University of South Carolina Libraries
A LA RI AAn" Means bad air, and whether it nemy to Health comes from the low lands and marshes of the country, or the filthy sewers and drain pipes of the cities and towns, its effect upon the human system is the same. These atmospheric poisons are breathed into the lungs and taken up by the blood, and the foundation of some long, debilitating illness is laid. Chills and fever, chronic dyspepsia, torpid and enlarged liver, kidney troubles, jaundice and biliousness are frequently due to that invisible foe, Malaria. Noxious gases and unhealthy matter collect in the system because the liver and kidneys fail to act, and are poured into the blood current until it becomes so polluted and sluggish that the poisons literally break through the skin, and carbuncles, boils, abscesses, ulcers and various eruptions of an indolent character appear, depleting the system. and threatening life itself. The germs and poisons that so oppress and weaken the body and destroy the life-giving properties of the blood. rendering it thin and watery, must be overcome and carried out of the syste:n before the patient can hope to get rid of Malaria and its effects. S. S. S. does this and quickly produces an entire change in the blood, reaching every organ and stimu atig^ them to vigorous, healthy action. S. S. S. ?ossesses not only purifying but tonic properties, amd the general health improves, and the appetite increases almost from the first dose. There is no Mercury, Potash, Arsenic or other mineral in S. S. S. It is strictly and entirely a vegetable remedy. Write us about your case, and our physicians will gladly help you by their advice to regain your health. Book on blood and skin diseases sent free. THE SWIFT SPECIFIC CO., Atlanta, Ga. A GRAND OPENING Of Spring Clothing, Hats and Furnishing eoods. You will find here the very newest and up-to-date Suits. Furnishing Goods and Hats. We make a specialty of Extra Size, Stout and Slim Suits. On receipt of your letter we will send you swatches of Suits, if you are inter ested in any. In our Tailor Department we have Over 500 Samples for you to select your Suit or extra Pants from. Suits made to your measure from $1' t~o $50. Pants from 83 to $1:2. GJRANITE C H.BRO WN'S C 224 KING ST., Opp. Academy of Music, oCg A:r M3TOJVr - - S. C. All mail orders promptly attended to by a special salesman. CAROLdNA PORTIAND CEMENT ,CO., CHARLESTON. S. C. Sole semn g A.gents I KI-TIAN Fire Brick, Fire Tile, Arch Brick, Bull-Head and All Special Tiles. ALSO FINEST PREPARED FIRE CLAY. Carload Lots. Less Than Carload Lots. H OUSEKEEPER S Realizing how anxious you aire w hen purchasing C'rockery to get the best, and w;hat pleasure it atfords you w~;hen you succ red. and what pride every w;oman takes in her China, we have recently im ported direct from England a crate of that World Famous Iron Stone China, Known as ALFRiED 31EEKINS' Those of you w;ho ha;ve this well known make in your china closets and warnt p~ieces to replace will do well to call early and get them before the stock is broken, and those who want a new store can do no better than buy this strong, durable make of Crockery. as none other will present tbat snowy appearance and look of absolute cleanliness as it does. FARERS, Do not fail to examine the DEERING 310WERS and RA\KES. You cannot afford to buy anything but the best. Those who hav e bought Deering MIowers and Rakes do not change for other makes. We have a full line of Renairs for them. Let us sell you :he best Corn Sheller on the marktet, one that is made to use and will do the work thoroughly. We also have a nice lot of American Field Fencing in stock, on which we can offer you special inducements in quantities. Our stock of Belting and Steam Fittings is as nearly complete as it is possible to carry. and we can supply you with Oil from stock at very low prices. In quantities we can ship you direct at prices that will save you money. Let us have your orders, wve will guarantee you prices and quality on any goods we handle. Manning Hardware Co. Much Pleasanter. Prosperity Hias Ruined Many a Man. No doubt. But if we are given the choice in that matter we had rather be ruined by prosperity than by adversity. The pro cess is more enjoyable. We are enjoying our prosperity in our' business and we are proud of the record we are making as The Cheapest Store in Towni. Since we advertised our Special Bargains we can hardly at tend to our trade with increased for-e. This shows that people know genuine bargains and they know the difference between sham offers and true bargain offerings. W\e will continue some of our SPECIAL BARGAINS .And have added more in our other departmients, so it will be in teresting and profitable to you to visit our store any time. Thanking our friends and patrons for past favors5 and solicit ing your future patronage we remain prosperouts, wishing you the