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The People's Jounal PICKENS S. THE PATH. . TO PERDITION 3 y .OUIS VIN0ENT DE FOE. CopyuiA,.1901, by Louis Vincol, P0 Foe. *-*aRm the window of De Con Birdsell's house the bright rays of a1 lam111p marked the fr-k of fle country road w 0l'ld to the right, past the old 0uaker meeting hiouise, and, to the left, through the worldly and inhuitous village call ed into existence only ia year before by the coming of the new railroad. This little cluster of houses, ia mush room growth of unpainted boards, in cluded, besides a blacksmith shop and general storo, both welcome enotiugh in their way, a tavern conduted oil wide open principles under the inme of' Lowden's Halfway House, whlch lid speedily brought the locality into gen oral disrepute. No one had discovered toward what goal it marked the lf way point, unless it was that goal of torment which is the ending of every career of intemperate prolllgigny. In the dining room, which served like wise as a sitting room, the deaconl wits carefully gleaning stray scraiis of wis dom from the colmlils of the IlieIbigaII Agriculturist, the silence of' the house disturbed only by the loud Oicking of the farm clock on the shelf in the "or ner and the busy click of the knitting needles in the deft thigers of Nirs. Birdsell. It was charact erist le of t he deacon that lie always post ponted is study of The Agriculturist until Ifter the harvest, when the informiation lie might gain was sure to be of least value to him. Presently the elock tolled the hour of 8, lingering long, it seemed, upon the final stroke. Deacon Itirdsell started suddenly. "Mother," he said. "don't you know it's gettin pretty lIto?" Mrs. Birdsell paused In surprise aid dropped the half tinished sock in her lap. "Eight and after, an it's high tilna folks was abed," sai(d the deacon. "ill you shut down. the back vIilow aI bolt the kitchen door? An Joel-of course Joel's in." As if in answer to the deacon's iples tion, th quavltIng. uncerta in notes of a song sifted through the ceiling frin the chamber above. "Sh!" Mrs. Birdsell said, holding Ill her finger in warning. The song from tin chamber abovi gradually becnle more distinct untIl 1 Word could be nideistood here at there in its unc-ertain r-hythmi. It hon a distant resembilancie to one of the le ular songs of the dlay heard with great freq uency in the nighiboring town. buat justly abhorred for Its woirldly insiniun tions~ ini the peacefuil Quaker church neighborho:,d. "WVilliamn," exclaimed NMrs. Blrdsell ini a tremrblling voice, "sonmethin must be1 done right away. It's gettin just awful! It's beeni weighiin onl my mind until sometihies I get that nervous." The deacon gat~hiered his shaggy gray brows and stroked his angular unshav en chin inl silence fori at mioment. "'I hate to think it of JToel," he obiserved thought fully, "'but I gue-ss it muist be1 true. Ilonve you hieen nioticinl an~ything~ els-e latelyv, larthau?' Th'e deaicon sel domn addressedh his wife by her giveni namin except on occasions of great so lemunity. "Anything! Good land alive!" Mire. Birulsell swept her hands around her head as if she was wanrding Tf a swarmni of impending evil. "'It's gettin worser an worser every dayv." she exclaimed'(, with great earlnestne(ss, "ain the worst Part of it all is lie's gettin that br'aze'i ab~out it-to think, too, William, that he's your own brother!'' The song he gaun again in the chambltier' above, this time accomp~anied by the uiinistakable sound of shiuiling feet. ".Just listen to that now,'' she went on, with mnoun uI lii mphausis. "I1 guiess you enan hiear' It for yoursel f!" "r''', mort hier, y'ou're right,'' pro nonnried the diuneon r'eflectlively, slowly nodding his heath in the aflirmnative. "That's .1uat one of yjowr notitons," Joel (LnsworedZ. "Poor Joel is certainly goin straight toi the-I was almost goin