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SUMTER "WATC3MAX, Established April, 1850. ^wtsolidated Aug. 2, 1881-1 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^ '^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^m^^r^^ lBe Just and Fear not-Let all the Ends thou Ains't at. be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." SUMTER, S. C., TUESDAY FEBRUARY 9, 1886. THE TK'JE SOUTHRON, Established Jane, 186?. New Series-Yoi. V. ?To. 28. . , PublislieA ?rory Tuesday, IST. GK OSTEEN, ; SUMTER, S. C. TERMS: ; Twa Dollars per annum-in advance. ADVERTISEMENTS. >-'TOne Sqaare, first insertion.$1 00 5*r> :Svery subsequent insertion. 50 ?^.^Co?Uracts- for three months, or longer will :^,'.WVmade~at redoced rates. AH communications which subserve private - interests will be charged for a3 ad vertiseaien ts. - Obituaries aod tributes of respect will be ' chatted for. 'fi MA^W ... By WILKIE COLLIES. ?AS JW?OODR IS THE UTE OF A YOUNG- GIRI* PART THE SECOND. ig THE DISCOVERY. CHAPTER X -1-Returning- to his office. Mr. Troy dis? covered, among the correspondence that was ?-- 'Waiting for him, a letter from the very per? son: whose welfare was stell the uppermost iubiect in his mind. Isabel Mi der wrote in the?? terms: THE LAWN, SOUTH MORDEN. THURSDAY. -, * -UEABSD*: My aunt, ML-s Fink, is very v. desirous of consulting you processionally at 'the earliest opportunity. Although South Marden is within little more than half an hour's railway ride from London, Miss Pink - does, not presume to ask you to visit her, -^Cjbefag well aware of the value of your time. "WAI you, therefore, be so kind as to let me know when it will convenient to you to receive my aunt at your office in London! Believe Toe, dear sir, > : Respectfully yours, " ISABEL. IV?TXLEB. r ' P. SL-I am further instructed to say that ;the regretable event at Lady Ly diard's house ":~:^f*&?*proposed subject of the consultation. Mr. Troy smiled as* he read the letter. **Too formal for a young girL" he said to : himself **Every word of it has been dic >"'-'1?ted hy Miss Pink.* Ee was not long in deciding what course he should take There :: v*Ws a pressing necessity for cautioning : / ^Isabel, and here, was his opportunity. He ; for hs head derk, and looked at his hst H ~af engagements for the day. There was nothing set down in th? book which the clerk was not quite as weil able to manage as the master. Hr. Troy consulted his railway guide, ordered his cab and caught the next train to South Morden. South Morden was then (and remains to fins day) one of those primitive agricultural ^ villages, passed over by the march of modem progress, which are still to be found in the * near neighborhood of London. Only the alow trains stopped at the station ; and there ' ;was so little to do that the station master and his porter** grew flowers on the embank? ment, and trained creepers over the waiting room window. Turning your bick on the railway, and walking along the one street of South Morden, you fourni yourself in the old England of two centuries since. Gabled cot-ages, with fast-elos?d windows; pigs and poultry in quiet possession of the road; the venerable church surrounded by its shady burial ground; the grocer's shop which sold everything, and the butchers shop which . sold nothing; tas scarce inhabitants who Eked a goori look at a stranger, and the nn - washed children who were pictures of dirty "-- health; thc clash of the iron-chained bucket I. in the public well, and the thump of the fall ing sine-pins in the skittle ground behind the public house; the horse pond on one bit of open ground and the old elm tree with the . ; yooden seat round it on the other-these - - wera some of the objects that yon saw and some o? tiie noises that you heard in South Morden, as you passed from one end of the village to the other. ? About half a mile beyond the last of the old cottages modern England met you again - , under the form of a row of litrle villas, set np.by an adventurous London builder who had bought the land at a bargain. Each * villa stood in its own little garden, and looked across a stony road at the meadow lands and softly rising wooded hills beyond. Each viDa faced you in the sunshine with the hor? rid glare of new red brick, and forced its nonsensical name on your attention, traced in bright paint on the posts of its o a tran ce gate. Consulting the posts as he advanced. . Mr. Troy arrived in due course of time at : " the villa called The Lawn, which derived its name apparently from a circular patch of grass in front of the house. The gate resist ing his efforts to open it, ha rang the bell ? Admitted by a trim, clean, shy little maid servant, Mr. Troy looked about fora in silent " amazement. Turn which way he might, he found himself silently confronted by posted and painted instructions to visitors, which . forbade him to do this, and commanded him " to do that, at every step of his progress from the gate to the house. On one side of the lawn a label informed him that he was not to walk on the grass. On the other side a painted hand pointed along a boundary wall i toan inscription which warned him to go that way if he had business in the kitchen. , On the gravel walk at the foot of the hou^e steps words, neatly traced in little white shelis, reminded him not to '-forget the scraper.*' On the doorstep he was informed, in letters of lead, that he was "Welcome I" On the mat in the passage bristly black words burst on his attention, commanding bim, to **wipe his shoes." Even the hat stand in the hall was not allowed to speak for itself: it had "Hats and Cloaks*' inscribed on it, and it issued its directions imperatively in the matter of your wet umbrella-"Put it hereP Giving the trim little servant his card, Mr. < Troy TO introduced to a reception room on the lower floor. Before he had time to look ' round him, the door was opened again from without, and Isabel ?tole into the room on tiptoe. She looked worn and anxious. "When she shook hands with the old lawyer file charming smile that he remembered so well was gone. .'Don't say you have seen nie.** she whis? pered. "I am not to come into the room till my aunt sends fer me. Tell me two things before I run away again. How is Lady Lydiard? And have you discovered the thief?" "Lady Lydiard was well when I last saw her, and we have not yet succeeded in dis? covering the thiel77 Having ar. .? ered the questions in those terms, Mr. Troy decid sd on questioning Isabel on the subject of the steward while he Lad th3 chance. "One question on my side,'' he said, holding her back from the door by tho arm. "Do you expect Moody to vi?it you here?' "I am sure he will visit me," Isabel an? swered, warmfy. "He has promised to come j here, at my request. I never knew what a kind heart Robert Moody had till this mis- j fortune fell on me. My aunt, who is not ? easily taken with strangers, respec-i: and ad- j mires h'm I can't teil you how good he was ! to me on the journey here and bow kindly, ? how nobly, he spoke to me when we parte-i." ! She paused, and turned her head away. The j tears were rising in her eyes. -Ia my ? ' . u- j ation," she said, faintly,. "kindness is very ! keenly felt Don't notice me, Mr. Troy. ' | The lawyer waited a moment to let her re- j cover herself. ! **I agree entirely, my dear, in your opinion j cf Moody," he said. "At the same tim* I j think it right to warn you that bis zeal in ! your service may possibly