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Cf?j&?&,"? | The Haunted Chamber, j j BY "THE DUCHESS." 1 [AuQiar of 'M&nlca," "JJfona SmeZty* ^ 4T7syKSa," etc., c!c. gh^TH"X. In the aoahtfrDC the dayiiaht; <?vfc. diss, and twilight descends. E^ea that 600 departs, and now darkness falls fcpon the distressed household, and still there Is ho news or- Sir Adrian! Arthur Dvnecourt, who is aiready beginning to be treated with due respect as tne nest heirv+o the baronetcy, E . , has quietly hinted to old Lady TitzAlmont that perhaps ifc will be a3 well, in the extraordinary circumstances, if they all take*thetr departure. Thi3 the, ? old lady, though strongly disinclined toquittne oastie, 3 aeratingown mind, and, being swayed by Lady Gertrude, who is secretly father bored |*M' by the dullness that has* ensued on the strange absence of their host, decides to leave on the morrow*, t-o the ?reat ? , distress of both Dora and Florence Belmaine, who shrink from deserting uho castle while its master's fate is undecided. But they are als.o sensible that, to remain the only female guests, would be to outrage the conventional*fir>q !> Henry YHliers, Ethel's father, is also cf opinion that they should all quit the castle without delay, no is a hunting man, an >f. F. II. in ids o^ra county, and is naturally anxious to eet pack to his own quarters some time before the hunting-season commences. Some others have already gcare^and altogether it seems to Florence that theijo is no other course open to her but to pack up and desert him, fthom she loves, fn the hour of his.-direst need. For there are moments even now when she tells herself that he is still living, and only I waiting for a saving hand to drag him ? Into smooth waters once agai^. A silence xias ranen upon tee cuusw more melancholy tbantho loudest expression of grief. The servants are conversing over their supper in frightened whispers, end conjecturing moods' . fly as to she fate of their late master. To them Sir Adrian is Indeed dead, if not buried. In the servants' corridor a strange dull light is being ftong upon the poiished)boards by a hanging-lamp that ia burning dimly, as though oppressed by thfl dire crrfl that has falien noon the old custlo. X? sonnd is to bo heard here In this spot, remote from the rest of -the house," where the servants seldom come except to go to bed, and never indeed without an inward shudder as they pass the door that leads to the haunted chamber. Just now, being at their sapper, there i3 no fear that any of them will be , about, and so the dimly lighted corridor is wrapped in an unbroken silence. Not quite unbroken, however. What is tliis that strikes upon the ear? What sound comes to break the unearthly stillness? A ereoping footstep, a cautious tread, a. slinking, halting, uncertain motion, belonging surely to ?ome one who sees ftn enemy, a spv in every flitting shadow. JSTearkr ana nearer it iwmoa r>atc (tiIyi ?h? fnilfr .crlnxA f>f thft lamp-light, nnd steps short at the door so-drer.aod by the castle servants. Looking uneasily around him, Ar. thur Dynecourt?for it is he?uhfastt: ons the* door, and, entering hastily, closes ft rlrnily behind hini, and asconis the staircase within. There is no bait* ing in his footsteps now, no uncertainty, no caution, only a haste that betokens a desire to get his errand over as quick as possible. Having gained ":th? first landing, he walks slowly and on tiptoe'again, and, creeping up the stone stairs.-crcrochjes ^ down so as to bring his ear on a level with the lower ehink of the door. Alas, all is still; no faintest groan can be heard! The silence of .Death is ... all around. In spite of his hardihood, the cold sweat of fear breaks out upon Dynecourt's brow; and vet he tells himself that now he is satisBed, all is well, hi3 victim Is secure, is beyond the pow? er of words or kindly search to recall him to life. He may be discovered now as soon as they Eke. "Who cap fix the - fact of his death upon him? Thore is *** ' no blow, no mark of violence to criminate any one. He is sale, and all the wealth he had so coveted is at last his own! . There fe something fiendish in the look of exultation that lights Arthur Byneeourfc's face. He has a si-*all dull Ts lantern with him, and now it reveals the viL glance of triumph that fires his : eyes. He would fain have entered to gaze -upon his victim, to assure himself of his victory, but he refrains. A dead* Iv fear, that he may not yet be quite gl-'_ dead keeps him back, and, with a ? " frown, he prepares to descend once more. Again he listens, but the sullen roar of the rising night wind is all that can Vipjinl tT^'hH.nfT sWlrw. his assumes a livid hne. yet he teiis himself that surely tbis deadly silence is better than he listened to last night. Then a ghostly moaning, almost incessant and unearthly m sound, had pierced his brain. It was more-like the Cry of a dying ;brute than that of a man. Sir Adrian slowly st-arved to l> - death! In his own mina Arthur can see him now, worn, emaciated, lost to all Kkenes3 of anything fair or comely. Have the rats a'ttacked him yet? As tins grewsome thought ^presents itself, Lmiecouir rises qiuuKiy iruui ma crbuching position,* and," living down the steps, doe3 net srop running until he arrives in the corridor below again. lie dashes into this like one possessed; but. finding himself in the hghrfc of the hanging lamp, collects himself by u violent eliort. and looks around. Yes, all is still. Xo living form but h!s is near. The corridor, as he glances affrightedly up and down. Is empty, lie can see nothing but his own shadow, at sight of which he starts and r. _ turns pale and shudders. The $ext moment he rr-cw^rs himself, and. muttering an anathema upoaS his cowardice, he moves noiselessly t<* Tt-nrH vonm mtrT t.hfi Tirsnrlv-bntf.lft that has been his constant companion of late. Yet, here in his own room, he can not rest. The hours go by with laggard . steps. Midni. ht has struck, and 5tiU *i he paces his floor from wall So wall, halt-maddened by his thoughts. Not that he relents. Xo feelings of sepea tance stirs him, there is only a nervous dread of the hour when it will be nec"?