University of South Carolina Libraries
? ^ 188UBD SBXX-VXBSL^ l. m. grists SONS, Publisher.. } % ^amitg Jiercspaper: ,40r the fromotion of th< goiitiital, facial. Agricultural and ?ommniciaI Interests of the people. { ci^vanci! established 1855. VORKVILLE, B. C., Fill DAY, Jl'XK 12, 1908. - JSTO. 47. copya/cht. /so/ * A. c ffsctu*iC *? C& CHAPTER II. * The inside of the castle gave every evidence of enormous wealth and every imaginable luxury was provided. After a little interchange of pleasantries in the spacious hall our black-haired friend raised her voice in a stentorian shout, in answer to which a brisk, elderly lady came down the mahogany m stairs and welcomed us cordially. She was introduced as "our aunt and chaperon, Mrs. Armistead." amid peals of laughter from the girls, although we couldn't see any joke. We then went t . our rooms, which contained everything we could possibly have desired, and when we came down to dinner the footman told us that Mrs. Armistead and the young ladies were awaiting us in the d.'awing room. We crossed the hall, and when the heavy curtains that separated it from the huge drawing room were lifted to admit us, we saw at least twenty girls ranging in age from 18 to 23, standing or sitting around the room in attitudes of expectancy. I found out later that there were really only six of them, but. m at the time, there looked to be twenty. They were all pretty, all wore evening dress, and all were talking at once, but as Vincent and I entered they stopped and Mrs. Armistead came forward and presented us to the three girls we had not yet seen. The first of the new three, Agatha Fourth, as Vincent and I called her ? ???, all on/1 i.#rv fair with won derful blue eyes and a beautiful figure. That our bewilderment and astonishment increased when she also was presented to us as the Honorable Agatha YVyckhoflf may be easily understood, p The next one had light-brown hair with gold lights in it and her eyes were a golden hazel. As she. too. was introduced as the Honorable Wyckhoff. I bowed mechanically, as did Vincent, not daring to trust myself to utter a word or repeat the name. Then, turning from Agatha Fifth, we met the Honorable Agatha Sixth and last, and * I thought she was the prettiest of all. Delicate and small she was. but every inch an aristocrat from her small, charming head to her dainty little feet. Her eyes were dark brown, her complexion clear olive, and her hair straight and soft and jet black. I took to her at once, though I thought she looked rather sarcastic. The introductions over, we went in to dinner, and such a meal as that was! At one end of the table sat Mrs. Armistead, while I sat at the other. - Agatha First sat on Mrs. Armistead's right, next to her sat Vincent, and next to him. Agatha Fourth?the tall, fair-haired beauty. I have described them at length so that it is not difficult to keep them apart. Next to her, on my left, sat the plump little girl with ? the blue eyes, Agatha Third. Then on my right?oh. fortunate me! sat my little lady aristocrat. Agatha Sixth, and next to her Agatha Second, her unruly brown curls somewhat subdued, and looking very fetching in a costume of pink and white. I should have thought that these girls were American had I not had reason to believe that they were English: there was that breezy simplicity and becomingness about their gowns which seems to be \ distinctly American. But I have omitted from my catergory Agatha Fifth, the Agatha of the hazel eyes. I will not now take time to do justice to her many charms, but shall do so later for reasons which will soon appear. Mrs. Armistead's secretary, who came in lave and slipped into the seat at Mrs. Armistead's left, completed the number of persons at the table. She was a quiet young woman dressed in a severely simple gown of gray, and her hair, which was done very plainly, was distinctly red in color. Mrs. Armistead introduced her to us as her secretary, Miss Marsh. The meal was well cooked and beautifully served, and by the time the salad course arrived Vincent and I had lost much of our constraint and selfconsciousness and were talking and laughing with the rest of them. The levity and freedom from the conventionalities usually observed at a dinner party, in which those girls indulged. was a bit shocking to me. although it did not seem to disconcert Vincent in the least. After dinner our adventure develop ed its most astonishing feature. At the close of the meal the ladies aiose, and we were invited to remain and H, sfuoke some exceptionally tine cigars, but before she left the room the secretary came over to us and in a low tone told us that, when we had flnshied our I..V VI .V Vi-miutenH iloiiil'P.l that We lAgatba r PICTURES BY WEIL y WAITERS M A TREY <8>\ CAMPBE AlESrnnE WILSON did. As I have said, my intuitions seldom fail me. The library was a little room at some distance from the dining hall. It was beautifuly furnished, like the rest of the house, and a big fireplace took up one side of the room. Before it was a massive armchair, worn and old. as if the barons of Wyckhoff for ages back had sat in it. On the large table were some legal-looking papers, and as we entered Mrs. Armlstead arose and placed her hand upon them. The secretary closed the door and took up her position beside her mistress, while we stood before them, ill at ease and expecting we knew not what. "Gentlemen," began