing loud, while atvur feet The bluebells peep in modest radiait charm; The brierrans—neglected {s the fom ‘That once supported Harry Mooreand Annie Lee, Asloep in purest love, down by thy sounding sea, WHY? BY COLONEL JOHN A. soYCR. The sun is rising o'er the distant hill, Thoar aloud the plash of yonder mill I see the Stato House open upto vie Tho old is past, and Lime brings in the new, The legislator meets in ferce tebate, And prates incessantly bis love of State, While lobby members talk ard gloat About the sale of Mr. Mortons vote. The lights are out, and clinkhg glasses vie, How railroad bonds, “put ug" did buy The vote of Johnson and hismate, Who ouly served to benefit tie State, Returning home, the pliant hember's cause Is fashioned into print and e/ai jaws, While little heroes emulate he great, Aud trump how Johnson sewed the State, Tho court of justice fills mynind with awe, And tunes my heart to praip the honest law That gives to all, the peasar and the prince, The measure and the meedof recompense. ‘The judge and jury, preseit at the bar, List while the lawyers how their epite/ul war Of words, more hollow thm the sounding brass, To tickle Jones, the clientand the ass, ‘The case i¢ finished, and he jury acts Upon the rulings of the @urt und facts; That circumstance mightturn (n fearful tit, With trath and justice, tangeetce and guilt, The prison walls loom yp beford my view, While crime and misery mingle uh the true, Who few, but brave, dd suffer fol the sin Of royal rascals ‘out who shoild be ‘in.’ The garb of (clony cannt hurt t Whom conscience striped not, si Who stands a monarch, even in And looks to heaven for hope to tfeak the spell, CONTENT. RY COLONRL JOMN A, JOR. Contentment; thon blessed of all beaujes on earth, Hope leads thee through life and stati at thy birth; ‘As an angel, your influonce spreads of the wave Of misfortune and terror, and death ald the grave. ‘The cloud of black erime may o’ershadw our way, The sunlight of truth may withdraw frm the day, When friendship and love shail no jonjer be sent, Then dive in thy heart and invoke swelt content, Live alone In thy glory and worship thj thought That thy soul remains pare, anpurchagd, unbought, Let the world in its madovgs divide andberate— “Keep a stiff upper lip’ and face evers fate. Do not pine for the past but look to thi right, dog, tall, black, lean and grimaiog, sped by like am arrow Where the army of truth edyances to ths For the brave and the free, who shall never relent, But march to the front and,enjoy bleased content. Then up with the banner of manhood and truth, Of justice unsullied, of boldness and youth, No matier what oshers may say in thelr wrath, Be content with thy lot—mark out thine own path, Let the wild waves of passion rage lond and rage long. Stand thou, like the crag of content, ever strong. Rebut every gust that in malice is sent, And be sure to rely on the God of content! THE DEAD CONVICT BY COLONEL JOHN 4. JOYOR. Alone in his cell the convict lay dead, While Lis comrades around bim are weeping, And his wife, far away, unclothed and unfed, With her little oues peacefully sleeping. No more shall the garb of misfortune degrade The heart of the bold highway rover Who rests in the tomb, whore roses shal! fade, Aud bright bees will bum in the clover, The si of the night and the light of the moro Will bathe the lone grave by the prison, And the angel shall sound one biast from its hora ‘fo the soul of the convict, just risen. Then away o’er the plains of Jehovah ho’ll fly And kneel at the fount of redemption, Where judgment, most true, by that All-Seeing Eye 1s dispensed without fear or exemption, Then shall the edicts of earth be reversed, And the heart of the convict shall beat, Who suffered below, the saddest and worst, For a home in that heavenly retreat | Look aloft! and await for the morrow to break ‘Ail the chatns that may bind th 3 Suffer and bleed in thy heart; yet ‘To the call of thy God—march away. To conscience be true, and with fond hearts renew That love without galt or pollution. And always pursue the right and the few ‘That mingles in moral devotion Though dead to the world and branded in crimo, Thy soul may be pure as the kiss Of the angel that measures all time In the mansions of ecstatic bliss! FIRST LOVE. BY COLONEL JOUN A. JoYCR, In the month of November, the day I remember; Now gazing o’er mountain and plain, My heart travels back to that owing track, ‘And lives in the light of hor eyes once again, How glorious and bright were tho stars of the night, And the whippoorwill tuning its song, When our hearts were so true and I loved only you, In that multitude rushing along. Tho day never comes and the night never goes, But [ sigh for the woodland and stream, Where we sat in the moonlight, clasped in fond love In that bright sunny land—like a dream. Many years bare Foe by, stil! I sadden and sigh, For the musi trains of the past, My heart fondly