~ cessary to produce the dead body, if only xp prove his claim to the title so . k dearly and so infamously purchased. Ta T*o rrr\r>a 7-r?r?ol19 ! XiW iiiUVV/U UV.H1 4. I'tWU IVV/UUi Is this house, this place, the old title, r the chance of winning the woman he would have, all his own? Is his hateful rival?hateful to him only because of his fair i'ace and genial manners and lovable disposition, and the esteem with which he filled the he:irts of all I who knew him?actually swept out oc his path? Asrain the lurking morbid lonninsz to view rne body wfth his own eves, ?h? longin? that had been his some hours ago wiien listening at xa? iniai aoor, seizes hold of him, and grows in intensity with every passing moment. At lust it conquers him. Lighting a candle, ho opens hie door and peer? out. 2vo one is astir. In all probabili tv every one !s abed, and now sleep?rt& the sleep of the just?all except him. Will there ever be any rest or creamless sleep for h5m again? He goes sofffy down-stairs, and ma&es" Ms way * to the lower door. Meeting no one, he ascends the stairs like one only half conscious, until he finds himself again before the door off , tlie haunted chamber. Wg Then he wakes into sudden life. An B? awful terror takes possession of him. < Br He straggles "with himself, and pres- i ' V ently so far succeeds in regaining some I BP degree of composure that he can lean i against the wall and wipe his forehead, | 1 and vow to himself that he will never descend until he has accomplished tho j ] object of his visit-. But the result of I this terrible fijrht with fear and con- i science shows itself in the increasing I : pallor of his brow and the cold per- ! ' Ispiranon mat stancs tnicx upon nis forehead. ! 2s^rang himself for a final effort, he lavs his hand upon the door and flushes it "open. Tiiis he does with bowea head . i i'ma eves averted, afraid to look upon i 1 his terrible work. A silence more hor- J < ible to his guilty conscience than t&O : : most appalling noises, follows this act: >j..i r!-rjT.r. t.:?a uiii'icricsj terror 3C!ztng I fihn. he leans against it gladly, as if for | ii-jpp- rt. AuJ now at he raises bis eyes. ' -ilowiy at fust ami cringin&ly, as if , trending what they ini^lit see. Upon ; the b*tar;l at bin iVct they r^t for a ! moment. and istu (did* to the yext >oard. ami so on, until his coward eyes i have coverc-d a considerable portion" of ! Llie iiwur. i And iioiv. uj v>\N 11 buL'Iar, he lifts his j LSiice to t?ic \vu:l oppo.-?fce anil ^Jar^hes | it-carefully. Then ius eyes turn again i to the ii?;or. ilis face gluistly. and with | iii.s eyes aWn?ttt darting "from their sockeir,, he e.-mi-els himself to bring his nvful investhriiion to an end. Avoiding the o.r:i< ; s .'it as though there he expects his vile deed will cry aloud U> him demanding vengeance, he gazrs In a dazed way : i the center ot'the apartment. ami dwells upon it stupidly. until he knows he must leak further still: and theji his dull eves turn to the corners where the dusky shadows lie, brought tLlthor by the" glare of- his small lantern. Ivc-lactantly. but care ruiiy, lie scans t::e aparuucu&, uu lvj-uvtcst spot est pes his" roused attention. But no object, dead or livinc, attracts his notice! Thtonora is empty! lie stumers. 'iTis hold upon the door relaxes. His lamp fails to "the ground; the door closes \\ ilk a soft but deadly thud behind him. u:id?lie is a prisoner in the haunted chamber! As the darkness clones hi upon nha. and he Hnds himself alone with what he hardly d:ires to contemj late, his avisos grc*.v contuse:!, his lualn reels; a tearful 3cre;u;: issues his iips, and lie falls l/V Oliv A*vvi U.'I CHAPTER XI. D.">rci, after hex iiil?rvx-*.v with Arthur UymKvnrt. ftv!.--, indeed that all is lost. Hope ;t^i?D'Us.ac:i?nothing remains but in this instance despair in yoicnancy by the knowledge that she 1 relieves she knows the man who would help them to a solution of their troubles if he ever would or dared. Xo; clearly he dare not! Therefore, no assistance can be looked for from him. Dinner at the castle has been a promiscuous sort of entertainment for the past three or four days, so Dora feels no compunction in declining to go to it. In her otra room she sits brooding miserably over her inability to be o? anv use in the present crisis, when she suddenly remembers that she had promised in the afternoon when with Florence to {rive her, later on, an account of her effort to obtain the truth about this mystery which is harrowing them. It is "no v.- eleven o'clock and Dora decides that she must see Florence at once. Rising, wearilv. she is about to cross the corridor to her cousin's room, when, the door opening, she sees Florence, with a paie iace juxi agiuueu, coining toward her. "You, Florence!" she exclaims. "I was just going to you, to tell you that iny hopes of this afternoon are all?" "Let me speak," interrupts Florence breathlessly. "I must, or?" She sinks into a chair, her eyes close, and involuntarily she lays" her ha ad upon her heart as if to allay its tumultuous beating. Dora, really alarmed, rushing to her dressing-case, seizes upon a llask of eau-de-Cologne, and fljngs some of its contents rreoiy over uie iamimg gin. Florence, with u sigh, rouses herself, an4 sits upright, "There is no time to lose," she says confusedly. "Oh, Dora!" Here sne breaks down and bursts into tears. "Try to compose yourself," entreats Dora, seeing the girl lias some important news to impart, but is so nervons and unstrung as to be almost incapable of speakingjvith any coherence. Bat presently Florence grows calmer, and then, her voice becoming clear and full, she is able to unburden her heart. "All this dav I have been oppressed by a curious"restlessnessshe says to Bora; and, when you Left me this afternoon, your vague promises of being able to elucidate the terrible secret that is weighing us'down made me even more unsettled. I did not go