The ledger. [volume] (Gaffney City, S.C.) 1896-1907, September 16, 1897, Image 3
* ilfiilHi
THE LEDGER: CAFFXEY, S. C., SEPTEMnEIt 16, 1897.
3
by contraries.
IV ny hurryinj; heart proclaimed (hec
car
mockcj my hope, and then cam'st not to
me.
when my heart is but one sie^e of fear,
lute still n.oek me. Then thy fu< o I’ll see!
—K’ith M. Thomi.s in Century.
A R]ill, IN COMMAXI).
So it’s tny turn to tell a story, rfl:
AVell, I think you've nearly exhausted
my paclc. Did I ever tell you about that
little adventure of mine in Nicaragua':
No? Then I'll relate it now.
I we living in the republic tit thr
time of tin' lest rebellion—I don't think
there lias l.s naspill up in that part
since, but I may be wrong; revolutions
are pretty frequent in those climates.
Du in ss suddt nly made it m*eeswirv foi
me to undertake a journey to New
York, and I knew that if I intended to
make that journey F had got to lie sharp
about it, for tilings wore in a bubble,
and if I did not got to the coast and
catch a steamer before the boginviijg of
the squabble I might as well stay
I was. It did not take
wh
lo’lf
to fix up my arrangements, and I wa:
oiT in double
But I was i
i.-
ttme.
■1 to disappointment.
I had nearly finished my journey to the
coast—a matter of 2<!0 miles or so—and
had put up for the night at a village
only three hours’ ride from where I
hoped to f ! r.d a steamer when I hoard
that the trouble had begun and that a
full blown revolution was in progress.
This was exceedingly aggravating. It
meant the loss of a lot of money to mo
if I could not reach my destination
within a reasonable time, but if I had
to wait until things quieted down again
that money was as good as lost. I was
in a decidedly bad temper, and when I
get into that state it takes a lot to per
suade me to give up any plan I may
make. I got my l ack up at the idea of
being balked and resolved that I would
finish my journey, come what might,
toothing, could be done that evening, so
I turned in with the determination to
see what could be arranged in the morn
ing. I had not boon on foot long on the
following morning before I hoard some
thing that made mo prick up my ears
and start without delay fur a quiet spot
on the coast. Within an hour after I
had reached the place I hud struck a
bargain with the owner of a small craft
secreted there.
I began to brighten up a bit. Things
looked more promising, and I mused on
the advantages of a determined will
and on the truth of the saying about
the will and the way.
i I very soon had everything in order
Sufficient stores for the voyage had
been got on board, the crew were ready
and steam was nearly up. I was walk
ing up and down, whistling a lively air
and in good spirits at the thought that
my difficulties wore now over, when
micro appeared over the side of the ves- j
f eel the head and shoulders of a young
ster who was dressed in the uniform of
a lieutenant of the regular army of the
twopence halfpenny republic in which
I had the honor, or misfortune, to be a
resident.
‘ ‘ I am very sorry to put you to any
trouble,” ho said as he jumped lightly
on deck, ‘‘but I require this vessel for a
special purpose. ” He spoke in Spanish,
very politely and with a soft voice.
‘‘I’m very much grieved to bo ford'd
to do anything to disappoint a gentle
man who is so polite, ” I replied in the
most flowery Spanish I could eommr nd.
“but I want the boat for a very special
purpose. ”
He smiled rather sarcastically. I be
gan to get cross, and my fingers wander
ed to my revolver, but 1 was quickly
convinced that resistance was useless.
Over the side scrambled about !10 men
dressed in the same uniform and armed
to the teeth. My crew had bolted some
where. What could I do alone? So I
put as good a face on it as I could and
intimated that I surrendered.
“I will not put you to mere inconven
ience than I can help,” raid the young
lieutenant, with another Ixnv and a
smile, “but I must have this vessel,
aud you know that jiersonal matters
must give way to urgent state affairs.
