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T ,.i- ? ?- * *ir, 4 - #, ., VOL. V. N0.- 3?. CAMDEN, &. C., THURSDAY, OCTOBER* 8, 1908. ???n?T-M???i?? - *" ? ? - t. Sl.SOPer Year CHAPTER Yh ? Continued. - U tu nil Terjr wall aaklng Arthur to come nd act them nil to rights, but lot till they warn 'together did Toln reallxe the impossibility of her ??eheme. In her simplicity nnd utter ? Ignorance of nil aueh matters, ahe fancied Arthur had only to go etrnight to Colonel Curtla nnd tell him thnt Jnnet loved him, nnd that ho muat coma back and find their father In n favorable frams of mind; but when Arthur explained to her how entirely out of the'question such n proceeding would he, she shook her head sorrowfully and thought what -an artificial world It was. The only thing Arthur thought he could do ? Tea to call on Colonel Curtla aa If he knew nothing about anything, and then. If he wished to do eo, he might take the Initiative. Arthur's visit to the Orange turned out an unlooked-for success.? Colonel Curtla received him not only with pleasure, but with eagerness; this one brother ho had always cordially liked, and he was unfeignedly glad to see him. They talked of all sorts of Indifferent subjects until, with rather n sinking heart, Arthur-began to take leave, when Colonel Curtis caught down his hat to accompany him homewards. The open air gave him courage, and quite suddenly he began ehowing, as he told the story of his rejection, such an amount of trouble, pain and mortification, that Arthur Was compelled to perceive that his father hud been even more hasty and underemonious than Tola had told him; and he felt a little embarrassed aa to what he should say. Then his frank and simplo nature put it into hla head to place it all openly before hla companion. He spoke of his fath er's difficulties, of the Irritability al most Inevitably produced by cease less worries. Colonel Curtis, appar ently, was too much hurt to respond at once. At last, after a Rood deal of round about talking, Colonel Curtis came to the point. "WeH.Denstone," he said, "you see I cannot help feeling mortifled at having been sent about my business In so aumniary a manner; you see that now, don't you?" "Yes," said Arthur slowly, "of coursa I 833 It. It was awfully un lucky, but " "You have said quite enough," said Colonel Curtis, rather loftily. "Of course, I can mako allowances, and as 3'ou have given mo this opportunity of talking It over with you I must eon feg^ that my feelings towards your alster are in no way changed by what has occurred, and if you will guar antee me a more favorable recaption J should like to renew my suit." "I am very sorry It should have happened," said Arthur, cordially; "and I am sure that no one would be moro sorry than my father to think that he had given you pain." "Really, people ahould be a little Careful what they say."* "Of course they should," assented Arthur, thinking how very difficult It was to smooth such ruffiad plumes. "Well, then, let us arrange a time." Colonel Curtis looked at his watch. ?There Is time now," he said, with the first eager look Arthur had seen on his face. "I should like to be re lieved from my suspense." And these words reassured Arthur, as he perceived that the gallant gen tleman's self-confidence was shaken, and that he watf not so perfectly aura pf Janet as he had bean before. "Not now," he said, decidedly. ?I ahould like to speak to my fathar first. Corns to-morrow." "I will be vlth you at 10, Thank you, Arthur. Indeed, you have acted the pa^t of a true friend. NI could not have stood repeating what had occurred to any one but yourself, Good-by till to-morrow at 10," and Colonel Curtis went off quite lightly and gaily. Arthur returned home In a similar state of mind and had a private con aultatlon with Tola at to how to ar range to-morrow's visit of the Colonel no that Hiere should be no hitches. It was of nerd that Mr. Denstone was to be kept in good humor and the children hidden out of sight. This was so successfully done that by the evening of the next day Janet was betrothed to Colonel Curtis with her father's full consent. CHAPTER VII. Tt was curly spring when old Mon ?leur Rlgaud once more returned to the longed-for repose of what he called hie second life. The country round about the little town of Qoucy was thickly wooded. There were large forests In which even now men hunt wolves, and charcoal burners' huts were often for miles the only eigne of human habitation. Monsieur Rlgaud still clung to the belief that OouCy remained altogether un changed by the waves of civilisation which pasted over the world i but the railway bid reached It, and a new ?park oolite had rekindled In the little plctnrcsque ola town; but civ ilisation 4fca*ttnot yet destroyed Its beauty. * ?