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A PERSIAN POEM *Tbll me, gentle traveler. thou Who hast wandered far and wide, seen the sweetest roses blow And the brightest rivers glide, say of all thine eyes have eon Which the fairest land has been?" -Lady. shall1 tell theb where Nature seems most blest and fair, Far above all cimes beside? 'ris where those we love abide, And that little spot is best Which the loved one's foot bath pressed. Though it be a fairy space, Wide and spreading Is the place. Though 'twere but a barren mound 'Twould become enchanted ground. With thee yon bandy waste would seem The margin of Al Cawthar'satream, And thou couldst make a dungeon's gloom A bower where newbora roses bloom." -Jewish Messenger. A WEDDING PRESENT. Yes, we were really married. The clergyman, with impressive solemnity, announced that we were now one and sanctioned our union with the blessing of the church. He shook my hand, and the tears stood in his eyes as he wished me unend ing happiness. He kissed Eleonore, whom he had christened 20 years be fore, and repeated again, "God bless you, my dear child!" Then came the wedding guests, one after the other,. to congratulate us. There was quite a procession. The sixth person in the procession was Aunt Caroline. She is Eleonore's aunt, but I am quite as fond of her as if she were my own. She is the best of creatures, always ready to come when you need her and quite 4's willing to stay away when she fancies that her society might be burdensome. She is one of those generous, patient aunts who in win ter always have on hand a storeof goodies for hungry nieces and nephews and in summer are ever ready to take charge of a particular ly restless schoolboy or girl, whose exuberant vacation spirits render him or her an annoyance to the quiet home circle. In a word, Aunt Caroline is a noble example of what an aunt really ought to be. IDeaFehlix-dear Eleonore,"1she said as she clasped our -hands, "my wedding present is so cumbersome that I srranged to have it sent to your house, where you will find it when rou return from your bridal tour-. -It will welcome you -to your new home, and I trust it may give you much pleasure and daily remind you of your old Aunt Caroline." "It is sure to give us pleasure, whatever it nay-be," responded my wiie, affectionately embracing the dear old lady. A dozen times a day during our journey we spoke of Aunt Caroline's present and tried to guess what it mightbe Eleonere was certain that it was a handsome bookcase, while I maintained with -equal- confidence that it must boa sdperb bronze orna At last, after 14 October days of crimson tinted forests and deep blue bays, enchanting sunsets and cozy evenin~is beside sparkling hearth fiesincomfortable hotels-after two weeks of perfect enjoyment--we re turned to the charming little home which had been prepared for us, and ~-~e eede b& be our haven of hpies I kissed meonore when I helped~ her from the carriage and mur murted, "Welcome home, my dear wife." She return~ed my caress rather hastily,~and runnig past ma into. the house said, "Now we shall see what it is." Alas? we learned only too soon. -Rika, our maid of all work, had illu minated the little drawing room for ourreception. Thebandsomeswing ing lamp above the center table-a present from Uncle Augustus-was -lighted. Red waxrnlesn burned *brightlyineschofthetwobromscanla delabra-Unicle Christopher'k present -~on the mantel, while two aighted stndent lamps, likewise wedding gifts, stood on the piano. The light from all these served to illumnieand direct our glances the moment we entered the room toward Aunt Caro line's present, which hung directly opposite the door. It was an atro ciously painted representation of the parable of the prodigal son and looked as if it might have originated in a mannfactnry of "curiosities." Its true origin I never learned, al though I had ample opportunity to study it. It is quite certain, however, that dear Aunt