down to dinner?" "Xeither did I," puts in Mrs. Talbot sympathetically. "I wandered up and down my room for at least two hours, thinking always, and waiting for the moment when you would return,1 according to promise, and tell me the success or your hidden enterprise. You did not come, and at half past nine, unable to stav any longer in my own room with only my own rhnno-'hts fnr rvanrnanv. I CiTtOT]ed mv door, and, listening intently, found by the deep silence that reigned throughout the house that almost every one was gone, if not to bed, at least to their own rooms." "Lady PitzAlmont and Gertrude passed to their rooms about an hour ago," says Dora. "But some of tho men, I think, are still in the smoking-room." "I did not think of them. I stole from my room, and roamed idly through the halls. Suddenly a great? I can not help thinking now a supernaturallv strong?desire to go into the servants^ corridor took possession of mo. Without allowing myself an instant hesitation, I turned in its direction, and walked on until I reached it." She pauses here, and draws her breath ranidly. "Go on* entreats Dora impatiently. "The lamp was burning dimly. The ' servants weie all down-stairs?at their supper, I si ppose?because there was no trace of tnem anywhere. Xot a sound could be heard. The whole place IrvnVprt mplnnphnlv find deserted. and ruiea me wixn a"sense or aw? T could not oyercome. Still it attracted me. I lingered there, walking up and down until its very monotony wearied me; even then I was loath to leave it, and, turning into a small sitting-ioom, I stood staring idly around me. At last, somewhere m the distance I heard a clock strike ten, and, turning, J decided on going back once more to my room." Again, emoffoh overcoming her FlorArvAA V\0/*Tr ^ T> hffi? VUW CUIU IV/Ci.XXfD m J-L<UA. chair. "Well, but what Is there in all thi3 to terrify you so -much?" demands her cousin, somewhat bewildered. "Ah, give me time! 2fow I am coming to it,8 replies Florence quickly, "lou know the large screen that stands in the corridor just outside the fiHir*/*-VAATV* T Wotta m nr* fi rvrl jnnf Oi. VVJJJLk J* nave JLU.l/11 vuw there, I imagine to break the draught? Well, I had come out of the room and was standing half-hidden by this screen, when I saw something that paralyzed me with fear." She rises to her feet and grows deadly pale as she says this, as though the sensation of fear she has been describing has come to her again.. bYou saw?" prompts Dora, rising too, and trembling violently, as though in expectation of some fatal tidings.. "I 'saw the door of the room that leads to the haunted chamber slow?.y move, it opened; the door tnat nas been lockod for nearly fifty years, and that has filled the breasts of all the servants here -with terror and dismay, was cautiously thrown open! A scream rose to my lir>s.but I was either too terrified to gtfe' utterance to it, or else i some strong determination too know what wouldfoilow restrained me, and I stood silent, like one turned into i stone. I had instinctively moved back i a step or two, and was now completely hidden from sight, though I could see all that was passing in the corridor through a hole in the frame-work of the screen. At last a figure came with I hesitating footsteps from behind the j door into the full glare of the flicker- | ing lamp. I could see him distinctly, j It was?" "Arthur Dynecourt!" cries the widow, } covering her ghastly face with her hands. Florence regards her with surprise. "It was," she says at last. "But how did you guess it?" "I" knew it." cries Dora frantically. "He has murdered him. he has hidden his body away in that forgotten chamber. lie was*gloating over his victim, | no doubt, just before you saw him, j stealing down from a secret visit to j the scene of his crime." "Dora," exclaims Florence, grasping s \. ~ -i ,3 ^ ~ i Lit;I clIIU, lir MlUillU IK'L iJciV CiUlUUCl" | lilm after all, it' be should only have secured hira there, holding Lira prison- ; er until he should see his way more clearly to getting rid of him! * If this | idea b"e the correct one. we mav yet be f m time to save. to rescue him!1' \ The agitation or the past hours provimjnov. too much for her, Florence bursts into tears and s"bs wildly. ".Alas. 1 dare not bolieve in any such hope!" says Dora. UI know that man too well to think him capable of shov.ing anv mercy." uAnd vet 'that man,' as you call him, you would once have earnestly recommended to me as a husband!" returns Florence, sternly. "Do not reproach me now," exclaims Dora; "later on you shall say to me all you Wlin, UUX IKJ? uua:t;;io axe pic CiOWri." "You :ire right. Something must be done. Shall I?shall I speak to Mr. VilliersV" ' I hardly know what to advise"?distractedly." "It we ch.'O our suspicion publicity. Arthur Dymvourt may even yet fiiid'time and opportunity to baffle and disappoint us. "besides which, we 1 ??^?V r?/\fn_ iliilV IJV V. 4aC iiavt ajclu. ir.gto do with it. and?" "At- that rule, if secrecy is to be our first thought iet you and me go alone in search of Sir Adrian." "Alone, and at this hour, to that awful room!" exclaims Dora, recoiling from her. "Yes. at once"?l'; mil v?"without another moment's delay.'' uUh, i can not!" declares Dora, shuddering violently. "Then I shall go alone!" As Florence says tills, she takes up her candiestick anu moves quickly toward the door. "Stay. I will <ro," cries iX>ra iremoling. But a slight interruption occurring at thin instant, they arc compelled Co wait for awhile. Ethel Villiers, coming into the room to make her parting adieus to Mrs. TV.lbot, as she and her father intend leaving r*ext morning, gazes anxiously from Fiorenue to Dora, seeing plainly that there is something amiss. "What is itV" she atsks kindly, going up to Flori ii'M. Miss l>dhn:i!]K' lifter a little hesitation. t'iiC '::r<u"' M'.y a glanee'nt Dora's terrhied countenance, determines on taking the new-comer Into tlieir confidence. In a few, words she explains all that has taken' j.