University of South Carolina Libraries
I % InI JLmi8m|Ei gaKlwWgaE3glj^^ __^===========^ i. m. grist s sons, p?Mi.h.r.. f % 4???S 3?*WW 4?"th? promotion of <h?! political, Social, ^jrienltural and Ofommrrtial Interests of the geopt<. _ { stabmshbd isu. ~ yorkville. 8. c., friday, march 1, 101-3. ~ no. 18. ' "me . PRODICALJ The Famous Nova VAUGHAN KE5 Coprright, 1911, The Bobte-lferi CHAPTER XXXI. The Keel Boat. "Price?" began Mahaffy. They were ? back In Raleigh in the room the judge called his office, and this was Mahaffy's first opportunity to ease his mind on the subject of the duel, as they had only Just parted from Yancy and Cavendish, who stopped at one of the stores to make certain purchases for the raft. "Not a word, Solomon?it had to come. I am going to kill him. I shall feel better then." r-v "What if he kills you?" demanded Mahaffy harshly. The judge shrugged his shoulders. "That is as it may be." "Have vou forgotten your grand son?" MahafTy's voice was still harsh * and rasping. "I regard my meeting with Fentress as nothing less than a sacred duty to him." "We know no more than we did this morning." said Mahaffy. "You're mixing up all sorts of side Issues with what should be your real purpose." "Not at all. Solomon?not at all! I look upon my grandson's speedy recovery as an assured fact. Fentress dare not hold him. He knows he is run to earth at last." "Price?" "No, Solomon?no, my friend, we will not speak of It again. You will go back to Belle Plain with Yancy and Cavendish; you must represent me there. We have as good as found Hannibal, but we must be active in Miss Malroy's behalf. For us that has an important bearing on the future, and since I cannot, you must be at Belle Plain when Carrington arrives with his pack of dogs. Give him the advantage of your sound and mature r Judgment, Solomon; don't let any false modesty keep you In the background." "Who's going to second you?" snapped MahafTy. The judge was the picture of indif^ ference. "It will be quite informal, the code is scarcely applicable; I rperely intend to remove him because he is not fit to live." "At sun-up!" muttered Mahaffy. "I intend to start one day right even if I never live to begin another." said the judge, a sudden fierce light flashing from his eyes. "I feel that this is the turning point in my career, Solomon!" he went on. "The beginning of great things! But I shall take no 4 chances with the future, I shall prepare for every possible contingency. I am going to make you and Yancy my grandson's guardians. There's a hundred thousand acres of land hereabout that must come to him. I shall outline ?n u'rltlmr thA local stens to be r taken to substantiate his claims. Also he will inherit largely from me at my death." Something very like laughter escaped from Mahaffy's lips. "There you go, Solomon, with your ? Inopportune mirth! What In God's name have I If I haven't hope? Take that from me and what would I be? Why, the very fate I have been fighting off with tooth and nail would overwhelm me. I'd sink Into unimportance ?my unparalleled misfortunes would degrade me to a level with the commonest ! No, sir, I've never been without hope, and though I've fallen I've! ? always got up. What Fentress has Is based on money he stole from me. By God. the days of his profit-taking are at an end! I am going to strip him. And even if I don't live to en_ joy what's mine, my grandson shall! He shall wear velvet and a lace collar and ride his pony yet, by God, as a gentleman's grandson should!" "It sounds well. Price, but where's the money coming from to push a lawsuit?" The Judge waved this aside. "The means will be found, Solomon. Our horizon is lifting?I can see It Bray lift! Don't drag me back from the portal of hope! We'll drink the stuff that comes across the water: I'll warm the cockles of your heart with imported brandy. I carry twenty years' hunger and thirst under my wes-coat and I'll feed and drink like a gentleman yet!" The Judge smacked his lips In an ecstasy of enjoyment, and dropping down before the table which served him as a desk, seized a pen. ^ "It's good enough to think about. Price," admitted MahafTv grudlngly. '"It's better to do; and If anything happens to me the papers I am going to leave will tell you how It's to be % done. Man, there's a million of money in sight, and we've got to get It and spend It and enjoy It! None of your swinish thrift for me, but life on a big scale?company, and feasting, and refined surroundings!" "And are you going to meet Fentress In the morning?" asked Mahaffy. "I suppose there's no way of avoiding that?" "Avoiding It?" almost Bhouted the ^ Judge. "For what have I been living? I shall meet him, let the consequences he what they may. Tonight when I have reduced certain facts to writing I shall join you at Belle Plain. The strange and melancholy history of my * life I shall place In your hands for safe keeping. In the morning I can he driven hack to Boggs'." "And you will go there without a second?" "If necessary; yes." "I declare. Price, you are hardly titled to be at large! Why. you act as If you were tired of life. There's Yancy?there's Cavendish!" The Judge gave him an Indulgent <hut superior smile. "Two very worthy men. hut I go to Boggs' attended by a gentleman or I go there alone. I am aware of your prejudices. Solomon; otherwise I might L ask this favor of you." \/ Mr. Mahaffv snorted loudly and turned to the door, for Yancy and Cavendish were now approaching the house, the latter with a meal sack slung over his shoulder. "Here, Solomon, take one of my pistols." urged the judge hastily. "You I may need it at Belle Plain. Oood-by, and God bless