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Ie on the logs and knotted pine, Lat's hav? a roaring fire today; Jits cheerful, light shall put to flight The worries which beset our way. ile on the logs and see them gleam, \' And gather 'round the Christmas blaze, flahd drown in songs old feuds and wrongs, Shake hands again around its rays. _ _ : : - . Noel Clayton was tall and gaunt, nth clear, candid, blue eyes, and his [white hands, small and'oervous look .lag. were as well kept as those of a [woman. He was thirty, and a splash of gray S? on either temple, a strand or two of white in his moustache, made him ; Jook older. He was broad-chested and muscu lar-ty all rules-he should have been a soldier-he looked an "open air" . man, but for five' years he had. been -writing short ?tories, novelettes and t serials for the weekly press. It was good, nervous work. His name twas becoming known, for he had the tppy knack of blending pathos rith humor. He had traveled widely, and an Australian bush idyl at the be ginning of the week would be follow ed by a London society story, to be fol lowed again by a story of rustic life .the dear West Country that he lov ed so well, v . He lived quite' alone, worked-and smoked-from morning to night, lov ed his profession, and had practically ? dropped all his friends-male and fe I male-and when a fit of the not infre quent blues got him by the throat, irew his pen into the grate and or dered up his landlady's children, and (pandemonium reigned for an hour. Sometimes he gave > them pennies, jut not always-small coln of the realm l3 not always available to au lors-but the romps were huge, and ie enjoyed them. Of course there was a woman at the Lbottom of the tangle of the man's life, /hud women complicate things some 'times-he would have said "always." On-one particular evening he was jalone and writing, when Jim Courte sy 'w?s~sHbwn in-and Jipi was an )Id anti tried friend-about the only [friend the lonely, self-absorbed man rjiad, and so the incomer sat down and jhted his pipe, and did not bother the-author for quite a quarter of an I hour, and then Noei rose and stretch ed himself. ??What ls it this time, Noel?" "Oh, the usual thing-love; and [candidly, I am getting so sick of writ lg love stories." "Ah. you feel like that?" "Man alive, this is Christmas p-Eve, and somehow-somehow-my ibughts weat back with a jump, and? remembered one Christmas Eve, rhen-" "Your pipe's out, Noel!" "Aye, so it is. Well' there was one irlstmas Eve whenJ-" 'My dear boy, are you worrying fbout her still?" "Yes," and then a long pause ^ It is the privilege of chums to sit fnt for a spell. A.nd all this happened four or five ts ago. I never heard the rights wrongs of the story." iNoel crossed the room, and digging Uh hands into his pockets, looked his chum, j "There is nothing to. know. After m fonr happy years of married life, puble came between us, lies came [tween us; and-and-here I am and W'a Christmas Eve. Of course, our ?by wasi only a mite-a wee, blue red, golden-haired mite; couldn't Walk, crawled, you know; but we were .s'irf?l chums, and when she went and >k our miter-welL", and the man's .ugh hort: his own ears. "Well, then took to writing love stories-love, old chap, with a happy ending-bish , bridesmaids, bouquets and bless and"-"Ma temporary excitement OJNT THE By Charles S. Hurt I Pile on. the logs and crackling chips . The bells ring out wi th festal chime ; Let lad. and lass the glad hours pass la mirth and music to their rhyme. t had left him-he added drily: "And it pays! Now go, old chap. I must get my stuff .one forthe ?early post," and Chum went out while Noel j turned again to his Interrupted work. | Between each line on every page quaint turn ot expression, quaint thoughts haunted him, a dead past spoke to him. The girl-wife had been very sweet, vary lovable, very beautiful-and