The old gentleman groaned and moaned. At last he bethought him of one final stratagem. He raised his head as well as he could, turned his haggard face full upon Shadrach, and glaring at him from his hollow blood-shot eyes, said, 66 Shadrach, I am going to die, and it's because I can't get any water. If you don't go and bring me a pitcher of water, after I'm dead I'll come back and HAUNT you! I'll HAUNT you as long as you live!" "Oh Lordy! Master! You shall hab de water!" cried Shadrach; and he rushed out to the spring and brought it. The old man drank and drank,-the pitcherful and more. The next morning he was decidedly better, and to the astonishment of all, soon got well. JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON. JOHN REUBEN THOMPSON was born at Richmond, and educated at the University of Virginia. He studied law, but practised little, and in 1847 became editor of the "Southern Literary Messenger." This position he filled with great success for twelve years and he exerted a fine influence on the literary taste and effort of his times. In this magazine first appeared the writings of Donald G. Mitchell ("Dream Life" and "Reveries of a Bachelor "), the early pieces of John Esten Cooke, Philip Pendleton Cooke, Paul Hamilton Hayne, Henry Timrod, and others. His delicate health induced him to resign his place in 1859 and to go farther south to Augusta, Georgia, as editor of the "Southern Field and Fireside." In 1863 he travelled in Europe and his descriptive letters are very bright and in teresting. He later became literary editor of the "Evening Post," N. Y.; in 1872 he went to Colorado in one last but vain effort to restore his health. He died in 1873 and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery at Richmond. His writings, consisting of poems, letters, sketches, and editorials, are found mainly in the "Southern Literary Messenger" and "The Land We Love." ASHBY. To the brave all homage render, With a radiance pure and tender, Hero fit for song and story, Lies our bold dragoon. Well they learned, whose hands have slain him, Braver, knightlier foe Never fought with Moor nor Paynim, Rode at Templestowe ; With a mien how high and joyous, 'Gainst the hordes that would destroy us Went he forth we know. Never more, alas! shall sabre Gleam around his crest; Fought his fight; fulfilled his labour; Stilled his manly breast. All unheard sweet Nature's cadence, Trump of fame and voice of maidens, Now he takes his rest. Earth that all too soon hath bound him, Linger lovingly around him, Light of dying day; Softly fall the summer showers, Birds and bees among the flowers Make the gloom seem gay. There, throughout the coming ages, When his sword is rust, And his deeds in classic pages, Mindful of her trust, Shall Virginia, bending lowly, Keep above his dust! MUSIC IN CAMP. Two armies covered hill and plain, The summer clouds lay pitched like tents And each dread gun of the elements The breeze so softly blew, it made No forest leaf to quiver, And the smoke of the random cannonade Rolled slowly from the river. And now, where circling hills looked down O'er listless camp and silent town When on the fervid air there came With day's departing splendor. A Federal band, which, eve and morn, Down flocked the soldiers to the banks, Till, margined by its pebbles, One wooded shore was blue with "Yanks,” And one was gray with "Rebels." Then all was still, and then the band, The conscious stream with burnished glow But thrilled throughout its deepest flow Again a pause, and then again The trumpets pealed sonorous, And "Yankee Doodle" was the strain Loud shrieked the swarming Boys in Blue And yet once more the bugles sang Above the stormy riot; No shout upon the evening rang- The sad, slow stream its noiseless flood No unresponsive soul had heard So deeply "Home Sweet Home" had stirred Or Blue, or Gray, the soldier sees The cottage 'neath the live-oak trees, Or cold, or warm, his native skies Seen through the tear-mist in his eyes, As fades the iris after rain In April's tearful weather, But memory, waked by music's art, And fair the form of music shines, JABEZ LAMAR MONROE CURRY. 1825- DR. CURRY was born in Georgia, but his father removed to Alabama in 1838, and he was reared in that State. After graduation at the University of Georgia and at the Harvard Law School, he began the practice of law in Talladega County, Alabama. He served in the State Legislature and in Congress, and in 1861 entered the Confederate Army. After the war he was ordained to the Baptist ministry and became president of Howard College, Alabama, and later, professor of English, Philosophy, and Law, in Richmond College, Virginia, which latter position he filled for thirteen years. From 1881 to 1885 he was agent of the Peabody Educational Fund; in 1885 he was appointed minister to Spain, and on his return to America resumed the agency of the Fund. His wise administration and his well-directed efforts have done much to further the cause of education; and his ability and effectiveness as a speaker and writer have given him national fame. |