turns to incense and burns On the altar of love to the last, ° One by one we step ont, to that land full of doubt, Where Hope onl leads up the way, To the realms of bliss, where an angelic kiss Bids us woleome to eternal day. The lips of an angel can never impart A pleasure 80 pure and go true, As | felt in my soul and my fluttering heart, In the moonlight—when first I kissed you! HOLIDAY GIFTS. HOW THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN PURCHASING THEIR CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, Tradesmen fn all branches of business are accus- tomed to look torward to this annual holiday season as one of profit and hard work in their respective Ifnes, ‘The clothier, the furrier, the millinor, jeweller and toy vender, all expect that the visit of Santa Claus will bring into therr tills a goodly harvest of dollars. And somehow or other, people's hearts do expand about this time of the year; money seems of less vatue, and objects that are coveted, whether they be useful or ornamental, appear cheaper than at other times, When a man thinks of the genial, frost-painted face of old Santa Claus, and the joy which bis long expected visit will confer upon ‘the little people, he is not likely to haggle about the price of a toy, the value of a jewel or the cost of a new dress. Such, at least, ls the opinion of prominent business men who are engaged in supplying over more than a million citizens with all the necessaries and lux- uries of life. THE MAT, GLOVE AND FUR TRADES, AHeratp reporter paid a visit yesterday to a num- ber of business establishments on Broadway and Sixth avenue, beginning at Knox, the hatter’s, at the corner of Broadway and Fulton street. Although the holiday demand upon Mr. Kuox’s extensive stock was large, still he has yet in store a very tasteful and fine assort- ment of otter and sealskin, jockey and other caps, peaked and plain. is Labrador sealskin double banded cap, extra fine, is a superb article of head gear. Very choice ladies’ sealskin sacques, ranging from $120 to $250, which he showed, are fit for royaity to wear. Mr. Knox says that this season a good deal of business has been done in minx, lynx, and Alaska seal goods, He also reports a reasonably brisk trade in gloves, particularly ladies’ sealskin gaunuets, Upon the whole, Mr. Knox is satisfled with the holiday srade, ‘and, all things considered, believes it to be as good as | could be expected, Mr. Burke, who carries on business under the Park Bank, near the Huratp Building, says that terrible in- roads have been made by his customers into his elo- ant stock during the last week, Nevertheless, with fis accustomed energy he has been able to bring up the reserves and replenish his shelves in such a manner as to again present their accustomed attractiveness. He has on hand a very large and carefully selected stock of furs, hate, caps, umbrellas, gloves, collars, buffalo and bear robes. ' Some sea otter and Shetland sealskin muffs which he had looked the perfec- tion of comfortable warmth. Que elegantly trimmed black bearskin robe, which was valued at $100, looked to be worthy of encompussing the feet of a princess— Ay more than that, of wrapping the limbs of an ‘American sovereign’s wife or sweetheart. He has also in store a fine lot of children’s furs for tue youngsters | to go to school or the promenade in. Mr. Espenscheid, tie popular furrier and hatter, whose establishment is at No. 115 Nassau street, does not complain of the results of the holiday trade, He has on hand an extensive assortment of silk, soft and hard (elt hats. His stock of high and low crowned Derby hats 18 well chosen for the market, and the prices suit the times. Dougan, the hatter, is known by everybody, and not | withstanding what he suffered by the late fire, which | consumed a large quantity of fine goods at his store, corner of Nassau and Ann streets, he 13 now disposing | of some splendid articles of head-wear to his old cus- | tomers, at No. 100 Nassau street. Mr. Dougan say that he yields the palm to no man in this city as to style and cheapness of the stock which he has now in | the market, His umbrellas are unexcelled tor cheap- | ness and durability, His invoices of Dent’s, Jouvin's and winter gloves are, he says, meeting with a ready | and rapid sale, even beyond his own expectations, when | we consider how dull times are everywhere just now. The patrons uf Santa Claus have been of late very fre- | quem in their cails at Mr. Dougan’s, William P. David, the American hatter, whose old place of business’ is at No. 20944 Broadway, says that if his trade has not been so rushing at this | holiday time as in other years, he at least is in the | same boat with many business houses in the various | branches of trade throughout the city, Mr. David | certainly gets fully his share of the business that is | going. ‘He has on hand a fine assortment of hats, caps, umbrellas, gentlemen's