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WINNSBORQ, S. C~? ' '"' ' . ^ TAKE G,ARE MOJNiSX, i ' 1 i x ~ AND - V"'; . ' ; ' 'r 'I / I - / V j Make a Little of it Bsj / LOTS OF /~N T~\ liUUJJ? "~7~ ^ ' . . j -OUR STOCK IS OPEX AND READ"? for "all comers." every department full, and | Iigp : ~; Goods CHEAPER than they have been for years. our Goods have been bought i . >, . I ^ as LOW as anybody ean bny them and we j " - -' v - i' " v. intend to sell them. ^ 'Jf ' _v - ' b come and examine our stock before you buy; and wc guarantee you -> V will LOSE NO MONEY BY IT. ScMASTEE, BPJCE & KETCH1N. -r?J;H' Y WIE&E m StT THE . . ' BEST VALUE FOR ....... .. -" -- * TOTJB MOIS ETZ". % " " ? 1 ' ' ' " / - 4 a ^ As the Cotton crop is short, and moncv scarce, and everybody wantsjto V. - . , . . ; ? . - ' - . 'A bay % ' -- i / ' * I CHRISTMAS PRESENTS, We announce to onv customers and friends that we have made i SPECIAL TRICES for this month, so that our patrons will be able to get the benefit of our r extra inducements daring the holidays. We are so bnsv that we have no time to advertise the prices of oar goods; but if yon come to OUR 3 TO EE -"" ' ' - any day this or next week yonr will find the greatest bargains in "v.' v, i~-* DRY 600DS, CLOTHING, NOTIONS, BOOTS AND SHOES, BLANKETS, &c., &c I3T Call early to secure bargains. P. LaniMer &B ro. HOLIDAY GOODS. fe:;-if: ? i- . ~ -i f- I A small l?tr-of J M&SGIl G003D&, * Suitable for. Christmas and New Year. . . ?ALSOfine perft^kbry;v > ^ _ : : gpaj.i ~xr&.r?, t ?*reiiv>, &ic. For salent.tue Dtug ^tojre of ', ' r- AIKE^. ? - - - r . ' s * BARGAINS FOR ALL! AS I DO NOT INTEND TO KEEP Dry Goods in the future, but to sell Groceries exclusively, I will sell ray ENTIRE STOCK Dry Goods, Notions, Hats and Clothing at first cost to close out. Prints, Bleaching*, Doniostics, Tickings, Jeans, Kerseys. &c. A few pieces of nice Dress Goods, Notions, Hosiery and Gents" Furnishing Goods. A nice line of Gents' Stiff and Nol>bv ; Hats, from common to best. Clothing of all qualities. A large lot of Overcoats. BOOK AAD SHOES of ever}- kind to suit every one, both in quality and price. vr. Y T l 7 r r /' - I . / I hare a full stock of GROCERIES, to which I am constantly adding?though not at first cast, will be sold as cheap as the cheapest- New Crop X. O. Molasses, Fresh. Buckwheat, best Dairy Cheese, Macaroni, best Coffees and Sugars, and a full stock of Canned Goods. I will .keep constantly on land a full stock of Groceries of the BEST GOODS, - " whichl will sell very close. A call from every one is solicited. ; Kov2G-2m" J. V. CALDWELL. EXTRA CHOICE t- V- r:. I' NEW /ORLEANS "jl TOLASSES, EW IJELEANS IVJLOLASSES, THE BEST IN THE MARKET. CALL AND EXAMINE FOR YOURSELVES. BUCKWHEAT FLOUR. ' CHEESE & MACCARONL ? ' FLOUR, FROM THE BEST ROLLING MILLS f ~L.&. M. SLJIU ?COFFEE. JAVA and RIO?GREEN and ROASTED."1 ' TEA, GREEN AND BLACK. I>. R. FLEMIKEK. nn nnrairna SjiiuuMiijoAT buoi TO CLOSE OUT. I HAYS determined to closc out all my * Groceries, and will, till all are sold, put them at cost for CASH OXLY. Sugars, \ -pvofe^6' y^'c-.^'ssi^ JUST OPENED. A tub of {Jilt Edge Butter, 30c.?mt. Lard, Molasses, Eice, Salt, Spices, Extracts, etc. Stoves, Tin and Wooden ware, and House Furnishing Goods?a nice line at reasonable prices. J. II. CUMMINGS. FOB SALE. wawp.W A np " - . ? WAGONS. . w I ^ = = - ." = 1T.KA IK STORE : i SADDLES, BRIDLES, HARNESS, BACON, MEAL v ; i ?/s - I ' i' } { i - f J I K j 1 > * CORN, DRY GOODS, NOTIONS, SHOES INDUCEMENTSJTOJt CASn. UXY&SE G. DESPORTES. DR. JAS. B> BIGHAM, DENTIST, (Graduate of the University of Maryland,). Office: Up stairs in Johnston's new brick "building BLACKSTOCK, S. C. OctllfxSm ! The 3Iongol and the Maiden. Said the Grecnaw;:;,* ~irl at tlie ftile, Who has always an amiable smile, To the ivory m m who was brought frorr I Japan j (He was sharpening a sword all the while): "I can not understand wliy you frown!" "I'm desirous of put I in? you down," He replied. "Votj'ic so new, and jour frocl> | is so blue. And ypur sisters arc all over town! "I am ancient" (in"- rtated his aye), "And am said ft> Exhibit a St:i^e; See the tint of my Hash!" "My complexion'? more fresh." Answered she "and my manners engage!" "I'm expensive-" .he mentioned his price), "Wb'.ie a dime. I suppose, would suffice To obtain one of you! You'll excuse me? it's true'" "Yes, I kttow," said the maid, "but I'm ru'ce!' And I heard them, and straightway decide. Till the Mongol abandons his pride. And the uiaidcu lvveres his position ane years, They shall stand on the shelf side by side. ?Helen Gray Cone, in the Christmas St Nicholas. . only iit:iis2:j,f to blame. In the broad back porch of a pleasant farmhouse sat two young girls engaged in sonic light needlework. The porch was shaded by the wide branches of an elm. beneath which, at a table sat a tall, good-looking young man, partaking of an eleven o'clock lunch. He was evidently just from the field, for he was in his shirt sleeves, ami - a sunburnt straw hat lay on the grass, while he partook, with a healthy, hearty appetite, of the light biscuits and fresh milk and butter placed before .him. And as he ate he looked at the two young girls in the porch, particularly the prettier of the two, whose light-yellow hair the breeze had "Huffed*' most becomingly about her fair face. She had something of a coquettish look and air, while her companion was /-. ninf uri.