you!"' Just where he had parted from "Ware, Carrington sat his horse, his brows knit and his eyes turned In the direction of the path. He was on his way to a plantation below Girard, the owner of which had recently imported a pack of bloodhounds; but this unexpected encounter with Ware had affected him strangely. He still heard Tom's stammering speech, he was still seeing his ghastly face, and he had come upon him with startling suddenness. He had chanced to look back over his shoulder and when he faced about there had been the planter within a hundred yards of him. Presently Carrington's glance ceased to follow the windings of the path. He stared down at the gray dust and saw the trail left by Hues and his party. For a moment he hesitated; if the dogs were to be used with any hope of success he had no time to spare, and this was the merest suspicion, Illogical conjecture, based on nothing beyond his distrust of Ware. In the end he sprang from the saddle and leading his horse into the woods, tied it to a sapling. A hurried Investigation told him that Ave men had ridden in and out of that path. Of the five, all coming from the south, four had turned south again, but the fifth man?Ware. In other words?had gone north. He weighed the possible significance of these facts. "I am only wasting time!" he confessed reluctantly, and was on the point of turning away, when, on the very edge of the road and Just where the dust yielded to the hard clay of the path, his glance lighted on the prlpt of a small and daintily shod foot. The trobbing of his heart quickened curiously. "Betty!" The word leaped from his lips. That small foot had left but one impress. There were other signs, however, that claimed his attention; namely, the boot-prirts of Slosson and his men; and he made the Inevitable discovery that these tracks were all confined to the one spot. They began suddenly and as suddenly ceased, yet there was no mystery about these; he had the marks of the wheels to help him to a sure conclusion. A carriage had turned Just here, several men had alighted, they had with them a child or a woman. Either they had re-entered the carriage and driven back as they had come, or they had gone toward the river. He felt the soul within him turn sick. He stole along the path; the terror of the river was ever In his thoughts, and the specter of his fear seemed to flit before him and lure him on. Presently he caught his first glimpse of Kn KairAii on/) K In lAmn ...J iiiv Uttj uu O.UU ill a ICRO onuuiv unuci him; hut the path wound deeper still into what appeared to he an untouched solitude, wound on between the crowding tree forms, a little back from the shore, with an intervening tangle of vines and bushes. He scanned this closely as he hurried forward, scarcely conscious that he was searching for some trampled space at the water's edge; hut the verdant wall preserved Its unbroken continuity, and twenty minutes later he came In sight of the Hicks' clearing and the keel boat, where It rested against the bank. A little farther on he found the spot where Slosson had launched the skiff the night before. The keel of his boat had cut deep into the slippery clay; more than this, the Impress of the small shoe was repeated here, and Just beside It was the print of a child's bar? foot. He no longer doubted that Betty and Hannibal had been taken across the bayou to the cabin, and he ran back up the path the distance of a mile and plunged Into the woods on his right, his purpose being to pass around the head of the expanse of sluggish water to a point from which he could later approach the cabin. But the cabin proved to be better defended than he had foreseen; and as he advanced the difficulties of the task he had set himself became almost Insurmountable; yet sustained as he was by his imperative need, he tore his way through the labyrinth of trailing vines, or floundered across acrewide patches of green slime and black mud, which at each step threatened to engulf him . In their treacherous depths, until at the end of an hour he gained the southern side of the clearing and a firmer footing within the shelter of the woods. Here he stopped and took stock of his surroundings. The two or thr?e KnllHInoa Mr Uinlro ctni ?l midway of the clearing and were verv modest improvements adai>ted to their owner's somewhat flippant pursuit of agriculture. While Carrington was still staring about him, the cabin door swung open and a woman stepped forth. It was the girl. Bess. She ;v?nt to a corner of the building and called loudly: "Joe! Oh, Joe!" Carrington glanced in the direction of the keel boat and an instant later saw Slosson clamber over Its side. The tavern-keeper crossed to the cabin, where he was met by Bess, who placed In his hands what seemed to he a wooden bowl. With this he slouched off to one of the outbuildings, which he entered. Ten or fifteen minutes slipped by, then he came from the shed and after securing the door, returned to the cabin. He was again met by Bess, who relieved him of the bowl; they exchanged a few words and Slosson walked away and afterward disappeared over the side of the keel boat. This much was clear to the Kentuckian: food had been taken to some one in the shed?to Betty and the boy! ? more likely to Oeorge. He waited now for the night to come, and to him the sun seemed fixed in the heavens. At Belle Plain Tom Ware was watching It with a shuddering sense of the swiftness of its flight. But at last the tops of the tall trees obscured It; it sank quickly then and blazed a ball of fire beyond the Arkansas coast while Its dying glory spread aslant the heavens, turning the flanks of the gray