outrun his dis? cretion. He may feel too confidently about penetrating the mystery of the missing j Slaney, and, unless you are on your guard, he may raise false hopes in yon when you ; next see him. Listen?to any advice that he 203J gjve yon, by all means; but before you decide on being guided by his opinion, consult my older experience and hear what I h?ve ; to say on the subject Don't suppose that I ?zn attempting to make you distrust this ' good friend;-' he added, noticing the look of : uneasv surprise which Isabel fixed on him ? ?.Jio such idea ii in my mind. I only warn j yon that lloe^^"es|^?sJp_be of service j to you may mislead him. You understand j me?" "Yes, sir," replied Isabel coldly; "I under I stand yon. Please let me go now. My aunt I vdll be down directly, and sile must not find ! me here." She courtesied with distant j ! respect and left the room. I "So much for trying to put two idey to- i gether into a girl's mind," thought Mr. I Troy, when he was alone again. "The little j fool evidently thinks I am jealous of Moody's place in her estimation We'd, I have done my duty, and I can do no more." He looked round tho room. Not a chair was ont of its place, not a speck of dust was to be seen. Tbs brightly perfect poliah of tile table made yo?r eyes ache ; the ornaments j on it looked as if they had never been touched j by mortal hand; the piano was an object for ! distant admiration, not an instrument to be j played on; the carpet made Mr. Troy look j nervously at the soles of his shoes: and the ; sofa (protected by layers of white crochet work) said as plainly as if in words, "Sit on me if you dare!". Mi*. Troy retreated to a bookcase at the farther end of the room The books fitted the shelves to such absolute perfection that he had some difficulty ?h tak? ing one of them out. When he had succeeded. I he found himself in possession of a volume of "the "History of England." On the fly-leaf he encountered another written warning: "This bookbelongs to Miss Pink's Academy for Young Ladies, and is not to be removed from the library." The date, which waa added, referred to a period of ten years since. Miss Pink now stood revealed as a retired schoolmistress: and Mr. Troy began to under? stand some of the characteristic peculiarities of that lady's establishment which had puz? zled him up to the present time. He had just succeeded ia putting the boo}' back again when the door opened once more, and Isabel's aunt entered the room If Miss Pink could, by any possible con? juncture of circumstances, have disappeared mysteriously from her house and her friends, the police would have found the great est difficulty in composing the neces? sary description of the missing lady. The acutest observer could have dis? covered nothing that was noticeable or characteristic in her personal appearance. The pen of the present writer portrays her in despair by a series of negatives, She was not young, she was not old; she was neither tall nor short, nor stout nor thin; nobody could call her features attractive, and nobody could call them ugly; there was nothing in her voice, her expression, her manner cr her cress that differed in any appreciable degree from the voice, expression, manner and dress of five hundred thousand other single ladies of her age and position in the world. If you had asked her to describe herself, she would have pnswez'ed. "I am a gentlewoman;" and if you had inquired which of her numerous accomplishments took highest- rank in her own esteem, she would have replied, "My powers of conversation*' For the rest, she was Miss Pink, o? South Morden: and when that has been said, all has been said. "Pray be seated, sir. "We have had a beautiful day after the late long-continued wet weather. I am told that the season is very unfavorable for wall fruit May I offer you some refreshment after your journey?" In these terms, and in the smoothest of voices. Miss Pink opened the interview. Mr. Troy made a polite reply, and added a few strictly conventional remarks on the beauty of the neighborhood. Not even a lawyer could sit in Miss Pink's presence and hear Miss Pink's conversation without feel? ing himself called upon (in the nursery phrase) io "be on his best behavior." "It is extremely kind of you, Mr. Troy, to favor me with this visit," Miss Pink re? sumed. "I am well aware that the time of professional gentlemen is pf especial value to thom, and I will therefore ask you?to excuse ms if I pi o<?ird abruptly to the subject on which I desire to consult your experience." Here the lady modestly smoothed out her dress over her knees, and the lawyer made a bow. Miss Pink's highly trained conversa? tion had perhaps one fault-it was not, strictly speaking, conversation at all In its Affect on her hearers it rather resembled the contents cf a fluently conventional letter, read aloud. "The circumstances under which my niece Isabel has left Lady Lydiard's house," Miss Pink proceeded, "are so indescribably pain? ful-I will go further, I will say so deeply humiliating-that I have forbidden her to refer to them again in my presence, or to mention them in the future to any living creature besides myself. You are acquainted with tho"e chcumstances. Mr. Troy, and you ?will understand my indignation when I first learned that my sister's child had been sus? pected of theft I have not the honor of being acquainted with Lady Lydiard. She is not a countess, I believe? Just so! her husband was only a baron I am not ac? quainted with Lady Lydiard, and I will not trust myself to say what I think of her con? duct to my niece." "JtctK not trvxt myself to say ichat I think of her conduct." "Pardon me, madam," Mr. Troy interposed, ' Belove you say any more about Lady Lydiard, I must really beg leave to ob " Pardon 7n?," Miss Pink rejoined, "I never form a hast}' judgment Lsdy LydiarxTs conduct is beyond the reach of any defense, no matter how ingenious it may be. You may not be aware, sir, that in receiving my niece under her roof her lady? ship was receiving a gentlewoman by birth as well as by education. My late lamented ester was the daughter of a clergyman of the Ghnrcij of England. I need hardly remind you that, as such, she was a Kora lad}-. Under favoring circumstances, Isabels ma? ternal grandfather might have b arch? bishop of Canterbury, mid have taken pre- ' cedence of the- whole house of peers, the princes of the blood royal alone excepted; I am not prepared to say that my niece is equally wei" conn ected on her father's side. My sis'er urprised-I will not add shocked -us wh^n she married a chemist At the rame time, a chemist is nota tra desman. He is a gentleman at one end of the profession of medicine, and a titled physician is a gen- ? tlemah at the ot?.er end That i-; all In in- ; viting IsaLel to reside with her. Lady < Lydiard; I repeat, WJLS bound to remei.it>er ? th.:t she was associating herself with a young gentlewoman She has not remembered ; this, which is one insult; and she has sus? pected my niece of theft, which i> another." J Miss Pink paused to take breath. Mr. Troy made a second attempt to get a hearing. "Will you kindly permit me, madam, to 1 say two words?' i "INO!" said Miss Pink, a serting the most immovable obstinacy under the blandest i politeness of manner. "Your tinv, Mr. Troy, is really too valuable. Not even your trained 1 intellect can excuse conduct which is mani- ? fest! y inexcusable on the face of it Now voa know my