-l, rtinncrhtfnl. otptt find vjUivc, I>i"i 8*"J -J an almost diffident expression. "Mother" called the young man presently, looking towards the open kitchen window, "some more milk if you please." Mrs. Wheeler came to the door with her sleeves rolled up, and a small pitcher in her hand. Both girls rose to take it from her; but she placed it, as if instinctively, in the hands of the light-haired girl, saying: "Tom seems thirsty to-day; but meadowing in July is warm work." "Ana Hungry worK, 100, 10m remarked, laughing. "Thank you, Lottie; but won't you st'ay and talk to me here while I eat?" "No, indeed; I've too much to do to be able to waste my time here in chatting." "Why, that's something new? Don't you always sit and talk to me at lunch time?" "Not always, by any means. And 1 because I've done" it occasionally is no reason why I should keep on doing it all my life." He looked up at her enquiringly. "What's the matter, Lottie?" Anything happened to vex you?" "No, indeed! How unreasonable you are, Tom! If I am not always laughing and chattering, you think" I im nf tomner." . The girl on the porch looked up gravely from one to the other, but said Tom" sipped" his ' appetite seemed suddenly to have deserted him. The girl stood at a little distance, partly turned from him and sewing on the ruffle in her hand. After a while, setting down his empty mug, he said in a lower tone: "Lottie, wouldn't you like to drive tc wiiiMNvm in mr % nam. CHC JJJCUli; tu-mujivn., m iuj baggy?" "X don't know that I am going," she answered without raising her head. "Not going! Why, for what reason?" "It will be so hot, and the road so dusty." she answered hesitatingly. "Well I don't wish to take you aj gainst your will," he answered a little j coldly. "I wonder if Alice will go?" i "I dare say she will. She expected to go in the carryall with the Burtons, but of course she will enjoy a buggy ride more?Won't you Allie?" So Tom Wheeler, who had intended merely to pique Lottie into accepting his offer, found himself quite unexpectedly drawn into an engagement to take Alice Brown to the next day's picnic. And what was very puzzling to him ?it was entirely Lottie s doings. What could she mean by it? he wondered?for until now she had never re fused his escort anywkere. Lottie was distantly related to the Wheelers, and was in the habit of paying frequent little visits to the farmhouse. Mrs. Wheeler liked to have young people about her; and she was, moreover, particularly anxious that her only son, Tom, should marry and "settle down" with his wife on the farm. She had seen enough of late to convince her that Lottie was to be her son's choice, and she was well enough satisfied, though the girl was a little "flighty," and not quite so sensible and sterling as she could wish. But that would weat* off after marriage; and Lottie certainly was a fine GUi' ****** wv ?w?. tvas quite content to let Tom have his own way. - ? ~- Only now and then she would catch herself wondering whether Alice Brown the niece of a neighbor and old schoolfriend of hers, would not make Tom a more suitable wife, and herself a more desirable daughter-in-law. That evening, Tom Wheeler, coming up from the meadow, caught a distant view of Lottie and Alice, in a lane leading to a private road which ran as a boundary-line between his farm and that ot squire Jtveamona. Alice was gathering, flowers in the hedge, while Lottie swung on the gate with a careless grace peculiar to her, in conversation with a nice-looking youn^man, whose whole appearance bespoke him from the city. A momentary jealous pang shot through Tom's heart. He remembered that in -the last week or two, Squire Redmond's nephew, Mr. Archie Redmond, had several times called to see Lottie, and only last Sun| day had walked home with her from | church across the meadows, i walkino- slowlv. he watched v"' ' C V ' . the two, until the gentleman, lifting J his hat, turned away, and Alice and Lottie came up the lane towards the house. Then Tom hastened his stepa and overtook them. "Where have you been?" he enquired. "To Squire Redmond's, to see Miss Marion Redmond," answered Lottie, who was looking bright and smiling. "I thought you did not like Miss <> Via rnhimoH n little (Hlldlv. XH^uiuyuu, uv ivbw.i.uvtk M - ^ "Neither do I- She's so absurdly dignified and self-important. But that's not why we shouldn't visit, being near neighbors and old school-mates. ' I thought you paid the last visit a c '' ' ' ^ .:V\~ . ? - . ? 