Mrs. Armistead with great gravity. "I am right, am I not. In presuming that you are candidates for the hand of the Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff?" Yes, that's just what she said: "Candidates for the hand of the Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff." It took my breath away, and before I had time to speak and set her tight 1 heard Vincent calmly assuring her that we were candidates! As he had thus rashly committed himself I couldn't go back on him, so I let him make all the other answers that were necessary. "Then* you wish to hear the will?" continued Mrs Armistead, and Vincent assented. "Read the will," said Mrs. Armistead to the secretary, and the young lady in gray picked up one of the legal-looking papers. "This is to certify," she began, and read to the finish, while I held my breath, for, when I had heard the whole of that extraordinary document, I was filled with amazement and curiosity. not unmixed with a certain excitement. In brief, the provisions of this remarkable will ran thus. Fletcher Boyd, stepfather of the Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff. had left her his entire fortune of about $20,000.000, provided that she obey the conditions of his will. Should she disregard them the whole sum was to go to the endowment of a Presbyterian hospital at New Bedford. Mass., his native town. The will then went on to say that, wishing to protect the girl, who was not yet 21 years of age, from fortune-hun ters, her stepfather desired her, at the the completion of her education, to secure not less than three, nor more than six, girls from 18 to 23 years of age, each bearing the name of Agatha, who would be willing to live with the Honorable Agatha at her castle in Shropshire near Wye, England, for two years; in return for which they were each to receive a generous monthly stipend, enjoy luxurious lodgings and rich fare, and to live a life of idleness, with ample entertainment. It was further directed that, before the girls left for England, some English lady of rank of position be secured to dwell at Castle Wyckhoff in the capacity of chaperon, in consideration of a handsome salary, this lady to be. preferably. Mrs. Armistead, sister of the real Honorable Agatha's mother. For the first year after Mr. Boyd's death the Honorable Agatha was to observe mourning by not going t< London festivities; but during this time she was to be permitted to amuse herself and friends by entertaining at the castle any young men of whom the chaperon might approve. Mrs. Armistead (should she be the chaperon secured) was likewise charged to keep the castle supplied with guests, the best young men that England could boast, as her large acquaintance permitted her to do. Each visitor in the role of suitor for the hand of the Honorable Agatha was limited to six weeks' stay at the castle, as Mr. Boyd considered that length of time sufficient y 4t 11,.*x ? i^P^- should .join her in the library to discuss business. She?the secretary? would come for us, as we would not know the way. We were amazed. Business? What business could we possibly have with Mrs. Armistead However, we told the secretary that we would be happy to join her mistress in the library in about ?<? minutes, although, as I said, we hadn't the wildest idea what we could possibly have to discuss with her. When the secretary ' withdrew Vin< ? nt burst into a flood of excited con9 jecture. "Are we in a girl's boarding school, or a lunatic asylum, or what?" he demanded. "I don't know what to make 01 it. n it 2* an a>yium mr-ji i i?? distinctly for lunatics! They're the most attractive l<>t I've ever seen, hut if they're all sisters why didn't Papa and Mamma Wyckhoff tind different names for 'em? Six Agathas. and all 'the honorable' at that! It's absurd! Rut it doesn't seem to bother them: they call each other 'Ag.' and 'Aggie.' and 'Agatha' just a? if it were Rose, or Owen, or Maud! What do you suppose it all means? My head's in a ^ whirl!" "My dear fellow." I said. "I have a presentiment that we shall find out what it all means when we join Mrs. Armistead in the library." And we for him to find out whether lie loved any of the Agathas or not and the suitor was not to make his declaration until the very last day of the six weeks allotted him, and, of course, was limited to one proposal. In the event of any of the young men proposing to any of the Agathas who was not the stepdaughter of Mr. Boyd, the will permitted her to marry him, if she desired, but with the distinct understanding that she was not the Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff. In that case Mrs. Armistead was to secure another Agatha, and the girl who desired to many was to receive a dowry amounting to the full sum of the monthly stipends which she would have received had she remained at the castle for the entire two years. The same provision for her companions was made in the event of the real Agatha's marriage before the expiration of the time. If any young man proposed to the real Agatha, ignorant of her identity. and she accepted him, she was directed by the will to produce and wear upon the third finger of her left hand the betrothal ring of her mother's family, a gold ring set with a big cross of emeralds, as proof of her identity as the real Agatha. Mrs. Armistead and all the girls were to >e bound by oath not to reveal the