to say dovil, an here we ai'e, you an me, sittin with our hands folded, no~t (loin a blessed thing to p~ut him right." "It didnl't get real bad till the middle of Juno-leastwise Tool didn't take to goin out ights till then." Mrs. Birdl sell sqluintedl thoughtfully through her glasses as If to look into the past. "I first suspieloned him circus (lay over in the town, when he spent all that money for a box of collars an them r'ed an grceen neckties. - He seemed right aishamed of 'em, too-that Is to say, at first he did." "When was it he spoke to'you about er n Imhi nant lema?" ~frgtt fhtaeyou? It was the very samet da ocolie out'from town .bringinible ta1 oat. lItl' never forget. that! Iho maneo. ua nianau- tnoen +.lum. tbnt r. be natural. "That's Just- one of lyou: n1tions William," Joel.answered. with ::b laugh. "Conle no, ilght's jus:t a good as day, ain't it? lI)on't 'ret ab1o Inc. Just leave the key to the di:: room door under the stone b'y (I$, StOps, an I'll get in all right." There was no reply. "An that remninds fine," the(l. i Went on, "the next tUne I gto to towi I'n1 goi to take that key aIon' w. mne an have one nade like it. No use talkin, a mani ought to iutav t latih. key." This last worldly whim, more ,,-znil. cant than) anythinig else. -worse eVenI thian tle reckless get upi) (-f tme (o, tume, fell with astounding weight oi the farmer and Is wiIfe. It wa noth Ing less than the limit of Inorad <te. pravity. In the suddeness ofi the shock there was no chance for reply. Joel hesitated a lonlent, tilell plek'hd uip hits liat and wint Out. The (lo(noll anId hIs vife rem1i:l:'i seated, rigid with colsteri'ioll. until they heard 111111 step oft the por'h. Then with one inecord tlly' arts' an tIptoed to thle parlor wvindow. Peverinlg out Into the darkiless, they watcied hi) valk through the yard to tie gat and then turn his steps InI the dlilee. tion of tile taverl, the lghts of wleb.i tinklted tIinly half a uile away tdowl the left fork of the rond. "Tie time's come, Martli," (th den. Conl burst ouit. ",1001 wvIll hear, frloni tue the ifirst tiling torllorro.w Ilorn:ial I ll0's got to be slit off Ills scalld'lolus. trn111Wen way8 iistanter r, I by Hit Lord, he'll lever stay n11iothielr day lil. der uy Il !roo'!" Mrs.ell wat'ed fairly7:1 struck 1nh before er utisband's awfu8 l .lu-in tioll. It was (tle firos' te l i llh u21t. 'ar ried life thant hto had so ruithhit ,*v brokle n the' t 1thir co l11and1 i 'll't, lil1' fihe la0 i erself down to broken'l sleepl anld troulbled dreamIS. Thle first glenml of' thle rising.- sunl was Inl the eastern sky wlell tile the;:k, slowly rollsed to tilt troubli's of* 1 nw da'. Quickly tllrowing Oil Ills worJingI clothe 11 , I hasteledt ti tle foot f tilt sta ir. ",loel," he. enih-e to thle ipper. ebaml her. "Joel, hestirrin! The mim's mioe'n all hilr' high. We've ovel'slept scian. dI'louls!" No as18'.wer nallt froi a111bive. " 11Joe! 11Th tille there wis lii an.1 gry ring Inl thle word. And still no antswer. Tphie deact n dl1 not tall agalil. but started4 briskly for the stables, Is he:Ity lo t nll'els 1ankIng dark 11:111 virvctl it inlte lighit Orost tiat covered.1 tthe ."rotmil. Ilk. was murprised neint!l to 11i11d til, L~eavy doors thrlown wideI ioeln to t.e Inlor'III g br'eezes. S, ;l wer, i sstit n i il nwith1 I, n id s he Imaused hie h eazrd I It b rthIer .lucl's voice~~~~O litd nsog terytIn pnt tlel by thl ta y " Kiih" of Ilik i -hlt tie bottomiand tides of tilt, til l k 1' - n1. Theli ablsk&olt unlexpecteditess of' thle Situationl cnusedI thlt deaconl to hlesitate I 'it IIInI sI I lih it l fw u' t - I .isten In g alttentitely, lie inana::ged to catch the lnlt myV il' ney en the (o11 lbay maere, 2 nchaiy~' bue (2n 1the gay. 