Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, March 21, 1905, Image 1
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established 1885. YORKVILLE, S. C., TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 1905. ISTQ. 23.
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By Will I?
[Oopywrlght, 1900, by A. 1
CHAPTER XVI.
It was about six o'clock that afternoon
when the sheriff pot Ronald down
* at home. Dave had ridden close behind
the buggy all the way. Now and
then, when passing some acquaintance
on the road or in a distant field, he
would wave his slouched hat and give
a yell that would have done credit to
the lungs of a savage. When they arrived
at home he fastened the bridle
reins tc a post and sprang over the
fence into the yard. Old Fanshaw sat
nodd'ag, half asleep, on the porch in a
spot where the last rays of the slanting
sunlight were falling; he was well
wrapped up In a ragged greatcoat and
wore a cap, the flaps of which covered
his ears.
"Ron's come cleerl** Dave shouted to
him, and seeing his sister at the smallpaned
window, he yelled the same words
in h*p
"I know better," grunted Fanshaw,
who, being short-sighted, had not noted
the arrival of the buggy. "Come cleer
the devil!"
"Well, thar he is out xhar with Ratcliff,"
Dave assure^ him. "Ax the sheriff,
if you think I'm a-lyin\"
With a hand on either side of hit
chair, the old man got to his feet. His
legs shook at the knees, and he put his
band on the railing. Then he saw Ronald
approaching, and be stood still, his
features working strangely.
"What's this I beer?" he stammered,
his few remaining teeth showing bev.
tween his tobacco-stained lips.
"It was proved that he killed himself
accidentally with his own revolver,"
our hero informed him.
"Huh, it is jest some lawyer's trick!"
growled the man, who had not felt
enough interest in the matter to attend
the trial, and he tottered down the
steps calling in a sort of human bark
to Uatcliff, who was driving away. He
was bent on getting a confirmation of
the story from some one outside of his
family.
Ronald passed into the house and
went up to his room. His heart, despite
bis recent triumph, was beginning
to feel heavy again. No sooner was he
assured of freedom than dire thoughts
of Evelyn came flocking to bis wearied
brain. He was free. It was true, but
she had, no doubt, brought her father's
wrath down upon her head. He stood
at a window watchiog the sunlight
climb up the side of a rugged cliff a mile
toward the east. He heard the shrill!
voice of Ann Josephine out near the
corn house.
"Oh, ma!" she was calling, "Ron's
come cleer?Ron's come cleer!"
Our hero could see his mother's rotund
figure as she emerged from the
corn house and waddled towards the
hog-pen, her apron filled with apples.
"Ain't you jokin', Josie?" she asked,
ana ner son wonaerea ai aer exprcssionless
face.
"No, the sheriff has jest now fetched
'im home."
"Well, I feel easier," sighed the old j
woman. "I'm glad thar ain't goin'
to be no bangin' amongst us. The Lord
' knows we've had mighty nigh ever"thlng
else to happen to us. Ever since
yore gran'pa was put in jail, I have
looked for yore pa or one o' the boys,
to?"
Ronald turned from the window; his
heart was very heavy. He was thinking
of Evelyn again, and the gulf between
him and her. Ah, bow he loved her!
He crossed the room and stood at another
window from which he could see
the roof of Carnleigh.
"I am to blame," he sighed, "sadly
blame; what right had I to allow* bfr
first to pity, thei) to love me, yvhett
} Jiave nothing Jo offer?nothing, apsplutely
nothing, $nd she evervtbipg tp
give?"
The colonel peached home later than
Ronald. Night was beginning tp fall,
and the big lamp at the top of the carriage-drive
threw" its rays f?r down
the tree-bordered avenge as he drove
Ihrpggh the big wrought drop gate, The
lamps in the hftU and (Irawipg-ropm,
gnder their varicolored shades, cast a
beautiful glow OP the veranda, As he
entered the ball he fancied he saw
Evelyn flit owt at the door at the end.'
which opened ipto the conservatory,
v He was assured of this when he hud
gope into the library, where there was
no other light than was made by the
huge wood fire, which flamed and
crackled op the brazen dog-irons, for
he came from the conservatory by another
door, bringing his smoklng-Jacket
and slippers; be knew that she had
had them ready, for she had not had
time to go to his room for them. His
heart sorely smote him as he kissed her
^ white face and noted the dark hollows
under her eyes?eyes wh ieb absorbed the
red firelight like diamonds. At any rate
he had good news for her, but the
thought pierced him like a ringger to
think of it as such. Despite himself, a
frown gathered on his brow. She
misunderstood it, and he saw her catch
her breath as she held his coat for him.
Neither of them spoke, though
when she had knelt at his feet
and her white tapering fingers trembled
over their task of unlacing
his shoes he felt an almost uncontrollable
impulse to snatch her
to his breast and sob out the awful rebellion
within him. When she had
v taken off his shoes she smoothed out
the wrinkles in his stockings and put
on his slippers, finishing her task with
a little sud pat as she rose to her feet.
"Ah, you vixen," he said, tremulously?"Evelyn,
you are my baby!" Hp
looked towards the door. "I have always
given you more of my heart than
1 have to your sister, perhaps because
you have given me more of yours, poor
dear child!"
The tears sprang into her eyes, and
% she turned away quickly to a table
Where she had put a cigar and a match
for biro,
"I have rolled It and cut the end,"
There was a catch in her voice as she
'scratched the match and held it to the
cigar.
"Thank you, baby," he said, as he
puffed.