If you like to accompany us on our lit
tle pleasure trip, 1 maybe able to assist
you to continue your journey after
ward. ”
I was considerably astonished to find
that boy at the head of a party of full
grown men and talking and acting with
all the confidence imaginable. He was
quite a youth, certainly not more than
17. His eyes were as soft as those of a
doe, yet there was occasionally a flash
in them which told of boundless cour
age and determination. He carried his
head haughtily and was a true child of
Spain in every respect. That the men
were devoted to him was clear at a
glance.
I was at first disposed to decline his
off er, but on si corn! thought I decided
to accept. I am an old soldier and have
done a hit of sailoriug. 1 was not averse
to a little adventure, and it might he
that I should be able to finish my jour
ney in good time after all if I went
with him.
The youthful commander was pleased
at my decision. I soon found out why.
Not one of them understood how to
manage the tug, and my going with
them saved them the trouble aud loss of
time consequent upon finding some one
else. And it was apparent to me that
the youngster was anxious to get off.
Under my directions the soldiers did
the work of the crew, aud we were soon
out ill the o|>eu.
I was just a little puzzled about this
young fellow, whose name appeared to
In? Sanchez, lu spile of the military
dress and the flush of the eye there was
often nolucthiilg so gclllY, so girlbh
even, about him that I cjiildn’t under
stand at all why he had taken up with
soldiering as a profession. He seemed
far more suitiil to the drawing room
tlmn the battlefield. I was thinking
ab6ut this when lie came up to ma
“Vow that we are clear away, I want
y»v to take the vessel to Corilla, ” he
said in his soft tones. Then, turning
to a man who had walked up behind
him, he ordered him to remain near me
to convey to the others any instructions
I might give.
“It shall be done, senorita lieuten
ant.” replied the man, bowing.
I was amazed. There was no doubt
about it. He hud used the word “si no-
rita" instead of “senor. ” I looked at the
lieutenant in time to see him—or her—
Hash an angry glance at the man, whe
hit his lip in confusion. Catching my
look of surprise, the lieutenant blushed
aud walked away.
I whistled softly. The plot was thick
ening. There was more in this piece of
business than appeared on the surface.
But tin re was another surprise in
store tor me. I was, of course, under
the impression that these men wire in
the service of the government, and our
destination strengthened my idea, for
Corilla was in the hands of the govern
ment troops. Judge of my astonishment
whi n I discovered that they were reb
els. The fortress to which we were
steering was the strongest on the coast.
It was provided with modern ordnance
and could easily sink a warship, to say
nothing of our little craft I felt bound
to expostulate.
“Yon never intend to make an at
tempt on Corilla!” I exclaimed incred
ulously. “Why, it’s”—
“My plans are all made,” replied
the girl, for the lieutenant really was a
girl and made no further effort to con
ceal the fact. She spoke politely, but in
a tone that indicated that I had better
not discuss the mhl tor.
One look at the girl and her men was
sufficient to convince any one that they
meant business. It seemed sheer idiocy
to me, but I had no voice in the affair.
Tilings were getting serious, but there
was no help for it. I couldn't run away
and must sec the business through, yet
I could not help admiring the audacity
of the girl, who evidently knew the im-
mensity of the task she was undertaking
“Tin re’s something more than patri
otism in it, ” said I to myself “It’s
love or revenge; perhaps both. ”
It was daybreak when we reached the
Snrtress and ran the tug alongside the
little landing place. The girl told me
what to do. She seemed to be familiar
with the hx’ality. I must confess that I
did not feel at all comfortable after we
got within firing distance of the strong-
hohl We could have been blown out of
the water in a ccnpk* of minutes.
The girl sprang out before 1 had fair
ly got the boat against the wharf. The
men followed, and 1 concluded that 1
should be safer if I went with them. If
the fort opened lire, I should stand more
chance of going to Davy Jones’ locker
than to New York
The only man visible was a sentry,
who was looking at ns sleepily and was
almost too lazy to challenge us in the
usual form.
I did not catch the girl’s reply to
him, but the man was satisfied. He sa
luted and let us pass, and wo all march
ed up the steep and winding path lead
ing to the fort
For absolute audacity I think tho ac
tion of that little band would be hard
to boat—a mere handful of men ad
vancing against a fortress which was
admittedly well nigh impregnable, aud
they went up the path as coolly as if
they were returning to barracks. Miss
Sanchez led the way too.
