Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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Lost Man’s Lane. A Second Episode in the Life of Ame lia Butterworth. CHAPTER XIX. THE KNOT OF CRAPE. I was prepared to wo a change whnn I went into the dining room, but not so ^•reat a one. The blinds, which were al- ’.ays half closed, were now wide open, and under tho cheerful influence of the light which was thus allowed to enter the table and all its appointments had a much less dreary look Chan before. Be hind the urn sat Miss Knollys, with a smile on her lips, and in the window stood William, whistling, I am bound to declare, but so softly and cheerily that I could but acknowledge it wag better than his usual rude jests or sul len silences. Lucetta was not present of course, but to my great astonishment she presently walked in with her hands laden with sprays of morning glory, which she flung down in the center of the board. It was the first time 1 had seen any attempt made by any of them to lighten the somberness of their sur roundings, and it was also the first time I had seen the three together. I was mor disconcerted by this sim ple show’ oi improved spirits than would like t- acknowledge. In the first place, they were natural and not forced, and, secondly, they were to all appear ance unconscious. They were not marked enough to show relief and in Lucetta especially did not serve to hide the underlying melancholy of a disappointed girl, yet it was not what I expected from my supposed ex periences of the night and led me to an swer a little warily when, with a frank laugh, Loreen exclaimed: “Soyou have lost your character as a practical woman, Miss Butterworth? Hannah tells me you were the victim of a ghostly visit last night.” “Hannah gossips unmercifully, ” was my cautious and somewhat peevish re ply. “If I chose to dream that I was locked into my room by some very at tentive specter, I cannot see why she should take the confession of my folly out of my mouth. I w’as going to relate the fact myself, with all the accompani ments of rushing steps and wild and Unearthly cries which are expected by the listeners to a veritable ghost story. But now I have simply to defend myself from a charge of credulity. It’s too bad, Miss Knollys, much too bad. I did not come to a haunted house for this.” My manner rather than my words seemed to completely deceive them. Perhaps it deceived myself, for I began to feel a loss of the depression w’hich had weight'd upon me ever since that scream had rung in ny ears at mid night. It disappeared still further when Lucetta said: "If your rumblings through the old rooms on this floor were tho occasion of this nightmare, you must be prepared for a recurrence of the same tonight, for I am going to take you through tint Tip per roofns myself this morning. Isn’t that the programme, Loreen? Or have you changed your mind and planned a drive for Miss Butterworth?” “She shall do both,” said Loreen. “When she is tired of tramping through dusty chambers and examining the de cayed remnants of old furniture which incumber them, William stands ready to drive her over tho hills, where she will find views well worth her atten tion.” “Thank you, ” said 1. “It is a pleas ant prospect.” But within I uttered anything but thanks; rather asked myself if I was a fool, or was just being made one, and decided almost without an argument that the former supposi tion would meet with least denial from the world at large. However, lieliefs die hard in a mind like mine, and though I was ready to consider that an inflamed imagination may often carry us beyond the bounds of fact and even into the realm of fancy and misconception I yet was not ready to give up my suspicions altogether or to acknowledge that I had no foundation for the fear that something uncanny and awful had taken place under this roof the night before. The very naturalness I observed in this hitherto restrained trio might be tho result of some great dream removed, and if that was the case— Ah, well, alertness is the motto of the truly wise. It is when vigilance sleeps that the enemy gains the victory. I would not let myself bo deceived even at the cgst of a little ridicule. Amelia Butterworth was still awake, even un der a semblance of well laid suspicion. My footsteps were not dogged that morning as they hitherto had been in my movements about the house. I was allowed to go and come and even to stray into the second long corridor with out any other let than my own discre tion and good breeding. Lucetta joined me, to be sure, after awhile, but only as guide and companion. Hho took mo into rooms I forgot the next