{ Monsieur' Rlgaud gave a sigh of satisfaction u he concluded his bar* sain with a dilapidated old cart, the poorest and consequently the cheap eet he eonld Had, and pro ceded to drive out to lfon Repos. The dis tance was about three iatiee, the road passing through the town and finally plunging quite Into the forest coun try. Monsieur Rlgaud had certainly chosen s solitary spot for his repose. Mon Repos was.a large house; et some .long-forgotten period It might hare been a fine old chsteau. There was a centre building, with two pro jecting wings, the sp&6e forming s small pared courtyard, bounded by a stone parapet and Iron gates. It WAamossgrown and untidy, and dec orated by strings on which flapped ancient clothes to dry. The house had slate roofs rising to an enormous height. In front it faced the road, or /rather cart track, which determined there, and a wide green or small field, evidently a clearing, stretched to the edge of the forest, a distance of perhaps a quarter of a mile. Be hind the old chateau there was a gar don, surrounded by high stone walls. In to direction was there any sign of other habitation. "At home again! Safe again!n said tho old miser as he crossed the* threshold. "Come, coma, Battiste, Nanon, are you not glad to see your old master back again, safe from the dangers of the evil world?" "Monsieur is welcome, doubly wel come!" said old Battiste. rubbing his stiff hands. "Monsieur has been a long time away." ? "Yes, a long tlm?; and no changes have taken place, eh?" "What changes should there be?" said the old eervant. "Do stones change? The only change I see is in Monsieur himself." "I?" very hastily. "In what way?" "We all get older," said Nanon. "Monsieur looks much older than he did." "Bah!" said Monsieur Rlgaud. "That is the wear and tear of life. I come here to get young again; ono goes back centuries here; one fossil izes. It is good to be a fossil." "Monsieur has but to consult his own wishes," said Battiste. "What will he eat?" "Eggs, Battiste, eggs! Eggs cost nothing, they are nourishing, they taste of the sweet, fresh country, and the food that costs nothing nourishes you doubly." "I go to prepare them," said Bat tiste, hurrying out. Whilo he was preparing his mas ter's frugal cupper, Nanon stood about hesitatingly; then making up her mind she said quickly; "Has Monsieur seen not demoi selle?" ?"Not this time, Nanon. She lives soma way off. My business did not take mo there; but she Is well, she grows up. Ha! What aro you doing with that?" he shouted, as old Nanon moved aside the black leather case he had under his feet. "Leave it alone, I say! How dare you touch it?" His face was quite livid with anger. Nanon looked at him with amaze ment. "Dame! Monsieur quite frightened me!" sbe exclaimed. "There, take the old box; but I thought Monsieur would like to drftw up to the table." "Bring the table to me" he ?narled. She obeyed, and seeing it was no time to pursue her questions, she be gan to lay a clean napkin on the table for his meal. "Will Monsieur have wine or cider?" tho said. "What Is the price of the cider now?" ? "Three sous, Monsieur; that Is tho price," said Nanon, smoothing the napkin. r "Then get me a litre of cider. And stay. Were my directions about that door carried out?" "Yes, Monsieur, to the letter. My brother-in-law himself did It, and they laughed over it, I can tell you." "Laughed? What did the fools find to laugh at?" "Dame! Monsieur. At such pre cautions against thieves, when there Is nothing to steal." "Ha! Ha!" chuckled old Monsieur Rlgaud. "Nothing to lose. Yes, yes they are right there; but, after all', everyone values his own life, and mine Is a valuable life. I would not lose It lightly." 44It would hardly be worth anyone's while to attempt It, Monsieur,'' said Nanon. 44HowT Not worth while?" ? Not worth .the galleys, eh? Eah! These precautions hare cost money, and for what? Monsieur la as safe at Mon Repos as the tower o( Notre Dame." "They have cost money, eh?" said Monsieur Rlgaud, uneasily. MHow much?" 441 cannot say; hut one cannot hate double doors of the best vood, with new locks, for nothing, to one's room." 44And the dog? Hare you bought the dog?" "Bnttlste has seen a dog that he thinks would suit Monsieur, but It Is dear, It Is three francs; but Dattlste | tfelnks he could get It for two-Aft?