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The Influence of Flowers. TjBy Margaret Phillips Page, Toront "Yes, flowers bave tones. God ga to each A language of its own, .And bade the simple blossom tea Wherever its seeds are sown." What beauty one sees coverii the earth in mid-May! The tend leaves have all the freshness Easter clothes. The meadows ai lawns wear their brightest livery i emerald green. The flowers, . . their working garb of spring, frin ed and dyed with the tints of t rainbow, spread their brilliant hu over all the landscape. Wi all the fresh beauty around ns, < we ever stop to think what inf enees these thoughts of God shou have on our lives? Can one conceive what hernani would be if it did not know t flowers? The mission of the flower Christ-like, in more senses than on lt points to God and surrenders i life in so doing, while breathing o its brief existence in ministering joan, From the buried seed a ne Incarnation springs. It grows ar expands joyously, under the infl onces of sunshine and rain, unt it is cut down in its perfectic .and it ends its pure beautiful life. So innocent and sweet is the mil Istry of the flowers that every hea must own its sacred influence. Tl ministry of beauty is one of un versal sway. All hearts confess i aod why should we not believe th< the most beautiful things, and tl mest winsome that we have ev? looked upon, have been in God thoughts, intended for purpose more blessed than our thoughtles hearts have known. <xod might have bade the eartr. bring forth Enough for great and small, The oak-tree and the cedar-tree Without a flower at all. But He did not. He knew tha these tender messengers wei .friends in disguise, and that th heart of many a wretched sinne would be touched and perhaps le np to better things through them There is something inexpressibl, touching in the thought, tha through the ages of the past, sum mer and winter have come and gone and inevitably with the burstiDj forth of spring have come back th familiar faceB of the sweet flowers Spring linds them where winte lays them down, thus, good deed are the flowers of human life. Sea cons shall wax and wane, but thc good that men have done shal ?pring up anew. For a little while indeed, adverse forces may seem ti succeed in quenching the influence for good; for a little while winte: may hide away the seed, but Gud'i hand shall wheel on the course o: time when the ages shall have ri pened. The old Song of Solomoi shall be heard again upon the air ol spring: ''The winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flowen appear upon the earth." The flowers speak to us of tht Father's love. How delicately eact petal is fashioned. All are beauti fully made after an invisible pat tern in the Gardener's heart. Must not the Father love the world tc make such exquisite things to beau tify and adorn it? If God careth *o much for a tiny flower, how much more does He care fer us. Wherefore, wherefore were they made, All dyed with rainbow light, To comfort man, to whisper hope, Whene'er his faith is dim; For who so careth for the flowers Will care much more for him. This beautiful manifestation of Jife in the flower speaks to the sore hearts of the tender care the Fath er has over all. Its beauty and -perfection reminds the poor wan derer of all he has missed and si lently beckons him back to his Father s house. Who has not been touched at the sight of a cluster of roses crowded close together. Surely this cannot help but teach U9 the lesson of kind ness. The flowers never quarrel. They are always at peace. They are not jealous of each other's beau ly or fragrance, but each one looks its best in its own place, and all togethei make the garden beau tiful. They speak of the Father's ten derness. The flowers are not afraid -to bloom alone in the dark woods, far away from the homes of men. Thev are not afraid to bloom on the edge of a wild and lonely crag, for the Divine Gardener cares for them. This lesson of implicit trust in God of every flower of the spring, comes to human hearts. If God lavishes such ceaseless care opon a flower, what may He not do for his own innocent chil dren. May we trust even as the io wer. Sometimes they meet with hin drances. The ground is too hard or too dry, the sun too hot, but they keep right on blooming as well as they may, striving to make the world cheery with their presence. No voice of complaint is heard in the grove, no sigh of discontent in the garden. Sometimes a flower falls to the ground and is crushed by the foot of a passer-by. Does it cry out with indignation? Oh, no! It just fills the air with fra grance. So we, when wronged, should not seek revenge, but rather give back some of heav en's sweet fragrance of forgive ness. Then, too, how the flowers love the light. The sun gives them their life and beauty, so they turn their faces up and smile back its warmth and light. Christ is the light of the world. His love is the light of the soul. We should ever turn our hearts to Him with the same love and trust thai the flower gives. God has thought it worth while to sweeten our lives by surrounding us with all the beauty of the flow ers. How can we better show our thanks than to take them to the poor unfortunates who have not these smiles of God. Perhaps in the lowly garret or squalid base inert, perhaps in prison cells a bright flower may suggest hope of heaven to some forlorn soul. After the Election. The sovereign people" . of Flor ence county have decided to retain the dispensary. 