minute and into others I remember to this day as quaint memorials of a past ever and always in teresting to me. Wo ransacked the house, yet after all was over and I sat down to rest in my own room two formidable questions rose in my mind that I found it impossible to find satis factory answers for. Why, with so many more or less attractive bed chambers at their command, had they chosen to put mo in this hole, where the very flooring was unsafe and tho outlook tho most dismal that could be imagined, and why in all our peregrinations in and out of rooms had we always passed one door without entering? Hhe had said that it Was William's—u sufficient exjflanatiou 11 true, and 1 have no doubt it was—but tho change of countenance with which she had passed it and the sudden light ening of her tread, so instinctive that sheVas totally unconscious of it, marked that door as one it would be my duty to enter if fate should yet give mo the op portunity. That it was the one in com munication with the flower parlor I felt satisfied, but in order to make assurance double sure I determined upon a tour through the shrubbery outside that I might compare the location of the win dow with the chipped blind with that of this room, which was, as well as I could calculate, tho third room from the rear on that side. When, therefore, William called up to know if I was ready for my drive, I answered back that I was more tired than I expected and that I would be glad to exchange that pleasure for a visit to tho stables. This, as I expected, caused considera ble comment and some disturbance, j They wanted mo to repeat my experi- | ence of tho day before and spend two if not more Lours of tho morning out of the house. But I did not mean to grati fy them. Indeed I felt that my duty lay here and was so persistent in my wishes, or rather in my declaration of them, that all opposition had to give way, even in the stubborn William. “I thought you had a dread of dogs,” was tho final remark with which ho en deavored to turn me aside from my purpose. “I have three in tho barn and two in the stable, and they make a great fuss when I come around, I assure you” “Then they will have enough to do without noticing mo,” said I, with a brazen assumption of courage that would have astonished myself if I had had any real intention of invading a place so guarded. But I had not. I no more meant to enter tho stables than to jump off the house top, but itwas neces sary that I should shirt for them and make that start from tho left wing of tho house 1 . How I managed tho intractable Wil liam and led him as I did from bush to bush and shrub to shrub, up and down the length of that interminable facade of tho left wing, would make an inter esting story in itself. Tho curiosity 1 showed in plants, even such plants as had survived the neglect that had made a wilderness of this old time garden; the indifference which, contrary to all my habits, I persiste-d in manifesting to every inconvenience I encountered in the way of straightforward walking to any object I set my fancy upon exam ining; tho knowledge I exhibited, and the interest which I took it for granted he felt in all 1 discovered and all I im parted to him would form the basis of a farce of no ordinary merit had it not had its birth in interests and intents bordering on tho tragic, if not leading slowly up to it. A row’ of bushes of various species ran along the wall and covered in some instances tho lower ledges of tho first row of windows. Toward a certain shrub which 1 had observed growing near what I supposed to be tho casement from whose blind I had chipped a small sliver I was slowly moving, and when I reached it nothing would restrain my enthusiasm or my evident desire to dis play my erudition. “This.” said I, “is, without any doubt at all, a stunted but undoubted specimen of that rare tree found seldom north of the thirtieth degree, the Mag nolia grandiflora. I have never seen it but once before, and that was in tho botanical gardens in Washington. Note its leaves. You have noted its flowers, smaller undoubtedly than they should be—but then you must acknowledge it has been in a measure neglected—are they not flue?” Hero I pulled a branch down which interfered with my view of the window. There was no chip out of the blinds thus discovered. Seeing this, I let tho branch go. “But the oddest feature of this tree and one with which you aro perhaps not acquainted” (I wonder if anybody is?) “is that it will not grow within 20 feet of any plant which scat ters pollen. See for yourself. This next shrub bears no flower” (I was moving along tho wall) “nor this ’’ 1 drew down a branch as I spoke, caught