'lThe dlogyrerel hadtt only one meaning to thle die-t (21. it wais a shinieless08 de tt2nse o)f ll'os r'acinig. an1 unholy pan it' iio wii~hih 1he had1 galiinedt sotneL ill "ASlirtin. ill i i n!"Q(i'-1 The greotin to I llow~ a1 nightil of diebauleery. '( ;lllss you)I k iinii If 0overisltey . MAlust be you anI iilither kept late hioui'r! "'1l-o's oneii way yo' 3'l n1ight of know ed h~ow 2ate hiours' tiliotheri 11n 111 kept.'' 'on(i the I rime oneWhliting isof)2tlyl 1inilt' 011 ' tatdfo the housle, whtile thle linei'on. d ' iny t'i and broterd 'J.'ie ilrd t thle~ iierpelit litle a unidr li the'i'ilI h y iot'i. ilo r w l d oetv' ta3 i'e'troull luaniityu o i'll. t inelling inorses lt' w and~el 1 s th t pennedtl thove feront thei fok hsanl t r 'angieba in that1: in ii th adronithery ial whil hteiwig in(lrei certain thant Jever .liy ntevned b'ewein his brother hidirrealloinli duanltion .o Tiihilel moritg ivna ivl thownitol farm pourt wos ntil (ecomfosrealios usualos hrytoleuliar'y all efatlyneingd his vfe. Itd Infht n tben noteod that he~l dno lteeon, and ferventy wrle te tek thteh he narpitely >fered uevfnti bett d.than might Tie meal fotiched, as. thtdarsene md fhoe fervent ofhank lwlt an toarnest ''pol''ntio thatiin oiderynce tonp ar atllrilent isdtoinmigh altotugei arhpit ewekese of himsls theateng bmgiln ali ofi vic, waslot on Joel 'lasmuchi as iet wsowell knw tod l e t art oe th doe'tls rlios hios >ph to4 regard't alp arhlyens ia iidlats venk'~t and'i sitfi the .yest t'f lthe ord.'t As for the dreacn, has ur roish io o that Joel'! a)'etite eletemed e seternoo oh n hual. 11 1.nd fao ce ofihit benrit thatn irgwayet di'she steot' "Jhelt" 'h enot saidtryn to kefn enr natul, andt tates altofthe ouhe, 'npieofingmslf hi ther to) aolloweatin. 2g ing'in his votltilte a, li"suht the ,vnhk don o the baorroowit h or a lointen~t co'eio sofhi I'deik nti )hstaled1 totd coherdor.i "Bttter pu 'th af tslldiner acmuWlliom, of dust "lcl rights thle mustnc ohe onphin terbl rssn.ha' n ormid? 6ke 'about the plnts lie hiuhlaed like a.boy.. lie says to ue: 'Martha, some time when you've got i flatiron n I. vlsi you'd press out liy gray ants an leave 'em creased before an ehind. Folks ay nowadays it keeps 'em from wearin out so quick.' I al. most gave himii a plece of my mind right then an there. I says: 'Joel Bird. sell! An at your time in life too.' H didn't say another word, but went off up stairs that ashmlited-an that very night was the first time In tile 20 years he stald out till after midnight!" Deacon Birdsell clais)ed his long fin. gers around his bony knee and bowed his head. "If I do say it, I watched him froml the window when he went out," Mrs. Birdsell earnestly continued, "an I seen him traiil) straight off' toward the tavern. 'Twasn't the last time I've seen him either." The deacon suddenly started up and thumped his list hard upon tIhe table. I"Then Lowdens wilI get to )isoni yet!" lie burst out with inlignation. 'Twould be a true religious act to set their cussed drain shop on fire! I'd do it, too, if" Mrs. Ilirdsell reached tcross the tu ble to ilace :I restrainiig hand 1 upon her litisind 1's am, but the tIps of her fingers ltrt'ly toucheil his shirt sleeve. "ilI1,'' sihe ahl in a Itmore coim posed Ione, "we imstn't get excited. What we muist do is to 'tteii to Joel's case. The Lord Ilat judges hetwveen the righteous ani the imrighteous will 'tend to th lodtlens hiiself." Before such an iundenilable xl)ositionl of truth the farimier's alger slowly sill sided. "You know the time Joel washed the buggy an went to town?" Mrs. lirdsell went on. "lit! didn't get back that night till i luarter past 12, tin lie took his boots off bl'or' he comue into (Ile house. I know all about it becaullse lie clean forgot 'em an left 'em on the porch." "You wouldin't call thei thin mgs boots, would you?" The deacon threw his whole av-ailable fund of sarcasi into the words. "Gaiters, I itan," corrected Mrs. Birdsell quickly. "'An that's another thing. .Jist to think of a man takin to gaiters tier boots has been good