Caroline, knowing my. own and Eleonore's fondness for pic tures, and with her heart overflow lng with benevolence and affection had purchased the huge canvas at some puction, paying for it a good round sum and consoling herself for the extravagance with thoughts of theplessurethepicturewouldgiveus. -The canvas measured 8 by 10 feet. The frame' was a broad gilded affair; - the comnpositlon itself absurd in the extreme. -In the middle foregrouznd a group of figures in gala attire rep resented the returned prodigal, his parents and the guests invited to celebrate the return. On a sort of raised gallery in the background were a number of figures with cym bals, daiqcing and singing. All these nswere in a kind of pillared tthe left of which was an ab ject looking individual in tattered garments feeding some swine with ears of corn. To the right of the hall was an oriental butcher with a Turkish scimeter slaughtering fhe fatted calf. We surveyed the monstrosity in silence; in silence listened to Rika's admiring comments on the "perfect ly lovely painting," then we went to -inspect the dining room and my study. But Eleonore could not at all times use the stuady as a sitting room, es pecially when I had business callers. At such times the poor child would bravely conquer her aversion for the "prodigals"-thus she designated both the bipeds and quadrupeds in the picture-and with her back turned resolutely upon them would sit in the drawing room until my visitors had departed. We have a large circleof acquaint ances. Of course they all called on us, and Eleonore said she always felt as if the "prodigals" helped her to "do the honors." Indeed the picture seemed to receive the larger share of our visitors' attention. Some of Eieonores more intimate friends asked her why she had hung such a "very large" picture in our sall dawming room. Some who con sidered it impolite to make such re marks ma'ntained a discreet silence, while those who thought it "good form" to talk about pictures and to pretend a familiarity with art would inquire if "that large painting was the work of a Munich artist" or re mark that it reminded them of some thing similr which they had seen in Dresden-or somewhere. Now, there was no one in our vil lage who was as familiar with really good pictures as myself. When any of my neighbors wanted to buy a painting or engraving, he first con sulted me. Consequently the fact that I had the 'Prodigal Son" hang ing on my wall was sufficient to con vince even those of our friends who really thought the picture an abom inable daub that there must be "something in it," and they exerted themselves manfully to discover this something. "How very natural those swine are!" one would say. "Just see what brilliant coloring in those clouds," another. "How repentant the prodigal looks," a third would remark, with the air of a connoisseur. However, after everybody had called and had been called on in re turn there came a season of compar ative peace, during which Eleonore went to pay a two days' visit to an old school friend. During her absence I had the up holsterer and two of his men come and remove the prodigals into the dining room, and when Aunt Caro line on her next visit missed the pic ture from its accustomed place she seemed quite downhearted. I, how ever, boldly declared that the light in the dining room was much better, and that the subject-feasting-was more suitable for a dining room than a drawing room. -Now, -thught I with self gratula tory feeling, Eleonore can receive her callers in comfort. . But I reckoned without my prodi gals. Although the picture gave us less annoyance in its present position, we did not become reconciled to it. Far from it. But as I sat with my back toward it during meals, and Eleonore had onlya side view, it was not so constantly obvious as it had been, -and when the warm weather came we covered it with gauze-on account of the flies. -It happened that the distinquished botanist, Dr. S-, visited our town