identity of the real Agatha, and each of the latter was to be likewise addressed as the "Honorable Agatha Wyckhoff." by suitors and servants, in order to preserve the secret. This condition could be carried out without fear of recognition bv the servants, as the real Aga tha hat I n??i been <n Knglaml since her early childhood. Thus her identity ciuihi he easily concealed, and. by this means, if any proposal of marriage were made to her it would be from a man whose motives were not mercenary. but purely those of natural affection. which was tiie stepfather's object in making the will. The will closed with the appointment of executors and trustees and then came the witnesses, the date, and the pliice of residence. "Then we can stay in thus bully old place for six weeks," said Vincent. "Hooray!" He's such a kid! The secretary smiled at his enthu siusm, and Vincent must have thought her smile very attractive, because he drew aside and began to talk to her in low tones, while I discussed the will with Mrs. Armlstead, who seemed perfectly willing to Impart whatever information we desired. It was Just like Vincent to begin a flirtation with the secretary, just as if there were not six handsome girls of his own station in the castle. But anything feminine will do for him as long as she has a sweet smile or soulful eyes, or some other equally trivial attraction. He'd flirt with Mrs. Armistead herself, I'm sure, if that estimable dame, begging her paraon, woum give nun a cnunce. "I am deligrhted, Mr. Terhune," said Mrs. Armlstead, after we had seated ourselves in the library, "that you and Lord Wilfred have decided to stay with us, and I think it would be well to put off our other visitors who were to come to us for this six weeks. I do not believe in having more than two or three young men at once. The time is so very short." |C# ' %' H'k its .1 \ ^ k#t xNS$ \ AGATHA "It would give us a better chance," I agreed, and she turned toward the secretary, who was evidently in the secret. "My dear," she said, "as these gentlemen are going to remain with us for six weeks, I think it would be as well if we put off the Percivale brothers till the six weeks after that. Will you wire them this evening to that effect?" "Certainly," replied Miss Marsh, "I will see to it immediately, Mrs. Armistead." At this a thought struck me and I turned to Vincent. "And you had better wire the good people at Darner's farm," i said, "to inform them of our change of plan." "Indeed you must." said Mrs. Armistead, "and, by the way, Mr. Terhune, if you and Lord Wilfred wish, I can provide you with a copy of the will? it is difficult, I think, to remember all its conditions." "Perhaps that's a pood idea," I answered. "It is certainly an extraordinary document; and what an extraordinary man this Fletcher Boyd must have been. Mrs. Armistead, to conceive such a plan as that." Mrs. Armistead laughed. "I think he was." she said. "I saw my brotherin-law only once in my life, but that was enough to impress me with the strength of the man's character and his eccentricity. He was intensely American?what they call a 'self-made man' over there, I imagine?and it was his determination that his step-daughter. the Honorable Agatha, in spite of her English birth, should be educated la America. To this her mother agreed, on condition that she should be allowed to bring her daughter out in England and that she should make that country her home when her schooling had been completed. Accordingly, when I^tdy Wyckhoff died, the child being about 11 years old. Fletcher Boyd promised his wife to carry out her wishes in that respect. A few years later he began the work of building up this old castle of Wyckhoff and putting in every modern convenience, as you see. so that it should be ready for his daughter to live in temporarily, before he established her in London with some good lady to oversee her presentation into society, according to her mother's ideas." This was a long speech for the good Mrs. Armistead. and she paused for breath. "I see." I commented. "He made a very excellent job of it. Then, as I understand it. his daughter has never been in England since her early child hood?" "Xo," said Mrs. Armistead. "Poor child, it's practically all new to her. Hut I mustn't pity her! The way she and those friends of hers take hold, of things passes tny understanding." "And where did she find so many attractive girls, each hearing the Christian name of Agatha?" I inquired. "It is an unusual name, and I should have thought that part of the will difficult to fulfill." "They're all Americans," replied the accommodating lady?"even.my secretary. She was at my niece's boarding school, and- by my arrangement chaperoned the party of girls on thefr trip over. When I met her she seemed such a bright, capable little thing I engaged her at once for my secretary, as my eyes are bad. As for the Agathas, one of them roomed with my niece at school, another she met while visiting her friends in holiday time, another she became acquainted with quite by accident on the train, and the others came in answer to an advertisement." "Wonderful that so many girls could be found who were all so attractive," I said again. "Thev are attractive, aren't they?" she assented; "and their frocks are pretty, too. I made them get colored things to wear this second year of mourning for my brother-in-law. I do so hate to see young girls wearing iff Mit */ * #?