sight of the mark I was looking for and let tho branch spring back. 1 had found tho window I wanted. His grunts and groans during all this formed a running accompaniment which would have afforded me great secret amusement had my purpose been less serious. As it was. I could pay but lit- tlo attention to him, esptcially after 1 had stepped buck far enough to tako a glauco at tho window over tho one 1 had just located as that of tho flower parlor. It was, as I expected, tho third one from the rear corner, but it was not this fact which gave mo a thrill of feel ing so strong that I have never had harder work to preservo my equanimity. It was tho knot of black crapo with which the shutters were tied together CHAPTER XX. QUESTION a I kept tho promise 1 had made to my self and did not go to the stables. Had I intended to go there, I could not havu dono so after tho discovery I have just mentioned. It awakened too many thoughts and contradictory surmises. If this knot was a signal, for whom was this signal meant? If it was a mere acknowledgment of death, how recon cile thy sentimentality which promul- ' ed such an acknowledgment with the monstrous and diseased passions lying at tho base of the whole dreadful oc currence? Lastly, if it was the result of pure carelessness a bit of crapo having been caught up and used for a purpose for which any ordinary string would have answered, what a coincidence be tween it and my thoughts, what a won derful coincidence, amounting almost to miracle! Marveling at the whole affair and deciding nothing, I allowed myself to stroll down alone to tho. gate, William having left me at my peremptory re fusal to drag my skirts any longer through tho briers. Tho day being bright and the sunshine warming even the gloomy recesses of the forest before me, the road, I thought, looked less ominous than usual, especially in the direction of tho village and Deacon Spear’s cot tage. The fact is that anything seemed better than tho grim and lowering walla of the house behind mo. If my homo was there, so was my dread, and I wel comed perhaps more than I ought to the sight of Mother Jane’s heavy figure bent over her herbs at the door of her hut, a few paces to my left, where the road turned. Had she not been deaf, I believed I would have called her. As itwas. Icon- tented myself with watching the awk ward swayings of her body as she pot tered to and fro among her turnips and carrots. Aly eyes were still on her when 1 suddenly heard tho clatter of horses’ hoc fs on the highway. Looking up, I emonntered the trim figure of Air. Trohm, bending to me from a fine sor rel. “Good morning, Alisa Butterworth. It’s a great relief to mo to seo you in such good health and spirits this morn ing, ” were the pleasant words with which ho endeavored, perhaps, to ex plain his presence in a spot more or less considered as under a ban. It was certainly a surprise. What right had 1 to look for such attentions from a man whose acquaintance 1 had made only the day before? It touched me, little as I am it the habit of allow ing n ysi If to bo it led by trivial senti- nunt: litus, ran though I was discreet enough to a’. < >id any further recognition of his kindn* ss tl.au was Lis due from a lady of great 1 If respect he was evi dently sutfii .ently gratified by my re- spons > to draw r lin and pause for a mo- men t o conversation under the pine trees. This for the mo. tout seemed so nat ural thnt 11< rf ot that more than one pair of eyes might be watching me from tho upper windows lack of us—eyes which might win tr eta meeting which to tne iooiish nu< ei standings of the young might have tho look of premedi tation. Bat, psliT .’! I am speaking as if I w’fci'O iO insicu.l of—let tho family record say. I never could see that it was a wi akuess for a woman to keep certain secrets to herself. “How did you pass the night?” was Air. Trohm’s first question. “I hope in all due peace and quiet.” “Thank you,” I returned, not seeing why i should increase his anxiety in my regard. “I have nothing to com- plain of. I had a dream, but dreams are to bo expected where one has to pass a half dozen empty rooms to one’s apart ment. ” He could not restrain his curiosity. “A dream!” ho repeated. “I do not believe in sleep that is broken by dreams, unless they aro of tho most cheerful sort possible. And I judge from what you say that yours was not cheerful. ” I wanted to tell him. 1 felt that in a way ho had a right to know what had happened to me or what I thought had happened to mo under this roof. And yet I did not speak. What I could tell would sound so puerile in tho broad sunshine that enveloped us. I merely remarked