111 IHIII MH few days aj*o," said Tom. "Yes," she answered, coloring, but this was quite an informal- call. I w an ted an embroidcrypattern.M "And Mr. Arehia^afeed homo.with you?" ?7'; T'} "As far as the gate. - As he had tc go to the post-officer wewould'not'let Him come any farther." Then she added, looking down and. carefully imprinting each footstep in the moist sand: "I shall see enough of him to-morrow, I suppose, at the picnic." "So you arej^oing to the picnic, after all?" said Tom quickly. She looked up.into his face with a charming little smile. "Now, Tom, you have no right to scold. If Mr. Redmond had offered to take me through the hot sun and dusty road in a buggy, I would have refused. H7* L-n^w T had refused vour escort un dcr those circumstances, so he proposed that we should walk?He and I and Kate Redmond?through the Marsden Woods. It's, a private way you know, and I promised. Thoy say it's a lovely walk, and being a direct ? -4.1. ?i. n paui, uuv I'JU iuug* Tom made no answer. Lottie affected not to perceive his moodiness; but was all smiles and sweetness, till near the house he left them aruL-tenrcJT off to the stables, to sec that the men were properly attending to the stock. He did not stay long there. He felt tired and depressed, and entering the house, laid himself dov/n upon a comfortable sofa in the parlor. The windows were open, and a cool breeze, laden with the perfume of the roses on the porch, came softly and soothingly in. Presently he heard the girls coming lightly downstairs, and then Lottie's voice at the porch: "Where's Tom? Not come in yet, I suppose. Well,' we will sit here till supper's ready." "Lottie," said Alice, as the two seated themselves on the bench inside the screen of the rosss. "I suspect that Tom isn't very pleased, and really I think you are treating him very badly." "H6w so?" "You are not kind to him. You know he loves vou, and until within a few days, I felt sure that you loved him.". "Oh, well, we like each other well enough. What have I done to bring nnort mvself one of vonr solemn lee tures?" "If you love Tom, why do you encourage Mr. Redmond?" "Why, Allie, I'm not married to Tom yet, and I don't knew that I ever shall be. And, my dear, you ought to know a secret?it's always a good thing to have two strings to your bow. It gives you a choice, you know; or, if one should fail, you have the other to depend upon. "Lottie, you're not in earnest?" "Indeed I am. I like Tom. He's handsomer than Archie Redmond, and richer, too, with this fine farm all his' own, and the money his father left him; but some people would say that Mr. Redmond was a better match alto- > gethcr." "Why, Lottie, if you think in this . way, you cannot really care for Tom. | I felt sure that you and he would make a ma_tch." "Well, :t isn't impossible. Unly he hasn't asked me vet." n * 'lo t 't}1' ' ll^^^OTiim'?|*n?'oi* i "Suppose lie don't? Then I may have Archie Redmond to fall back upon. And suppose I can't get Archie? Then there is Tom." Tom Wheeler rose xip slowly from the sofa, and walked softly from the room, out into the yard and garden. "So that is her garqJ57 TWould! not have* -ftelietect" it" of her. Two ' strings to one bow! Two stools to sit upon, rather. Well, she'll come'to tEe ground for any support she will get1 out of.me." The picnic was a very pleasant affair, as everybody said?everybody but Tom Wheeler. Strive as he would agairist it, he was consumed with jealousy and disappointment; and his unrrroc onnoronf frv mnefc llUkJ UfL/UtUVUU VV/ 11 *VVM ers-on. Even Mr. Archie Redmond perceived it ' "What's the matter with Tom Wheeler?" he said, after the latter turned away, after giving an abrupt reply to a remark of nis. "He is not like himself to day." The enquiry was addressed to hi9 cousin, Miss Redmond; but . Miss Triplett, the gossip and. newsmonger of the neighborhood took upon herself to reply: . "Why, Mr. Redmond," said she archly, "you ought to know if anyone does. "I? What have I to dp with it?" "What a look of injured innocence! But redly you ought to be ashamed to flirt so, and cut out poor Tom Wheeler, you naughty man!" And Miss Triplett smilingly showed her false teeth, and playfully tapped Mr. Redmond on the shoulder with ner. fan. "Really, Miss Triplett, you speak in mysteries." "You don't really mean to say that, you..did not know Tom Wheeler is aa good as engaged to Lottie Steward? Why it's been an understood fact for a year past" Keamond colored. He had admired Lottie, and been much struck with her pretty face and sweet manners; and this news regarding her had somehow affected him unpleasantly. "I never before heard of this," hf said quietly. "Is it possible? But then you have been here so short a time. Well, in that case we will exonerate you. ,'Bu* there is no excuse for Lottie Steward. A girl that can