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the LKimEtt, (;ahpm:v, s. c, dhcimhek, i8, h.oo *•»*;, (•» . »•; • ttf s **; . a; . »K ;»»; •»“ . i»i s •<». i*f. ‘V • m? ; •*? * •» % •. » • « & « « '• '♦ '» '» • • ' • » ^ »- • ;V* • ;*» • r»» ♦ ;*« * ;«• • r«* • ft* • ?•* • f** *;««• ;»• ♦• • f»« • ;«• • #»« * ;«♦ * ;«♦ v ;»♦ • * #«» • #V« •• • * i 11 * • t * * • • • V* • • c V' ‘ • ♦ • • *> : . *<T^ ft TIGER TAIL (HRI8TMA5, TILE STOHY OF A FAMILY FEUD AND E UN AWAY MATCH IN TENNESSEE. Bf MARTHA M’CULLOCH WILLIAMS i’< ? .rs • • • ♦ ♦ • • V' • <A ♦ • 1" ? < ♦ • ♦ > <♦ • • s«t^ <• • • <• • • V< • & %\ i CoimrujM bu Martini Mi CuW** WiUiame. r. | .%. >x. iig; . i»r. rtf. «4f. »4f '-;%&&<• •& iHWt** *>1 • «P • ^ •^f'* • '•* •i\V* a* • *^V* ?*♦ • • SV*;«»• r#r • ;>• iit vJ^** JV• &'$%*+&*'•. **•**• HE clnrh ^i!ay 1 <*rs iu the back , room of tli*' store looked up from ' their hands as | Scjuire Jordan came iu. No oth er resident of Tiger Tail could have distracted them t*o That de gree. Tiger Tail is Tennessee ter ritory, yet abuts opou Kentucky. It It not, of course, down on any maps, not even the local ones. To be exact, !tt> metes and bounds are known accurate ly only by outland folk, wtio, say those of Tiger Tail, live iu such ill coudi- tloned regions as Fohsuiii hollowr. Wildcat. T<suifi and the Cooney range. Still the Tiger Tailers do not quite deny that Tiger Tail exists. They are nebulous only as to tts whereabouts. “Howdy, squire? Want to play? Take my hnad.’’ Jim Wilson, the store keeper, said, making as it to rise Crum the table. The other three players laughed uproariously. “He’s a beauty boy; that's what Jimmy is,” oae of them said. “He’s just nine under the table, squire. Of <xmrse he wants to be polite.” The squire laughed. “I'll play and pay If I lose out. Jimmy,” be said, “but ef I beat them rascals over thar you must do me a little small favor.” “Anything you say, squire,'’ Jim said, handing over the cards. The squire chuckled, but masked It With a •cowl as he answered: ‘‘Hetfcer not promise too brash, son. What 1 w T ant is for you to thrash Tennessee. Think you can do it?” “Why, that is sorter Jubons,” Jim responded. The others let fall their cards, looking significantly one at the other. Tom Turner, the squire’s part ner in the game, whistled and said, still pursing his lips: “So I suppose Tennessee’s mind is set on Milam’s gal.” The squire nodded. “And mine as set that he shan’t have her. I reckoned I’d find that gentleman here and come Just a-purpose to give him the word with the hark on It,” “I always wild that boy’d give you trouble ever sence you went and give | him that jogruphy name,” an oldish man, who hud Just come in. said j shrilly. The squire looked at him and chuckled again. “It had to be jography —or ’rlthmetic,” lie said. “Hlame your skin. Bill Jordan, you know that as well as me. Sebeu brothers of us. all in one poor neighborhood, and the last one of us too lazy to move out, ^ould put old man Solomon to his trumps for names. I didn't start as soon as the rest of you neither. Time I begun to raise a family you had dou bled and tribbled on all the handy Scripcher names.” “Don't you reckon this is sorter a ludgment on you. squire? Remember how many runaway couples you’ve married”— another of the cinch play ers began. The squire silenced him with a look. “Do you think I’m goin to belittle my oflice by not doin what I was 