_ For a moment aha stood searching his
i
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J. Kellogg Newspaper Co.]
face and then, aa he did not speak,~she
said:
"I have waited aa long as I can, papa.
It seems to me that 1 shall die if I do
not know the news. Is there any
hope?"
He pushed out his knee and drew her
down on It. He felt.that her body was
rigid with expectancy.
"Evelyn, you are my most helpless
child. I must do my duty towards you
in spite of what you feel to be right."
She slid her arm round his neck, but
he knew that it did not clasp him with
her usual tenderness.
"We can talk about that later," she
said, "but I must know now what they
did to him. Tell me, papal"
He averted his eyes; a scowl was on
his face.
"Don't torture me, papa; remember I
am only a woman."
He raised his band till it touched her
head? he essaved to draw it down
against bit own, but she held herself
firmly erect.
"Don't torture me," she repeated, almost
threateningly.
"Well, 1 will not," he said. "Of course
I know what you wn;it. The case was
thrown out of court. It was proved
that Syd Hart accidentally shot himself
with his own pistol. Fanshaw was in
110 way responsible. He is at home by
this time, a free man."
He felt ber gasp, and then her head
fell on his shoulder, all the rigidness of
suspense was gone from her body; she
lay like one dead. He thought she had
fainted, but a moment later she stirred;
the color ran into her face, and she
stood up before him.
THEN HER HEAD FELL ON HIS
SHOULDER.
"Oh, papa! oh, papa!" was all she
could say, but a worid of unutterable
joy lay iu her tone. His cigar had gone
out;* he took a taper from a vase on
the mantelpiece and lighted it at the
^ on onnlio/1 It i f\ VllC Pt CTA T
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be felt bis anger returning to him. The
outlook seemed so hopeless. She could
never be happy without Fanshaw?she
would be worse than miserable with
him, after she learned the folly of her
siep. No, there must be some escape,
lie would think it oter again. He hud
thought It over till it had become a
sort of monomania with him. Perhaps
some way of escape would present
itself. He led her to the door and
bowed silently as she turned from him
to go up to her room. He went into his
study and lighted a tamp on his desk,
then he sat down and began to fumble
some papers which one of his agents
hud left for his inspection, but his mind
wus clinging to Evelyn?Evelyn?
Evelyn!
He opened & drawer in his desk And
took out a miniature framed >n gold.
It held a jape strongly resembling the
daughter who Jiad just quitted the
room, and as he looked At it 8 flood of
tender recollections rushed over him,
"If you }iad pnly lived, dear Evelyn,"
he murmuredi ''if you were here you'd
know what to do. It may be that
Fanshaw could love her as I loved you,
and iu that case, I may be wronging
himi but oh. my angel wife, I do not
know what is best!" He gazed at the
face in the little frame for another
minute and then be restored It to Its
place and closed the drawer.
CHAPTER XVII.
The colonel began to* walk back and
| forth iu the room. Now and then be
would stray across the hall and pause
In the doorway to give half an ear to
Caroline, who was listlessly playing the
piano. Her music had never touched
him as had Evelyn's. Evelyn's 6ongs ?
her lightest touch?seemed toinvite the
sweetest memories to his heart. Caroline
looked up and saw- him standing
In the doorway.
"Father," she turned on the stool.
"Mr. Hardy has written asking me to
marry him; he 6uys he will write to
you if I encourage him to do so."
Hasbrooke advanced till he stood behind
her. Somehow he had little Inclination
to touch this one of his daughters.
"Well," he asked, "have you
thought it over?"
Caroline turned a page cf her musicbook
leisurely.
"I like him as well as I ever liked
anybody," she said, slowly. "You knowhe
is well off; he has a nice home?the
Hardj-s are good people. I have always
wanted to live in Charleston."
"Then write him it is all right," returned
Hasbrooke, wearily, and they
went in to supper. Evelyn came down
a moment later. Her father wondered
at the transformation in her. In her
evening dress, she looked like a flower
which had never been touched by
storm.
After they had left the table she
followed him to the door of his study.
I but he coldly begged to be left alone,
and asked her to send James to bim.
The servant found him at his desk.
"I want you to bear a message for
ne, James," he said. "I want to have a
!private talk with Mr. Ronald Fanshaw.
So over to his house and present my
wmpllmenta, and ask him if he will
lo me the honor of calling on me this
venlng If he has no previous engagement.
You remember my exact words,
lames?"
The servant repented tbem.
"That will do, and when he comes
ihow him into this room, and see that
we are not disturbed."
; "Thank you, sub."
About eight o'clock Ronald rode up
to Curnleigk and turned his horse over
to a waiting groom. At the foot of the
steps he was met by James, who, in a
low, guarded voice, invited him into his
master's study. As he passed the window
of the drawing-room the young
roan had a flashlight view of Evelyn as
she sat reading'at the center table under
a tall lamp with a pink shade. He
had never seen her countenance so radiantly
aglow. The though* took possession
of his brain that it was due to
his release from prison, and that idea
was infinitely sweet to him after what
he bad been forced to endure.
As he entered, the colonel's study,
from the walls of which family portraits
leaned downward in deep, oldfashioned
gilt frames, a casual observer
would have taken him for a man of the
world rather than a man whose life experiences
were bounded by the limits of
a single county.
"First of all," said the colonel, as he
extended his hand, stiffly, "I must congratulate
you upon your escape from
that disagreeable affair. I was rejoiced
at the outcome."