change as suddenly as she has towards Tom Wheeler must b altogether heartless." Archie Redmond overheard, one. or two other similar remarks during the day, and watching Lottie closely, he saw that while she gave liizn undoubted encouragement, she vet seemed anxious to not entirely break off with Tom. He was named, for he had. uneon-1 sciouslv to himself, become interested in the pretty sprightly girl. "She is deceiving either him or myself," he thought, "and in either case, is not the right sort of a girl for me.1' "Tom," whispered Lottie, with one of her sweet smiles, "as Alice is to gc heme with her mother from the picnic, I?I'll ride back with you in the buggy. I've told Mr. Redmond that Tm toe urea lor tne xonf^ waiK dock. "Thank you!" said Tom coldly. "But Alice "won't ride home with her mother. Fve promised- to take hei home in my buggy." Lottie turned and looked around for Archie Redmond. She would have to explain, and walk back with him, which was no disagreeable prospect, despite her declaration of weariness. The weariness, in fact, had been assumed; for she saw that Tom was" not pleased, and wished to pnt him in a good humor again. "Where is Mr. Redmoifd?" she said hastily t? KafiSe, who was at tbe mfri f r > : ; . ' ^ * r r- " > " " I irf ' * ' ment ^pplrig^^fr-' ' ok gpne home with tife-CalT.e&?iliss Catvex:.*asked hi?-^a^Cap^<3ing to-tide. Honse'^th ;"Not ball-so.nice as wsipagy5s:ii??'v ' * Pooribttac! Bath, ?cr; bow-strings Had. faled listr-a: pretlicamcafc SHe" .had not fdiiaggpyor, to version, "swi^d^come; fm. ^reSst^rj)?tweetttnwstocfls; - '. . However, i fcind neighbor - gave" her "a lift?-in-ils WAgQfi,_-iii which, situav plnsecino iir. Rtklsaortfl drive past -in sirs. ' Cal^tfesrdc. jb^jr rJShj GaLveri ivViUfi'jTcm'aijA: -Mice,/ in ;.lhe ii'ew cbind. wi&r.yom, thougpKste had^tG atai^.to-berself 4hat ieic ine iarsfca;i?w*iajs aiter^siB^- auu Xomi?|i?t:^u^"':m^e..it.up.r..neither lair Alfefoe'KSdid^nd^igaifi" daileS'upon ^Asogg ??SsS a^ssE^tesr lutr fiajis.^Sxe^JPKP, <ske QmS^wfegg&cr min<r?^V/slie vrouldbe satisfie^jvlth Tom, ft2 mrrr film After. alL ... ' Tweeter? &$?f>ig was ins teHtp'Fo t&~> ~ ??- ?>-tirat:-she ^vas "C6n? only herself"was "toT)Iamcr~SKe Bad "tried it? sit on two stodi^iirthjnce; and she had ...?.w-irjric ' ^ Disguised as a Dade. One day there appeared on the streets of a Texas town a dude of the dudiest type, and, of course, lie was the observed of all observers. He was quiet in every thing;but his'dress, and until about 4 o'clock in the afternoon he got along very well, and at that hour he went out for a walk, , and as he passed a saloon on the opposite side of the street he was saluted by a chorus of yells from a lot of cowboys assembled A front. v:" "Bat a thimble over it," "Tie a blue ribbon to it," "De it up in pink cotton," "Grease it and slip it into a knothole," "Give it to a tailor," and such exclamations ran^ out, and the dude walked very slowly and took it all in. Finally, Bolus Hankus, the terror, shouted: "Hold on, boys; sit still a minnit and watch the fur fly. Stick your peepers oir.toihat tubular biler hat and see me sHoo&'a bole ci'ar through it." BdJns pulled the gun, and the other boya stood back to enjoy the sport, whiltf the dude walked slower than ever, Pop went the gun and the hat flew, but the dude, quicker than flash, whirled around, and a long, pearl-handled revolver shone in the sunlight for an instant and then cracked. Bolus' hat jumped six feet off his head, and before any of the boys could thinly five more hate jumped up after five little puffs of smoke rose from the other side, and thatf ?the crowd, with a 'yell, broke around the corner as if a cyclone had been after, them. ^Th^adeandled,jmd s^fche^jas "Well, he saidto bims4l^"*"S[othes nr>al-rt cs\mn /TiflT' ?n >j. msn'c InoJrsr an' I'm a thinkin1 if the boys hcd knowed I wuz Jim Beardsley they'd a let me had my little sport, and not got their hats spiled. Well,, well, sich is life. I guess I'd better go over and let 'em irrigate theirselves on my bank account.'V.2^asSiflings. Why He did not Love Brass Band i ? if "i. Music. i - i "The music of a brass band is never pleasant to me," said an old physician of Elmira, as one of* the rink bands marched by. "If it were convenient for me to avoid it I believe I would never hear music of that kind, for the reason that such unpleasant memories are recalled. I was a surgeon during the rebellion, and, as you doubtless know, it was the custom to plav the liveliest music" at the close of a battle pr at the end of a "day's fighting. The strains were at sorrowful discord with the moaning and groaning of the wounded and dying, I assure you. Such experiences were frequent. It may have been a necessary means of cheering up those who escaped the bullets and were depended upon for work the following days, but in the hospital every note was accompanied by a groan or cry of pain. So vividly arc those bad scenes recalled hy the music of a brass band that it is painful for me to bear, even though many years have passed since the days of the war."