same. Yours. THE INEW IDEA. BLACK ROCK [Continued.] said, 'a little suburb of -Bell.' IT was something too awful. And at the end of it all one young fellow was found dead in his shack, and twenty or more crawled back to the camps, leaving their three months' pay with Slavin and his suckers. I won't stand it, I say!" Ile turned fiercely on me. "What's to be done?" This rather took me aback, for I had troubled myself with nothing of this sort in my life before, being fully oc cupied in keeping myself out of di:I cuity and allowing others the same privilege. So I ventured the conso'a tion that he had done his part and that a spree more or less would not make much difference to these men. But the next moment I wished I had been slow er in speech, foi he swiftly faced me, and his words came like a torrent: "God forgive you that heartless word! Do you know- But, no; you don't know what you are saying. You don't know that these men have been clam bering for dear life out of a fearful pit for three months past and doing good climbing, too, poor chaps. You don't think that some of them have wives, most of them mothers and sisters, in the east or across the sea, for whose sake they are slaving here, the miners hoping to save enough to bring their families to this homeless place, the rest to make enough to go back with credit. Why, there's Nixon, miner, splendid chap, who has been here for two years and drawing the highest pay. Twice he has been in sight of his heaven, for he can't speak of his wife and babies without breaking up, and twice that slick son of. the devil-that's Scripture, mind you-Slavin, got him and 'rolled' him, as the boys say. He went back to the mines broken in body and in heart. He says this is his third and last chance. If Slavin gets him; his wife and babies will never see him on earth or in heaven. There are San dy and the rest too. And," he added in a lower tone and with the curious little thrill of pathos in his voice, "this is the day the Saviour came to the world." He paused, and then with a little, sad smile, "But I don't want to abuse you." "Do. I enjoy it. I'm a beast, a self ish beast!" For sonmehow his intense, blazing earnestness made me feel un comfortably small. "What have we to offer?" I demand ed. "Wait till I have got these things cleared away and my housekeeping done." I pressed my services upon him, somewhat feebly, I own, for I can't bear dishwater, but he rejected my offer. "I don't like trusting. my china to the hands of a tenderfoot." "Quite right, though your china would prove an excellent means of defense at long range." It was delft a quarter of an Inch thick, so I smoked while he washed up, swept, dusted and arranged the room. After the room was ordered to his taste we p~roceeded to hold counsel. He could offer dinner, magic lantern, mu sic. "We can fill in time for two hours, but," he added gloomily, "we can't beat the dance and the high kickers." "Have you nothing new or startling?" He shook his head. "No kind of show-dog show, snake charmer?" "Slavin has a monopoly of the snakes." Then he added hesitatingly: "There was an old Punch and Judy chap here last year,. but he died. Whisky again." "What happened to his show?" "The Black Rock hotel man took It for board and whisky bill. He has It stil, I suppose." I did not much relish the business, but I hated to see him beaten, so I ventured, "I have run a Punch and Judy in an amateur way at the i-ar sit." He sprang to his feet with a yell. "You have! You mean to say it? We've got them! We've beaten them!" He had an extraordInary way of taking your help for granted. "The miner chaps, mostly English and Welsh, went mad over the poor old showman and made him so wealthy that in sheer gratitude he drank himself to death." He walked up and down In high ex citement and in such evident delight that I felt pledged to my best effort. "Well," I said, "first the poster. We must beat them in that." He brought me large sheets of brown paper, and after two hours' hard work I had half a dozen pictorial showbills done in gorgcous colors and striking designs. They were good, If I do say it myself. The turkey, the magic lantern, the Punch and Judy show, were all there, the last with a crowd before it In gap ing delight. A few explanatory words were thrown in, emphasizing the high ly artistic nature of the Punch and Judy enter~ainment. - Craig was delighted and proceeded to perfect his plans. He had some half a dozen young men, four young ladles and eight or ten matrons upon who-n he could depend for help. These he or ganized Into a vigilance committee charged with the duty of preventing miners and lumbermen from getting away to Slavin's. "The critical moments will be Imme diately before and after dinner and then again after the show Is over," he explained. "The first t'wo crises must be left to the care of Punch and Judy, and, as for the last, I am not yet sure what shall