University of South Carolina Libraries
* . ' " ^ ISSUED SBim-WISEKL^^ l. m. orist's sons. publishers. j % Jamilg Jlftcspaper: Jfor the promotion of the political, Social. Agricultural and Commercial Interests of the fPeople. {TB^0'Lii'cofvri^iLat?va,i,:l! established 1835. YORKV1LLE, S. C., FRIDAY, JANLTARY 1909. NO. ?r~^ ' ? ? *? i imctonrtinn in the home. PAP APA PAP APA PAP A*A PAP j 8R0WI 2 BY GEORGE BAR ** 4 [RICHARD Copyright, 1904, By Herbert S. Stone & PAP AHA PAP APA PAP APA PAP CHAPTER VI. it "You are both fortunate and unfortunate. Mr. Brewster," said Mr. Grant, ,l"? """if man hurl dmnnpd into nnri uic J .... r, a chair in the office of Grant & Ripley the next day. Montgomery wore a slightly bored expression, and it was ?. v lutnt that he took little interest in the will of James T. Sedgwick. From far back in tne recesses of memory he now recalled this long lost brother ot his mother. As a very small child he had seen his Uncle James upon the few < evasions which brought him to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Brewster. But the young man had dined with the Drews the night before and Barbara had had more charm for him than usual. It was of her that he was thinking when ht. walked into the office of Swearengen Jones' lawyers. The truth, is, Mr. Grant, I'd contpletely foi-gotten the existence of an uncle," he responded. "It is not surprising," said Mr. Grant genially. "Every one who knew him in New York nineteen years ago believed him to be dead. He left the city when you were a very small lad. going to Australia. I think. He was off to seek his fortune, and he needed it pretty badly when he started out. This letter from Mr. Jones comes like a message front the dead. Were it not that we have known Mr. Jones for a I long time, handling affairs of considerable importance for him, I should fee! ^ inclined to doubt the whole story. It seems that your uncle turned up in Montana about fifteen years ago and there formed a stanch friendship with old Swearengen Jones, one of the richest men in the far west. Sedgwick's will was signed on the day of his death, Sept. 24. and it was quite natural that Mr. Jones should be named as his executor. That is how we became interested in the matter, Mr. Brewster." "I see," said Montgomery, somewhat puzzled. "But why do you say that I am both fortunate and unfortunate?" ' The situation is so remarkable that you'll consider that a mild way of ^ putting it when you've heard everything. I think you were told in our note of yesterday that you are the sole heir. Well, it may surprise you to learn that James Sedgwick died possessed nf an estate valued at almost a plgeonnoie in nis ues*. ?uijum ma glasses and prepared to read. Then, as though struck by a sudden thought, he laid the paper down and turned once more to Brewster. "It seems that Sedgwick never mari led. Your mother was his sister and his only known relative of close connection. He was a man of most peculiar temperament, but in full possession of his mental faculties. You may find this will to be a strange document, but I think Mr. Jones, the executor, explains any mystery thai may be suggested by its terms. While Sedgwick's whereabouts were unknown to his old friends in New York, it seems that he was fully posted on all that was going on here. He knew that you were the only child of your mother and therefore his only nephew. He sets forth the dates of your mother's mari lage. of your birth, of the death of Robert Brewster and of Mrs. Brewster. He also was aware of the fact that old Edwin Peter Brewster intended to bequeath a large fortune to you, and thereby hangs a tale. Sedgwick b| $7,000,000." U Montgomery Brewster sat like one petrified, staring blankly at the old lawyer, who could say startling things in a level voice. "He owned gold mines and ranches in the northwest, and there is no question as to their value. Mr. Jones in his letter to us briefly outlines the history of James Sedgwick from the time he landed in Montana. He reached there in 1885 from Australia, and he was worth $30,000 or $40,000 at the time. Within five years he was the owner of a huge ranch, and scarcely had another five years passed before he was part owner of three rich gold mines. Possessions accumulated rapIdly; everything he touched turned to gold. He was shrewd, careful and thrifty, and his money was handled with all the skill of a Wall street financier. At the time of his death in Portland he did not owe a dollar in the world. His property is absolutely unii.rtnmKovD/1 cofo 9(1.1 ennnrl flS 3 ETOV ernment bond. It's rather overwhelming. isn't it?" the lawyer concluded, taking note of Brewster's expression. ^ "And he?he left everything to me?" "With a proviso." "Ah!" ^ "I have a copy of the will. Mr. Ripley and I are the only persons in New York who at preesnt know its contents. You. I am sure, after hearing it. will not divulge them without the most careful deliberation." Mr. Grant drew the document from was proud. When he lived in NewYork he was regarded as the kind of man who never forgave the person who touched roughly upon his pride. You know, of course, that your father married Miss Sedgwick in the face of the most bitter opposition on the part of Kdwin Brewster. The latter refused to recognize her as his daughter, practically disowned his son and heaped the harshest kind of calumny upon the Sedgwlcks. It was commonly believed about town that Jim Sedgwick left nnnntrv three or four veal's after this marriage for the sole reason that he and Edwin Brewster could not live in the same place. So deep was this hatred of the old man that he tied to escape killing him. It was known that upon one occasion he visited the office of Ids sister's enemy for the purpose of slaving him. but something prevent<*d. He carried that hatred to the grave, as you will see." Montgomery Brewster was trying to gather himself together from within the fog which made himself and the world unreal. "I helieve I'd like to have you read this extraor?the will, Mr. Grant." he said, with