> Om f|? ?U?r ha?l, 1 eu Uvt t poppy froia Gooey for Mtklag. it will grow bis ?ai Mora ft lo grown Monsieur will bo con vinced thata nil to eate with open Aoors wh?L poverty to ae well known j as it to with us." "How old to the poppy lor noth ing? "It opou Its ores. Monsieur.* " "Bah! What to the ose of that? And the other!" "A villainous' brute. Monsieur; large, fierce, chop, as It has loot one | eye, but oarage as a wild beast, and accustomed to starre; so wo need not spend much on his hoop." "Tell Batttste T will hare him, at two-fifty, mind; not a centime more." "He will be the terror of our lives. Monsieur," eald Kanon. "I always bated doge, and this one is danger ous, ufcry." "But be will be always fastened up. Ton do not suppose that 1 ahould letj him Tbosa about looae? Ho will be chained to my door." Nanon went away muttering. "Monsieur thinks more about his precious old- life than anybody else does. Va!" CHAPTER VIII One morning, a day or two after Monsieur Rigaud'e arrival, as he was sitting over his scanty mid-day break fast. old Battiste brought him a card on which was written. In peu and ink, "Paul Rlgaud*Leduc." The per spiration rose to his brow. What was this? Had this nephew, of whose ex istence he had only. Just heard, found him ont and come to prey upon him? "Tell him to go away,* he said, querulously. "I know nothing of him. He Is a stranger, and I hate strangers." "He is Monsieur's own nephew," said Battiste, earnestly. "If only Monsieur would sea him! ' Surely he would not send awy Mademoiselle Louise's only child." "Mademoiselle Louise Is dead, and Antoine Leduc is dead. They are all dead of my generation. Send him away, I Bay." At this moment, a fierce bark and snarl from the dog chained to the doors of Monsieur Rigaud's private room inade Itself heard. Monsieur Rigaud almost screamed with im patience. "He Is trying to penetrate by force! 8end him away, I say. I will have no strangers here." Battiste went away slowly. The young visitor who had sent In his name as Paul Leduc was leaning against the doorway, irritating with the point of his cane the snarling dog. He must have heard every word of the conversation from the dining room, but when Battiste told him that Monsieur Rigaud was indisposed, and did not receive,-he made no re mark, only thrust a napoleon into Bsttlste's hand and turned to go. Battiste looked at the gold and then at the departing figure with an air of stupefaction. Such a thing had never happened to him in his life be fore. It must be a mistake. The old man was honest. Monsieur Leduc was not yet out of sight. He was hobbling ftwirtly after him, his feeble cries of "Monsieur! * But Monsieur, then!" drowned by the frantic bark ing of the dog, whi(> flung itself baokward and forward ou Its chain, ^grinding bis teeth and tearing at the obstacle which prevented it from springing st the throat pt the visitor. ISib young man heard nothing till he was some war* along the road, when the panting old servant sue* ceeded in overtaking him, and, to en forca his attention, held him tight by the lapel of his coat while he re gained his breath, "Well?" eald Monsieur' Ledue, rather Impatiently, "what Is It all about?" "Monsieur has made a mistake," ?aid Battlste, holding out the napo leon,* ''Doubtless Monsieur thought it was a frano. It was a mistake." "It was no mistake." said Monsieur Leiluc, leaning against a tree and folding his arms. "After all, I have no relations left In the wide world. This Is a sad position. Is it notT I am aware from my mother's dying words that she had a brother. I seek him out, I am repulsed, as you see; why, I cannot conceive, X ask nothing of him. A Leduc comes not as a beggar. On the contrary, the apparent want and poverty of my uncle's surround ings strike me so forcibly that I hare even felt that I might claim the privi lege of a son to help In money mat ters, my purse and my heart alike at his service; but I resign myself, and go hence as lonely as I camo. At least 1 may offer a small gift to an old servant who has doubtless known my mother." Ho spoke with a strango sort of open frankness. Battlste was touched to the heart. "Know Mademoiselle Louise? Heaven rest her soul! Have not these artts carried her a hundred times, a prattling Infant? Did I not teach her to ride and drive the old pony? Did I not tame rabbits for her, and feed her chlokens, and wait on her till she went away and the old people died, and we entered upon a new state of things?" "Ah," said