-. 1, vjrcM? I) m a j ptn #L S ??'? ' >^v ' a \SECOND. black, and every article they put on conies from New York city." "I thought as much," I said. "I thought they seemed more like American than English girls. And how long has your niece been here?" I asked the last question because I was afraid the conversation was going to stop and I felt that in another moment Mrs. Armlstead might inadvertently drop a hint as to the Identity of the real Agatha. It was very exciting. "Nearly a year. This is the last six weeks of the second year of mourning, and the first of the two years she is to spend with her girl companions at the castle. You know my brother-in-law disapproved of girls 'coming out,' as they call it, and placing themselves on the marriage market. He'd rather have the young men come to see them in their own homes, so he nut off my niece's presentation as long1 as he could, hoping she'd be married before that time, I think." "And have you entertained many young men as yet?" "My dear man! I should think we had, nearly two dozen at least. And they were too funny, unobtrusively trying to discover which was the girl with the money, although that is really against the spirit of the whole thing, as it is contrary to the object of the will," At that point I grew rather thoughtful. "Dear, dear!" she went on, "how cautiously they did go about their ' courtships! They were all after the money, I fear. This is a mercenary world! All the girls have received offer: , but none of them has accepted." "What hard-hearted misses they must be!" I exclaimed. "Are they all like that in America. I wonder?" And I couldn't help thinking of that girl I met last summer. "I don't know. I'm sure," replied Mrs. Armlstead. "It's not like English girls. They're always ready and willing to marry off whenever their mammas have provided eligible parties for them. But I can understand it in this case. No one of the Agathas is more th'111 99 trfiatv nltl itntl il'Q OTPJlt fun for them, this cure-free life at Castle Wyckhoff. They have everything they can possibly want that money can buy ?not one of them has ever been in England before, and they are all devoted friends. What wonder that the charm and novelty of their somewhat unusual life have not yet worn off. Really it isn't strange to me that no one of them has been able to make up her mind to leave the enchanted castle?though, to be sure, I think that young Murray Rrancepeth very nearly carried off one of our Agathas. She seems to fancy him. and between ourselves I think he'll win her yet." "And if he does he'll win the twenty millions with her. I suppose?" I said this coolly, in a matter-of-fact tone, and waited for her denial or ac qu.escence, successfully concealing my interest In the reply. But she gave me neither; she began to say something, but checked herself suddenly and looked at me admiringly. "You're a clever man," she said, instead, "but you can't get any information out of me. Lots of them have tried, but it's no use. Besides, it isn't fair. To be Continued. |rtiSfcUattrous fading. COTTON PRODUCTION IN 1907. Interesting Bulletin Issued By the Census Department. Bulletin 9i?, which has just been Issued by the bureau of the census, consists of a report on the production of cotton in 1907, prepared under the supervision of Mr. William M. Stewart, chief statistician for manufactures, by Mr. I>aniel C. Roper, expert chief of division. The report is presented in four divisions: (1) Annual cotton production in the United States, as returned by ginrters and delinters, distributed by states from 1899 to 1907, and by counties from 1903 to 1907, with; statistics as to annual production compiled from trustworthy sources for previous years, beginning with 1790; (2) world's cotton production in 1907, ( by Countries; (3) the growing, har- , vesting, and handling of cotton, with illustrations; and (4) statistics as to the manufacture of cottonseed pro- < ducts. During the ginning season of 1907-08, as for the two previous seasons, ten preliminary statements of cotton gin- , ned fo specified dates were issued. The present report gives the aggregate figures for the whole cotton crop, and covers the ninth consecutive year for which statistics of cotton ginned have , beeni collected and published by the bureau of the census. Production 11,375,461 Bales. Jhe Anally revised Agures for the crop of 1907, expressed In equivalent 500-pound bales and including linters, show a total production of 11,375,461 bales. This represents a falling off from 1906 of 2,220,037 bales, or 16.3 1 per flent, and is 2,304,493 bales less than tlie crop of 1904, the largest on record: while it fulls short of the average production of the last six years by 345,914 bales. Of the total production In 1907, 4,769,609 bales, or 42 per cent, came from the territory west of the Mississippi river, while the states east of the Mississippi contributed 6,605,852 bales, or 58 per cent. This is in marked contrast with 1906, when 53.2 per cent of the crop came from west of the Mississippi and 46.8 per cent from the i states east of it; in 1905, however, the , corresponding percentages were 41.6 and 58.4, respectively. These variations are ^auaed very largely by the Auctuations in the size of the crop In The j states west of the Mississippi, as the ( difference between the largest and the smallest