an effort to hold his nerves in leash. AHA ?A? A*A ?A? A?A *A* AIJA __ R M'CUTCHEON J GREAVES) jj Company. ? A*A *A* A*A *A* A*A *A* A*A Mr. Grant cleared his throat and be- I p-nn in his still voice. Once he looked | up to find his listener eager, and again to find him grown indifferent. He wondered dimly if this were a pose. In brief, the last will of James T. Sedgwick bequeathed everything, real and personal, of which he died possessed to his only nephew, Montgomery Brewster of New York, son of Robert and Louise Sedgwick Brewster. Supplementing this all important clause there was a set of conditions governing the final disposition of the estate. The most extraordinary of these conditions was the one which required the heir to be absolutely pen' niless upon the twenty-sixth anniversary of his birth, Sept. 23. The instrument went into detail in respect to this supreme condition. It set forth that Montgomery Brewster W?LS lO nave I1U UlUCl nunui> sion than the clothes which covered him on the September day named. He was to begin that day without a penny to his name, without a single article of jewelry, furniture or finance that he could call his own or could thereafter reclaim. At 9 o'clock. New York time, on the morning of September 23 the executor, under the provisions of the will, was to make over and transfer to Montgomery Brewster all of the | moneys, lands, bonds and interests mentioned in the inventory which accompanied the will. In the event that Montgomery Brewster had not in every particular complied with the requirements of the will to the full satisfaction of the said executor. Swearengen Jones, the estate was to be distributed among certain institutions of charity designated in the instrument. Underlying this imperative injunction of James Sedgwick was plainly discernible the motive that prompted it. In almost so many words he declared that his heir should not receive the fortune if lie possessed a single penny that had come to him in any shape or form from the man he hated, Edwin Peter Brewster. While Sedgwick could not have known at the time of his death that the banker had bequeathed $1,AAA AAA ~ n>i?net/loAn If- XVQ C lYini'A VUWtVVV III ma ^uitiviouii, aw ...w.w than apparent that he expected the young man to be enriched liberally by his enemy. It was to preclude any possible chance of the mingling of his fortune with the smallest portion of Edwin P. Brewster's that James Sedgwick on his deathbed put his hand to this astonishing instrument. There was also a clause in which he undertook to dictate the conduct of Montgomery Brewster during the year leading up to his twenty-sixth anniversary* He required that the young man should give satisfactory evidence to the executor that he was capable of managing his affairs shrewdly and wisely; that he possessed the ability to add to the fortune through his own enterprise; that he should come to his twenty-sixth anniversary with a fair name and a record free from anything worse than mild forms of dissipation; that his habits be temperate; that he possess nothing at the end of the year which might be regarded as a "visible or invisible asset;" that he make no I endowments: that he give sparingly to It's mine, isn't u: "It is not yours until next September." the lawyer quietly said. "Well, I fancy I can wait." said Brewster, with a smile that cleared the air. "But, my dear fellow, you are already the possessor of a million. Do you forget that you are expected to be penniless a vear from now?" "Wouldn't you exchange a million for seven millions. Mr. Grant?" "But let me inquire how you purpose doing it?" asked Mr. Grant mildly. "Why. by the simple process of destruction. Don't you suppose I can get rid of a million in a year? Great Scott, who wouldn't do it! All I have to do is to cut a few purse strings, and there is but one natural conclusion. I don't mind being a pauper for a few hours on the 23d of next September." "That is your plan, then?" 'Of course. First i snail suostantiato all that this will sets forth. When 1 am assured that there can be no posibility of mistake in the extent of this fortune and my undisputed claim I'll take steps to get rid of my grandfather's million in short order." Itrewster's voice rang true now. The zest of life was coming hack charity; that he neither lend nor give away money, for fear that it might be restored to him later; that he live on the principle which inspires a man to "get his money's worth," be the expenditure great or small. As these conditions were prescribed for but a single year in the life of the heir, it was evident that Mr. Sedgwick did not intend to impose any restrictions after the property had gone into his hands. "How do you like it?" asked Mr. Orant as he passed the will to Brewster. The latter took the paper and glanced over it with the air of one who had heard but had not fully grasped its meaning. "It must be a joke. Mr. Grant," he said, still groping with difficulty through the fog. No, Mr. Brewster, it Is absolutely g( nuine. Here is a telegram from the probate court in Sedgwick's home county, received in response to a query from us. It says that the will is to be filed for probate and that Mr. Sedgwick was many times a millionaire. This statement, which he calls an inventory, enumerates his holdings and their value, and the footing shows $6.345,000 in round numbers. The investments, you see. are gilt edged. There is not a bad penny in all those millions." "Well, it is nit her staggering, isn't it?" said Montgomery, passing his hand over his forehead. He was beginning to comprehend. "In more ways than one. What are you going to do about it?" "Do about it?" in surprise. "Why, Mr. Grant leaned forward slowly, and Ills intent, penetrating gaze served as a check to the young fellow's enthusiasm. "I admire and approve the sagacity which urges you to exchange a paltry million for a fortune, but it seems to me that you are forgetting the conditions," he said slowly. "Has it accurred to you that it will be no easy task to spend a million