1. It may be of some interest to note the fact that only 108 votes were cast against the sale of alcohol as a beverage in the precinct of Florence. Perhaps ninety of these are members of the churches in the city. There are more than 409 possible voters who are mem bers of the city churches, so that there are more than 300 church members who either voted for the dispensary or failed to vote at all. This means that less than twenty five per cent of the enfranchised church members took a positive stand for prohibition in the election. The responsibility for retaining the dispensary lies at the door of the churches. The further meaning of this result is that either the sale of alcohol as a beverage is right or else there ie a low standard of mor als in the churches of Florence. The result of the election wa? de termined by the ch arches of Flor ence. 2. As true patriots, real prohi bitionists can rest under quiet consciences, having given their conscience the benefit c?f the doubt 'as between economics and strict morality, apparent pecuniary gain and humanity and social welfare. As "the love of money is the root of all evil," so the use of alcohol is the mother of crime. Dividing mankind into two classes prohi bitionists need not despond, for right is right and in the end will prevail against might. Remember the cloud of the Hebrews and Egyp tians. 3. Now that rum sellers have won, what will be their attitude to wards the enforcement of the laws controlling the sale of alcoholics. The dispensary is the mother of (common) blind tigers-the source of their supply. Would it not be natural then for its friends to be in different toward the suppression of its faithful patrons? Hence lax and ndifferent enforcement of law. The more blind tigers the more 1 dispen sary profit?." The more lawless ness and disorder the greater evi dence of a profitable liquor busi ness. The "gentlemen" blind ti gers, though not patrons of the dis pensary, yet being proprietors, they will not be disturbed by officers of the law. 4. But what will be the attitude of prohibitionists towards the en forcement of law? If they are actu ated by principle and a desire to promote human welfare, they will not give up any more than Chris tianity gives up because of sin, des pite its efforts in evangelization Nay, there is encouragement even in defeat since the Webb law stands for progress. There is need for or ganization and orderly effort. Law and Order Leagues for enforcement of law and the W. C. T. U. for education of public sentiment are in order. It was by organization of temperance forces and public senti ment that the old barroom syBtem was removed, though politicians appropriated the spoils to their own use. It is a little strange that men who were then enraged at the great moral institution ire becoming its staunchest supporters. Why? Fora similar reason, personal gain at the sacrifice of princijple. .It was theft then; it is now theft of the coun trymen's wealth and human happi ness. Let the anti-liquor leagues every where oall to better organization and co-operation under Law and Order Leagues. There are four years during which national and state progress may become marked. Renewed and redoubled efforts should be-will be-made under the motto, "For God and Humani ty."-T. N. Rhodes, in Baptist Courier. DR. J. S. BYRD, Dental Surgeon OFFICE OVER POSTOFFICE. Residence 'Phone 17-R. Offioe 3. James A. Dobey, Dental Surgeon Johnston, S. C. OFFICE OVER JOHNSTON DRUG CO. A. H. Curley, Surgeon Dentist Appointments at Trenton On Wednesdays. WAGONS. We are offering Wilber and Columbus Wagons for the next sixty days at very much reduced prices and on easy terms. Mowers and mower re pairs. We handle the im proved McCormick mowers and Tepairs and sell on easy terms. We also have the Disc and peg harrows on hand. We buy colion-seed for the Planters Cotton Oil Com pany of Augusta and always pay the highest market prices and keep hulls and meal al ways on hand and will make liberal exchanges. Adams Warehouse Co. July 29, 16i3. Lumber For Sale. My saw mill is located five miles north ot Edger!eic] in a fine body of native forest pine Bills for sawing so licited. Will deliver lumber in Edgefield. Price reason able. R. T. Hill.* % FIRE INSURANCE Go to see Harling & Byrd Before insuring elsewhere. We represent the best old line com panies* Harling & Byrd At the Farmers Bank, Edgefield Make the Old Suit I Look New We are better prepared than ever to do first-class work in cleaning and press ing of all kinds. Make your old pants or suit new by let ing us clean and press them. Ladies skirts and suits al so cleaned and pressed. Sat isfaction guaranteed. Edgefield Pressing Club WALLACE HARRIS PROP. For Weakness and Loss of Appetite The Old Standard general strenjjtheninjr tonic, GROVE'S TASTELESS chill TONIC, drrres out Malaria and builds up the system. A true tonic md BI TC Appetiser. For adults and children. 60c. HIS MYSTERIOUS NOTE BY ARTHUR W. PEACH. Marion Leighton looked tip from her book, a little amused and puzzled at the attitude of the maid, who after 'thoroughly arranging the misplaced articles, dusting, and polishing, still 'lingered. "Well, Corley, what's the matter? Something you want to ask for? Go ahead," she suggested kindly. "It isn't about me," the girl an? ?wared hesitatingly, "and I don't know as I ought to say anything about lt; bot I do like yon, and I don't, waa? yon to-" . "TeD me, Corley,*' the othe^ oaid, laying: down the book. tell you just what lt ie. Mr. Shani er, who comes here, and whom you are engaged to-M "Not quite yet, Corley; I havant made np my mind/' Miss Leighton said. "It's about him; be bas been writing love-letters to a girl-wonderful love tetters!" v The words were a sudden shock to the listening girl. It was true she had Dot given her promise to Sh ale er, but that she loved him she could not deny. It needed but a moment to make her feel that the maid was mistaken. "But you can't know, Corley, whether he bas or not," she said. The girl shook her