crop in the eastern states ( during the last three years was but ; 298,970 bales. Te*ac Show* a Fallina Off of 44.9 i Per Cent. The state reporting the largest cotton crop in 1907, as well as in every other year since the inauguration of the ginning reports, was Texas, with a total of 2,360,478 bales. This repre- ' s< nts an enormous decrease from 1906, however, amounting to 1,921,346 bales, or 44.9 per cent. As a result of this ' decrease Texas produced only 20.8 per ' cent of the total for the country, as compared with 31.5 per cent in 1906 and with 24.9 per cent., which represents the proportion contributed by it to the aggregate production of the last six years. Other states showing large decreases 1 are Louisiana and Arkansas, which reported losses of about one-third and 1 one-fifth, respectively, as compared with 1906. The new state of Oklahoma reported 882,984 bales, a lass of about 4 per cent, which however, was so insignificant as compared with the losses shown by other states that Oklahoma actually advanced from seventh place to sixth in the quantity of cotton produced. Georgia Reports But 504,689 Bales Less Than Texas. Georgia ranked second in the quanhjv i,f cot ton nroduced in 1907, with 1 a total of 1.855,789 bales, representing: 16.3 per cent of the total production for the country and an increase of 229,459 bales over 1906. As a result of this increase and the large decrease ' shown for Texas in 1907, Georgia re- 1 oorted but 504.689 bales less than the ' alter state, against a difference of 2.155,494 bales in 1906. Mississippi rank- ' ed third in 1907, with 1,504,303 bales, or 13.2 per cent of the total for the country, followed by South Carolina, which advanced from eighth place In 1906, with a total of 1,142,244 bales, and Alabama with 1,132,966 bales, or 10 per cent each of the total crop. Grade of Crop Estimated as Middling. During the earlier part of the sea- i son the weather conditions were very unfavorable for the cotton crop, as a t cold backward spring was responsible for poor stands, stunted plants and a late start, and later excessive rainfall, i especially in the western states, followed by drought, threatened disaster, i The weather during the latter part of i the season was, however, very pro- ) pitious, and practically the entire crop : was harvested in good condition, the average grade being estimated as middling. The boll weevil occasioned considerable damage in Texas, I^ouisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma, but growers , are gradually becoming more efficient in holding this pest in check. Extension of the Cotton Growing Area. The cotton acreage harvested in 1907 ' was 31,311,000, an area larger than in any previous year except 1906. In recent years the cultivation of cotton 1 ir the western part of Texas has been greatly extended; in the section commonly known as the "Panhandle" the production in 1899 was about 5,000 ** *? 1 OA" J* nmniint/vd f A I U(il6s, wniie in u umuuiucu 1 113,623 bales. In the sixteen counties immediately east of this, inclosed by a line including Hardeman, Wichita, Eastland and Taylor counties, the pro- ; duction increased during this period i from 47,622 bales to 206,979 bales. Large additions have recently been made to the cotton acreage in Okla- < homa through the reclamation of new ( land and from the disposition of former wheat growers to change to cotton because of Insect pests. Attempts are also being- made to raise cotton on Irrigated land, and the apparent success of the undertakings of this kind in Texas and New Mexico justifies the belief that the quantity of cotton raised hy this means may materially increase in the future. It i.;: thought that by careful attention to seed selection and methods of cultivation a cotton fibre of superior characteristics can be raised in this portion of the United States. It has been demonstrated that Egyptian cotton can be grown in the hot, dry portions of southern Arizona and in southern California. Cotton Ginned to Specified Dates. The percentages of the crop of -1907 ginned to the respective report dates are as follows: 1.8 to September 1st; 18.9 to September 25th: 4rt to October ISth; 55.4 to November 1st: 66 to November 14th; 75.5 to December 1st: 84 to December 13th; 90 to January 1st: and 93.5 to January 16th. The season was relatively late; in i?ot>, 4V.o per cent of the crop wan pinned by October 18th, and in 1904, 47.7 per cent, while in 1902 the corresponding percentage-was 53.7. The statistics of cotton ginned are computed from glnners* returns. The crop of 1907 was reported from 873 counties in sixteen states. Of these counties 791 were canvassed by 725 special agents of the bureau of the census. The eighty-two remaining counties were canvassed by mall. The agents are given six days In which to visit the ginneries and secure returns of cotton ginned. Summaries of these are wirted to the bureau on the last day of the canvass, and on the following day these summaries d.re added and the results telegraphed over the country. The individual card reports of the ginners, upon which the agents base their summaries, are also forwarded to the bureau and used as a check against the wired summaries. During the past season the reports were published at 10 a. m? instead of at 2. p. m., as in the previous year, with the resultant advantages that there has been no unnecessary waiting for the reports on the part of the trade interests, and that there is no room for accusations of improper use of the information, as no business is transacted on the cotton exchanges between the close of the canvass and the publication of the returns. 