dollars without in some way violating the restrictions in your uncle's will, thereby losing both fortunes?" CHAPTER V. A new point of view gradually came to Brewster. All his life had been spent In wondering how to get enough money to pay his bills, and it had not occurred to him that it might be as difficult to spend as to acquire wealth. The thought staggered him for a moment. Then he cried triumphantly, "I can decline to accept grandfather's million." "You cannot decline to accept what is already yours. I understand that the money nas Deen paia 10 you uy Mr. Busklrk. You have a million dollars, Mr. Brewster, and it cannot be denied." "You are right," agreed Montgomery dejectedly. "Really, Mr. Grant, this proposition is too much for me. If you aren't required to give an immediate answer I want to think it over. It sounds like a dream." "It is no dream, Mr. Brewster," smiled the lawyer. "You are face to face with an amazing reality. Come in tomorrow morning and see me again. Think it over; study it out. Remember the conditions of the will and the conditions that confront you. In the meantime I shall write to Mr. Jones, the executor, and learn from him just what he expects you to do in order to carry out his own conception of the terms of your uncle's will." "Don't write. Mr. Grant: telegraph. And ask him to wire his reply. A year is not very long in an affair of this kind." A moment later he added: "Hang: these family feuds! Why couldn't Uncle James have relented a bit? He brings endless trouble on my innocent head just because of a row before I was bom." "He was a strange man. As a rule, one does not carry grudges quite so far. But that is neither here nor there. His will is law in this case." Suppose I succeed in spending all but a thousand dollars before the 23d of next September! I'd lose the seven millions and be the next thing to a pauper. That wouldn't be quite like getting my money's worth." "It is a problem, my boy. Think it over very seriously before you come to a decision one way or the other. In the meantime we can establish beyond a doubt the accuracy of this inventory." "By all means go ahead, and please urge Mr. Jones not to be too hard on me. I believe I'll risk it if the restrictions are not too severe. But if Jones has puritanical instincts I might as well give up hope and be satisfied with what I have." "Mr. Jones is very far from what you'd call puritanical, but he is in tensely practical and clear headed. He will undoubtedly require you to keep an expense account and to show some sort of receipt for every dollar you disburse." "Good Lord! Itemize." "In a general way, I presume." "I'll have to employ an army of spendthrifts to devise ways and means for profligacy." "You forgot the item which restrains you from taking anybody into your confidence concerning this matter. Think it over. It may not be so difficult after a night's sleep." "If it isn't too difficult to get the night's sleep." All the rest of the day Brewster wandered about as one in a dream. He was preoccupied and puzzled, and ? uics r\] /I oec-npi'jtpc i'A. Ill'Jir lllclll ??IIC \J 1 1110 Wiu aoovvm^u. <w ceiving a distant nod in passing, resentfully concluded that his wealth was beginning to change him. His brain was so full of statistics, figures and computations that it whirled dizzily, and once he narrowly escaped being run down by a street car. He dined alone at a small French restaurant in one of the side streets. The waiter marveled at the amount of black coffee the young man consumed and looked hurt when he did not touch the quail and lettuce. That night the little table in his room at Mrs. Gray's was littered with scraps of pad paper, each covered with nn innnmnivhonsible maze of figures. After dinner he had gone to his own rooms, forgetting that he lived on Fifth avenue. Until long after midnight he smoked and calculated and dreamed. For the first time the immensity of thjjt million thrust itself upon him. If on that very day, Oct. 1. he were to begin the task of spending it he would have but 357 days in which- to accomplish the end. Taking the round sum of $1,000,000 as a basis, it was an easy matter to calculate his average daily disbursement. The situation did not look so utterly impossible until he held up the little sheet of paper and ruefully contemplated the result of that simple problem in mathematics. It means an average daily expenditure of $2,801.12 for nearly a year, and even then there would be 16 cents left over, for in providing the result of his rough sum in division he could account for but $999,999.84. Then it occurred to him that his money would be drawing interest at the bank. "Hut for each day's J2.S01.12 I am getting seven times as much," he soliloquized as he finally got into bed. "That means J19,607.84 a day, a clear profit of J16.S00.72. That's pretty good ?yes, too good. I wonder if the hank couldn't oblige me by not charging interest ?" The figures kept adding and subtracting themselves as he dozed off, and once during the night he dreamed that Swearengen Jones had sentenced him to eat a million dollars' worth of game and salad at the French restaurant. He awoke with the consciousness that he had cried aloud, "I can do it, but a year is not very long in an affair of this kind." It was 9 o'clock when Brewster finally rose, and after his tub be felt ready "I. ...... ....AKIam ui'an ., ellh. stantial breakfast. A message had come to him from Mr. Grant of Grant & Ripley, announcing the receipt of important dispatches from Montana and asking him to luncheon at 1. He had time to spare, and as Margaret and Mrs. Gray had gone out he telephoned Kills to take his horse to the entrance of the park at once. The crisp autumn air was perfect for his ride, and Brewster found a number of smart people already riding and driving in the park. His horse was keen for a canter, and he had reached the obelisk before he drew rein. As he was about to cross the carriage road he was nearly run down by Miss Drew in her new French automobile. "I beg your