fur seal goods, buffalo,’ bear, badger, wolf, and other robes, The atyles aro truly American, and therefore those who love to patronize | home industry should examine them in preference to a foroign-made article of the same price and value, Mr. David reports a fair average trade during the present busy season. | | JEWELRY, Tiffany & Co, and Ball, Black & Co., who have had | A quiet, stead: during the fall months, state that | the last wock's sales have been even more extensive than they bad expected, These weil known firms keep on hand, perhaps, the largest, best assorted, and most | extensive stocks of watches, jewelry, diamonds, bronzes and works of art in the precious metals, of any two houses in America, With the Christmas ' woek salea brightened up greatiy in all the departments. Diamonds were sought for with some eagerness, and a pretty good number of stoyes—though not of large size—ol the first wajer, were purchased, Both American and for- eign manulactured watches and chains went off readily, In gold jewelry the Etruscan and Romanesque styles | commanded the best prices, and in the branches of silver and plated wares anies were good, for the articles were cheap, The same, too, might be said of music boxes, bronzes and works of art generally, HOLIDAY FESTIVAL. The feativities peculiar to Christmas and which wore postponed om account of a want of full preparation wore held at the headquarters of the Juvenile Guardian Society in St. Mark's place yesterday, The exercises consisted of the usual gathering about the Christmas tree or rathor trees, a8 two were provided, a stage ox- position, consisting of recitations, dialogues, singin; in English and German, and addresses by friends o the society, all followed by a grand Christmas dinner, thrown open not only to the school proper but to atl children who might present themselves, and presided over by the Superintendent, Rev. Mr. Robertson. Ivis estimated that nearly a thousand children were fed. Toys in great variety, candy furnished by @ form president and abundant for all, aud clovhing for the | more needy were distributed. | JERSEY'S LUNATIO ASYLUM. This morning a delegation of Hoboken officials will leave the Morris and Essex depot to visit the Morris | ored infantry. This would terminate the experiment, | an experiment, by the way, which is hardly justified by | subject. Taking tho opinion of officers high in rank, Plains Lunatic Asylum. The institution is unrivalled for ita sige, but is nol yet completed, DURING THE RECESS. The Democrats Preparing for the Legislative Campaign. PROPOSED REDUCTION OF THE ARMY. Sherman, Sheridan, Hancock and Others To Be Sacrificed, THE THIRD TERM MOVEMENT Wasnixoron, Dec, 28, 1875, Although Congress is not in session and the city and departm sat buildings and public offices do not present those scenes of bustle and activity observable when the capital is filled with office-holders, office-seekers and their numerous friends and adherents, yet Washington is far from wearing the dull and quiet air which usually pervades it during the adjournments of Congress. Many members of both houses will remain here during the holiday recess. Some will do so because their homes are too distant to be reached or the attractions of the capital are too great to be cast aside for the hum- bler and more familiar ones which might tempt them to revisit their conatituents, while many, especially some who holt prominent places on some of the !mportant committees, remain from a desire to map out and prepare the work which is to occupy the attention of the two houses after the holidays. This is moro particularly true of the members of the House, Owing to the great change brought about by last year’s elections in the political character of the majority, new men are brought to the front, whlie political exigencies demand from the party controlling the House promptness and sound judgment in agreeing upon the selection of the battle ground over which, so far as the House of Representatives is con- cerned, the Prosidential struggle of 1876 is to be fought. . RETRENCHMENT, Randall, who barely missed the Speakership, is prob- ably, as Chairman of the Committee on Appropriations, in a position to render his party a greater service than had his ambition to be Speaker been gratified. He is an indefatigable worker, and since his appointment as chairman of that committee he has been prying with the closest scrutiny into the different departments, studying how to reduce the enormous expenditure ot public money, which men of all parties admit to have exceeded for years the actual necessities and demands of the service, From the thorough manner in which Randall and his committee have gone to work it really seems as if he would make good his boast of last session when he promised that when the democrats came into power -aud- regained control of the national purse strings the annual ex- penditures of the government