Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, July 14, 1911, Image 1

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YORKYILLE ENQUIRER. ISSUED SEMI-WEEKLY. l7*. grists sous, Fabiiihen.| % dfwwlt gwsgapn;: jfsr th{ {promotion of th^ political, ?ociat, ^grieullurai and Commercial interests of ih< Jeopt*. { ESTABLISHED 185S. YORKYILLE. 8. C., FRIDAY, JULY 14, 1911. N"Q. ?6.~ f ByTHOM """Stlf Copyright, 1911, Pub. by Doublodaj BOOK II?THE ROOT. CHAPTER XVIII. Tho Dane? of Death. A flush of excited pleasure overspread Stuart's face as he led his beautiful hostess to the dining room. He paused at the entrance with an exclamation of surprise: "Well, of all the wonders!" "But you can't stop yet!" whispered Nan, drawing him gently on. Apparently on entering the banquet hall they were stepping outdoors into an enchanted pine forest. The walls were completely hidden by painted scenery representing the mountains of North Carolina. The room had been transformed into a forest, trees and shrubbery melting imperceptibly into the scenery on the walls, and mocking birds were singing in cages hidden high among the boughs of the trees. Stuart gazed at the great panorama painting on the wall, fascinated. "Why, Nan," he gasped, "that's a view of the river hills at home where you and I used to roam." "Well, if you hadn't recognized It, I should never have rorgiven you. "How on earth did your artists get It so perfectly?" "I sent him there, of course. He did It In three weeks. There's something else In that picture I thought you'd see, too." "Isn't It now!" Stuart laughed, as they reached the head of the central table. A boy and girl sitting on a fence looking down at the river In the valley below. "The very spot we found that quail's nest, you remember. You see I've begun to rebuild your dream-life tonight, Jim " "It's marvelous!" he answered slowly. "And there in the distance loom the three ranges of our old mountains until their dim blue peaks are lost in the clouds. These tables seem spread for a picnic In the woods on the hills." "Are you pleased with my fantasy?" she asked with quiet emotion. "Pleased Is not the word for It," he replied quickly. "I'm overwhelmed. I never thought you so sentimental." "Perhaps I'm not, perhaps I've only done this to please a friend. Do you begin to feel at home in this little spot I've brought back by magic tonight from our youth?" "I'm arrald I'll wane ana nna 1 m dreaming." ?- Stuart gased nn fHe magnificently, set table with increasing astonishment. Winding in and out among the solid silver candelabra a tiny stream of crystal water flowed among miniature trees and flowers on its banks. The flowers were all blooming orchids of rarest coloring and weirdly fantastic shapes. "Those hideous little flowers cost a small fortune." Nan exclaimed. "I'm ashamed to tell you how much?I don't like them myself, I'm frank to say so to you. But they are the rage. I prefer those gorgeous bowers of American beauty roses, the canopies to shade my guests from the rays of my artificial sun shining through the trees. You see how skilfully the artist has lighted the place. It looks exactly like a sunset in a pine forest." Stuart noted that the service was ah made for this occasion, silver, cut glass and china. Each piece had stamped or etched in it the coat of arms of his native state, "Peace and Plenty." "And you've done all this in six weeks? It's incredible." "Money can do anything, Jim," she cried under her breath. "It's the fairy queen of our childhood and the God of of our ancient faith come down to earth. You really like my banquet hall?" "More than I can tell you." Nan looked at him keenly. "The world will say tomorrow morning that I have given this lavish entertainment for vulgar display. In a sense it's true. I am trying to eclipse in splendor anything New York has seen. But I count the fortune it cost well spent to have seen the smile on your face when you looked at that painting of our old hills. I would have given five times as much at any moment the past ten years to have known that you didn't hate me." "You know it now." "Yes," she answered tenderly. "You have said so with your lips before, now you mean it. You are your old handsome self tonight." Apart from the charm of Nan's presence Stuart found the dinner itself a stupid affair, so solemnly stupid it at last became funny. In all the magnificently dressed crowd he looked in vain for a man or woman of real intellectual distinction. He saw only money, money, money! There was one exception?the titled degenerates from the Old World, hovering around the richest and silliest women, their eyes glittering with eager avarice for a chance at their millions. It seemed a joke that any sane American mother could conceive the ' J oollinfr hur Ho 11 CrY\ t *-?r to thpIP lUCU Ul .1ciniib ? wretches in exchange for the empty sham of a worm-eaten dishonored title. And yet it had become so common that the drain on the national resources from this cause constitutes a menace to our future. In spite of the low murmurs of Nan's beautifully modulated voice in his ears, he found his anger slowly rising, not against any one in particular, but against the vulgar ostentation in which these people moved and the vapid assumption of superiority with which they evidently looked out upon the world. But whatever might have been lacking in the wit and genius of the guests who sat at Nans tables, there could be no question about the quality of the dinner set before them. When the Roman empire was staggering to its ruin amid the extravagancies of its corrupt emperors, not one of them ever gave a banquet which approximated half the cost of this. The best old Nerc ever did with his flowers was to covei AS DIXON ^ by Thomas Dixon. f, Pag* & Co., N. Y. fjft ?mmmm I the floors of his banquet hall with cut roses that his guests might crush them beneath their feet. But flowers were cheap in sunny Italy. Nan's orchids alone on her tables cost in Roman money a hundred thousand sesterces, while the paintings, trees, shrubbery, water and light effects necessary to transform the room into a miniature forest cost five hundred thousand sesterces, or a total of thirty thousand dollars for the decorations of the banquet hall alone. When the feast ended at ten thirty the sun had set behind the blue mountains, the moon risen, and hundreds of fire files were floating from the foliage of trees and shrubs. Nan led the way to the ball room, where the entertainment by hired dancers, singers, and