ISSUED TWIOB-A-WEEK?WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY. l. h. grist * sons, pnwishen. } % Jfantilj Jletrapger: ^or the promotion of thi; political, Social, gtgricultunal and Commercial Interests of the gouth. {TEE coAFT,eriRvi cem^'ice' vot.tttvttr! 4-3. YOBKYILLE, S. C., SATURDAY, OCTOBER 2, 1897. NUMBER 79. EXILED 10 SIBERIA. By WILLIAM MTJBBAY GBAYDOH. [Copyright, 1897, by the Woolfali Publishing Company.] , CHAPTER XXVIIL SHIFTING SCENES. Six feet beneath the level of the flat top of the fortress, on the eastern side facir.g the sea, extended a paved stone wall, 20 feet broad. On the onter edge of this rose a massive parapet deeply embrasured and mounted with frown log cannon that pointed their gaping muzzles day and night on the shipping in the harbor. Seven grated windows directly beneath the roof faced this paved wall, and the middle grating admitted a feeble supply of light to the cell wherein Paul Platoff was confined. Five minutes before the alarm occurred that roused Maurice from his sleep two sentries were patrolling before the row of windows, now back to back as they neared the angles of the fortress, now face to face as they approached and met before the middle window. Three lanterns, placed at regular intervals, threw a bright light on the soene, and, shining out on the sea, mingled with the wavy reflections from the shipping. "Have yon a light, Ivan?" said one sentry to the other as they met before Platoff's window. "Yes," was the reply. "Here is my pipe. Horry and finish your sxnoke, though, for the night offioer will soon be here." They halted a moment to exchange fire, and as they moved off again neither heard a sharp crack that came from a point close at hand. The distance between them gradually widened, and they were olose to the angles of the fortress when suddenly the grating dropped from the middle window with a tremendous crash, and they wheeled round in time to see a 4ark figure slip nimbly to the ground and dash toward the parapet Crack I crack! rang the two rifles simultaneously as the sentries rushed forward, but the dark figure gained the top of the parapet unchecked and leaped wildly into the darkness. A heavy splash told that he had reaohed the sea, 50 feet below. The alarm gun standing ready primed and loaded was touched off instantly, and as the loud boom roused the inmates of the fortress and drew an eager crowd of officers and soldiers to the spot the figure of the escaped prisoner was seen for an instant striking boldly out into the harbor. A score of rifles belched out flame and lead?with what effect none could tell?and a few moments later four boats manned with armed soldiers were gliding to and fro over the harbor. From midnight until morning they hunted Paul Platotf in vain, and when daylight came a Russian corvet watched the mouth of the harbor, while the commandant of the fortress, armed with the czar's authority, searched every vessel in the port?German. Danish, Italian, English and American. But Paul Platoff could not be found, and when night came again it was officially reported that the daring revolutionist had found a resting place at the bottom of the sea. The two negligent sentries were put in irons, the gratings at the six other windows were strengthened, and the . fortress settled down to its usual routine again. Colonel Jaroslav informed the boys of the sad occurrence. Phil burst into tears, and Maurice, throwing himself on the bed, hid his face in the pillow. When the door had closed behind the colonel, he sprang up. "Phil," he exclaimed excitedly, "don't you believe it. PlatofF is not drowned. It can't be true. He has escaped, and we shall see him again some day. I am sure of it." Phil was inclined to be skeptical, but Maurice remained true to his convictions and steadfastly refused to credit bis friend's death. Two day6 Inter, in custody of Colonel Jaroslav's own guard of Cossacks, the I J 1~ IS HAA M%{|A vuya cuiuiueuueu iuc iuu^ u,wv iuhc journey bacjt to St. Petersburg?first by sea to the mouth of the Amur, then successively by river, carriage and rail. On the night of the 10th of July Vladimir SaradofF was sitting at his library table, a cigar in his mouth and the Moscow Gazette on his knee. It was quite unusual to find him in St. Petersburg at this time of year, when the neighboring mansions on the Nevskoi Prospekt were boarded up and their owners scattered over the continent, but he had merely dropped in on his way to Pari" from one of his northern estates and preferred tho comforts of his home and the ministrations of his faithful Ivan to the gloomy solinde of ?. the club. If any remorse for his fearful crime lurked in his heart, he did not show it. His calm, haughty features expressed self