had marred two lives. There should be a special place of torment for the person who deliber ately comes between two people who love each other and <mlllngly warps two lives. Pearl Clayton was as easily led as a child. a soft, emotional weak little wcman, and when Noel returned from a few days' holiday he found the house closed and Pearl and Baby had departed. Noel .drifted a little blt, the shock unmanned him terribly, but his pen was hl3 sole source of income, and it had to be piled if body and soul were to be kept together, and in a very few weeks he had, to some extent, regained his mental balance, and his work improved. The ev' cf Christmas and the day itself steals to most hearts, and on this particular eve Noel kept thinking bac* and thinking back while he wrote. How well he remembered the extra (Slab Hi?ings to knit, and how bulky it looked and felt on Christmas morning. And then came school, college, and then mar ried life. When the scribbling flt was on him Pearl used to draw her low wicker chair close to his writing table, knit ting, or daintily fingering white ma terial, soft and downy and fluffy, for the prospective wearer, and the few remarks she made seemed to chime in and identify themselves with what he was writing; but, of course, all this happened five years ago. One odd little trick Pearl had, and Noel remembered it this evening-ana missed it When hl3 pen was working extra busily she used to lay the tips of her fingers upon his right hand-just where hand meets wrist. She did not incommode him in the least. He de clared her touch inspired him; they were such pinked-tipped fingers, and so small, and he had often written wfth the tiny touch on his wrist al most unconsciously-only peeping up j from time to time at a sweet oval face, ! into deep violet eyes love lit. But, of course, this was flye years ago. So he wrote on, feeling a Httle blt sorry that Chum- had not stayed, for .after all, he only had another half hour's work before bbs, ~nd then ?hey &t:;A ?'. ?cS^&kW^^^SB^?^?M, j? LOGS Pile on the logs till red flames rise And leap high up che chimney flue; Above the snow the north winds blow And fan the ruddy blaze anew. Pile on the logs. Pile on the logs; We'll have a roaring fire today. No gloom should bide on Christmas tide, But every heart be glad and gay. could sit and chat, and perhaps drown the sound of the bells that he knew would ring out in a few hours. He was just in the frame ot mind to summon his landlady's children, but except for himself, the house was empty. There was a Christmas Eve party going on, and Mrs. Marsh and her progeny were attending iL He had been writing for half an hour since Chum had left him, and felt the old familiar touch on his wrist.' It was imagination, of course, he did not even turn his head, and then he was looking into blue eyes, in the round golden-curled framed face of a boy of four, who laughed up at him and presented a rosebud to be kissed. "Goodness, child-where on earth do you come from? and who-who brought you? What is your name?" "Eric," and the child began tc make preparations for climbing a lofty knee. "Who brought you here. Baby Eric? How did you come?" Noel felt like an Irish member of Parliament, for "no answer was giv en," but a wee form, full of hugs and kisses, got fast hold upon him, and said gravely, and yet with a sweet air of command: "Just come'd-and now If you're not too busy, mister Father-" "Yes. my son." "P'raps-I'd better go to bed." "But my child-my little son-who brought you here? Where Is your mother?" and the tall man paced up and down. Of course, Chum had told the child to walk straight in-and the child had-straight in. Tho author-his tiny son was on the floor now. saying things to the cat, and lt deserved every word, being a cat that licks stamps off letters, and loves bacon and boiled eggs-thrust his hands deep into his pockets