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jfourriME A LAUGH 1 - She sat on the sliding cushion. The dear, wee woman of four; Her feet, in their shiny slippers, Hung dangling over the floor, She meant to be good; she had promised, And so. with her big. brown eyes. She stared at the meeting-house windows And counted the crawling flies. She looked far up at the preacher. But she thought of the honey-bees Droning away at the blossoms That whitened the cherry trees. She thought of a broken basket. Where, curled in a dusky heap. Three sleek, round puppies, with frir.gy ears Lay snugglc-d and fast asleep. I A Bookworm': ?? ' " "^?> A.Y after day, for some ^4 -y\ )& montlls' * sat in near Q J | O company of a young girl in '\ |s the British Museum, who, / MOW without being beautiful, was the possessor of infinite charm. Whether she worked so energetically for the mere love of the thing or from v . necessity I could not tell. I chose, however, to fancy her the help of a widowed mother who on slender means had perhaps still younger lives than my fellow worker's to give her anxieties. Suffice it to say, on this point, my near fellow worker labored with zest, and often her example inspired my own somewhat flagging efforts; I found myself possessed of an unconquerable desire to make her acquaintr ance, yet I could not summon the nec essary courage to aaaress ner. A cold but bright day in January found me on my -way to interview a notable member of Parliament, with the hope to secure through his aid a ticket for the House of Commons. I had proceeded as far as the top of j Charing Cross Road, when I bethought j y me to take a 'bus. I became an "in-! side.". There was but one other occu- > pant?a lady. Presently the conductor's voice startled us both; the lady turning about revealed to me the well known face of "my lady" of the reading room. The conductor's call upon us for "Fares, please!" together with the suddenness of mutual recognition, had rather flustered us. Presently a vivid blush spread over her face, as she plaintively gave the conductor to understand she had left her purse and money at home. The collector of fares was somewhat inclined to be coarse and offensive, as he remarked: ; "Ho, I dessay; that's a tale wot ain't good enough for me. I've bin 'ad that way afore to-day. Wot are yer goin' to do?" At this juncture I deemed it advisable to expostulate, warning him that it was no part of his duty to be uncivil. Then I begged the lady's permission tp settle so trifling a matter, at the same time pointing out to her that the fact of our being fellow iworkers at the British Muceum would at least privilege me in so small a . * service. "That Is fortunate," she replied. "Thank you so much. May I ask your name?" I gave it "Richard Athelstane." "Thank you so much, Mr. Athelstane. I am Eunice Frith." After delivering herself of this gracious bit of information she departed on her way, leaving me in a seventh heaven of delight. For was not the ice now broken? A? the period of my first interest In Eunice Frith I was busily engaged in efforts to graft in some manner the American family of Shaddee upon the parent stock in England. It was a .wgrk of great wearlsomeness. On the next occasion of my meeting .with Miss Frith the merest form of greeting followed. As she handed me the bronze obligation, her renewal of J 1 ' ?? " ???nwnnnifl(l hr +>10 fo f n t" - ilXlciJUKb W ktj ?uv .?* ? est change of color, but her words, .'Ton were very kind to help ipe out of my dilemma," left no opeping for extension of an acquaintance so auspiciously begun. Our sittings were tvithin one of eacTi other. We took them, and thus far there was the end. She evidently knew full well the existence of the rule of "silence" which the superintendent for the time ever strives so energtically to enforce. Eunice Frith, whether or no she x jdivined that I desired a closer acquaintance. never bargained for the [catastrophe, which though it brought fear and trembling for awhile to her, won for me the "open sesame"' I had so longed for. i In a week's time we were on speaking terms, within a month an acquaintanceship had ripened marvellously. Gradually we came to understand each other. We sat side by side, the dividing chair separated us no longer. Then the time came when she assented to my invitation to drink ten with me in the gallery room. Over that delicious Souchong we chatted freely. She spoke to me of her mother ?an invalid; of her brother?a clerk in a banking house. I gathered that the united earnings of these young people represented nearly the whole of the wherewithal of their otherwise happy little home. My work of pedigree creating had palled sadly upon me for some time, and I began to think living among the > hones?so to speak?of departed