TOnnnlri thnnkpft him. surnrlsed at his
own calmness; the warm memory of
Evelyn's face, as he had just seen it, inspired
him with strange, unexpected
confidence in himself. The chair he had
been given was quite near H:?sbrooke's,
and as the colonel continued to speak
he leaned his head on his hand, his elbow
resting on his desk. This posture
threw his face somewhat into the
shadow.
"I may as well come directly to the
point, Mr. Fanshaw," in a forced, tense
tone. "To be frank, I find myself completely
in your power, and, since it must
be so, it is a comfort to be in the power
of a fearless man, and one who would,
I am confident, despise to take unfair
advantage of me."
"I am sure I do not understand," faltered
the visitor, in surprise.
The old man twisted himself round
in bis chair; the lamplight brought his
strong features out in minute lineaiity
against the wall behind him.
"You have me, Mr. Fanshaw, as completely
In your power as if I lay at your
feet and you held a saber against my
heart. My daughter has withheld nothing
from me. Be her judgment good or
ill, she loves you as she loves her life.
She believed you have been greatlywronged?always
misunderstood?and
tha- has intensified her love. At first I
was inclined to blame you for taking
unfair advantage of her experience in
[ worldly matters, but I am now forced to
admit that you have done nothing I
should not have done had the woman
been as attractive personally as my
daughter. I know you must care for
her, Fanshaw, and that Ls why I have
sent for you to unbosom myself."
The speaker's words had been grow
iug more and more indistinct, until
they finally died in the still room. RonaJd
knew that he was expected to reply,
but he could gather nothing befitting
the moment from the mass of thoughts
and emotions that seethed in his heart.
At this point a bar of soft, rippling
notes came from the piano, and they
were caught up by a sweet, well-trained
voice singing a happy song. The old
man held up his hand.
"You see how she feels, Fanshaw,"
he said, huskily; "since your arrest she
has looked more dead than alive. I was
seriously afraid she would not survive.
Rut you see how she is now; I told her
the news just before supper, and she almost
fainted with joy. That is why I
sent for you; lam unable alont to fight
a love like hers. You and I must decide
on what to do?between us!"
"Between us," repeated Ronald, still
in the dark as to what was expected of
him.
llasbrooke's face under the ordeal be->
fore him took on the color of ashes, and
as he began to speak again he pioked
the nap from the sleeve of his coat with
the mecbanloal action of a dying man.
"Perhaps, Mr, Fanshaw, it may be as
well to begin by our admitting that my
sooial training has been different from
yours, In my cradle I Imbibed certain
conventional ideas of the duty of a man
of my name to his stock. From your
standpoint, doubtless, I am wrong?
from mine, right, I am coming to the
point, and I trust you will pardon me
for being painfully plain. Fanshaw, as
far back as my family records run?and
we have volumes of them, sir?we have
never found the line tainted with dishonor."
Hasbrooke paused, taking a full
breath. It was evident to Ronald that
the climax waa near, but he made no
comment. The room was very still; outside
of it could be heard only Evelyn's
sweet, ringing notes. A vague, unaccountable
despair had seized on the
young man's heart. He knew not what
was coming, but whatever it was would
not be pleasant.
"You see, Fanshaw," the colonel
seemed to pull himself up to his task
with extra effort, "if my daughter must
marry and bring children into the
world, I should naturally desire the alliance
to be with a man against whose
family there had neveT been a charge of
?dlshflncitv!"
Ronald breathed hard. The last
word hnd fallen like a powerful
weight which crushed out the last bit
of hope he had ever had of fighting
the world's difficulties.
"I think I understand, Col. Hasbrooke,"
he heard his words jarring
against the sweet floating sounds of
Evelyn's voice, which was rising like
u happy prayer to heaven.
The colonel leaned forward almost
in an attitude of pity.
"Don't understand me to say, Mr.
Fanshaw," he said, "that I should demand
a pedigree with my daughter's
husband, for 1 think there are good
people who have not kept up their
family records, but if i knew?actually
knew of dishonesty in a family,
that, sir, I should try to save my child
from as i would from hereditary consumption
or insanity. 1 had a dear
friend, Mr. Fanshaw, in Virginia, who
belonged to one of the best families?
distantly related to the Carnleighs.
He had a beautiful daughter who fell
in love with a self-made man, whose
grandfather had been accused of dishonest
dealings. My friend reluctantly
gave his consent, but the only issue
of that marriage, Mr. Fanshaw, was #
son who became an outlaw and brok^
the hearts of both his parents. Pa^
don me, sir, but 1 started out to V
plain, and remember, we are consult
ing about the welfare of one we both
love. Mr. Fanshaw, my father's
brother, who lived in East Tennessee^
was the judge who sentenced youj
grandfather, Abraham Fanshaw, to
prison for 20 years for theft. I knoW
nothing of your father's life In Xen~
nessee, but It pains me to say that
I detected him five years ago loading
a wagon with wheat from one of my
barns. He confessed his guilt and
threw himself on my mercy, and I did
not, thinking of his family and his olcj
age, prosecute him."
Haabrooke paused; he was not looks
ing at Ronald, who had covered hia
face with both his hands and sat aif
still as a statue.
"God forgive me if I have given yotl
needless pain," said the colonel. "4
would not have spoken if I could hava
seen any other way of making miawful
fears clear to you. Fanshaw, If
these things were "not true of yoiil
people and you had not a dollar 17
your name, I should, seeing how my
daughter loves you, turn over to you
and her all the property which is to
go to her at my death. As God is my
judge, I wish I could end it all by giving
her to you, but I cannotl I simply
cannot!"