and of ?treat $0? S 72" PEOCICHOSST, 1825 looked down, sad eyed, at little Sunny face. "Yes, perhaps you had better come to bed." * . . . t If Chum would only come, if some thing would only happen to break the silence, a silence only cleft by the sigh of a child. The church was only at the end of the street. .Ho could hear the bpllrlngers shuf fling along the frosty pavement, in a few minutes-and he bent to hi? work. Half asleep, half awake, he was conscious of the old, almost forgotten touch upon his wrist-a dream doubt less-but he could not shake it oft, and then he looked down. Kneeling as of yore beside him, blue eyed, tear-dlmmed, was Pearl. "I have returned, Noel." It was a quavering little" voice, but It thrilled him. How like she was to their child. And then the bells clashed forth their message, "Peace on Earth, Good will Towards Men," and to two hearts they carried a sweeter, deeper mes sage still. No word was spoken. A small fig ure, in a smoking jacket that reached to his heels, stood at the dividing door, an eager face turned ?to either. And husband and wife kissed silent* ly.-New York News. \ ... _ METHODIST" INFERENCE END! -v. Appointments Bead Ont Af ater Res lutions of Thanks to' Citizens F< Entertainment and Syinpathet Eulogies to Bishop Wilson. Abbeville, Special.-The final se sion of the South Carolina conf ence which met here in the Episcop, church, South, convened in the opel house Mdnday morning at 9 o'cloe Rev. Virgin C. Dibble conducted tl devotional exercises. Dr. Jno. ( Wilson occupied the chair, and state that the bishop had requested him 1 preside as he was very Inwell. The following committee vand bo a J reports were presented abd adoptet Sundy school board, by Rev. D. 1 McLeod, Sabbath observance, by Re A. M. Abney j books and periodical by Rev. J. R. T. Major, who also o: fered a resolution of thanks to D Snyder for his able address of lai evening and requested him to publis in The Southern Christian Advocatf American Bible Society, by Rev. Vi gil C. Dibble; minutes, by Rev. Jn W. Elkins; misions, by Rev. R. ] Holroyd. Rev. Watson B. Duncan offered resolution of thanks to the citizens c Abbeville for their royal, hospitality to the civic authorities, to the posl master, to the newspapers, especiall to Tho State, to the railroads and a others who had shown courtesies t the conference, were adopted by unanimous rising vote. Resolutions were adopted exprest ing sympathy for Bishop, Wilson, i his sufferings during the confeirenc and commending his able presidin over conference. Appointments^ Following are the appointments fo 1910: Anderson District-A. J. CaUther presiding elder; Abbeville circuit George Lee; Anderson, St, John's, I B. Wells; Orrville and Tbxaway, A V. Harbin; West End, W. J. Snyder Centreville, F. H. Flood ; Clemson, li B. Kelley; Donalds, S. W. Henry Lowndesville, R. W. Humphreys; Mc Connie!:, N. C. Ballenger; Pelzer, G C. Hutchinson; Pendleton; J. F. An derson ; Starr, J. T. Miller; Townvill J. E. Carter; Walhalla and Seneci A. E. Driggers; C. D. Mann, super numerary; Walhalla mission, R. F Doyle ; Westminister, J. L. Singleton Willianiston and Belton, C. C. Der rick, G. T. Harmon, supernumerary. Charleston District-W. I. Herbert presiding elder; Allendale, J. W W?lling; Appleton, T. T. Peeler Beaufort and Port Royal, J. M. Rog ers, Bethel circuit, C. L.' DuRant Black Swamp, W. W. Williams Charleston, Bethel. W. B. Duncan Trinity, Peter Stokes, E. A. Weber supernumerary; Spring Street, J. H Graves; Cumberland, D. W- Keller Mount Pleasant, Hamlin Etheridges Cottageville, J. P. Inabinet; Cvpress S. D. Vaugh;* Ehrhardt, A. B* Wat son; Estill, J. R. Copeland; Hamp ton, J. W. Elkins; Hendersonvilte, .7 H. Montgomery; Ridgeville, W. S Goodwin ; South Hampton. W. D Putride, supply; Summerville, J. 0 Chandler; Walterboro, H. J. Cauthen Young's Island, A. Sassard. Cokesbury