5,68T,730,718 Pounds of Lint Cotton Produced. The total gross weight of the cotton reported from the crop of 1907 In the United States was 5,687,730.718 pounds. The total tare computed amounted to 246,538.261 pounds, leaving the quantity of lint produced as 5,441.192,457 pounds. The quantity of cottonseed produced was estimated at 4,952,402 tons. Average Weight of Bale 502.2 Pounds. Careful records of bale weights were returned by the agents, from which it has been ascertained that the average gross weight of the bale for the total crop, counting round as half bales and Including lintens, was 502.2 pounds, n>Dh Kin Q nonnrlc in 1 QH? Li'JIIipaiCU mill Uiv.a jn/uuuo ?? awv. 34,030,736 Pounds of Sea Island Cotton. The production of sea island cotton during 1907 amounted to 86,895 bales, with a gross weight of 34,030,736 pounds, as compared with 57,550 bales, weighing 22,281,889 pounds, in 1906. The average gross weight of the bale was 391.6 pounds. The only states producing sea Island cotton are South Carolina, Georgia and Florida; of these Georgia ranked first, with a production of 44.713 bales, or more than one-half of the total. Average Prices. The average price per pound of upland cotton of the crop of 1907 was 11.46 cents; of Georgia and Florida sea island, 24.27 cents; of South Caroolina sea island, 35.59 cents. The avarage price of cottonseed per ton was $17.63. The average prices of upland cotton marketed prior to April 1st have ranged from 8.20 cents to 12.16 cents per pound during the six years beginning with 1902, the average price for 1907 being exceeded only by that for 1903. Estimated Value of Crop $700,956,011. The estimated total value of the crop of 1907 was $700,956,011. Of this, $605,063,592 represents the value of the upland cotton produced, $8,566,844 that of the sea island, and $87,325,575 that of the seed. There was a falling off in aggregate value as compared with 1906 of $20,691,226, but this was due solely to a decrease of $28,809,795 in the value of upland cotton, as the value of sea island cotton and of cottonseed increased $2,128,693 and $5,989,976. respectively. The average value of a hale of upland cotton for the five-year period ending with 1907 was $57.30, as compared with an average of $31.75 for the corresponding period ending with 1S99, an increase of $25.55 per bale. 27,592 Active Ginneries. The crop of 1907 was ginned by 27,592 ginneries, as compared with 28,709 in 1906. In addition. 3,230 idle ginneries were reported in 1907. Georgia reported the largest number of active ginneries. 4,567, or 16.66 per cent of the total, but ginned only 16.3 per cent of the crop; while Texas, with 14.5 per cent of the active ginneries, ginned 20.8 per cent of the crop. The average number of bales ginned per active establishment in 1907 was 404. against an average of 457 in 1906. This difference is occasioned by the fact that the production in 1907 was largest in those states having comparatively small establishments. Exports Amounted to 8,825,237 Bales. One of the most interesting tables in the report is that showing the production. consumption, exports and imports of cotton for the United States for each year from 1790 to 1907. inclusive. A realization of the great development of cotton growing in the country is given by the fact that in 1790 the total production of the country amounted to but 3,138 bales of 500 pounds each, and that the exports for the year beginning October 1st, 1790, were but 379 bales, compared with 8,825,237 bales for the year commencing September 1st, 1906. United States Produced Two-Thirds of World's Factory Supply. The second part of the bulletin gives a brief summary of the present status of cotton growing in all of the countries where it is carried on to any extent. The total world's production of cotton for mill consumption in 1907 was estimated at 16,512,185 bales of 500 pounds net, of which the United States furnished 10.882.385 bales, or 65.9 per cent. British India, which ranked sec Innd, produced but 2,444,800 bales, or 14.8 per cent. Numerous efforts have been made in recent years to develop new fields of cotton production, but it will be years before the United States will no longer be required to furnish the greater part of the supply. If Indeed that time will ever come. Growing and Handling of Cotton. The third part of the report contains a short discussion of the methods of growing and handling cotton In the United States, and Includes several Illustrations. An Interesting table Is presented comparing weather conditions during the growing season of 1907 at selected stations of the weather bureau with the average for a number of years. It appears that these conditions were in some of the states very unfavorable for the crop, a fact which probably explains the large falling off as compared with 1906. A brief discussion of transportation charges Is Included in this part of the bulletin. It is estimated that the aver age total freight charge from the hands of the producer to the cotton merchant at Liverpool for 1907 was 88 cents per hundred pounds, not Including terminal charges, this rate being obtained by adding