clouds fo violet and purple and gold. With the first approach of darkness Carrlngton made his way to the shed. Hidden in the shadow he paused to listen, and fancied he heard difficult breathing from within. The door creaked hideously on its wooden hinges when he pushed It open, but as It swung back the last remnant of the day'8 light showed him some dark object lying prone on the dirt floor. He reached down and his hand rested on a man's booted foot. "George?" Carrlngton spoke softly, but the man on the floor gave no sign I that he heard, and Carrington's ques Honing touch stealing higher he found that George?if It were George?was I lying on his side with his arms and legs securely bound. Thinking he slept, the Kentuckian shook him gently to arouse him. "George?" he repeated, still bending above him. This time an inarticulate murmur answered him. At the same Instant the woolly head of the negro came under his Angers and he dlscovfred the reason of his silence. He was as securely gagged as he was bound. "Listen, George?it's Carrlngton?I am going to take off this gag, but don't speak above a whisper?they may hear us!" And he cut the cords that held the gag in place. "How yo'get here, Mas'r Ca'lngton?" asked the negro guardedly, as the gag fell away. "Around the head of the bayou." "Lawd!" exclaimed George, In a tone of wonder. "Where's Miss Betty?" "She's in the cabin yonder?fo' the love of God, cut these here other ropes with yo' knife, Mas'r Ca'lngton?I'm perishln' with 'em!" Carrington did as he asked, and groaning, George sat erect. "I'm like I was gone to sleep all over," he said. "You'll feel better in a moment. Tell me about Miss Malroy?" "They done fetched us here last night. I was drivln' Missy into Raleigh?her and young Mas'r Hazard? when fo' men stop us in the road." "Who were they, do you know?" asked Carrlngton. "Lawd?what's that?" Carrington, knife in hand swung about on his heel. A lantern's light Hashed suddenly in his face and Bess Hicks, with a low startled cry breaking from her lips, paused in the doorway. Springing forward, Carrington seized her by the wrist. "Hush!" he grimly warned. "What are you doln' here?" demanded the girl, as she endeavored to shake off his hand, but Carrington drew her Into the shed, and closing the door, set his back against it. There was a brief silence during which Bess regarded the Kentuckian with a kind of stolid fearlessness. She was the Arst to speak. "I reckon vou-all have come after Miss Malroy," she observed quietly. "Then you reckon right," answered Carrlngton. The girl studied him from beneath her level brows. "And you-all think you can take her away from here," she speculated. "'I ain't afraid of yo' knife?you-all might use it fast enough on a man, but not on me. I'll help you," she added. Carrington gave her an Incredulous glance. "You don't believe me? What's to hinder my calling for help? That would fetch our men up from the keel boat. No?yo'all's knife wouldn't stop me!" Don't be too sure of that," said Carrlngton sternly. The girl met the menace of his words with soft, full-throated laughter. "Why, yo' hand's shakln' now, Mr. Carrlngton!" "You know me?" "Yes. I seen you once at Boggs'." She made an impatient movement. "You can't do nothing against them fo' men unless I help you. Miss Malroy's to go down river tonight; they're only waiting fo' a pilot?you-all's got to act quick!" Carrlngton hesitated. "Why do you want Miss Malroy to escape?" he said. The girl's mood changed abruptly. She scowled at him. "I reckon that's a private matter. Ain't it enough fo' you-all to know that I do? I'm showing how it can he done. Them four men on the keel boat are strangers in these parts, they're waiting fo* a pilot, but they don't know who'll he be. I've heard you-all was a river man; what's to hinder yo' taking the pilot's place? Looks like yo' was willing to risk yo' life fo' Miss Malroy or you wouldn't be here." "I'm ready," said Carrlngton, his hand on the door. "No. you ain't?Jest yet," Interposed the girl hastily. "Listen to me first. They's a dugout tied up 'bout a hundred yards above the keel boat; you must get that to cross In to the other side of the bayou, then when yo're ready to come back yo're to whistle three times?it's the signal we're expecting?and I'll row across fo' you in one of the skiffs." "Can you see Miss Malroy In the meantime?" "If I want to, they's nothln' to hinder me," responded Bess sullenly. "Tell her then?" began Carrlngton but Bess Interrupted him. "I know what yo' want. She ain't to cry out or nothln' when she sees you-all. I got sense enough fo' that." Carrlngton looked at her curiously. "This may be a serious business for your people," he said significantly, and watched her narrowly. "And you-all may get killed. I reckon If yo' want to do a thing bad enough you don't mind much what comes after," she answered with a little hard laugh, as she went from the shed. "Come!" said Carrlngton to the negro. when he had seen the cabin door close on Bess and her lantern: and they stole across the clearing. Reaching the bayou side they began a noiseless search for the dugout, which they quickly found, and Carrlngton turned to Oeorge. "Can you swim?" he asked. "Yes. Mas'r." "Then go down into the water and drag the canoe farther along the shore? and for Ood's sake, no sound!" he cautioned. They placed a second hundred yards between themselves and the keel boat in this manner, then he had George bring the dugout to the bank, and they embarked. Keeping within the shadow of the trees that fringed the shone, Carrlngton paddled silently about the head of the bayou. "George." he at length said, bending toward