no-! bodies, far from exhilarating. (N CHURCH. Such soft, warm bodies to cuddle, ^ Such oueer little hearts to beat, Such swift, round t ngues to kiss Such sprawling, cushiony feet : She could feel in her clasping fingers The touch of the satiny skin, And a cold, wet nose exploring The dimples under her chin. Then a sudden ripple of laughter Ran over the parted lips So ouick that she could not catch it > With her rosy finger-tips. The people whispered, "Rless the child," As each one waked from a nap, Rut the dear, wee woman hid her face For shame in her mother's Jap. ?Sam Walter Foss. 3 Loy@ Story, ^ ? G ?) if~ Once It happened Eunice's mother accompanied her to the British Museum. As they were descending the stairway from the galleries, I was passing through the hall. Eunice in- l troduced me to her mother, and we re- ' malned in conversation for the best 1 part of an hour, when Mrs. Frith sud- ' denly remembered her doctor's instruc- < tions not to "try herself too much," ! and pronounced for home. To her ' alarm, on our arrival at the vestibule of the Museum, It was raining smart- 1 Iy. Once again luck favored me. My f umbrella, a property which nine days < out of ten I left at home, proved a ! ready friend for once. Under its shel- ' ter Mrs. Frith reached her 'bus in . mmniiwif'irft drrrioM T nfforpri 1t tn ( her. "Oh. no, Mr. Athelstane, I won't < deprive you," she said. < But my insistence carried the day, and suggested that Eunice might find 1 it useful in the morning. That young ] lady, however, declared she "had one j of her own." Mrs. Frith settled the question by ] saying: 1 "I will take it, Mr. Athelstane, on 1 condition that you will bring Eunice J home this evening, and join us at our < little tea dinner, and then, you see, < you can take possession of your um- * brella." To this I consented. After leaving Eunice and-her mother J I returned to the reading room, intjnding to put in an hour or two of J work, but in this I was frustrated by the receipt of a telegram, which an- j nounced the serious illness of my father and desired my early attendance at his side. Here was a call that brooked no inattention. I showed the wire to Eunice and begged her to express to her mother my regrets, and bidding her what was Intended to be an impressive "Good-by," left for my home at Wells, in Norfolk: Little did I think that two long years would elapse before I again set eyes on Eunice Frith. I was away in Norfolk for somethree months, my father's condition varying to such an extent, owing to frequent relapses, as left me no alternative but to stay with him. I was Ms second son, my brother Christopher being two years my senior; our mother had been dead many years. My father had been dead some six weeks, during which period I had been busying myself in the administration of his little estate and winding up my enforced rest from pedigree hunting and other such trifles, when the great change in my life began. The African mail brought me a letter from my brother Christopher, or rather from a friend ef his, acting as amanuensis. Christopher had met with a very serious accident in the mine. Most of his ribs had been broken, and the doctors feared that much internal laceration had also taken place. Chris was anxious to see me. fearing a fatal ending. Would I come at once to Kimberley? He had also enclosed a draft for $500 to cover traveling expenses, and in case the world had not used me kindly. To pack up my traps was but short 1 work, and the old home I left in charge of a maiden aunt. After I had booked my passage I had a few hours to spare. These I spent in n vain search for Eunice Frith. I ( could hear no tidings at the house l where they had lived. The landlady 1 only knew they had left?gone, she j thought, into "unfurnished" rooms. < I did not feel easy on the matter. ? but I hoped for the be6t, and made my 1 way to a hotel near Waterloo whence ] I had to start the next morning on < my first venture beyond the white < cliffs of old England. < The Castle liner on which I had taken ] my passage did her voyage well and ; rapidly. The succeeding day to that ] on which I landed in Cape Town saw 1 me being transferred, as rapidly as a i South African railway can manage it, 1 northward. I arrived too late. Poor ] Chris had gone to the bourne whence i none return. < His lawyer met me soon after my < arrival, condoled with me. and eulo- : gized poor Chris's many virtues. He . said that my brother had been a most successful man up to a certain point. But lately owing to?to?er?scruples, he had- been placed at a disadvantage. Still, he remarked: w - ... ^ - ... . , i ? I "Still. Mr. Atneisrane, jour mume; (lied pretty warm. His personality. I should say?well, let me see?er, well ?is quite $350,000." I explained that my brother