about the-holidays. There-were no flies at that time. Our guest was a most amiable man, and the friends whom we had invit ed ta dine with him-did their best to etertain him. - During the soup he related a high ly amusing adventure he had had in Egypt. WhenRikaremovedhisplate, e Ikoked up-the: prodigals were ditetly 6pposite him-and well bred though he was he could not help a look of wondering surprise at siglit of such a travesty on art. A few days later Eleonore went to visit her mother,-and while she was gone I again sent for the upholsterer and~ his men and had the picture re moved to my study. To do this!I was obliged to take, down about 200 books together with the shelves. The light here was execrable, but that did-not matter. I placed my desk so that my back was toward it and commended my visitors of taste to the. mercy of their good angels. On 1%ewKgr's day Aunt Caroline dined with us, and you may imagine her surprise, when, seated in the chair Dr. S-- had occupied, she looked uip and found. the picture gone. She did--not say a word, how ever; "We~ hung your picture-your' lovely picture, dear aunt-in my study,"I answered casually, adding in my desperation, "I intend to ex hibit it to my Sunday class." The dear soul did not say any thing, nor was she offended, but she apered so nielancholy that I was conscience stricken.' Before I went to 2bed I tried -to make amends for the detestable story I had told Aunt Caroline. I wrote to a friend of mine and invited him to bring his Sunday class on the following Thurs day evening and drink tea with us. The invitation was accepted. I received my friend and his schol ars in the drawing room. I asked the little .fellows all sorts of ques tioni about their studies, and Eleo nore showed them our photographs. At last came the welcome summons to tea, after which I invited the chil dren into my study to see the picture. of the prodigal son. The lamps were placed in the most favorable positions. The youngsters ranged themselves in a row in front of the picture. I tookup my station on one side, Herr Diebert on the other. Icleared my throat and be gan in a didactic tone: "This picture, my dear children, is partly allegorical, partly realistic. These two rows of columns on either side of the center divide the different *eras of the parable. Here on the left you see the prodigal, hungry and wretched, sharing the swine's food asthe Scriptures tell us. Here in the background you see them singing and dancing, rejoicing over the re turn of the- prodigal. Here on the right is the butcher in the act of kill ing the fatted calf." While I delivered this highly in structive lecture Herr Diebert point ed with a ruler toward the designat ed objects. The silence which followed my re marks was actually oppressive. At last one little fellow, Fritz Diegel, the butcher's son, feeling that some thing ought to be said, stamnmeringly asked, "Be them Hungarian or Ba varian hogs?" The -laughter which followed lift ed the- general oppressiveness, and the clock striking 0 soon afterward Eleonore and I gave thanks for our release. '1hese are only afew of the. many annoyances which Aunt Caroline's well meantwedding present brought upon us. Fortunately, there were some very warm days in March-quite wannm enough to bring to life two flies in my study. Once I should have put n end to their premature existence. I did not do so now. I fetched thel gauze veil and draped it securelyI over the prodigals. The next day Aunt Caroline called. Said 1 to her when shecame into the study: "Have you noticed, dear aunt, how very early the flies have made their appearance this spring?" Aunt Caroline had not noticed. the truth were I to say that we were not perfectly happy in our little home. We were-even though there was hardly a forenoon, afternoon or evening that one of the prodigals either the son, one of his parents. the butcher or one of the swine -did not somehow mix in our conver"'i tion. It was not for this-although it