would be reduced $50,000,000. How far these efforts to bring about an economic administration of national affairs are sincere is difficult to determine, owing to the fact that the country isonthe eve of a Presidential campaign, in which economy and reform will be promipent watch- words, REDUCTION OF THE ARMY. Asusual during one of these spasmodic efforts to bring about economy the first red flag which seems to catch tho eye of the economical bull is the army, and all sorts of rumors are afloat as to the extent and char- acter of the reduction which is to be brought about in this branch of the service, a branch, too, by the way, the administration of whose affairs and the performance of whose duties are characterized by more honesty and official integrity than pertains to any other department ander which anything like so many millions of the pablic funds are annually disbursed. In round numbersthe army appropriation amounts to about $40,000,000, while it is claimed that an army of suillcient sizo can be maintained at an annual cost not to exceed $20,000,000; and to this latter amount tho party now controlling the purse strings proposes to re- duce the appropriation, The public and even members of Congress will be surprised to learn that the regular army, as itexists at present—about 25,000 strong— actually cests the governpment but little above $20,000,000, The EXCESS OF THE AYPROPRIATION, amounting to nearly one-half the entire amount, is ox- pended upon public works and disbursements of various kinds, some of which have no more connection with the army than they have with the public school ques- tion or with any one of a dozen other questions now before the public. Whatever the reduction is to be the numerous and high ranking officers bere, represent- ing the various staffdepartments of the army, have not been so exercised in mind for years over a prospect of unfriendly legislation as at the present time: The max- imum number of the regular army asat present allowod by law is 25,000. It is proposed to reduce this number to 15,000 men, and, with this great reduction of the line or fighting part of the army, it is Proposed to make an equal or greater reduction in the list of general officers as well as through- out the different staf corps. ‘The latter have always suceeeded in recent years when an unfriondly blow has beon aimed at the army by Congress to dodge it and allow the line to bear the brunt, but it appears that social influences and personal favors cannot be of any avail in the proposed cutting down, From sources entitled to credit the reduction from 25,000 to 15,000 in the line ts to be brought about by disbanding one regi- mont of artillery, two regiments of cavalry and five regiments of infantry. ‘THE COLORED TROOPS DOOMED, Included among the regiments of cavalry and infan- try to be mustered out are the two regiments of col- | ored cavalry and the two remaining regiments of co! for the present at least, of employing colored soldiers, stiocess, judging from the opinions of officers of the army who are supposed to be best informed upon the as well as of members of Congress of both partios hail- ing from frontier States, the army in its present size is none too large to give the necessary protection to the frontier settlements and lines of travel. But the reduc- tion which has partially been or will be proposed soon after the holidays, and which will strike the public with the greatest surprise, is that which ts to be made among the icading gonerals, THR GREAT GENERALS. A determined effort is to be made to force tho passage of a bill thrusting both Sherman and Sheridan, two of the three major generals—Hancock, Schofield and McDowell—and three of the brigadior generals, from the army, and consigning them to civil life, with, perhaps, one year’s salary to begin the business of life upon, That a measure so sweeping or 80 unjust Could find advocates in sufficient numbers in either house to pass it would be highly questionable if presented alone and simply on its merits, but it will in all probability be attached to some one of the large appropriation bills and forced through asa ridor. The democrats will vote for it asa party measure and as a step in favor of economy. The republicans, particu- larly in the Senate, will hesitate in regard to voting against it for fear of committing themselves in the pub- lic eye against reform and economy. ‘THR RPPROT OF THE DILL, as sketched, would be to bring the army down to the dimensions it bore in 1860, when a major general, the highest reak then recognized by law, commanded the whole, Itis questionable if such a measure, whether tho result of real or pretended reform, will add to the na- merical strength of the party responsible for tt. There are several hundred thousand Union soldiers, with their hundreds of thousands of friends, scattered throughout the length and breadth of tho land, and | who, when they see