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' " ^ ISSUED SEKMrEBSL^^ ^ ^ ^ __ L. m. grist & sons, Publishers. } % Jfamilg Deirspaper: ^or (he promotion of (he political, ?oriat, Sfgricutturat, and Commercials Interests of the JJeople. j TERMs^$^oo^?^ARjx adv^koe. established 18557 YOBKVILLE. S. C., WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20, 1901. 15. BY BAROBB | Copyright, 1900, by Harold McGrath. CHAPTER XL ^ "Hello there!" he hailed, seeing but not recognizing me. "Have you seen any cavalry pass this way?" "No; I have not," I answered in English. "Eb? What's that?" uot quite believ4 Ing it was English he bad beard. "I said that no cavalry has passed this way since this afternoon. Are they looking for you. you jailbird in perspective?" He was near euough now. "Well, I be dashed!" be cried. "What the devil are you doing here of all places?" "I was looking for you." said 1, locking my arm in his. ^ "Everybody has been making that their occupation since I left Austria." cursiug lowly. "I never saw such people." "What have you been doing this, time?" "Nothing, but I want to do something right away. They have been I took the lieutenant by the collar and * flung him into the corner. bounding me all over tbe kingdom. What have I done? Nothing, absolutely nothing. It makes me hot under the it. collar. Do they think to find the Princess Hlldegarde by following me around? I'd give as much as they to find her." "So you haven't seen anything of her?" "Not a sign. I came here first, but not a soul was at the castle. Nobody knows where she is. I came here this time to throw them off the track, but I failed. 1 bad a close shave this noon. I'll light out tomorrow. It isn't safe in these parts. It would be of no use to tell them that 1 do not know where the princess Is. They have connected me with her as they connect one link of a A chain to another. You can kill a German. but you can't conviuce him. How long have you been here?" *v 1 did not reply at once. "About ten days." "Ten days!" he echoed. "What on earth has kept you in this ruin that long?" "Itest." said ? glibly. "But 1 am go lng away tomorrow. We'll go together They will not know what to do with | T two of us." "Yes; they will. You will be taken for my accomplice. Hark! What's that?" holding his hand to his ear. "Horses. Come, I'm not going to take any risk." So we made a run for the inn. In the twilight haze we could see two horsemen coming along the highway at a brisk gallop. "Bv the Lord Harry." Hillars cried excitedly, "the very men 1 have been dodging all day! Hurry! Can you put me somewhere for the time being? The garret; anywhere." "Come on. There's a place Id the garret where they'll never lind you." I got him up stairs unseen. If no one but I knew him to be at the inn, so much the better. "Oh. say! This'll smother me," said Dan as ' oushed him into the little room "Tney'll put you in ? smaller place." 1 said. "Hang it all. Jack! I'd rather have it out with tln in." "They have their pistols and sabers." "That's so. In that ease discretion is the better part of valor, and they wouldn't appreciate any coup on tny side. Come back and let me out as soon as they go." 1 descended into the barroom and found the 'wo officers interrogating the innkeeper. They were the same fellows who had visited the inn earlier in the day. Cretchen was at her place behind the bar. She was paler than usual. ? "Ah." said the innkeeper, turning to me. "am I not right in saying that you are the only guest at the Inn and that no American has been here?" 1 did not understand his motive, for he knew that I was an American. "It is perfectly true." said I. "that ' am your only guest." "Ah. the Englishman!" said the lieutenant suspiciously. "We are looking for a person of the name of Hillars wnom we are charged to arrest. Do you know anything about hi in?" "It is not probable." said I nouchalantly. I glanced at Cretchen. I could fathom nothing there. "Well." snarled the lieutenant, "I suppose you will not object to my seeing your passports?" "Not la the least," said 1. But I felt a shock. The word "American" was written after the nationality clause in > MAOGmATH. my passports. I was in for some excitement on my own account. If I returned from my rooms saying that I could not find my passports, they would undoubtedly hold ine till the same were produced. "I'll go and bring them for you." said I. I wanted some time in which to mature a plan of action If action became necessary. There was rather a sad expression In Gretchen's eyes. She understood to a fuller extent than I what was likely to follow when it was found that I had misrepresented myself. I cursed the folly which had led me to say that I was English, and I swore at the innkeeper for meddling. As I left the room 1 smiled at Gretchen, but she did not answer it. Perhaps I was gone five minutes. In that time I made up my mind to show the passports and trust to luck for the rest. When I came back, Gretchen bad engrossed tbeir attention. Tbey took no uotice of me. I have never understood bow It came about, but all at once the lieutenant bent forward and kissed Gretchen on the cbeek. She started back with a cry, then looked at me. That swift glance told me what to do. I took the lieutenant by the collar and flung him into the corner. The surprise on bis face was not to be equaled. Then as he rose to his feet the veins in his neck swelled with rage. "I'll pay you for that, you meddling beef eater!" he roared. "Don't mention it," said I, with an assumption of blandness which 1 did not feel. "That was simply gratuitous. It is a sample of what I shall do to you If you do uot immediately ask this lady's pardon for the gross insult you have just offered her." "Insult! To kiss a common barmaid an insult!" he yelled, now purpling. "Why?why?