Yv’e could see tho big gates right
ahead. As wo approached they were
opened, and an officer came toward us,
the guard being drawn up inside the J
gateway. “Fort me favors the brave, ” i
they say, and it oertaii.ly was so on this
occasion. I suppose the officer thought
that wo were re-enforcements. He came '
up to us quite unsuspectingly. i
“Where are you from?” he asked.
Our leader mumbled something and
the officer leaned forward to catch the
words. The next instant there was a
gleam of steel and a low cry as the |
girl’s sword flashed from its sheath and
was plunged through tho heart of the |
unfortunate man.
Like a wildcat Sanchez leaped over
the body and rushed through the gate
way, follow r ed by her men. They fell
upon the guard before they could re
cover from their amazement. There was
no opportunity to give an alarm. They
were butchered before they could utter
a sound.
No fin'arms had been used. The men
had received their quietus by means of
cold steel. Suddenly a pistol shot rang
out and one < f our men dropped dead
by uiv side. This was followed by a
loud cry of alarm. It came from a man,
half dressed, on the balcony of one of
the windows. He disappeared just in
: time to avoid two or three shots fired at
him by the rebels.
The alarm brought forth men in twos
! and threes from all sides, but. they
hadn't a chance against the girl and her
men. Not one of them had a firearm.
Those weapons were stored in the maga
zine of the fort, which was now cut off
by the rebels. Several of them made a
gallant charge on their fixis with their
sword bayonets, but most of them were
shot down without mercy before they
were half way across the courtyanb
Sanchez was in the thick of it all. It
was just like u slaughter house. Tho
loyalists soon recognized the uselessness
of continuing such an unequal fight,
aud they remained inside.
Sanchez gave orders to close the
gates. A guard was placed near thorn,
ami half a dozen men were stationed at
the magazine, where tho rifles aud am
munition were stored. The rest, divided
into two jmrties, under Sanchez and a
man she called Carlos, entered the fort
in search of hidden loyalists. I stopped
in tho courtyard. It wasn’t my quarrel,
and 1 to W»*op out of it I am
not a coward—I have proved that—but
I felt that 1 should be guilty of murder
if 1 assisted to shoot down these men
who hud so little chance of making a
fight of it
I heard afterward that the loyal
troops hail been made prisoners with
very little trouble. They hud crowded
into 11 ire*,- of the largo rooms, the dixirs
of which were secured aud a sentry
placed here and there. Anyway, 1 heard
no fighting, and it was not long before
the rebels came back into the courtyard
with two officers in their midst—an
cldeily man, in general’s uniform, and
a younger man.
“Atlast, Captain Montoro!” exclaim
ed the girl triumphantly, addressing
the young man. Her face siamcd to
have changed entirely. When I first set
eyes on her, she might have been mis
taken for an angel, but now she would
easily have passed for the opposite.
The captain said nothing, but he ap
peared to be surprised to see her there
aud in that dress.
“You did not cxpei t ire to return so
quickly?” she asked, noticing his sur
prise and smiling. I preferred her
frown to that smile.
“1 am at your merry, ” ho replied
coldly. “I presume that you mei.n to
kill me, but I am not afraid of death!”
“Yes, I mean to kill yon,” said that
she devil with cold blooded emphasis.
“I mean to kill you us you killed my
lover!”
“He was a conspirator!”
“He was your successful rival! That
is why you put him to death, lxx*ause
I loved him and would not listen to i
your falsi' tongue! You have robbed me ;
of all the happiness of life, and I intend
to have a noble revenge!”
She stopped to get breath, fer she had
been working herself up into a terrible
rage. Then she went on:
“1 planned the taking of this place
because that would enable me to accom
plish three tilings at onetime. I guess
ed that you would most probably not
be expecting an attack, especially from
so small a force.