pardon," she cried. "You're the third person I've run into, so you see i in nui uisii iiiiiiiaiuia against you." "I should be flattered even to be run down by you." "Very well, then, look out." And she started the machine as if to charge him. She stopped in time and said with a laugh: "Your gallantry deserves a reward. Wouldn't you rather send your horse home and come for a ride with me?" "My man is waiting at Fifty-ninth street. If you'll come that far I'll go with pleasure." Monty had merely a society acquaintance with Miss Drew. He had met her at dinners and dances as he had a host of other girls, but she had impressed him more than the others. Something indescribable took place every time their eyes met. Monty had often wondered Just what that something meant, but he had always realized that it had in it nothing of pla ionic aneuiiun. "If I didn't have to meet her eyes," he had said to himself, "I could goon discussing even politics with her, but the moment she looks at me I know [ she can see what I'm thinking about." From the first they considered themselves very good friends, and after their third meeting it seemed perfectly natural that they should call one another by their first names. Monty knew he was treading on dangerous ground. It never occurred to him to wonder what Harbara might think of him. He took it as a matter of course that she must feel more than friendly toward him. As they rode through the : maze of carriages they bowed trequently to friends as they passed. They were conscious that some of the women, noticeably old Miss Dexter actually turned around and gazed at them. "Aren't you afraid people will talk about us?" asked Monty, with a laugh. "Talk about our riding together in the park? It's just as safe here as it would be in Fifth avenue. Besides, who cares? I fancy we can stand it." "You're a thoroughbred, Barbara. I simply didn't want you talked about. When I go too far, say the word and drop me." "I have a luncheon at 2. but until then we have our ride." Monty gasped and looked at his watch. "Five minutes to 1!" he cried. The matter of his engagement with the attorney had quite escaped him. In the exhilaration of Miss Drew's companionship he had forgotten even Uncle James' millions. "I've got a date at 1 that means life and death to me. Would you mind taking me down to the nearest elevated?or?here, let me run it." Almost neiore uaroara was aware of what was happening they had changed places, and the machine, under Monty's giudance, was tearing over the ground. "Of all the casual people!" said the girl, by no means unequal to the excitement. "I believe you're kidnapping me." But when she saw the grim look on Monty's face and one policeman after another warned him she became seriously alarmed. "Monty Brewster, this pace is positively dangerous." "Perhaps it is," he responded, "but if they haven't sense enough to keep out of the way they shouldn't kick if they get run over." "1 non i mean me peupie ui mc ?utomobiles or traps or trees-or monuments, Monty. I mean you and me. i know we'll either be killed or arrested." "This isn't anything to the gait I'll be going if everything turns out as I expect. Don't be worried, Babs. Besides, it's 1 now. Lord, I didn't dream it was so late!" "Is your appointment so important?" she asked, hanging on. "Well, I should say it is, and?look out, you blooming idiot! Do you want rrL-lllo/19" Thn Inst remark was hurled back at an indignant pedestrian who had escaped destruction hy the merest chance. "Here we are," he said as they drew up beside the entrance to the elevated. "Thanks awfully?you're a corker? sorry to leave you this way. I'll tell you all about it later. You're a dear to help nte keep my appointment." "Seems to me you helped yourself," she cried after him as he darted up the steps. "Come up for tea some day and tell me who the lady is." After he had gone Miss Drew turned to her chauffeur, who was in the t<>nneau; then she laughed unrestrainedi.. ..^.,1 iho fnintecf vhmlnvv of ji trrin stole over the man's face. "Beg pardon, miss," he said, "but I'd hack Mr. Brewster against Fournler any day." Only half an hour late, Brewster entered the office of Messrs. Grant & Ripley, Hushed, eager and unconscious of the big splotch of mud that decorated his cheek. "Awfully sony to have kept you waiting," he apologized. "Sherlock Holmes would say that you had been driving, Mr. Brewster," said Mr. Ripley, shaking the young man's hand. "He would miss it, Mr. Ripley. I've been dying. What have you heard from Montana?" He could no longer check the impatient question, which came out so suddenly that the attorneys laughed irresistibly, Brewster joining them an instant later. They | laid before him a half dozen telegrams, responses from bankers, lawyers and mine operators in Montana. These messages established beyond doubt the extent of James T. Sedgwick's wealth. It was reported to be even greater than shown by the actual figures. "And what does Mr. Jones say?" demanded Montgomery. "His reply resembles a press dispatch. He has tried to make himself thoroughly clear, and If there is anything left unsaid it is past our comnrehension. I am sorry to inform you, though, that he has paid the telegraph charges," said Mr. (Irant. smiling broadly. "Is he rational about it?" asked Montgomery nervously. Mr. Gran; gave his partner a quick, significant fiance and then drew from his desk ttift voluminous telegram from Swearengei Jones. It was as follows: Oct. 2. Grant & Ripley, Yucatan Building, New York: I am to be sole referee in this matter. You are retained as my agents, heir to report to me through you weekly. One desire of uncle was to forestall grandfather's bequest. I shall respect that desire. Enforce terms rigidly. He was my best friend and trustee me wun disposition <u an uuai money. Shall attend to it sacredly. | Heir must get rid of money left to him I in given time. Out of respect to memory of uncle he must take no one into .lis eom.dence. Don't want world to think S. was a fool. He wasn't. Here are the rules I .vant him to work under: 1. No reckless gambling. 