'lected to do?” he asked severely. “I have mar ried runaways—oh. yes. tweiity-seben couple—hut every hist one of ’em come from Kentucky. I p thar they have to have written consents from the par ents before they etui git a license. Is It my fault that 1 happen to live on the straight road from Kentiu-ky to Bellshoro? Of eourse mine's a handy place to them young folks. All they got to do is to have the license waitiu good lookln and a mighty fine house keeper,” Jim WiLs*wi said soothingly. “Yv>u couldn’t have a better, squire, 1 can’t hardly blame Tennessee. A big house is mighty bvnesome with no ’wo man In It. I’ll l**t money you won't blame him, neither, time she's been thar a year.” “I’ll hot the liewc • and farm she don’t «ver come thar, not while my bead Is tot,” the squire roared. “I’ll take the bet. She’ll coate and for your ask in,” a vc' -e said from the door. Tennessee stoo there laugh ing heartily. He was a l' - fellow', as tall and well muscled as ,1s father was slight and withered, yet the pair were curiously alike. They had the same obstinate chins, the same bright dark eyes, exactly the same level look Tennessee made a dash at ils father, caught him under the arms and drew him to his feet, saying as ihe squire fumed and writhed in his bold: “Fa you ain’t nigh as mad as you think Anyway, I*’* stop quarreUm till after Christmas. It’s jest two weeks off. so mighty dose to one ‘nother, them two. Wbarever you see or hear the one you're mighty apt to see and hear the other." “Round to bo that a way. Tennes see’s all the child his pa has got.’’ Tom said. “Rut hark! What’s that? Some fellow must be siiootin his Christmas guns early.” “Them ain’t Christmas gnus. They’re too close together,” the squire said, walking to a window - , open iu spite of tin* rain. “Resides, they ain’t comin right. They sound up towards Ken tucky.” “I bet it’s a runaway couple,” Jim Wilson cried, dashing out upon the piazza, with the crowd pollmell at his heels. “I hear horses and wheels and folks holleria!” he shouted back over his shoulder as he darted down the steps. Tennessee was close behind him, so close that the darkness swal lowed them at the same instant. All the rest could hear now out upon the big road a confused and strengthening medley—shouts, cries, curses, gallop Ing ln)ofs, whirring wheels, sharply punctuated now and again by a drop ping shot. “Runaways! They’re comin In! Hear ’em! They're tbrongb the gate! Here, squire! <?et on the bottom step, with your lantern ready! You’ll have to «lo a quick Job this thne. sure!” Tom Tur ner cried, shouldering the people aside and setting the little squire In the forefront of them. He was scarcely steady upon his feet when a horseman upon a panting and foam covered beast dashed Into the clnlr obscure of th* lantern light, crying out: “Fetch the squire! Quick! He knows mo—George Perdue! Here’s the license, squire. Fellow I know—stole his gal—old man's right behind—got a Winchester and the sheriff. Tie ’em quick as yon can. Thar ain’t a minute to lose. It’s all right, 1 tell you! Thar they come— that couple in the buggy ahead!” The squire seemed to swell, to stand an Inch taller. He could hear al>ove the tailored panting of the two horses which drew the buggy the noise of oth or horses coming as furiously, cries and curses, too. ami the crack of a rifle, the sharp report heralded by a lurid glancing glare. Steadying himself on Tom Turner’s shoulder, he said In his loudest, most official voice to the pair hidden in the buggy's cavernous re cess: “Do you and each of you solemnly agree and covenant before Almighty God and these witnesses to take ami keep each other for better or for worse?” “We do," came in smothered tones from the eloping pair. “Then, by virtue of the authority in me vested. 