-hu-t*. and thc-ir suspicion. Ethel, thoa^h paling beneath the horror and surprise occasioned bv the recital, dses not lose her self-possession. "I will go with you," she volunteers. "But, let me sav,* slie adds, "I think you are wrong In making this search without a man. If?if indeed we are still in time to be of any use to poor Sir Adrian?always supposing he really is secreted in that terrible room?I do not think any of us would be strong enough to* help him down the stairs. and, if lie has been siowiy starving juj this lime, think how weak he will "be!" "Oh, whiit a wretched picture you conjuro up!" exclaims Florence, nervously chisplug her hands. *]3njb you arc "right, and now tell me who you think can best bo depended upon in this crisis." "I am sure," says Ethel, blushing slightly, but speaking with intense earnestness, "that, if you would not mind trusting Captain" Rlngwood, Ire would be both safe and useful." As this suggestion meets with ap*1 Vv??k*T ?->-> o T-? a rro 4\n /wnrftv o m Od. ^ALVYCbJ., mau(ih,u bv wn i u; sane to the captain, and In a very few minutes he Is with them, and is made acquainted with their hopes and fears. Silently, cautiously, without any light, but carrying two small lamps ready for ignition, thev go down to tne corridor where is the door that leads to the secret staircase. Turning the handle of this door, Captain llingwood discovers that it is locked. but. nothing daunted, he pulls it cn vinlpnr.lv hnr.kward rmd forward that the lock, rusty with age, gives way and leaves the passage beyond open to them. Going into the small landing at the foot ot the staircase, they close the dcror carefully after them, and then, captain Kin Wood producing some matches, they light the two lamps and go swiftly, with anxiously beating hearts, up the stairs. The second door is reached, and now nornmg remains out to mount the last llicht of steps and open the fatal door. Their hearts at this trying moment almost fail them. They look into one another's blanched faces, and look there in vain for hope. At iast. Ring wood, touching j&tnei's arm, says, in a whisper? "Come, have courage?all may yet be veil!" lie moves toward the stone 6teps, and thcv follow 1.... Quickly mounting them, he lays his hand upon the door, and, afraid to give them any more time for reflection or dread of what may yet be in store for them, throws it open. At first the feeble light l'rcm their lamps fails to penetrate the darkness /? oiaa?V%V> ??+ A 4- A mit*_ UJL lilt; fclUUiilJ CUTCJIU. tuic V/Ui- | sory glance, such as they at first cast round the room, it appears to be empty, j Their hearts sink wiihin them. Have they indeed hoped in vain! Dora is crying bitterly; Ethel, with her eyes flxe<7 upon Ringwood, is reading her own disappointment in his face, when suddenly a piercing cry from Florence wakes the echoes round them. She has darted forward., and is kneeling over something thai even now is barely discernible to the others as they come nearer to it. It looks like a bundle of clothes, but, as they stoop over <t. tVioir tnn r>5in t.'nut it fa in TPflli ty a human hody, and apparently rigid in death. But the shriek that has sprung from the very soul of Florence has reached some still living libers In the brain of this forlorn creature. Slowly and with difficulty lie raise.-? his head, and opens a pair of fast-glazing eyes. Mechanically liis glance fails upon Florence. His lips move; a melancholy smile struggles to show itself upon his parched and blackened lir>s. -xie 13 not aeaur cries Jpurence paa siOTiateiy, "jje can not, be: un, savo him, save lilrn! Adrian, look upspeak to me. Oh. Adrian, make some sign that j*ou can hear me!" Cut he makes no sign. Hie very breath seems to have left him. Gathering h'm tenderly in her arms. Florence presses his worn and wasted face against her bosom, and pushes back the hair from his forehead, lie is so completely altered, so thorough a wreck has he become, that it is indeed only the eyes or Jove that coma recognize him. * Hi? cheeks have fallen in, and deep ho!!;-; ? show themselres. Ilis beard : vrown, and is now rough r; his hair is uncombed. i . f want, despair, and cruel st:?.: > .:ve blotted out all the oM : -m of his features. Hia clothes ci ng loosely about him; his hand.-* and nerveless, are lying by hi* . Who shall tell what agony lie has suffered during these past lonely days with death?an awful, creeping, gnawing death staring hira In tlie face? A deadly silence has frJ'nn upon the little group now gazing solemnly down upon his quiet form. Fioronoe, holding him closely to her heart, is gently rocking him to and fro, as though she will not be dissuaded that he still lives. At length Captain Eingwood, stooping pitifully over her, loosens her hold so tax as to enable him to lay his hand rmon Sir Adrian's heart. After a mo raertt. during which they all watch him closely, he starts, and, looking still closer into the face that a second ago ho believed dead, he says, with subdned but deep excitement? "There may yet be time! He breathes ?bis heart beats! Who will help me to carry him out of this dungeon?" He shudders as he glances round him. "I will," replies Florence calmly. Thase words of hope have steadied her !&d braced her nerves. Ethel and Mrs. AVbot, carrying the lamps, go on before, :Ie Ringwood and Florence, having. rrd the senseless body of Ad rian, no*, ideed sufficiently light to be an easy burden, follow them. Reaching the corridor, they cross it hurriedly, and carrying Adrian up a back staircase that leads to Captain Itingwood's room by a circuitous route, they gain it without encountering a single soul, ana lav Dim geiuiv aown on llingwobd's bed. almost at the very moment that midnight chimes from the old tower, and only a few minutes before Arthur Dynecourt steals from his chamber to make that last visit to his supposed victim. [Continued.] COAL OIL JOHNNY. < Now Facts Abont the Spendthrift Wfco ! Spent ?100,000 a Year. The visitor to the oil regions asked iirst about Coal-Oil Join my and next about John D. lloekcfeller. The statement is oir ton published that Coni-Oil Jolmny has died or fliof hn lioc u/infir^Av'kil.: UMJ.U.U O Jil J ?