2. No .diotic hoard of trade speculation. 3. No endowments to institutions of any character, because their memory would be an invisible asset. 4. No indiscriminate giving away of funds. By that I don't mean him to be stingy. 1 hate a stingy man, and so did J. T. S. 5. No more than ordinary dissipation. I hate a saint. So did J. T. S. And both of us sowed an oat or two. 6. No excesw\e donations to charity. If he gives as other millionaires do I'll let it go at that. Don't believe charity should be spoiled by indulgence. It is not easy to spend a million, and I won't be unreasonable with him. Let him spend it free I v. but not foolishly, and get his .n? ney's worth out of it. If he does that I'll consider him a good business man. I regard it foolish to tip waiter more than dollar, and car porter does not deserve over live. He does not earn more than one. If heir wants to try for this big stake, he'd better begin quick, because he might slip up if he waits until day of judgment. It's less than year off. Luck to him. Will write you more fully. S. Jones. "Write more fully!" echoed Montgomery. "What can there be left to write about?" "He is explicit." said the attorney, "but it is best to know all the conditions before you decide. Have you made up your mind?" Brewster sat silent for a long time, staring hard at the floor. A great struggle was going on in his mind. "It's a gamble, and a big one," he said at last, squaring his shoulders, "but I'll take it. I don't want to appear disloyal to my grandfather, but I think that even he would advise me to accept Yes, you may write Mr. Jones that I accept the chance." The attorneys complimented him on nis nen'e ana wisnea mm success. Brewster turned, with a smile. "I'll begin by asking what you think a reasonable fee for an attorney In a case of this kind. I hope you will act for me." "You don't want to spend it all in a lump, do you?" asked Mr. Grant, smiling. "We can hardly act as counsel for both you and Mr. Jones." "But I . must have a lawyer, and the will limits the number of my confidants. What am I to do?" "We will consult Mr. Jones in regard to the question. It is not regular, you see, but I apprehend no legal difficulties. We cannot accept fees from both sides, however," said Mr. Grant. "But I want attorneys who are willing to help me. It won't be a help if you decline to accept my money," "We'll resort to arbitration," laughed Ripley. Before night Montgomery Brewster began a career that would have startled the world had the facts been known. With true loyalty to the Little Sons of the Rich, he asked his friends to dinner and opened their eyes. "Champagne!" cried Harrison as they were seated at table. "I can't | remember the last time I had champagne." "Naturally," laughed Subway Smith. "You couldn't remember anything after that." As the dinner progressed Brewster explained that he intended to double his fortune within a year. "I'm going to have some fun, too," he said, "and you boys are to help me." Nopper Harrison was employed as "superintendent of affairs," Elon Gardner as financial secretary, Joe Bragdon as private secretary, Subway Smith as counsel, and there were places in view for the other members. "I want the smartest apartment you can find, Nopper," he commanded, "Don't stop at expense. Have Pettingill redecorate it from top to bottom. Get the best servants you can find. I'm going to live, Nopper. and hang the consequences." To be Continued MOTORBOATS FOR WAR. Distances They May Travel and Their Possible Speed. "Motorboats can easily travel 1,000 miles with an average speed of 22 miles an hour." said Robert F. Edge nf r.nndnn Eturbinrl. to a Washington Post reporter. Mr. Edge is interested In the construction of motorboats for naval warfare, and, continuing his observations, he said: "Enormous as this radius of action is, I believe that a person will have to live only to a reasonable old age to be able not only to cross the English Channel as he does now by a motorboat, but the Atlantic ocean as well." As to the use of the motorboat in naval warfare, Mr. Edge said: "The possibilities are enormous and the advantages supreme. Owing to the speed at which it travels?25 miles an hour can be kept up now, which is the beginning of marine motoring?it is next to impossible to hit a motorboat with a big gun. The smoke from an enemy's gun, after a shot has been fired, can be seen, and in the interval before the projectile can reach the boat there would be time to stop it or alter its course. The lightness of the boat and the consequent absence of momentum allows it to stop practicfilly when the engine is stopped. In motion the boat is almost invisible. It lies down in the trough of the waves, or in the track cut by itself as it progresses. Herein lies its great advantage for scouting or going out to view the enemy, who can be seen without the knowledge that they have been watched. The motorboats offer the only means so far devised of at tacking an enemy s suuumrm^. ?jc- i hind a motorboat a torpedo can be trailed, the submarine outside a port sighted and exploded, and a rapid return made without giving the enemy a chance of retaliation. A motorboat, moreover, is practically immune from attacks by a torpedo." XV To a writer a little money in the hand is worth a great deal of fame in the newspapers. ^Miscellaneous Reading. TO AID THE FARMER. Congressman Lever Would Make Census Reports of Benefit to Cotton Growers. Congressman Lever today introduced In the house a joint resolution which is designed to be of great benefit to the cotton farmer and the manufacturer, says a Washington dispatch of Monday. The resolution directs thel census bureau to collect and publish,! in addition to the cotton reports now being made, statistics of baled cotton in the United States and summarizing it sis November 1st, December 1st, January 1st and March 1st. Explaining the Intention of his resolution, Mr. Lever said, "The census bureau now gathers and publishes during the