1 pronounce you man and wife!” the squire shouted, making a dart at the buggy and flinging hack the robe. “Come in. come In. you young people.” he said. “Leave me to talk to the old man.” “You'll have to. pa. It’s you he's mostly mad with.” Tennessee said, springing out and handing down his bride, a tall, pretty girl, mud splashed, disheveled and smiling through her tea rs. The squire, after one long, gasping stare, was fully himself. “It Is my custom and privilege to—ahem!—kiss the bride in such cases.” he said, press ing his lips to her forehead; then to his son. “Take her inside, young man. I don’t forget you won the farm In winnln her.” “No. you don’t take her Inside,” some owe cried from ten yards down the drive a second after. Old Man Milam had flung himself off his horse and was trying to lay hands upon his daughter. Squire Jordan stepped In front of the angry man. “I reckon our old grudge fa settled for us. Henry,” he said, hold ing out his hand. “Say, ain't you tidin tonight some of that same old skewbald stock?” Old Man Milam nodded. He could not trust himself to speak. “And It was heat In this. runaway race by my same Rlackhawk blood. I oughtcr ’a’ known that was Ten nessee’s span.” the squire went on Judicially; then, with a whimsical chuckle, “Henry, don’t it strike you we’ve been a couple of fools?” “It does look sorter that way.” Old Man Mllnm said, ami then and there the pair shook hands, and a feud ended. THINGS FOR CHRISTMAS are »<* plentiful in our line * i.ii merely memionimi them \v*»ui»l look like cataloguing but here's a very incomplete list of what may make ^l<’i«l to the heart of man or maul, wife or hoy : Table cutlery, fanrv scissors, pocket kniv*'-, miniature tool chests for the halt- growns; full >ized for the full growns. Smith Hardware Co., OAKFNEY. S. C. If it’s Good Values You are After You should see my line before buying, as I guarantee that you get 100 cents worth for every dollar spent with me. Con sider the following: © I nfants’Coats R.50 and up Ladies'Capes . T.'c to fu no Ladles’Jackets, latest styles $t.5ctoi> <*0 Ladies’ Dress Skirts in black and Fancy Plaids, from fl/15 to no Ladies'Silk Underskirts.. *1 M’t to $jao SHOES for everylsidy. that will tie sold for a very small margin of profit: Ladies' Misses’ and Children’s Rubber Overshoes Men’s Rubber Overshoes Men’s Arctics .... A COMPLETE LINE OF NOTIONS. blankets .. Comfortables Lap Robes ... . 40c to i.'ur .. .. 85c |I25 fl.25 to Skt.On per pair *Mn toil ^i li.oo to im) kl.jO and up if 00 to JV i 0 fct.00 to fill 00 f.'i.OO to fie "0 ft.oo to fi 00 ... 