“If you were prepared, that meant
death to all of us, but we were willing
to risk it. Wo have succeedeiL ”
There was a ring of triumph in her
voice, and it must be admitted that
there was gixxl cause for it.
“The taking of this fort means death
to you at our hands—that’s one thing.
It means disgrace to your father—there
he stands—and your family, the com
mandant of a stronghold who allowed
it to be taken by 80 men and a woman!
And it is a blow to tho government,
which promoted you for your infamous
deed! We can hold this fort against all
the troops and ships your masters can
send to retake it, aud we shall soon be
re-enforced ”
The captain’s lips twitched, but I am
certain that it was the thought of his
father’s disgrace aud not the idea of
death which unnerved him.
At a sign from Sanchez tho officer
was dragged to a tall jxist at the end of
the courtyard and securely fastened to
it so that he could not move any part
of his body so much us half an inch. I
hadn’t long to wait for an explanation
of this proceeding.
“This is whet I intend to do with
you,’’said Sanchez to her victim. “I
and two of my men who are gmxl shots
with the revolver will stand 20 yards
from you and fire at yon. We shall not
aim at any vital part, but shall scratch
and wound yon all over. When I think
you have had enough, wo shall leave
you to die of pain and thirst. And
while you are living your last moments
in agony think of Juan Machado and
how MariaSanchcz avenged his death. ’’
I could not believe my oars. I thought
she was trying to frighten him, but she
was in deadly earnest She took up a
position opposite him, and the others
stoixl on each side, but at some distance
from bis* and 20 yards from him, so
that they formed a kind of semicircle in
front of the doomed wretch and all
three at equal distance from him. They
began the slnxiting without delay. The
father was dragged up to the spot to
witness his son’s agony.
Tho girl had tho first shot Tho bul
let struck the captain’s ear, tearing half
of it away. One of the men struck him
in the arm, and tho third bullet grazed
his cheek.
The sight was too much for me. I
could understand her killing her enemy,
but to torturo him in that manner was
too awful. I couldn’t stand by and see it
done without making an attempt to pre
vent it My blood was up and I didn’t
care what came of my interference.
“That’senough of it!” I yelled, rush
ing in front of the officer. “If you want
to kill him, do so, but you shan't kill
him by inches in that way while I have
a bullet to use. The first one who raises
bis revolver signs the death warrant of
that she devil. ”
And as 1 s]x)ko 1 pointed my revolver
straight at ht-r head. It took them all
by .surprise, but the girl was as quick
as a dart and got even with mo at once.
Before I realized it—aud I’m pretty
smart generally — her revolver was
pointed at my head, and there we st<xxl
facing each other like duelists waiting
for the signal to fire.
"Stand aside!” she said imperiously.
"If not, yon will Ixj shot dead.”
“My bullet will travel us fast as
yours,” 1 replied coolly. 1 knew I
should be killed, but at least 1 had a
chance of putting an end to the fiendish
work of that little—angel. I suppose she
realized that, for she gave in.
"Stand aside, and he shall Ixi killed
outright,” she sank and us i looked
dubious about it she added haughtily,
"I give you my word. ”
1 felt that she would keep it, so 1
stood aside, but tho poor fellow had
fuiiitixl, aud she lowered her pistol He
was untied anti carried away. A minute
later 1 heard a pistol shot
1 was escorted to tho tug aud kept
there for about throe hours. Then 1 re
ceived a visit from Sanchez.
“Yon spoiled my revenge,” she said
coldly, “but as I always keep my word
1 have found you another crew, so that
yon may'•ontinne your voyage. Disc no
time in getting away from here. ”
She turned on her heel without an
other word and left me.
1 never saw or heard of her again aud
have no desire to do so. 1 succeeded in
reaching New York in timeaud remain
ed there till tho Nicaraguan trouble
was over. 1 sold the old tug, and my
noond crew got berths on other veweU.
—Pittsburg Dispatch.
HAS HVliOX'S SWORD.
A CHICAGO LADY V/HO ENJOYS THIS
PROUD DISTINCTION.
ZIow It Came to Iluei; Willi Two Other*
In Her JUuiiiK Kuolu The Great I’oet’n
Interest In tin Cause of Greece—Grief
at Hi* Untimely Death.