their old and favorite leadere—Sher- man and Sheridan—rudely forced from the positions won by their herole services for their country, banished too, by the votes of men who but a low years ago were striving to destroy the Union, will ask themselves if the time bag not arrived to call a bait, The navy will also be overhauled. THX THIRD TREM. Gradvally the idea of a third term increases tho num- ber of its believers, Let no one infor from the small numberof republican members of the House who had the | cournge to vote in favor of a third term that that vote gives any criterion from which to form opinion? as to Tor a third term nieseen out or twenty of those repub- Ncans who voted against or dodged the third term question will be found stumping their districts for Grant. That the Intter desires a nomination and intends to have it ig no longer @ matter of doubt, But “is he working for it?” in- quires one, Did he work in an outspoken and public manner for the first term or for the second? If by “working for it,’ in the ordinary acceptation of the term, is meant corresponding on the subject with the leaders of the party in the various States necessary to insure his election, or co-operating with the party managers in the Senate and House in measures calcu- lated to bring about his renomination, ot any of the various other ways which usually commend themselyes to persons aspiring to a Presidential nomination—by any or either of these methods Grant cannot as yet be said to be working. And yet, in his silent, peculiar method, he has been, and is, intently watching and cotaging those steps of his adherents which are made as the prelude to a renomination, Even THE VOTE IN THE HOUSE onthe Springer third term resolution cannot, under the circumstances, be regarded as exhibiting weakness in Grant, as compared with any other candidate for the Presidency, On the contrary, it was an exhibition of comparative strength, resulting, so far as developed, in Grant’s favor. What other republican or what num- ber of Presidential candidates combined from that party could have obtained even so large a vote so long m advance of the assembliag of the nominating con- vention? From @ source rogarded as unquestionable the plans, aspirations and fears of the third termers are as follows :— FLANS OF THE THIRD TERMERS. The three men most prominent as Presidential as. Pirants from the republican ranks next to Grant are Blaine, Morton and Conkling, their strength at present being !n the order named. If the Republican Conven- tion were to meet to-morrow Grant, upon the first and every sucteeding ballot, would command the solid vote of the delegates from the Southern States, It is a de- batable question even whether or not he would have already secured a sufficient number of votes from the Northern States to give him the nomination on the first ballot; but, should he not be able to do this, the votes of the Northern delegates, as the question now stands, would be distributed between Blaine, Morton and Conkling. Either of these three would profon—stady- ing his own future chances—that Grant should receive the nomination rather than it should fall to tho fortune of one of the other two, and his influence would be cast accordingly, thus securing to Grant a sufficient namber of votes from the Northern States which, added to the Southern vote, would CARRY THE NOMINATIONS. Blaine, as is well known, has inscribed upon his ban- ner the pablic school and church question; Morton, romembering the adage about the bridge which carries one safely over, has waved his well worn, if not played out “bloody shirt,” while Conk- ling has, as yet, adopted no particular war cry or banner, but seems to be holding hiraself in reserve, trusting that if a third term becomes impracti- cable, as a choice between himself, Blaine and Morton, the influence of Grant and the third termers will be cast in his favor. In this, however, he is undoubtedly mis- taken. From the present political outlook Grant and his adherents confidently believe the third term to be almost an assured fact’ Should any untoward event in the future defeat his present plans it is not proposed that the mace of authority shall descend to the hands of either of the three named, but to WASHBURNE, who piloted through Congress the promotion of Grant from colonel of volunteers to general-in-chief of the army. Failing to secure the nomination for him- self Grant would have looked with approval upon that of Sheridan but for two reason: ‘irst, the lat- ter’s administration of affairs in New Orleans forever destroyed his chances of election; second, his Ro- man Catholic tendencies would be a bar to his be- coming a successful candidate, Washburne would prob- ably combine greater strength than almost any other republican candidate. A peculiar as well as power- fulelemedt in his favor would be the German vote, which would be given him as a result of the protection and