opinion of Lady Lydiard, you will not be surprised to hear that I decline to trust her ladyship. She may, or she may not, cause the necessary inquiries to be made I for the vindication of my niece's character. < In a matter, so serious as this-I may say. in a duty which I owe to the memories of j my sister and my parents-I will not leave ! the responsibility to Lady Lydiard I will i i take it on myself. Let me add that I am I ' able to pay the necessary expenses. The ; ' earlier years of my life, Mr. Troy, have been j : passed in the tuition of young ladies. I have been happy in meriting the confidence of 1 parents, and I haye been staict_in observing < tne goiaen rules of economy. On my retire? ment, I have been able to invest a modest, avery modest, little fortune in the funds. A portion of it is at the service of my niece for the recovery of her good name; and I de? sire to place the necessary investigation, confidentially, in your banda You are ac? quainted with the case, and the case natur? ally goes to you. 1 could not prevail on my? self-I really could not prevail cn myself to mention it to a stranger. That is the busi? ness on which I wished to consult you. Please say nothing more about Lady Lydiard; die subject is inexpressibly disagreeable to ma I will only trespass on your kindness to tell me if I have succeeded in making mysei? understood." Miss Pink leaned back in her chair at the Sxact angle permitted by the laws of prc" priety. rested her left elbow cn the palm of her right hand, and lightly supported her cheek with her forefinger and thumb. In this position she waited Mr. Troy's answer-tho hving picture of human obstinacy in its most respectable form If Mr. Troy had not been a lawyer-in other words, if he had not been professionally capable of persisting in his own course in the face of every conceivable difficulty ind dis? couragement-Miss Pink might have re? mained in undisturbed possession of her own opinions. As it was, Mr. Troy had,got his hearing at last; and ho matter how obsti? nately she might close her eyes to it. Miss Pink was now destined to have the other sido of the case presented to her view. "I am sincerely obliged to you, madam, for the expression of your confidence in me." Mr. Troy began; "at the same time, I must beg you to excuse me if I decline to accept your proposal" Miss Pink had not expected to receive such an answer as this. The lawyer's brief re? fusal surprised and annoyed her. ""Why do you decline to assist mel" sho asked. "Because," answered Mr. Troy, "my ser? vices are already engaged in Miss Isabel's in? terest by a client whom I have serve.! for more than twenty years. My client is Miss Pink anticipated the coming disc-Ins? ure. "You need not trouble yourself, sir, to mention your client's name," ?he said "My client," persisted Mr. Troy, "loves Miss Isabel dearly-" "That is a matter of opinion," Miss Pink interposed. "And believes in Miss Isabel's innocence," proceeded the irrepressible lawyer, "as firmly as you bebe ve in it yourself." 3Iiss Pink (being human) had a temper, and Mr. Troy had found his way to it "If Lady Lydiard believes in my niece's innocence," said Miss Pink, suddenly sitting bolt upright in her chair, "whv has my niece been compelled, in justice to herself, to ; leave Lady Lydiard's house.-" "You will admit; madam," Mr. Troy an- j swered, cautiously, "that wo are all of us | liable, in this wicked world, to bo the victim of appearances. Your nie-j9 is a victim-an innocent vi.-tim. She wisely withdraws from Lady Lydiard's house until appearances are proved to be false, and her position is cleared un." Miss Pink had her reply ready. "This is i simply acknowledging, m other words, that ' my niece is suspected. I ara only a woman, i Mr. Troy, but it is not quite so easy to mis? lead me as you seem to suppose.'" Mr. Troy's temper was admirably trained, : but it began to acknowledge that Miss Pink's powers of irritation could seing to some pur- i pose. "Ko intention cf mi beading you. madam, ! has ever crossed my mind," he rejoined warmly. "As for your niece, I can tell you : this: In all my experience of Lady Lydiard, ? I never saw her so distressed as she was when Miss isabel left the house." "Ind--ed?" said Miss 5'ink, with, an incredu? lous smile. "lu my rank of life, v hen we feel distressed about ?. person, wc do our best to corni ort that person by a kind letter or an early visit But then I am not a lady of title." "Lady Lydiard engaged herself to call on Miss Isabel in my hearing." said Mr. Troy. "Lady Lydiard is the most generous woman living." "Lady Lydiard is hereP' cried a joyful voice cn the o Iber side of the door. At the samo moment Isabel burst into the room in a state of excitement which actually igtored the formidable presence of Miss Pink. "I beg your pardon, aunt I was up stairs at the window, and I saw the carriage stop at the gate. And Tommie has come, too! The darling f-awme at tho wintlowf cried the poor girl, her eyes sparkling with delight, as a perfect: explosion of barking made itself heard over the tramp of horses' feet and the crash of carriage wheels out? side. Miss Pink rose slowly, with a dignify that looked capable of adequately receiving, not one noble lady only, but the whole peerage of England. "Control yourself, dear Isabel," she said. "No well-bred young lady permits herself to become unduly excited. Stand by my side a little behind ma" Isabel obeyed. Mr. Troy kept his place, and privately enjoyed his triumph over Miss Pink. If Lady Lydiard had been actually in league with him, she could not have chosan a moro opportune time for her visit A mo? mentary interval passed: the carriage drew up at the door; the horses trampled cn the grave!; the bell rang madly; the uproar of Tommie, released from the carriage and clamoring to be let in, redoubled its fury. Never before had such an unruly burst of noises invaded the tranquility of Miss Pink's villa. CHAPTER XL The trim little maid servant ran- up stairs from her modest little kitchen, trembling at the terrible prospect of having to open the door. Miss Pick, deafened by the balking, had just time to say, "What a very ill-be? haved dog!" when a sound of small objects overthrown in the hall, and a scurrying of furious claws across the oil cloth, annouueed that Tonmiio had invaded the house. As the servant appeared, introducing Lady Lydiard, the dog ran in He made one fran? tic leap at Isabel, which would certainly have knocked her down but for the chair that happened to be standing behind her. i Received on her lap, the faithful cr?ai ure half smothered her with his caresses. He barked, he shrieked, in his joy at seeing her again. He jumped off her lap and tore ? round and round the room at the top of hi? . speedy and every time he passed Miss Pink he . showed the whole range of his teeth, and snarled ferociously at her ankles. Having at inst exhausted his superfluous energy, he leaped l ack again on Isabel's lap, with his tongue quivering ia his open mouth, lila tail wagging softly, and his eye on Miss Pi.k, inquiring how she liked a dog in her dra wing room. "1 hope my dog has not disturbed you, ma'am-" said Lady Lydiard, advancing from the mat at the ooorway, on which she had patiently waite-: until the raptures of Tom? mie sub ide 1 ino rq>o.