the negro; "my horse Is tied in the woods on the right hand side of the road Just above where you were taken from the carriage last night? you can be at Belle Plain Inside of an hour." "Look here, Mas'r Ca'ington, those folks yonder It kin to Boss Hicks. If I he gets his 1 r?ds on me first don't I vnn ronUrvn he'li atnn mv month T been here heaps of times fotchln' letters fo' Mas'r Tom," added George. "Who were the letters for?" asked the Kentucklan, greatly surprised. "They was fo' that Captain Murrell; seems like him and Mas'r Tom was mixed up In a sight of business." "When was this?recently?" inquired Carrington. He was turning this as-j tonlshlng statement of the slave over in his mind. "Well, no, Mas'r; seems like they ain't so thick here recently." "I reckon you'd better keep away from the big house yet a while," said Carrington. "Instead of going there, stop at the Belle Plain landing. You'll And a raft tied up to the shore, It belongs to a man named Cavendish. Tell him what you know. That I've found Miss Malroy and the boy, tell him to cast off and drift down here. I'll run the keel boat aground the first chance I get, so tell him to keep a sharp lookout." A few minutes later they had separated, George to hurry away In search of the horse, and Carrington to pass back along the shore until he gained a point opposite the clearing. He whistled shrilly three times, and after an interval of waiting heard the splash of oars and presently saw a skiff steal out of the gloom. "Who's there?" It was Bess who asked the question. "Carrington," he answered. "Lucky you ain't met the other man," Rhe said as she swept her skiff alongside the bank. "Lucky for him, you mean. I'll take the oars," added Carrington as he entered the skiff. Slowly the clearing lifted out of the darkness, then the keel boat became distinguishable; and Carrington checked the skiff by a backward stroke of the oars. "Hello!" he called. There was no Immediate answer to his hall, and he called again as he sent the skiff forward. He felt that he was risking all now. "What do you want?" asked a surly voice. "You want Slosson!" quickly prompted the girl in a whisper. "I want to see Slosson!" said Carrington glibly and with confldenoe, and once more he checked the skiff. "Who be you?" "Murrell sent you." prompted the girl again, in a hurried whisper. "Murrell?" And in his astonishment Carrlngton spoke aloud. "Murrell?" cried the voice sharply. "?sent me!" said Carrlngton quickly. as though completing an unfinished sentence. The girl laughed nervously under her breath. "Row closter!" came the sullen command, and the Kentuckian did as he was bidden. Four men stood In the how of the keel boat, a lantern was raised aloft and by its light they looked him over. There was a moment's silence broken by Carrlngton, who asked: "Which one of you Is Slosson?" And he Hprang lightly aboard the keel boat. "I'm Slosson," answered the man with the lantern. The previous night Mr. Slosson had been somewhat under the enlivening and elevating Influence of corn whisky, but now he was his own cheerless self, and rather jaded by the passing of the hours which he had sacrificed to an irksome responsibility. "What word do you Yetch from the. captain, brother?" he demanded. "Miss Malroy is to be taken down river," responded Carrlngton. Slosson swore with surpassing fluency. "Say, we're five able bodied men risking our necks to oblige him! Tou can get married a damn sight easier than this If you go about it right? I've done it lots of times." Not understanding the significance of Slosson's allusion to his own matrimonial career, Carrlngton held his peace. The tavern-keeper swore again with unimpaired vigor. "You'll find mighty few men with more experience than me," he asserted, shaking his head. "But if you say the word?" "I'm all for getting shut of this!" ?nuu<,?n,l PnrplniTtnii nromntlV. with a sweep of his arm. I call these pretty close quarters!" Still shaking his head and muttering. the tavern-keeper sprang ashore and mounted the bank, where his slouching figure quickly lost Itself In the night. (To be Continued). ? Union, February 21: Under the new county government law as passed by the present legislature, the offices of county supervisor and township commissioners are abolished, and instead there are three officials, who will be known as county commissioners. These county commissioners, according to the bill, which was Introduced by Senator Macbeth Young, will draw a salary of $600 a year, one of whom shall act as chairman and they shall elect a clerk, who will also draw a salary of $600 a year, and either the clerk or one of the officials will have to be In the office of the board at the court house every day except Sunday to transact business between the hours of 9 a. m. and 6 p. m., the commiasloners to meet as a board every Monday and Saturday tor the transaction of county business, except an hour for noon meals. According to the provision of the law one of the commissioners shall have special charge of supervising the overseer, guard of the county chaingang and road working forces, another shall Inspect and report as to the public roads and any dangerous places, encroaching gullies, bridges, drains and things of like character, while one shall remain In the office with the clerk. Absence from any of the regular meetings of the board without good and sufficient excuse shall cause $5 to be deducted from the salary for each absence. The term of office shall be two years or until their successors are qualified. ittisdlanrotts Sfatlinfl. ENGLAND TO BLAME. 