enough for him for 50 years! It's a sure sign, Willitin." "Yes, mItot her, that's the long an tho short of it. Ga(llers may Lie a small thing in tleniselves, but in Joel's case they hilp -)owerfl to show what fast livii an stronig drlink will do once a mani gets goin lit the wrong way.'' The deacon started suddenly at the meaning of his own words. A spade had linally been called a spade. Mrs. Ilirdsell straightway began to sob au dibly, while her Iusband searched ab stractedly for his handkerchief, which lie finally prtoduced from the armhole of his vest. Joel Birdsell tilled the place of a son not only inl the hearts but in the home of the deacoli and his wife. Back in the fifties, wheln heavy timber still cov ered what is now the rich, rolling farm land of lower Michigan, William Bird sell had gon' forth from the circum scr'ibed acres of the hornestead in Ver mont to wvin a plaice for himself in the world, with only a young wife and his own grit to ahl( him. Then Michigan was not the farmner's El Dorado it aft erward camne to bet. Blut the house in which lie still lived was built, and then Joel, the next younger' by three years, was sent for1 to share the increasing fortutnes, iueidenitally3 to lend a hl1ping hand in the runninlg of' the farm. Andi Joel, ihe was at shiinig examnpie of New Englamiui staigmatiomi. Nevet' ini eliuied to namtry, aliways con tent with a k ind Ot' hlpless dependen (w Ice upon01 hi s brother' andt si ster, wh ose h ome bl noti been I brigitenhed by3 thei ad(1venIt of chii :1i'en, lhe grew more Itnil miore to lbe thle object oft piar'ntal solicitude to the f'arct' and( is wife as thle year1s paissed by. Iie' was sat isliedI withi his unique position,. :inil gratdualvlyithe horii oni of' his life.. cnine to lbe biouInided by the views andI w ishes of his toster' par. Mr's. lIlirdsel'l was the fir st to brieak he oppressive sileiice. '"\Villiam,"' she id (, ''thiei'e's 1n0 use puti liIt off anyi tunger'. Suppose wt' call .Joe( ldownI 1ow -this very iighit-:in plil tiut to him11 Ike -tell him I --Ithat is to say,. ask d( greater' whien frarnied in wiords. "Shi!" 'ht exchiaion ' escaped'( the >ir ai t the oarut' istant. ini til'eli charnhor abovt' ihe, song be'gan ill dcubt, Ltil. Silentiy th Ii c!(ople tol (owed'l ihe lines: .Not a word w:: tittred until the /er'se enchid. .\r-i. Itirdst'i IwaIs busy53 iia ing a imntal anal~iysis oft the ineani. rig of' the wvords,.'1 Thir lnpior't seetued( "101'lia ried. gau Ibli htouse~ tune," she1 o 'oiuv itIOn, Lilthotughi Ihere was1 a tr1om1 iii Jg in hl('r voice. "'i've lieard alh ilbouit thle iniferlnal pllaces; all ilmrble ani dass an :ieileictr'ie i ghtIs a i po1ilicd w'ood wok."' 'T'he otilainlg. hea~vy fot'tsteps grew t Lug do-win thie stair1s. Next the (loot' )hn'1idi and1 he~ waliker into Ite dininug i'd T he Agricultutj5 fr'oni tilt taleh(. Joel atpp'a red surpr~iisedto find1( tile rest of tile family keepinig late hiouris. SHtili settin upi" lhe asked innocntltity enough, but in the earis of the others the words lad a guilty ring. From the corners of her eyes Mrs. Birdseli was taking a qluiet inventory tf incrlmmiating evidence. Thlerewa the red necktIe encircling the standiui collar that saiggedi out ini tired fashion at the trout. Thue long tlled coat wat also conispicuious. She wished she hat' had tile forethouighit to put on hei Spectacles, tor' she( knew that propo-, scrutiny would dleteet faint cr'eases in front of the hugging gray pa~nts. Aa for thei shoes, the noise on the stairs bad alreadly told Its own story. "Weli, I guess I'll waik out for a lit tie bit," lie went on, tatking no notice of the uinusulI restraint. ''The sky3's 11s cleat' 1n It hell, a~n it seems jutsi shamneful to stay in. Won't lilt masilsth more Ighits like this." '"It's time honiest folks waa abed am: lialeop." 