-;e. J?:iss Pink, trembling with terror and in indignaiion, acknowledged La<!y Lydiard s polite inquiry by a ceremonious bow, and au luiWer winch administered .by implication ?1 dignified reproof. "Your ladyship's dog loc-.i not appear :o bo a very well tr?iuod ijii.'i:al.'' the ex-scmoolmistress remarked. "Well trained'" Lady Lydiard repeated, us if the expression were perfectly unintei ?iirib?e to her; "1 don't thinK you have liad much experience of dogs, ma'am.'' Sha ] turned lo Lsibel, and embraced her tenderly. : "Give mea kiss, my dear. You don't know bow wretched 1 have boen since you left ; me.'' She iooked back again at Miss Pink. 'You are not, perhaps, aware, ma'am, that , my do^ is devotedly attached to your riiec?. ; A. dog's luve has been considered by many ' jreai men (whose names at the moment ; escape me) as the most touching and disin- ; Lerested of ali earthly affections." ?She looked tho other way, and discovered the lawyer. "How do you do, Mr. Troy! It's a pleasant surprise to find you here. The Lou-o was so dui! without Isabel that I real!-, couldn't put off seeing her any longer. When you are more used to Tommie, Mi&i Pink, you will understand and admire him. You understand and admire him, Isabel, lon't you? My chill, you aro not looking well. I shall take you back with m^ when ihe horses have had their rest. "We shall aever be happy away from each other." Haviug expressed her sentiments, distrib? uted her greetings-, and defended her dog , sat down by Isabel's sida, and opened a la? j green fan that hung at ber girdle. "Y : have no idea, Mis* Pmk, how fae peo^ suffer in hot weather,"' said the old .lad usina: her fan vigorously. "Miss Pinier eyes dropped modestly to t ground-"fa-"' was 1 uch a ccarse word to r.< ? if a lady imtst speak of her superfluous fies. "May I offer some refresh merni' Iii Pink asked, mincingly. "A cup of tea!'' Lady Lydiard i.kook her hoad. : "A irlasc of water?" Lady Lydiard declined this last hos-rv'tab proposal with an exclamation of disgu "Hsve yc>u got any beerT shs inquired. : "I L g vom-ladyship's pardon,** said Mi ; Pink, doubting the evid -nce of her own ear ; "Did you say-beer?" j Lady Lydiard gesticulated vehraeutly wi1 j her fan. "Yes, to be sure! Beer! b^r!'' I Mis? Pink rose, with a countenance cxnre i sive of genteel disgust and rang tho bel j "I think yon have be<T downstairs: Susan j she said when the maid appeared at the doe j "Yes. miss." ! "A glass of beer for Lady Lydiard." sai ? Miss Pink, under protest, i "Brine it in a jug," shouted her ladyshii ; as the maid left lie room. "I like to froth ! up for myself,"' she continned, addrcssin Miss Pink. "Isabel sometimes does it for rn? j when she is at home: don't you. my dear?"' : Miss Pink had been waiting her onnorti ? city to assert her own claim to the possessio j of her own niece from the time when Lad j Lydiard had coolly declared her intention c ! taking Isabel back with her. The opport; j m'ry now presented itself. I "Your ladyshio will pardon me." she saic ? "if I remark that my niece's home is und?: ! my humble roof. lam p^onerlysensible, ; bopc. of your kindness to Isabel; but whil I she remains the object of a disgraceful sui . picion, she remains with nt*-" Lady Lydiard closed her fan with an angr snsp. "You are completely mistaken, Mi^s Pini You ?nay not mean it but you sp^nk mos nr. instiv if you. say ?hv vonr nieo is an or. $ert of suspicion to me or to anybody in m; house " i Mr. Troy, quietly 1'?t^nin^r np to this pom* ? now intemosed to stop the discussion befo** j it conld degenerate into a nuarrel. His keei I obseiv.ation, aided hy his accurate knowl ' edcre of Io's*client's character, had plainly re ; vealed to him what was passing in Lad" j Lydiard's mind. ?he had entered Mic house ! feel inc: /perhaps unconsciously) a jealousy o | Miss Pink as her predecesor in Isabel's aifec ! tions, and as the natur?' protectress of th* 1 girl under existing circumstaner-s. Mis Pink's reception of hor dog had additional1.} irritated the old lady. She had taken a mali cicus pleasure hi shocking th? school m:=f j tress'sense of proprie'y, and she was no .'. only too ready to proceed to further ex ! trcmiti'-'S on the delicate qnestion of Isabel1; justification for leaving her house. Foi Isabel's own sake, therefore-to say nothing of other reasons-it was urgently desirable to keep the peace between the two Sadies. With this excellent obj?ct in view. Mr. Troy seized his ormortunitv cf striking into th? conversation for the first time. "Pardon me. Lad7 Lydiard." he said, "you are speaking of a subject which has been already sufficiently discussed between Miss Pink and myself. I thiukcwe shall do better not to dwell us?lesdv on r>ast events, but to direct our attention to the future We are all equally satisfied of the complet? rectitude of Miss Isabe-'s conduct; and we are all equally interested in the vindication of her good name.'"' Whether these temperate words would of themselves hare exercised the pacifying in? fluence at which Mr. Troy aimed may bo doubtful But, a3 he ceased sp.3aking, a powerful auxiliary appeared in the seapo of the beer. Lidy Lydiard seiz?d on the jug. and filled the tumbler for herself with an unsteady hand.- Miss Pink, trembling for the integrity of her carpet and scandalized at seeing a peeress drinking beer like a wash? erwoman, forgot the sharp an*wer that wa3 ju:t rising to her lips when the lawyer inter? fered. '.Small !" said Lady Lydiard, setting down the empty tumbler, and referring to the quality of the beer. "Rut very pleasant and refreshing. What's the servant's name: Susan? Weil, Susan, I was dying of thirst, and you have saved my life. You can lea c the jug; I dare say I shalt empty it before I go." Mr. Troy, watching Miss Pink's face, saw that it was time to changethe subject again. "Did you notice the old village, Lady Lyd iard. on your way here?' he asked. "Th artists confider it oae of thc mo.-t picturesqu-. plaees in England." "I no.iced ?hat it wa* a very dirty village."' Lady Lydiard answered, still bent on making herself disagrecai.-io to Miss pink "The ar. ists may say what they please; I see nothing to admire in rotten cottages and bad drain age and ignorant people. I suppose rh neighborhood ha? its advantages, lt looks dull enough, to my mind." Isabel had hitherto modestly restricte ? her exertions to keeping Tommie quiet on her lap. Like Mr. Troy, she occasionally looked at her aunt, and she now made a timid at? tempt to defend th- neighborhood, ai a duty she owed to Miss Pink. "Or?, my lady! don't say it's a dull neigh? borhood.' she pleaded. "There are such pret? ty walks all round us. And when you geo to the hiJLs the view is beautiful'3 Lady Lydiard's answer to this was a little masterpiece of jopd-huinored contempt. She patted isabel's check, and said, "Poohl pooh!" "Your ladj'ship does s not admire the beau? ties of nature," Miss Pink remarked, with a . compas?ionate smile. "As we get older, no doubt our sight begins to fail-" "And wo leave qt? canting about the beau? ties of nature," added Lady Lydiard. "I hate the country. Give mc London, and the pleasures of society." "Cornel come! Do the country justice. Lady Lydiard!" put in pe?ce-making Mr. Troy. "There's plenty of society co be found out of London-as goo 1 society as thc world can show." "The sort of society," &ddel Miss Pink, "which is to be found, for example, in this neighborhood. Her ladyship is evidently not. aware that persons of distinction surr-.