be done." But I saw he had something In his head, for he added, "I shall see Mrs. Mayor." "Who is Mrs. Mayor?" I asked. But he made no reply. He was a born fighter, and he put the fighting spirit into us all. We were bound to The sports were to begin at 2 o'clock. By lunchtime everything was in readi ness. After lunch I was having a quiet smoke in Craig's shack when in he rushed, saying: "The battle will be lost before it Is fought. If we lose Quatre Bras, we shall never get to Waterloo." "What's up?" "Slavin, just now. The miners are coing in, and he will have them In tow in half an hour." ie looked at me appealingly. I knew what he wanted. "Al! right. I suppose I must, but it is an awful bore that a man can't have a quiet smoke." "You're not half a bad fellow," he replied, smiling. "I shall get the la dies to furnish coffee inside the booth. You furnish themi intellectual nourish ment in front with dear old Punch and Judy." He sent a boy with a bell round .the village, announcing, "Punch and Judy in front of the Christmas booth be side the church," and for three-quar ters of an hour I shrieked and sweated In that awful little pen. But it was almost worth it to hear the shouts of approval and laughter that greeted my ready to respoad when Punch, after being duly hanged, came forward and invited all into the booth for the hot coffee which Judy had ordered. in they trooped, and Quatre Bras was won. No sooner were the miners safely en gaged with their coffee than I beard a great noise of bells and of men shout ing. and on reaching the street I saw that the men from the lumber camp were coming in. Two immense sleighs, decorated with ribbons and spruce boughs, each drawn by a four horse team gayly adorned, filled with some lify men, singing and shouting with :l their might. were coming down the hill road at full gallop. Round the cor ner they swung, dashed at full speed :eross the bridge and down the street and pulled up after they had made the circuit of a block, to the great admira tion of the onlookers. Among others, Slavin sauntered up good naturedly, making himself agreeable te Sandy and those who were helping to unhitch his team. "Oh, you need not take trouble with me or my team, Mike Slavin. Batch ees and me and the boys can look after them fine," said Sandy coolly. This rejecting of hospitality was per fectly understood by Slavin and by all. "Dat's too bad, heh?" said Baptiste wickedly. "And, Sandy, he's got good money on his pocket for sure too." The boys laughed, and Slavin, join ing in, turned away with Keefe and Blaney, but by the look in his eye I knew he was playing Br'er Rabbit and lying low. Mr. Craig just then came up. "Hello, boys! Too late for Punch and Judy; but just in time for hot cof fee and doughnuts." "Bon! Dat's fuss rate," said Bap tiste heartily. "Where you keep him?" "Up in the tent next the church there. The miners are all in." "Ah! Dat's so? Dat's bad news for the shanty men, heh, Sandy?" said the little Frenchman dolefully. "There were a clothesbasket full of doughnuts and a boiler of coffee left as I passed just row," said Craig en couragingly. "Allons, mes garcons. Vite! Never say keel!" cried Baptiste excitedly, stripping off the harness. But Sandy would not leave the horses till they were carefully rubbed down, blanketed and fed, for he was entered for the four horse race, and it behoov ed him to do his best to win. Besides, he scorned to hurry himself for any thing so unimportant as eating. That he considered hardly worthy even of Baptiste. Mr. Craig managed to get a word with him before he went off, and I saw Sandy solemnly and em phatically shake his head, saying: "Ah, we'll beat him this day!" And I gath ered that he was added to the vigilance committee. Old man Nelson was busy with his own team. He turned slowly at Mr. Craig's greeting. "How is it, Nelson?" And it was with a very grave voice he answered: "I hardly know, sir, but I am not gone yet, though it seems little to hold to." "All you want for a grip is what your hand can cover. What would you have? And, besides, do you know why you are not gone yet?" The old man waited, looking at the minister gravely. "Because he hasn't let go his grip of you." "How do you know he's gripped me?" "Now, look here, Nelson, do you want to quit this thing and give it all up?" "No, no--for heaven'a sake, no! Why, do you think I have lost it?" said Ne! son almost piteously. "Well, he's keener about it than you, and I'll bet you haven't thought It worth while to thank him." "To thank him," he rep'ested almost stupidly, "fat" "For keeping you where you are over night," said Mir. Craig almost sternly. The old man gazed at the minister, a light growing in his eyes. "You're right! Thank God, you're right!" And then be turned quickly away and went into the stable behind his team. It was a minute before he came out. Over his face there was a trembling joy. "Can't I do