->V^L4.M*JJLVAVJU v V4. fortune. There ib us much truth in on^ us in the other. lie is still alive at the age of about fifty years, and his address is AshlaniL Saunders County, >iVo., where ho has lived for the past twelve years. He is at present employed as a station agent at Aclilonrl F?/-? lino n/vf Inc fortune or any part of it. but makes a comfortable living and has apparently forgotten the princely Jays of his youth. Coal-Oil Johnny was about three years running through with his fortune. ' It was at Bouseville where Johnny began to throw away his money, but that town, although one of the red hot oil towns, was soon too small for him. Erie, Buffalo and Pittsburg knew him next, but it was at Philadelphia that he distinguished l->itoof mr*cjI TT ir iiinAi) ?YIAT>AV n^i squandered in three years is a matter of conjecture, even in the oil country. There is, however, a wide misapprehension as to the amount. His fortune did not reach into the millions, as has so often been stated. The best judgment here places it at not above $300,000. He was the adopted son of widow McClintock, aud at he** death her oil farm and its accumulated earnings passed to him. Perhaps C*-t AA /%/\/\ X. J 1 T .l. $>iuu,uuu was turneu u\ ei tu o uiumy on the settling of her estate, and Lis share of the product of the farm after that time is supposed to have been about $200,000. He therefore squandered about ?100,000 a year for the three years the money lasted. At the end of this time the old bonanza farm had ceased to yield and hia money was spent His career as a spendthrift came to an end on Thursday, February 14, 1868, when he tiled a voluntary petition in bankruptcy in the "United States District Court at Pittsburg. His indebtedness at the . time was thus scheduled: 1?T V\/T IT o t? rrr% TTa*io^ 1 1 . 1 T - VAUCUU Philadelphia. ?19,824 William E. Galbraith, attoinevat-law, Erie, Pa. 10,000 J. E. Caldwell & Co., Philadelphia, jewelry. 5,805 John I). Jones, harness 1,280 W. S. Horn, cigars. 56 E. H. Conklin, Philadelphia, liquors. 2.024 Phelan k Collender, billiard tables. 1,500 Unknown ereditor, oil painting 2,000 For hats, 300 Total, $42,789 This scedule tells its own story of ? mm/! Knrpfl PTtendrnj? over n, neriod of three years. The indebtedness at the Girard House was for board, liquors, cigars, etc. While at this hotel he occupied a suite of rooms on the parlor floor, and usually had from one to three kindred sports withhim, whose board, and expenses he paid for the sake of their company. The amount of his unpaid bill at the frirnrd TTrvnsf*. rtfn.rlv S2fi_ft00. ifl fm indication that he and his companions lived tolerably high. How much money he paid to the Girard House is not known, but it is thought to hare been as much as he left unpaid. It is a curious fact that the old played-out Steel farm has been revived and is making another man rich. The man is John W. "Waits, of Oil City, who bought the old place a few years ugo for $7,000. He has since been offered SS0.000 for it Waits was a street gamin about Kouseville when! t v rtj i j_? "l ; .3 - o ormny oieei was cutting ins ?iuu swath there, and frequently held the ; young oil prince's team wlnle the lafc- j ter went into a saloon to get a drink. DESERT ROMANCES, A Xakvwi IVandareroR IheMojavc Snrprtaea Two Railroad Men. Extending from the San Bernardi na meridian on the west to the Colorado river on the east and frojn the "* V * T !___ JA, ^ soutii une 01 JLnyo county on cue north iothe north line of San Diego county on the south is that vast expanse of "meLpicholy waste" known as the iiTjgove Desert. Many are the tales of piivation and suffering endured on this verduxeless expanse. One of the strangest and yet true occurrences has been experienced near this place, which is in the middle of the desert. JUast Tuesday evening as engine 51, Engineer Spencer, was returning from Lavic, he encountered the following experience, which is best told in his own' words: "I had just rounded the curve near mile-post 673 and had taken my watch from my pocket. Noting the time,6:25 o'clock. I returned it to its place and naturally glanced ahead of iv>v /vncri-n/i "WTiaf. TVOC mv snmrififi XXAJ ?' J X' to see not over thirty yards ahead of me and approaching the track from the south, a man apparently six feet tall, about thirty-five years of age, with long, black hair hanging down his shoulders and heavy black beard. He was entirely naked, and his skin was tanned. Putting on the driver brake, I brought the engine to a stop just as the man crosssed the track. After crossing he stopped and looked of. 11R ;'I immediately crossed over to the fireman's side, and as I started to climb down to the ground he started off. I called to him as I reached the ground, but, with a frightened look, he dashed away. I thought I was a good runner, but the way his bare feet got over the cinders and gravel led me to believe otherwise. Once or twice he looked back, but did not Rln/?]r?Ti his mce. Reaching the hills, which are about half a mile from the track, he soon disappeared. The fireman, who had remained with the engine, now came up, and we went around the hill, but he had disappeared from view. I confess I did not dare to follow him around there alone. As it was late, and our engine was standing on the main track alone, we abandoned further search and returned to the engine." How to Tell a Counterfeit Bill. Take a United States bill of any denomination and hold it to the light, and yon will see two lines running entirely across it lengthwise. Upon examination you will find these to consist of silk threads, a red one and i--Ti I blue one. j&very genuine oin ims im? mark of genuineness. Without these marks a bill may be put down as counterfeit, no matter how good the engraving 011 it is. Xo paper mill will dare make this sort of paper and this is the government's only protection on its currency. SENTENCED AND HUNG HIMSELFA Farmer Accused of Crime ComniIts Stii- , okle 7>y Hauginjj. Peni>letox, S. 0.. April 17.?Tlie body of E. D. Cason, a wliiie man living on William Watkin's farm, six ( miles from Pendleton, was found otr liuTiffSnO1 f.'