Between the windows of a pleasant
Chicago dining room hang three crossed
weapons. \Yi xthy companion 1 lades are
these, each drawn in ihe cause of free
dom—two by plain Maim* Yankees aud
one by an English peer. They and her
father's portrait are the most elx rishi'd
possessions of a gentle, white haired
widow. They are the preeious relies she
strain' d every nerve to save on that Oc
tober day a quarter of a century back
DELICATE MAINSPRINGS.
Very Quick to
and her hus-
wholc great
when she saw her home
band's business and the
city go up m tiame.
One weapon is a yataghan gallantly
wielded by her fatlu r in the war for
Grecian independence; another is a
plain United States army sabi r, worn
by her husband in our own civil war;
the third was carried by a more illus
trious and a more unhappy though no
braver soldier, George Gordon Nixd
Byron, sixth Lord Byron of Rochdale
and greatest poet of his age.
This one has an embossed silver scab
bard, a Damascus blade with a golden
sentence in Arabic engraved upon it,
which it chances has never been trans
lated. It may be something quite com
monplace—“Great is Allah,and Moham
med is his prophet’’—<>r perhaps the
niero name of the maker. .Still it never
has been translated and adds one more
element of romance to the coronet aud
the initial B upen the hilt.
Byron, as ever}’ one knows, never
lived to draw that sword himself for
Greece, though he threw himself into
her quarrel full of military ardor,
though he gave her his fortune, his
mighty name and in tho end his life.
As his friend Trelavney wrathfully
puts it, he was induced to stick for
three mouths at Ii issolonghi, “that
mud bank, shut in >y a circle of stag
nant pools which might be called the
belt of death.”
Here he raised 'oans, drilled troops,
negotiated the rel ase of prisoners, la
bored to reconcil the various Greek
factious, faithfnil} performed all the less
showy parts of wi r, till fever clutched
him, and suddenly the news of his death
shocked Europe. It was the extinction
j of a luminary at the zenith. It was the
j useless sacrifice of a splendid genius in
the prime of fame aud of manhood,
f Scott said it seemed as if the world had
come to an emb No man but Napoleon
ever filled such a place in the thoughts
; of his contemporaries.
About the time that indignant Tre-
lawney beside the miserable bier of his
friend was gathering up his last letters
the profile of his daughter Ada, “with
other tokens that the pilgrim had most
cherished scattered on the floor,” an
American volunteer was preparing to
join the Greek forces. Shortly after his
death Jonathan Peek ham Miller of
Montpelier came inquiring his way to
Byron’s house at Missolonghi, now used
as a meeting place for the government
of western Greece. He had served two
years in the United States army and
was almost immediately given the rank
of colonel on the staff of George Jarvis,
a New Yorker who bad command of
Lord Byron’s brigade. There were other
Americans fighting the Turks. Indeed
foreigners of all kinds were scattered
through the ranks. Trelawucy, his fed-
low countryman, Colonel Gordon; Colo
nel Fabvicr, the gallant Frenchman, ami
Dr. Mayer, the Swiss, who kept a valu
able journal of the siege of Missolonghi,
were but a few of tho many bold ad
venturers. Colonel Miller served to the
end of the war with an intrepidity that
won him the nickname of the “Ameri
can daredevil.” Many exploits of his
are narrated, but no man who went
through the famous siege of Missolonghi
needs a certificate of courage.
Colonel Miller secured the sword at
an auction of the effects of a young
Greek captain to whom Byron had pre
sented it shortly before his death.
Colonel Miller lent the sword aud
some valuable costumes to one Cast inns,
an errant Greek lecturer. His lecture
tour over, Castinos sailed back to his
own country without troubling himself
to return these borrowings. All trace
of them was lost, aud one would sup
pose America had seen the last of
By roll’s sword.