District-J. C. Roper presiding elder; Abbeville. Henrj Stokes; Butler, W. PJ^ ay -Cokes bury, F. E. Dibble; Greenwood Main Streety J. W. Kilgo; Green wood, and Abbeville mills, E. C Wells; Kinards, D. P. Boyd; New berry, Central, M. L. Banks; O'Neallc street and Mollohon, W. C. Kelley; Newberry circuit, J. N.. Friday; Ninety-Six, J. A. Cook; Parksville, J. M. Lawson, Phoenix, L. L. Inab inet; Prosperity, A- C. Morris; Princeton, Foster' Speer; Saluda, E. P. Taylor; Verdery, W. E. Wigsins; Waterloo, Felix G. Whitlock; Whit mire, C. A. Jeffcoat;: Lander college, John 0. Willson, president; South ern Industrial institute, D. E. Camak. instructor. ' Columbia District-J. W. Daniel, presiding elder; Aiken. J. B. Tray wick; Batesburg, S. 0. Cantey; Bates burg mission, W. D. Quirk: Bath, E. P. Green: Columbia, Washington street, E. 0. Watson, J. A. Campbell, supernumerary; Main street, A. 1 N. Brimson; Green street, A. S. Holler: Granby, L. L. Bedenbaugh; Brook land, J. W. Necley; Edgewood, B. F. McLendon; Shandon and Waverley, J. W. Lewis, W. S. Stokes, supernum erary; Edgefield, L. D. Gillespie; Fairfield circuit, J. I. Spinks; Gilbert C. S. Felder; Graniteville, C. A. Nor ton; Johnston, E. R. Beckham; Lang ley, E. A. Wayne; Leesville, S. H. Booth: Lexington, J. C. Counts; Lex ington Fork, C. W. Bureress; North Augusta, J. L. Stokes.; Ridgewa3', J. K. Inabinet; Springfield, C. N. Ab ney; Swansea, J. C. Davis; Wagener, J. F. Taylor; Columbia college, W. W. Daniel, president; Epworth orph anage, W. B. Wharton, superinten dent; Payne college, George W. Walker, president. Florence District-P. F. Kilgo, pre siding elder; Bennettsville, R. E. Tur nipseed: Bennettsville circuit, B. G. Murphy; Brightsville,. M. F. Dukes; Bethlehem, T. W. Godbohl; Cheraw, M. Auld; Chesterfield, J. T. Fowler; Darlington, Trinity, B. R. Turnip seed; Epworth, F. S. Hook; Darling ton circuit, J. R. T. Major; East Chesterfield. J. E. Cook; Florence, R. IL Jones; Hurtsville, A. T. Dunlap; Jefferson, J. A. Graham; Lamar. B. V. Robertson; Li1?1?ty. J. H. Moore; Marlboro, J. B. Weldon; McBee, J. L. Tyler; McColl. G. C. Leonard; Pageland, E. R. Mason; Timmbnsville 'and Pisgah, E. W. Mason; Timmons ville circuit, A. M. Gardner; assistant Sunday school editor, L. E. Beaty. Greenville District-W. M. Duncan, presiding elder; Clinton, J. E. Mahof fey; Easley, A. II. Best; Fountain Inn, S. T. Blackman; Gray Court, R. M. Duhose; Greenville, Buncombe street, W. A. Masscbeau; St. Paul's, R. L. Holroyd: Hampton avenue, J. R. Walker; West Greenville, St. Crech, MonagLan and Woodside, A. A. Merrit, supply; Sampson and Poe, J. N. Isom; Greenville circuit, J. P. Atway; Greers, E. T. "Hodges; Lau rens, First church, L. P. McGee; Lau rens, D. R. Rof; Liherty, C. L. Mc Cain; North Piekens, E. Li Thomas on; Piekens. J. C. Young; Pidmont, W. B. Justue ; South Greer, R. A. Yongue; Traveler's Rest, W-. S. Hen ry; West Easley, S. P. Martin; con ference secretary of missions, R. L. Holroyd. Kinstree District-W. P. Meadors, presiding elder; Andrew W. T. Quat tlebaugh; Cades, J. R. Sojourner; Cordesville, W. G.-Bowden; George town and Duncan, W. H. Hodge3; West End, W. H. Murray; Greeley ville, L. E. Peeler; Honey Hill, to be supplied; Johnsonville and Prospect, J. L. Mullinia:; Jordan, D. H. Ever ett: Kingstree, W. A. Fairey; Lake City, W. L. Wait; McClellansville, G. P. Penney; New Zion, E. P. Hut b'^j Pee Dee, J. 0. Carraway; Pino polis, W: G. Gieaton; Rome, T. J. Clyde; Salters, W. li Perry; Sam I.it, R. F. Bryant; Scranton, W. T. Batrick; South Florence, J. M. Gas que; Summerton and St. Paul's, E. S. Jones. 