? ?l I 1 near Watkiu's blacksmith shop about 1 two hundred yards from Mr. Gason's 1 home. Circumstances showed that his suicide was tho/.;ughly planned and the act was a premeditated one. He pro- i cured r.vro learb.fr dicing re^ns and a sm >11 cotton reps,. placed them around his neck securely, having tied knots so as to avoid nil possibilities of an accident.climbed up an oak tree.placed the lines securely around a Hrub and jumped off. His feet -wcrb only a few inches from the ground Nothing was found on his per-on as an explanation for this terrible act, but it is believed tiiat recent charges made against himself and others of brutality, i;eating a woman in Georgia. gave thy cause. Mr. Cason was out on bond, having been am sted a few d-<ys since ;md taken before a trial justice, where the charges were sustained and the case was s^nt up to the higher court. I am told that his wife said she thought there were other troubles that would confront Mr Ca son, if lie appealed before the courts in Georgia and that with this recent trouble -was the cause. Mr. Cascn was a tenant on Jlr. Watkhfs plantation and in that section bore a very good character and was thought well of by his landlord, who promptly went on his bond. He was a native of Georgia where he married and subsequently got a divorce. He came to South Carolina, began work on Mr. Watkin's farm and T? r>-> oiTi c\A SnnTfVs I DUVX UJ JLXXtVX JL JLV V?- JXUJ. IVJ ^ daughter. ' ' It appears from what I could gather that Mr. Cason was brought into this last trouble by his brother who induced him to go to Georgia and help beat the woman who had gained a lawsuit over him. Thy She CaHodaHa.lt. "George!" Tf. Trftft'f. wlint, nil A wfl.ifl so much as the way 121 "which, she said it. She took the word and drew it out until it was a long, tremulous filament of sweetness. Yet there was a tingle of reproof in her tone. "George!" She only said it once in reality, but it is customary with story writers to say George twice under the circumstances. "TFhat is it?" . > "You have been squeezing my hand with great regularity and emphasis for some time." "X lcnow it," iie replied, -wim tne frankness that was characteristic of his manly nature. "Please don't do it any more," and her voice dropped almost into a whisper. "No more?" This sounded lik ^heartthrobs of anguish (whatever they are) and his form shook with emotion. I tmn " ivu.y iiuu: "Because"' she faltered. "Go on." "Because. I'm getting a corn on my little finger," A Singular Labor Fight. Baltimore, Ma., April 17.?A. curious labor fight is in progress here. While there is 110 strike for eight * ' ? i - "i - x : iiours, mo iraaes umoiib uru trying to enforce their card system, by which they expect to be paid ior all extra work. In this contest they do not recognize the Knights of Labor, but place them on the same level as ' scabs/' and refuse to work with them." There is a great demand for carpenters and workmen at this time. i - 1.?x ana V/OIK oil uupon-iuiL uujjlujlu^o j.? delayed because of the fight. On many of them the union men have quit vrork because the employers refused to dismiss the Knights of Labor. The Right Spirit. 'v Visitor; "You're getting to be a pretty old man, Uncle Johua." Undo Joshua: "Eighty years." Visitor: "And you don't have to use glasses yet, I understand." Uncle Joshua: "No, an' I don't evep calculate to. "When I can't drink outen a bottle. Til take a dipper an' drink waiter. ?"VTVv/hio'a Trm <*rn-fifinnt f-fmetitrian statue of General Robert E. Lee wiH be uuveiled at Richmond on May 29, and will be made the occasion of a gre -.t demonstration. The R. E. Lee Camp of Confederate Veterans is in charge of the ceremonies, and is taking measures to secure the largest possible attendance of the old soldiers of the Confederacy. Arrangements will be made with the railroads for a rate of one cent a mile,accommo-Pm-runnel">??/! -fr* TlGlf.ATQ U-Cfcl'll'JLLO T? JL1_L Jk/V? VV l?v*vv*w in Eicumond at exceedingly low cost, especially to military and veteran organisations, and everything done to make ihe ?tay of -visitors enjoyable. ?The gorgeous raiifray train which the Queen and King of Italy had built for their journey to Berlin this month was burned in the Florence railway station about three weeks aero. The cost of the train was more than 70,000 lirn. It was furnished with a wealth of gold and silver ornaments and was filled with the mostcostly uphoisterv. Most of the presents intnded for the Berlin court had already been placed on it. Only a few of the most valuable pieces of table ware and about a third of the presents were saved. ^ ? ?It would be singular if the lirst long distance electric road should be established in far-away Eussia. Such a thing, however, seems more than probable, for a project is now on foot to connect St. Petersburg with Archangel a distance of 5000 miles, by an electric railway. The enterprise, with which the name of the Siemens is connected, is backed by * 1 ? ?r> ncfi mated cost of the road, including rolling stock, will be ?15,000 per mile. ?A curious caso is related in the newspapers of Mr.andMrs.TVyncoop of New Haven. They are young, wealthy ? t j ir.. tt"~ and loving, Dut xux. w ? iu^^o are affected and he can live only in Colorado, while his wife has heart disease and cannot live except near the coast. They are, therefore, ef- : fectually parted. The question is whether the fact will justify a divorce. ?The new disease, alleged to be a | successor to the grip and called La i onir! +<-> 1-iq o fnrm rrf fVio , pellegra, and to be caused by tlie use of mildewed com flour which is consumed in North Italy in the shape of polenta. The victims sink into a ' peaceful sleep and die unconscious, : instead of sneezing their heads off ' and living, as in the/grip. < _ 7"" 1 SOUTH CAROLINA'S CROPS. rhe Condition of the Furmlng Interest. of j the State as Indicated