professional entertainers began on an improvised stage. During this part of the programme the women and men of the banqueting party who were to appear <n the fancy-dress ball at 12 retired to the rooms above to dress for their parts. Nan left Stuart with a pretty sigh to arrange her costume. "I'm sorry you never learned to dance, Jim, but there are compensations tonight. I've a surprise for you later." Refore hp could reDlv. with a wave of her bare arm, she was gone, and he stood for a momt-ni wondering what further surprise could be in store after what he had seen. He noted with some astonishment the peculiar sombre effects of the ball room. He had expected a scene of splendor. Instead the impression was distinctly funereal. The lights were dimmed like the interior of a theatre during the performance and the lofty gilded ceilings with their mural decorations seemed to be draped In filmy black crepe. The professional entertainment began on the little stage amid a universal gabble which made it impossible for anything save pantomime to be intelligible beyond the footlights. Star after star, whose services had cost $1,000 each for one hour, appeared without commanding the slightest attention. At last there was a hush and every eye was fixed on the stage. Stuart looked up quickly to see what miracle had caused the silence. An oriental dancing girl, barefooted and naked save for the slightest suggestion of coverftig about her waist and bust, was the centre of attraction. For five minutes she held the crowd spell-bound with a dance so beautifully sensual no theatrical manager would have dared present it. Yet it was received by the only burst of applause which broke the monotony of the occasion. Stuart turned to the programme in his hand and idly read the next number: "A song by an unknown star." He was wondering what joke the manager was about to perpetrate on the crowd when his ear caught the first sweet notes of Harriet's voice singing the old song he loved so well, the song she had first sung the day he came from the south. His heart gave a throb of pain. Who could have prepared this humiliation for his little pal! He pushed his way through the throng of chattering fools until he stood alone straight in front of the slender little singer. She saw him at once, smiled, and sang as he had never heard her sing. Her eyes shone with a strange light and Stuart knew she was in the spirit world. The rabble of ignorant a .? /H/l Illtril UIIU ? uiiirn uciuic nci uiu 11v/v exist. She was singing to an invisible audience save for the one man who looked up into her eyes, his heart bursting with sympathy and tenderness. To his further surprise Stuart saw the doctor standing in the shadows at the corner of the stage looking over the grossiping, noisy crowd with a look of anger and horror. When the last note of the song died away, quivering with a supernatural tenderness and passion, he brushed a tear from his eyes, lifted his hands high above, his head and made a motion which said to her: "Tumultuous applause!" She nodded and smiled and he rushed behind the scenes to ask an explanation. He grasped both her hands and found them cold and trembling with excitement. "What on earth, does this mean?" "Simply that I was engaged to sing tonight?and I wanted to surprise you. Didn't you like my song?" Stuart held her hands tightly. "I never heard you sing so divinely!" "Then I'm very happy." "How could you sing at all under such conuitions?" "I had one good listener." "I could have killed them because they wouldn't hear you." But you enjoyed it?" 1 "It lifted me to the gates of heaven, dear." "Then I don't care whether any one else heard it or not. But I did so much wish that she might have heard it, or her husband, because they are from the south. I thought they would be as 1 charmed with the old song as you have ' always been and I'd make a hit with them, perhaps." "But I don't understand, your father 1 hates Blvens so." A big hand was laid on his shoulder, 1 he turned and faced the doctor smiling. ' "But I don't hate him, my boy! I've given up such foolishness. We've buried the hatchet. I'm to see him in ' a few minutes and we are to be good friends." ! "Bivens invited you here to discuss a business proposition tonight!" Stuart exclaimed, blankly. "No, no, no," the doctor answered. ) "I came with Harriet, of course. Her music teacher placed her on the pro' gramme. But Mr. Bivens and I have had some correspondence and I'm to see him in a little while and talk things over quite informally, of course, but effectively." "He has agreed to a conference here?" the young lawyer asked, anxiously. "Why, of course. His butler has just told me he would see me immediately after the ball begins." Stuart breathed easier. "That It's all right. I was Just going to suggest that I speak to Mr. Blvens for you." "Not at all, my boy, not necessary, I assure you. It will be all right. In five minutes' talk our little differences will all be settled." "If I can be of any service, you'll let me know?" "Certainly," the doctor replied with a frown, "but the whole thing Is settled already. Still, I appreciate your nflfpr " Stuart was worried. He could not press the matter further. He was sure from the sensitive tones in which his old friend declined his help that his dignity was hurt by the offer. He was positive there was a misunderstanding somewhere. The doctor's optimism had led him into an embarrassing situation and yet his association with Blvens as his first employer had surely given him some knowledge of his character. He hesitated, about to speak, changed his mind, and turned to Harriet. "You look glorious tonight, little pal! Funny that I never saw* you in evening dress before. You look so tall and queenly, so grown, so mature. You're beginning to make me feel old, child. I'll be thinking of you as a grown woman next." "I am twenty-four, you know," she said, simply. "I have never believed it until tonight. I wouldn't have known you at first but for your voice. I had to rub my eyes then." A warm blush tinged the pink and white of the sensitive face. "Oh, Jim, I can't tell you how sweet your southern blarney is to my heart! I dreamed of a triumph of art. I saw' it was impossible before I sang, and now the pretty things you've said have taken all the sting out of defeat and I'm happy." "Then I'm glad, dear." He paused, leaned close and whispered : "Won't you let me know when your father has seen Mr. Bivens? If this conference doesn't go well I may