-what is this woman to you?this tavern wench, this"? "Be careful." I warned. Gretchen was calmly wiping her cheek, but her eyes were like polished emeralds. "You have come here, I believe," said I, "to see if my passports were proper." "Curse you and your passports! Are you a gentleman?" "Would you recognize one If you saw him?" I laughed. "Can you fight?" "Certainly," said 1, thinking of the weapons nature In her kindness had given to me. "Good! Otto, have the horses brought around. We will cut for the barracks and get the colonel's weapons, the rapiers." The word "rapier" sent an icy chill up my spine. A duel! "The devil!" said I under my breath. 1 knew less about fencing than I did about aerial navigation, which was precious little. The fact that Gretcben was now smiling aggravated the situation. 1 could uot heip the shudder. Why. the fellow would make a sieve out of me! "Will you look at my passports now?" I asked. "You mav not have the opportunity again." "Your passports from now on will be void." was the retort. "But 1 shall be pleased to give you a passport to the devil. I shall kill you," complacently. "Think of my family." said I, a strange humor taking possession of me. "You should have thought of your family before you struck me that blow," he replied. My laughter was genuine. Even Gretcben smuggled a smile. Tbe lieutenant bad taken my remark in all seriousness. "You will not run away?" he asked. "1 shall probably be obliged to run away tomorrow." said I smoothly. "1 should not be able to account for your presence here. But I shall await your return from the barracks, never fear." All this was mere bravado. Honestly, I shrunk within my clothes and shivered in niv shoes. But 1 had an unfailing nerve. Some call it bluff. Gretcben had been whispering to the innkeeper. When he moved from her side, she was smiling. "What the deuce is she smiling about?" I wondered. "Does the woman take me for a modern D'Artagnan V" "Innkeeper." said the lieutenant, "if this man is not here when 1 return I'll take satisfaction out of your hide." The innkeeper shrugged. "I have never heard of an Englishman running away." "And I have seen many a German do that." 1 put in. "How am I to know that your going to the barracks Is not a ruse?" He gasped. The words would not come which would do justice to his feelings. He drew off one of his gloves and threw it into my face. It stung me. I should have knocked him down hnt for the innkeener stenniner be tween. "No, benv' he said; "do not disable him." "You had best go to the barracks at once." said 1 to the lieutenant. My clothes were too small for me now, and I did not shiver in my shoes. My "Yankee" blood was up. I would have fought him with Imttleaxes. "Herr," said the innkeeper when the two had made off for the barracks, "you are a man of courage." "Thanks." said 1. "Do you know anything about rapiers?" he asked. "1 know the handle from the blade; that's all. But that does not make any difference. I'd light him with any weapon. He struck me, and thenthen he kissed Gretchen." "1 have wiped it off. herr." said Gretchen drvlv. Then she passed from the room. I went up stairs too. i looked out of my window. There was | moonlight, possibly the last time I should ever see moonlight in the land of the living. Nothing but a mishap on my opponent's part and that early in the combat would save my epidermis. The absurd side of the affair struck me. and I laughed mirthlessly, but none the less 1 laughed. If it had been pistols, the chances would have been equal. A German does not like pistols as a dueling apparatus. They often miss fire. A sword is a surer weapon. And then the French use them?the pistols?in their liascoes. Rapiers? I was as familiar with the rapier as 1 was with the Zulu assagai. 1 unstrapped my traveling case and took out Phyllis' photograph. I put it back. If I was to have a last look at any woman, it should be at Gretchen. Then I got out my cane and practiced thrusting and parrying. My wrist was strong. "Well." I mused, "there's consolation In knowinr~that in two hours I shall be either deader alive." I flung the cane into the corner. To pass away the time I paced back and forth. It passed too quickly, and it was not long ere I heard the clatter of the returning cavalrymen. Some one knocked at my door. I swung it open and was thrown to the floor, bound and gugged in a tenth of a minute. "Put hi in on the bed," whispered the leader of my assailants. When this was done, the voice added, "Now you can go to the stables aud wait there till I call you." It was the innkeeper. He surveyed me for a moment and scratched his chin. "Will herr keep perfectly quiet if I take the KSjndkerchief from his mouth V" he asked. I nodded, bewildered. "What in tophet does this mean?" I asked. I did not say tophet. but it looks better in writing. "It means nothing and everything," was the answer. "In the first place, herr will fight no duel. The man with whom you were to fight was sent on an errand to this out of the way place as a nuniKhmaiit for his dueling at the capital. 