'Tho dea~con's voice gratted bamiv. naonh en s hibet.. Was impressive, an III its selection Ih V He Couldl ony (yi "Mis' Cook: 1y)u 'aIrry M1l' CookC!" 9ood inan prided 1iiself oil the exer. else of a nent bit of strategy. F'urther I more, It rI'oved the llost reillote (1n111. ger of inte'rrupton. For sogi( itlne the den con sa t I si lence, hIs cold eyes sharply fix-d 111m11 his brother's face. 'itlii, whe n - tI' susIense had begiti to girow painlfull. hto Cleared Is throat wvithl evident (.I fort and spoke11, carefully weighing vv ery wvord. "Joel," he said. "I've conme down liit to talk to you 1nutt to Ian1. an l'l i iIn Ca I'nest. It's 11111d. but1 it's got to be done. It's been oil my niind for a Icn:: tIhe." "I lopet there nlin't ally trouble. \'it in."TheV shnidow of anl uninl -Ig calinity had gradually forined Ibefore Joel's eyes. andl his fnleo wore a pale find ainxious look. "r'l'ouibe? Yes. there is trouble flln pletiy of It. Tlie truth Is, I've been - luother fn I've been - walcliln you tiow this last six t1oonthls, fin what yol''e been doln Is as elat to us as an open book." 111sta1itly n1 shl'ishI, self consielius expression sprend itsell'over Joel's face. and hils eyes sought ite floor In (ilrnar rassnlielit. The dt-'o41n inoted the 1w uick blainge. and 111 his h linsigeilig doubt Inl stantly vaunislied. Ills course \wis 1now1 Clearly definevd. "Yvs, .10'(," he coithinled, with gret er earnslti-ms. "there's no use denyin It now. Mlother fil me" "I alin't den-1yin nlothin,. William." The dencon sillted suddenily an d bit Ills lips with anger. The last thing he had anitielpated was a 11an1k aknowl edgiieit of guilt. It en81ine su nilie pectetdly that he hardly kiew how to go Oil, yet he r'aIized that the best way to al))oniel tie crisis was by sitecessive steps. The culprit exhibited n1 lurIter willinn11'ess to spenk inl self defense, so tle doncon pliunged In again. "Yes," lie repeated; "we've knowed ill about you right along. We 811p. Cloned yOu wheni you look to hIgh faui gled notions about stand 111up collars an gay neckties. We was surer of It whon yOul got to s85uendinll your oney on tall coats ail stich, 1n then," dropping his voice to ini Insinuntig whisper aid PlulctuItn lg ach word with a pause. "we finally saw through the whole thing when 1you took to goli out hite nigh ts." Beforte such an necuniiulation of evi dence Joel hunitg his heaid. Ills expr'es ston cbanged gradually from ein1bar 1rassed(01 cofuimin to guIlty alssurnneec, whilet with the beel of hIs hoot he un conseiously drewv parallel lines on the dusty barno tloor'. "WVell, what of It, WVilliamn?" he ask ed, wIth a faint sinile. "Wh'lat If you "What of It?!" T1hie deacon1 rep~eated the words, with an1gry' sur'prlse. "Ye's; what of it? I d1on't see the good of miakin a fuss about it, any1 way3." Th'le (deacon1 swa'llhowted sonmething that seed~ to r-ise In hIs thr'oat to choke' hits word1s. "Wha't of it?" lhe reC 111etI ngni n angrily. "'Whby, ninni, you have gone clean11 nid. Can't y'ou see that If y'ou keep on it's goiu to mnke y'our life a regular hel1l on ear'th?'" Eveni the unp[)lensanlt pr'ospect of Im mediate earthly pterd~ttion seenied to have 110 effect upon thet culprit. Ills confusion did not dIinish, but his smIle broadened to a faint iaugh. Then he looked thoughtful and said: "I shouldn't hardly think you'd like to say that, William." "Sny It, man alIv'eI Why, doii't I know It? Do you thInk I've been liv in all these years for nothin? Ain't It al ways that wvay ?" The deacon sp~oke the words in an angry treble, accompanIed by an im patIent anid deprecatinig gesture. "Aln besIdes, Joei," lhe went on, hIs voice rIsing to a still hligher key, "look att It tis way, if It aIn't too late: You've got a little money put up in the say In's bank. How long (10 you suppose It's goin to Iast if y'ou keep oni?" To a financial conslderatlin of the Question Joel mafde no0 immiiediato an iwer. TIe seemelld to ho aicttually reek oniig upi tile costs. A fter mieditating quietly for a lIttle whIle lio 'ompllosed "Well, suppose it (do0s (cost a little more? I guess it's worth the dIffer ence." 