be of some help." "All right, I'll let you know." The lights were suddenly turned lower, approaching total darkness. The attendants noiselessly removed the temporary stage and cleared the great room for the dancers. As the chimes struck the hour of midnight, skeleton heads slowly began to appear peeping from the shadows of the arched celling and from every nook and corner of the huge cornice and pillars. Draperies of filmy crepe nowmg gently in xne Dreeze were itemed by sulphurous-hued electric rays from the balconies. Tiny electric lights blinked in every skeleton's sunken eyes and behind each grinning row of teeth. Again the chatter of fools was suddenly hushed. The orchestra began a weird piece of music that sent the cold chills rippling down Stuart's spine. Harriet's hand gripped his. "Heavens!" she whispered. "Did you ever dream of such a nightmare!" Suddenly two white figures drew aside the heavy curtains in the archway and the dancers marched into the sombre room. The men were dressed as shrouded skeletons, and the wopien as worms. The men wore a light flimsy gray robe on which skilful artists had painted on four sides in deep colors the picture of a human skeleton. The women wore a curious light robe of cotton fibre which was drawn over the entire body and gave to each figure the appearance of a huge caterpillar. From the high perch of a balcony |a sepulchral voice cried: "The Dance of Death and the Worm!" The strange figures began to move slowly across the polished floor to the strains of a ghost-like waltz. From the corners of the high balconies strange lights flashed, developing in hideous outlines the phosphorescent colors of the skeletons and long, fuzzy, exaggerated lines of the accompanying worms. The effect was thrilling. Every sound save the soft swish of the ghastly robes and the delicate footfall of ghostly feet ceased. Not a whisper from a sap-headed youth or a yap from an aged degenerate or a giggle from a silly woman broke the deathlike stillness. Suddenly the music stopped with a crash. Each ghostly couple, skeleton and worm, stood motionless. The silvery note of a trumpet called from the skv. The blinking eyes of the death-heads in the ceiling and on the walls faded slowly. The figures of the dancers moved uneasily in the darkness. The trumpet pealed a second signal?the darkness fled, and the great room suddenly blazed with ten thousand electric lights. The orchestra struck the first notes of a thrilling waltz, and presto!?in an instant the women appeared in all the splendour of the most gorgeous gowns, their bare arms and necks flashing with priceless jewels and each man, but a moment ago a hideous skeleton, bowed before her in immaculate evening clothes. Just at the moment each caterpillar threw to her attendant her disguise, from the four corners of the vast room were released thousands of gorgeously tinted butterflies, imported from the tropics for the occasion. As the dancers glided through the dazzling scene these wonderfully colored creatures fluttered about them in myriads, darting and circling in every direction among the flowers and lights until the room seemed a veritable fairyland. A burst of applause swept the crowd, as Nan's radiant figure passed, encircled by the arm of the leader. Stuart nodded and clapped his hands with enthusiasm. A more marvellous transformation scene could scarcely be imagined. When Nan had passed he turned to speak to Harriet and she had gone. He felt a moment's pain at the disappointment, but before he could find her the music ceased, the dancers paused and the swaying of the crowd made his search vain. A soft hand was suddenly laid on his arm, and he turned to confront Nan. her eyes flashing with triumph. her cheeks flushed, and her lips parted in a tender smile. "Well?" she asked in low tones. "You're a magician, Nan," he answered with enthusiasm. "Come, I'm going to honor you by sitting out the next two dances, and If you're very good, perhaps more." When she had seated herself by his side under a bower of roses he was very still for a moment. She looked up witth a quizzical expression and said. "A penny for your thoughts? Am I so very wicked after all?" Stuart crossed his long legs and looked at her admiringly. "I'll be honest," he said with deliberation. "I don't think I have ever seen anvthins: more dazzlingly beautiful than your banquet and ball, except?" "Except what!" she Interrupted sharply. "Except the woman who conceived and executed It." "That's better, but you must give the credit to the artists I hired." "In a measure, yes; but their plans were submitted for your approval. I was Just wondering whether your Imagination was vivid enough to have dreamed half the splendors of such a life when you turned from the little cottage I built for you." A look of pain clouded the fair face on/1 oho liftori hpr IpwpIpH hand. "Please, Jim, I'd like to forget some things." "And you haven't forgotten?" She looked straight Into his eyes and answered In even tones. "No." He studied the magnificent pearl necklace that circled her throat. Its purchase had made a sensation In New York. The papers were full of it at the time Bivens had bought it at an auction in Paris, bidding successfully against the agents of the Tzar of Russia. Never had he seen Nan so ravishing. Magnificent gowns, soft laces, and jewelry were made to be worn by such women. There was an eternal fitness in the whole scheme of things in which this glorious creature of the senses lived and moved and had her being. "I suppose," he began musingly, "I ought, as a patriotic citizen of the Republic, to condemn the enormous waste of wealth you have made here tonight." "Yes," she answered quietly. "I ought to tell you how many tears you could wipe away with It, how much suffering you could soften, how many young lives you could save from misery and shame, how many of life's sunsets you could have turned from darkness Into the glory of quiet Joy; and yet, somehow, I can find nothing In my heart to say except that I've been living In a fairyland of beauty and enchantment. What curious contradictions these hearts of ours lead us Into sometimes?don't they?" Nan looked up quickly and repeated his question in cynical tones. "Yea, don't they?" "I know that I ought to condemn this appalling extravagance, and I find myself enjoying it." Both were silent for a long while and then they began to talk in low tones of the life they had lived as boy and girl in the old south, and forgot the flight of time. (To