8hust*r Talks Bitterly of the Trouble In Persia. New York, February 23.?The arrival yesterday of W. Morgan Shuster, whom Russia unseated as treasurer general of Persia, brought to a close for good a noted chapter of his life. "I couldn't have made a different decision," said he, "hut I am sorry I had to leave Persia. There was a chance there to do such work as Lord Cromer did In Egypt. It meant the service of a lifetime." From the typewritten statement he gave out at Quarantine and from his perfectly free conversation with the reporter as the big liner crept up the bay It was apparent that Mr. Shuster reserved most of his bitterness for the role England had played In the International drama which centered about him In Teheran. He had expected nothing better from Russia, but words almost failed him In describing his conceptions of the British government's acquiescence in Russian aggression. On the other hand, his cordial reception In Loncon had confirmed him in his "original belief that the British people have little sympathy with the Immoral and disastrous foreign policy of their present government." At another point he said: "The British government will submit to anything Russia wants. I talked to prominent members of parliament in London, to big business men an<} others, and I did not find a single one who was not heartily sick and ashamed of Sir Edward Grey's foreign policy." "By why should England be afraid of a discredited power like Russia?' he was asked. '1 will answer that by asking another question: Why is England a craven before Germany? My eyes have been opened In England. Every Engllthman walks to his office with his knees knocking together when he hears the name of Germany mentioned. It is not a very flattering thing to the Anglo-Saxon." He made this formal arraignment of the English foreign policy: England dealt civilization and progress a foul blow when she set to work to create a strong Russia after the Japanese war. The British people are beginning to realize this now, and they will see it still more clearly in the next ten years. In Its endeavor to outpoint Germany In the European diplomatic game, the British foreign office has paid a stiff prioe for something which will never be delivered?Russian support against Germany. The eyes of the British foreign secretary have been so glued on Europe for the last few years that he has" completely overlooked the British empire in Asia. One result is that [there is no longer a buffer state between Russia arid the Indo-Perslan frontier. Another is that 72,000,000 Mahometans in India have so far changed their feelings toward England as to no longer be an offset to Hindu agitations. Another result Is that England has lost caste as the friend and helper of struggling peoples, ana tnis outward manifestation of national prestige is being felt among all classes of the British people themselves. Britiah commerce In Persia, of course, suffers immensely. The Manchester merchants can testify on this point, to say nothing of English banking Interests. For the policy recently pursued by the British government In Persia there has not even been the sordid excuse of self-profit. It has been neither moral nor successful, and even practical men will admit that in statesmanship every act, every policy must be either moral or successful. From Russia no one who knew her expected much else, although her callousness to the first principles of fairness and decency has surprised even her friends. The reactionary St. Petersburg cabinet, which is now in full control, has played fast and loose with every nation except Germany, and with her they have concluded a secret entente behind England's back. Germany will, in due course, build an extension of the Bagdad railway into Teheran and another branch through Russia or the neutral sphere of Persia. Russia herself will be on the Persian gulf in another ten years, for England has shown too plainly that she cannot stop her. Kipling's bear who walks like a man will then be a stern reality for the Indian government. I trust that there will be a loud laugh the next time the czar calls a peace conference. There will certainly be twisted smiles on the races or ine Persians. ENERGY AND WISDOM. A Boy Who Had the Right Idea and Who Got There. The following incident related In the Greensboro News of Sunday occurred In the lobby of the Blue Ridge hotel of this city: Dr. J. T. J. Battle, who recently returned from a business trip to Greenville, s. C., tells a very Interesting story of an industrious South Carolina lad, a story the counterpart of which is seldom found. Dr. Battle, with a number of other gentleman, was sitting in the hotel lobby round a warm stove one evening when they were approached by a boy whose arm encircled a bundle of the Saturday Evening Posts. The boy went to Dr. Battle first and said: "Let me sell you a Post." "What Is It worth?" asked Dr. Battle. "Five cents," the young salesman replied. "What are you going to do with the money?" "1 am going to give one-tenth of it to the church, and the rest I am going to put in the bank," replied the youth. Dr. Rattle purchased a Post and the boy went to each of the other gentlemen around the stove and then off Into another part of the lobby. While he was gone, a big man, who had been In the circle about the stove and who had been among the last approached and who also had not purchased a paper. got up and changed his seat, and as it so hgjtpened, took a seat that was directly in the way of the boy, who was making his rounds of the lobby. The hoy not remembering that the man had refused once to buy the paper, stopped when he came to him again and said: "Let me sell you a Post." The big man looked up and In some irritation said: "I told you one time that I didn't want a paper. Here, take this nickel. I'll give It to you just to get shut of you." The boy drew back In pride. "I don't want you to give me anything, and I won't take It. Let me sell you a Post," and with that he shoved the paper straight toward the man. "But I don't want one." "Let me sell you one for your father." "My father lives several hundred miles from here." "Let me sell you one for your mothpr.