1 know hlni by reputation. He is a brawler, but a fair swordsman. He would halve you as I would a chicken. There is another who has a prior claim on him. If there is anything left of Herr Lieutenant at the end of the fray, you are welcome to It. Yes; there will be a duel, but you will not be one of the principals. It Is all arranged." "But I do not understand." I cried. "It Is not necessary that you should." He laughed and rubbed his hands in pleasurable anticipation. "There is a young man down stairs who arrived a few moments before the lieutenant He has a special affair. There were words. Herr Lieutenant is mad enough to fight a whole company." "Then why in heaven's name am I up here in this condition?" I cried. "Let me go and be the young man's second, though I can't for the life of me see where he has come from so suddenly and I might say opportunely. Come, cut me loose." "It Is too late." "Too late?" "Yes. Herr Lieutenant has been Informed that you ran away." "Ran away!" i roared. "You told him that I ran away? Curse your insolence! I'll break every bone In your body for this!" I cried, straining at the ropes. "The ropes are new." said he. "You'll hurt yourself." "You told hitn that I ran away?" Ibis was too much. "Yes. Ah. but you will be surprised. The duel will last five minutes. Herr Lieutenant will thrust. The thrust will be parried. He will feint: useless. Thrust on thrust, parry on parry. Consternation will take the place of eonfi deuce. He will grow nervous. He will try nil bis little tricks, and they will fail. Then his eyes will roll and his breath come in gasps. Suddenly he thinks he s( es an opening. He lunges. Acli. the fool, it is all over!" The old man's voire quivered with excitement. He had parsed his time in the barracks and had seen many a sword skirmish. "Well, are you going to take off these ropesV" "No. You would break every bone in my body." I groaned in exasperation. "You will soon be out of breath." Oh. could I have but loosened those cords! "Stahlberg. who left the service a year ago. will act in the capacity of second." Stahlberg was at the head of the vineyard. "1 shall watch the affair from the window here. The scene of action will take place in the clearing beyond. It will be an affair worth witnessing." "And where is (iretchen V" "Where she should be?at the bar, a dutiful barmaid." Then I heard nothing but the deep cachinnations of the innkeeper. There was something In j the affair which appealed to his humor. I could not see it. For ten minutes my vocanuiary was strictly uupnutume. "Will you kindly tell ine what the meaning of all this IsV" "Herr Winthrop. the Idyl has come to an end. The epic now begins." Separate Towel* For Children. Two or more children should not be permitted to use the same towel. Each child should have a separate one and be taught to regard it as personal property. Towels may be bought with Initials woven in them, which makes it easy for the owner to distinguish his own. Diseases of the eye and skin diseases are easily communicated by the indiscriminate use of the same towel by different persons. If careful ness In this matter be inculcated in childhood, it may save much suffering. ?Ladies' Home Journal. In Mexico everything and everybody pays a direct tax, from the street porter to the largest mercantile establishment, and the stamp tax for documents is eaually lucrative. pi-sccUattfflus Reading. SLAVERY IN ANDERSON. The Court Unearths an Outrageous Labor Scandal. There is a big sensation in Anderson county as the result of information that has developed about the practice of a shocking system of slavery, contrary to the constitution and all forms of law. The expose comes as the result of a Negro murder, and the enterprise and courage of a daily newspaper in givmg the facts. It seems that not long ago a Negro named Will Hull, was killed while attempting to escape from the convict stockade of one Newell. Newell was before the court on the charee of mur der. It developed that Hull had been arrested for violation of a labor contract on a warrant sworn out by Newell, Issued by Magistrate Gilmer and served by Newell and the magistrate's constable. Instead of taking the prisoner to the jail, as they should have done, Newell and the constable took him to Newell's stockade, where some 18 penitentiary convicts were held for farm work. It was In attempting to escape from there that Hull was killed, and as the case was going before the court Newell appeared to be guilty of no higher crime than of the shooting of an escaping convict. The Daily Mail, however, gave editorially, some additional facts in the case, and during the trial it developed that Hull was being held in the stockade under a remarkably worded contract; that he had run away; that the magistrate had sent him back under the forms of the law, and that in attempting to escape the second time, he was shot down by Newell like a dog. Upon realizing the enormity of the whole