Be Continued.) ? The following editorial expression appeared in Friday's issue of the New York Journal of Commerce, apropos the purported purchase of cotton lands by English spinners. Not long ago the fact was announced that a syndicate acting for English cotton spinners had purchased 32,000 acres of cotton land? In the 'Mississippi delta,' with a view to raising the material for their mills in Lancashire. Now comes a definite statement from Memphis that a syndicate of Holland capitalists has acquired 9,000 acres in Bolivar county, Mississippi, with options upon considerable adjoining property. It is said to be 'confidently expected' that now that the way has been blazed there will be a rapid acquisition of similar lands chiefly for cotton raising. In the case of the Dutch purchases, of which 6,000 acres are already under cultivation, it is said that the land will not be wholy devoted to cotton, but corn and other grain will be grown and live stock will be raised. This may be the beginning of a movement of much interest to the southern states. It is generally acknowledged that their agricultural possibilities are far from being fairly developed, and the great need is adequate capital and sufficient labor of an industrious kind. The acquisition of cotton lands with foreign capital may be especially significant. European manufacturers have become seriously disturbed over their dependence upon the American cotton supply, but their efforts to stimulate production elsewhere, chiefly in India and parts of Africa, are having slow results. It is well known to them that our southern states have a decided advantage in cotton raising and that their capacity is far from being taxed, but the supply that2can be counted upon is capricious. Crops vary somewhat widely from year to year and little effort Is made to adjust the supply to the demand. At times there is a disposition to curtail the supply for the mere purpose of maintaining a high price, on the ground that a small crop and a high price are more profitable to the planter than an abundant quantity at a low price. If foreign proprietors come in with a motive for improving cultivation, increasing yield and economizing cost, it will have a stimulating effect upon native enterprise and may make the industry more steadily profitable and of far more benefit to other industries both at home and abroad. It is much more important that there should be a steady and plentiful supply of this material of almost universal use than that there should sometimes be a large profit to planters from the distress of great manufacturing populations. Not only is there need of Improvement in cultivation and in labor conditions, but there is a chance for progress in pre paring cotton for the market and in the methods of handling it in transportation. The emulation excited by the invasion of foreign enterprise ought to have a salutary effect upon the industrial conditions of the south." A Freshie.?The baby across the car caught sight of the bibulous individual opposite and let out a shrill yell of alarm. The bibulous person leaned forward. "Ralry attendin' college, ma'am?" he asked. "Xo. sir," the mother sharply replied. and the baby yelled again. "Thass ver' funny." said the Inebriated one. There's certa'nly some class to that yell." Then he gave the child an atrocious wink and fell asleep.?Cleveland Plain Dealer. pi0crUanrou$ grading. THE SCHOOL BOOK QUESTION. Appointive Members of the Board Make Statement to the Public. Statement of the appointive members of the state board of education concerning the adoption of text books: In view of the misunderstanding and erroneous statements that have grown out of the recent protest issued by State Superintendent Swearingen in reference to the late adoption of text books, the undersigned appointive members of the state board of education submit to the people of South Carolina the following statement of the fact Involved: Fitness of the members to Judge and select text books: The undersigned members- of the board have all of them been for many veers lntlmntf.lv rnnneetpd with the schools. Most of them are teachers of many years' experience, ranging through nearly every grade and every kind of school. Special Preparation For tho Adoption. For something over two years, they have had this adoption in view and have In consequence, been acquainting themselves with the usableness, suitableness, and merits of the books In actual use in the schools. This has been done not only by examination of the books themselves but by the questioning of teachers all over the state. For some six months prior to the adoption, books to be offered begin to come In and expert representatives of the book companies began their visits to the several members of the board. The coming of these books and agents increased in frequency, so that for some three months before the adoption, the members were called upon to spend most of their time, not given to their regular work, in the examination of books and the discussion of them with agents. This prolonged and searching examlnfltlnn nf tovl hnnlrg tn ho anhmlt ted was supplemented by informal discussion and comparisons among the members themselves while in attendance upon board meeting in Columbia Hence the several members entered the adoption with clearly defined views as to the relative merits and suitability of the various books, including those now in use, and had in many cases, their minds made up on their first choice, or on the books which they would be willing to accept in place of this first choice, and with definite ideas as to the opinions of their fellow members. Consequently when the time came for adoption, the members were virtually ready to vote intelligently without the necessity of much discussion, though despite this preparation there was full discussion on all important books. The undersigned members submit, therefore, that with this experience and this study of the books, it is reasonable to conclude that their individual judgment as to the merits of the books submitted deserves the same consideration, and is just as likely to be correct, as that of Mr. Swearingen, and that where a majority of them were agreed upon a particular book, it is just as rational, as well as democratic, to assume that this majority opinion was more likely correct than that of Mr. Swearingen or that of any minority which Included Mr. Swearingen. Tha So-called 8ecrat Ballot. It Is unthinkable that Superintendent Swearingen intended in the