Paul Leduc, thought fully, "she was a beautiful rider." "There," exclaimed the old man, "I knew she would become so! Here they laughed at me, for ehe never could keep her seat, and was too frightened to trot; but It was all want of practice, see???" "I must go," said the yoflnt man, suddenly, "for I must catch the even ing train." "You leave already? Ah! Damet* To be Continued. The eyeball of the mole can be projected forwarj several times Its own diameter, and retracted. OUR. SCHOOLS i* Pmmt. Vxuuat H. Sasu. VMTMritrct BwUl CwfcUn*. row. Too Many Little Half?Supported 8ehools.?8ooner or later {our people are fotnf to have mora comfortable and commodious school boose*. Be fore the people pot thefr money into permanent improvements,' would it not be wise to red nee the number o? achools in a great many plaeeaf A good four-room house cos]y less than four one-room huoses of equal com fort and convenience. .Sixty pupils in one building can be better taught and more eadUy taught than fifteen pupils esch in four buildings. A four-teacher school will flourish where four one-teacher schools would struggle to keep slive. In more then hslf the counties in the State are to be found dozens of schools with 10 and 12 'pupils each. Not many weeks sgo I vieted a ruial school .with an enrollment of 11 pu pils; three miles off was another school with 13 pupils, and in another direction was a third scuool with 14 pupils. The three teachers were paid $35 each; each school house was cheap and ill equipped. In some districts six miles square are to be found maqy as three white schools, each with a small number of pupils scar tered from first reader high school grades. A Rood many of the incor porated villages have school districts co-extenuive with the incorporate lim its. An accurate school district map of the State would look very much like a crazy quilt. What is the remedy! Take the three schools cited above. Build a omfortable two-room house at a cen tral point, and give the entire 33 pupils to two teachers. Each pupil would then have his recitation time doubled, for there would be in the consolidated school more grades, or classes, than there were in the most advanced of the three little schools. I am at onee reminded that some of these children would have too far tn walk. (It is marvelous how much trouble a father who walked four miles to school and brags aboti:, makes over his child's walking one mile.) I grant that the consolidation puts the school too far for some to j walk. What thent Take part of th* money to transport these to the school. Prof. W. K. iTate of the Meminger Normal school, says, "It is better snd cheaper to transport the distant children to the good school than to bring a poor school to the diatanet ehiUssai**" "Pes, .ana good] school is immeasurably better thun three inferior schools. The transportation of distant pu pils is no new fad. 8everal years ago the EastoVer district in Rich land eonnty threw five schools into one. The district runs four wagon ettes, made for the purpose, to haul the* distant children. Another in stance: Three adjoining districts in Fairfield county, with a combined en rollment of 60 pupils, have consoli dated their schools at Bethel, have erected a $2,600 school house nnd niv transporting all the children who live too far to walk. This consolidation gives the school enotgh pupils to n tablish a rural high school, with $30C of State aid. State Superintendents McMahan | and Martain have zealously advocat ed the consolidation of small schools.! Such a policy would encourage the building of better roads, while the transportation itself would protecr the children in bad weather, and would protect the small children 4nd the girls from insults or violence the hsnds of tramps or thugs on the lonely country roads. Neighborhood Jealousies and Quar rels.?These twin evils have done more to prevent and to destroy th: efficiency of the common schools thn\i any other two agenoiea in the land. It is difficult enough to maintain a good school where everybody works in harmony, and it is well nigh impossi ble where strife and division are. To listen to the petty contention, the sharp bickerings and the tales of dis cord in some communities makes on* marvel that a school can exist in such a place. The petitions and the Ap peals which coma before the varieu* school boards are enough to make oik turn pessimist. The worst of it all if that most of these contentions no'" bickerings are childish and groundlo I and that they are usually begun m? kept alive by