by the Reports to j the Department of Agriculture. From the re-ports of the correspond-1 cnts of the Department of Anneal- j ture in all parts ui thy State the fol- i [owing facts have been learned and the estimates ua to the condition of the crops given therewith been made GFJUS. mr l it v xne acreage in wneat nas Docn at> ureasc-d about 7 per cent, below last r year, and the condition iaSO per cent, less than at the same last year, and lias been materially injured by the Hessian fly. The damage by winter freezes was nominal. About 9 per cent, of the crop was drilled against '31 per cent, broadcasted. The drilled wheat is generally reported in the better condition. The crop was, as a rule, sown later than in 1889, the average date ox seeding being December 1st. As usual, the early sowing is reported in better condition than the late. The acreage in oats is reported at about the snme as last year and. the condition is 16 per cent, below that of last year. The failing off is attributed largely to the ravages of the Hessian fly, and a small percentage has been injured by the late freezes. The acreage in both rye and barley has been slightly reduced and the condition is not so good as at the same time in 18S9. LIVE STOCK. The remarkably open winter has been very favorable to live stock of all kinds and they are reported as in genit -l rm i 11. . eraiiy nne condition. ?ne aeawxs from winter exposure have been nominal and confined to but few localities. The percentage of loss from diseases is exceptionally smalL About 5 per cent, of the hogs in the State have died from cholera. C0TT02T 0?T HAXD. It is estimated that 2 j per cent., or 13,000 bales, of last year's crop is still in the hands of the growers. DECREASE IX FARM SUPPLIES. Judging from the reports of the department's correspondents, the fanners of the State are in better condition than ever before. Notwithstanding the enormous increase in the quantity of commercial fertilizers purchased, the decrease in farm supplies purchased is per cent, on than last year. LABORThere is a scarcity of labor reported from some sections, on account of the emigration of the negro farm hands to the turpentine farms of Georgia and Florida. One hundred and fiftyfive correspondents report labor as "good," seven as '-bad" and sixty-five as "indifferent." COMMERCIAL FERTILIZERS. From November 1st, 1889. to April 1st 1890, about 165,000 tons of commercial fertilizers were sold in the State, against 126,568 tons for the same period in 1889- 89?an increase of about 30 per cent, over last year, which would indicate a large increase of the cotton acreage for 1890. Com planting has been finished in many sections and cotton planting is progressing rapidly. Honest Doctor*. All honest, conscientious physicians who give B. B. B. (Botanic Blood Balm) a trial, firanHy admit its superiority over all other blood medicines. Dr. W. J. Adair, Ro^kmont, Ga., rc-rifdc:' "T rwrnr^ R 1R R in nna nrf the best blood medicine*." Dr. A. H. Roscoe, Nashville, Tenm, writes: "AH reports of B. B. B. are favorable, and its speedy action is wonderful." Br. J. W. Rhodes, Ciravrfordvi&e, Ga., -writes: "I confess B. 3. B. is the best and quickest medicine for rheumatism I have ever tried." Dr. S. J. Farmer, CravrfordriHe, Ga., writes: "I cheerfully recommend B. R R as a fine tonic alterative. Its use cured an excresccnce of the neck after other remedies effected no perceptible good." Dr. C. H. Montcromerv. Jackson ville, Ala., writes: "My mother insisted on my getting B. B. B. for her . rheumatism, as her case stubbornly resisted the usual remedies. She experienced immediate relief and her improvement has been truly wonderful" Dr. G. W. Earle, Pickens, S. C, writes: "I recommended B. B. B. to a man who had suffered for years with a malignant ulcer on his legr that seemed to resist all other treatmen! After using four or five bottles the ulcer began to heal and his leg is now sound and well" Pianos and Organs. N. "W. Trump, 134 Main Street, Columbia, S. C., sells Pianos and Organs direct from factory. No agents' commissions. The celebrated Chickering Piano. Mathusek. Piano, celebrated for its clearness of tone, lightness of touch and lasting qualities. Mason &, Hamlin Upright Piano. Sterling Upright Piano, from $22 up. Anon Piano, from $200 up. Mason & Hamlin Organs, ssrpasse i by none. Sterling Orgeans, $50 up. Every Instrument guaranteed for 3 six years. Fifteen days' trial, expenses both ways, if not satisfactoro. Sold on cnstallments. A tvVK<?v in 111 a Vftllov MVifnnl T.Hn Association, on the ten year re- . newable plan, at age 40, costs only ?14.25 per annum per $1,000. See advertisement ?John Smith and Edward Kimball, two young men of Northwood, N.H., purchased two ounces of Jamaica ginger at Tucker's drug store and drank it Smith died in fifteen minutes TTiml^all titog mnrl/a th^yxt ill V>nf tthiv recover. ?New York State is now agape over another scandal, charges being made that a bill offered in the Legislature for the regulation of pawn brokers was defeated bj the use of a boodle of ?40,000 collected by persons in that business. ?The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs has agreed to report favorably Senator Butlers bill for the construction of a dry dock at Port Roy- ' eJ, b- C. I ?The carpenters' strike in Chicago ; continues and thousai^fe^jrorkmen ( in other building trades are "now out of work because they cannot go on J without the carpenters. ^ m FACTS WORTH I When selk'tid to insure in othej HIK - MUTUAL . LIFE - i ?* ?'Of IST Ih entitled to yorur first consideration among the Life Insurance Institution advantages in all the features of 1 financial security. 1. It is the Oldest active Life In*nr&ni 2. It is the Largest Life Insurance Co 3. It is tho Strongest financial Institui in# to more than One Hundred and 4. It is the Safest Company in which 5. It la the Cheapest Coinpaay in x returns reducing the final cost at : Company. 