slightest degree to impugn or make insinuation against the integrity of the members of the board, either individually or collectively. Indeed we have his assurance that he did not; yet that construction has been put upon his protest and especially upon his reference to a secret ballot. Hence we are at a loss to understand why, when he perceived that the newspapers so construed his protest, he did not, in justice to himself and in justice to the board, immediately publish a disclaimer of any such intention. This ballot, it is due to say, was not secret in the sense that any member's vote was concealed. It is due to say, further, that not only was the method based upon the precedent of the adoption of five years ago, but, In the agreement to adopt the impersonal vote, it was distinctly stated that, if In the voting any member desired to put on record anything about the vote or adoption, he had the right to do so. In the case of most of the books, especially of the more important ones, there was always a preliminary discussion which revealed whether there was any decided differences of opinion among the members. Some member then put a particular book in nomination. There was yet fuller discussion, including comparison with such other books as individual members thought worthy of mention. An open individual vote was then taken. Thus the whole board knew how each mem her voted. How the Members Voted. On only three of the books adopted were the undersigned members divided in their final vote. These were the basal set of readers, the geographies and the English books below the high school. The following voted for the Wheeler Primer. Messrs. Daniel, Glenn, O'Driscoll, Rembert, Thackston and Toms. In the case of the first and second basal readers, Messrs. Glenn and Rembert voted for the graded classics of B. F. Johnson & Co., as a solid basal set. Messrs. Daniel, O'Driscoll. Rice. Thackston and Toms voted for the Wheeler first and second readers, as adopted. In the case of the geographies, the final vote stood for Maury, Messrs. Daniel, O'Driscoll, Thackston and Toms; for Frye, Messrs. Glenn, Rembert and Rice. In the ca of the grammars the following voted for Kinard and Withers books: Messrs. Glenn, O'Driscoll, Rembert, Rice and Thackston. The following voted against these books: Messrs. Daniel and Toms. In each such Instance, however, those who opposed the books finally adopted cheerfully accepted and approved the verdict of the majority. In the final vote on all other books adopted the undersigned members voted alike. Change of Text Books. In reference to the change of text books, it must be remembered that the law itself anticipates the necessity for change ii. providing for a periodic adoption. The object, moreover, in inviting bids is to secure not the cheap . f 1.? l>?o. I.nnlia of thp CHI IHIUna, l.'Ul IIIC ucDi uuvnn .... lowest prices. The board showed its recognition of this principle as a primary end in the fact that, at its first meeting and frequently in the course of the adoption, it was repeated with emphasis that the first duty was to get the best books irrespective of reasonable differences in price. One of the most dangerous doctrines implied in Mr. Swearlngen's protest is that which tends to establish the principle that books should not be changed and that cheapness is the chief object. No man's child should be compelled to use Inferior text books even though such books were furnished free of cost. Time once lost by the child, through poor books, is never recovered and the damage done is Irreparable. People living in the country, are as a rule, not in position to keep up with the advance in text book Improvements. These advances are on a par with, or ahead of, Improvements, along other lines; and books that were relatively good four or five years ago may be relatively poor today. Surely the country children are entitled to as good hooks as the town children are. This advantage the board was fully determined they should have without regard to criticism. Increase In Prices. Most of those who have made comparisons between particular books of the old and the new adoption have fallen into serious and misleading error. Primer and Reader. In the case of the primer, although the one adopted cost 13 cents more than the old one, it contains 6,700 words of reading matter, whereas the old book contains only 1,300. Thus the old primer, pasteboard bound, cheaply made, poorly illustrated, gave only 110 words of reading matter for one cent, while the new primer, cloth bound, fully and beautifully illustrated, gives 226 words of reading matter for one cent. The judgment of the school world upon this new book may be Inferred from the fact that It has been adopted in eleven states. So, also, are the readers adopted superior to those discarded. Reading is the most Important subject taught In the school, because the child's progress in all other studies Hononria iirmn hla ability to read. That series of readers which enables the child to gain this power in the shortest possible time is In the end the best and the cheapest. Such a series the undersigned members of the board claim to have adopted. Geographies. In the comparison between the old and the adopted primary geographies, the following Is the fact: The book thrown out was confessedly unsuitable and was not supported by a single member of the board. The board was Anally limited to a choice between the new primary Frye at 40 cents and the new primary Maury at 45 cents?a difference of 5 cents and not of 12 cents, as alleged. Physiologies. It is equally unfair and misleading to compare the cost of the three book series of physiologies adopted with the two book series discarded. The third and added book is to be used as an elective science in one of the high school classes, and was adopted In response to the most marked movement of the day?the call for the education of the people in health laws and preservation. In the two lower books, those adopted are so far ahead of the old books that there is no comparison. The primer of sanitation alone if placed in the home of every man in South Carolina and read and even partly followed would save In one year more money than the adoption will cost. Arithmetic. The comparison between the old and the new arithmetics is an Instance of the glaring injustice done to the board. The -following is the statement given: Post nf old arithmetic, elemen tary $0.22 Cost of old arithmetic, advanced 40 Total $0.62 Cost of the new arithmetic, elementary 