-und us whichever way we turu. 1 may instance, among others, the Hon Mr. Hardiman-" Lady Lydiard, in the act of pouring out a second glassful of beer, suddenly set down the jug. "Wh* is that you're talking of, Miss Pink;" ? "I am talking of our neighbor; Lady Lyd- j iard, the Hon. iL'. Hai-dymau.*' "Do you mean Alfred Hardyman, the man j who breeds the horses.-" "The distinguished gentleman who owns ! the famous stud farm,'' said Miss Pmk. cor- j rooting the bluutly direct form ia which i Lady Lydiard had put her question. "is he in the habit of visiting here?1 the j old lady inquired, with a sudden ap*n;aranoe i of anxiety. "Do you know him:'' "1 had the honor of being introduced to Mr. Hardyman at our lastfiower show,*" Miss j Pink replied. "Ho has not yoi favored mi : with a visit" Lady Lydiard's anxiety appeared to lie Ut '? some extent relieved. "1 know ti ?at Hardyman's farm w?is in ; this county," she said. "ont I bad v.o notion ! that it was in the neighborhood of South ' Morden. Ew\v aw.iy i-; he-ten OJ' a down miles, ehf* **X<>r more than rhr ?*? miles,*" answered Mi-? Pink. tWe consider him quits a uear ne??bb" '!* of ours." iTen'cwed anxiety shower:! itself in Lsdv Lydiard. Nh- lo'.?k.vl round shur. Iv ::t I.sa?K-1. Tlie girl's h *a ! was Ivnt so low over the rough bead "f the <h>; that her face was almost entirely coucal ??! from view. S ? ?ar? as ?ir-;v':'.n".t'c We'st, sh.? seemed to be en? tirely absorbed in fondling Tommie. La iy T.vdiur'l rouse?.! her with a tap of the gre a fan. "Take Tommie out, isobel, for a rmi in the garde::."' she said. "He won't sit still much longer, mri he inav annoy Mis* Pink. Mr. Troy, will y -u kin ?!.v help Isai^el to keep my ill-trained d"g in prderr" Mr. Tro -* got oji his fret, and, not vp y willingly, followed ls.ibol ouf of the room; "They wi'] qua riv! now. to a dead certain4}-," h? thought tO hifiiso!:', : -?> "?0 CloSO I door; 1 "Have you any idea oC whaJ this means?' h . : said to his c-jr.?r<?Hiion. as hf? jobied h -r i"< h.. hall. "Wliot has Mr. liarivman dono to : excite all this i-itere*;t in hiniP 1 Isabel's guilty color rose. She knew per? fectly well that Hardymau's unconcealed ad jniration of her was the guiding motive of : i Lady Lydiard's inquiries. If sl?e had toid the truth, Ivir. Troy would have unquestion? ably returned to the drawing room, with or without an acceptable excuse for intruding himself. But Isabel was a woman; and her answer, it is needless to say, was, "I don't know; Vra sure." In the meantime the interview between the two .adies began in a manner which would have astonished Mr. Troy-they wei's both silent. For once in hr life, Lady Lydiard was considering what she should say, before si::; said it. Zvi iss Fink. : a her side, natur nliv waited to Lear what object her ladyship ii vd in view-w sited until her small reserves c-f : n ien.-e gave w\y. Urged ty irresistible cvuiosity, sh:- spok- tirsr. ' Have you anything to say to ms in pri? vate ? she a.-keb Lady Ly. hard had not got to the end of her refections, ?he said "Yes," and she said no more. "Ls it anything relating to my niece?" per? sisted MKS Pink. Still immersed in her reflections. Lady Lyrbar l suddenly voe to the surface, and spoke her mind, as usual. '.4 bout your niece, ma'am The other fl ry .Mr. Hardyman called at my hou-e and s-i>v Isabel." ?' I'-.-s." said M'"ss Pink, politely attentive, but nor ia the Icisc in tere-ste I so far. ./That's not all. ma'am Mv. Hardyman admires Isabel; he owned it to me himself in sc many words." Miss Pink listened, with a courteous in? clination of her head, ??he looked mildly gratified, nothing more. Lady Lydiard pro? ceeded "You and I 'hink differently on many ! matters.'' she said, "but we are both agreed, j I am su: e, in f eeling the sincerest interest in ? Isabel's welfare. I beg to suggest to you, Miss Piuk, that Mr. Hardyman, as a near neighbor of yours, is a very undesirable neighbor while Isabel remains in your house." Saying those words, under a strong convic? tion of the serious importance of the subject, Lady Lydiard insensibly recovered the man? ner and assumed the language which befitted a lal}- ol her rank. Miss Pink, noticing tho change, set it do wu to an expression of pride on the part of her visitor, which, in refer? ring to Isabel, assailed indirectly the social r:osition of Isabel's aunt. "? tail entirely to understand what your j ladyship means." she said, coldly. Lady Lydiard. on her side, looked in un- ! disguised astonishment at Miss Pink. "Haven't I told you already that Mi*, j Hardyman admires your niece?" she asked I "Naturally," said Miss Pink. "Isabel inker- j its her lamented mother's personal advan:- j ages. If Mr. Hardyman admires her, Mr. j Hardyman shows his good taste." I Lady Lydiard's eyes opened wider and ! wider in wonder. "My good lady." she ex- I claimed, "is it possible you don't know that j when a man admires a woman he doesn't stop there? He tails in love with her (as the | saying is) next." ?. "So I have heard," said Miss Pink "So you have heard?' repeated Lady Lydiard. "If Mr. Hardyman finis his way to Isabel, I cm tell you what you will sec. Catch the two together, ma'am, and you will see Mr. Hardyman making love to your niece." "Under due restrictions, Lady Lydiard and wiih my permission fir>t obtained, of course, I see no objection to Mr. Hardyman paying his addressee to Isabel" "The woman is mal!" cried Lady Lydiard j "Do you actually s?poos?. Miss Pink, that Alfred Hardyman could by any earthly pos- ? iibility marry your nieve?' Not even Miss Pink's politeness could sub mit to such a question as this. She rose in? dignantly from her chair. "Are you aware. Lady Lydiard, that the doubt you have just express d is an insult to my niece and an in? sult to .ne V "An insult to my nice, and an insult ?.o "Are you aware of who Mr. Hardyman really is?" retorted her ladyship. "Or do you judge of his position by the vocation ;n life which he has perversely chosan to adopti I can tell you, if you do, that Alfred Hardyman is the younger sou of ?ne of the oldest barons hi the English peer? age; ?nd that his mother is related by mar? riage to the royal family of "Wurtemberg." Miss Pink received the fud shock of tliis information without receding from her position by a hairs-breadth, "An English gentlewoman oilers a fit alliance to any man living who seeks hei? land in marriage," said Miss Pink "Isabel's mother (you may not be aware of ii) was the laugh , er of an English clergyman-" "And Isabel1*, father was a chemist in a country town." added Lady Lydiard "l?abel's father," rejoini-d Mis-? l ink, "was attached in a most responsibl e cap ?City ? ;o the u efal and honorable profession of medicine. Isabel is, in the strictest sense o? he word a young gentlewoman. If you contradict that l'or a single instant, Lu ly jydiai'd you will oblige m& to ieav3 th? .oom'' Those last words produeed a result which Miss Pink had not anUehuted-they roused j jady Lydlird io assert hersch As usual n such e;?s\s. she rose superior to h-v j )wn eccentricity. Con Crofting Miss i ink. i ?he now sy^keaud looke.l With the gr?neos i ?our?esy and foeu'iprcssi^ngiirdf-cohfidoaat ? ;f th ? order to whi h helor.g-'-d "Eor Isabel'so-.vn sake, and for rho Quiet j iKor mr ..').s"'o:yv.' she ans were*. "I will j ;fiy ono word mo-e. M ss Pink I-?fo"e 1 rc- I :eve voa <?f my pros .n-e. Coiisi dering my j ?go and my op. .o.-umiiios. 1 ?my cisini to j enow qui';.-as ::..-!-i: as y-ni do of th-? laws ! md euston's w*:i.-;i r.