40c to Me 11.00 to {1.25 CLOTHING DEPARTMENT. Roy’s Suits . . .. Youth’s Suits , Men’s Suits | Men’s Overcoats Youth’s Overcoats : Men’s Overall Pants i Men’s Waterproof Coats WAGONS AND BI GGIES. I haveun hand at all times Wagons of all sizes. Buggies, Hurries and Phaetons, and my sales iu the past are the best evidence that my prices are right. MV GROCERY DEPARTMENT is full of bargains. I also have in stock a good assortment of Hardware, Woodenware, Glassware. Crockeiy, Wagon and Buggy Harness, and last, but not least. I can furnish any gradeot Ferti izers to those in need of tlds class of goods for grain as low as the lowest. Big lot genuine TEXAS RED RUST-PROOF SEED OATS at 45<- per bushel by the saep. 1 hanking all my friends and customers for the very lilieral patronage-best'Vtcd upon me In the past, and solicit ng a continuance of the same, I am, yours to serve, J. I. * 4-T W' ‘7 “TO TAKE AVI* kKKF EACH OTHKV KJK liKT- TKK OH WOKfiK.” I want a big party Christmas eve. You’ve always promised me I might have It when 1 come 21.” ”So I have, hut you don’t deserve It, you young rascal.” the squire said. “Promise me what I ask, and you may have a (tarty as long as Christmas, dance and frolic the whole week—yes. till old Christmas If you want to.” “You mean ulrout marry iu Hetty?” Tennessee ask ml airily. “I’m Just bound to do that. Marse Squire, but I’ll promise this—I won’t never do ft unless you are thar to see and willin it should he done.” “Hurrah! You’re givlu yourself a long time to wait, sir," the squire said eagerly, then beginning to cut a pigeon wing In Ids joy. “Now get about your party, sir. We’ll make it a rouser, the biggest thing that ever come off in Ti ger Tail.” • •••••* Notwithstanding Christmas eve fell rainy and dark as the proverbial stack of black cats, everybody came to Ten- ucsseo’s party. The Jordan house was big and square, witli tall outside clHm- mys and a makeshift gravel drive leading in semieireularly from the two gates ii|iou ilie big road a hundred yards away. For the party both gales were set open. Everybody rode or drove, even the nearest neighbors. J’eo (lie began coming at dark and kept coming until !i o’clock. Even before supper playing began with great spirit. There was a room given up to it indeed, since not a few of the company laid religious scruple- against even a reel. By and by. when the tables w ere cleared, there would be daneing. Tennessee was the life of every- Ills father eyed him as he went baking bands, setting •Iv ease, seeing to ev- One lot on southwest side of Jefferies St., containing 100 feet front and 160 feet deep. Fine location in desirable part of the city. For information and particulars apply to JONES J. DARBY, General Insurance and Real Estate. rni£ »^ / / And tb* And wttb tl p \\ -''from In **%{. Jtwdb for td < ' f? Tbf infvS Q>n»/ a,/in Hr, »t»Mr T .*nf7 „ / U IT i 1/^ , . (L. ' Hf / r»m» ttxr b&R>in4* r of p*ac» and fledncaa. r, .f Surc«»»* Of wr^nf. the «nd of deadly strife. 'jk oJA-. , Still kist ol power and wealth and warfare’s rr^adnefp A T tbe wide world —a, ne’er before are rife 4Ji8trjvi, ijyv -— : Al6b! wi,, * v * r corr >* that bright tomorrow ti' /S lov * *nd Joy shall rei,n o’er all tbe earth. 'J I v L/r- ■.Wbcp man 'o man no loovor Will brin? sorrow y" ,)L:L Ab'l.r'ace shall be. as promised at His birth? \f;l '•y'L N A i ^ S ^^-..AfEI L AC DONALD —(/j. ' \ sty* . u tiling, about e \ e r \' cryt hi Kcr vie, pri<|.