32 Cost of new arithmetic, intermediate 36 Coct of new arithmetic, advanced 41 Total .. $1.09 Making the apparent increase on arithmetics 47 cents. As a matter of fact, the new advanced arithmetic quoted as 41 cents in the second list above was on the old list, and in a rtadopted book. The proper comparison should be: Cost of old Went. * arithmetic eiem 22 Cost of old Went, arithmetic, adv 40 Cost of old Milne arithmetic, adv 41 Total $1.03 Cost of new Milne arithmetic, elem 32 Cost of new Milne arithmetic, inter 36 Cost of re-adopted arithmetic, ndv.. . . > dl TotaJ $1.09 This makes the increased price only 6 cents. A change in the two lower arithmetics was considered advisable, since, in the Judgment of the board they were out of date. Such being the case, the adoption of the Milne was logical, Inasmuch as the advanced Milne was already on the list and the whole series was already widely used in the independent schools of the state. Saving to the State. Those who have commented on the cost of the adoption have overlooked the positive fact that this board has secured what is confessedly the best contract ever obtained from the publishers in this country. For we maintain that the credit for this contract is due to no one man, but that the contract was the product of the combined Judgment of the whole board and was unanimously adopted by it. By this contract, for the first time in the history of book adoption, "any old book" in the hand of the child has been given a definite money value and will 'je taken In exchange for any book of a lower or higher grade in the same series. By the same contract, too, the length of time allowed for exchange has been increased 25 per cent. Both the method and the saving in this exchange provision may be illustrated with the readers. By the contract the old Johnson Primer, which, when new, cost the children 12 cents, has now an exchange value of 15 cents. That is to say, an old Johnson Primer and 10 cents will buy a new Wheeler DwimAK tVia ratal] nan t ro r? t nrlpp nf which Is 25 cents. Or the same primer and 10 cents will buy a new Wheeler first reader, the contract retail price of which Is 25 cents. In the same way, an old primer may be used at this valuation of 15 cents to help pay for any reader?first, second, third, fourth or fifth, whereas, in the past a primer could be exchanged only for a primer. Further, an old first reader, which cost 20 cents when new, has by contract been given a money value of 15 cents and may be used to help pay for a primer or any other reader. In the case of the geographies, the old primary geography, which was discarded by the board, and which cost when new 33 cents, has by contract been given an exchange value of 23 cents, being only 10 cents less than It cost when new. That is to say, an old primary geography and 23 cents will pay for the new book adopted. Or the old primary geography and 65 cents will pay for the new advanced geography. So, too, the old advanced geography and 22 cents will buy the new primary geography. Could any one deny that money has been saved the state? Cost to the State. It has been claimed that the board by its action wantonly destroyed property values estimated at 1500,000. This sum is just a few thousand less than the cost of all the school books bought in South Carolina during the years 1906-1911. How preposterous this claim is will appear from the following: It assumes that all these books, even those bought five years ago. are still in usable form in the hands of the children and are now worth what they cost when new. It assumes also that if all the old books had been re-adopted, the children of the state would not have had to buy any new books during the coming five years. It rorgets tnat each book now in the hands of the child has not only paid its price in use, but is by contract given an added definite value, approximate 50 per cent of its original cost. The following analysis will show that the apparent loss of the state would in reality be only about $16,000 a year for the five-year period, or only about 4 2-3 cents per child, instead of the alleged loss of $500,000. As It is claimed that the loss was entailed by the assumed 80 per cent change, then the entire value Involved would be upon this 80 per cent or upon $400,000 instead of $500,000. It is, however, generally estimated by teachers and experienced book men that the average life of a text book?especially in the lower grades?is from one to three years. On a liberal allowance then, the books bought during the first three years of the last adoption period are not usable in class, though by the contract they have been given an exchange money value. This reduces the possible loss to the books bought during the last two years, or to twofifths of $400,000, that is, $160,000. Now not only iiave these books paid their price in actual use, but they have an , actual value of 50' per cent of their ) cost when new. This reduces the alI leged loss to $80,000. If this loss be , distributed over a period of five years , ?a legitimate distribution, inasmuch as the assumed loss covered that per\ lod?this makes a so-called loss of . $16,000 a year. This leaves a so-called ! loss of $16,000 a year to be distributed among the 340,000 and more children I in the schools, or about 4 2-3 cents apiece. Thus, at this slight additional expense of 4 2-3 cents, each child In the i state would be supplied with new and , better books. Surely this is gain and not loss. For it is a serious injustice to a child?an Injustice at once phy sical, Intellectual, and aesthetic?to put into its hands an old, defaced and filthy book In any study. We have gone Into these figures on the assumption that the statement that 80 per cent of the books have been changed, Is correct. The correctness of the statement we do not admit. Exclusive of copy books and drawing books, which are destroyed by use, supplementary English classics and duplicates, there were 53 books on the old list. Of this number 23 only were changed, whereas 20 were re-adopted. Ten were entirely dropped from the list. Owing to the extension of the high school course, it becomes necessary to add nine new books to the list for high school use. Let each man calculate the percentage of change for himself. Have No Apology. The foregoing is a statement of the essential facts of the adoption, of the preliminary preparation of the members of the board and of the fair and rational view to take of the cost involved. The undersigned