6. This GREAT CORPORATION h policy holders in Cash Surplus, in I of ?73,000,000, which is nearly ek Combined Returns attained, by the ED M II II I I 11 ' l Ml lag DEPOSIT , YOUB SURPLUS MONEY IN THE COMMERCIAL BANK, -OFCOLUMBIA. S. C. One dollar and upwards received. Interest at the rate of 4 per cent, per fttiTinm, paid quarterly, on the first days of February, May, August and November. Married women and minors can keep account in their own name. Higher rates of interest al- , lowed by special arrangement -C. J. Ike dell, President. Juo. S. Leaphabt, James Iredell, Vice-President. Ceshier. I ? - _ n \ .VALLEY MUTUAL Lift ASSOCIATION ?OF? VIRGINIA. M. ERSKINE MILLER, President ASHER AYERS, Secretary. J. FRED EFFINGER, Treasurer. o Began Business September 3, 1878* o Reserve Fund $108,OOCL (Invested in Bonds and Mort gages on Real Estate.) -o Insurance in Force, over $10,000,0001 ' Annual Premium Income, over !. ? $260,000. Death-losses paid, over... $1,700,000. Of which over $200,000 ha& been paid in Sonth Carolina. TE3 ItS P0LJ9T, AS WBITTEN BT THE YiLLJT EUTU^J. UTS JgiSCCIATIOT W ranuu, Possesses the folIovrbar^^|-| ATTRACTIVE FEATURES^ lsi Its Premiums are flzed and made a part of the polioy contract 2nd. It offers the lowest possible , rates consistent with security. 3rd. Its policies are inconieetabie after three years. 4th. It gives a paid-up policy after j five years. 5th. At the end of any ten yee* period the insured has the option of either taking, 1st, the surplus to his credit in cash, and continuing tho policy ai his then rate; or 2nd, allowing the cnrplus to be applied as a credit on future premiums during the following Ten Tear period. 6th. The policy is renewable at the end of any Ton Year period without re-examination. 7th. The policy-holder participates in the profits of the Company by reason of the division of the surplus at the end of Ten Year period. 8th. Its form of policy is a model of brevity, being simply a promise to pay. Qfh. It hftfl no restriction as to travel. 10th, Being free from all technicalities and ?he policy-holder being allowod to partiedpate in the profits of the Company, coupled "with the very low rate of cost, it presents an exceedingly attractive form of insurance. Active and reliable agents can make liberal terms by applying, with reference, to j LEE HAGOOD, State Affent, Columbia, S* G. J58SH JUTS I 0C\ ( JgEaSffiSBfc . ODER'S LIVER PILLS 1 1 ANMTefee bSa froa tho gfttmmt, cmnr w UKeei tooBe^ew! ja*r?t mfttarU dl?*vn?. ?or Mfci by ail draeatfAs and K?p*ioat- at t satfj ft k*C. ? mailed ?n receipt ; $>rW by I THB BARRETT ORLV Oa. J A?&?yf~lj S* !' Jts&SftJS&sm .. '***; t bh ' v ; Corapoiiic-s. utuwiiber fckit H *3T > J? ISL . l, sinc? it holds the torment pLiOS ? is of tfee world, and ofifars uuparior together with uxioquitltad V rr 2^ 11 r\ . _ x_ . cm vutupuuY m uus LXjuziH'y. mpanr in the World ion in the 'World?its *i?ets amoan* IH l Twenty-sir 'Millions of Dollars. to insure*. rhieh to insure, it-s large dividend insurance belovr that of any othar JM w earned for and paid out to its srr?ity-one years, the enormous sum ,n^B >ven million dollars more than the < nojt T YY O leading companies. . V WARD h. OERSAA'B, V Gekebai, Aoett. Columbia, S. 0. - 1 T>+ ?-iT aaro Cam t<rrC<r~n. S'-jirraT jnja. TPinyjl -1 ?*(<?t to thcfert. c? Jrue&z&L lUAir&Ga. ? **T4 ^ittaru^f^isarttmf frlo <* PAftR E RVS O ^ C S* TO^J</ #>? ?7 * fT< Uio -rorrt i:a*w,w; Sir?T* j'trSvriff', iff rtWik _ - - tow IrtocGre csr-"sT*i. Tnfeiit-3C i>nd S-i5C DrA?S??f?SPS5 _ casnffl^, ^*-.< 4. coc> ^ ftrUM*. Sa??ia trlvw-i; ttM.Vltf ft*. Mij'T, m4& M Zr'infi Stw York. Tfeiu, tar ?>es o. j/raaui VW3m ,,, , 1 11 1 v'JH Ajjont* wanted to 3frt It ! ? partoct ell Ploleaa Clothes PR |J wlctw lis*. Bar*rj*?fs ? moj? pit Una seat by M ctolhe* pin* aoeded. ' 1 mill t?r S<c., 1I10 IthoMa:.n?b?*Yesinrafrt "JlB? b7 ?r?d fabrics HI }*V in-ill $1:^5 pra* I ihoa t ploa. * *i'M ?*id. F?rdrc?Clothe* do a.K freeee ta I lin,prlw list, twmi 11 nad o?rmctb'ow aff. *ddre?? the [ PIN'UK* CLOTflES LINE CO., - 17 Bern-.n* ?t.. Worcester. VssjUSrt# J haair. | S*<?gjKji|^5 jfrgjlS N wr t i". * to i'.^yoro oray MADE WITH B01LIN8 WATER, EPPS'S 1 i^ATEFUL-COMTORTINa J UUUUA I MADE WITH BOtUNC M1UC . Jj CHICWWrtS** C.i-it'yV. Mm K?mf&?dL ?m, YL V- ?CvjB Red Cms Bi&jij?.iid iii AUn. W ^ *fil Tb*eaJrr^Wt? bJS fin ???. fp ;vl I I I f mi Lad]<M, luk IrrktcU f-r t?.- JM?. I* 4 red l.** P witii blserlifcot^ T?tein>ot^o. ?*3fl <-x * (ftaatpc) Jfcr MSiettci *a<J **yo2W for ^ T 4<? ^ WiiJl.,S*Mpy!>". I m OU^O?Si2^SiAiu?vn^n> 1 nTneerBH?557r?TroB 1 How Lost! How Regained, \ MraHjlllL \ THE SCIENCE CF L!FE A Setottfflc and Stao^ard Pop*Lr-r 3f?dIod TrraSee cc. 1st) Sttoto of Toctii1?>ied^tir^ Rferaltlnff from FoOf, Ylee, Ignorance, i'ww or OfOtaiadoli, Enerratlnj and nnfltCng the rictia* for f.'ork, Bailnao, the Married or Bel&ri?a. ' Avoid taiflklllfall urotecders. Pc^--.? t)ris pe?t JtcontadniiaX) pages, royal ??>. Beanufal blading, eraboaaed, fnll sSt Pricc <.-*57 Jl-00 by niaJl, postpaid, coaeeated ta plain v??: jpcr. Jlicswatire Prospectus Free, if to* *???-/ snr. Tbo Asdaaniibed aafcSer, "VTuv. H. Parity If. D., r?oefrwl th? GOLD AJfX) JEWELLCT MEDAL. M from the X/itkMjal Me&l Aijoeiitios far rtis PRIZE EsSAY on NK&TtftrS ao4 PHYSICAL ?EBILITrJ)*.Parkeraad?con>? J rtf ialofmf pw?km? mif )w mfffl. v (WBttatt* by mifl or 1b posoiu at the~ofeo? ef THB PEABOUr MEDIOAt, DWm'lJTa. Na* 4 BnlffirchSfc., Bowtoa.Ma^s.. towfeoaiS qraers for book* or fetters for advlw should be MtM sm aborro. ' ' ( 7 ?"5 ?\t iL 1 i (itriZrSTVFSfTO CCfSST * *>?? .?* ">nrjpS!?r~ vfl i ?Scw /> vx^. ?cr ?afi *f <sd ami j?e?.7S ^aSterr-V 'L X^Tc axitxrTT ;rs?r?*00. i <t2f**Ask itrr k-frtuli/yiie. TERRY M-FtS CO.. A3Hv?U-S. T- ? j Talbott fe Sous, / RifMOMVri. * Ma IT nf a r\ r n r *? ? ? Ui UJ V U U. X J "1 n Will fa>*si?<h low-: or itinas of MACJUifBTiT. ENGINES AKD BOlLtftf \ uw MTT.r.s and ORiar vin.iv ? ?? _ v> xrrroN gins, pressed and klr- 1 vators, 1 3rick and tiling ma<;!?iseky. PLANERS AND WOOD - WORKfXO uar<otvt?wv rff*' WV'tc t'j ?- r.v yri:,. .* < __ )uying. V C. BADH-iAi, G?u'l Columbia, 8. C. |