anything for you today?" he asked humbly. "Indeed you just can," said the min ter, taking his hand and shaking It very warmly, and then be told him Slavin's programme and ours. "Sandy is all right till after his race. After that is his time of danger," said the minister. "ll stay with him, sir," said old Nel son in the tone of a man taking a cove nant and immediately set off for the coffee tent. "Here comes another recruit for your corps," I said, pointing to Leslie Graeme, who was coming down the street at that moment in his light sleigh. "I am not so sure. Do you think you could get him?" I laughed. "You are a good one." "Well," he replied half defiantly, "is not this your fight too?" "You make me thInk so, though I am bound to say I hardly recognize myself today. But here goes." And before I knew it I was describing our plans to Graeme, growing more and more enthusiastic as he sat in his sleigh, listening with a quizzical smile I didn't Quite like. "He's got you, too," he said. "I fear ed so." "Well," I laughed. "perhaps so. But I want to lick that man Slavin. IPve just seen him, and he's just what Craig calls him, 'a slick son of the deviL' Don't be shocked, He says it is Scrip ture." "Revised version," said Graeme gravely, while Craig looked a little abashed. "What Is assigned me, Mr. Craig? For I know that this man is simply your agent" I repudiated the Idea, while Mr. Craig said nothing. "What's my part?" demanded raeme. "Well." sad Mr. Craig hesitatingly, "of course I would do nothing till I had consulted you. but I want a man to take lmy place at the sports. I am ref eree." "That's all right," said Graeme, with an air of relief. "I expected something hard." "And then I thought you would not mind presiding at the dinner. I want it to go off well." "Did you notiece thaty' said Graeme to mec. "Not a bad touch, eh?" "That's nothing to the way he torch ed me. Wait and learn," I answered, while Craig looked quite distressed. "He'll do it, Mr. Craig, never fear." I said, "and any other little duty." "Now, that's too bad of you. That is all I want, honor' bright," he replied, adding as he turned away: "You are just in time for a eup of .coffee, Mr.I Graemec. Now I must see Mrs. Mavor."j "Who is Mrs. Mav'or?" I demanded~ of Graeme. "Mrs. Mayor? T~h: miners' guardian We put up the horses and set off for coffee. As we approached the booth Graeme caught sight of the Punch and Judy show, stood still in amazement and exclaimed: "Can the dead live?" "Punch and Judy never die," I re plied solemnly. "But the old manipulator is dead enough, poor old beggar!" "But he left his mantle, as you see." He looked at me a moment. "What? Do you mean you" "Yes; that is what I do mean." "Ile is a great man, that Graig fellow, a truly reat man." And then he leaned up against a tree and laughed till the tears came. "I say, old boy, don't mind me," he gasped, "but do you remember the old varsity show?" "Yes, you villain, and I remember your part in it. I wonder how you can even at this remote date laugh at it." For I had a vivid recollection of how, after a "chaste and highly artistic per formance of this medimval play" had been given before a distinguished To ronto audience, the trapdoor by which I had entered my box was fastened and I was left to swelter in my cage and forced to listen to the suffocated laugh ter from the wings and the stage whis pers of "Hello, Mr. Punch, where's the baby?" And for many a day after I was subjected to anxious inquiries as to the locality and health of "the baby" and whether it was able to be out. "Oh, the dear old days!" he kept say ing over and over in a tone so full of sadness that my heart grew sore for him and I forgave him, as many a time before. The sports passed off in typical west ern style. In addition to the usual running and leaping contests, there was rifle and pistol shooting, in both of which old Nelson stood first, with Shaw, foreman of the mines, second. The great event of the day, however, was to be the four horse race, for which three teams were entered-one from the mines, driven by Nixon, Craig's friend; a citizens' team and Sandy's. The race was really between the miners' team and that from the woods, for the citizens' team, though made up of speedy horses, had not been driven much together and knew neither their driver nor one another. In the miners' team were four bays, very powerful, a trifle heavy perhaps, but well matched, perfectly trained and perfectly handled bytheirdriver. Sandy had his long, rangy roans and for lead ers a pair of half broken pinto bron chos. The pintos, caught the summer before upon the Alberta prairies, were fleet as deer, but wicked and uncertain. They were Baptiste's special care and pride. If they would only run straight, there was little doubt that they would carry the roans and themselves to glo ry, but one could not tell the moment they might bolt or kick things to