*' "My mother Ih dead." "Then let me sell you one for your friend," said the persistent youngster. "I've got no friend around here," replied the obstinate man. "Then sir," said the boy, triumphantly. "let me sell you a paper so you can give it to somebody and make a friend out of him." The entire crowd of gentlemen greeted the words of this born little 8outh Carolina statesman with a round of hearty applause, and the conquered big man, with the best smile he could muster, bought a paper. "What did that boy tell you he did with his money?" a gentleman of Greenville later asked Dr. Battle. "He told me he gave a tenth of it to the church and put the rest of it in the bank," replied Dr. Battle, "Well, sir, he was telling you the truth. He Is the son of a prominent citizen here and is one of the brightest boys in the city. . He Is only seven years old, goes to school, and sells papers in his spare time. He has bought a lot here in town and has it nearly paid for." Any attempt to embellish that story with comment would be as futile as trying to improve the tints of the rainbow with paint?Greenville Piedmont. PROPHECY FOR THE KAI8ER. What Doe* tho Year 1913 Hold for ths Qsrman Empire? The recent . Socialist victories in Germany have revived the singular story of Emperor William I. and the fortune teller, which at the time of the old kaiser's death was whispered with awe by the superstitious. There Is now only one part of the prophecy unfulfilled, and the date for that is set for next year. The story goes that In 1849 the crown prince, who was later to become the first emperor, found himself in Baden, and heard so many stories of an old fortune teller that he was Induced to go to see her. The sorceress was seated at a table, on which was spread various bits of wood bearing figures. Her custom was to touch these pieces of wood with a pencil, guided, as she assured her clients, entirely by inspl ration. Combined In some way these figures gave you the most exact Information as to the future. "In what year will the German empire be founded?" first asked the prince, whose head was already full of his great ambition. The old woman took up the figures 1, 8, 4 and 9 and formed the number of the current year. Then she touched various other figures and placed them one by one In a column under the first line. The prince said when she had finished that the date 1849 appeared twice. In different forms, thus: 1849 1 8 4 9 "Add them," said the fortune teller, "and you will find the year In which the German empire will be founded." The prince did as he was told and found the total to be 1871. "When will I die?" he asked next. The sorceress made the date 1871, and then began touching the figures again. She touched four and arranged them as she had done In the first Instance. Prince William saw that she had again repeated the date. "Add them." she said: "they will give the year in which you will die." They came to 1888. The prince put his third and last question: "When will the German empire fall?" A third time the woman fixed the last date and added four figures. When she had finished the prince saw: 1888 1 8 8 8 "Add them and you have the date of the fall of the German empire." The figures came to 1913. This old story was told when William I. died In 1888, after being crowned emperor In 1871. Twice have the old witch's figures told the truth. Superstitious folk look at the election returns and wonder what will be the empire's fortunes in 1913.?New York Times. A Good Law.?The bill introduced by Senator Christensen of Beaufort to make a year's residence In the state a prerequisite to the right to vote in a primary passed both houses, and as an act went up to the governor, who vetoed It. The general assembly over-rode the governor's veto, and the act Is now law. Its text is as follows: "Section 1. That hereafter only citizens of this state, or other citizens of the United States, who shall have been residents of this state for at least one year, with the bona fide, intention of becoming citizens of this state, shall be entitled or allowed to vote In any nrlmarv election, state, county or mu niclpal In this state, and that upon a person offering to vote and his vote being challenged for noncltlzenship. the challenge being accompanied by an affidavit of some registered voter, marie of his own knowledge, or on information and belief, to the effect that such person is not a citizen as defined above, he shall not be allowed to vote, unless he file with the managers at the polls his affidavit that he Is a citizen, specifying whether born or naturalized, and If naturalized, exhibit to the managers his certificate of naturalization." Better to be upright with poverty than depraved with an abundance. THE 80UTH POLE. London It On tho Lookout for Mows of Itt Discovery. "South Pole discovered." Any day now, says a London letter, that message may be flashed over the cables and telegraph wires that encircle the globe. The sender may be an Englishman, a Norwegian, an Australian or a Japanese. Five expeditions, carrying the standards of as many different countries, have been battling against the cold and Ice of the Antarctic for more than two years, and the first of