that cheerfulness was not to bo .expected in a domicile so given over to tho ravages of time, and then with that lightness and versatility which characterize me under certain exigences 1 introduced a topic we could discuss without any embarrassment to himself or me. “Do you see Mother Jane there?” I asked. “I had some talk with her yes terday. She seems like a harmless im becile.” “Very harmless,” said ho; “her only fault is greed; that is insatiable. Yet it is not strong enough to take her a quarter of a mile from this place. Noth ing could do that, I think, ybe believes, you see, that her daughter Lizzie is still alive and will come back to tho hut some day. She wouldn’t be away then for all the bank holds. I know, for I have tried to tempt her. It's very sad when you think that the girl’s dead and has been dead nearly 40 years. ” “Why does she harp on numbers?” said I. “I heard her mutter certain ones over and over.” “That is a mystery none of us has solved,” said he. “Possibly she has no reason for it. Tho vagaries of the wit less are often quite unaccountable. ” I felt him looking at me, not from any connection between what ho had just said and anything to be observed in me, but from— Well I was glad that I havu been carefully trained in my youth to pay the greatest attention to my morning toilets. Any woman can look well at night and many women in tho flush of a bright afternoon, but the woman who looks well in the morn ing needs not always to be young to at tract the appreciative gaze of a man of real penetration. Air. Trohm was such a man, and I did not begrudge him the pleasure ho showed in my neat gray silk and carefully adjusted collar. But he said nothing, and a short silence en sued, which was perhaps more of a com pliment than otherwise. Then he utter ed a short sigh and lifted the reins. “If only I was not debarred from en tering;” he smiled, with a short gesture toward the house. I did not answer. Even I understand that on occasion the tongue plays but u sorry p:u’t in such intervimvs. He sighed again and uttered some short encouragement to his horse, which started that animal up and sent him slowly pacing down the road toward tho cheerful clearing toward which my own "eyes were looking with what I was determined should not be construed even by the most sanguine into a glance of anything like wistfuluess. As he went Mr. Trohm gave mo a bow I have never seen surpassed in my own parlor in Gramercy park, and upon my bestow ing upon him a short return glanced up at the house with an intentness which seemed to increase as some object invis ible to mo from where I stood caught his eye. As that eye was directed to ward the left wiug aud lifted as far as tho second row of windows I could not help asking myself if he had seen the knot of crape which had produced upon me so lugubrious an impression. Before I could make sure ho had passed from sight and tho highway fell again into shadow—why, I hardly knew, for the sun certainly had been shining a few minutes before. This story will be continued in next Friday’s issue of The Ledger. EDITOR ROBERT L. HOKE DIES. Best Known Newspaper Man in Ten nessee Passes Away. Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 18.—Robert L. Hoke, one of the best known news paper men in the state, is dead after a lingering illness, aged 39 years. He was a native of Athene, Ala., and for years had been a member of the editorial staff of The Nashville Ban ner. sickness- necessitating his retire ment from his duties a year ago. He was the author of many productions, under the pen name of “Brutus,” and a volume of bis writings Is to be is sued from the press in a few days. Americans Win Palma Trophy. Ottawa, Ont., Sept. 15.—In the con test for the Palma trophy at 809 yard?, between the American, British and Canadian rifle teams here this morning, the Americans won with a score of 550; British second, 528 and Canadians third, 508. North Pacolet Convention Program. The North Pacolet Interdenomina tional S. S. Convention will meet at Salem church on the 28th inst. at 10:30 a. m. The following is the pro gram : Feng and praise service conducted by the chaplain. 10:45 a. m.—Enrollment of schools and delegates. 11:00 a. m.—Sermon by Rev. Sam T. Creech. Intermission. 1:00 p. m.—Song and praise service conducted by a Sunday school super intendent. 1:15 p. m—Has the interdenomi national S. S. work been fairly tested, and if not, why? Volunteer speakers will discuss this query. 2:00 p. m.—Does the spirit of mis sions enter into our Sunday school work as it should? Speakers, YV. S. Wilkereon and S. M. Rice, Jr., with C. YV. YVhisonant and YY’illam Jef feries, alternates. 