pieces. Being the only nonpartisan in the crow', I was asked to referee. The race was about half a mile and return, the first and last quarters being upon ice. The course after leaving the ice led up from the river by a long, easy slope to the level above and at the farther end curved somewhat sharply round the old fort. The only condi tion attaching to the race was that the teams should start from the scratch, make the turn of the fort and finish at the scratch. There were no vexing regulations as to fouls. The man mak ing the foul would find it necessary to reckon with the crowd, which was considered sufficient guarantee for a fair and square race. Owing to the hazards of the course, the result would depend upon the skill of the drivers quite as much as upon the speed of the teams. The points of hazard were at the turn round the old fort and at a little ravine which led down to the river, over which the road passed by means of a long log bridge or cause way. From a point upon the high bank of the river the whole course lay in open view. It was a scene full of life and vividly picturesque. There were min era In dark clothes and peak caps, citi zens in ordinary garb, ranchmen in wide cowboy hats and buckskin shirts and leggings, some with cartridge belts and pistols; a few half breeds and In dians in baif native, halt civilized dress and, scattering through the crowd, the lumbermen with gay scarlet and blue blanket coats and some with knitted toques of the same colors. A very good natured but extremely un certain crowd It was. At the head of each horse stood a man, but at the pintos' heads Baptiste stood alone, try Ing to hold down the off leader, thrown Into a frenzy of tear by the yelling of the crowd. Gradually all became quiet till, in the midst of absolute stillness, came the words, "Are you ready?" then the pis tol shot, and the great race began, Above the roar of the crowd came the shrill cry of Baptiste as he struck his broncho with the palm of his hand and swung himself into the sleigh beside Sandy as It shot past. Like a flash the bronchos sprang to the front two lengths before the other teams; but, terrified by the yelling rowd, Instead of bending to the left bank, up which the road wound, they wheeled to the right and were almost across the river before Sandy could swing them back Into the course. Baptiste's cries, a curious mixture of French and English, continued to strike through all other sounds till they gained the top of the slope, to find the others almost a hundred yards in front, the citizens' team leading, with the miners' following close. The moment the pintos caught sight of the teams before them they set off at a terrific pace and steadily devoured the Inter vening space. Nearer and nearer the turn came, the eight horses in front running straight and well within their speed. After them flew the pintos, run ning savagely, with ears set back, lead ing well the big roans, thundering along and gaining at every bound. And now the citizens' team had almost reached the tort, running hard and drawing away trom the bays. But Nixon knew what he was about and was simply steadying his team for the turn. The event proved his wisdom, for In the turn the leading team left the track. lost a moment or two in the deep snow, and before they could re gain the road the bays had swept su perly past, leaving their rivals to fol low in the rear. On came the pintos, swiftly nearing the fort. Surely at that pace they cannot make the turn. But Sandy knows his leaders. They have their eyes upon the teams in front and need no touch of rein. Without the slightest change In speed the nim ble footed bronchos round the turn, hauling the big roans after them, and fall in behind the citizens' team, which is regaining steadily the ground lost in the turn. And now the struggle is for the bridge over the ravine. The bays in front, running with mouths wide open, are evidently doing their best. Behind them and every moment nearing them, but at the limit of their speed, too, come the lighter 'and fleeter citizens' team, while oDDosite their driver are tire pinros. pulling haro, eager and fresh. Their temper is too uncertain to send them to the front. They run well following, but when leading can not be trusted, and, besides, a broncho hates a bridge, so Sandy holds them where they are, waiting and hoping for his chance after the bridge .is crossed. Foot by foot the citizens' team creep up upon the flank of the bays, with the pintos in turn hugging them closely, till It seems as if the three, if none slack ens, must strike the bridge together, and this will mean destruction to one at least. This danger Sandy perceives, but he dare not check his leaders. Sud denly within a few yards of the bridge Baptiste throws himself upon the lines, wrenches them out of Sandy's hands and, with a quick swing, faces the pin tos down the steep side of the ravine, which is