affair, having secured additional information, Judge Benet recalled the grand jury, gave it the benefit of all information he had gathered, and put in motion machinery by which the slavery business may be probed to the bottom. His honor read to the grand Jury, the form of a "contract" that is in use by a number of prominent farmers of Anderson county, including some that have no penitentiary convicts. The "contract" begins "South CarolinaAnderson county," and is as follows: "This contract and agreement for labor on farm, made and entered Into this day between , landlord, party of the first part, and , laborer, party of the second part, wltnesseth: "That I, , laborer, of the second part, do hereby bind over and hire myself to to do and perform general farm work under the supervision of said , or his agents, for the period of months commencing and ending , and as pay for the said services I am to receive the sum of $ per month, together with my board and lodging, which wages, InOO am r? n d Tfn m/inn a /l/\ *vi * icoo . \ji any ttuvanvjca iiiauc iu iiic from time to time, and lost time at per day, is to be paid by me at the expiration of above time. I agree at all times to be subject to the orders and commands of said , or his agents, perform all work required of me. , or his agents shall have the right to use such force as he or his agents may deem necessary to require me to remain on his farm and perform good and satisfactory services. He shall have the right to lock me up for safe keeping, work me under the rules and regulations of his farm, and if I should leave his farm or run away he shall have the right to offer and pay a reward of not exceeding $25 for my capture and return, together with the expenses of same, which amount so advanced, together with any other indebtness I may owe , at the expiration of above time, I agree to work out under all rules and regulations of this contract at same wages as above, commencing and ending . "Th; said shall have the right to transfer his interest in this contract to any other party, and I agree to continue work for said assignee the same as for the original party of the first part. I, , landlord, party of the first part, herebv agree with and hire the said for the above time, and pay wages as above set forth and otherwise fulfill my part of above agreement. "Witness our hands and seals this, the day , 189?. (Seal.) (Seal.) In commenting on the above, the judge remarked that 't would be legal to identify the possessor of the legal acumen who drew it up. He described it as having no force in law and as being contrary to the constitution and contrary to good morals. He thought there should be special investigation of the magistrate who Issued a warrant under such a paper, and he told the grand jury to procure a list of all the so-called landlords and laborers who were parties to such contracts. In conclusion he said: Mr. Foreman and Gentlemen: As white men living in a state where so large a portion of our population is composed of Negroes, it is our duty as representing the law abiding element of our population to see that justice is done to that inferior race. There is no doubt that the Negro race is inferior to ours in intelligence, in civilization, in moral character. There is no doubt that we have deprived them practically of political power, and it is best for them that it is so, but we are all the more bound to treat them kindly, fairly and justly. They are, in fact, our wards, and we, as their guardians must see to it that they are not made the victims of deceit and fraud, imposition and oppression. The fact that the Negro is ignorant, poor and dependent 011 the white man is no reason why he should be made the helpless victim of the white man's greed, deceit and tyranny. We must not allow the Negro's necessity to be the hard-hearted white man s opportunity. The white man's burden is a heavy one. and the white man of the Southern states has a larger portion of it to bear than any other white man. We must endeavor to show ourselves worthy of our responsibility, and as grand jurors and officers of the court we must see to it that in Anderson county this prosperous, enterprising, Christian community, the Negro shall have justice done him. You will therefore spare no pains to make a thorough investigation of the stockade scandal. The oath which you took as grand jurors requires you to present all things truly as they come to your knowledge, to the best of your understanding, so help you God. You have sworn not only that you will not present anyone for envy, hatred or malice, but that you will leave no one unpresented for fear, favor, affection, reward or hope of reward, and I know that in this regard you will do your duty. You will bring this shameful practice to the light of day. Such disgraceful conduct cannot stand daylight, but like those fungus growths that flourish only in dark corners it will perish when exposed to the light of day. The editor of The Daily Mail deserves the thanks of all good people for the editorial article which drew public attention to this matter. The air is filled with reports and rumors of the most startling cnaracter. One hears that there is a stockade in your county without a single convict in it, yet filled with men held there