Ronald rose to his feet; he reeled a
little as he reached for his hat, which
lay on the desk.
"I have really never hoped to win
her," he said, unsteadily. "You are
T? V* ?A K. D,llJran
X X |? UUj^Ub UCTC4 IV Vt. VU11U?VH
of mine shall never live to curse the
world 1 I Bee my duty to her?to you.
May God have mercy on me!"
The music had ceased; there was a
light step outside and Evelyn suddenly
opened the door, pausing on the
threshold with nn exclamation of surprise.
"I did not know?" here she broke
off as her eyes fell to studying her
lover's agonized face. "Papa." she
asked, coming forward and standing
between the two men, "what does this
mean?"
The old man collected his senses
slowly.
"Daughter," he said, after an awkward
pause, "I have sent for Mr. Fanshaw
to consult with him in regard to
the welfare of you both, and together
?after talking it all over?we have
come to & mutual agreement that the
idea of marriage between you?ever,
at any time?would be unwise?is not
to be thought of."
Evelyn fastened a questioning, half
distrustful gaze on her lover.
"Do you think it would be better for
you to give me up?" were her words,
each delivered after a little incredulous
halt. "You see, Ronald, I have
never known whether I could be a
help to you. If you should want me,
I would be ready to stand by you
through trouble, adversity?everything
that might come; but you are
the man; you know best, and if' (her
eyes went darting from one rigid face
to the other) "if?" she made another
beginning, but broke down and
put her handkerchief to her eyea
Her breast heaved high.
Hasbrooke nodded despairingly to
Ronald and the latter took the hint.
"Circumstances beyond our control
make it advisable that we should separate,"
he aaid, automatically.
She uncovered her face, disclosing
no trace of tears." ""Am I to be told
about the?the circumstances?"
lucjr vuuuci u uutj aij acn, aukwered
Ronald, with another glance at
her father. "I would rather not apeak
of them."
"Very well, then," ahe drew heraelf
up erect. "I may at well Bay goodby."
Aa ahe gave him* her hand the
eyea of her father flashed with aubtle
pride, but the next moment he had
another glimpse of her inmoat soul.
"Remember, Ronald," she said, "that
I shall never kneel down without
praying for you. Remember that 1
shall never love another man aa long
as I live!"
He bowed low; he tried to Bay something,
but the ball in his throat rose
and choked him. He heard the door
close and knew she was gone.
"THET CONCERN ^ONLT MYSELF."
SAID RONALD.
Like nn automaton, Hasbrooke
moved forward and laid his two hands
on the shoulders of the crushed young
man.
"It has ended better than 1 could
have hoped." he declared. "Bear up.
Many things are within your grasp,
but my child was not for you. She's
not for me, either, Fanshaw" (sighing)
"she'll never be the same again
?neverl"
CHAPTER XVIII.
The next month was December.
Christinas day was made known to
the Fanshaws chietiy by the firework*
which were discharged by the negroes
on the Hasbrooke estate. The dawn
came in with a great tooting of horns,
i.oats.wr ni nlfl nans. the discharge of
guns, Ihe bursting of inflated hog
bladders. There was to be a cakewalk
in the barn, a dance, a barbecued
ox, a glorious feast, a Christmas tree.
The Fanshaws were not going to indulge
even in an extra dinner. Ronald
had remembered his hands by presents
of money, but they were going
to spend it in town. Something, however,
did happen to mark the day as
an eventful one. Old Jade Fansbaw
was brought home in Rud Tarbell's
dump cart, on a pile of wheat 6traw,
covered by an old quilt. This occurred
about 12 o'clock in the day.
Ronald remembered that it took place
just as the dinner bell rang at Carnleigh.
Bud Tarbell told the little
group in the front yard that Jade
"wasn't dead an' they needn't be
skeerd." He explained that he waa
driving along a mountain road looking
for sticks of lightwood when he saw
Fanshaw walking ahead of him as
sound as a dollar as far as he waa
able to see. He looked away for a
minute and then he saw Fanshaw
down on hiB all-fours, crawling along
with head down like a grazing cow.
"At fust I was afeerd of 'im, fur h?
wis actin' mighty curia," observed
Tarbell, "but terrectly his knee j'ints
seemed to flicker an' he come down
kerplunk in the mud on his stomach.
Then I drive up an' put 'im in my
cart."
Mrs. Fanshaw was aJways a calm
woman; she went out at the gate,
waddled up to the cart, and shook the
human heap on the straw.
"Looky heer, what's a-ailin' of you,
Jade?" she asked, seeing his eyes open.
Fanshaw sat up slowly, but he
looked like a man with only a shadow
of a soul in him; his eyes glared in
ghastly sockets and their whites had
turned red. As he looked round at
the group he seemed to recognize
them, but a shifting look of terror
was in his glance. He began to work
his lips, to the edge of which his
stubbly beard grew, but only unintelligible
sounds issued.
"Wia inn mm 4a no ro I M nnm
"'"5 wv vvui
men ted hit wife; "look how that aide
it d rawed down to his neck. I declare
he's got a wad o' tobacco
twixt his jaws clamped thar as tight
as a cider press. Jade, spit that thar
truck out I Spit it out, I tell you!"
