University of South Carolina Libraries
SHE HAD HER WAY. Vhe Story of « Tennla Racket and a Sarcaatlo Malden. She was a demure looking girl, young and slight, and her hair clung to her forehead In babyish little rings. In her hand she held a tennis racket. Three of the strings were “sprung.” She explained to the salesman in the big sporting goods house that the rack et was an expensive one; that it had broken at the first trial; that the fact of Us having done so had caused her much annoyance, as she hud bought it for a birthday present. In conclusion she was here to return It. The salesman noted the babyish curls, and, adopting the manner of a bored but rather good natured cat to an Irresponsible kitten, he promised to have the racket restrung. “But I don’t want it restrung,'’ said the girl. “I want a new one.” “Oh, but I can’t give you a new one,” said the clerk reprovingly. “This one has been used.” “Yes,” said the girl meekly; “it has been used, and therein was my mis take. You see, I fancied I had bought a tennis racket and so described it to the recipient He foolishly believed me and used it. Had we both known that your firm was charging .$7 for pa pier mache souvenirs fashioned after the form of a racket, why, he would have put It upon his wall us a decora tion. Yes,” she continued politely; “I admit we erred in using it.” And she smiled prettily. Then she gave her address and walked out. The next day the firm sent a new racket.—New York Times. The IlninluMV. When a ray of sunlight falls on a raindrop, it is refracted; then part of the light is reflected from the internal surface and again refracted on leaving the drop. The white sunlight is not only refracted when it enters and leaves the drop, but dispersion also takes place. The eye sees bright cir cles of light for each kind of light, and since sunlight is made up of different kinds of homogeneous light we get a series of circular arcs, showing the spectrum colors, the red being outside and the other colors following in the order of descending wave length. The whole constitutes a primary rainbow. A secondary bow is sometimes seen outside the first. This is formed by the light being twice reflected inside the raindrops. The less refrangible rays are on the inner side. Rainbows due to still more internal reflections a”e too feeble to be observed. It is possible to get a white rainbow if the Bun is clouded or if there is a mixture of raindrops of very different sizes. Lifflitning Precaution. An electrical engineer declares that the center of the room is the safest place from lightning. “There is a constant tendency on the part of the electricity in the sky to reach the ground,” he says. “To do this it must have a conductor. Atmos pheric electricity always follows the outside of the conductor or agency that leads it to the ground. That’s why the middle of the room is safest during an electrical storm. “I know 7 of a number of instances where a bolt of lightning followed the walls of a room, burning it on all four sides, while the people in it, being away from the walls, were only slight ly shocked. That is the only safe pre caution known to science.” A State Dinner In Venice. In 15.72 the patriarch of Aquilcia feted Ranuccio Furnese, the pope's nephew 7 , In the palace on the Giudec- ca. The rooms were decked with ex traordinary sumptuousness, cloth of gold, paintings and illuminations add ing to the effect produced by the patri arch’s cooks. Among the guests were twelve gentlemen in fancy marine cos tumes of green satin with red lining, wearing caps of the same colors and each accompanied by a lady dressed in White. This repast lasted four hours, varied by music and the professional entertainers of the day. It ended with the cutting up of certain large pies from which live birds flew out into the room. The guests strove with each other to catch these birds. Discourteous Courtier. Once upon a time the prime minister Went to the king and complained that a certain courtier, who was very hard of hearing, had been making very un complimentary remarks about his sov ereign. “Your majesty should speak to him about it,” said the minister, “that it may cease, but you must needs speak loud.” “I will speak so loud,” answered the king, “that I guarantee the offense will never be repeated.” He then sent the offending courtier to the guillotine. Moral.—Ax speaks loud.or than words.