head. "Yes, I do," she said with firmness. "I've seen the letter, read it with my own eyes! It?s written to a girl whose name is Ruth; it's a wonderful love letter!" "I don't see how it could come Into your possession-" "It didn't," the girl answered, her head drooping. "A friend got it He works at the Frazer Company with Mr. Shafner. I don't know how he got It; hut I'll get the letter from him, and show you." "That-that would be beet-I am sure," said MIBS Leighton. It seemed hardly plausible that a letter of his could be secured, yet he might write in an idle moment in his office, and such a letter might be found-it might be among his waste paper, put there because of some flaw. There was a chance, a small one-the chance that human hearts must al ways take into consideration though there are a thousand against it, Later in the afternoon, the maid came In, a little fearful, because she was in love herself with the bearer of the note to her, of what effect it might have on the beautiful girl she served. One glance told the story to Miss Leighton. Tt was the same even, char acteristic hand with which she had ?.been 'amiliar. It began with "Dearest Ruth," and went on into a tender love letter, brief but full of meaning, and made an offer of an engagement for the following night It was perfectly plain: It was his letter. He was in love with some onG unknown to her; he was even meeting her, as the proposed engagement showed. "Go, Corley," she said. 'T?o wait; did you ask-where this-was found?" "Yes, Fred found it in the waste paper basket. It was crumpled a little and there was a slight mark oi it-" "I see; thank you. Go, Corley, please," si. e said. With that note crumpled in her hand, she sat down to think, to en deavor to plan some way to let him know-that she knew. He was to call that evening; he must not She went to the telephone and called the office, but as she expected, he had gone with the rest of the men. She found him at bis rooms, and his cheery voice answered her question over the wires. "Robert. I don't want you to come tonight; I will tell you why in a note I shall write you. With it, I shall en close another. Good-bye." "But Marion, wh-" She hung up the receiver, cutting off his answer. She bravely went to her desk and drew paper in front of her but her courage failed under the stress she had put upon it She thought of him, her love for him, her dreams cf him and with him. She was aroused by a step In the room, and turning, thinking lt was one of the family, she saw him, toss ing his hat into a chair. "Your mother said to come up, so I have, Marion. I want to know what you meant by what-" He came up to her, and sho rose drawing away from him; but he was taller, and stronger than she, and she felt piti fully weak in her defiance. "By what you said to me?" "Read this, and you'll see what ground I had," she answered in a low voice, holding out to him the note. He took it, read, it started at her, smile, and laughed. Then he caught her in his arms, and held her. "Listen, dear, I know now. But you are mis taken. I wrote that note for this rea son. One of the lads in the depart ment I diecovered trying to write a letter to his sweetheart during the noon hour. He was having a hard time of it, and I offered-kidlike-to help him, give him a form to use. So I wrote that out. He wanted to make a date with her, he said, and I put It in, too. Some one brought you my sample copy of a love letter. That's all, dear. Were you hurt by thinking that I cared for anyone but you?" She nodded. "Don't you think it would be best If you gave me your promise now, so that I shall never really write such a note, thinking that after all you care nothing for me?" be asked. She nodded. ? Monuments and Tombstones I represent the Spartanburg Marble and Granite works in this section and shall be pleased to show you designs and quote priceb on all kinds of work. Write me a card if you are interested and I will call to see you. John R. Tompkins, Edgefield, S. Carolina Barrett & Company -Cotton Factors Your cotton solicited. It will receive our personal attention. Augusta, Ga. Summerland College For Women NEXT SESSION BEGINS SEPT. 16th, 1913. Offers a liberal education under positive Chris tian influences. Expenses very moderate. Ideal location. Rocms furnished with everything needed: bed, dresser, washstand, chairs, rugs, linen, electric lights, steam heat hot and cold water. For further information address P. E. MONROE, President, Batesburgor Leesville, S. C. can 06 Copyrieht 1S-09, by C. E. Zimmerman Co.-No. 10 No matter what your walk in life, or what your station may be, you have an opportu nity to be the possessor of a bank account, and it emly re mains for you to realize the importance of this one thing, to render you indedendent. OFFICERS: J. C. Sheppard, Pres.; B. E. Nicholson* Vice pres.; E. J. Mims, Cashier; J. H. Allen, assistant Cashier DIRECTORS: J C. Sheppard, J. Wm. Thurmond, Thos. H. Rainsford, John Rainsford B. E. Nicholson, A. S. Tompkins, C. C. Fuller, J. H. Allen ra Albemarle-Hoffman NEW YORK A new modern hotel representing a Five Million Dollar investment on the sight of the former Hoffman House. Broadway, 24th Street, Fifth Avenue. THE ACME OF ARCHITECTURAL PERFECTION. LOCATED AT THE HUB OF NEW YORK'S GREATEST BUSINESS, OVERLOOKING MADISON SQUARE. Accomodations for 1,000, offering maximum luxury and comfort at mucw lower rates than offered in any other hotel in America, con sistent wrjh highest class service. A Good Room at $1.50 Per Day. A Good Room with bath $2.00 Per Day. Handsome apartments of any numbei of rooms at proportionate rates. The management is a guarantee of the highest refinement and protection to ladies and families. Telephones, Madiaon-3440-3560 DANIEL P RITCHEY. IB ? Jr