the average rate from the farm to the shipping point (16 cents), the average railway rate from the local shipping point to the port (40 cents), and the average ocean rate from the United States to Liverpool (82 cents). Value of Cottonseed Products $66,134,669. The last part of the bulletin deals with the cottonseed products Industry both in the United States and in the world at large. The total number of cottonseed oil mills In the world In 1907 was 873, of which 786 were In the United States. The Industry in this country has developed greatly since 1890, when there were but 119 establishments, reporting a value of products amounting to $19,335,947. In 1907 the quantity of seed crushed was estimated at 2,564,873 tons, or 51.8 per cent of the total quantity produced, and the total value of products at $66,134,859. The products were estimated to Include 103.049,820 gallons of oil, 1,043,080 tons of meal and cake, 926,705 tons of hulls, and 128,243,639 pounds of linters. In the year ending June 30th, 1907, 8,814 tons of cottonseed, valued at $209,493; 41,880,304 gallons of oil, valued at $17,074,403; and 670,484 tons of cake and meal, valued at $17,062,594, were reported as exported from the United States to foreign countries. flip on* nTA iiDl IDT ki I ITI I A I Q Commissioner McMaster Probes Condition of Home Insurance Companies. Spartanburg Herald, Tuesday. Columbia, S. C., June 9.?Insurance Commissioner McMaster returned Saturday afternoon from Spartanburg, whither he went to examine into the condition of the Carolina Mutual Fire Insurance company, the Piedmont Mutual Fire Insurance company, and the Palmetto Mutual Fire Insurance company. The results of his examinations are not satisfactory to him, and for the benefit of the policyholders in those companies he gave to the press today certain facts which he thinks it well for the policyholders to know immediately. Figures Given. In response to a request for a showing the latter part of May the Carolina Mutual made a statement which made the insurance commissioner think that its a frail's were hopelessly involved, and he immediately served notice on the management of the company to show cause before him in Columbia o"n June 27th why its license should not be revoked because of insolvency and not affording proper protection to its policyholders. From this showing and the examination made by the commissioner the following information is gained: Amount of outstanding contested claims July 1st, 1907....$ 9,367 Amount adjusted claims July - . - or 007 isr, iyu i *>?#,o*71 Amount that should have been realized from assessment .September 16th, 1907 18,848 Amount actually realized from this assessment 10,667 Amount of contested claims January 1, 1908 23,374 Amount of additional adjusted claims January 1, 1908 11,871 Amount that should have been realized from assessment levied January 1, 1908 10,528 Amount actually realized from this assessment 5,485 Amount of admitted outstanding claims against the company to May 15, 1908 . 39,437 It was upon this showing that he ordered the company to show cause why its license should not be revoked. The Books Show. An examination of the books shows that since January 1st. 1907, to June 6th, 1908, about $89,324 was collected from all sources, and that during this period losses to the amount of $38,464 were paid. With the exception of about $891 cash in bank on June 6th, the difference between the amount received and the amount paid out for losses, or about $31,000, was consumed in expenses. Salaries Paid. The various items of expense are not yet determined, as there was no ledger kept, but merely a day cash book, showing the total receipts and disbursements. Some of the items of expense, however, are salary of Mr. Stanyarne Wilson, who was the controlling spirit of the company. *300 a month for the year 1907 and to March, 1908, when he resigned the presidency and became simply attorney, for which he drew a salary of $200 a month for the months of March, April and May of 1908. Also one item of $1,000 paid on June 3d. 1908, to Stanyarne Wilson, as back salary for the year 1906 and 1905. Commencing with November, 1907, J. L. Whatley drew a salary of $125 per month and expenses, and preceding that time Mr. Whatley had a salary of $100 a month and expenses. On March 1st. 1908, Mr.'Whatley succeeded Mr. Wilson as president, and continues to draw a salary of $125 a month and expenses. Mr. Whatley is the adjuster and general agent for the company. The secretary, Miss D. Callahan, draws a salary' of $25 a week, or $1,300 a year during the year 1907, and the assistant secretary'.