under these socalled contracts for labor, men who are guarded like convicts, worked like convicts, punished like convicts and sometimes shot as If they were felons escaping from prison and the custody of the law. Representing the law-abiding, God-fearing people of Anderson county, you will ascertain the names of those so-called landlords who have brought disgrace to your county and put it to a burning shame. You will in person or by committee visit all the stockades in your county and you will report to the court the names of all who are therein confined, the offenses for which they are imprisoned, and the term of their imprisonment and the names of those who are there confined under contract or for any causes. You will do all you can this week, but as it Is manifestly impossible to finish the investigation this week, I shall order a special session of the court of general sessions to be held on Thursday, the 7th day of March, on which day you as grand jurors will convene as a grand jury and make a final presentment of this matter. You have the power to send for 1 persons and papers and compel the attendance of witnesses and to examine , them, and I trust to you and all law- , abiding people in your county to unite ! in an effort to root out this shameful practice and to remove this black blot from the good name of Anderson county. WORK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. I Some of the More Important Acts and Joint i Resolutions of the Recent Session. ( The number of acts and joint resolu- . tions passed by the general assembly , this year is about as large as usual. Among those which seem to be of more , especial interest are the following: An act to provide for insuring the , buildings of the South Carolina college. , A joint resolution to extend the time for the payment of taxes for the year 1901. ( An act relating to the time of holding . courts in the Sixth circuit. An act to prohibit careless and reck- , less driving on the public highways. A joint resolution to require county treasurers to refund Denalties on taxes collected since December 31, 1900. An act to amend the act creating Yorkville school district. An act to ratify the amendment to . the constitution, to be known as article ( I of the amendments, to authorize the ( general assembly to provide by law for ( the condemnation of land for drainage purposes. An act to require owners of real property situated partly within and partly without incorporated towns to list the same separately. An act to ratify the amendment to section 7, article vlll, of the constitution relating to municipal bonded indebtedness. An act to provide for the election of directors, trustees and managers of corporations, and to carry out the provisions of the constitution in regard to voting cumulative stock. An ant tn nrpvpnt thp snip nf cnnds within one half mile of a religious camp ground. An act to require all the courts of the state to take cognizance of tfie laws and ordinances of the cities and towns. An act fixing the costs in estates of less than $100. An act to provide for a state board of entomology and to prescribe its powers and duties. An act to exempt graduates of the Charleston Medical college from standing examinations before state board. An act to amend section 165 of the criminal statutes of 1893, so as to include all personal property. An act to require the railroad commissioners to fix storage rates. An act to amend the law as to damages caused by defective highways, etc. An act to abolish township commissioners in York county. An act to limit the number of acres of land which aliens or corporations controlled by aliens, may own in this state. An act declaring the legal status of stock in manufacturing corporations. An act to regulate the issuance of preferred stock by corporations. An act in relation to the renewal and extension of the charters of corporations where the charters have not yet expired. A joint resolution to provide for the payment to the treasurer of York county $200 by the county for 1897. An act to require commissioners of public works to make reports to the town or city council. An act to make township assessors equalizers as well as assessors of property. An act as to the manner of drawing jurors in courts of common pleas. An act to amend sections 1 and 4 of an act entitled "An act to incorporate the A. R. P. orphanage, empowering the board of trustees to change the name and locality of the orphanage. \ An act to provide for the appointment and compensation of a state geologist. An act to authorize the state penitentiary superintendent to hire out con- ' victs to the several counties to work i on the public highways, and not to hire 1 them out for farming purposes. < An act to set apart for Confederate i relics and souvenirs a room in the ] siate nuuse. An act to allow the running of excur- i sion trains on Sundays to religious 1 meetings. ^ An act to regulate the carrying, man- i ufacture and sale of pistols. 