And as he paid no heed to her commands.
she thrust her forefinger between
his almost toothless gums aa if
hs were a child and pried out the
brown mass. "Well!" she said, resignedly,
"we'll have to git '1m in the
house, Bud will want his cart. Come,
you .boys" (to Ronald and David)
"help lift 'im out."
Dave sprang into the cart, and Ronald
was about to do the same, when
Fanshaw's distended eyes fell on him.
The old man raised his hands aa if to
ward off a blow and cried in words
now easily understood: "Take 'lm
away; he wants to kill me!"
Ronald paused, but Fanshaw's terror
did not abate. He got to his feet
quickly and springing from the cart
he ran. hlB knees knocking together,
across the road towards the woods.
"Stop 'im, he's try in* to kill mel He
wants me to tell 'im who he is, an'
.Whar t'other is buried!"
A remarkable change came over Mrs.
Fanshaw; she turned quickly to Ronald,
and with an uneasy smirk, 6aid:
"Don't you go nigh 'im, Ron; he's
fclean out'n his senses, an' thar ain't
ho tellin' what quar notion might strike.
hw% **
i\m.
] Ronald stood wondering, as Tarbell
and Dave ran after the old. man. They
caught him by his arms and began to
half carry, half drag him towards the
house. But Fanshaw's distended eyes
were still fixed on Ronald in affright and
be struggled and fought his captors like
a wild man.
"I'm not agoin' to have Mm put me in
jail," he snorted. "He's dene reported it
to Reddin', an' together they are agoin'
to have me swing for what I never
done!" < .
Again Mrs. Fansbaw faced Bonald;
this time she stood between him and
bis father. A frightened look of cunDing
lay in her heavy-browed eyes.
Mlf I was you, Ron," she said, burriedJy,
"I'd go upstairs; he's tack a quar
notion somehow that you are ag'in 'im,
an' I wouldn't aggravate 'im."
Glad of an excuse to get away from
the harrowing scene our hero went up
(o his room. Presently he heard the
clatter of bob-nailed boots on the porch.
The old man, now pacified, was being led
like a dumb animal to bis room. Then
all was quiet below. The silence lasted
till he heard Dave's voice outside
speaking through a broken windowpane
to his mother.
"I'm a-goin' to ride fur s doctor," he
was saying.
The floor complained of its burden
as Mrs. Fansbaw went out on the porch.
"Well," she replied, "you might as
well.l reckon; but 1 wouldn't git Sloan;
he'll charge two prices, an' dun us to
death. It hain't nothin' but a stroke
nohow, an' his drugs nor nobody else's
can reach it. It's jest a questiou o'
time. Dr. Wade will do as well as anybody."
Later in the afternoon Ronald had
eoine down and .was sitting before the
fire in the living room. The man bad
falleu asleep, watched by Bud Tarbell.
who had sent his cart home and offered
his services according to the cuBtom
among neighbors in that vicinity. Mrs.
Fanshuw came in aud began to look for
a bottle of liniment on the mantel*
piece.
"Dr. Wade's jest gone off," she told
Ronald, "he says it's the second stroke
he's had, an' that the next one will
carry 'im off as sure as preachin'. If
1 was you I wouldn't go nigh 'im, Ron,
It's best to humor pussons like he is."
Our hero made no reply. Dave came
from the sick room and stood on the
stone hearth warming his toes at the
flames. Mrs. Fanshaw had found the
bottle for which she was searching, and
turned to go.
"He won't last long," she said to
Dave; "seems to me 1 heerd yore pa say
he left off payin' on his life insurance."
"Two yeer ago he did," said David,
despondently. "I had put good money
of my own into that, thinkin' if he died
the insurance would help us buy a farm
of our own out west, whar Uncle Joe
says they are so cheap, but in that
hard-time season when all the crops
was burnt pa let it lapse, an'it's gone
to the devil."
"It's jest our usual luck," grumbled
the old woman; "some 'n would 'a'happened
to a-kept all that money from
reachin' us anyhow. We never was
born under a good star."
Ronald looked up. "You needn't let
that bother you, mother," he said, softly.
"The insurance policy is all right;
I attended to it."
The sudden change in Mrs. Fanshaw
was not alone due to gratified surprise.
riunuiu liJUUgm lie uau u?iu .ivu uv.
look at him quite so strangely. She
started to say something, which seemed
to have rushed impulsively to her
tongue, and then she shook her shoulders,
closed her lips tightly and left the
room.
Dave laughed. "She certainly acts
peculiar to-day," he said. "Dang it, pa
does, too, as for that matter. I wish you
could a heerd 'im rant about you jest
now. He thinks you've got old Reddln'
an' twenty other lawyers on his track
about some'n."
To this observation our hero made
no response.
[TO BE CONCLUDED].
X#' It is slow work getting rich In
grace at a penny a week.
The men who have lifted the
| world have never been too great to
touch It with their hands.
!W Some people never pray "forgive
us our debts," egcept when the offering
is being taken.
ittiscrUancous Srndinn.
DIVERSIFICATION THE THING.
Harvis Jordan Tails tha Farmers How
to Raduca Cotton Acreage.
It Is generally believed that the
signing of thousands of pledges to reduce
cotton acreage this year will result
in the diversification of crops,
something that has been needed In
the south for many years. With cotton
acreage reduced the farmer must
utilize his land not planted in cotton,
and his land, according to ail reports,
will be planted in other crops. President
Harvle Jordan of the Southern
Cotfbn association has written a strong
article urging the diversification of
crops, and for the farmers to raise
their auoDlles at home.