helped somewhat-that when sum mer brought my vacation we con cluded to spend it in the Black for est. Those were enchanting days. Eleonore embroidered, sketched and read to her heart's ccntent while I wrote diligently on a new work I had begun. Thus we passed six deihtful weeks with never a thought of the prodigals, when one mornig fatie. in the person of the postismti. brought me a newspaper. "Are yon Herr Treuberg:" h- iii quired. "I am." "From Immigen?" "The same." - "Then here's something that may interest you," he added, pointing to an article in the paper. I read: . "Yesterday in the town of Imm. gen, upper Bavaria, a fire consumed the residences of Fiau 0 ulie Zieber and Herr Felix Treuberg. Th losS is total, partly covered by insm ance." I summoned my poor little wife, to whom I communicated as gently as possible our great loss. We began at once to prepare for our return journey, and as our train would not leave until the afternoon I wired a friend for further particu lars of the fire. The answer came as we were leav ing the hotel: "Fire started in the Zieber house Unfortunately very little saved." As I concluded this rather 'pre-ss ing message Eleonore clasped my hand in both her own and whispered assuringly, "We have each other. dear Felix, we shall not be poor-we have each other and our love." A few days later we were in immi gen. As we drew near to the sta tion Eleonore leanea toward me and said, smiling through her tears: "Felix, dear, we have or:o com fort." "What is it, my love " "We are rid of those detestaUe swine.". "That's so," I assented. "There's never a misfortune that has not some recompense." I had sent word to a friend to meet us at the station. He had not come alone. There were sevei-al sympathetic acquaintances with him. "It was so late," said my friend, referring to the fire, "and so sudden. There was a furious wind" "But," interrupted Herr Diebert, "one thing will give you great pleas ure." "Indeed I" exclaimed Eleonure ex pectaitly. "What, pray ' "You have.to thank Fritz Diegels courage for it. When all hope of saving the house was gone, he and several of my Sunday scholars broke open ths shutters of your study win ow, and Fritz bravely entered the burning dwelling and cut the large painting from the frame. That was the only thing saved."-Translated B'rom the German For Romance. Names of Authors. The habit frequently adopted by booksellers of using the possessive ase of a writer's name followed by the title of his work leads somietime s to curious effects. For instance: Berkeley's Wealth and Welfare "Lalor's Money and Morals," "Turn r's Wish and Will." "Ellis' Temper and Temperament"' and "Wynter's Subtle Brains and Lissom Fingers." suggestive of the Artful Dodger's pro fession. Occasionally the bookseller himself deviates into humor, as in the two following instances: "King's nterest Tables, a rather poor cop~y and very poor price;" - "Poems~ by James Gay, with a portrait of the reat Man, who modestly calls him self Poet Laureate of Canada and Master of all Poets. Notwithstamd-I ing these high claims I sell his poemis for 4d."-Chambers' Journal. LUTTLE ALL ALONEY. Little All Aloney's fee': Pitter patter in the hall, And his mother runs to racet - And to kiss her toddling sweet Ere perchance he tall. He is, oh, so weak and smnall! . Yet what danger shall he fear When his mother hove'rrth near And he hears her cheering call, "All .Aloney?" Little All Aloney's ac It is all aglow with gi", As around that romping place At a terrifying pace Lungeth, plungeth he! And thbat hero seems to bo All unconscious of our checrs Only one dear voice he hL'rs Calling reassuringly. Though his legs bend with their loa:1, Though his feet they seemn so small That you cannot help forbodo some disastrous episode Neithrreatening bump nor fa-ll Little All Aloney fears, But with sweet bravado steers Whither comes that cheery call, "All Aloney!" Ah, that in the years to como, When he shares of sorrow's stare. When