complacency and content plainer than words would have told. "Katkoff's paper ought to be suppressed," he muttered, tossing Tho Gazette over 011 the table. "It's tone is becoming decidedly dangerous. "Is everything packed?" he added, turning to ivan, who was stanauig motionless by bis chair. "Wo take the Berlin express at noon tomorrow. " "All is ready," suid Iviui quietly, "except the money. I shall go to the banker's in the morning." "Get 6,000 in large notes," said his master, "and a draft on Rothschild for the balance. Ah, a letter for me," as a servant entered with a seale 1 envelope on a silver salver. Yiadimir Saradoff looked carelessly at tbe superscription and broke the seal. He drew ont a folded paper, and holding it nnder the lamp read tbe following weds, hastily written in a bold, dashing hand: "Not unmindful of past favors, I assume the risk of requiting in some measure the debt of gratitude I owe you. A warrant has been issued for your arrest on a terrible charge. I have seen the proofs. I need say no more. Count Brosky is implacable and determined. He fears complications with the American government and will not spare you. The boys are now in the city. Flee at once if yet there is time. Even now it may be too late. Burn this note. Yours, Vonouzow." He read it through to the end, word for word, and then as the paper fluttered from his nerveless fingers be drop ped heavily into the chair irom wnicn he had half risen. His lips mumbled, bnt no sound came, and his face was white as chalk. Ivan, deeply alarmed by this sudden oollapse, sprang to his master's side with a decanter snatched hastily from the buffet. A spasm passed hastily over Saradoff's features as he took the glass from Ivan, and the powerful stimulant brought a flush to bis cheek. He glared wildly about the room and then sprang to his feet In that brief five minutes Vladimir Saradoff had aged?had suffered the agonies of a lifetime. [' "Bead that," he cried, tossing the letter to Ivan. "It comes from Voroubow, private secretary to the count His information may be relied on. Some person has played the traitor. But never mind. My vengeance will coma Escape is the first thing." He shuddered and passed bis hand over his forehead. "Quick, Ivan," he cried with sudden terror, "quick, or I am lost Escape by rail is cut off. Tbey will watch the stationa I most take to the yacht. It still lies at the docks of Vassili Ortroff. I lent it to Count Adlerberg. It waits his arrival in the morning. Do you hear me, Ivan: 1 must foil these bloodhounda Call a cab at once. See if the street is empty." The perspiration was standing in drops on his forehead, and his hands trembled. Ivan, no less terrified than his mas ter, harried from the room, dropping the crumpled letter to the floor. Vladimir SaradofF picked it up and held it over the globe of the lamp. As the last fragment turned to ashes Ivan returned. "I have been fortunate," he panted. "I found a cab close by. The street is empty. Go quick. They may arrive at any moment." Without a word his master dropped into a chair, seized a pen and ink and checkbook and drove his hand rapidly over the paper. "Here, take this," he cried. "Vou must remain behind. Disguise yourself and you will be safe. Go to the bank in the morning, get foreign drafts for this whole amount if you cnn and join me in Paris at the Hotel Bristol. Now a coat, Ivan?a light coat?and my pistols; don't forget them." A moment later he was ready. A few brief injunctions to Ivan, a hasty farewell, and he hurried down the broad | stairway, through the long, magnificently furnished hall, and passed into | the street He turned with a bitter malediction on his lips for a last look at the stately front of his palace?the last time he Crack! crack! rang the two riflce Hmul tancousiy. would ever see it, be knew well?and then bolted into the cab, the obsequious driver holding the door open for him. "Catherine's wharf, docks of Vassili Ostroff," he cried. "Twenty rubles if you get there in 15 minutes. Don't ipare your horses." The door closed with a bang. The driver mounted his box and lashed his steeds. The cab rumbled briskly over the cobblestones and then drew up with a jerk. "Drive on, you idiot!" shouted Saradoff. "Goon, I say! Why do you stop?" The cab started, moved a few paces and stopped again. Vladimir Saradoff threw up the blind. A lamp across the way shed a yellow light on the street. The driver was standing on the ground. Two dark figures held the horses and a third w as approaching the cab?a tall, bearded man in a blue uniform and a sword at his side. A little distance off other figures were visible in tlio shadow, and the lumplight fell on gleaming rifle barrels. The cab door was thrown open. "Vladimir