had never confided either to his father or myself the degrees of success which he had attained. ? -r?:j . "Indeed, sir," I added, "we know very* little about his South African career. I presume lie has a wife and? children?" "Not so. sir. Your brother lived a very retired life, rarely joining in any of the many functions our citizens delight in. He was a good man, and a charitable one." "Charitable?" I questioned. "Then I presume he has left large sums to your local institutions and hospitals?" "No. sir: not a penny." "Then to whom does his money revert? Surely he did not die intestate?" "Not a man in the wcrkl less likely to do so. No. sir, you are a happy man. By will?here it is. sir. in black and white?'all that I die possessed of I leave to my brother, Richard Athelstane, to be by him used and disposed of as may appear best to his own good and charitable disposition.'" I was not inordinately puffed up by this sudden acquisition of wealth. One tiling flashed first upon my mind, and that was that I should be for ever J *T^ done with my old oecupauons. more grinding and paragraphs. No more pulling about the dead and gone ancestors of mighty present-day pork butchers. No more of ill-ventilated reading rooms, whether under red tap or otherwise. I should live in Utopia. To do this, I deemed it wise and best to return to England. In due course, I arrive in London, and at once went back to the scene of my old struggles, the British Museum. It seemed as if I could not keep away. "Why did I go there?" you ask. To look for Eunice, or, maybe, get some news of her. But no, I could learning nothing; and it came into ray mind that I had seen the last of Eunice Frith. I had been one evening at King's Cross station to inquire after a package I had transmitted. I made a short out back in the direction of Russell Square, when my attention was drawn to a knot of children on the pavement. ,\t first I could see nothing, but as I drew near I noticed one or two articles of furniture, with a box or two corded over. "One of those hateful cases of distraint?some poor, lone, aged widow," [ thought to myself. Even as I looted, i poor, worn woman, yet neat and tidy withal, looked up, her face by its pained expression, telling a tale of tvoe. Where had I seen that face before?' I had not gone on my way many steps before my recollection cleared. I hastened back to the forlorn :reature, and pushing my way to her side asked in an undertone: "Are you not Mrs. Frith?Eunice's mother?" "Yes, oh, yes! But you?who are rou?" Before I could make reply, another Igure appeared on the scene. Eunice ierself?but great heavens! how changed that face had become. In its thinness and wanness even the mother's sank into nothingness, as in hearttones she gasped: "Oh, mother, mother! Have they turned you out like this? I came as soon as I knew the state of affairs." Then she caught sight of me, knew me at once, as I could see, and drew shyly back. I held out my hand to her, saying: "You know me. Miss Frith. You ire in trouble. Your mother cannot regain here, you must come with me." In the twinkling of an eye I had put Mrs. Frith and her daughter inside >f a growler, and jumping on the box fold cabby to drive to King's Cross stadon. In one of the waiting rooms I heard :he painful story my friends had to foil. Eunice's brother had lapsed from :he direct course. In their endeavors fo rescue him their small capital of aardly earned savings had melted like snow before the sun. A new home was soon found for diem. Money can do that. I begged them to let me be their banker until such time as Eunice's health was completely restored. Their common sense tvas equal to the occasion, and they showed it by accepting my offer. A nopth's perfect rest in town, another it the seaside, soon mended the health if these broken ones, more than ever tear to me. My old home in Norfolk forms a peaceful haven of rest for Mrs. Frith. At present Eunice is with tier. If I am lucky, there will be a Pridal ceremony in the village church before I return to town.?New York S'ews. A Boarding Syndicate. In the enterprising town of Holly, 3rleans County, a new movement has ieen started, with the object of solving :he servant girl problem. Thirteen fomilies comprising twenty-nine persons of the best social'and business 5tanding, have formed a co-operative ?oil momliors tf> JUili'UIUtj at.lULiai.uu, .... iuvuuv.. -bear an equal .share of the expenses. Gradually the various objections were Dvereome, and the members are not Dnly well satisfied with the progress made, but think that in a short time l noticeable decrease in their living expenses will be evident. Upon joining the association members contributed 55 to create a fund with which to equip the kitchen. With this money two large ranges and dishes