sell ing period, summary reports as to the amount of cotton ginned, and thereby, furnished information as to the production of cotton. This gives the manufacturing and the buying world almost exact knowledge as to the supply from which the demand is met. It puts them into full information as to the amount of cotton which the farmer has for sale or is likely to have during I the selling period. My resolution is Intended to give the farmer the same information with respect to the needs of the manufacturer of cotton as tne present system gives information to the manufacturer with reference to the production of cotton. Aside from the influence of dealing in futures upon the prices of cotton the law of supply and demand regulates the price. The system now in vogue gives the buyer of cotton an advantage for the reason that it gives him information as to the supply, while the seller of cotton and the producer is put to [ the disadvantage of not knowing the demand for cotton and the necessities j of the manufacturer. This resolution Is designed to put the buyer and the seller upon an equal rooting to tne end that the law of supply and demand may more Influence the price of the product. The census bureau now publishes two reports, one on March 1st and the other on September 1st, as to the stocks on hand. The reports are available alike to the buyer and seller, but they are not full enough to protect and give equal advantage to the seller. My resolution intends to put the cotton world in possession of full information as to the supply and demand during that period when the bulk of the cotton goes out of the hands of the farmer. My resolution is necessarily confined to the amount of cotton on hand in the United States, but during the past six months the census bureau sent its representative to Europe with a view or percecung an arrangement whereby the amount of cotton on hand In the various warehouses and mills of Europe would be furnished to the census bureau from time to time upon Its request. It is, therefore, now possible for the first time, lif my resolution becomes r law, to furnish complete statistics both as to the production of cotton and as to the amount of baled cotton held as stock in the mills, warehouses and the like. The cotton farmer has a Just complaint under the present system, that he has not been given an equal advantage with the buyer of cotton and it is fortunate, through the good work of the census bureau, that we are now in a position to legislate along lines which will put both the producer and consumer upon the same footing, as far as the publishing of statistics go. I regard this resolution as of vital importance to the cotton business and I shall press It most vigorously. Whatever tends to unhamper the action of natural laws must tend to bring about more natural and ideal conditions." ? Col. M. P. Tribble, one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Anderson, died at his home in that city last Friday morning at 10 o'clock, in the 70th year of his age. ? It develops that, although she declined the presidency of the South Carolina School Improvement association, Miss Mary T. Nance is not to give up the work in which she has been engaged for a number of years. She will change her residence to Cross Hill, Laurens county, however. ? Dispensary Auditor West has submitted to the governor some interesting tabulated statements, showing dispensary sales and profits under the old state system as compared with the new county system. The last full year under the state system, 1906, showed a total of 122 dispensaries, sales of $2,585,137.16, and profits of $575,975.94. The year before there were 145 dispensaries. They sold $3,122,796.09 worth of liquor at a net profit of $870,318.07. Last year there were 92 county dispensaries. They sold liquor to the amount I nf si fU4 214 21 and made a net profit of $934t600"90T ? Columbia special of January 18, to Charlotte Observer: The Chester county board of control has found It impossible so far to dispose of the county dispensary stock, left on hand I when the institution was voted out of existence last November, and it is understood that there is some talk of asking the legislature to allow the institution to be reopened long enough to work off this stock, amounting to something more than $5,200. Nothing will be done, however, it is said, until the consent of the people of the county has first been obtained. An attempt will be made to obtain this consent either by holding a public meeting or by circulating a petition. If the people of the county are willing for the dispensary to be reopened and kept open long enough to work off what stock is on hand, the county delegation will be asked to introduce a bill to that effect, which it is believed would readilv oass. Chairman John C. McAfee went to Lexington a few clays ago to sell the stock to the dispensary board of that county, but was unable to make a deal. A proposition has been received from the Richland board to take what stock its representative may come up and select, at 50 cents on the dollar: but the Chester board feels that this would entail entirely too great a loss on the county. All of the stock and fixtures and the bottling apparatus have been gathered in the main dispensary building so as to cut down rent and other expenses. ? Anderson special of January 16, to the Greenville News: A rather unique deposit was made at one of the local banks here yesterday just before the clock struck the closing hour. A well-to-do farmer of Broadway township, who is considered a good business man and a prosperous one, walked into the bank, and in his hand held a little brown jug, stopped up with an ordinary corn cob. The farmer was fairly well known by the corps of clerks in the office and they began 1 klm nVtAiit ho in rr ool/lrior KUJIIIfc mill auuui liic juft, a.