1 Marion District-R. E. Stackhouse, presiding elder; Blenheim, S. J. Bo thea; Brittni's Neck, W. P. Meadors, Jr.; Brownsville, C. M; Peeler; Bucksville, 0. N. Roundtree; Canten ary, W. S. Meyers; Conway, G. E. .Edwards; Conway, E. F. ' Scoggins; Clio,. C. C. Herbert; Dillon, W. C. Kirkland; Gallivants, J. W. Bailey; Latta, J. E. Carlisle; Latta, B. J. Guess; Little River, W. R. Barnes; Little Rock, W. C. Owen ; Loris, H. L. Singleton; Marion, S. B. Harper; Marion, J. A. McGraw; Mullins, J. L. Daniel: Mullins circuit, W. A. Beckham; North Mullins, W. B. Bak er; Waccamaw, S. M. Jones;.confer ence secretary of education, W. C. Kirkland. Orangeburg District-C. B. Smith, presiding elder; Bamberg, T. G. Her bert; Bamberg mills, to be supplied; Barnwell, E. A. Wilkes; Branchville, Allen McCarlan; Cameron, C. E. .Poole; Denmark, T. E. Morris; Edis to,~G."T. Harmon, Jr.: Eutawville, J.. P. Simpson; Grover, W. L. Gault; Harleyville, H. C. Mouzon ; Norway, T. F. Gibson; Orangeburg, St. Paul's, H. W. Bays; Orangeburg circuit, G. W. Davis; Orange, T. L. Belvin; Providence, J. J. Stevenson, J. F. Way, supernumerary; Rowesville, A. B. Phillips; Smoaks, J. E. Rushton ; St. George, J. W. Ariail; student Vanderbilt university, L. E. Wiggins. Rock Hill District-T. C. Orell, presiding elder; Blackstock, H. B. Hardy; Chester, D. M. WcLeod; Chester circuit, Dove Tiller; East Chester, F. E. Hodges; East Lancas ter, J. A. White; Fort Mill, T. G. White; Hickory Grove, H. W. Whit taker; Lancaster, M. M. Brabham; Lancaster circuit, J. T. Mcfarlane; North Rock Hill, W. M. Owings; Richburg, W. S. Martin; Rock Hill, St. Johns, H. R. Mills; city mission, C. P. Carter; Rock Hill circuit, S. D. Bailey; Van Wyck, W. A. Young blood; Winnsboro, D. Arthur Philips; Yorkville, J. H. Thacker; York cir cuit, Elizie Myers. Spartanburg District-M. L. Car lisle, presiding elder; Belmont. T. P. Owens; Blacksburg, C. F. Kirby; Campobello, E. Z. James, J. A. Bled soe; Cherokee, W. H. Thrower: Clif ton and Cowpens, J. G. Huggins: Enoree, D. D. Jones; Gaffney, Buford street, G. P. Watson, Limestone street, W. A. Ferall; Gaffney circuit, G. T. Rhoad; Jonesville, W. H. Ariail; Kelton, J. H. Manly; Paco let circuit, R. A. Brock; Pacolet mills, C. B. Dawsy; Reid ville, J. H. Dunner; Santuc, to be supplied; Spartanburg, Bethel, J. W. Speake; Central, R. S. Truesdale; Marion Dargan, supernumerar}'; city mission, J. W. Shell; Duncan and Saxon, P. B. Ingram; Glendale and Drayton, W. H. Polk; Union-Buffalo and Green street, J. G. Farr; Grace. S. A. Donahoe; South Union, A. D. Betts; Woodruff, J. N. Brown; Wo ff ord col- j lege, R; A. Child, financial agent; E. K. Hardin, assitant professor; South ern Christian Advocate, S. A. Nettles, editor; J. L. Ray, assistant to pub lisher; Anti-Saloon league, J. L. Har ley, superintendent. Sumter District-W. T. Duncan, presiding elder; Bethany, 0. D. Spres; Bishopville, P. A. Murray; Camden, H. B. Browne; Elloree, J. E. Strickland; Fort Motte, J. P. Winnig ham; Heath Springs, A. S. Lesley; Kershaw, J. H. Noland,; Lynchb?rg, J. S. Beasley: Manning, F. H. Shu ler; Oswego, D. Hucks; Pinewood, T. W. Munnerlvn ; Providence. J. N. ! Wright; Richland, L. T. Phillips; St. Johns and Remberts, R. E. Sharp; St. Matthews, J. M. Steadman; Sum ter, First church, M. W. Hook; Broad street, J. B. Wilson; Wateree, J. V. Davis; assistant to conference secre tary of missions,; H. B. Browne transfered, C. "R. Whitaker, '.North Georgia conference. Superannuated-R. W. Barber, W. E. Barre, C. M. Bovd, D. A. Calhoun, W. A. Clarke, 0. B. Clarkson, R. R. Dagnall, D. D. Dantzler, R. L. Duffie, G. W. Dukes, M. M. Ferguson, G. W. Catlin, A. W. Jackson, John Man 4ning, R. IC Melton. E. M. Merritt, J. K. McCain, I. J. Newberry, C. H. Poser, W. C. Power, R. W. Spigner, A. J. Stafford, C. H. Waddel, T. E. Wannamker, A. C. Walker, W. C. Winn, J. A. Wood. GRAZING FOR GEESE. . The goose is not commonly regard ed as a cousin to the cow, yet one Is about as persistent a grazer as the other. There are farmers who won't turn geese into a meadow 'because they think the geese make so clean a sweep of the pasture that lt is spoiled for cattle. An