Colonel Miller’s daughter was but a
child at this time. She grew up, was
married to Ahijuh Keith and tixik up
her risideiii’O in Chicago. In 1S.‘i8, long
after her father’s death, she was travel
ing with her husband in < ireece, being
everywhere well received out of respect
for bis memory, and the desire to get
back the sword he had valued so highly
grew upon her. One day in the Mediter
ranean boat six was led to speak about
it to a Greek fellow traveler. It seemed
un absurd and useless thing to ask him
if he ehauced to know a Greek named
Christopher Plato Castinos.
“Absurd or not,” said he, “I know
the man. Hois keeping school in the
island of Syro. ”
To Syro accordingly the travelers
prociixied. Here the American consul
proved to lx; Mr. Kvangelides. the adopt
ed brother of Julia Ward Howe. He
stixxl ready to do anything in his power
for friends of Dr. Howe. Castinos was
seen and made no difficulty about re
turning the prize, with humble . * •
gies. In Athens Dr. Russ and George
Finlay unhesitatingly identified it.—
Chicago Post.
Deel the Efl't-ct* of Heat
anil Colil.
“Mainsprings are very much like peo
ple,” remarked a New York watchmak
er recently to a writer fur Ik ■ Star.
“They arc as susceptible to extremes of
hi at and cold as human beings. W ben
the thennom. ter is hovering around tho
freezing point or dancing away up in
ihe nineties the s< n.-itivc little main-
ipriug will succumb just as easily to
freezing or sunstroke ns man.
"Yon .'■■'*0, this uncertain piece of
mechanism is supposed to lx* adjust <\
to meet the various de grees of temper
ature, but when the changes are great
and come suuuenly then' is nothing that
can prevent them from snapping. Many
are made in Switzerland of the very
finest quality of steel, absolutely flaw
less. Very often the watchmakc r can
detect a bad spring before putting it in
a watch eitln r by its color or tho soft
ness of its soring. These have been tixi
tightly tempered in making, and in
stead of being subjected men ly to a red
heat the fire has been brought to white
heat, thus weakening the strength of
the metal.
“The finest watches that are handl 'd
by reliable dealers in the United States
are pnt through a ‘l ooking and freez
ing’ process before they arc sold, for
the purpose of testing t’.cir reliability
in all temperatures. The watch is first
placed in a little metal box, which is
made airtight. Thi n a strong gas flame
is turned on the undersurface of the
Ixix aud is kept there for one or two
hours, so that the watch is so hot at the
end of that time that it could not bo
touched with tho bare hands.
“From this it is immediately taken
and jmt into another metallic box,
which is buried in a vessel containing
ice. There the costly watch is allowed
to freeze for unequal length of time,
when its treatment ceases and the ex
amination is maue. If during this ex
cessive tost the watch has ticked mer
rily on without deviating a fractional
part of a second, it is put back in tho
case and marked ’guaranteed for two
years. ’ The mainspring is the first piece
of mechanism that succumbs to the test
If it survives, nothing need lie feared.
“Mainsprings are, however, about
the only part of a watch that a jeweler
cannot successfully diagnose. They can
guarantee any of the numberless little
wheels or pivots or balances that go to
make up the anatomy of the watch, but
the mainspring has as yet baffled the
most skillful makers of watches of all
countries. It is not so much the severe
extremes of tho weather that prove fatal
to the spring as it is the process of
changing from heat to cold, or vice
versa.
“Many people who have been tho
possessors of new watches but a sin >rt
time often come to me much annoyed,
declaring that they have paid a large
price for their timepieces aud the main
spring has broken after only a week’s
use.
“ ‘That is nothing, ’ I tell them. ‘We
jev piers have them snap in our cases
Ix'fore tho watch has even been shown
for sale. ’ Others imagine that they
might have wound their watches too
tight, but this (fix's not harm it It is
rather the jerky, hurried winding that
will eventually tell on the temper of the
nictuk Besides, every gixxl stem winder
has a stop placed in tho stem which
prevents tho winding of a watch too
tight
“Tho cost of a new mainspring is
small. It is the putting them in, tho
labor expended, that costs. It costa from
$12 to $15 to put a mainspring in tho
finest Swiss watch, while in a cheap
American make it costs only from 50
cents to $1.