-'ning him if it contained anything- good, etc. The farmer received their taunts jokingly and in good humor, but finally surprised the young bank aspirants by asking for the cashier, calling the cashier by his Christian name as if he had known and played with him since early cnuunooa. rne casiner vitmc imward, and the farmer planted his little brown jug on the money counter. The cashier was about to remonstrate against such a bold offer to taking a "nip," when the farmer remarked that he had brought something good In the jug, and if he (the cashier) could get '* Kono Unnr tho inir ho 11 UUL W 1 lliWU I uivuniuis ?.* ?- JUq ?iv would leave It (the contents) with him for sometime. The cashier pulled out the corncob, and protruding out of the neck of the jug was a crisp ten dollar bill. The cashier then got busy and with the assistance of all the clerks in the bank office managed to draw out $1,000 in new bills, resorting to a hat pin to extricate the money. The farmer had decided on this unique way of keeping his money for deposit. He laid he could not get to it to spend it and then no one would suspect the contents of the Jug. The banker is now looking for other people with jugs with like contents. KING OF DIAMONDS. Had $5,000,000 Annual Income and Saved $2,500,000 Each Year. It Is doubtful if Harry Barnato, the South African millionaire, who died the other day, knew exactly how much he was worth, says the London correspondent of the New York World, or, If he did, realized the prodigious power his wealth might have exerted. Prohablv he was the richest commoner in Great Britain. His income for the last two or three years was $5,000,000, and an estimate has been made that he was worth $50,000,000. For the last ten years Harry Barnato, who began life as a Juggler, had saved on the average $2,500,000 a year. He had often shown, incidentally not boastfully, checks for $400,000 received in payment of monthly dividends. Harry Barnato never talked about his possessions. Sometimes his intimates chaffed him about being the modern Croesus. Then he would say very gravely: "It is better that I should have this money instead of somebody else, for I take care of it and do a certain amount of good with it. Somebody else might waste it without profiting a human being." Had Harry Barnato been worth ten times as much he would not have changed his manner of life In the slightest. So far from being parsimonious, he was generous, but he uas not extravagant, and he was anything but luxurious. Outside of his raiment, he did not spend $25 a week on himself. He lived very quietly? indeed, not more than half the rooms in his great house on upper Hamilton terwavo in iisp! hut. of course, it * UVC ?? V? V ? cost great sums to maintain that establishment. He passed most of his time between his home and the office of the diamond syndicate in Ely place. Barnato would arrive at the office of a morning wearing a frock coat and a silk hat. The hat's brim had a rakish curl; the wearer's mustache was curled; he looked for all the world like the proprietor of a circus?until he began to talk business. He smoked cigars which are kept in the office to offer to prospective buyers. He had his luncheon at the office for nothing, and his tea, too. If he wanted a drink a dozen men rejoiced to pay for it, for the privilege of talking to him for a minute. If Harry Barnato thought he was right he would dispute a shilling's balance in a bargain, and, gaining the shilling, would toss it to the first beggar. He owned and ran a few horses, but never bet more than (5 or $10 on one to win or for the place. Two ideas beset him; one that his dead brother, Barney Barnato, was the most sagacious, clear-headed man that ever lived; the other that the house of Barnato Brothers, conducted by his nepnews, Sol and J. B. Joel, is the most remarkable and successful business establishment in the world. But Harry Barnato very seldom went into the senator's private office, where he had such vast interests. They preferred to conduct the business without consulting him, and he had great faith in his nephews, and did not want to interfere so long as he received his huge checks. Mrs. Asker of Berkeley Square, Harry Barnato's daughter, is to receive from his estate nearly $5,000,000. What disposition is to be made of the rest of the money and property left has not been made public. GREATER THAN NIAGARA. TL- ' |? South Amer- I ica Leap 213 Feet. Larger than Niagara Is the cataract of the Iguazu Falls, almost at the intersection of the three frontiers of Paraguay, Brazil and the Argentine Republic, says the Chicago Tribune. The river takes its name from a Spanish word meaning great waters. About twelve miles from its mouth the bed drops suddenly down a rocky, perpendicular cliff, some 213 feet high, hence there is a waterfall of that great height. At this spot a delightful little island, beautiful with vegetation, divides the river Into two arms so that the total width is about two miles and a half. The Brazilian arm of the river forms a tremendous horse shoe here and plunges into a great chasm with a deafening roar, while the arm on the Argentine side spreads out in a sort of amphitheatre form and finishes with r.ne grand leap a little over 229 feet. Below the island the two arms unite and How on into the Parana river. From the Brazilian bank the spectator. at a height of 280 feet, gazes out over two and a half miles of some of the wildest and most fantastic water scenery he can ever hope to see. Waters stream, seethe, leap, bound, froth and foam, "throwing the sweat of their agony high in the air and writhing, twisting, screaming and moaning, bear off to the Parana." Under the blue vault of the sky this sea of foam, of pearls, of iridescent dust bathes the great background in a shower of beauty tnat all the more adds to the riot of tropical hues already there. When a high wind is blowing the roar of the cataract can be heard nearly twenty miles away. A rough estimate of the horsepower represented by the falls Is 14,000,000. Few sightseers ever catch a glimpse of the great Iguazu Falls, because it takes six clays to make the picturesque journey of about 1,250 miles from Buenos Ayres amid the fair fertile