his feet are chill and nurgh., When his cross is burdensome. And his heart is sore. Would that he could hear once more The gentle voice he used to hear Divine with mother love and cheecr Calling from yonder spirit shore. "All, all alone!" -Eugene Field in Chicago Record. Pure D)rugs and Medhiies AJ~ LAY ON HAND ATf he Well-Koown and Reliable DRUG STOR~E OF r, W. M BrckintoD In addition to a toil and coit stock (of drugs, Medicines ;ad C'hemicalds, we kc-ep a em-M aLsso~rtmnent of Patent Medicine. , Toilet Article. Eye-Glasses, Spectacles, And the thousand and onec things usually found in every rt:s and well-regulated drug S:'re. NLY FIRST-CLASS SODA WATER FOUNTAIN IN MANING,~ SC.A WE ARt R A ! Our Fal Stock !s Now Oomplete. '-- prern , o shi,w fhe :re 1an best v-letv we have ever carried. N4 DRY GOODS hcs n 11on la c,. cot tn.). - t be sl,1acc slidy. mon:; te b gain intal-(ie:"artmelnt Will -fo(l; 0 stahr nppiec p r ngh"::, equal to toil de norti . e:. G (.1 .l 5 Ge. 0:: ease I :.!e tch, )C., "nod N;,alue I- 8 1 -3c. W iave a ecca ete linc in all thle newest styes and CAPE ! C PES CA AS a.. e prserlyiurtejurn-tnion to our i- at 2.5 an $LOO. These ;ere bought at a sacrifice sar- fo. spot casJ, and without doing an: iu p , i ase)ting that th - nnot; duplicat.e4 for less than &Ifty r - oi r cc I'petitors, j zii'l inpr ---. SEE OR URSEIj - it-, CONVINCEG Oir S 1.50 and 41.75 lines will al- o bear clcse inspection. W*. ;iOre howin son iobby effects at S5, S7.50 and .410. Ourtline of Carpets; Ruas and Malting8 "' ERY OU LETE COTHN "e have niade some improvments in our store. which has enabled us Lo carry a more complete line ii:.e in tLi i deparinment than ever before. We will sell you a good Clay Worsted at 15; an All Wool Cheviot, in round, square-C.:. or oub1e-b)eateel, at $6.50. HATS HATS \e bileve w.e have jusy earned the reputati)n of being t 'e Cheapest 'Rouse ;I this City .n I(is line, and we i,-e fully prepar'l to sish n ii ;his sea EOH - S . You nre sloubtless aware of the uipreced"ented advance .. ibis line. We arc pleasea to st:ite riiost of enr stock was Ioight at old prices. Our .vamen's Dongola at $1.50 (every pair wvarranted) are good value. Our line of men'.; goots, made ny L. M. Reyuolds & Co., of Broel:ton, Mass, will be sold at last year's figures. In Our Line of Groceries, Crockery, GIassware and Tinware. You wi!l Iiroi ani excellent .assortmenUt I.r h. ehcl and. table use. O' D N ELL &, CO. 'IUT2E S73F F. 0 . i A. BR3OG-DOTManager W. Ei. MEACHAM, Auctioneer This Wraceherdsd Has Been in Operation Since August 20, and Has of Tobacco at an Average of Between 10 and 11 cents per Pound. This warchouse is open six dlays in~ cver' . for the sale of tobacco and has good E.accomnmohtions fo: man ud beast. We have all the time an able corps of honest tobacco buyers, who are anxious to par ch;~" atrgfo gjilautities of South Carolina Tobacco. [t Is Oii1lPgosc to Mi\ake S~iute the Tobacco Market of Sonth (trolii nol Our nl'nl4 wh.o inltra.st theirP to-oaCO to our geepinlg shall have llhend~tOit of om- combine(d cliurts and~ ex pe'riecel. G!V-~ ; a trial and1 see thl S:ator is the place to sell yofir tobacco. Will Have Your Tobecco Nicely Graded for 75c per 100 pour.s Hogsheads Furnished Free of Charge an-i Shipped to our Friend3 on Application. Your Fiend, J. A2 BROGDON, Manager. - E BE T1~m TIerry~i .Fish ('mpmu~ Hlave - .o.:ttobyasewingfach1inle - rd by nlluring advertisemerltsYo hin~k yon can get the best made, yg~s ge n.ESO - -. S- e to Iit that~: it~ - n ei~l nanu- t t a(a.-u.ii :*i*enitt S ritg a h neta is noted tuC O~a' -- ~ ng n is'~ .a h.ir- L : : f ' tpdt 1cp w l 'I'here is no-ae in the world t'.mt. ~h't ~ar Div ermt - can ecu.:t in muechanical cor.- ~ l- i1t. ~ c~.iintb - '1struction, duralbi:tv of wocrking e'* Acn . ~ ~ ' '~v~i~:lyd~V~ e ,arts, tineness of finish, beauty ,2~ w~- t"s~t,;D~'a wl ~ efr .f in ppeatrarlce, or has as maun improveaenlts asthe 2tu MRE T. CALSO vrltn .~tri~.