English authority says that geese do not eat an excessive quan tity of herbage, if' the goslings are killed off the grass at the green stage or are kept till after harvest and finished on the stubble. As for the common belief that geese damage the pasturage, the same writer says that they destroy mainly the tuberous rcots of the ranunculus, a weed which could well be spared. Nowadays in England the green goose, or more correctly the gosling, is more generally esteemed than thu fat goose of Christmas, and the ling ering regard for the Michaelmas bird is perhaps more sentimental than ac tual. The poulterers tell us that gos lings are in season from April to Oc tober; but from the point of view of the English producer it must be ad mitted that a hcme-rearod gosling of satisfying proportions is a compara- ! tive rara avis in foe earlier months I and that from July to October would | more accurately describe the English ? season.-The Queen. The bottle that keeps tts contents hot or cold fer hours was no catch penny invention. The glass vacuum jacket, was first devbed by Lord De war in 1895 for his experiments in liquefying air and cai. SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS FIG3T OVER TOMBSTONE. One Injured and Another is in Jail -Location the Cause. The State of Saturday says as the result of a disagreement over the lo j cation of a gravestone which they were placing over the last resting place of James Powers, Wade Augb try is in jail and James Powers is suffering from a mysterious wound in the head. Powers had purchased a tombstone and Thursday he engaged Aughtry to go with him to place the stone at his father's grave in the Jackson Creek churchyard on the Two Notch road, 10 miles from Columbia. While preparing for the installation a disagreement arose between the two and the subsequent events ac count for the injury to Powers.. Aughtry said that Powers carried a pint of whiskey with him and be came under the influence of ;the liquor before they had succeeded in gettiug the stone erected. Aughtry claims that Powers insisted on put ting the monument in the centre of the grave instead of at the head and that when Aughtry demurred became vexed and advanced wtih an open knife. The accused says that he pushed Powers away from him, the man fall ing and striking his head upon a nearby headstone to a grave. When he arose he was bleeding and Augh try brought him back to the city in the wagon that had carried the gravestone out. Aughtry is charged with assault and battery with intent to kill and was placed in jail on a warrant issued by Magistrate Easter ling. The wound is not a serious one, but Aughtry will be held to await de velopments. Rates Given For Teachers. Columbia, Special.-All railroads in South Carolina have granted holi-. day rates on account of the annual convention of the State Teachers' as sociation of South Carolina, which meets in Columbia December 30, 31, and January 1, and tickets will be on sale December 30 at all stations. Indications point to a record-break ing attendance. Although there were more than 600 educators here last year, if the weather remains fair this large number will be exceeded. A. R. Punks of thc arrangement com mittee is busy engaging lodging for those who have written to him. Ample provision has been made for all who attend, many homes having I expressed their willingness to take care of from two to 12 boarders for the occasion. In addition to private houses there will be ample acommo dations at the hotels and boarding houses. Will Build New Dormitory. Columbia, Special.