almost sheer ice with a thin coat of snow. It is a daring course to take, for the ravine, though not deep, is full of undergrowth and is partially closed up by a brush heap at the far ther end. But, with a yell, Baptiste hurls his four horses down the slope and into the undergrowth. "Allons, mes enfants! Courage! Vite! Vite!" cries their driver, and nobly do the pin tos respond. Regardless of bushes and brush heaps, they tear their way through, but as they emerge the high bob sleigh catches a root, and, with a crash, the sleigh is hurled in the air. Baptiste's cries ring out high and shrill as ever, encouraging his team, and never cease till, with a plunge and a scramble, they clear the brush heap lying at the mouth of the ravine and are out on the ice on the river, with Baptiste standing on the front bob, the box trailing be hind and Sandy nowhere to be seen. Three hundred yards of the course re main. The bays, perfectly handled, have gained at the bridge and in the descent to the ice and are leading the citizens' team by half a dozen lengths. Behind both comes Baptiste. It is now or never for the pintos. The rattle of the trailing box, together with the wild yelling of the crowd rushing down the bank, excites the bronchos to madness, and, taking the bits in their teeth, they do their first free run ning that day. Past the citizens' team like a whirlwind they dash, clear the intervening space and gain the flanks of the bays. Can the bays hold them? Over them leans their driver, plying for the first time the hissing lash. Only fifty yards more. The miners be gin to yell. But Baptiste, waving his lines high in one hand, seizes his toque with the other, whirls it about his head and flings it with a fiercer yell than ever at the bronchos. Like the burst ing of a hurricane the pintos leap for ward and with a splendid rush cross the scratch, winners by their own length. There was a wild quarter of an hour. The shanty men had torn off their coats and were waving them wildly and tossing them high, while the ranchers added to the uproar by emp tying their revolvers into the air in a way that made one nervous. When the crowd was somewhat quieted, Sandy's stiff figure appeared, slowly making toward them. A, dozen lumbermen ran to him, eagerly inquir ing if he were hurt. But Sandy could only curse the little Frenchman for losing the race. "Lost! Why, man, we've .won it!" shouted a voice, at which Sandy's rage vanished, and he allowed himself to be carried in upon the shoulders of his admirers. "Where's the lad?" was his first ques tion. "The bronchos are off with hiin. He's down at the rapids like enough." "Let me go!" shouted Sandy, setting off at a run in the track of the sleigh. le had not gone far before he met Baptiste coming back with his team foaming, the roans going quietly, but the bronchos dancing and eager to be at it again. "Voila! Bully boy! Tank the bon Dieu, Sandy., You not keel, eh? Ah, you are one grand chevalier!" exclaim ed Baptiste, hauling Sandy in and thrusting the lines into his hands. And so they came back, the sleighbox still dragging behind, the pintos executing fantastic figures on their hind legs and Sandy holding them down. The little Frenchman struck a dramatic attitude and called out: "Voila! What's the matter wiz San dy, heh?" The roar that answered set the bron chos off again plunging and kicking, and only when Baptiste got them by the heads could they be induced to stand long enough to allow Sandy to be proclaimed winner of the race. Sever al of the lumbermen sprang into the sleghbox with Sandy and Baptiste, among them Keefe, followed by Nel son, and the first part of the great day was over. Slavin could not understand the new order of things. That a great event like the four horse race should not be followed by drinks all round was to him af once disgusting and in comprehensible, and, realizing his de feat for the moment, he fell into the crowd and disappeared, But he left be hind him his runners. He had not yet thrown up the game. Mr. Craig meantime came to me and, looking after Sandy in his sleigh, with his frantic crowd of yelling admirers, said In a gloomy voice: "Poor Sandy! He Is easily caught, ,and eefe has the devil's cunning." "He won't touch Slavin's whisky to day," I answered confidently. "There'll be twenty bottles waiting him in the stable," he replied bitterly, "and I can't go following him up. He won't stand that No man would. God help us all!" I could hardly recognize myself, for I found in my heart an earnest echo to that prayer as I watched him go to ward the crowd again, his face set in strong determination. Hie looked likie the captain of a forlorn hope, and I was proud to be following him. CHAPTER III. wATrEIoo-OER FIGH'T, Ils VICTORY. Ty HE sports were over, and there remained still an hour to be Ailled in before dinner. It was an hour full of danger to Craig's hopes of victory, for the men