2:45 p. m.—Reading of essays by young ladies on subjects of their own choosing. 3:00 p.m.—Question box. Miscel laneous. Adjournment. Notice to II. K. Association Hoards. The entire boards of the sections of the Broad River Association are called to meet at the Gaffney First Baptist church at 10 a. m., YY’ednes- day Sept. 24th. Business of import ance will come before the boards. The following brethren constitute the boards: Central—J. D. Bailey, YV. L. Goude- lock, S. M. Bagwell. Northern Section—J. B. Bozeman, E R. Cash, E. R. Sapocb, YV. I. Hen derson, J. S. Harris. Aliridle Section—J. Eh Jefferies, F. H. Dover, R S. Spt ncer, Jack Thompson, J. A. YVhisonant. Southern Section—G. P Hamrick. M. YV. YValker, C. A. Chaffin, F. N. Moore, YVm. Coleman, Simpson Blan ton. At large—F. C. Hickson. S. M. Bagwell, Clerk B R. Ass’n. - any church or parson age or institution supported by vol untary contribution will be given a liberal quantity of the Longman & Martinez Paints whenever they paint. Note :-This has been our custom for twenty-seven years; any building not satisfactorily painted will be re painted at our expense; about one gallon of Linseed (^il to be auded to every gallon of the paint to make ready for use; it’s mixed in two minutes, and cost of the paint tlit-reby made less in price than any other. Yearly product over one mil lion gallons. Smith Hardware Com pany, Sole Agents. FOR SALE F OR SALK Konr hundred acres of good funning hind at $7.50 per acre. The tract includes seventy-five acres of forest timher and thirty-five acres bottom land on i'acolet river; good dwelling and outhouses; well watered. Apply to H. I>. MATHIS, 7-2<i: 1 mo Havknna, S. C. The Bottom Knocked Out I N OHHEK TO MAKE ROOM for new goods wo will wdl our entire stock of Dry Goods, Notions, Hats and Shoes at and below cost. Also our large and well assorted stock of Ladies' and Gents’ F ur- nishlng Goods. $5,000 WORTH of goods to be sold at a sacrifice. Wo must and will sell without regard to cost. Call aud Inspect our stock Is-foru buying. Green Bros. & Co. KIDNET DISEASES are the most fatal of all dis eases. Cm C V’C kidney cure it i rULCI u BuaraDtMd Remedy or money refunded. Contains remedies recognized by emi nent physicians as the 6est for Kidney and Bladder troubles. PRICE SOc. and $1.00. REPORT Of the condition of the National Hank of Gaffney, at Gaffney. In the State of South Carolina, at the close of business, Sept. 15th, 1902. RESOURCES. Loans and discounts $189 922 40 Overdrafts, secured and unsecured 1 isn 41 U. S. Bonds to secure circulation . 12 500 00 Insurance premiums due bank . 314 22 Hanking house, furniture and fix tures 785 00 Duo from National Hanks (not re- ‘ serve agents) 1 149 51) Due from Stite Hanksand Hankers 420 45 | Due from approved reserve agents 572 29 Checks and other cash items $ 758 03 Notes of other National Banks 1 575 00 Fractional paper currency. nickels and cents 4 91 Specie 10 033 00 Legal-tender notes 1 000 00 13 370 94 Redemption fund with U. S. Treas urer (5 per cent, of circulation)... ii25 00 Total $220 >40 22 LIABILITIES. Capital stock paid in $ 50 000 01 Surplus fund A 10 000 00 Undivided profits, less expenses and taxes paid 11 253 37 National Bank notes outstanding 12 500 00 Due to other National Hanks $ 543 S3 Due to State Banks and Hankers 1 344 59 Due to approved reserve agents l 591 2> Dividends unpaid 45 (X) Individual deposits sub ject to check 77 350 05 Demand certificates of de- psit .. .. 00 03 Time certificates of de posit 10 891 2h Cashier’s checks outstand ing loo 19 97 992 >:> Notes and bills rediscounted 39 loo 00 Total. $220 >40 22 State of South Carolina, < County of Cherokee. )’ I, D. C. Koss, Cashier of the above named bank, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowl edge and belief. D. C. Ross, w UA -i _ Cashier. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 17th day of September, 1902. W. II. Gooding. Notary Public. Correct Attest: It. M. Wn KINS, J. A. Carroll, J. I. Sarkatt. “Little’ 5 Early Risers The famous little pills. Foley 9 s Honey and Tar for children.safe,sure. No opiates. BANNER 3 ALVE Summons for Relief. State or South Carolina, i Court of Gom- County or Cherokee. ( mon Pleas. S. M. McNeel. Plaintiff, against Fannie FL Ross, Defendant. Summons for relief, complaint not served. To the defendant above named:—y ( ,u are hereby summoned and required to answer the complaint In this action, which is this day filed In the office of the Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, for tho said county and to serve a copy of your answer to the said complaint on the subscribers at their office at Yorkville. South