“A gentleman purchased a $250
watch from me about a year ago and
shortly after ho left New York on a
tour around the world. Ho returned
about three weeks ago, brought his
watch back to me and paid mo this
compliment: ‘Here’s a watch,’ said he,
‘that 1 paid you $250 for a year aro,
aud while 1 was traveling around it lost
three minutes. You guaranteed it, and
I want you to make it good. ’ Tho watch
was placed in my window with this
card beside it:
" ‘This watch lost only three minutes
in a year in a tour around the world;
price, $275.’ ”
“Did you sell it?”
“Yes. Within two days.”—Wash
ington Star.
What it Cokf* to IJi- A mnsi'd.
There in a curious and interesting
Connecting link between business de-
pmsion and uinusemeiitH. When trade
is dull, when ev< rybotly lias the blues,
when tin* pall of lead colored spirits hart
fallen upon the ccminanity and men go
about looking as though they had lost
’ their last friend, the legitimate and tho
more sober plays seem to attrai t fewer
persons than when i verything is going
at Hood tide and every ouo is in good
spirits.
The reason for this may uot be diffi
cult to find, and the natural consequence
of the blues aud bad times is a desire
to be entorniued and taken completely
out of one.-i If by a season of jollity and
mirth. It is this desire, to get out of
oucsejf, as it were, that prompts at-
ti nuance at light and frivolous plays.
That the business of providing amuse
ments prospers better in dull times than
alincst any othi r occupation is readily
proved, and the prosperity is almost eu-
tin ly on the side of that form of dra
matic entertainment that makes people
laugh.
Men of one sort seek consolation in
the flowing bowl, those <r;f another turn
of mind go to the play and laugh away
dull care*. As illustrating this state of
affairs, it may be said that during last
year in Paris, when business bad been
unusually dull, the receipts at the thea
ters, of which close watch is kept by
tho government, wera lometbiug over
$H, (100,000. This is the highest figure
reached since, the year of tho exposition,
1889. Then the Paris theaters took
in something like $32,000,000. Loudon
is usually able to figure up receipts be
tween $7,000,000 aud $8,000,000. This
goes largely into the exchequers of those
houses that provide amusing amuse
ments, laughter provoking plays and
songs and dance that appeal to the de
sire to see and hear something that is
i mirth provoking.
New York pays out less money thau
either city meutioned. Three millions
or thereabout seems to be the usual fig
ure. An authority on such matters says-
that in times of financial distress the
word Shakespeare spells bankruptcy,
when in flourishing seasons tho name
draws crowded houses.—New York
Ledger.
The English Kothschiltla.
The greatest financial genius of tho
Rothschild family, though there have
been mauy of great talent, was Nathan
Mayer of the second generation, who
established tho house of N. M. Roths
child 6c Co. in 1798 in London. Ho
flew to the stars and groveled iu the
mud for money. He welcomed all trans
actions, big or little, wherewith to turn
the banker’s penny. He was the most
daring speculator of his time on tho
Stock Exchange and the most success
ful. Ho had carrier pigeons aud fasti
sailing boats to bring him the earliesfr
news from the war centers of Europe
aud so help him to manipulate stocks.
He followed Wellington’s army to Wat
erloo iu person and had relays of tho
swiftest horses and a fast yacht lying
iu the harbor at Ostend. So he arriveil
at the London Stock Exchange, after
tho battle, 12 hours ahead of any publiir
announcement of the victory, and madir
£5,000,000 by ouo of the most tremen
dous series of speculations in history.
In 1810, when the Duke of Welling
ton, then commanding in Spain, drew
on the English government for £3,000,-
000, and the English treasury was
short, Nathan bought the drafts at »
big discount aud at once sent the
money. The stories nbout this remark
able man are almost endless and show
how strangely he was alike equal to
the most tremendous schemes and tho
pettiest tricks of avarice.—Harper’*-
Round Table.
Only mu Umpire.
“See how gnarled and knotted that
man’s fingers are,” exclaimed the
young woman.
“Yes; they got that way in base
ball. “
“Was ho a catcher?"