-^'.i'ato *oei-_*ty in oar i imo. VVitho it o i?e>tIh-? yo;or niece's so;n-d j .yo cition, and withe ?.. th ? s?ig?it-jst ii-Usiti'-n j ?f iiis?hiu-; y ?::^ ? reoeat that the rn-.k j yhif-h trli*. Hardyruaa mb irit-i ni-dcs ii. .-.im- I t\y itnpo.-s.b'e for him ever, lo trink <->( ? narry! lg isalnd Yon will do web not to ; :r.*e him any onpoi't-iinities of meeting wich . lei* alon?. Ail y .iii will ?lo --'-fer si;': (**v- : ng;thflt he is so ne ir a nrirhbor of your-) if ; rou permit Isabel ?o retifru to'my ].:o ce ; ion. for a tim ?.a* 1 -v-'. ? w;?! wit -.. h'enr j rom VOM whvi yon h.-ive ? h ?>?'...''<.'. rh:* '.:.:tt- -r )vcr Uv yoer l?istir.? J?: :h . m-sratim .. u 1 ; K'v -inr vcrtem'." . ' '*: ' 1 y -.*., i ;v\ ;.':'.:r : Ki-.-lon- r-n 1 I w h y.vi -...*?. ev -un,;. " j Slit* 1? v\fl an! ?.>:: .? i .' i'; ' ?-.<"? ! tink as re>~->hi:e as ever in mtiutni i-.'M ir-v '. ?retensions, made .an c.Vor.. T-J ir.atrli :lio ? front 'a-ly on ....:. own p*on.nd "]1ciore,y..'U-go. L Viv Ly-liard. I beg to j jpoiogj. . ii ! it.'Ve JI too warmly ci my j ;i.ic.'; .-he s nd "i'eriiii; me to >end for your ! ramage." "Thank y<*i. Miss Tink. My candngo is j >nly at the vil?a^e inn. I ihn!I enjoy :\ [Ut** j Xi?k in tu-* co.?; evening air. M" Troy. I ; uive no doubt, wiii give me Iiis arm.'' ?She ; yvwed once ?nore, and quietly i'?fr the ro<ru. Reaching th-' little back -.-arden of th?, villa ' .brough eu open door.'at tn*? farther ond of ? he hall. Lady Lydianl found Toimni? roiling uxiiribiidy on Miss Pink's ?* i-.e<-r-J)o-l?. and Isabel and Mr. Troy in elbsc consultation on :ho gravel walk Sue spoke to ibe lawyer ? ?rsfe "Th*;y are baiting ?l?e hor.-.es n1' the inn.'' :he said "I want your arni. Mr. '''roy, Sar asthe village, and. in return, i *>v:f? take fou bark to London wi ?i me. 1 have to ask roar advice about one or two lit-Ic mati-jrs, ? md this is a good opportuuity." i ' .'With tba greatest "pleasure. Lady Lydiard. j I suppose I must say good-by to Miss Pink?" j "A word of ad vii? to you, Mr. Troy. Take i care how you ratho Miss Pink's sense of her j own importance. Another word for your i private ear-Miss Pink is a fool!"' ! On the lawyer's withdrawal, Lady Lydiard j put her arm fondly round Isabel's waist. I "What were you and Mr. Troy so busy io ! talking abouti" she asked. I ""We we:*e talking, my lady, about tracing ! the person who stole tho money,' Lsabel an? swered, rather sadly. "It seems a far more ! difficult matter than I supposed it to be. I ; try not to lose patience and hope, but it is a little bard to foci tha* the appearances are ? against me, and to wait day after day in vain j for the discovery that is to set me right." j "You are a dear, good child," raid Lady : Lydiard, ''and you aro more precious to rae i than ever. Don't despair. Isabel Wi; h Mr. ! Troy's means of mquirhig, and with my i means of paying, the discovery of the thief I can not be much longer delay wi. If you I don't return to me soon, I shall come back and see you again. Your aunt hates the I sight of mo; but I dont Gare two straws for that," remarked her ladyship, showing the undignified sido o c her character once more. ! "Liston to rae, L-abeL I havo no wish to lower your aunt in your estimation, but I feel far more, confidence in your gcod sense than in hers. Mr. Eardyman's big? ness has taken him io France for the I present, lt is at least possible that you may meet with him on his re? turn. If you do. keep him at a distance, my dear-politely, of course. There! there! you needn't turn red; I am not blaming you. I j am only giving you a little good advice. In your position you cannot possibly be too careful. Here is Mr. Troy. You must come to the gate with us. Isabel, or we shall never get Tommie away from you. I am only his second favorite; 3-ou have tho first place in his affections. God bless and prosper you, my child! I wish to heaven you were going back to London with me! Well, Mr. Troy, how have you done with Miss Pink? Have j you offended that terrible .gentlewoman' (hateful word!), or has it been all the other way, and has she given you a kisg at I parting.2'' Mr. Troy smiled mysteriously and changed the subject His brief parting interview wi-"i the lady of the house was not of a nature to be rashlv related. Miss Pink had not only positively assured him that her visitor was the most ill-bred woman she had ever met with, but had further accused Lady Lydiard of shaking her confidence in the aristocracy of her nativ e country. "For the first time in my life," said Miss Pink, "2 feel that some? thing is to be said for the republican point of view: and I am not indisposed to admit that the constitution of the United States lias ita advantages." [TO BE CONTINUED.} UNMAILABLE MATTER. THINGS UNCLE SAM REFUSES TO RECEIVE FOR TRANSPORTATION. Rules Kejrardlng the Form in "Which Dangerous Articles Slay Be Taken Keason? Why Certain "Hatter Can >"ot Be Keceivfed. [Chicasro Tribune.] "One of my duties," said a relail stamp clerk cf the postoSce, "is the weighing of parcel ; and cue of the m Kt interesting subjects that I have to deal with is called, in tua phraseology of tbs postofilce regula? tions, 'DeoLi-uctive Unaiailabla. ' Matter may be unmailable for several reasons, such asthesiz: or waight of the parcel inde? cency, connection with lotteries or other frauds, and the fact that it is dutiable goods; but 'destructive na mallabie' consists of things that are unmailable because of their liability to injure the othor mail mat? ter, or to injure the clerks hand hag the mail, or other people.'* - DANGEROUS ARTICLES. "Of what particular articles does 'des? tructive unmailable' consist?"* '.Destructive unmailable is divided into two cia ses. Ono class of these objection? able articles can not be mailad at all; aud the oth?r class .can not be mailed except when iucLsed in tia or wood. Those art? icles that are unmailable under any cir? cumstances ara liquids, oils, ointmenta, fatty substances easily liqu?fiable, soft soap, powdered red pepper, poisons, ex? plosives, inflammable matter, animals alive or dead, unless stuffed, fruits, vegetables, matter having a bad olor, razors, and fire? arms, except in detached pieces. These articles are not admitted to the mails know? ingly und?r any oncaivab'e circumstances. Then candy, cake, confectionery, pastes, glass, and sharp-pointed instruments, in? cluding fishhooks an! needles, are nota 1 mitted unka ; ineloss.l in tin or wool. This rule is ja t a< indexible as the other. Peo? ple kick about both of them, but they kick in vain." "What harm do such things do in the mails?" "Two things must bo berne in mind to un? derstand this: First, with reference to mailing-clerk:, that they work at might, by an imperfect light, with great rapidity and have to seizo mad mat er by tha armful be? fore they have inspected it; secondly, with reference to other mail matter, that leifcer. ood merchandise parcels often go together in the samo pouch. In large o?fijas separata pouches are providaJ, but whore one pooch wiil hold all the letters and parcels, only one is usai; and in process of transporta? tion thase pouches ar.? rolied and shaken in ce-santly, and often ?ubjactsd t) consider? able heat "Keeping tbGse two fact's in mini the danger of mailing these article- may be seen, though same people c-m't see it evan then. A r^zor is a peculiar thing. Tue blade can ea-ily ba pushed through tue bardia. Whoa in a mail p.noll if a Web? ster's Dictionary fails on it tua hlada cuts througa any w toi or tia box it is likely to be inclosed in, and than remain." exposed for tba ra;t of the joarvoy. By tho inces? sant jolting of a railroad train it will then make rats'-ne-ts of a nun ire 1 letters, and on its arrivai at its destination cut oif a ?niror or two for a po-tofilee clerk Long experience and numerous accidents have Icu th? departm-nit, therefore; to prohibit tlie mailing of thorn altogether. Firearms are unmailable f?