plains of Santa Fe and the savage luxuriance of the virgin forest, passing through the territory of the missions and the ruins of Jesuit churches and convents. Parents Have the Best Opportunity For the Right Kind of Work. (Rev. W. A. Hafner.) The importance of home instruction in the development or any people cannot be over estimated. As our homes are so will our people be. If we would have a pious people, we must have piety In our homes. God, knowing this, has taken every necessary precaution to purify and to keep pure the home. Perhaps the chief. means used by God in the development of his people is religious instruction. He began by teaching men, and then enjoined those taught to teach others. When God determined to make known his law to men, He first gave the law to Moses, and Imposed upon Moses the duty of declaring that law to Israel. So Moses, having been taught of God, called Israel together and said unto them: ' Hear, O Israel, the Lord thy God Is one Lord. "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might: "And these words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart: "And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children." It is the duty of all who have been taught to pass the truth along to otners, but God, with special emphasis, has made It the duty of parents to give religious instruction to their children. "These words shall be in thine heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children." Now, if no other reason could be given why parents should perform this duty to their children, it is enough to know that God has enjoined it. This with us should be the end of cavil. Eut apart from this all sufficient reason many other good reasons can be assigned why this duty can be laid upon parents. I shall now mention a few of these. 1. Because children, as a rule, are more closely associated with their parents than they are with others. They shelter under the same roof, they eat at the same table, they sit around the same fireside, and, being thus closely associated parents have splendid opportunities to teach their children the truths of God. 2. Because children naturally trust their parents. Unless parents in some way have betrayed the confidence of their children, their word Is sufficient. The majority of children demand no greater proof for the truthfulness of any statement than a thus saith father or mother. This confidence that chll dren naturally place In their parents gives the parents an open door to the hearts of their children. The parents are thus enabled to reach and to teach their children as perhaps no one else can do. 3. Because parents are naturally interested in the welfare of their children. Parents, worthy of the name, love their children better than others love them. This love begets In parents a lively Interest In the welfare of their children. God has shown his wisdom and goodness In committing the spiritual training of children to those who love them best, and who are most Interested In their welfare. Other reasons might be stated why God has Imposed this duty upon parents, but for lack of space, I shall have to let those already stated suffice. This God Imposed duty Is one that you cannot delegate. It Is a common practice In many of our homes today to leave the religious Instruction of their children to the church and Sabbath school. This is a serious mlsnKII/lran am vmir tPllStS. ItlAC. 1VU) VllllUkVd ^ - v.. and unless God has Incapacitated you In some .way for the discharge of the duties Imposed, you must answer for the training of those Intrusted to you. The church and the Sabbath school may prove valuable helps to you In the discharge of your duty to your children, but they cannot relieve you of your responsibility to those children. Should you neglect this all-Important duty, you not only cheat your children out of their rights, but you rob your own soul of the blessings promised to the faithful. Yea, further, your unfaithfulness will affect church and state. If righteousness is not taught in the homes then church and state, which are aggregates of these homes, will also be lacking in righteousness. One reason why there is so much lawlessness In our land today is because obedience to law Is not taught and enforced in our homes. Perform this home duty faithfully, and lawlessness win gradually uisapijccu. Notice, please, how parents are to prepare for giving Instruction: "These words * * shall be in thine heart." Here is the starting point. We must ourselves be taught of God before we are prepared to teach diligently our children. We must endeavor to render obedience to God's commands ourselves, before we can impress upon our children the importance of obedience. I fear here is Just where many parents fail. Not having "these words"?God's commands and statutes?in their own hearts they cannot "diligently" teach them to their children. But some may say "children are so slow to learn that we consider trying to teach them a hopeless task." Yes, they are slow to learn the truth. The same truths must be told them over and over again, the same faults must be corrected day after day. It seems an endless task. But I wonder if our Heavenly Father doesn't some times think that we are slow to learn the lessons he would teach us. He gives them to us line upon line, line upon line," over and over again and still we know them not. Yet He continues with us, and so He would have us do with our children. Yes, home instruction is a difficult task; but If faithfully performed, the results that follow will more than compensate for all our efforts. Remember, parents, you have largely within your power, not only the making of your home, but the making of your church and state as well. Be faithful to your trust, and home, church and state will call you blessed, and God will say to vou at last. "Well done, good and faith ful servant * enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord." itir" In the beginning of the twentieth century it is not so hard to get into print as it is stay out.