'T.hie(11 e lm reduictioni 01f morn1i deprav Ity to a matter of dollars and1( (centi. brouilght the donconi to hIs feet with at iipitilent start. "Anl your1 frIends, y'ourI new11 friends!' they'll (10 when'l yourli mon~iey's goneo Are t hey' golin to sltan by ) y'ou t hen?"' "'Coine, W~Illhunii you talk a$ if I wn,. goinl to 'olilI a crIme Iisteadl of Justx followyInl out ai manli's naiitura1l y T.Iher'e alin't muich'l danlger of st arvl r anyh'lowv." ,1 (il'' imipattienice, toio, wmi bieginninlg to shiowt Itself. "If you 'r go01n to go hnfEk on mie now, wvell, I h'iupose0 ther's other places 1 (enn1 gL to. I wasni't expeic't in to stay ini I li 011ldihusie much(21 loiiier anlyhlow. I14:i I dlidnl't thlink thli ofi youi1 WIlliam. It alin't dleserve'd for youii 1o get nool." '"T.ry'In 1o 1)iny repiroachfIul, elh? JTui 1(ook back over the last1 3) 0 years (0 [1 ti('sh ani blood sIsteor (cou11( Ih'? .\i how about 3your hoine? Ain't it been~ Th'ie di(oli's volce t remibed a lI lh: la lie raply3 summilied up thIe lIst u1 11na1ppreelatedoi k11innesse. hat, not ai bit of It. Hiut whai( t if 11nn alfter' awhIle gets tIred of lii 1113 in ani daiy out in at rut? Whlio Ie ab wants to g. -ut into .. .-.. 1)O , ter life? I suppose I wouldn't'thougI of it If the railroad hadn't been pit through. I got to goin there ilrn when they was layin the tracks. Wel that was all right enough, an then" "That'll (10! Enough of that! I won hear It from your lips." "An then" "Stop, imian! I say stop, in the nan of what little regard for decency you' got left! I won't hear froni you! didn't come out here to listen to yol boastin an pluinin yourself about yoi reckless, senseless goin on." The deacon's bloodless lips tremblt as he fairly'thundered the coniiari and shook his clinched fist in unbridh wrath. "I won't have it made at worse by your goin Into all the detal of what you did," he went on hotly. wanted you to listen to reason, ill wanted to talk to you like a brothe But there ain't any reason left in yo It's gone too far, an Martha an I'm t< late. You're p)roud 'of that broader II1 you talk about, are you? All rigli then. Now listen to what I've got 1 say. The way's still opei for you 1 turn over a new leaf an come back i be one of us as you was before ti Lowdens an their tavern caine Quaker Church. It's got to be one the other, an you've got to dede rigi now. Either you (ut this new, broa er life that you've been harpiln on you imust get along without Martha I me from this day for'ard!" The deacon pronounced the senten in excited, Impassioned tones. "TI11 way's open. Which (10 you take?" I repeated, wiping away the beads , cold sweat that stood out upon hi brow. Joel's flushed face turned pale at C dleacont's w hoes. They cut himt like siarp knitife, and hiIs Irother knew But quickly the scornful look returni and lie iet flite Issue squarely i way. Witiout a treinor lie ste)li close to his brother and, placing 1i hand gently on the other's should( exclaimed: "Willhun111, Williamn, if it 'was the( laI thing on earth I didn't expect this you! If it was anybody else, I'd said he'd gone clean crazy. You I mother iever did circulate nimu arouid anong the neighbors, but never once had aln idea either of y( hald anytliig against Mis' Cook. can't understand It. IHer husbandI been dead for three years now, an tdu it that whole tine sie's hardly be outside her dooryard. It's goin to I hard to tell her tliat this is our wedd! present from you an :\Martha, but I c.1 do it, ti I will. One thing has got I be settled between you an 11ne1, howson ever." Here ,Joel's words became delil erate aid foreboding. "I in't goin I stand up an listen to aniybody thr1o, nilserahlo sluriA ont the womau that goin to be itty wile not even you, im own brother i a deacon in the churel wlo ought to bo above such a thing. wAant you to understand that if th Lowdenl hoys (id buill their taver icross 'roitn her house she abi't respoi sible nor the worse t'or it. Ai its far a thiat place is concerned, I hate it wors than you do. it's hurt her propert sicand'Flous." Weddinag bells of'ten ring out in unes pected ilaces. 