>r tao simple reason that so many fooi* m dst on mailing tiioin lo-?led. Tixoy can not te mailed except in JotatcheJ pi. cos. HOW THEY MAKE TE0U3?.E. **It ought to b* plain enough wey explo? sives are un mai kihi.': and yee thoughtless persons ar* nil the v. bile >eu?:'r.g metallic cartridges thro uga the m ai is. Arricies with a di. agreeable o ?-r, .-uch a- that of kero? sene, cari-ojic acid, Cr mn k, ....re forbidden, because iii?) ordor .nay bo communicated to a ton bf other mail /natter. Sir mad nig.edibles, like chees.?, a-c rulei 00.: p-rtiy for this roa>on, and psrciy IMC*U.-J they cairo rits to eat tLr-.??rh t;o pouches. Ye^et tbivs and- fruits ut'cay, anti not only produce bad ? r i' r; bu: > >-i T-o ??t?:??r mali; mid si v. i th Irving ">r de;:-. :?n.roa-s. L tjuids sre lorhi'l.lca ? ti'SU e?.'Xper?e?i?.e how-i tfcat titer ca i not- b? c uhnoi t ? a vf receptacle they c?:n Io piiC::iT-?>. A woin.rn can'tsee, to si-.ve i.er life, why *vo -.!:..n! : roin e to mail a !>o:.la of han .kercl?io>-ext.ri< t in a gin s bottle inrL^Ki in a p.v-t.*L?oar 1 oux. But it o?:o lo'ii.i i-= admi:te t others mu-t be admitted,, HU 1--se^h tue mvst revottia^-anil tba in-?t ?Jo-truer, i ve lirjr? ;?Jt , like sulphuric aci-1. w-Mild to!low. Taj/ a?mo-t al? way-* break their receptacles and de? file or corrode everything they tc>u.:b. "Evan canned ariiela?, containing bout:!, ara torin.ldc::, thou rh hermetically sealed in tin. because ??jine ono el 0 may mai: in the same pouch a pair of scissors which wiil puncture tho can au 1 let out the liquid contents on the other mail mailer. All poisons ara prohibit*? 1, because ti ^n^ fool mail." ? j><?isui; an I another r>-^l soma sort bf edible, t icy ?re very apt to get rnii?d and kill a d"z*'! ] i?.>pif at one; an I al-o be? ean -a the maiihig c?crks ?mw b9 kiiloi. Oil- and ail forty sub-tancas are forbidden, bec?n e. in spire 0. evjrychinr. they leak out ot" li-.-^r receptacle- ami tioh?? hun Ireds j o? otb-.-r pieces ?< mail matter. Al! sorss of ! fat moat and ointments are just as bad, be- j them i-; put iuto a very warm rocm, or laid iu a hot sun, they are converted into oil aui escape-." ALMOST AS BAD. ."Why must the second class of articles be con ?nod in wood or tiu?" "For fi.T.?ar reasons all articles composed altogether or parti/ of gla-s, such as-pecta cles aui watches, are very dangerous. Ia numero?; ? instances the glass breaks and fine pieces ci." ic are distribute 1 through the pouch, defaciag the other mail matter and wounding tae hands of the clerk--. Needles are a terror to postoifice employe-. "When one paper of needles gets loose there is no telling when the evil will end. They may loaf around a pouch for a year, distributing lockjaw among ali the po-.toffies in the country. Fish-hook? are almost as bad. In fact, any sharp-pointed instrument, like fdrks or scissors, or even case-knives, lacer? ate the hands of the clerks in a terrible manner, aale*s properly protected. "Candy of all sorts breaks into find pieces, gets distributed all through a pouch, and smears and glues together all the rest of the matter. Some kinds of candy will melt and run, and other kinds are hollow and contain sirups which leak out and soil everything they touch. Cakes and pastry seem to be the least objectionable of all the things I have named, and yet they are mailed so frequently that tbey give more trouble than all the rest put together. They not only crumble up, get scattered around, and produce grease spots on everything they touch, but the rats smell them and gnaw away a whole pouch full of mail matter to get at them. Ail this second kind of mat? ter, therefore, must be securely inclosad in tin or wood or it is prohibited" What ~Our EtStorsSay. Wilmington Star. The Tory Government has met wh? an earlier defeat than was apprehended. OD a question not involving the Irish question-an amendaient cf Mr. Col? lins-the Government was defeated by a vote of 329 to 250. TLere are 86 Home Kulers. So every Liberal must have voted as well as every Home Ruler against the Tories. Thc Queen will now have to be executed after the man? ner of Charles the First-her preference -or send for Mr. Gladstone to for? a new Liberal Government. The physic may be bard to take, but it is needed. It is better to take a big Liberal emetic at this time than to swallow Tory opi? ates that deaden the sympathies of the heart and constipa'e the mind, lt is a good thing for Engbnd and Ireland that the Tory plans of coercion were not ailowed to come to a head. In the House the notice given of a violeut co? ercive policy was quickly followed by a defeat. So be it. The Telephone Trouble. Nevs and Courier. A patent on which is based one of the most immense and profitable monopo? lies in this country of great monopolies, the Bell Telephone Company, is alleged to have been obtained by fraud. The secretary of the interior has authorized suit to be brought on behalf of the Gov? ernment to test the fact of fraud. The Bell Telephone Company objected, and have set to work to prejudice the public mind against the proceedings to be in? stituted by the Government. The chief ground relied OB by the mouopoly is the alleged possession by Attorney General Garland of stock in an opposition cooupany which was given to him, while Seuator, in consideration of services to be rendered. This charge has been disproved, hut even if it were true we do not see how it helps the Bell Telephone Company. If the Bell pat? ent was obtained by fraud, it is unques? tionably the d'jry of the Government to ascertain fast tact and revoke the patent at once, before the perpetrators of the fraud or those who have availed them? selves of it succeed in unloading their stock on the general public. It is not purity of administration, we trow, that the Bell people seek in their attacks on the Attorney General, but rather the removal of an able and fear? less prosecuting cficer. If they were sure of a just defence they would not be moving heaven and earth to prevent the inquiry into the charge of fraud As the fight stands now the Administra? tion simply represents the people at large as against a gigantic corporation, and in this position it is hoped that Mr. Cleveland will hold his own and insist on a fair showing in thc Courts. Editorial Sctes in S. C. Advocate. Fun is getting to be a serious busi ness. Newspapers feel bound to grin md wink and joke in a strained, fag ?ndish way in every issue. Even dig? nified and admirable religious sheets venture to compete, and make a weakly offering in :>b:*pe of a comical batch of wrinkled puns, battered jests and su scrannuated conundrums that have been .educed to aljeet wretchedness by re? seated and unsparing publications. In new of the fact that the so-called funny ?o?umn of the religious newspaper is isually the last of these ink-stained aud ?rcary jeux o? esprit, would not an ap )ropiiate heading for it be, 'Obituary SToti *3s cf Departed Jokes T One swallow does not make a