Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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? |/ , Old Bill's Gift i Bo Qctavia Roberts r \. % (Copyright by Western Newspaper Union.)! Bill, more familiarly "Old Bill"?he; had never been known to mention s; family name-looked around his; *haven of holiday comfort," as he i . termed it, with a chuckle of supreme j , satisfaction. j "It's greatI" he gloated, "with only! V ; j one thing missing?a Christmas tree.': j , 1 Bill was a character. The towns-' people designated him a tramp. Some- j , how, however, the appellation did notj ; fee seem to fit. He did not drink nor; , I swear. He did not beg. His willing j i ways had made him popular, and when 1 i Bill was "down on his luck" and passed a doorway hungry-looking, his ( wants were generally provided for un; solicited. 1 It was the day before Christmas. Be- , hind the patient gleam in "Old Bill's" . eyes lurked some sentiment of memory j P that impelled him to celebrate. This especial year he had been preparing for fe: the event with the eager ardor of a } Wi school boy. Bill had made no confl- ^ dants. Quietly and enjoyably he had ; m i 1 & j laid his plans. 11 These were now ] discovered an old , a*)an(*one<* t)arn 1 town limits. The ] r lower part had < lost doors and windows and was bleak and cheerless indeed. A rickety : stairs, however, led to a room in one ] corner of the loft. It was cozy and j warm and at one time had been a har- j ness room. Here Bill had "camped." 1 He had fished out an old oil stove, a cot, a table and chair from the town ; dumping heap. < : A particular housewife had presented him with a roasted chicken because one side was slightly Charred. On the rude table beside it were half a dozen homemade doughnuts and & real mince pie. . Bill took a last look at the goodly array of comfort then went out to seek a branch of arbo* vitae which would .serve as a Christmas tree. As he neared the barn on his return he carne^to a speedy halt, i A light glowed over at one corner of the place, ft proceeded from a lantern 1 set in the feed box of^a manger. In the mahger itself across the stale hay i ft contained a blanket was spread, j and, swathed in coverings upon this, i I as revealed by the lantern rays, lay a 1 . little sleeping babe. Near by a serious-faced man was i shaking the snow from bis shoulders. ] Beside him, seated on an ojd suitcase, i was a comely but care-worn woman. The man began to speak. Bill, agape, drew into the shadow and listened. It ] was to hear enough to learn that bad ] luck was driving these homeless ones 1 ' from their former . i borne, penniless, t gr-ra foot, to the fa- , ther of the wife, < : * ten miles further ] I y on. The storm had , f 1 driven them to temporary shelter. 1 The husband and father had ?" ^ j taken a well- *( -* i thumbed volume ] from his pocket 1 'He began reading aloud. It was of , : -%n upper room/' of a master and his < W_ Moved disciples, of a supper never to be forgotten in the memory of man- Bill stood like one transfixed. What r tender chord had been struck that .he ( 'closed his eyes! He was back forty ^ |iij years in memory, at his mother's knee. , , How vivid, how appealing?a picture ( lipf she had shown him of the Christ-child ?Cf; in a manger, of the devoted father and : llpF'y mother, as here before him, a prototype of that holy eve so real, so touch- < II'..''* ing?the First Christmas! < MZ:'-': ' A mighty thought-moved him as he quietly spoke: |fe: ' "Friend, upstairs you will find com^ ' fort till the storm is over. Call it a Christmas greeting?see?" and was i m;:. ; gone. Til strike out for Farmer Dale's gfe'v ' haymow," shivered Bill, after half an ; hour's desultory wandering, and he p turned about?to start, to shout out, gp and then to rqn. For there in the distance the fa- ' miliar farmhouse showed no illumination within, but beyond it a glard shot v up?a haystack on fire! Bill reached the farmyard. The wind had blown the flames against one gable of the house and it was burn;r ing. He ran to the stable for a pitch* fork. Then began a fierce battle. Bucket after bucket of water he car-/ ried/ The last spark was dashed out, and Bill sank exhausted to the ground as the farmer and his family, visiting at a neighbor's ana attracted by the blaze, came rushing upon the scene. "Yes," declared Farmer Dale, two hours later, as he showed Bill up tne stairs and into a comfortable'chamber, "this is your room, and you will sleep here, and you're a free boarder long as *; ' you like, understand? Why, there'd be no house to sleep in if it wasn't for % you!" Old Bill was a long time getting into bed. Like to a child he sank into a peaceful slumber, his softened spirit in radiant dreams wandering through that "upper room" filled with the souls of thorr. however humble, who had helped to make true "Peace on earth Bjl'* good will to men." fe;" m- 1 fe/ - - > ' - \ jgj&&" - - " > $/'. - V V -V : >>*t > v , -v > - * . .. - Under- the Mistletoe Bu M. P. Hcatherinaton (Copyright by Western Newspaper Union.) It was an ideal Yuletide. The sweet notes of church chimes throbbing out melodiously, "Peace on earth, good will to men." announced it: laughter, smiles, gay greetings among the street crowds emphasized it. Two men going in the same direction, Btrangers one to the other, yet oddly mutually involved in a fateful circumstance of the hour, unconsciously lessened their gait to catch the final notes from the distant belfry. He in advance, swarthy, evil-eyed, bearing a neatly covered box under his arm, uttered an ugly, sinister chuckle. "Before that hour strikes again? this!" he hissed malevolently rather than uttered, and he tapped the- box and strode on, grim with some profound purpose, The man ten paces behind him, poung, handsome, neat, but none too fashionably clad, carried a thin, square package suggesting a canvas,# for his was an artist's face, and he was an artist?Chase Merwyn. ? Had he spoken his heart's thought tie would have whispered softly: "Before this hour strikes again I Bhall have said good-by to all I love." He of the sinister semblance strode on and turned into a fashionable resilience thoroughfare. Unconsciously like a shadow, the other kept almost even pace with him. Under an arc lamo Chase Merwyn paused to look over the package he carried. His objective point was a mansion, a dazzling place of light and luxury, and before it the sinister-looking man had baited a poorly-dressed fellow struggling along without an overcoat, and blue and pinched with the cold. The twain were conversing and ^he man with the box handed it to the other, pointed to the doorway of the i i. mansion- and I _ff^' passed on. His messenger proAJrak f ceeded .up the! steps, which Mer- ! wyn mounted also. jBB It was in time to s e e a s^ryant MBgM open the door and i fit |ffl to hear the oth^r | i ? Mr. Worthington; to be opened tomorrow." "Oh, of course that," smiled the servant, taking the box* "I will place it with the other gifts. Ah, Mr. Mer vyn," and the servant stepped aside to admit him. "For Miss Worthington," said Merwyn, handing his gift to the other. His gift was a picture he had painted, md with it was a letter. ******* * Slowly Merwyn descended the steps.v I He paused for a few moments on the pavement to take a last look at the lome that held so much for him. A j slinking figure approached him from j :he shadows. "Mister," he stammered, "I'm poor md I need the gold coin a man gave me for delivering a box to that house :onight, but?" "Ah, I rememberV* observed Mervryn, recalling man and circumstance. "A gold coin is so rare for a trifling 3ervice," resumed the other, "that I ?ras suspicious. Then again I didn't [ike the face of the man who gave it to me; I followed him. He met some others like himself. I heard him laugh aver an explosion about midnight" "Great heavens!" ejaculated Mer-j wyn, comprehending, and was up the Bteps in a flash. il "Quick!1 Quick? open!" he cried to (fi the servant, just setting the chain on the inside. .<9T ^ ' "The music room!" uttered ' .) >Jv Merwyn excitedly //ffl 4 /A and hurried thith- (/d[ Xf> er, turned on the tight switch and y/?7/^/ made a dash for "' ' the table. He remembered the shape and size of the box. His eyes made out one corresponding to it. Merwyn gave it a fling through the window, there was a flash, and outside a detonation that shook the house. Some flying object thudded against his head and he fell to the floor. It was Christmas day when he opened his eyes. He lay upon a couch pulled directly under the chandelier. Daylight was streaming into the room. The wrecked window frame was barricaded. His head was bandaged, and seated at a little distance was Esther. "Oh, I am so glad!" she cried as she noticed that his eyes had opened. "The surgeon has just left, and papa? he says you saved us all and that you are a hero! And the beautiful picture you intended for me?it was riddled with window glass, but?I found the letter. Why did you write so sadly?" "Because?because I feared to write all the truth," Merwyn confessed. "The man who warned you told us enough to have us guess the truth," spoke Ethel, confusedly changing the subject, and then she followed the glance of IvIerwydL His eyes rested on the mistletoe right over his head. " W iiy IH1S IS uunsmias muiiuug, sure enough." fiuttere.d Esther, "and we are the first?" "Ethel," spoke Merwyn irresistibly, "I love you!" His arms were lifted towards her and a world of pleading was in his loreyes. She did