1 An act to further regulate the regis- 1 tration of electors. An act to authorize the commission- i ers of Cherokee county to build a 1 bridge across Broad river. i An act to authorize the directors of i the penitentiary to furnish book cases. ] ENDORSED BY MILKMEN. What the Cotton Manufacturers Think of the Stand Taken By Senator McLaurin. Your correspondent has received from a number of cotton manufacturers in this state and South Carolina, letters, most of them strongly commending the position taken by Senator McLaurin, of South Carolina, on the pending shipping bill. These letters are from prominent men, widely known as leaders in this industry. Only one letter out of those received opposes Senator McLaurin's position. Tne letters follow: J. W. Cannon, secretary Cannon Manufacturing " Co., Concord, N. C.: "I heartily endorse Senator McLaurin, of South Carolina, or any other man who is looking forward to the best interests of the United States, and my opinion is that the men abreast of the times are those who are looking forward to the broad expansion of American business interests. I heartily endorse the subsidy bill, and think it would be a great benefit to our Southern states." S. B. Tanner, Caroleen, N. C., secretary and treasurer of the Henrietta Mills: "We think the stand Senator McLaurln has taken is decidedly for the best interests of this country from a business standpoint." John H. Montgomery, president Pacolet Manufacturing company, Pacolet, S. C.: "I commend the stand Senator McLaurin has taken." R. T. Fewell, president Arcade Cotton Mill, Rock Hill, S. C.: "I fully concur with Senator McLaurin's views on the foreign policy of the government aid to the merchant marine. Elimate the Negro from politics and you will see no more solid South, and our representatives would not then be hampered and condemned, as they sometimes are, for voting for the best interests of the country, regardless of party." W. C. Leak, president Pee Dee Manufacturing Co., Rockingham, N. C.: "We are not in favor of the ship subKill on/I nAnaomiontlv Ho not mm* mend the position taken by Senator McLaurin, of South Carolina. If the United States is able to build bridges, etc., for the purpose of competing with foreign countries in steel, iron, etc., we do not see why we should not be a.ble to build ships to compete in other lines of trade." R. Z. Cates, president Arkwrlght Mills, Spartanburg, S. C.: "In my judgment, the present greatest need of this country at large is extended outlet for agriculture and manufactured products, nor do I believe it possible to obtain these except through increased ocean tonnage.?Charlotte correspondence of the Manufacturer's Record. THE POLITICAL BEE. How Some Men Act When Stung By the Insect. "When a man is stung good and sharp by the business end of a political bee, he is poisoned by the virus of an insatiable ambition which produces, in some instances, curious symptoms of which he of all men Is last to discover," said a well-known representative in an uptown hotel lobby: "The historical instances of great men going down to their graves broken in body and spirit by the insidious and deadly effects of political disappointment are too well known to be recounted: but I will give you a case aptly illustrated what men will do for the sake of office, or an attempt to secure it. "This is my third term in congress. Before the nomination each time I have been steadily and bitterly opposed by a fellow townsman whose sole aim In life, apparently, is to come to congress. Ten years ago he was a manufacturer with a large and growing business. The political bee first stung him when he was elected an alderman. Prom that moment he took a very active Interest in local politics, starting In the free-for-all trot for the capitol, and buying a controlling interest in i local paper to further his candidacy. "Three times I have beaten him for the nomination at the primaries. In tact, he could not carry his own election precinct and ward. In spite of this, after each defeat he would begin the battle anew, and as I shall be a candidate again, the contest will be fought over again at the next primary ^lection. "For the sake of a 'try' for a seat In congress, my opponent has ridden but me hobby all of these years, spent thousands of dollars, wasted his time md energy, neglected his family by jevoting his days and nights to wirepulling and absence from the hearth, shewed unceasingly at the cud of bitter disappointment, nursed and fosterid his unfulfilled hopes and wrecked noorlv Ha nlrrnntpH Himself ind has lost a business which would have made him a wealthy and contented man?all this sacrifice for a little honor, $5,000 a year, mileage and stationery.?Washington Star. TO CURTAIL PRODUCTION. farn Spinners to Run on Half Time For Four Months. Four hundred and fifty thousand spindles were represented at the meeting of the Southern Spinners' association held in this city today, says a Charlotte dispatch of Thursday. The neeting was called for the express purpose of effecting a curtailment in the production of cotton yarns and the result is that for four months from March 1, the production will be reduced very considerably. This will be brought ibout by a shut down of night work as provided for in the following resolu:ion, which was unanimously adopted: "Resolved, That we recommend all nills to stop night work entirely for four months, beginning March 1, 1901, md that mills running daylight only nop one day in every week, beginning March 1. At the expiration of 60 days from March 1, mills stopping night work