men who have at hear but little interest in anv school. Li settling most of these disputes, Sol omon's judgmen between the two wo men claiming the child would be wholesome. It is to these jealouries and quarrel? that we owe two, three and even four little starving schools where but one ought to be. To tr.cm we owe th* little district unable to support p school. Every influential local cele brity wished to have a school house at his front door or in his backyard. To these jealousies ws owe most of the defeated local tax election*. Nearly all the local disputes over the teacher have their origin in neigh borhood jealousies, and the baneful habit of constant change of teacher* has its roots embedded here. A certain district school is suDpori ed by ten families. All is well, b.?' fbe rebec 1 hon?f attends on the f.onJ side of a little creek whiflb abo-.t once n year reaches n depth of fou? *eet. A **"1 ft ??id<*enlv ennelud ?that th ig hvmf"-"' rv 'i n ? ? ace to the lives of tVeir children, ?? | petition for a new district. The next session, finds a little 20 by 20 fool hull of a school lions? on the nortl' side of (hat creek, and a little life leas aehcqj on each aide of it. Or C'a had boy is punished by the tract* ^?r; straightway C raises the flag < secession. and proceeds to have hi own little d-e-c-atriee ewt off. O one. of the loeal economists gets tirv?' of paying a tenelier $40 a month since bis daughter wonld teach fo> ?30; the trustees will not yield t' the economist; then the economi** cnnvaascs the district in the informs' of a new set of trustees, with the <?eonoirist as chairman. Or. D atv~ ?..*pa riT#I phyaieians already at Mlds; D says that Smith's boy hat I contagious disease, and must be (topped from the school; E declares ;hat the disease is only infections, ind that it would be silly to stop Smith's boy; the quarrel rapes, the Partisans array themselves, and down joes the local school tax proposed by the only really interested patron it the school. Or, X begins to j|is niss a new school house > Y says that the old one is pood enough, and that X is tryinp to lead tlie district; no aew house is built, and the old one gradually rots down. Or, Miss Brown, the teacher, boards with the Smiths; the Joneses feel neglect cd, and bepin to whisper it about that the teacher cannot solve Sallie J one*' problems or parse Sallie's sentences; tho Smiths retaliate by assertinp that the teacher is able to teach the whole Tones familv: result?the anti-Smith Taction's children nre taught next ?ession by Miss Sallie Jones herself. Once^ more, Mr. Brown, with muc.h religious devotion to his church creed, demands that the new teach er shall be an X-ist; Perkins Y-ism at once bepins- to felment while Stubbs declares that Z-ianism has been outraped, since there has not been a X-ian teacher in tho school in Ave years. When the new teach er conies, is he to teach X-ist doc trine, Y-ist doctrine. Z-ian doe'rin^, or should he be a simple do'l-fearing man whose dailv life will he a re buke to these clamorous Pharisees t All this may srfund like sslire. hut it is a mask rehearsal of a play whoie the curtain never falls. Cannot some neighborhoods see themselves in the play t Self Defcree ErfaMtshed. Spartanburg, Fp?ci::l.? I?avmonr Foster, colored, who shot and killed John Garrett, also colored at Fail Forest several weeks ago was tried ' in Court of Sessions on the charge o! murder. The defendant proved sell defense and the jury wasn't long ir returning a verdict of not guilty Foster was represented by 8amller> & Dc pass. _ Liquor round in Beef Market. Spartanburg, Special.?The beef market end restaurant of J. J. Spanu located on Main street, was raided Saturday afternoon by the police nnd a barrel containing one hundred pints of liquor was found in the beef mar ket. Spann claims that he along with others ordered the stuff. This is the biggest haul the police have made in some time. ? m ? Negro Burned to Death. Birmingham, Ala., Special.?A. A. McLenahan, a negro, was burned to death and several others had narrow escapes when Are destroyed the two story building on the southwest cor ner of Third avenue and Eighteenth street. The neprocR were sleeping *ui the building and McLenahan wa9 try ing to raise a window when he was suffocated. The flnme.s spread so rapidly that he could not be rescued Five Negrcea Drown in the Tennessee River. Chattanooga, Tenn., Special.? A row boat containing five negroes cap sieed in the Tennessee river and all tlio occupants were drowned. Throe of the