were wild with excitement and ready for the most reckless means of "sling ing their dust" I could not but ad mire the skill with which Mr. Craig caught their attention. "Gentlemen." he called out, "we've forgotten the judge of the, great race. Three cheers for Mr. Connor!" Two of the shanty men picked me up and hoisted me on to their shoulders while the cheers were given. "Announce the Punch and Judy," he entreated me in a low voice. I did so in a little speech and was forthwith borne aloft through the street' to the booth, followed by the whole crowd, cheering like mad. The excitement of the crowd caught me, and for an hour I squeaked and worked the wires of the immortal and unhappy family in a manner hitherto inapproached, by mue at least. I was glad enough when Graemue came to tell me to send the men in to dinner. This Mr. PTumeh did in th .most cracins mannei and again with cheers for Mr. Punch's master they trooped tumultu ously into the tent. We had only begun when Baptiste came In quietly, but hurriedly, and whispered to me: "M'sieu Craig, he's gone to Slavin's and would lak you and M'sieu Graeme would follow queek. Sandy, he's take one leel -drink up at de stable, and he's go mad lak one diable." I sent him for Graeme, who was pre siding at dinner, and set off for Slain's at a run. There I found Mr. Craig and Nelson holding Sandy, more than half drunk, back from Slavin, who, stripped to the shirt, was coolly waiting with a taunting smile. "Let me go, Mr. Craig," Sandy was saying. "I am a good Presbyterian. He is a. papist thief, and he has my money, and I will have it out of the soul of him." "Let him go, preacher," sneered Sla Yin. "I'll cool him off for you. But you'd better hold him if you want his mug left on to him." "Let him go!" Keefe was shouting. "Hands off!" Blaney was echoing. I pushed my way in. "What's up?" I cridd. "Mr. Connor," said Sandy solemnly, "it is a gentleman you are, though your name is against you, and I am a good Presbyterian, and I can give you the commandments and reasons annexed to them, but yon's a thief, a papist thief, and I am justified in getting my money out of his soul" "But," I remonstrated, "you won't get it in this way." "He has my money," reiterated San dy. "He is a blank liar, and he's afraid to take It up," said Slavin in a low, cool tone. With a roar Sandy broke away and rushed at him, but without moving from his tracks Slavin met him with a straight left hander and laid him flat. "Hooray!" yelled Blaney. "Ireland forever!" and, seizing the iron poker, swung It around his head, crying, "Back, or, by holy Moses, I'll kill the first man that interferes wid the game!" "Give it to him!" Keefe said sav agely. Sandy rose slowly, gazing round stu pidly. "He don't know what hit him," laughed Keefe. This roused the highlander, and, say ing, "I'll settle you afterward, Mr. Keefe," he rushed in again at Slavin. again Slavin met him with his left, staggered him and before he fell took a step forward and delivered a terrific right hand blow on his jaw. Poor San dy went down in a heap amid the yells of Blaney, Keefe and some others of the gang. I was in despair when In came Bap tiste and Graeme. One look at Sandy, and Baptiste tore off his coat and cap, slammed them on the floor, danced on them and with a long drawn "Sap-r-r-r-rie!" rushed at Slavin. But Graeme caught him by the back of the neck, saying, "Hold on, little man," and, turning to Slavin, pointed to Sandy, who was reviving under Nelson's care, and said, ."What's this for?" "Ask him," said Slavin Insolently. "He knows." "What is it, Nelson?" Nelson explained that Sandy, after drinking some at the stable and a glass at the Black Rock hotel, had come down here with Keefe and the others, had lost his money'and was accusing Slavin of robbing him. "Did you furnish him with liquor?" saia. Graeme sternly. "It Is none of your business," re plied Slavin, with an oath. "I shall make It my business. It is not the first time my men have lost money in this saloon." "You lie!" said Slavin, with deliber ate emphasis. "Slavin," said Graeme quietly, "it Is a pity you said that, because, unless you apologize in one minute, I shall make you sorry." "Apologize?" roared Slavin. "Apolo gize to you?" calling him a vile name. Graeme grew white and said. even' more slowly: "Now you'll have to take It. No apol ogy will do." He slowly stripped off coat and vest. Mr. Craig Interposed, begging Graeme to let the matter pass. "Surely It Is not worth it." "Mr. Craig." said Graeme, with an easy smile, "you don't understand. No man can call me that naus and walk around afterward feeling.