them is expected to return in touch with the "outside world" about this time. Stewart's Island, south of New Zealand, is the first habitation that will be reached by the explorers on their return trip. A telephone connects the Island with New Zealand, from there the cablegrams will be sent out. In this five-cornered competition for the sake of science, and Incidental fame, the most celebrated contestants are CapL Robert F*ulton Scott of England, and Capt. Ronald Amundsen of Norway. The Australian, M&wson, is leading a third band, and the Japanese and German expedition* complete the entry list in the unprecedented race. Never before have so many expeditions been in either polar region at one time. "Competition is called the life of trade," said Sir Ernest Shackleton today, "and I believe that the spirit of the contest must have exercised such an Influence over the. rival expeditions as to spur at least one of them to achieve the goal." Sir Shackleton is the English Antarctic explorer, who, In 1909, attained the "farthest south," getting to latitude 88 degrees 23 minutes south, or within 110 miles of the pole. "My national pride makes me hope that Scott will beat out Amundsen," he said, "and I have such confidence In him that I believe he has reached the pole whether Amundsen has or not I know so little about the German, Australian and Japanese expeditions that I cannot Justly speculate on theirjuccess, but I do not believe personally that any of them has done as well as either Scott or Amundsen." Captain Scott left England on June 10, 1910, waving good-bye to his wife and baby at Cardiff. Wales. He bade farewell to civilization at Christ Church, New Zealand, on November 29, and since then nothing has been heard from him. His ship, the whaler, Terra Nova, has returned to New Zealand, and is awaiting the telephoned command to go to Stewart's Island and get her master and pilot, as well as his brave companions. The Scott expedition is the best equipped that ever entered the South Polar regions. Fitted out by a government appropriation of $100,000 added to by a popular subscription of the same amount, everything that could possibly be of use was purchased. Over a hundred of the best Siberian sledge dogs, as well as three motor-sledges form part of the equipment, and In the party are several of the foremost scientists, geograpners ana astronomers in Britain. According to the plans of Captain Scott, outlined before the departure on his polar quest, he would establish two bases on the Antarctic ice barrier, one at Mac Mudo bay, the other at King Edward's Land, or some 450 miles apart, to be. If possible, connected by wireless telegraphy. Each of these bases would be about 860 statute miles from the South Pole and by means of them both ends of the barrier would he explored. It Is known that the Mac Mudo bay post was securely [established by Captain Scott, the news [having been brought back to New Zealand by his ship, the Terra Nova. How much more has been accomplished by the Englishman and his party. Is largely a matter for conjecture. Prom the Mac Mudo bay base, over the 850 miles to the pole, the real work of the expedition had to be done. The explorer declared he expected to take from 120 to 150 days to make the Journey to and from the base. Sentiment plays a part in the plans of Captain Scott, who said before leaving that he would have white men with him at the pole. He commented on the fact that Commander Peary had a single negro with him when he reached the North Pole. Scott declared that he would have sixteen men with him on his final dash, including the scientists of the party. So well provisioned Is the Scott expedition that It would not be necessary for him to abandon the attempt in the event that his first dash did not meet with success. He could return to the base of supplies, rest during the "offseason" and return to the task refreshed during the next six months. "In fact we shall Jolly well stop there till the thing is done," said Captain Scott Just before he cut loose from civilization. Captalp Scott is a veteran explorer, having attained great success on his memorable Invasion of the Antartic In 1900-04, when he reached the then "farthest south," getting to latitude 16 minutes 33 seconds south, or within 530 miles of the pole. Shackleton's expedition of 1909 was the only one that has surpassed this. The Norwegian, Captain Amundsen, is experiencing his first visit to the Antarctic. His previous fame was nohipvorf on the other end of the world ?the north. One of his greatest accomplishments was the negotiation of the great Northwest Passage. Captain Amundsen's ship, the Fram, is also at New Zealand, "standing hard by," ready to take her skipper aboard when he returns from the frozen Antarctic. Had Amundsen and Scott departed only a few months sooner, they would be In Ignorance of the fact that the other pole has been discovered. However, they received the news Just shortly before cutting loose from civilization', and both declared that the knowledge would act as an incentive to greater effort. In the event that one of them has succeeded, there does not remain a single extremity of the earth that has not been explored by civilized man. In some ways the conquest of the South Pole is easier and In some ways harder than that of the North Pole. The North Polar journey was made o?er sea; that to the South Pole Is over land, and. therefore, the southern explorers are not subjected to open leads, * the sudden dangers of opening ice, or the heart-breaking labor which made It necessary to travel six miles In order to cover one mile of distance. The southern journey Is on