Raiting Food 8upply Crops.
Mr. Jordan says:
"Diversification is the keynote to
successful agriculture. This not only
applies to farming in the south, but
to all sections of the world where agriculture
is carried on. It Is one of the
laws of nature, as well as an economic
law, that land cannot be maintained
to a high state of fertility from any
system of culture that does not embrace
within the methods adopted a
plan of diversification. ThiB is especially
true In the case of our southern
lands, which have been largely depleted
of their natural fertility by long
course of planting and cultivating a
single crop. Cotton has for many
years been the dominating crop of the
south, because of its money value,
and the case with which it can be
sold in every local market throughout
the south. At the present time it is
particularly Important that our people
turn their attention to the production
of more food supply crops and curtail
the extended production of cotton. At
the present price of cotton it ceases
to be a profitable Industry where the
growers of the staple have to depend
so largely upon the purchase of supplies
to maintain the operations of the
farm. Unless the acreage In cotton Is
largely curtailed, and the production
of food supplies is largely Increased
the future does not present a very
bright picture for the cotton growers
of the south. Within the next 30 or
90 days the determination of the
southern farmers to intelligently solve
| the problem which confronts them at
this time will be demonstrated to the
world. Whether their action will carry
with It a tendency toward protection
and self-preservation In the heavy
curtailment of cotton acreage and an
increased acreage in food supply crops,
' ~ ? rt.i.uilrtn n.lilrtK Hi q mhnla urnrlH
I in O. l| UCOIIUII TVisz\,aa iiav T* iiwiv .. W. ..
Is now waiting for. From the Information
which Is dally coming in, shown
through the columns of the public
press, the action of county and parish
meetings and hundreds of letters from
individual farmers, it can be safely
predicted at the present time that the
southern farmers, for once at least,
will demonstrate their ability to put
Into practical operation what they
know to be for their best Interest.
"The reduction In the use of commercial
fertilizers In the old states
has already become an accomplished
fact. Fertilizer factories are preparing
in many Instances to shut down their
plants, and the demand for guano at
Interior points by farmers is les% than
has ever been the case since the manufacture
of commercial fertilizers has
become one of the leading Industries
of the south.
Will Hold Cotton.
"Another matter which has already
assisted the cotton producing Industry
of two continents is the fact that the
spot holders of cotton have so far lived
up to the pledges which they made
three months ago not to throw their
cotton upon a depressed, speculative
market and sacrifice it merely to gratify
the wishes of the exporters and
speculators. The result of the holding
movement since January 26, up to the
present time, has already added $25,000,000
to the amount of cotton left In
the south unsold up to that time. Tne
mere fact that the cotton Is being held
and not thrown upon the market with
reckless disregard, has added more
than $6 per bale to the prices which
were offered only 30 days ago. This
has been a net gain of fully $5.50 per
bale to every man or firm who has
refused to sell cotton, even though
such cotton was stored in warehouses
and money borrowed on the same.
"The wisdom and sound business
judgment displayed in the present
holding movement has exemplified the
fact beyond all question of doubt that
unless our cotton Is dumped upon the
markets of the country, that its price
can be maintained at a value which
will show a profit to the producer.
Notwithstanding the fact that 9,000,000
i-ales of the crop of 1904 have been
sold, and the mills generally supplied
themselves for many months, we find
today an enormous and ever-increasing
demand for spot cotton. And even
in the face of a large surplus, the
price of the staple is slowly but surely
advancing each day. With the present
holding policy. If persisted in until after
the reduction In acreage and use of
commercial fertilizer has become an
established fact, there can be no question
that the price of the staple will
Increase at least 2 cents per pound
greater than prices being offered today.
Not only will the reduction In
acreage be an important feature, but
the retiring of the entire surplus will
only leave an amount of cotton to
meet the actual needs of the mills for
spinning purposes between the present
time and next September, and as there
is at this time the greatest demand
for cotton goods that has ever been
' *? ? ' V? lotnrir nf t ho Wfirlfl.
IW1U WI1 III IIIC IIIOIV/ > J VI vnv .. V. .
the spot holders of cotton have every
encouragement to feel that In the near
future the value of the staple will be
Increased to the minimum price agreed
upon at the late New Orleans convention.
which was 10 cents per pound
delivered at the ports.
The Planting Season.
"The opening of the planting season
Is now upon us. During the present
month the principal acreage to be devoted
to corn and spring oats will be
planted. It Is imperative that on
every farm at least a sufficient acreage
should be planted In corn to meet
the demands of the farm. Where fall
oats were not sown. It Is equally important
that four to five acres to the
plow should be devoted to spring oats.
Spring oats can be successfully planted
up to the 20th of March. It is not only
the Imperative duty of every farmer
In the south, no matter whether he
be land owner, tenant or cropper to
reduce his cotton acreage, but there
should be more 'hog and hominy* produced
In the south In 1905 than i;ias
ever been produced before. If this is
done by determined effort, then in less
than eight months the wave of pros-'
perlty which swept over our country
the past two or three years will continue
unabated, and we will exemplify
to the world that the south has the
manhood, ability and the determination
to solve her problem to the best
Interest of her people. There is no
half-way ground for any farmer to
stand upon. Every man is expected
to do his duty in this good year 1905.
The man who fails to do his duty will
be a recreant not only to his own individual
interest, but to the best in
terest of his beloved country.