• Mldlill; me ;it ig and a pie: Tin re ming to make re, with ever •re no hostess .me of our ki madding all t aid to Tonne- '<* to 11i< 1 ohi to d ' - J r UUi PAUTV < ot ||. tl fri.tidlj growing lie rest, see ’ ! me am A STOCKING LUNCHEON. N o \ «* I lo«'U I nr :i < firiMtni: s I'arty. W 11 li w a it I a < I a ii s [ ii I . \ i«i < - lie***. VjT (I <3 for fast, ef 1 < half : line 11 AS KVA hard atm • Y’ VC* Ihm’II B. Tin* result wa- a table shaped likt' the letter draped in white, garlanded with <‘\eivreeiis. ligliled with many candles and showing all down the mid dl. a row of Id; holly and cut p sides till that pil a dozen son > i h. fruit in pyrami. Jelly, other hov all nier. lv as s: t< i -. ionst tut ke r-oflee and l.eaie. k cakes, hra ut cake, at •fe Ullts. on! : howls of u y on ng woman io :,. • m. riaielil > <•! ’ I.C . 111 . I . . - thoiotig dy eiijo; ed i: • for them Tin 1 decorations in tin* more especially el the* original as they were a| ij,. • ... m ... there, everywher UU' I deeol .. | | .1 . ii II oiu.iig room. Me. were us ipropriate t*. were here. I- • i/.e red s-t. ekings. Ttiey eontained a ■ample gin of some kind for every girl >r. s ( nt. l itl.er a thimlile. letter open. " i.arl handled knife or a stickpin Be ! wfeu red ean.lies burning under red • hades low ulass vases laid two or .lore . .irna ! ions, piacsl at diagon.il •re u. latter, af e the delightful r< |iast, the girls gaihered in the parlor and had a darning cmitcst 'I’hey wer. gi\.n needle- dariiitig eottoti and rtoe! nv \ iih hole cut in them and told ihat they could have l.Y uiiitutes to show then s| || in darning When tli. t i e.c a s li 11 a vote wa s i a ken to ee Who merited the pi i/.e. the Ill.'kV Citizens’ Building and Loan Association of Gaffney, has been in operation for nearly six years. Every person who has stock in it is highly pleased with the investment. The Eighth Series will with January I, 1901. If you want to I \ V' \IoilC‘A our terms are liberal. If you to lay up 'Vour Iriii vi where you will get interest i with us. T 332 m 'it his is a ma t.li rij;il lies me ho mad 1. Th n of t liat old kildee. mighty !ili ii . an as • thief juiu t( > ol iject to i ! i i > *T i I’s mar- ryln a .1 [nnlnn “1 al’ lold you t luir uii! • sin in quarter riMiij. Y« m and old mat . Milam qua 1 lei 4 ol o#Vr r it •Jit ye: Ill's b.'U’i wn lilt III J. mliiii ^ aid UU'.lit: tlti vely. The Sll. irted a bit. ‘lie bet ox 11(1 1 011 t) inf ske wb: lid of 1 ils, and then e IniiiH d In n been use my Ji J| ( J « | 1 | • 11 jl'tlci J “Tbn t shows the pi/.i f'fl 11 M I inn. of | lhe bre. d ” “Wei 1. iu\t y e Illl’t |j( •Ip that . Slie’a »!i ;it st.a r| >r in a stag*.. whisper and on the . 1 "Ain't you *jol so Use enough to know Si: peiid.d ft |y colored i squire Ii 11< 1 I OHIO • sc. ain't mi iniiii that Sltlijeet no Nioro i itllil New V. •tir's?" like stocking ‘1 t Miulltoi 'll* 1. now .‘d 1 never W llll lace though t." Toil! s;i id ly painted s(i The s4|iiiro Iuh) a Iked a w tty with otie. I.'poll < out nn < ii •/ i !im too!:.'<1 ; tfter hit. t!< Im' 1 ! ties" a ml sa i* 1 • l!‘s ;» p lumb sham" lie won’t Rising frot be ri< •om-ili**! to Betty Mi lam. lit it center < f th* Worse 1 Im'IIovi* f git nt oros ’or him ami 1 Tenues iimitjiltlve < see to >s and pile Tlioy’r* small wax tn IU* itll'I • ’ -lii'i b\ 1 * t IV ^ 11! ill* ni'I « \*mi tnhh • pcusii; L 14114 >< JIM* loo .King ' sto<*i; ill 11114] 1 ilium •Use 1 11 < * t;) Mh. an <1 III. * jr u < * s t s 1 flint • ! 1 • ■ \ were lo tell i«I • 1 • \ uicrol y f.s •ling f u :i 4 g\ \ on a slice t of pa ami u 1 il ■ iW ed lo min 414 * ** v Ml 1 hr* prize for •4’t list was the ' tor-king Ullfl fit • 1 . toel,' il to\ of a I M *'t 1' II 1 of In Hr i ii N’ i u<«ii a Sac kktt. kii<H 114.' ICll I 4.'l'l>l'is- No strangers to deal with. N. H. LITTLEJOHN, 1 8.