of every de* scription have been purchased: also other articles necessary to the culinary department. In the dining room each family furnishes th^e table linen, dishest and other articles for its own tise. If several cases where two families are small, -both have occupied the saino table. All expenses for provisions and the services of the cooks and waitresses are then borne pro rata by the members. There will be considerable curiosity to know whether the experiment can be made a permanent success.? Buffalo Commercial. Always Time For This. . Life is not so short, but there is always time for courtesy.?Emerson. r HM44 i H"i fTHE NEWS OFA WEEK i \ IN SOUTH CAROLINA J ^ y ^ y 11111 t 111 i t r t 111 i t New Industries Reported. The Chattanooga Tradesman notes the following new enterprises established in South Carolina during tne past week: Spartanburg, $2l),uuv> builders' supp'iy company; Gray Court, $5,000 quarrying company; Orangeburg, $20,000 builders' supply company. * Instantly Killed by Piston Head. P. 0. McDaniel, a young while man, while passing through the engine room or the iucapau milis was struck in the head and killed by a piston head which without warning had blown out. McDaniel worked in another part of the mill and was on his way to work at the time. He was killed almost instantly. Several others in tne room were slightly injured by the accident. * * Will Meet in Charleston. The meeting of the National Arm, Pin and Bracket Association adjourned at Chattanooga, Tenn., a few days ago, after electing the following officers: President, C. H. Huston, Chattanooga; vice . president, Daniel Ravene!, Franklin, N. C.; secretary, J. B. Magers, Madison. Ind.; treasurer, R. L. McQuat, Indianapolis. Charleston was selected as the next place of meeting. * * * Hanged Ahead of Time. Brown Rodger, colored, was hanged at Union on the 13th inst., for the murder of Rodger Fant, a young white man, on April 5 last. Although the hour of execution was fixed for 2 o'clock, Rodger expressed his readiness and walked to the scaffold at 12 o'clock, apparently without fear. He said if he was to be hanged all those who have been let off on selfdefense ought to be brought up and hanged. * * Hayes Guilty of Uxorcide. At Walhalla, after deliberating over four hours, the jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder against Hoyes Hayes, charged with having killed his wife, Lulu Hayes, on the night of April 24, the weapon being a single barrel breechloading shotgun. The thory of the defense was suicide, the gun and a poker tAg found { on the bed. The case has created considerable excitement, and when the jurors were examined on their voir dire all save one admitted tnat they had formed and expressed opinions. * * Prospects for New County Bright. An Augusta, Ga., news item states that the prospects for the establishment of Hammond county, this state?, with North Augusta as the county seat now seem brighter than ever, the opposing faction being about won over by the last concessions of the North Augusta Land Company. * Recently the company has added to its original offer of the present academy a three thousand dollar wooden structure, the surrounding property, with fully $10,000, for the future use of the new county. This makes in a'i a gift of $13,000 worth of property to the new county. Quite a number of opponents to the movement have been won over by this liberality and are now striving to car ry me election in meir respective districts. An active campaign is being waged in the interest of the new county, and those at the head of the movement are confident of securing the necessary two-thirds vote at the election on the 15tn of next month. * * r. Order for Receivers Revoked. In the United States circuit court at Richmond, Va., Judge Simonton dismissed the receiver appointed for the Olympia cotton mills in Columbia, a | $2,500,000 corporation, and disolved the injunction that had been granted. The receivers were appointed in the ! suit of Leonard Phinizy against the | mills, but on a further bearing Judge j Simonton reversed his action, j This left the mills to carry out ! their plan of reorganization. Judge Simonton had granted an 1 order filed by Leonard Phinizy and A. I S. Hull, of Augusta, Ga., appointing | W. A. Clark and A. J. Creen, of Columbia, temporary receivers for the 'mills, under a bond of $2,500 each. J the order being made returnable on | November 30. The complaint was a very long doci ument, citing the charter under which j the Olympia cotton mills were estab[ lished and specifying numerouus rea| sons of a technical nature why .the I prayers of the petitioners should not ! be cranted. The Olympia mill is one of the lavgj est in the south, and is said to be i the biggest cotton factory under one | roof in