'Their notes are th swe'eter whlen they sounid aibove t1-. di of dilscordi. In valit the ddecon, pei plexedl anid conifused, his excited min in a whirl, tried to interrupt Joel' words. lThein he gave up the attempi and grals'Jtd weakly at the objects niea himn for suppor't. Ie could onily gasi "Mis' Cook; you marry Mis' Cook-th Widlow Cook ait the cr'ossin-I -you" "We've been thinkin it over eve since the day the circus was in town an last inight we fixed it all up an de cided to hItch." "Lord save us all! Joel, I"- It wa: too rnutchi for the deacon, and hi: strength (desertedi him. hils knees b)en beneath his weight, and1( his voice drolp 130( to an Inaudible whisper, ie leani ed upon the sleigh and rubbed his eye as if to bring bacek his scattered senses Then he sudldenly found htis vole, again. "Is that the mnenatin of' it all Is that where you've beeni goin t2voLnli after eventin wvhen mnother an ii< thought you was at the Lowdetns''i Sa: sorethin, matn! Are you strtuck e'leni dumub?" Th'le scorinful look had1( leftt J oel' face, and thle suggestion of a tri uilhanit smil~e plaiiyed around t Ihe car tners or is muoui, as !te w:: .1te I sucecessivye stam-s ot- his brhi':ter's ut lapse. Ihut umlice was lnot a i't< Joel B3irdsell's make up. lI e aniswer', the deacon's qluestlont with a <ltt'sust "You -ain't forgot, Willin mn," lie aska FirCI FiPrIU Wheti that cry sounds howpople rush to hellp and sympilatii.e ! A iid when somne fireman rescues a wvoniian front the flames, fle strecets echo with ap '9 plaudinig shouts. And yet if that wVomuan had perished'( .in thie flarne it is pos S~'' sile that shet~ wiol have suffered less S than shte suffers al most daily) fromt the disease has lighted it thenlnicteo whach Tafreof iniflami iiatioit cani he put -' out. The gnwmg - ulcer estu he cuired. ri. Pierce's lFavorite P'rescriptioni not onily (e1tstabtlishes womantdily S / V regitlarity tanddre S enfeebling (dins, bult (it heals iniflatimntion -I cuires feimale weak lifness. It mtakes weak woml strong andt~ sick wYomen~l well. "I sutffere'd for ftttr years with -what four' phy lecinais prniott'd stIceratin a tnd prolapijsun of lit uterus," wmrites Mrs. Ada nirooks, of iKirby. f ladderand ureith tai. My case was chroinic tita comlicatedi. H adh several good phiysichtins, tt kept getting worse. Htad beeni coniied to ny~ bed five mioathst when I wrote to youi. I etved your repily very soon, and thien dis. iitssedimy1physilim nd be a~,u takitng Dr, 'ec'mdcne.Iooei t bottles of his iFavorite P'rescriptitn' and (iotle Mediet )hscovery,' itndt began to get better' at on1ce. tIn wotmnthttis I coi d sit up hn a chair, and kept e'ttinig bet ter. In four floothIs could do all my ouse work, I uchidintg waishting andl( sewinrg." Dr. Pierce's Commion Sense Medical dviser, paper covetrs, is seitt frece on eceipit of 2T onie-cent stamlps to pay xpense of inatiling onl. Address Dr. L. V. Pierce Runnt 0r V. tV iAl 10 Wha is C T11e Kind You Have Always gm in utse for over 30 yem-s, I All ico. trlies, 11tations Experi'llerlts thiat trifle wit1 r, Infnt ahlrn. Childre---xp .13 Whatais Ch It, o0 Castoria is a lamessa~ 0 goric, Drops arid SotFiing t contailis neitlier OpiuAni, M stabsllrtatice. Its t1ge is its gia; andiusly allay:4 Feverisaiss. It Colic. It r.elvs Tec ing . W4. aut( hi tileicy. It assiill Tei Oli lltrei's Panacca-TI CENUINE CASI Bears the 10 se Tho Kil You Ha In Use For 0 st THC CENTAUR COMPANV. TT M aI' i h.1 - I serk.'itlsly, "theii lay you1 un1 ruo sigm.