Sarudoff, I arrest you in the name of the czar," said the oflicer. "Here is the warrant. .Shall I read it?" CHAPTER XXIX. CONCLUSION. But there was no reply. A few seconds passed in silence. Then a flash of light lit up the darkness of the cab, a sharp report echoed through the gloomystreet, and the horses, rearing in the uir.j made a desperate attempt to break loose The police dashed forward, surrounding the cab, and a crowd, sprung from no one knows where, quickly blocked up the street. A lantern was hastily brought and a surgeon summoned to! the spot, but it was too late for medical) aid. Vladimir Saradoff had evaded ar-j rest and punishment. He was taken back to his stately residence and borne through the startled group of servants to hie chamber. There they left him alone, and an officer guarded the entrance. The police took possession of the hnnsfl and drove curious spectators from the door all night long, for the news bad epread rapidly. The morning journals announced in startling headlines the crime and death of Vladimir Saradoff, and St. Petersburg from the highest to the lowest circles was wild with excitement. That day the boys were brought before Count Brosky, minister of the interior. The proof and testimony thatj Colonel Jaroslav was prepared to offer! were unneeded. Ivan, Vladimir Saradoflf's servant, j who had been arrested while escaping from the rear of the house, came forward with a full confession, made on condition that his punishment should be mitigated. He told all, bow the plot had been laid, the false passports and nihilistic documents substituted for the boys' papers, and how finally, by bribing an assistant at the morgue, the genuine passports had been conceuled on the persons of two unfortunate wretches found in the Neva. At the close of the examination the boys were freed with a most profuse and elaborate apology from Count Brosky and went off in a carriage to the residence of Colonel Jaroslav, whose guests they intended remaining for a few days. The colonel had promised to do all in his power for them?a promise which he kem to the letter. Vladimir Sara doff's affairs were at once taken, in band by the government, and tbrongb Colonel Jaroslav's influence the fortune of $200,000 of which Maurice had been robbed was preserved from the wreck, subject, of oourse, to legal formalities oonnected with the lad's guardianship. Colonel Jaroslav advanced him as much money as he needed, and Maurice's flrst act was to pay the fine of 20,000 rubles that bad been imposed on Nicolas Poussin and to write tbpfc worthy merchant a long and grateful letter. Phil meanwhile wrote home to his father, fearing the shock that a cablegram might produce. During their stay in the Russian capital Maurice met Miss Melikoff, who had just returned with her father from the mines of Kara. They had a long I and interesting interview, but the part which that young lady played in the boy's escape was kept a rigorous secret "Why, my father il 3iit actually send me back to work in the mines if he knew what I had done," said Miss Lora. "He is so awfully strict, you know." And the old general confirmed that opinion on meeting Maurice. "And so you are the fellow that struck an officer, he said gruffly, "and rescued my daughter too? Well, young man, I would have shot you for the one and rewarded you for the other." And then be graciously shook hands with biin. The boys greatly enjoyed their stay in St. Petersburg, for Colonel Jaroslav was a most delightful host, but their hearts yearned for America, and late iu July they parted from their kind friend and the many other acquaintances they had made in the Russian capital and sturted by rail across the continent, sailing from Havre a week later. It was a clear and beautiful August morning when the Grand Mouarqup steamed majestically up New York harbor. At the foot of the narrow street which opened on the wharf a motley crowd was gathered, curious to 6ee the two young Americans who bad tasted the horrors of Siberian exile, for the papers had proclaimed far and wide their expected arrival. Off the Battery a tugboat put out to the steamer containing a tall, gray bearded man, whoso actions evinced great excitement. He was hoisted on board the Grand Monaraue, and a moment later Phil was clasped in his fa- 1 ther's embrace, to the manifest delight of the passengers. "My poor boy, my poor boy I" was all he could utter for a long while, but i presently he became more composed and extended Maurice an affectionate greeting. "Your guardian is not here, my boy," he said as he clasped his hand. "Colonel Hoffmau could not come. You will know all later." Maurice detected the strange embarrassment in his manner, but before he could ask an explanation the