-1" Then, turning to Slavin, he said: "Now, if you want a minute's rest I can wait." Slavin, with a curse, bid him come. "Blaney," said Graeme sharply, "you get back." Blaney promptly stepped back to Keefe's side. "Nelson, you and Baptiste can see that they stay there." The old man nodded and looked at Craig, who simply said: "Do the best you can." It was a good fight. Slavin had plen ty of pluck and for a time forced the fighting, Graeme guarding easily and tapping him aggravatingly about the nose and eyes, drawing blood, but not disabling him. Gradually there came a look of fear Into Slavin's eyes, and the beads' stood upon his face. He had met his master. "Now, Slavin, you're beginning to be sorry, and I am going to show you what you are made of." Graeme made one or two lightning passes, struck Slavin one, two, three terrific blows and laid him quite fiat and senseless. Keefe and Blaney both sprang for ward, but there was a savage kind of growl. "Hold, there!" It was old man Nel son, looking along a pistol barrel. "You know me, Keefe," he said. "You won't do any murder this time." Keefe turned green and yellow and staggered back, while Slavin slowly rose to his feet. "Will you take some more?" said Graeme. "You haven't got much; but, mind, I have stopped playing with you. Put up your gun, Nelson. No one will Interfere now." Slavin hesitated, then rushed, but Graeme stepped to meet him, and we saw Slavin's heels In the air as he fell back upon his neck and shoulders and lay still, with his toes quivering. "Bon!" yelled Baptiste. "Bully boy! Dat's de boa stuff! Dat's larn him one good lesson!" But immediately he shrieked, "Gar-r-r-r-e a vous!" Ie was too late, for there was a crash of breaking glass, and Graeme fell to the floor with a long, deep cut on the side of his hend. Keefe had urled a bottle with all too sure an aim and had fled. I thought he was dead, but we carried him out, and In a few minutes he groaned, opened his eyes and sank again into insensibility. "Where can we take him?" I cried. "To my shack," said Mr. Craig. "Is there no place nearer?" "Yes; Mrs. Mayor's. I shall run on to tell her." She met us at the door. I had In mind to say some words of apology, bn+ .when. T.1nnkmi nnn har fzca.Lfar Geo1S. Hacker &Son MIAxUFACTUJ RIL4 or x Co CIO s W hCo 0 Doors, Sash, Blinds, Moulding and Building Material, CHARLESTON, S. C. Sash Weights and Cords,. Hardware and Paints. Window and Fancy Glass a Specialty. A DORN YOUR PERSON DORN YOUR HOME. Fine Jewelry, Fine Silver ware, Cut Glass, China, Bric-a-Brac, Pict ures, Mirrors, LAMPS AND ELEGANT NOVELTIES, Watches of the Best rlanufacturers. All goods handled are sold with a guarantee. I do not handle any plated ware, therefore everything bought from me can be relied upon as being of the best. All goods bought from -me wil' be Engraved FREE OF CHARGE. My repairing department is under my personal supervis ion and I guarantee all work entrusted to me. Come to see me. Earnest A. Buitman, SUrTiR, S. C. TO CONSUMERS OF Lager Beer. We are now in position to ship our Beer all over the State at the following prices: EXPORT. Imperial Brew-Pints, at $1.10 per doz. Kuffheiser-Pints, at......90c per doz. Germania P. M.-Pints, at 90c per doz. GERMAN MALT EX TRACT. A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from the highest grade of Barley Malt and Imported Hops, at....1.l0 per doz. For sale by all Dispensaries, or send in your orders direct. All orders shall have our prompt and careful attention. Cash must accompany all orders. CERMANIA BREWING GO., Charleston, S. C. IS YELLOW POISON In your blood ? Physicans call It rialarlal (Germ. It can be seen changing red blood yellow under microscope. It works day and night. First, it turns your coin plexion yellow. Chilly, aching sensations creep dow your backbone. You feel wekand worthless. ROBERTS' CHILL TONIC wHi stop the trouble now. It enters the blood at once and drives out the yellow poison. If neglected and when Chis, Fevers, Night-Sweats and agen eral break-down come later on, Roberts' Tonic wHi cure you then-but why wait? Prevent future sickness. The mninfe turers know all about this yel low poison and have perfected Roberts' Tonic to drive It out, nourish your system, restore appetite, purify the blood, pre vent and cure Chis, Fevers and Malaria. It has cured thous ands-It will cure you, or your money back.; This is fair. Try It. Price, 25 cents. THE R. B. LORYEA DRUC STORE. Every attention will be shown visit ors and we especially invite the .people to visit our handsome store to inspect our lines of Gent's Furnishings Clothing, and Hats. We handle no goods but those which we can guarantee. Our Tailoring Department is perhaps the largest in the State and our tailors are experienced workmen. A Suit made by us is sufficient war rant to fit. Come to see us. J. L DA VID & BRO., Cor. King and Wentworth Sts., CHIARLESTON, - - S. C. WVH EN YOU COME TO TOWN CALL AT WELLS' SHAVING SALOON Which is fitted up with an eye to the comfort of his customers.. .. .. HAIR CUTTIM( IN ALL STYLES. SH AVING AND) S H A M POOI NG Vone with neatneRw an dispatch......-.-.. A cordial invitation iaxtended... .J. L. WVELLS. Manning Time Blnok.