appointive members have no apology to make either for the result of the adoption or for the methods used. They entered upon the task with only one purpose?to further the beet interest of the schools and of the children of South Carolina. They brought to bear upon this task their best experience, the unremitting toll of months, and the deepest Interest and sincerity. They believe that with due allowance for the fallibility of human Judgment they have succeeded. To the test of use. to those who know books and the needs of our schools, and to the sober second thought of the fair-minded people of their state, they leave the final verdict. D. M. O'Driscoll, First District, Hi F. Rice, Second District. D. W. Daniel, Third District, * ft niatrlot j\. u. ncuu/ci i, r vutiii w?o??av?t J. Lyles Glenn, Fifth District, Nathan Toms, Sixth District, A. J. Thackston, Seventh District. EFFECTS OF THE DROUTH. Deterioration In Many Crops During Past Month. Washington, July 10.?"Hot weather and drouth have played havoc with the crop conditions during1 the last month,' was the statement made today by Prof. N. C. Murray, acting chief of the crop reporting board of the department of agriculture, after the announcement of the July report on grain and produce. "The report," said Prof. Murray, "re fleets the serious effects of the drouth during June, most of the Important crops showing a condition at present which indicate a yieia Deiow mat 01 last year and below the recent average yield of production. "The feed stuffs?oats and hay?seem to have been the hardest hit. Less than two-thirds of a normal crop ot hay is expected and the oats crop probably will be more than 25 per cent less than last year's crop and about 12 per cent less than the average for the last Ave years. Corn Condition Bslow Average. "The corn acreage is the largest ever recorded, but the condition of the crop is about 7 per cent below the average. That indicates a production of about 5 per cent less than last year's record crop, but nearly 5 per cent more than the average production during the last five years. The condition of the corn crop on July 1, however, was critical. "The potato crop promises to be unusually short. The acreage has fallen off and the condition of the crop now is lower than at any time on July 1 in the last twenty-two years. A sensational advance in the price of potatoes has been made during the last month. The average price throughout the country, on June 1, was 63.3 cents a bushel. On July 1 it was 96.3 cents. Tobacco Also Short. "Owing to the difficulty in the setting out of tobacco plants the average of tobacco has been reduced 28 per cent from last year. This and the low condition of the crop has reduced the Indications to a total production of 63.3 per cent of last year's crop, or 77.3 per cent of the average for the last five years. "Notwithstanding the drouth, the wheat crop, both spring and winter, will be well up to the average in total production. "Tn general croD conditions the sec tion of the country which appears to have been hit hardest by the hot weather and the drouth is the tier of states comprising South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas and Oklahoma. July Crop Rsport. The July crop report of the United States department of agriculture crop reporting board, issued at 2.15 p. m. today, shows the condition on July 1 and the yield per acre, as indicated by the condition on that date, of the principal farm crops and the acreage of those not already announced, as follows: Corn?Condition 80.1 per cent of a normal, compared with 85.4 per cent in 1910 and 84.7 per cent, the average for the past ten years on that date: indicated yield per acre 25.5 bushels, compared with 27.4 bushels, the 1910 final yield, and 27.1 bushels, the average for the last five years; area planted to corn this year 115,939,000 acres, compared with 114,002,000 acres in 1910. 76.8 Wheat Crop Figures. Winter wheat?Condition 76.8 per cent, of a normal, compared with 80.4 per cent on June 1, 1911, 81.5 per cent in 1910, and 81.4 per cent, the tenyear average; indicated yield per acre, 14.6 bushels, compared with 15.8 bushels in 1911, and 15.5 bushels, the five year average. i Spring wheat?Condition 73.8 per cent, of a normal, compared with 94.6 per cent on June 1, 1911, 61.6 per cent, in 1910 and 87.8 per cent, the ten-year average; indicated yield per acre, 11.8 bushels, compared with 11.7 bushels in 1910 and 13.5 bushels, the five-year i average. All wheat?Condition 75.6 per cent of ~ ? ? I oAmnoraH with fiA 1 rUMT PMlt ci liunnai, \.\Jlllpo-i wu nn... vv.? - on June 1, 1911, 73.5 per cent In 1910 and 84.4 per cent, the ten-year average; indicated yield per acre 13.5 bushels, compared with 14.1 bushels in 1910 and 14.7 bushels, the five-year average. The amount of wheat remaining on farms on July 1 is estimated at about 38,288,000 bushels, compared with 38,739,000 bushels on July 1, 1910, and 37,701,000 bushels, the average amount on farms July 1 for the past five years. Oats, Barley, Rye. Oats?Condition 68.8 per cent of a normal, compared with 85.7 per cent on ; June 1, 1911, 82.2 per cent, in 1910, and 86.3 per cent, the ten-year average; Indicated yield per acre, 23.2 bushels, 1 compared with 31.9 bushels in 1910 and 28.4 bushels, the five-year average. , Barley?Condition, 72.1 per cent of a | normal, compared with 90.2 per cent on i June 1, 1911, 73.7 per cent in 1910 and 87.9 per cent the ten-year average Indicated yield per acre, 20.9 bushels, compared with 22.4 bushels in 1910 and , 24.8 bushels the five-year average. Rye?Condition, 85.0 per cent of a normal, compared with 88.6 per cent on June 1, 1911, 87.6 per cent in 1910 and 90.8 per cent the ten-year average indicated yield per acre, 15.5 bushels, compared with 16.3 bushels in 1910 and 16.4 bushels the five year average area planted to rye this year, 2,003,664 acres, compared with 2,028,000 acres in 1910. j Potato?*, Tobacco, Flax. White potatoes?Condition, 76.0 per cent of a normal, compared with 86.3 per cent in 1910 and 90.4 per cent the ten-year average indicated yield per acre 81.7 bushels, compared with 94.4 bushels in 1910 and 96.9 bushels the five-year average; area planted, 3,496,000 acres, compared with 3,591,000 acres in 1910. Tobacco?Condition, 72.6 per cent of a normal, compared with 86.3 per cent in 1910 and 86.0 per cent the ten-year average; indicated yield per acre, 698.1 pounds, compared with 797.8 pounds in 1910 and 826.0 pounds the five year average; area planted. 