spring, i ior will a few apparent faith cures sat sfy cool iieads of the miraculous inter? vention of Providence to effect bodtly lealings. The prophets of this new vagary accr.uut for the evidently uucur ;d multitude of faith-cure seekers by uaking a nice distinction between 'dis- ? ase' and its 'symptoms;' you have a j ;euia!gi-i; and are rid of it by faith ; if i .ou complain that the pain is unabated, ou arc assured that it is only sytnp otnatic. Unfortunately, thc symptoms re often deadly ; but for the name of he thins, one would as soon have the lisense*. Here is tweedledum and twee iledee broken out in a fresh place. The Priority Lien Law. litou-ee Courkr. Wc notice a large majority of the cmruals of the State condemn this Act . s oppressive to the poor and as virtu- : Uv repealing thc lien law. We arc un- j b'e to see whereiu thc law is so objec- j iout.ble. The law. before its passage, j ;ave to landlords a lieu on the crop of j heir tenants to the extent of one-third, ? ?ri th out writing or recording, or to a j ar^er extent when the contract was i trinen and recorded. Laborers then I ind a lien also on the crop for their ? rtbor without recording. The present ; aw extends the lien of thc landlord for j CDts to the amount ; .ipulatod to bc ; .rid; without r^ordinc, and ??ves the iborer a s<C"-d ii?en f-?r labor -where he er.-rds ivis : . If tho landlord VMI?.V?. -A:]*"- . . - t:: hi* ti r::i!l? Ht! ?O>!? it such advances the oldest lien bold?,' provided it be indexed fin?t or within ; the time limited by law Where is the : wrong ? it is said it off. rs an opportu? nity for the landlords and tenants to conspire to defeat outside liens fur ad? vanees. There tnay bc exceptions, but aa a body, be believe our la ad owners to be honest and cot likely to claim more as rent tbao stipulated to be paid, Wore it otherwise what better opportu? nity would a landlord and tenant want, if so disposed, to defraud a merchant than the old law furnished ? j They have only to claim that tl c : tenant, so-called, is a laborer working j on share or shares of the ?rop. When, j this is done the whole crop belongs to , the landlord until rent, advances anti ' all claims are paid. Besides, the rule of renting in this country is so well known aod fixed tbat a merchant would ; be safe in concluding that the rent ?as I one-half or one-third of the crop grown. ; If standing rent is paid there are very ! few men who wouldrefu.se to tell amer* i chant the amount to be paid bj Bis ten* : ant. We think the law is unobjection? able and saves the tenant some expense j in the filing of the liens. It certainly j will not injure the merchant, but may ? benefit hint in making bim more cau? tious io advancing supplies before in? quiry. Fight of Journalists. Lexington Dispatch For two or three days past sharp per? sonal criticisms have been published of each other by Mr. T J. La Motte, of the Columbia Register, and N. G. Gon? zalez, the Columbia correspondent of the News and Courier. We learn from the Columbia Record, of last evening, that Mr. Gonzalez approached Mr. LaMotte in the office of the Commis? sioner of Agriculture and without warn? ing struck bim below the left eye. Col. Butler and others present interfered and separated the parties. Later in the day Mr. Calvo, proprietor of the Regis? ter, sought Mr. Gonzalez, and meeting him io front of Dr. Jackson's store, on Main street, denounced the attack of Mr. Gonzalez on Mr. LaMotte, when Mr. Gonzalez struck him. Mr. Calvo drew a cowhide and struck Mr. Gonza? lez repeated blows. Mr. Gonzalez drew a self-cocking pistol and beat Mr. Calvo over tbe bead. The pistol was wrested from Mr. Gonzalez by Capt. Stoney.. The combatants were separated and it was found that Mr. Calvo was bleeding profusely from cuts on his head and also one in his thigh, the latter caused be falling against a glass window of the store. Mr. Gonzalez escaping with two bad marks on his neck. The Level-Headed Farmer. Cotton Plant. The level headed farmers, and far*, mers who succeed are level headed, are the ones who do not have their smoke, houses, corn cribs and hay and fodder stacks in the West, nor their fertilizer piles in the ware house of some distant city, bat are farmers who realized the vast and varied natural resources that are placed so near them, and Who use Nature's abundant resources to make their crop(S), we say crops, because they make their own provisions regard? less of the extra labor that may be en? tailed upon them, but ever mindful of, the terrible bugbear and inexorable, master, debt. It is useless to say we have entirely a cotton producing coan-, try. It is proved every day that there, is money in farming, but not io the all cotton farm. ?Baise all you need on the farm, and then plant several acres of cotton for surplus money. Cotton must be the surplus crop. Reduce the aere? ase of cotton one-half and manure aad care for your land, and in three years you will raise equally as much as before., the reduction, and not work as hard. It requires more labor, care and attention to make a poor crop than a good one. Make your manures at home. The. vile and fraudulent compounds sold to you as ?ruano is not worth hardly the labor it takes to haul it to your farms. Repleni>h your lands with grasses, pea viucs aod other green manures that con* taiu living and substantial food-some? thing that will give bone and sinew,' so to speak, to the land. Do not milk your land without feeding it. It is absolutely certain that the att ; cotton plan is a humbug, and we must diverge from ir. The level headed farmer has seen it, and is to-day in fair and easy circumstances. Do not plant more than you can command the labor^ to cultivate thoroughly and rotate and diversify, and prosperity will begin to dawn upon you. Darlington Neics. The looks and conversation of our county citizens on Monday, show that notwithstanding the low price of cotton and t'i.e scarcity of money, they loot forward to a successful year. There is more corn ia <he barns, more meat ia. the smoke-houses, more cotton unsold' than ever before at the same period of the year. Doubtless mo>t of the cotton held has been used as a medium for money advances, yet this does not take away from the fact that our farming prospects are improving. We have known the time when r>ur farmers were compelled to ship cotton as fastas they could pack it, and after it was all sent to the factors, thc cry was stilt for more. So that this ability to hold cotton shows' that even if the farmer is in debt or bas procured io?ns on his cotton on hand, the credit of the country is improving. Labor seems to be abundant and works as weil as is to be hoped for. The change va the lien law gives much trou? ble but oar people are making the best of i?. This change is iu a measure an abolition of the law to that class who have lived iu a band to mouth style, but we do not. hear that it bas affected those who work hard and try to honestly^ pay their debts. Where provisions have to be bought, the low prices of all staple articles more than compensate for tho low price of cotton at cash prices, and owing lo mercantile competition the ratio of time prices is greatly reduced. Pref. Ward, in dissecting the bod? of Jumbo to preserve the remains;; found in his stomach a great many: coins-English shillings and sixv pern-*'!?, coppers and Canadian pieces _j*-:.,>T ='?at he had b?eukeeping? a private bank; ' &cc?u?? -?"- \?">"?>^