< uthe pledge back'1 in \~eril(ant'? WVell I I've' kep1t my13 sh1are ofi it to this (day3 '8 but I never signaed n il''due not to ge r'- fhiLI'1ielI." m0 "I tinlt ha:ve mliiihin for '.urei to tel n1 till he-I night. You k now h-'w cour'tii 0 rlight 'out' ) Soiwhi ngiL li..I th t coun:1 iio ,-.k i .0 words. "( 1 hhi':4 ymt b h :"!'? u''' :-ahl I, You w.:."' 4e Ceveri si4),ki ''::i .h e-l lt -- - t ve to ' 'o. p - - -..... I I te Matha. 'P ub e' The un0 ' - of~ the liiir. It - fl.~i aeI1. it auht te a -odjkeo '.intwi1. r 2]t '' h ichn ~'~. The d~oi eliii-hm ~ fThen hegih-n' - or 'a h opr tedt up of th Sth -' i wihms ohe rbig~ tt ho therb -brtr In i tll.a1 m saltohmsl' "I mi -ht -hav kn it: Yu tsagOTljkBOOmD LUMBERow'.''V Al of the'egislature to re~~i pel'Ohe ioror ofi te n b ig trust hold theyp.ir ' harters LUMBERlCOMPNYL1 Loc~at. ' Wla::f,l rNea-r til IlteH DolarnwSth,'. Nndsiand iuile' Hoardr.icaIi(. er ~ n 0 N G IDIN, PE!lING VAl ND(1 TNG O!G!A I E G \"( . FUR'MAN UN GREEVILEI FEBj -'o Ctl'C lla utioferul earc t h e Ii 3'Locl.ato.tin ateI~r.l o deathsincea B 'I'' E lared. icauifu . iPn or wOllit set pity 1 . Comi PaRosyhtranod Cole ge Crr nhilt.m ldt In-Iogitort' $Iun c2 l I t m Erc xpCo e . te ch ri, e lce for i tl AE.O 'B A oug" , and whiel Ilts beenk ums borsne tho signatnre of is bet mado uider his per alpervision si1nce its infiancy. 1to one to deceivo you ill thii. 'i1 " Juast-.t.goodl" are butt; wnd endaniger tihe licallth of! rience againkst ElxperimIlclt. ASTOR IA tituto for Castor Oil, Pare SyruIsps. It is Pleasant. It )rphino nor ot-imr Narcotic urantee. It destroy. WormaIF1I enlres Diarriuam n111d Wind Irouubles, curei('s Consti pation4 ties the Food, regulates the I healtlty and natutral sleep. o M1other's Friend. -ORIA ALWAYS Sigiature of ye Always Bought ver 30 Years. jnAAY BTI1LT. NJEW VOOlK CITY. We have a number of Elegant Lines of. . Ladies Oxfords Which we are determin Cd to close out. Among them are sever~d lots at $3, $2.50 and $2, which we will close atS2,25, $2 and 1.50. Will also close some lots of S1,50, 1 and 7s cents oods as follows: $1.50 black Kid Oxfords at $1, 1ans 75c. $1 black Kid Oxfords at 75c. tans#0c. 75c black Kid Oxfords 50o. tins lic. Pride & Patton Gireenvuie, S. C -Macfeat's Business ole goe COLUM13fA, S 2. 1i0 Keein, Short H and, T: pc WVritinag. Expert EstablIishaed. Terms Reason ablie. e~tC end iF Ca'talogue. WV. di. MACL'IAT, Preitdent, (Olfeia! Court Stenogs'phor.) A $50 INVESTMENT That will pay s-.5 to .$100 Dividends Matm by is a thorougha, practical liusi neCss or Shorthiand traixtnn at Stokes' Business College. WVrite or call for C'atalogue and full par ticutlars. '9P9 King street, Chtarlestont, S. C. - .~(tTIN~~rURED,. PO(Sl'TIONS! P'O~iT IONS Il No OBJECT More calls thtan we canx possibly till. Guar anttee of' posi tions backed by$5U000. Courses unecxcelledI. Enater any timo. Cataloguo freo AddIress, (COLU-uiAJIUdi.%ESS oOLLEtoa 'I\ L E COL LEGE, B, S8: C. rbce. Unsurpassed i- enith fulntess. Mourt. rihool was foundied---forty-seven years, tiled. . Elegaant large new laibrary, Read m, lining IRoom, Stuady H all, and~ Audi fortable Dorm itory and~ l,octure liooms. Ilegiate courses. Mu asic, Art, Elocutiona, gy, Stenographly, Tyaaewritiung. Primary achniical skill, moral worth, CThristiana (onservatory of Mustici he~aded by ana edl in A merica anid Germanyv. JAMES, President [VERSITY. 9901. Le, s. C. ,, L.,1)., Preslident.-: atreesa of Iaicheolor of Irts (R.A.) and Rootm. Phlysical and Chemical l~abo? a mses readuced to a mnimumam by thte i ) m (ar re~ittest. Address, MONT'IA.(UE,%sOreenville, H. C. .eenvlle, 8. C of South Garolina. es to baoardingm trstaulen ts. himited ntI um will pray for btoard, room-ronmt, mailtri - paroforaorsa and one insrtrntetor ini facul leaadingr tom degrees of It. A. anid M. A, or information of any kind to. SPENCER (ilinton. 8. u.