? Elmira Advertiser. Wasn't lmnressea. Walter and his little sister arrived early one morning in-Albany, where, with their mother they; were to spend the day with an old friend of hers, who has a home more elegant than the children had ever seen. After quite an elaborate breakfast, the children were overheard in conversation by their mother. "Wasn't it lovely?" Florence was confiding to her ..brother. "So many things^kept coming; and there was so much glass, all different colors, and suclr beantifnl plates, and flowers," and such lota of frni&-?!" "Pooh!lr-ict?rrapted Waker' who in reality had beeh<|tiite overpowered by the breakfast,, but who never lost an opportunity- t6yassume a' patronizing tone toward his sister: "why, the poor things didn't know enough to hare griddle-cakes!"?Harper's Bazar. Plantation. Philosophy."" It am de walk o1 er man dat s'iles his character. No matter how clean er rooster may be, let him foHpw er dock all day an' at night he'll be muddy. De perfeckshun o1 dis worl1 is'eberin danger. De ripe apple is dc soones' IAZL iUU De honey-bee is de miser o' insects, yet his stinginess results in good ter de human family. De stingy man is de miser o'folks'but his stinginess doan do nobody no good. Dat sutnm' in er numan oem wnui comes nearest ter dat suthin' in er animal what we calls instinct, is know'd ter us ez judgment; but de jedgment o' de smartes man ain' nigh so true ez de instinct o' de weakest hoss.?Opie P. Bead. The arctic regions are not vrithoat their pleasures. The Esquimaux girls are very pretty,, dance, sing, and. do not care for ice cream. Hot drinks and walrus blubber are their peculiar vanities, and sealskiu sacques are sold at two iron hoops and a ten-penny nail, i ?: # AMATEUR THEATRICALS. Hott They Can lie Conducted Without Punishing: an Aadicnce. Next to an afternoon tea there is no more fashionable or interesting entertainment than an a^nateur theatrical party. The first requisite is a suitable nail. As the main objec* is to make -money, the luxury c? a ptj-'ie L*ll can . scarcely be indulged m unless it is secured in the way of a donation. In the failure to secure a small hall, churchbasement, lecture-room, or chapel, the next best thing will be a billiard or dancing hall. If. possible secure the auditorium of -the greatest length, as the stage wlll.b:i better for being deep rather than wide.' This is*' to keep the actors in the background; otherwise every woman on the stage will get the idea that she is the favorite, and the foot-lights will be surrounded all the time. In whatever room the affair is eonducted remove all furniture and arrange camp-chairs or benches in tiers. To avoid confusion see that these seats are I -secured-in some way. Look well to the veafcilatidn of the roont The stage built, sofr forgetting - that - most iieees -~ssiy adjunct, rae~ prompters cro-yn, lie next thing to do is to erect a frame ' extending- from' the ceiling to the footlights on which to hang the drop-curtain The part of ' the frame visible to the audience can be painted or covered with paper or cheap print. Place a row of pulleys on the"under side of the crossbeam and on the outer edge tack the drop-curtain, for which almost anyj ihiag will-do, as cretonne, canvas, ter ry, canton- flannel, or plaid woolen cloth. A dadomay bcvmade of some contrasting color, and as^'&jish trim the ttottom with a thick fringe. ""Skis can be prepared at small cost by crocheting it of worsteds, twisting yarn, or knotting bits of colored cloth that have been cut in narrow strips tl&. inches long. Now buy a couple of dozen of brass rings some inch and a quarter in diameter and sew them on the curtain fourteen inches apart. Put a double row down the edges of the curtain and one row down each seam and down the centre of each breadth, making sure when they are attached that they, are in rows parallel to the pulleys on t'.e cross-pieces. Run strong cord" over the pulleys and thread it through all the rings but the row oh the edge of the curtain. This outer row is intended to keep the curtain from running away from the rings and should have' a short cord passed through them and fastened at the top J T" A ili-iU. UUti/UOL UX ^lUUUJi. Ordinarily a background of some neutral color will be required with such furniture as an interior would need. This will suffice for charades, pantomime, and literary and musical programs, but a'play or operetta will need mounting, and that cannot be done without scenery. Occasionally it is possible to. buy or rent scenes, but with the aid of an artist or house# decorator and a pot of paint scenes can be turned out by the dozen. At the costumer's may be purchased colored models A.\. ~ 4. 