steamer was at the wharf, and they hurried across the landing to a cab that was waiting. A wild cheer burst from the crowd, and half a dozen reporters sprang forward, notebooks in hand. Turning v deaf car to the representatives of the press, the boys gained the ?v ...j ;? ?i fnnt CUU, aim ilia urine uacauj uuw uuo xuvu on the 6top, when a strong hand seized his shoulder, and he turned half angrily to meet the honest, tear dimmed face of Paul Platoff. With a cry of joy lie staggered back and would have fallen, but the sturdy Russian caught him in his arms, and they wept together, unmindful of the excited spectators, who cheered again and again and pressed forward so 1impetuously that the indignant policemen oonld not drive tbem back. Between tbe mingled embraces cf tbe two boys and tbe jostling of the erowd Platoff was well nigh suffocated, bat finally tbey were all bundled into tbe cab and were soon rattling up noisy Broadway. In husky, broken sentences Platoff related bow be bad gained tbe shelter of an American sailing vessel on that terrible night of bis escape, and bow tbe noble captain, on learning his story, bid him so securely that tbe Russian soldiers failed to find bim. Two days later tbe vessel left for borne, and after a long voyage arrived safely at Boston. "I knew you were safe," he said, "and I saw afterward by tbe papers that you were ooming borne on this tpnmpp. " "I knew it," said Maurice. "I knew yon were not dead. What did I tell yon, Phil?" That night Mr. Danvers' np town residence was brilliantly lighted in honor of the boys' retnrn, and many friends called to offer their congratulations and to shake hands with the brave Russian whose heroic condnot was now being diBcnssed throughout the city. One thing marred Maurice's pleasure. Colonel Hercules Hoffman had been thrown from his horse in Central park a week before and died two days later, leaving a sealed packet for bis ward. ThiB Maurice opened ou the first opportunity and read with sorrow the shameful confession that threw still more light on Vladimir Saradoff's crime. The story of the malachite box of jewels, the interview at the Hotel Bristol in Paris, the later correspondence of Vladimir Saradoff, all was told without reserve, and the writer ended by expressing a hope of forgiveness and willing his fortune to Maurice aB a partial restitution. It must be remembered that Colonel Hoffman, at the time of writing this, knew that the boys bad been rescued from their fate, and it must have been a great relief to his burdened conscience to discover that they were not dead, as he, no doubt, had believed. Maurice generously determined that bis guardian's reputation for honesty and uprightness should not be blotted with this fool story, so ne burned the confession and locked up the secret in bis own breast He was now possessed of a handsome fortune, for Colonel Hoffman bad been worth nearly $100,000 himself. With great difficulty he compelled Paul Platoff to accept a sum that would make him independent for life, and, indeed, it was only through the most dire threats that the brave fellow could be induoed to listen to such a proposition. Platoff was, as we have stated, a man of education, refinement and ability, and these attainments, which his own government spurned, he now devoted to kin nnnnfrv IwtnmiTlff A tmi A American at heart And now we must leave our heroes? happily freed from their perils?to enjoy the new life that opens before them nnder the shadow of the stars and stripes, a flag unstained by tyranny or despotism. To Paul Platoff, who has passed through the furnace of oppression, our government will always be all that is noble and just while Maurice and Phil, who have seen and realized for themselves the oppression tind misery that lurk beneath the flag of autocratic Bussia, will, we venture to think, bd enabled more and more to reach and realize the truest ideal of young Amerioan manhood. THE END. Palmistry. By palmistry one is supposed to be able to discover the character. Each little line or lump upon the palm, it is said, stands for some quality or attribute of the individual. It is even asserted that destiny itself, not just the fate insured by character, but the positive facts of the future, may be read in the hand. Whether this be directly so, however, it is without doubt true that in the practice of palmistry one may indirectly arrive at many safe and sound conclusions concerning character. Just notice, the next time you happen to be present where palm reading is in full blast, how easily you can detect the wishes and vanities of each subjecthow conscious they all, tho most composed of them, look at the mention of certain alleged revelations, how hopeful at the hint of future opportunities, and