solid ground and straight ahead. But the Antarctic continent Is mountainous, and a "dash" over Icecovered mountains presents difficulties not met in the travel over nn Icecovered ocean. The chief difficulty, however, is the terrific cold, the Icy winds, and the inconceivable blisuards that result from the mountain formation of the Antarctic continent. In the north, while It never becomes really mild, there are moderations of temperature. In the south the deadliest cold prevails in the height of summer. In the far south there are no Esquimaux; no kind of man could make his habitat there. But In the dim and distant past, ages ago, according to the theories of scientists some race of human beings populated the contl nent. If their surmise In correct, the discovery of the South Pole may be of greater importance to science than the North Pole, becauae of new facta that may eventually be shed on the evolution of mankind, In event that relics of these mythical prehistoric men can be found by the aclentlsts accompanying the expedition. MARSHAL MICHEL NEY. Famous Soldier Waa Not Shot As History Asserts. Rev. Dr. J. B. Mack, of Port Mill, writes the Dally Mall: "You are right In affirming that Ney was not executed In Prance and that his escape from death was due to the fact that he was prominent as a Mason. In 1891 the St. Louis Republican gave this fact "During the reign of Louis Fhllllppe, Mr. George C. Melody, of 8t. Louis, spent several weeks In Paris. Some years before this, while the king was in exile, he had been shown many courtesies by Mr. Melody In 8L Loots, and it was now the king's time to extend to Mr. Melody many tokens of friendship. In the course of a confidential conversation Mr. Melody asked the king this- question: "Is the statement In history that Marshal Ney was shot true?" The king replied, "Mr. Melody I know that you are one of the highest Masons in America. I am known A O AM A A# Iks IWASf AVOlfo/1 V/ O SO?fl 111 ?AO UI1C Vi iliv IliUOV VABUCU MMOV1IO Europe. Marshal Ney held a position among Masons equal to either of us. The prisons were full of men condemned to be shot. Thesa men were dally marched out to meet their fate. Some other man may have filled the grave intended for Marshal Ney." To this Mr. Melody replied very quietly, 'May It please your majesty, Marshal Ney was not shot*" "Ney told a minister in South Carolina how he escaped," Rev. Basil O. Jones states: "He fell by preconverted arrangement as if he was dead, was taken up, disguised, and finally escaped to the United States; the Ancient Fraternity aiding In his escape from the first." "Ney was one of the most exalted Masons in Europe. Wellington was the same In England and Louis Phillippe the same in France. Wellington admired Ney and "there are French records that prove the intercession of the iron duke for the bravest of the brave." Peter 8tuart Ney, the Carolina school teacher, was a Mason and Masons know why his life was spared. "There Is life out of death for the widow's son."?Anderson Dally Mall. A Dynamite Freak/?"Not long ago," said W. F. Kav&nagh, a Leadvllle, (Col.) mining man, "there occurred to me one of those freaks of dynamite in one of the deep shafts of the Carbonate Camp that might not happen again in a thousand years. "Two men at the bottom of a shaft had put in five four-and-a-half-foot holes which were to be exploded with dynamite cartridges one and one-half inches in diameter. As is usuaf In such cases, they gave the customary signals to the hoisting engineer, and, after lighting the fuse, stepped on the bail of the bucket and started upward. When about ten feet from the bottom one of the men had an epileptic fit and toppled out. His partner tried to reach the bell cord to stop the bucket, but it was too late. The bell cord could be reached only from the lower part of the shaft. When the engineer saw only one man come through the collar of the shaft at the surface his face blanched. "'Where's Jim?' he asked excitedly. "Quickly the miner related the circumstances and exhibited his hand, bloody from contact with the sharp rock in an effort to reach the bell cord before the bucket entered the timbering. The men, their hearts beating wildly, listened In suspense for the five explosions of dynamite that would tear their unfortunate comrade to pidbes. They heard five faint reports, one after the other. They were simply the detonating caps of the cartridges. Everj' one of the charges of dynamite had missed fire?failed to explode. I have known of one or even three shots out of the five missing, but I don't believe there Is another case on record where five missed as provlden tlall.v as in mis cam:. ?n>rrv Press. ? Columbia, February 23: The committee consisting of Senator Crosson * and Messrs. Daniel and Bowman, reported that it had a proposition from Capt. J. M. Graham, on which he would abandon his present contract for'convict labor at the hosiery mill. Capt. Graham made two propositions: First, "With a cash payment of forty thousand dollars (140,000) and be allowed to work the contract as now in force for the space of six (tf) months from the first day of March, 1912, to August 31, 1912, If so much be necessary, for the purpose of winding up my present contracts of goods sold and yarns bought." Proposition 2. "For a title deed to the old dispensary property, situated in the city of Columbia, and be allowed the same time as above for winding up present contracts. If so much be necessary- Under either of the above propositions I agree to work the labor under the same terms as under the present contract. (Signed) J. M. Graham." Fools try to convince a woman; wise men persuade her.