10 OA , ior uns wulk ilulu 10 cu o\j eacli, which will give the artist ideas sufficient for the work. And now* for the play, the success of which will depend on the length and '-.number of characters represented. The^ with women Js, their un-| just, and in the endeavor to '|jiVe tlxe people the worth of their money they select a long -comedy which is put in/ the hands of a score of murderers, who exhaust the patience and interest of the lookers-on long before it is half through with. The most successful plays are brief and contain not more than three acts and ten characters. At any of the stationery stores little comedies and parlor dramas are sold. Shakspearean plays in abbreviated forms are offered, and, although largely in demand, it is not certain that amateurs do not make ' a great mistake in such selections.' There are plenty of fairy plays which if well prepared will be favorably received, and the number especially f/vr tHo tjcp rvf anri boarding-school girls is unlimited. Indeed, it is in this class that the most successful parlor comedies have been selected. The parts being learned numerous rehearsals should be had, and during this preparatory work it would be advisable to take a few lessons in stage etiquet. If an instructor cannot be <rot, take the time to go to the theatre and see how public actors and actresses walk across the stage, sit down, take attitudes, manage draperies, and, above all, note "what disposition they make of their hands. Such deportment may seem very simple and easily done, but it is a colossal misconception, for to do these simple easy things in a simple easy manner is the very acme of dramatic art. If any-, thing like a reasonable degree of success is expected it will be imperative that the affair be put under the management of some one familiar with the proiession. Stage dressing should be done for effect, and no color should be made up until it has been well tested with artin-. cial" lights. Behind the footlights a 80cent sateen will make a better looking court dress than a $2 satin; gorgeous cretonne is as effective as brocade; $5 worth of Rhine stones will make a better showing than $500 worth of solitaires, nor can any one discriminate between a 15-cent Honiton lace flounce and-a Portuguese point worth a dollar a square inch. Special study should be given to drapery. In the manner ol matting up as muai "uuu scuov m> iui) r will be necessary. The main thing to have in mind is" the effect of distance and gaslight The face will need almost extravagant treatment in order to give prominence to the features. Care should be taken in the choice of cosmetics, as there is quite enough that is pernicious on the green-room dressingcase to ruin the complexion if not seriously injure the health. The simplest and least hurtful cosmetics, and at the same time most effective, are pure glycerine, rouge and powder made oi rice flour or cone chalk. It will be necessary to sacrifice personal attractiveness to correctness very often, and if the character attempted to an old woman dimples will have to give place to wrinkles and pink cheeks to crow'sfeet and hollow eyes. The hands will require much attention; the rush ol blood to the lingers when the arm hangs will have to be made less noticeable by the free use of powder. If success attend the novice it will be well to know an encore when it comes. Left-handed penmanship is now taught in a number of" American schools. The method of instruction is to make the pupil write his name in pencil and then go over it with a pen held in his left hand. .After doin<* this for some time the writer is able to write his signature without the aid of the penciled copy. This is kept up until a sufficient degree of proficiency is obtained. FOR SERVICES RENDERED. Kemark*>jle Which, a Young Physician Tendered a Fair Patient's Father. A romantic little story reached the ears of a reporter ior the Inter-Ocean yesterday. It touches on sickness, pills, and love. A certain charming young lady living in one of the south ern suburbs was taken seriously ill a few weeks ago. Her parents, who are quite wealthy, employed the best medical talent obtainable, but the worthy, disciples of medieino who examined her pronounced her case to be incurable^. and said that she was beyond human aid. Tbc parenis were in despair. By ; some accident the .father heard of a voun,or doctor who had but recently lo cated in the village, and whose list of patients was not at all large, bat who hadevergivensatisfaction when.called; upon. He was asked to see the sick girl. He called, looked at the patient steadily, then turned to the anxious parents and-said, firmly and decisively:, "I can save your daughter!" "Do you think >so?" was the excited y - V ? (query.. i<I:kn6w>s6!'