victim* were men and two wo men, The party had rowed across !o Moccasin Bend, and whilo returning one of the women became frieghtenod and in attempting to jump from th? boat the light craft was overturned. But one of the number could swint. The otb<?r four clung to liira and all sank. HOTELS AND COTTAGES BURK ED. I'ire Raging g.t Winthrop Beach? One Woman, Guest of B[otel, Missing. Boston, Special?A brisk fire brok.? out in the summer colony at Win throp Beach nt 11:30 o'clock Friday night. Crest Hall, n summer hotel, accommodating seventv-flve guest*, and th? Ocean View House are in flames, and a large number of th' cottage* nenrbv Tie threatened. There "were In Spain In 1901 only 861 electric power stations, of whloi 651 w?ro for public lighting and 210 for private lighting. VERDICT MANSLAUGHTER Besnit Wu Surprise to Friends of Garrison, Who Expected Acqflt UL Laurens, Special.?"Guilty of man slaughter with recommendation to the mercy of the court," is the verdict in the case of Henry Garrison, charged with the murder of Lewis Williamson, his daughter's sweet heart. The result is a greet surpriw, as Garrison's friends had espeeted immediate acquittal when th? cafe went to the jury. Judge Memminger concluded hia charge at 8.15 p. m., and gave notice that he would wait on the jury until midnight, but there was no agreement at that hour, and the jury was looked up for -the night. Friday morning the jurors were still not cgreed. and Judge Memmingei sent them back with instructions t?i reach a verdict. At 11 o'clock they ^Ihue out with a verdict of man slaughter, with recommendation to mercy. Under this verdict the court may impose a sentence of not less than two nor irore than twenty years. Notice of motion for new trial was given, but the court's rul ings were so generally favorable to the defense that there are fen Grounds fcr appeal. The worst ex pected by the defense was a mistrial. It is stated I hat two jurors held out for acquittal, while a few voted At first for a verdict of murder. They did not accept Garrison's stateme.it that he believed his pretty daughter, Miss Mary Garrison, in danger at the hands of her sweetheart, Louis Wil liamson, nor did they believe that Williamson vas drunk. The Garri son family is connected with the most prominent |?eople of Lnurens county, and the deceased,, Williamson, was highly connected aN over the state. J. Henry Garrison killed J. Louis Williamson last July and the defense was the "unwritten-law." Miss Gar rison, who was the only witness, testi fied that on the night of the tragedy she and Williamson, to whom she whs engaged, were in the parlor of her home when her father appeared at the window and shot her fiance. Wil liamson died thre hours later. Charlotte Cotton Market. These priecs represent figures paid to wagons: Good middling 0 Strict middling 8 7-8 Middling 8'1-1 Cclumblr. Cotton Market. Good middling .. 9.03 Strict middling.. ." 8 7-9 Middling 8 3-4 Charlotte Grain and Produce Rye 1.35 Corn 1.08 Cotton Seed 22 1-2 Oats 08 Meal Seed 20 Cotton Seed Meal 20 Butter 10(<i 15 Chickens?Spring 30(? 3~> Ducks 20 Rggs 20(" 22 Geese?per head.. .. .... 40(<?;i0 Hens?per head 35(q 10 Turkeys?per pound 13(J14 An Order by the Adjutant General Columbia, Special.?Gt*n.% Boyd has issued the following general orders of interest to r.ll the militia: 1. The following named books of records, reports and papers will be kept in eaeh regiment : 2. The following named hooks of record, reports and papers will Ik1 kept in each company: A correspondence book, a sick re port, a morning report, a descriptive book of officers and enlisted men. n record of enlistments. There will also be kept a file of all guard and special orders and instructions re ceived from higher authority, and retained topics of the various rolls, returns and reports required by regu lations and orders. 