Carolina, within twenty days after the service hereof, ex clusive of the day of such service; and If you fall to answer the compluint'within the time aforesaid, the plaintiff in this action will apply to the court for the relief de manded in the complaint. Witherspoon & Spencers, Plaintiff’s Attorneys. August 30th, A. D. 1902. Sept. 5th,l-awk-6t. THE STORY OF STONEWALL JHCHSON. I have taken the ageuev in Cherokee county to sell the Story of Stonewall Jack- son—a narrative of his career from written and verbal accounts of his life. It Is ap proved by his widow, Mary Anna Jackson, and dedicated to Julia JacKson and Thomas Jackson Christian, grandchildren and sole surviving descendants of General Jackson, who are beneficiaries in the publication of tills book, written by William C. Chase. The book has 500 nages with over J50 illustrations. Tills is a work of the Confederate veterans and sons and daughters of Confederate vet-4 eransto show some tangible proof of their appreciation of the high Christian character ^ and soldierly qualities of their Illustrious chieftain. Stonewall Jackson, by helping his sole descendants, who are to be the benefi ciaries of tills work. Here is what Gen’l. C. I. Walker, comman der of the U. C. veterans army of Northern Virginia, says: Coker bury, S. C , June 4th, 1902, To my Comrades:— This will introduce Comrade J. L. Strain, who is engoged in the patriotic work of pre senting to our people “The Story of Stone wall Jackson,’’which sets forth with won derful clearnt» the noble life, high charac ter and rnagnlliecnt services oj our great Christian hero. The grandchildren of Gen’l. Jai-Jison are directly Interested in the sale of the book and will he benetttted thereby. 1 have consented to take charge of this work in South Carolina. Any favor or cour tesy you may extend him will he to my per sonal advantage and I will appreciate most highly any assistance you may give him. Yours very truly. C. I rvine Walker. Aside from what Generals Wade Hampton, F'it/hugh Lee. W. L. Cahbell and others say of it. the laaik is its own exhorter. The life character of this great man is a benediction upon the world of mankind, and should be read and studied by every boy and girl, not only in Cherokee county but throughout Christendom. 1 expect, as soon as possible, to make a canvass of Cherokee county with the book, but in t he meantime would be glad to fill any orders I may receive for it and will deliver it at the earliest convenient moment. The price of the book is: On fine grey cloth and silver omliossing, - $2.75 On plain morocco and gold emboss- / ing. $4.75 Address J. L. STRAIN, F.tta Jane. S. O. the most healing salve in the world. Foley's Honey and Tar ures colds, prevents pneumonia. Notice to Voters. The Legislature having created there vot ing precincts in Hie town of Gaffney instead of one. a'.l voters who vote in Gatl'ney are noti fied to bring up their certificates to lie re numbered according to law on first Monday in October. O. F.. Tate. J. A. Whisonant. II. Gibson. Members Hoard Registration. F’ridays until Let. 1st. Health FOR A QUARTERI lc who hsv* torpid liven r nd life a miser able existence, aad take pu drastic drugs’ which gnpe and raek tho be w»U, wbea all they need io’ a jrentlp reninv'cr to the iivei to do its di ’.y. m FJ?IR PILLS AND 70.4.0' PELL STS (are mild in their ;• itic.i. TT or'sb''muUite the liver to proper work, a-.c th-- .iclicis lu /ig, r tc. .i system as whole; in sh^rt, the. *»or.h as which is all medicine e ould^d . Kemc .t a t fo doer s for 25 dayi c—25c. r . bav« a ir^e sa v .ie if }■ .1 t. M MFG. CO IV :’v York Qrc^rcvl! Tenn. EXTREMELY LOW RATES VIA. THE SOUTHERN RAILWAY TO WASHINGTON, D. C., AND RETURN, ACCOUNT REUNION G. A. R., OCTOBER G-llth, 1902. Tickets will be sold Oct. 3, 4, .5 and Oth, with final limit Oct. Ifith, 1902. By depositing ticket with Joint Agei t at Washing ton not later than 12 o’clock noon of Wednesday, Oct. 13th, and on payment of fee of fifty cents, an extension of final limit to November 3rd, 1902, may be obtained. STOP OVERS permitted going and returning, within certain* limits ; particulars on application. SIDE TRIP TICKETS on sale from Washington to nearby battle-fields and many historic points in Virginia, Oct. G-14th inclusive, limited to return within five days. SOUTHERN RAILWAY operates superb through trains with sleeping cars, dining cars and vestibuled coaches from principal points. FAST SCHEDULES. For further information see any agent, or write W. H. TAYLOE, A. G. P. A. Atlanta, Ga. W. A. TURK, P. T. M. Washington, D. C. R. W. HUNT, D. P. A. Charleston, S. C. S. II. HARDWICK, G. P. A. Washington, D. C.