- positive answer: - . ,"Save my daughter and name. your; price for your services," exclaimed the' loving father. "Then 1 must haye"entire charge of the case," said the young doctor. As the other doctors had given no* encouragement whatever for her rg. covery the case was readily placed m the young physician's hands. He jfcnt to work, patiently, earnestly; took entire charge of his fair patient; watched .over her day and night In a week she began to improve: two weed's found sb^rout of danger; in three wCeks she: coul^Sirtu^, and at ij)? cfid of^ four. weeks shew?2_-?feD and could take long drives with her devoted doctor. He had indeed redeemed his pledgehad saved his charge. One day, after the complete recovery of the young lady was positively assured, the father called the young doctor into his library. Taking him by the hand, he said: "Yonng man, you have saved my daughter. I told you.that if you did so you would be compensated* at whatever price you chose to fix vonr services. I am now readv to car ry out my part of the., agreement, as you have so nobly done your work." "Do you really wish to pay me my own price?" asked the young doctor, anxiously. "Indeed I do, sir." "Then I ask you to give your daughter to me in marriage,'"' was the unexpected request. The old gentleman was natnraliy a little astonished at the nature of the answer. He hesitated a moment, then touched a bell. A' servant answered. "Tell Hattie to step here," was the command. * in a minute tee aaugnter entered the room. The father and the: young doctor, stood facing one another. "Hatrie," said tue end ^vutlcman. "Do you feel that you have fully recovered?1' . . "I am as well as ever, father." "Do you imagine "what your doctor wishes in compensation "for his services in saving your life?" was the sternly put question.. "No," said the girl anxiously, 4 'but ? ni^m su*?"" "*" -^nvthing reason"But~l consider his charge cxtor- " tionate," was the emphatic rejoinder. "What is it father? I feel that Doctor would not be unreasonable." "Not unreasonable! Why, Hattie, he asks that I consent to his making vou his wife; what have vou to say to that?" ; Hattie blushed violently for a minnfo her little fnnt rVLirerl with t.hn. m<7 ?? ? r?J? , % 0 on the floor, then looking up archly, first at her father and next to the . young doctor, who had meantime ut- I . tered no word, she said: "Y93 say, father, when I was sick all the otliQr doctors gave me up and assured ne nothing but death?" "Yes, my daughter." "And Doctor took my case under those circumstances, 'told you he would save mo, and nursed me back to health and life?" "Yes." "Then, father, it strikes me*that if I was *an auditing committee and had to pass upon this bill, I'd argue that the one who brought me back to my health from apparent death would be pretty safefor,me to be intrusted to when health was fully regained. I would check his bill 0."_K., and say nothing about extortionate charges." , The wedding will be duly celebrated " in a very short time. A Devil to Think. This reminds me of the story of the man?a great ornithologist?who ad- . vertised that he had got the cleverest parrot in the world, and that he . would sell it to a buyer for $500. This bird began to create a most sensible excitement, and it was sold?not to the Kensington museum, for it was not in existence at the time, but.I believe if it had it would have been eagerly purchased by it?but to a respectable old ' lady, who gave the required $500 for the bird. She ,'iept it for a season, but still it did not talk a single word, and if she had kept it for a hundred years it would not have by that time uefcered anything. She kept it for about a year, and. yet it had not spoken anything. About this time she met Gic man, the famous ornithologist and a former owner of the^ bird, and asked him the reason that it had not spoken, at the same time expressing surprise at it, when he answered: "No, but it's a devil to chink." I think that is very much the case with the domestic policv of the ministry. The following incident occurrcd to Milt Tony, of Dry Pond, Jackson County, not long since: As he approached his bed to retire one night ne discovered a large snake lying on the cover, which frightened him very much, so that he yelled for his wife to bring something to kill- it with, and, picking up the bed, he earned it out doors and commenced beating on the snake. When he thought he had killed it a close examination revealed the fact that, instead of beating a "snake, it was a coil of hair belonging to his wife.? Atlanta Constitution. The 17-year-old girl who annually cuts her father's entire crop of wheat and mows ten acres of grass lives in Dufferin County. This year, besides rwrfnrminor these aoricultnral labors. she has "set up" with a Shelburne store clerk three nights a week, read: seventeen continued stories in a weekly family journal, attended four Sunday school picaics, set the dogs on twenty-nine tramps, and fallen off a cherry tree. .And yet some crank}* editors continue to propound the conundrum: "What can women do?"