-Miss N. Fulmer, a salary of $15 a week. Miss Falmer's time is largely given to the law work of Mr. Wilson, but it was stated that she drew no additional salary than the $ir? a week. The Insurance offices adjoin those I of Mr. Wilson, who has been the president of the company since its formation, and the guiding spirit. The directors are Stanyarne Wilson, Dr. Wilson and Miss D. Callahan, the secretary-treasurer. A. M. Alexander. Mr. A. M. Alexander is the president of the Piedmont Mutual Fire Insurance company, and the Palmetto Mutual Fire Insurance company. He controls and manages both companies. There were no minutes of the Piedmont since May 6th, 1907, at which meeting A. M. Alexander, W. F. Barnes, D. B. Alexander and Dr. H. B. GoodeH were elected directors. No ledger or cash books were kept for this company, the only book of original entry being the assessment and policy register, which contained all the entries for a number of years and which would require a very careful and tedious examination to extract therefrom the premiums received during any specified premium. Mr. Alexander was unable to say what amount he had received as president of the company. saying that he received the second annual premium, the soliciting agent re celvlng the first. Out of the second annual premium he patd all the expenses of the company, and whatever was left over went Into his owp pocket. The amount of this he did not know He paid his brother, D B Alexander, who acted as adjuster, $100 a month and expenses, and A. W. Whltlock. secretary, $15 a week. What the other expenses were could not be determined as no account was kept of them. No * cash book of receipts from assessments nor any ledger was kept, but all assessments were made on the policy register. From a memorandum account of annua] premiums received It was learned that something more than $1,000 had been received on account of the Piedmont since April 18, 1908, to June 1st, and from April 16th, 1908, to June 2nd, about $455 on account of the Palmetto. These funds had been received by Mr. Alexander, and out of them he had paid the salaries named and other expenses of conducting the business of the company. Many Judgments. A number of judgments were on record in the office of the cleck of court of Spartanburg county against the Piedmont, and several against the Pal metto. The commissioner has information that there are a number of claims against one or both of these companies, which have not yet been reduced to Judgment. Upon the result of this examination Commissioner McMaster served notice on Mr. A. M. Alexander, president of both companies, to show cause before him on July 6th why the license of both companies should not be revoked. It may be that policyholders of these companies may see fit to intervene before the hearing and ask the court for appointment of trustees. The Policyholders. With such proceedings as the policyholders may determine to take the insurance commissioner has nothing to do. His only power is when he thinks that a company is not solvent, or not affording proper protection to its policyholders to serve notice on it to show cause why its license should not be revoked. He has no power to take charge of a company either before or after such showing, and upon revocation of the license of a company unless the policyholder should intervene and ask for control by order of court the same managers would continue In control until the affairs of the company should be wound up. The three companies above named have been doing a general state business until the act passed at the recent session of the legislature compelling companies doing business in more than two adjoining counties to deposit a $10,000 bond. Since that act the Carolina has withdrawn to Spartanburg county, the Piedmont to Spartanburg and Union, and the Palmetto td Spartanburg and Greenville. VITALITY OF THE BRAIN. Organ on Which All Bodily and Mantal Functions Depend. Vital as is the physical side of conserving youth, however, its true fountain is In our brain, remarks a contributor to Scribner. If we maintain activity of its cells It quickens the circulation of the blood, the vital organs. /-? tha oven nrpsprves the ? IVCO llftlu IV %..v r suppleness of the body, removes to a distance Illness, age, death Itself. Remember the lesson of the bicycle; how the laboring man and the busy housekeeper, ready to drop from the day's work, would go for a spin and return after an hour's exercise of those same weary leg muscles rested. Body ache Is often nothing but brain rust. "He looks much older than he Is," said Von Moltke of a fellow-offlcer, "he has used his body more than his mind." Age was to the Frenchwoman of the salons no excuse for dullness. To the very last one must be pointed, animated, alert. Be< aose an age has come when ordinarily the crust of custom begins to encase our free spirits Is exactly the reason for keeping them elastic. One of the most remarkable things in the career of Dr. Richard Storrs was that by far the greatest portion of that career was after he had passed the age of 50. The duke of Marlborough began his career as a great commander in 1?02 when he was 52 years old. Lord Lyndhurst, on the eve of his eighty-ninth birthday, made a brilliant speech in parliament. Sophocles wrote his masterpiece at 80. Goethe finished "Faust" In his eightysecond year. Alfieri began Greek at 47, and at 54 had mastered It. Mrs. Plozzi preserved her fine faculties, Imagination and unexampled vivacity to the end. On her eightieth birthday she gave a great ball, concert and supper in the public rooms at Bath to over two hundred persons, and opened the ball herself. Old Lady Orey painted beautifully, though she only began when she was quite an old woman. She always went out sketching with thirty-nine articles, which one servant called over at the door, another murmuring "Here" for each article, to make sure that nothing should be left behind. frS" Almost any law can be evaded. The most successful lawyers are those who know the most ways to do it. tir One reason Rockefeller gives so much money to colleges, is that he wants to increase the consumption of midnight oil.