how invariably downcast they appear when the oracle goes against the grain of their aspirations in any way. The lines on the palm may be liable to misinterpretation, but there's no mistaking the emotions that tbev arouse. Another test of character that palmistry provides concerns her who does the reading. Of course under strictly professional conditions this doesn't appear to such telling advantage, but in the drawing room atmosphere, with hei own friends or at least her social confreres as subjects, there it is that the true nature of tho palmist is revealed. If she ba a bit of a diplomat, how i'. shines forth, while tact, savoir faire, and, aoove an, mu uuimj iu uam,, play a by no means insignificant part There are, of course, drawing room palmists who are devoid of those qualities, whose love for scientific accuracy is sucn as to interfere with any ulterior or personal motive, but this shines forth just as plainly as the other thing. Tho only thing, though, is that it does not often get tho chance so to shine, as, very naturally, she is rarely to bo seen. It's the tuctful diplomat of a palmist who is the most popular.?New York Sun. PisrritettfOMS Reading. JACKSON'S LIMBLESS COTTON. It Is a Fine Thing, But Is Not What Is Claimed. In The Enquirer of last Wednesday was published an article about Jackson's limbless cotton that reads very much like a fairy tale. But the story is not altogether true. The following self-explanatory letter, published in the Greenville Mountaineer of last Wednesday, throws additional light od the subject: Georgia Experiment Station, September 25, 1897. Mr. John Ferguson, Greenville, S. C. Dear Sir:?In reply to yours of the 23d, I beg to say that I have repeatedly published replies and interviews in regard to the so-called African limbless cotton. I have the same cotton growing on this station from some of the same seed that Jackson used, having secured it from a partner of Jackson's last year. I have also examined Jackson's six-acre field of the so-called African cotton. When the patch I planted on this station commenced developing fruit, I soon suspected that it was none other than a comparatively old variety, known as "Welbom's Pet," introduced and sold (principally in the west) for seven or eight years past, by Jeff Welborn, now of Kerrs, Ark. After it corimenced to open its crop, I became convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the African (!) cotton is identical with "Welbom's Pet." I had grown the "pet" in 1890 and 1892, and remembered its peculiarities. I exchanged specimen sections of stalks with Mr. Jeff Welborn a few weeks ago, he sending me a section of a stalk of bis pet grown last year. The result was that no doubt whatever is left m bis or my mind of the identity of Jackson's "African" and "Welborn's Pet." Our trial test of 21 varieties does not show much to the credit of the Jackson cotton. It will not yieia as muca as uuy uuc of half the other varieties. I saw Jackson's patch. It is growing on land that originally was thin upland, but it has been manured and improved for many years until it is uow what we understand when we say a "dunghill" spot; besides this previous manuring it has been loaded down with cowpen manure from the adjoining cowpen of 60 cows. It will possibly make 1 to 1J bales of. cotton per acre, if the frost holds off reasonably late. The staple is ordinary, no better than the average selected varieties of upland cotton and will bring no more in the market. The whole thing is simply a scheme to sell the seeds of a fairly good variety of cotton at an unconscionably exorbitant price. Welborn sells them at $2 per bushel, or possibly less. 'Jackson wants $1 per hundred seeds, or $60 per pound 1 The tale about the seed having been introduced by a "Wandering Jew," who found them on a bush growing wild on the banks of the Congo, in Central Africa, is simply a "yarn." If a single farmer, after reading this, is humbugged about these seed he deserves to be humbugged. I have no interest in it except that I believe it to be my duty as director of the Georgia Experiment station to expose all such attempts to impose on the farmers. You can make such use of this letter as you may desire, for the benefit of your farmers. Very truly, R. J. Redding, Director. The Secret of Longevity.?The secret of longevity is a perennially interesting oue, but th i explanation of it is by no means uuiform. Oue centenarian gives one reason for bis long life, another assigns a diametrically opposite cause. Total abstainers cite instances of persons who have passed the one hundred year mark and who never tasted alcoholic liquors, used tobacco, or indulged in profanity. On the other band,' the ungodly bring forward the cases