"While I would not advocate the
planting of corn If raised as a money
crop, still It is absolutely essential
that you make the cotton crop free
from the encumbrance of supplies
bought at ruinously high prices with
which to make same. Cut down the
cotton acreage at least 26 per cent,
and Increase the food supplies from 25
to 40 per cent. It makes no difference
how fascinating the production of cotton
may be, the uncontroverted fact
remains that when more American
cotton is grown than Is needed to
supply the world's demands the price
at which it can be sold will be less
than the cost of production. And when
cotton is sold at or below the cost of
production, not only the producer but
every line of business in the south
suffers a financial depression. Therefore,
let us not lose the golden opportunity
which presents Itself, and which
must be taken advantage of within the
next 30 days, to Increase our food supply
crops and to preserve unhampered
the great staple crop of the south,
which will either make us rich or
make us poor indeed."
THE WAREHOUSE ORGANIZATION
Official Statement of Proceedings of
New Orleans Meeting.
The following official statement lias
been issued concerning the recent
meeting of the warehouse committee
of the Southern Cotton association,
which was held In New Orleans on
Monday, March 13:
The committee appointed by the
Southern Cotton association for the
purpose of recommending and suggesting
plans for Increasing warehouse facilities,
improving the warehouses now
in existence, or to be built for the
purpose ui wureiiuuauii uiiivii, uicv ui
the St. Charles hotel, in the city of
New Orleans. La., at 10 o'clock a. m.
March 13, 1905. There were present:
Hon. Harvle Jordan, presld^t
Southern Cotton association, fanner,
Monticello, Oa.
O. Gunby Jordan, president Eagle
Phoenix Cotton and Woolen mills,
Columbus, Ga.
W. D. Nesbltt, warehouseman, Birmingham.
Ala.
Tom Lyle, compress and warehouseman.
Meridian, Miss.
W. P. G. Harding, banker, Birmingham,
Ala.
W. J. White, merchant, Russellville,
Ark.
E. S. Peters, farmer, Calvert Ter.
J. A. Brown, banker, Chadbourne,
N. C.
Hon. Harvle Jordan was unanimously
elected chairman of the committee
and D. M. Holllngsworth, secretary.
The committee went Into executive
session to outline a plan which a majority
of them could agree upon in Its
recommendation, and subsequently invited
discussion from any party who
leslred to be heard from the committee.
Several written plans were submitted
and addresses made by parties
who had able suggestions to offer concerning
plans for warehousing cotton.
Among the addresses which were full
of helpful information in assisting the
committee to arrive at a conclusion
were thoSfe made by the following
named gentlemen: G. Gunby Jordan,
W. D. Nesbltt, Tom Lyle, Harvle Jordan.
W. J. White. W. P. G. Harding
and W. L. Jones.
The following resolution was un .nImously
passed:
"It Is the sense of this committee
that they shall act In an advisory capacity
to those Individuals, corporations
or communities who wish to engage
In the warehousing business In
the south, furnishing all obtainable ln?___nmt
nf rnnntrue
Hon, protection and equipment, Insurance,
bonding, railroad rates, the lt.ws
regarding warehouse receipts In different
states and encourage, If possible.
Investment In warehouses suitable
for storing cotton."
After some further discussion the
following resolution was unanimously
adopted:
"This committee recommends to the
president and the executive committee
of the Southern Cotton association that
the president provide the means to
supply plans and information concerning
warehouses of various capacity
and efficiency, as may be required by
the local conditions In different localities,
and provide ways and means for
carrying this resolution into effect,
which shall embrace whatever information
Is obtainable concerning cost
of construction, protection and equipment.
Insurance, building, railroad
rates, the laws regarding warehouse
receipts In the different states and
encourage. If possible. Investment In
warehouses suitable for storing cotton."
The following committee, to which
the chair was added, were authorized
to prepare the official proceedings of
this meeting for publication, viz: O.
Qunby Jordan, chairman; W. D. Nesbltt,
W. J. White, Harvle Jordan.
This committee, recognizing the
great necessity for warehouses In
many sections of the south, now almost
wholly without adequate facilities
in this line, and also desiring
radical improvements in most or me
warehouses now in existence, to the
end that the fanners may secure better
protection for their cotton, lower
rates of insurance and good collateral
upon which, if desired, funds can be
obtained at reasonable rates of interest,
hereby desire to sincerely thank
all the friends of the movement who
have by helpful suggestions and deep
Interest largely aided the committee
so far, and especially among these
friends we recognize Judge Eugene I
Williams. Daco, Tex.; Mr. Edward K.
Summervllle, New York city; Mr.
George C. Hull, New York city; Mr.
S. F. B. Morse, New York city; Br.
Percy Clurk, Birmingham, Ala.; Mr.
R. H. Edmonds, Manufacturers' Record,
Baltimore, Md.; and Mr. J. T.
Dargan, president Atlanta-Birmingham
Insurance company, Atlanta, Ga.,
and hereby Invite further suggestions
and co-operation on this line.
The committee adjourned subject to
the call of the president of theSsuthern
Cotton association.
(Signed) Q. Gunby Jordan,
D. M. Kolllngsworth, Chair-man.
Secretary.
"18 EVAN8 TO RULE?"
Editors of Barnwell Sentinsl Stand
to Their Guns.
News and Courier:
When the intention of Chairman H.