3. There will be kept In each organ ization of the National Guard a prop erty book giving full information of all public property, both United States and State, showing list of ar ticles, date of receipt, from whom re ceived the names of officers who sign ed the receipt therefor; also an ac count cf all articles turned in, ex pended, stolen, lost or destroyed, A duty roster will al?o be kept in a book furnished for the purpose when in camp of instruction or other duty ' 4. These books, records and pa ] pers will be inspected at the annuilj inspection of the National Guard, audi the pawnent of the salary of the com pany quartermaster sergeants or oth er persons designate! bv regimental and company commanders to ta!.? charge of and prepare books, record? and papers will depend upon the re port made bv the inspecting officer* as to condition in which same arc found on date of inspection. By order of the commander-in chief, J. C. BOYD. Adiutant and Inspector General Official: Assistant Adjutant and Inspectoi General. WAR (MIPS LOWER Outlook is For Swift Beginning of Hostlflties ONLY SMALL NATIONS INVOLVED London Hear* News From Berersl Sources That TwfeOrises Art Im pending Which Kay Force Hostili ties in the Near Future. London, By Cable.?Events which' threaten to change llie political face of Europe are crystalizing with light ning rapidity. Almost over night tho horizon of the Near East, which seemed gradually to be assuming a peaceful Rppearance, has become crowded with war clouds. News lias reached her* from sev eral sources that two definite strokes arc impending which cannot fail to bring matters to a crisis, and perhaps force an immediate war. One is the proclamation by Prince Ferdinand, of the independence of Bulgaria, which will incuudc Rumelia, taking for himself the title of "Czar." The other is an announcement of Austro Hungary of the practical annexation of the provinces of Bosnia and Her zegovina as appendages of the Austro Iluugarian crown. Either action will be equivalent to the letfsing up of the treaty of Berlin while Prince Ferdinand's course seems almost certain to precipitate a war between Bulgaria and Turkoy. Before these ]>ossibilitieg the quar rel ovsr the East Uumeliu section of the Orient Railway sinks into insig nificance. Both armies are reported to he quietly aiul swiftly mobilizing near the borders. Bulgarians are said to he buying munitions an 1 horses on an extensive scale. Bulgarians have faith in their army, which has reached a high state of efficiency although it is perhaps larking in officers and the war, for which Bulgaria has- long been sus pected of preparing, could be fought with more advantage for her now than when the Turkish government had time to reorganize its forced,' which have become en ravel led by th'o corruption and neglect of the old regime. The Emepror of Austria, it is un derstood, has despatched a letter to the President of France, setting forth his intensions regarding Bosnia vri Herzegovina, although the contents of the letter are kept secret, and' he is sending similar notes to the other powers. Tt seems incredible that Emperor Francis Joseph, who always has been a scrupulous observer of forms, should reveal his plans to the rulers of other nations before he has com municated them to his own Parlia ment. One explanation is tlint ?tho letter was not intended for delivery until Tuesday, when identical notes would be presented to the other powers. Austria is suspected of enoounwra ing the recent Bnlgnrjan-TurJrish trouble for her own interests, J>ut the British government has made pro posals to the two countries looklit* to the settlement of the railway c??c% under which the other powers havo agreed to give support to the plan, which contemplates the temporary restoration of the..way to Turkey V'to save her face," and then transfer ence of the company to the Bulgarian government. The English press expresses sur prise that Austria and Bulgaria should plot against Turkey and ask* if the grent powers will submit to having obstnclcs placed in tho way of the regeneration of Turkey, General Wright Pclected. Washington, Special.?President Roosevelt will designate General Luke E. Wright, Secretary of War, as tho government's offl'Mal representa tive at the Southern commercial con gress, which will convene in th'i city December 7th and 8th just prior to the national rivers and harbors congress. Roosevelt to Tako Stump. Lincoln, Neb., Special.?That Pres ident Roosevelt fully intends to tnkf* tho stump in favor of the candidacy of Mr. Taft was the information re ceived at Kairview from the East. It was sail thnt the advices earr?' fum persons on whom reliance conid be | daced and were to the effect that Mr. Roosevelt is planning to make at Ipast six speeches in the course of a trip from the Atlantic to the Pac ific, tlie concluding speech to be de livered at San Francisco with numer ous short speeches en route.* Mr Bryan, however, refused to make any commcnt on the subject. SURE CURE For All Dimiei of STOMACH, Uvut? Kidneys ELECTRIC ? Quick and C?m for Ind* ?m aeb*, B?ektob?( Dlsstn***, I Indication, MaUriti tto, ITTERS The but fonlo* CurMlvt M?dlclae to* these die? ?M?a. SOc. Guaranteed*