shall also conform to arrangements made herein for mills running day time only. Dr. John H. McAden, president of the association, says that this action insures a reduction of 50 per cent. Leonard Paulson, of Buncklngham, Paulson & Co., was the only Northern commission man present. He made a speech, in which he said the market is dull and prices only nominal. In the hands of commission merchants, he said, there are yarns sufficient to last certainly for 60 days, and probably four months. He thought the action taken by the meeting would have a good effect. President McAden, speaking of the meeting, said that the thousands of mill operatives that would be immediately affected by the partial shut down, would receive the special consideration and care of their employers. The night shifts will not be allowed to suffer and all operatives will be given Just as much work as is possible under the circumstances. SENTIMENT IN THE COURT ROOM "There is nothing more successful in swaying a Jury and especially a Jury of farmers, than the proper application of sentiment," said the old lawyer. "I remember when Ralph B. Turner, who was sent up from Kansas City for larceny, Turner defended himself. He did the same in the trial of which I am thinking, and after all the testimony was in, and it was damaging evidence, too, Turner made his plea. " 'Gentlemen,' he said, 'it is impossible that I could have committed that crime. Gentlemen, my old father lies buried on the hills of New Hampshire, and many years ago when that godly old man was on his deathbed, he put his hand on my head and said: 'My boy, you have always been my stay and my comfort, never do anything to disgrace your old father's name.' And the prisoner's voice was choking, but he continued: 'And it was not many years ago that my saintly mother took my hand in hers, which already was growing cold, and whispered: 'My boy, as you pass through life, with all its failures and temptations, remember that your old mother is watching you.' Gentlemen of the jury, I could not commit a crime.' "Turner was quite overcome with his emotions, but back in the court room was his brother-in-law, and he turned to me and said with a *nii?e: " 'Did you hear that fellow? Why, Vita onri mnfhop nro hnth HvinflT.' "But the jury turned him loose." The old lawyer told another story In which the sentiment game was made a little too strong. "A young man," he said, "was on trial for murder In the first degree. He was charged with killing his father and mother, and the proof was conclusive against him. The Jury returned with a verdict of guilty. The prisoner was called before the court to be sentenced, and as is the custom, the judge asked: " 'If you have any reason why sentence should not be passed uDon you, you may give it now.' " 'I haven't any Judge,' said the prisoner, 'excepting that I think you ought to have pity on a poor orphan.' "-Kan sas City Star. An Easily Tried Headache Cure.? "This most excellent and never-falling cure for nervous headache," says the apostle of physical culture, "is the simple act of walking backward. Just try it some time if you have any doubt about it. I have yet to meet the person who didn't acknowledge its efficacy after a trial. "Nobody has as yet discovered or formulated a reason why such a process should bring certain relief. Physicians say that it is probably because the reflex action of tne oody brings about a reflex action of the brain, and thus drives away the pain that, when produced by nervousness, is the result of too much going forward. As soon as you begin to walk backward, however, there comes a feeling of everything being reversed, and this is followed by relief. The relief is always certain and generally speedy. Ten minutes is the longest I have ever found necessary. "An entry or a long room is a good place for such a promenade; but even better than this is a long porch, or a secluded walk in the open air. You should walk very slowly, letting the ball of your foot touch the floor first, and then the heel; just the way, in fact, that one should, in theory, walk forward; but which, in practice, is so rarely done.?Philadelphia Record. Did you ever see a maimed or crippled Chinaman? Did you ever see one with a leg or an arm amputated, or even a finger? The chances are that you never did and never will. According to Wah Ling Lee, one of the Chinatown's leading citizens, his countrymen would much rather die Intact than live and be separated from any portion 01 their bodies. Even if life could be saved by the amputation of a limb, a Chinaman would refuse to permit the operation, for his religion teaches him that in the next world he must appear exactly as he left this one, and if he is not fully equipped with all his members he will never be able to repair the loss, but must go through eternity deformed. Capital punishment in China consists of decapitation, and the victim must remain headless in the next world, unless through political influence, his friends are enabled to recover his head and sew it on again. Even then the head must be sewed on backward, and that is the way the spirit must wear it forever.?Philadelphia Record. The German Empire imports about 132,000,000 worth of corn every year, the majority of which comes from the United States.