America. * ? To Reorganize Cotton Mill. The plan for the reorganization of the Olympia, Gramby and Richland cotton mills of Columbia was approced eat recent meetings 01 stockholdi ers of the mills by almost unanimous votes, and the three mortgages to secure bonds on the three mills, aggregating $3,000,000, were authorized, executed and recorded. New boards of directors were formed consisting of Stephen A. Jenks, of Pawtucket, R. I.; George A. Draper, ot Hopedale, Mass.: R. P. Smelling, of New York city; H. C. Fleitmann, of New York city; Francis K. Carey, ot Baltimore; Lewis W. Parket. of Greenville. S. C.; R. Goodwin Rhetr, of Charleston, S C., and W. B. Smith Whaley and W. M. H. Lyles, of Co5umbia. The board organized by electing to.. Parker aa temporary president; Mr. I Fleietman as vice president,- and Mes! firs. IWppIpq Rr>h"prf Kr Cn accountants, of New York, comptrollers. An executive committee was formed consisting of Mr. Parker, Mr. Carey and Mr. R. F. Herrick, of Eoston, who will supervise the CT-tribution of bond issues among the creditors as soon as the various claims are audited. The greatest satisfaction is expressed throughout the state at the suecessiui outcome oi the reorganization plan, and it is generally believed that the three mills, which are in fine physical condition, will be put at once on a strong business foundation. PROVIDES FOR INQUIRY. Representative Dick, of Ofiio, Introduces Resolution Touching disfranchisement in South. A Washington special ?ays: Because of his intimacy with Senator Uonno Tr-Vn-k regards him as his right lieUiiiU, ?' ? ~0 ' _ hana man, Representative Dick, of Ohio, has secured especial attention for the joint resolution he introduced in the house Friday, providing for an inquiry into the alleged disfranchisement of voters in the southern states, with a view to decreasing the representation in congress of those states which may Jiave taken such action. Attention is called in the resolution to the alleged fact that it is a matter of common information and belief that the rights of some male citizens to vote at elections at which they are given the right to vote by the constitution is denied and abridged in certain states. The text of the resolution follows: "Whereas, It is a matter of common information and belief that the right of some male citizen, being 21' years of age, to vote at an election named in said amendment to the constitution, except for participation in the rebellion or other crime, is denied and abridged in certain states; therefore, "Resolved, That the matter be re| ferred to the committee on election of the president, vice president and representatives in congress, whose duty it shall be and who shall-have full and ample power to investigate and inquire into the validity of the election laws of the several states and the manner of their enforcement, and whether the right to vote at any election for the choice of electors for president and vice president of the United States, representatives in congress or the members of the legislature of any state is denied to the male inhabitants of any of the state, 2- years of age and a citizen of the United States, except for participation in the rebellion or other crime. Said committee shall have power to subpoena and examine witnesses under oath and send for records and other evidence that may be necessary for a full and complete investigation of the several subjedts herein mentioned, and it shall be authorized to put under the sessions of the house and to have such printing and binding done as it shall deem necessary and it ?hall make full report to the house of the result of the investigation at as early a date as possible." The resolution was referred to the committee on rules. DEMOCRATS IN CAUCUS. Minority in Congress Pledge to Support the Cuban Reciprocity Bill. A Washington dispatch says: After discussing the Cuban reciprocity measure for three hours in caucus I Saturday night, the democratic members of the house of representatives agreed to a resolution, by a vote of 35 to 15, pledging themselves to support the bill, after efforts have been made to secure amendments abolishing the differential on refined sugar and eliminating the five-year clause in the treaty. The opposition to this action came from the members from Louisiana, Texas and California. The three democratic members from the latter state said they would not vote for the measure under and circumstances, but it is understood that the action of tne caucus win De tuuaiucicu w*? ing. A HOLD-UP IN AFRICA. Two Robbers Loot Treasure Car and Secure Sum of $50,000. A special dispatch from Pretoria, South Africa, says: Two men boarded a railway train as it was ascending a steep grade between Pietersburg and Nylstroom, overpowered the guard,, looted