?Walkcrtown (Ont.) Herald. -r v J*-" ' C-^V* . ' * " " ? The 3?anFrom SKjffi Had CoL George and Mississippi rai}^W a museum yeste^M in the world, the first -pnggm a po^g oi? toH wM "r??H vroggm i lufl furnothin'. Iham'Tso darn^ct green cs I look. I tee the newspapers regularly, an* Iread every daj about how ns country felldWs axe swindled when we strike the city. Now I tcok a solemn, paralyzed path, just afore I lef home that the -yery fast three-card monte man that tackled me Td wade |Jj| inter him an'^ripe up the ^hole conn recnon. witn mm. "But I'm not a three-card monte , man," pleaded the colonel with in' air ? of injured innocence and ? smile as soft as the first summer breeze. "Yer hain't? Well, I reckon then yer one of these fellows as wants a greeny to go with yer to get a lottery ticket cashed." "No, norTm not a bunko steerer," protested the coloneL ' ' "Yer haint, hey? Well then, Irekon yer must be one. of these felleis as wants a check cashed." ^ "No, no " cried CoL Drain, 'Tm not a confidence man either. Do I look like a dishonest man?" and the colonel assumed one of his most innocent rail- - ? road agent expressions. "Ob, they all look innocent enough, but them innocent looking chaps is the mist kind. Npw, lookee hyar, stranger; if you hain't tryin' to steerme.up against a brace, what is. yer' racket, 'anyhow?" "I simply want to put you in -a way to save soipe monjey,-1 replied. the colonel, meekly. . "Kow loosee hyar; m just give yer two minutes, to get 6lear out 0* my sight If at tifeeridHS^that time ye are still lingerin1 around inv my pres ence, I'll run aknife'clar through yer body and clinch the blade on the other side. V. henever I want any outside advice about how" ter save money Til let yer Icnotvr. Now you ^et?" he pulled down his *vest and SitftsS:? Louisville Commercial. A Chinaman's Strange Attachment ' In Alaska street on the. corner of 2 narrow alley below Sixth,there is .a dingy laundry, with the .name of "Wai Kee" painted in flaming- letters on 8 crazy sign above the door. This is " >. . where Wah Kee lives and* works and spends his lonelv life. ~ The bouse across the alley is just at old, and the roof is just as crazy,, and the folks that live there are just af poor and lonely as poor Wahl ^ That's where Tot lived. Everybody fH knew Tot. Tot's clothcrwere old, and Tot's face was wan, but somehow th? soul of the little one crept into the heart of the loaely Chinaman, and Wab Kee's eyes beamed as they never beamed before. So he would stand by the door and look across the alley at Tot and smile? and Tot would patter across the little ocean of dirt and, water, and clasping the chubby hand around. Wah Kee't leg's, look up into his face and coo. Tot's folks eluded the little one?foi they hated the sight of "the haythen," # ,./3 as they called Tot's friend. One" cfcty Tot stayed away and Wah Kee iooked in vain for the baby. An- . C j other day passed and then Wah Kee's face grew sad and his heart heavy, and he shambled across the narrow air -: ley and begjred Tot's folks- to tell him Where Tot was. * They told him she was sick, that it would"be many days before Tot would _ be about. So Wah went back to his dingy shop and rolled up his si eves and went to" work again, but his head was heavy OTi/^ oil /ATT If* the little house whore Tot lay ill. One day Wah Kee looked over the ' way to the little house and his heart gave a great leap, for. l4*cre, pressed against th; window, was the face oi wee Tot?white and wah, but smiling. And Wah Kee dropped Jus iron -and . - W ran across the pavement' and stood by the window. > Tot's voice was wen k and Tot might - w not have the window up,for it was cold. and damp, but Wah K>e stood outside and talked in pantomime and Tot, punching ber lists against the murky pane, laughed with glee. So every day Tot. was propped np in the window and Wah Kee stood in the . Jfl shop and looked at the nttfc'faee and" ' w ci /TrViorl 1 lCTki' "*"^srr' L WS Sometimes when Wah Koe's countrymen camc to sec'him they Imjghju& aod Hop Lonjx and Lee Yeo and Wong Sing Lung chiaed him foriix* ^tnuigelove. he bore the baby, but W'.th ICee only shook his head and aivsvv-;r(Str: "Wah Kec has nl<> <xtee1se. v. Tot is Wah Kee's blaby." But Tot died, a:i.i \.*-teruay they buried her. Thcro v oi&y two carriages?there wale owt :<>r Tot and the father and motl aw of ti?v n^id bahy? and Wah had :i e.-irri.i :t ?.i all alone, irithe silence of r,.c i:;i-r<.:;ed cab, he rode and <m= . .! for' unny face and the prattling of the child he had worshiped .wi:,..... the devotion of his pag.au fcuth. . They buried her :>i wood in a lif.tlp <rrflvo in <i 1 :i . .?it .-tlmnsfc as small, and Wah Kre . -;.v t?c grave and cried, and the ; ?r--streamed down his face, asid. <lr- : upoa.the grave, kissed the jjjkiiv v. iv Tot?oyall that was left of iu*r? in silence. ?Philadelphia During the last ten- years Italy has expended $100,000,000 on- monster war vessels. , 7> Wi -