-In order to provide for its increase in attendance and give room for future growth, the College of Women will add a hand some new uormitory to its already beautiful plant, which covers four acr?Si Arrangements to this end will be completed at a meeting of the stockholders of thc College, to be held January 18 at once. The meet ing is (jailed by the directors to au thorize "the corporators to fund its present indebtedness by issuing $75, 000 in 20-year bonds secured by a mortgage against thc premises. The institution owes about $60,000. The difference will be devoted to have the new dormitory read" for occu pancy by the beginning of another seascii. Ansel to Order Elcctior.. Columbia, Special.-Governor An sel will order an election to be held on Februaiy 3 to decide as to the annexation of a part of Berkley County to Orangeburg. The voting precincts in the territory are Holly Hill and Eutawville. A petition was recently filed with Governor Ansel by the voters of ?he section desiring annexation. Few Passed Census Tests. Washington, D. C., Special.-Direc tor Durand of the census bureau has informed Representative Patterson that only 54 of the applicants in South Carolina who recently stood examination for clerkship in the cen sus bureau here had been successful. This covers thc entire State. It is not yet shown whether another op portunity will be given South Caro linians to try for these places. State Laboratory Succassful. Columbia, Special.-In the five and u half months during which the State laboratory has bden open, the people pf this State li-ve been saved $7, 293, which is more than half the entire appropriation for the health department. This is a wonderful chowing and the work done at the laboratory should be appreciated by those who have taken thc treatment in the Pasteur department, especial ly. Thirty-three patients have been given immunizing treatment for rab ies, and all save two cases have turn ed out successfully. Aileen Federal Building. Washington, D. C., Special.-Work m the new Federal building at Aiken :for which Representative Patterson secured an appropriation of $50,000 a }-?ar or two ago, is to begin in April or May. J. Knox Taylor, supervis ing architect of the treasury, has informed Mr. Patterson that because of the crowded condition of work in his office it had been impossible to get to Aiken np to this time. Course in Cotton Grading. Clemson College, Special.-Begin ning January 4, Clemson College will offer to the farmers of South Caro lina a course in cotton gradine, which will continue six weeks. The work will be- given in thc carding and spinning division of the textile de partment by Prof. D. E. Earle, who has had considerable experience as a classifier and also as collaborator willi the United States department of agriculture in preparing the stan dard government cotton tvpes that are to be sent out to thc markets in the near future. PALMETTO HAPPENINGS Kerrs Notes of General Interest From All Farts of the State. Corn Prizes Won. Columbia, Special.-The first prize on yield in the State corn contest has been awarded to John R. Dingle, of Summerton in Clarendon county, as also the first prize on points. His yield was 168.7 bushels on one acre. This is the second State contest that has been won by a Clarendon county farmer. The total points'made were 99. The first prize on yield is $175. The award was made Monday at a meeting of the State corn contest commission which is composed of Commissioner Watson, President P. H. Mell of Clemson college and D. N. Barrow. The second prize for yield and points went to A. Bascomb Usher, the young Marlboro county boy who produced 1521-2 bushels bn the acre. He will receive $75. The five-acre contest was won by J. M. Moss, of St. Matthews. The number of bushels produced was 500.5._ This prize is worth $200. The second prize in the five-acre contest was awarded to Thos. Taylor of Richland county, who produced 251 bushels. This prize is $50. There were 156 entries in this year's contest, rep resenting 36 counties of the State. Many of the contestants were boys. Of the total entries only 14 complied with all of the requirements. Many of the contestants failed to send in samples of their com. The best ear of corn sent in the opinion of the commission was that of R. K. Hayes, of Marion county, who won second prize in last year's contest. A close second to Mr. Hayes in the quality of corn was sent by 7sher, of Marlboro county. ; ihot and Unintentionally Hit a Man. Charlotte, Special.