not hesitate. Their Hps met that strangely- beautiful Christmas morn?under the mistletoe. i . I DON'T BE MISLED | I Bamberg Citizens Should Read and ^ Heed This Advice. I i $ Kidney trouble is dangerous andjjj] ! often ratal. fjj | Don't experiment with something new and untried. p/ Used a tested kidney remedy. j| Beg.n with Doan's Kidney Pills. Used in kidney troubles 50 years. Recommended here and everywhere, j ^ A Dnm krt??iT niiifTAn'c! cfritamont ! A DaiilUCXg Ui H^CU O O lULULUCii L '/J forms convincing proof. S1 It's local testimony?it can be in- pj vestigated. j| Mrs. A. D. Jordan, Bridge St., Bam- ra berg, says: "I bad pains in my back $ and dizzy spells at times. In tbe morn* 01 Ing when I got up I was sore and stiff, fg 1 was bothered by excess uric acid in ft my system and rheumatic pains. 1 U used Doan's Kidney rills with' gooa [ii results, and don't hesitate to recommend them." , jn Price 50c, at all dealers. Don't sim- | Is ply. ask for a kidney remedy?get S ujc scan's K.d :e. hills?the same thai gi Mrs. Jordan had. Foster-Mil burn Co., m Props., Buffalo, N. Y. fij t BIDS WANTED. |g Notice is hereby given that the & Bamberg'County Dispensary Board jg will receive sealed bids for the sale fe of the articles below mentioned. Bids @ to be opened on December 15th, when j| sale will be awarded to the highest 8] responsible bidder: 0' At the office of the Bamberg Coun- j? ty Dispensary Board, Bamberg, S. C.: ? 1 Iron Safe. 0' 1 Remington Typewriter. j| 1 Burroughs Adding Machine. v) 1 Oak Table. 0< 1 Oak Desk. 7 Chairs. 8j 1 Letter Press. 0' At the Bamberg dispensary: jg 2 Ice Boxes. - At the Denmark dispensary: & 1 Ice Box. |S At the Olar dispensary: 8! 1 Ice Box. 0' A x i L a v?L a M/1 4> Al nit; XLixiiuai ut uiopciioax j . ^ v-> 2 Ice Boxes. Bj Bids will also be received for the SJ sale of 1 block and tackle. IS BAMBERG COUNTY DIS. BD., 0 J. S. Walker, Clerk. ? Gin Days | SATURMHINLY f The Cotton 03 Co. 1 ks RILEY & COPELAND I Successors to W. P. Riley. IS Fire, Life s Accident | INSURANCE 8 Office in J. D. Copeland's Store |j BAMBERG. S. C. | I Best material and workman- I i ship, light running, requires I n little power; simple, easy to I | handle. Are made in several I 38 sizes and are good, substantial I Pj money-making machines down I S to the smallest size. Write for I g) catolog showing Engines, Boil- I gjj ers and all Saw Mill supplies. I j| . LOMBARD IRON WORKS & 8 | I SUPPLY CO. E S I 11 Augusta, Ga. [g FRANCIS F. CARROLL I Attorney-at-Law 1 Otap Rnmhfire' Raitkins Co. k GENERAL PRACTICE. | BAMBERG, S. C. | CHICHESTER S PILLS I THE DIA IiHA.NI). A K Lndlc?! As>* vo?tr !*rucrc?i?t for/A (k ? jk\ {L si Clil-cbes-ter e t Tirund/> A \ IMils in Kcd anil lioid nictaliic \\r/ 5s boxes, scaled "R-.Ji I . .a Ril/ion. fj\ ' W k'] Tal?o no other. II,?v of your * \V\ t ~ (Tf Hruc-lht. As', fori lii-^'fi'S-TEE S ft W J/ IHAilONH V.IlA>:n 8?ILLS, for 25 2VC* " J3 yearskr.ovujis licit, Saic^t, AlwaysReliable jf) r SOLO BV DRUGGIST" FV'EBVWHERF . | Dr. THOMAS BLACK, JR. $ DENTAL SURGEON. ? ST< Graduate Denial Department UnJ- g) versity of Maryland. Member S. C. tfjj Ctoto l^on + ol Acenmotinn r uiatc iui rxtjuwAuwAwu* .. | Office opposite new post office and j$ over office Graham & Black. Office to hours, 8 30 a. m. to 5.30 p. m. m BAMBERG, S. C. & ft Whenever You Need a General Tonic % Take Grove's jjj! The Old Standard' Grove's Tasteless |! chill Tonic is equally valuable as a pj 1 General Tonic because it contains the a . well known tonic properties of QUININE p! : and IRON. It acts on the Liver, Drives |? | out Malaria, Enriches the Blood and > Builds up the Whole System. 50 certs. , - ?? I J. P. Carter B. 1). Carter 1 pf r?AT?T-p-p Sr. nAPTTlR m vrxxv x \xi vamaua* | Attorneys-at-Law f GENERAL PRACTICE || BAMBERG. S. C. !| I I wmmmmmmmmm?m ANOTl 1 L I J 1 ? I W \ j Received L /EH j Morning 1 1. Hi J THIS IS THE SEC< | MU | WE HAVE RECEIVED T] I THESE Ml I rvTO k rnni I JlAIAA UVUI y because they have not re | ' freight shipments receive. | . jured in the least. I WE L i1 1 J i COME IN T I k We also have a nice line oi 1 Harness, Lap Robes, Whip wj I styles in Buggies and Han P can meet your requirements | are. We have the styles. ' I see us; you are always welc i: i ________ 1 i | . BAMBERG, SO' i 1 ????? ? . >- V-* ^ jSSJes ts^Sisa i feScSs^ ^ - / *! . 1 I ast Saturday I jy Express r ; DND SHIPMENT OF | 1' 17 C 1 r. .S I SIS SEASON BT EXPRESS. I JLES ARE IN I ? CONDITION ( ceived the rought treatment Ij Not one in the entire lot in ,EAD! | '0 SEE THEM 8 | : Buggies, Carriages, Wagons, || s, etc. We have a number of less, and we feel sure that we ;, no matter how exacting they || The prices are right. Come to M :ome. j ||j HH % UTH CAROLINA. l:j;p WMMWMWMWMI^WMWMWMWmm ' ' ' *