H. Evans of the state board of con
troi, to prosecute tne editors ot tne
Barnwell 3entinel on the charge of libel
was printed In the Columbia correspondence
of the News and Courier
a request was made through the Barnwell
correspondent, of the Newt - and
Courier for a statement on the part
of the editors of the 8entlnel. The
following has been received from
Barnwell:
Baknwkll, March 18.?Special:
When seen by your correspondent
Messrs. Marshall Moore and R. Boyd
Cole, the editors of the Barnwell Sentinel,
said, In reply to the article published
in the News and Courier, that
Mr. Evans sent his attorney here to
confer with them In regard to the
Sentinel <*lltorlal and that they Informed
Mir. Elliott that they had nothing
to retract They claim that the
Columbia correspondence. In quoting
only a part of the editorial, left the
Impression that the mention of Evans
in that connection was unwarranted.
The complete article Is as follows:
A Unique Case?Supplement No. 1.
The 8unday night sermon of the
Rev. J. L. Harley was one full of practical
thought and interest for the people
of Bam well. His subject, "Evil In
Power is Tyrannical," carries with It a
volume of thought and application.
The purpose of this editorial, however,
Is not to comment on the entire
sermon of the Methodist minister, but
on one statement In the discourse,
which is news not only to Barnwell
county, bit to the state of South Carolina.
We call It news; It may not
be new to some people In the state, yet
we trust will nev?r grow so old and
out of da*e as not to be commented on. ,
In commenting upon the tyranny
evil exercises upon men In public life,
Mr. Harley had occasion to refer to an
Incident In the last legislature. In
which the senator from Barnwell
county was the hero. It Is stated on
good authority that while the Toole
bill was pending, one Hub Evans, of
dispensary fame, approached George
H. Bates, senator l'rom Barnwell county,
and Invited him to attend his box
party at the theatre. Mr. Bates replied,
"Excuse me, sir, I cannot accept
any courtesies from you." Mr. Harley
added that the Evans box was Oiled
with 2X legislators.
This Is an Incident'of no weak lmport
The answer of Senator Bates to
the profei>isional lobbyist has a golden
ring about It and sounds much like
the seats of our legislature are being
Oiled with men. Truly Holland reminds
us of the time In which we live.
"God give us men; a time like this
demands.
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith,
and ready hands.
Men whom the lust of office does not
kilL
Men whom the spoils of office cannot
buy.
Men who have opinions and a will.
Men who have honor, men who will
not lie.
Men who stand before a demagogue.
And damn his treacherous flatteries _ without
winking.
Tall men. sun crowned, who rise
above the fog,
In publ!!c duty and in private thinking."
Is Evans to rule South Carolina with
a salary of $400, when many a poor ?
devil with $600 or $700 has to scratch
for hungry mouths? Te economists,
If ye will, tell us how a man can give ,
box parties, keep daughters at college %?
and be drawn around the streets of
Rock Hill in a coach and paid on the
pitiful sum of $400 per annum. There
is something rotten in the state of
South Carolina and it reeks frorti Columbia
to Barnwell.
Since the matter has been mooted in
Barnwell the Sentinel has been offered
all the f *ee counsel they want, and
many business men have said that the
suit shall not cost the editors a cent
Mr. Evans attempted to employ prominent
lawyers here, but they refused
to take the case.
The Barnwell Sentinel, formerly
edited by Clarence L. Brown, is now
owned and published by the Barnwell
Publishing and Advertising company,
an organization of business men of
Barnwell county, banded for the pur- pose
of building up the farming and
trucking interests of this section.
The Columbia correspondent of the
News and Courier explains the fact
that the entire editorial was not reproduced
In his dispatch of March 14
as follows:
. With reference to the special from
Barnwell relative to the libel suit of
Mr. H. H. Evans agRlnst the editors of
the Barn well, Sentinel: It is only fair
to state that the entire article was not
available and that the paragraph quoted
was what had been published in
county papers and seemed to be the
special occasion for the suit. The entire
article as quoted above would
gladly have been published as giving
the reason for the suit and what was
used was simply to show the basis for
the action.
Mr. William Elliott, Jr.. who represents
Mr. Evans, today stated that It
was entirely Incorrect to say that any
!awyer at the Barnwell bar had refused
to act in the case. He had been
in Barnwell and the only lawyer he
asked to be associated in the ca se had
accented, and he understood that the
editors of the Barnwell Sentinel naa
regularly employed their counsel and
that there was no gratuitous service
about the matter.
Mr. Elliott stated that he had been
the only one to visit Barnwell about
the case and certainly no lawyer there
refused to go Into the case, to whom
such an offer had been made.
Mr. Elliott was busily engaged in
the United States court todaj\ but
stated that the warrant for criminal
libel would be lodged within the next
few days and that any suggestion that
the suit was a "bluff" was not a fact.
He had been Instructed to bring a
criminal suit first and he was going
to do so. a. k.
Friendlt Murdhr.?When Commodore
Billings and Mr. Main were on
the river Kahima they had for attendant
a young man from Kanoga, an Island
between Kamchatka and North
America. One day Mr. Main asked
him, "What will the savages do to me
If I fall Into their power?"
"Sir," said the youth, "you will never
fall into their power If I remain
with you. I always carry a sharp
knife, and If I see you pursued and unable
to escape I will plunge my knife
into your heart; then the savages can
do nothing to you."
This recalls the words of the I'Yench
knight reported by Joinville. "Swear
to me," said Queen Margaret, "iihat If
the Saracens become masters of Damletta
you will cut off my head before
they can take me."
"Willingly," returned the knight. "I
had already thought of doing so if the
contingency arrived."
1