“No; ho was an umpire. You see
he’s a deaf mute and used to have ar
guments with deaf mute players.”—
Washington Star.
Wooing In A tanka.
Wooing and wedding iu Alaska
among the natives arc interesting and
peculiar rites. When a yov.ug man is of
a suitable age to marry, his mother,
bis aimt or his sister looks up a wifo
for him. He seldom marries a wotnan
younger than himself. She is much old
er, and sometimes is double his age and
even more. She is selected from a fam
ily whose position equals his or is even
higher. When a suitable woman is
found, the young man is asked how
many blankets and animal skins he is
willing to ] ay for her. When this im
portant question is settled, a feast is ar
ranged iu the home of the bridi, aud tho
friends of both families are invited.
When the company is assembled, the
woman's people extol the greatness of
their family. Tho young man’s mar
riage gifts are spread out where they
will make a line show and then his
family sound their praises. The cere
mony lasts from ouo to two days, and
finally tho young bridegrixim takes bis
wife to his own abode.—Chicago Trib
une.
— - •
Literary Club Meeting.
The Literary Club will meet. Fri
day evening at 8:30o’clock in the
regular club room. All members are
requested to be present.
Mint. H. Fay Gah nky,
Crest.
To Cure ConallpuUnii forever.
T*he Uusvurets Cuntly Cathurttc. loc or !5e.
If C. C. C. full lo cure, druictfiKtx o funii money,
I f |{li , i* Goooi* Greuse ilnn’t curi* your ache*
amt pains, burn*, bruises uml sprains, we
pay you money back.
DvPnz Din’a co.
Mot Front Heaven,
Thirty years ago a steamer which
was about to make its first passage from
ouo southern city to another was the
scene of an evening reception at which
a calliope played an important part.
It was the first instrument of the
sort which had ever been heard in that
region, aud as its peculiar, farreaching
uotes floated out on the eveuiug air the
breasts of u largo part of the colored
population were filled with alarm.
Many were tho conjectures as to the
source from which the unearthly sound
proceeded.
One old darky stood listening ini si
lence for some time in hi* doorway,
uot far from the scene of the festivities.
At la. t ho spoke iu encouraging tone*
to tho frightened group gathered near
tho little house.
“1 tell you what,” he said slowly,
“I dou’ b’l’eve dat am Gabriel a-play-
in on his tromp, but if it am Gabriel,
he’s play in ‘Wait Fob de Wagon,’
sure’s dis chile’s got ears.”—Youth’s
Companion.
KUeal Hall Tcit.
A method of testing the hardness of
steel balls has been devised in Ger
many. The balls are dropped from a
fixed height eu a glass plate set at an
angle. If properly tempered, they re
bound info one receptacle, and if they
are too soft they drop into another.
tMONDERFUL are the cures by
• ■ Hood’s .Sarsaparilla, and yet they
arc simple and natural. Hood’s Sursac
parilla makes PURE BLOOD*
Letters of Administration.
Orricic or Pkobatk Jcixik. j
Stud! nf South (lurollnu. -
('bcroki‘1! county, i
lly Hon J. K. Wcbxtor. Ksijnlre.
Piohutc Jutlge or ('heroici*** county
j Whrukas. .1. H. Joffcrle*. an clerk of tho
] court, petitioner, has (licit a pet it Inn in my
otlice pray lux that Lott its of Administration
' on all unu shiKular, the icmxl* anil chattels,
right* and credits of W. I» Archer, di'ccasisl.
lute of said county, should he gruntoil to him.
Thcsii arc thiwcforo. tOcH« and admonish
all and »lnxt)1ar the k Indred and creditor* of
the said (tecoasixf. tots' amt appear bettor*
meal my ortlcc. at Gaffney City. (Chcrokeo
court house), on Thursday. Oct., 2t*t. Is’.iT. at
11 o'clock, a in., to show cause. If any they
have, why t he »ald udn>isl»(ration should not
he crauted. J E. WlMTIJL
T. It litm.KK. Probate Judge.
Attorney for Petitioner. (tttj