-Tuesday mora ng while waiting for Southern rail way train No. 29 from the North I to Columbia, W. L. Felder, a busi ness man whose home is in St. Mat thews, S. Ci, was seriously wounded from a pistol in the hands of Ex press Messenger Harry Jones, on train No. 29. Mr. Felder, after receiving the shot, which struck him in the arm and entered his side, walked over to the express office nearby and in formed the officers that he had been shot. It was stated at the hospital that Mr. Felder was not dangerously hurt. Jones, who is charged with the shooting, was arrested. The shooting bears somewhat of an air of mystery. Mr. Felder says that as he walked along and approached opposite the car dcor some one shouted "Look out, there!" and then the pistol was fired, at almost the same moment at which tlie coice was heard from in side the car. Jones, it seems took Felder for a trespasser of evil intent ..red to scare him away ' ... not. to -hit him. He thinks f'\?j bullet glanced when it struck a -ar. Tragedy in Kershaw. Lancaster, Special.-A difficulty occurred Tuesday night at Westville, Kershav county, between two white men, D. W. Belk and John Peach, in which both parties were shpt. Belk walked about one hundred and twen ty-five yards and fell near his house. His wife heard him and went out and found him dead. Both men it is said fired several times. Peach is dangerously wound ed. Doctors Gregory and Twitty per formed a surgical operation on him Wednesday but they do not think there is much hope fer his recovery. Belk. who was engaged in the saw mill business, was about 35 years old and is survided by a widow and six children. Peach is about 23 years pld and unmarried. The cause of the shooting is not known here. Fined $15 For Hitting Woman. Columbia, Special.-W. M. West berry, the furniture collector who "chucked" a woman under the chin on Main street Friday, was fined $15 by the recorder Tuesday. The iden tity of the woman was not disclosed Westberry admitted the act, but said he was too drunk to know what he was doini?. Four Bitten by a Mad Dog. Columbia, Special.-Four promi nent persons began treatment Tues day at the Pasteur institute, as a result of being bitten by an Irish setter belonging to Mr. Alfred Wal lace, the superintendent of the street railway system. The four victims are Mr. Wallace* his son, Alfred Wallace, Jr., Mrs. Wallace's mother, Mrs. Mayrant, and Mr. A. Hamilton Seats of the reportorial staff of The State newspaper. An examination of the brain was made at once by Dr. Coward, the State bacteriologist, and ihe investigation disclosed rabies. Chester Man, Shot While Hunting, Succomba to Wounds. Chester, Special.-Holmes Robin son, who was shot by Bob Burns, colored, while out hunting on Thanks giving Day, died at 10 o'clock Wed nesday night from the effects of his wound. The young man was in his 22d year, and was regarded as a young fellow of much promise. His parents are almost heartbroken over Iiis sad death, and so is Burns, the voung negro, who did the shooting. The affair was an accident. White Man Accused of Rape. Laurens, Special.-John Creemcr, a young white man of the Watts Mill village, is lodged in jail on .um charge of criminal assault . on ?ho person of an aa;cd white woman in Young's Township some ,days\ago. it is recalled that Will Johnson, ? a liecrro. was arostcri hist week,' clmTnfed with the offense but even at the time the officers believed others ito be ruilty. A warrant hns.be<*i ioued Ct:r another young white man, w(bo, it id said, was with Cr?eme.'.,