~o ors 'va ti Tension, Doiuble iFeed, :- 2q0 -- .nec3e (ptented ,no e thrP has~ , ~1I L I-~ - nd( patentd), driving whe-.1 ningc1 12 g~ 'vrrcN b et,thusredcigfictinto NRT FO CDRCULRS.Ok1 THE EW IIOM'E SEWIiC MCWH 00.t u FOR SAL.E BY ,uu iiUJs. .rF'L ' 1xs'N. Iai - : - RSTtvBRO vu~SL N ~Al AT Tv!|.YZTS A 2 L. lI tu___W,~~ yt~ ~~d~~ty MANNIN(G, S. C. E. McELA~ E11P5. I N I1T- e 'Sfr .eig 1nifrmc vinig an experien(- o: 2hirtv reven years, .~f:. :i 'h M ii ors his orofessuionul e'nrviec to the people . ~ 't0 r D' d..'.1 rd2)Ms~t~ of C'.arndon COand. . eiti::t.itante gd r the na t. 1 teed.~ KINiSTI~E S 22 ANDis MARKET S I. ' HARLESTON,) S. O' CLARENDON'S HEADQUARTERS IN SUIT For Honest Goods and Popular Prices Is Levi-:- Brothers'-:-Bazar FALL OPENING. Elegant Goods and Most Splendid Attractions Investigate the golden opportunity our new stock affords. We simply ask you to come and see -our goods, assuring all that they will find the highest grades and uniform prices. Our new goods must be seen to be appreciated. Samples sent on application. D G d The largest assortment of Dress Goods resseve: brought to this city now open for your inspection. This line izcludei "':e ,ewest, lated and most correct styles in cheviots, Scotch eifects, iwo-toned silk and wool, English covert cOoth, with smoother weavez, black and domestic dress goods. Shoes for Men. Shoes for Ladies. Shoes for the Little Ones. Shoes for Misses. Shoes for Boys. In this ceparmer viL be i"nd laces. ladies' Notions, and gents' handkerchliel3 in lace, siic and cotton, in all size-, colors and styies, and at the lowest prces; hamburgs; thread, needles, pins, soaps in all the itest styles and fashions; hair-pins (plain and fancy), perfumes, towels, white and colored bed spreads, doylies and hosiery for men, 'ad;es and childrer,,in all styles, colors and sizes, an,- at prices to soit all; underwear, bats (trimmed and untrimmed) for ladies and misses, all the newest and best desigas; velvets, satin5, ribbo-s, and many other notions. Low-Priced Clothing for Xen, Boys and Childre Best Flour. Best Bacon. Best and Cheapest Canned Gocd. Tin-ware. Willow-ware. When you visit Sumter tall and see us and make our store your headquarters. Polite and at tentive salesmen always in attendance. No trouble to show goods. Call and examine our' goods and prices before purchasing elsewhere. Come early and avoid the rush. . Highest Prices Paid for Cottdn STRAIGHT -:- BUSINESS! Come and See Us and Let Us Talk Straight Business We have one of the largest steek~ Cf goode ever: isrought to this town, and they were bought to d Give you something to eat 9 Then you hit us at our strongest point. But it is impossible to Niy to tell you here what we have, but you will find everything, from a soda cracker to barrel of molasses in our grocery 'department. * Evrytbing fresh a'nd of the very best quality. Smoked Bacon, " White Dove " Brand Hams, " Gold Medal" Flour, .ai Fine CofteesAe u p. Our line of tobaccos and cigars is comnp'ete. Ladies, Your AttentionU Dress goods in Broadcloth, Silks, Sateens, Henriettas. Outings, Teazledowns, Eiderdowns, Etc. In fact, we can furnish you any goods you need. Dry goods have gone up since we bought, but we wilt giv~e our eustomers the benefit of 'our early purchases. Ribbons, laces, trimmings - an.1 buttons and gloves in large quantities. Our Gent's Furnishing Goods Department is full. Ready-made clothing to fit anybody's back and pocket-book. Large line of pant goods in bolt.. Liow about Shoes~ Now you are talking. If we can't fit and-'please you in footwear you will have to go barefooted. We've got 'em. Urops are good ? All right. Then you will want bagging and ties. We have a warehouse full and will make prices right. They must be sold. Want to Sell Your Cottoni and Cotton Seed~ Our seales are at the back door; and we will give you the top figure. Haven't time to write more, bul want to see you before vou sell your cotton or buy your goods. Y*ours-~. for flin .1 '. J. W. McLEOD.M