of men who have done all these things and who, in spite of them, have flourished like green bav trees, to an extreme old age. Wil liam Cooksou Carpenter, the oldest practicing lawyer in New York, who died recently in his 95th year, attributed his long life and good health to regular habits, "plenty of sleep and plenty of good whisky." The regular habits and the sleep no doubt bad much to do with his longevity, but it is possible that he might have lived to one hundred if he had omitted the whisky. As to plenty of sleep, there is no question as to the importance and value of that. Poet and scientist alike testify to the potency of nature's sweet restorer. Tesla, the great electrician, is quoted as saying that the more people sleep the longer they live. Cheerfulness will probably do as much to prolong life as any other prescription. From Different Points of View. Bishop Home said : "The follies, vices and consequent miseries of multitudes, displayed in a newspaper, are so'many admonitions and warnings, so many beacons, continually burning, to turn others from the rocks on which they have been shipwrecked. What caution likely to be more effectual against gambling and profligacy than the mournful relation of an execution, or the fate of ? iiucnumfp sninide ? What finer lec " ture on the necessity of economy than an auction of estates, houses, and furniture? 'Talk they of morals?' There is do need of Hutcbeson, Smith, or Paley. Only take a newspaper, and consider it well; read it, and it will instruct thee." And yet a Boston journal editor says : "Only last Sunday we heard a clergyman of ability, a man of views and reading, denounce newspapers that do not dismiss a crime with a line. His denunciation approached hysteria. He said, in effect, 'Why do our newspapers publish columns about a murder and say little or nothing about a charitable or noble ? ** 1 ! J 1 A. deed '( luust we reaa eaca aay auuut repulsive episodes iu the lives of the most degraded human beings ?' " SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS. Chester O. P. Concern Closed. On Wednesday, at Chester, the original package store run by Joseph Groeschel, the agent of Bluthenthal , & Bickart, of Atlanta, who are protected by Judge Simonton's injunction, was closed up by the state constables and the stock seized. The Btate' authorities say that the place was not closed up. with any desire to be in contempt of the injunction ; but for the best reasons, which will appear later on. Two Men Poisoned. Samuel Parker and Lawrence Parish, the last named a young man and a member of one of the best families in the town of Tatum, Marlboro county, died last Saturday after having imbibed moderately of an "original package" that had come from Smithfield, N. C. Shortly after drinking the liquor, both men were seized with violent pains which speedily resulted in death. The suspected liquor will be analyzed for poison. Hearing on the Ninth. Columbia state : in speaaing or me case brought by Bluthenthal & Bickart in Atlanta against the Southern railway before Judge Newman, to compel that system to transport liquor shipped in bottles loose, in carload lots, in which collusion is charged against Governor Ellerbe, Attorney General Barber said that Judge Newman bad issued a rule to show cause on the 9th of October in Atlanta; but that the judge still had under advisement the matter of issuing a temporary injunction. Mr. Barber will attend the bearing on the 9th. He does not seem to think that the temporary injunction will be issued in the meantime. Besides, the attorneys for the liquor dealers have asked for an order to restrain the Southern from putting its circular in regard to the matter into effect, whereas the circular bad already been put into effect before the proceeding was instituted. Death of General Farley. General Hugh Legare Farley died at bis home in Spartanburg last Thursday afternoon at 4 o'clock, of kidney trouble, after a long illness. General Farley was born in Laureus county in 1844. He entered the Confederate service at 16 years of age, and by his many acts of conspicuous bravery won promotion to a captaincy. Among the battles in which be took part were Manassas, Yorktown, Williamsburg, Seven Days Fights Around Richmond, Winchester, Fredricksburg, Chattanooga, Gettysburg, Chickamauga, Cold Harbor, Petersburg and others. He was wounded many times ; but fought through to the surrender. Since the war, he has been very conspicuous in state politics, and suffered several grave injustices at the bands of the party. He was the right band of Tillman in the political uprising of 1890, and was elected adjutant aod inspector general. At the time of his death ha tiro a tunrlfincr tin an authentic re&US UV ?TBO ? Vi u>