893,000 acres, compared with 1,233,800 acres In 1910. Flax?Condition, 80.9 per cent of a normal, compared with 65.0 per cent in 1910 and 87,8 per cent the eightyear average; indicated yield per acre, 8.6 bushels, compared with 4.8 bushels In 1910 and 8.6 blshels the five-year avern art* nrpfl nlnntpri 9 A19 OHH onroa r?r?m pared with 2,916,000 acre* In 1910. Rice and Hay. Rice?Condition, 87.7 per cent of normal, compared with 86.8 per cent In 1910 and 88.6 per cent the ten-year average; indicated yield per acre 32.2 bushels, compared with 33.9 bushels in 1910 and 32.4 bushels the five-year average; area planted 706,000 acres, compared with 722,800 acres in 1910. Hay?Condition, 64.9 per cent of a normal, compared with 76.8 per cent on June 1, 1911, 80.2 in 1910 and 86.7 per cent the ten-year average; indicated yield per acre 1.08 tons, compared with 1.33 tons in 1910 and 1.41 tons the fiveyear average. Acreage not announced. Estimated Total Yield. The approximate total yield of the Important farm crops of the United States, as indicated by the condition of crops on July 1, estimated by the crop reporting board of the department of agriculture, upon the ratio of the average condition on that date to the final yield In the past five years, follows: 1911 1910. indicated yield. yield. Crop. Bushels. Bushels. Corn 2,966,444,600 3,126,717,000 Wheat, W. .. 467,698,200 484.044,000 Wheat, 8. .. 244,932,600 231,299,000 All wheat .. 702,880,800 696,433,000 Oats 871,800,000 1,127,266,000 Barley .. .. 147,029,200 162,227,000 Rye 31,066,792 33,039,000 Potatoes, W. 286,694,600 338,811,000 Flax 26,911,800 14,116,000 Rice 22,723,640 24,610.000 Tobacco, Lbs. 625,642,920 984,349,000 Condition by 8tates. Condition of Important crops in principal states Include the following: Winter wheat. July 1. 10-year ave. Texas 62 69 Tennessee 87 80 Virginia 86 83 Maryland 79 86 Kentucky 88 81 North Carolina .. ..89 81 South Carolina 86 77 10-yearCorn. Acres. July 1. ave. Texas 9,240,000 46 76 Georgia 4,577,000 85 88 Kentucky 3,708,000 90 88 Tennessee 3,683,000 89 88 Alabama 3,666,000 86 86 Mississippi .. ..3,329,000 84 84 North Carolina. .3,072,000 91 88 Arkansas 2,884,000 79 84 Louisiana 2,618,000 72 81 South Carolina.. .2,616,000 81 84 Virginia 2,142,000 88 90 A GREENWOOD COUNTY GH08T. Story of the Voioe That Haunted the Old Isaac Burnett Plaee. After leaving the old DeVore plaee we come to a house, the site of the old home of an early settler, Mr. Isaac Burnett, where In the year f829, al most one hundred years ago, waa observed by hundreds one of the most peculiar phenomena in this or any other country. This place waa referred to as the "Haunted House" or the "House with the Spirit," etc. In early childhood the tales of what had happened here used to make the writer's hair stand on end, especially when told on rainy nights with other ghostly tales. This "thing or that thing," as it was gener&iiy reierrea to, was a voice that spoke from out of space, recognised human beings by name, told their history, and made the house a point of interest to hundreds of visitors while it lasted. The writer has one or two old newspaper clippings about it and has heard of it, as has every one else in that and many neighboring sections, as far back as he can remember almost. Mr. J. H. Burnett, here In Greenwood, is a grandson of the Isaac Burnett who owned the place then and from him a short statement was secured. The voice was first heard in 1829. He only knows what his father S. J. Burnett, told him of it It was first heard as a whistle in a plum thicket near the house. It attracted attention because it was kept up and the family thought it was some of the boys in the neighborhood hiding in the thicket and trying to get some one to look for them. The whistle left the plum thicket and gradually drew near the house, that is it would be heard at intervals, not all the time, but each time it would be nearer the house than before. When it had almost reached the house the family noticed that it was forming words with a whistling sound. Soon what was said could be distinguished very clearly, though it was always with this whistling or wheezing sound. The family, notbeing able to see any one, and not being able to solve the mystery, became greatly annoyed and some of them more or less alarmed. The voice apparently recognized this, for it said frequently that it would harm no one, that it was useless to move out of the house, that it would follow them, and several times it saia mai it was years old. People from miles and miles around came to hear It. The Rev. Nicholas W. Hodges, the pioneer Baptist preacher, the one who is buried at Mt. Moriah, came to hear It and talked with It. The voice seemed to get angry with him and Anally refused to answer questions. The voice seemed to get nearer a daughter of Mr. Isaac Burnett, Martha by name, than any one else and greatly annoyed her. At the suggestion of the Rev. Mr. Hodges she repeated to it the v Testament verse, 1 Tim. 1:16. "This Is a faithful saying, worthy of all acceptation; Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners," and it left her. Whereupon Mr. Hodges pronounced It an evil spirit. The voice was heard in two other places in the neighborhood for a short time, once or twice only, one time at a Mr. Rodgers' and another at a Mr. Shettleworth's house. Once a man named Wash Hall came from Georgia to hear It; he had lived in this neighborhood. The voice recognized him and told him what had happened to him since he left. The voice left the house as it had come, after a time being heard only In the yard, then a little farther away, a little farther each time until Anally it had disappeared entirely. It lasted almost a year. rpuia (? at flrat X Alls 11IC1I 10 ilic OiaiCiUVIH uv * ?? hand from a member of the family. This remarkable "thing" exercised itself in 1829. What it was. at this late day and time, is a problem we will not attempt to solve. The easiest explanation is that there was a ventriloquist In that neighborhood or In the immediate radius of the house and that the owner of that voice used It as above described. The older people right around It would never admit of this solution, as no person could be found who had such a voice or at least it was never exercised around there anywhere. and if such was the case the owner carried the mystery with him or her to the grave. Mr. J. H. Burnett does not believe It was a ventriloquist. though he says he cannot offer any explanation.?Greenwood Index..