kindness extended by him to the German popu- lation of Paris during the Franco-German war. THE REPUBLICAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. ‘The meeting of the Republican National Committeo in Washington in January, called so early in the year by the chairman, Governor Morgan, is not regarded by the third termers asa friendly movement. Governor Morgan is believed to have cherished a longing during General Grant’s two terms for a Cabinet position. Several ap- pointments to Grant's Cabinet have been made from New York, but Governor Morgan has not been among the favored ones. This disappoiiitment has not, to say the least, convinced the Governor that a third term is the best thing for the country. ‘The Republican State Convention for Indiana has also been called to meot at an early day, and, if the fears of the third termers do not prove ungrounded, this is move at tho suggestion of Morton, to be followéd, probably, in other States inclined to be hostile, by which the State conventions will commit themselves by resolution or platform against a third term long in advance of the assembling of the National Republican Convention. At present, however, Grant 1s complete master of the situation, and sits quietly puffing away at his cigar, while—as he hopes— his rivals will accom- plish their own political destructio: CURRENT POLITICAL NOTES. A falling off is reported by the Patrons of Husbandry in the number of members. The Order is sald to have spread over too much ground, with politics at the back of it. Touching the recent Whiskey Ring chargos against Secretary Bristow, the Newark Advertiser (rep.) sa; “This new howl about the Secretary is apart of the original game, pased upon the idea that Grant is work- ing for a third term, and that Bristow wants the place himself. To force a quarrel between thom, to pit President against Secretary, would throw all the trials into confusion, stain them with bad motives of politi- ca) ambition, and secure the escape—so tho thieves think—of most of the scoundrels. They are counting without their host, Only men who see disgrace and imprisonment coming swift upon them could enter- tain such a hope.” The Providence Journal (rep.) remarks that one Is half inclined to think that there “ must be sometbing in this third term idea after all, since it is possible by its simple mention to stir the whole country so thor- oughly.”” ; The Troy Trojan (dem.) says “ there is no doubt but that Grant will be run for a third term, The Boston Herald (ind.) remarks that, “from the mere party view, the question is whethor President Grant, with all the ‘bummers’ on his side, would be a stronger candidate than any man, like Bristow, for in- stance, who represents the better principles and tn- spirations of the party.” ‘The Scranton (Pa) Republican (rep.) expresses its preference for a Presidential candidate as follow: “Between Messrs. Bristow and Biaine as Presidential candidates there 18 one notable difference—viz., what- ever support Bristow has for that position has come to him voluntarily; whatever support Mr. Blaine bas he has worked for; whatever Mr. Blaine has done in a pnblic way during the past four years was done ‘with eye Bingle’ to the Presidency.” The same paper adi “It is pretty generally understood that the Pennsylvania delegation has already been promised to Mr. Blaine. We will see in due time whether the ‘goods’ can be delivered.” Says the Hartford Times, a democratic papor:—‘The Chicago republican paper called the Jnter-Ocean must eithor be working in the interest of the thieves of the Whiskey Ring or very hard up for material for a sensa- ton to win notoriety when it assails Secretary Bristow and accuses that gentleman of complicity with the thieves.” It is rather an unusual sight to soe a demo- cratic paper defending a republican Cabinet officer against the attacks of a republican papor. The Hartford Times says Governor Jewell is expecting to find a placo as a candidate for Viee President on the republican Presidential ticket, The Elmira Gazette (dem.) asserts that “there isa widespread suspicion in this State that the attempt to send a Conkling delogation to the Republican National Convention is a third term movement in disga' I is said of Senator Conkling thas if ho cannot be nomi- nated for President himself he would rather see the President got the nomination than any one else."” ‘The Pittsburg Dispatch remarks as a singular fast that, of all the newspapers published in the United States, only three that tt is aware of support the pro- ject of a third term—to wit, the Pittsburg Gazette, tht cago Inter-Ocean and Cincinnati Times, cach a recipient of large government patronage. Judge John R. Flippin has been nominated for Mayor the futtre action of those republicans who voted ogainst \t, If General Grant abtaing the nomination of Memphis by the democrats, and the Appeas saya everybody sevuins to have acquiesced in it