the treasure car and made their escape. The robbers, it is reported, secured $50,000, which was consigned to the Standard bank at Pretoria. : TO BAR BLACK VOTE I i" 5 j Georgian Introduces Disfranchising Measure in House. i CUBAN BILL IS TAKEN UP s; ! s i Rule Adopted by Republican Majority Limiting Debate and Cutting* Off Privilege of Amendmehts. * Early Vote Assured. I ? ! A Washington special says: In the house, Monday, Congressman Hard* wick, of Georgia, introduced his bill proposing the repeal of the fifteenth i amendment to the constitution of the i United States and another proposing | a modificaion of tSe fourteenth J amendment. i Both bills are designed to take the | ballot from the negro; the first seeki ing to repeal the constitutional act which bestowed that ballot, and the second providing that the south's representation in congress shall not be cut down when the negro loses his , vote. Mr. Hardwick wants the question of revoking the negro ballot submitted ~ ' j to the legislatures of the various states, as the law requires three! fourths of said legislatures to ratify a j change in the constitution before It i can become effective. ! These bills are In keeping with the J/%* i promises Hardwick made in the cam! paign by which he was elected to con- * :' j gress, and he has lost no time in keep- |jj : ing his promise to his constituents. j He says he is prepared to fight for j the bills when the proper time cbmes i for their consideration. /'Jf His movement is of particular in- _.? terest to the south at this time, since Representatives Crumpacker, of InSi- W4 ana, and Dick, of Ohio, have both put * in measures seeding to cut down the scuth's representation. It is likely '-*5 that all the bills relating to the south- ; ? ern election laws will be considered together, and Mr. Hardwick will have a chance to meet his opponents at ^ close quarters in the fight. Cuban Bill Up in House. The house began the consideration of the Cuban reciprocity bill Monday. Mr. Dalzell, republican, of fennsylva- *v,: : nia, reported a resolution providing i that the bill reported from the ways r. | and means committee should he con- % \ | sidered to the exclusion of all other , I business until 4 o'clock Thursday, ' i | when a vote will be taken without \ ; intervening motion. | Mr. Williams, democrat, of Missisj sippl, speaking for the minority in op- ; . | position to the rule, declared it was ; about the mot drastic rule ever intro-, ! duced in4the house, saying it shut off I all right to perfect the bilk He said that the minority desired to offer an i amendment which proposed to strike 4*| out the "double-barreled pledge" con- r--J\ j tained in the bill. * ! Mr. Dalzell, replying to the Charge , I that the rule was a most drastic meas- *3 ure, reverted to the time when the . j Wilson bill was pendii/g, Mr. Crisp ^ j being speaker, saying that the com- ; i mended the minority to a study of J j their own parliamentary history. Mr. Grosvenor, pf Ohio, said the mi- % [ nority wanted to mutilate the bill and I say it is a child of theirs, but, he said, "we don't want a child of that kind born in this house.'* The rule was then adopted. A minority report setting forth the . * ; views of Messrs. ;Williams, of Missis- 4^ "' ! sippi; Swanson, of Virginia; McClel- ' i lan, of New York, and Clark, of Mis: souri, was filed ! Mr. Cooper, of Texas, also a mem- y! ber of the minority on the ways and ' \ means committee, presented a lengthy | report, condemning the Cuban treaty i 9- ? a. J in icio. \ ' Protests Against Smoot. ;i When the senate convened Monday 1 several petitions protesting . >gainst ! Senator Smoot. retaining his seat 1 : were presented and referred to the S committee on privileges and elections. ? At 1:10 the senate ttent into execu- |' tive session, and at 1:30 adjourned. . FREEDOM NEAR FOR CARTER. | On November 28 Convict Captain Will .1 be Released from Prison After having served a little over |1 four years in the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., for the embezzlement of government funds, Cap-r*i? tain Oberlin M. Carter, formerly an Im engineer officer of the army, will walfc ij forth from that institution on Novem- S ber 28th a free man. I i-ruiu reyuns received jz appears * <1 that upon being released from prison I Carter will attempt to regain the 1 money seized by the government and l a come east to engage in business | JUDGE GRAY IN DEMAND. J San Domingo Names Delaware Jurist 1 to Serve as Arbitrator. -^B Minister Powell has informed the y 9 state department that the government M of San Domingo has agreed upon 9 Judge George Gray, of Delaware, and JBj Senor Calvan, a prominent San Do- ^ B mingoan, as arbitrators) in the dispute between that government and B the San Domingo Improvement Com