—New York HernJd. Soft Harness You can make your har ness ns soft ns a glove mid ns tough ns wiro hy using ECU Eli A llnr- n«n« Oil. You cun lengthen Its life—make it lust twice ns long as It ordinarily would. EUREKA Harness Oil nmke* a poor looking bar- Dirni like new. Mndo of pure, heavy bodied oil, es- lieclaliy prepared to With- aland the weather. Bold everywhere In cans—ail sues. Mads bj STANDARD OIL CO. IBUHT BY CONVICTS. EMPLOYMENT OF PRISONERS ON ROADS IN THE *SOUTH. Laws of the Different States on This Subject—How the Convicts Work on the I'nbllc Highways—Cost of Maintaining Them. The use of convict labor in public roadbuilding is most largely practiced In the states of Georgia, Tennessee, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina and Kentucky in the order named, writes A. ,7. Holmes in the yearbook of the department of agriculture. In Virginia, whore only tw 7 cnty-three con victs are reported as having been used on the public roads of the state, and these confimHl to four couuties, and in Alabama, where only twenty-five con victs an' reported as being used on tbe public roads in two counties, the sys tem is still in its infancy. In Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi tbe systeu: has boon more largely adopted. In tbe states of Virginia, West Vir ginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, Florida and Georgia Kv x> CONVICTS BUII,DING A ROAD, prisoners convicted of misdemeanors only may be assigned to work on the public roads, and for these the sentence does not usually exceed a year, w 7 hich, when the costs are added, may be there by extended to nearly two years in ex treme cases. In Alabama, in a few cases, all ablebodied male prisoners whose terms of sentence do not exceed two years may be assigned to w 7 ork on tbe public roads. In South Carolina this limit is extended to five years and in North Carolina to ten years. The experience in North Carolina during tbe past ten years has shown that all the ablebodied male prisoners whose terms of sentence do not exceed ten years may be successfully employ ed at the ordinary work of highway improvement. Many such prisoners in different southern states whose terms of sentence range between one and ten years are now employed under either the lease or contract system or under state control, and are working on farms or in mines and factories. All of these might bo employed in improv ing the public highways. The expense entailed would not be great, the dilll- culties which seem to stand in the way would disappear iu practice, and the re sult would be of incalculable benefit In helping along industrial and education al development in each of these states. As o rule, it has not been found economical to work convicts on tbe public roads when tbe squad consisted of less than eight or ten men. It is custocaary to have one guard for each ten or fifteen men, and of course this one guard would be necessary even were there only one or two men in tbe squad. In addition to tbe guards, there is usually a superintendent of tbe work; consequently this work is carried on most efficiently when tbe road force or camp contains from thirty to fifty men. When the number of convicts to be employed on the roads in any county is more than fifty or sixty, it has been found better to divide the force into two squads or camps, each having its own local superintendent and guards. It is usually urged against this sys tem of roadbuilding that it offers too many opportunities for tbe escape of prisoners. Experience in many coun ties, however, has shown that the aver age annual escapes amount to less than 2 per cent, and the few who do escape are usually recaptured within a day or two. A comparison of the figures given with similar figures for hired labor shows that the cost of convict labor in several states ranges from one-third to one-half that of tbe hired labor em ployed on the public roads in those states. In the two Carolinas and Geor gia, where the road work is carried on with great efficiency, the cost of main taining and guarding the convicts at work on tbe public roads ranges in many counties from 20 to 30 cents per convict per day and is even considerably less than tbe cost of feeding them in the county jail. Morning and evening tbe prisoners are marched along the road from and to their temporary quarters, which con sist usually of either heavy, large tents, portable houses ou wheels or structures either of wood or corrugated iron built i in sections so they can lie easily taken ! to pieces, removed and set up again. In order to facilitate their being safely guarded during the night without too groat risk and expense each prisoner when he goes to bed lias either one foot or one hand fastened loosely to a chain or rod, from whiffii he can be easily re leased the following morning. It has been tbe general verdict from the various counties In the southern states where convict labor is employed In roadbuilding to any considerable ex tent that in both efficiency and cheap ness it is decidedly superior to such free labor as is ordinarily available there for this work. GOOD ROAD NOTES. The Improvement of niKhwAys In Various Statea. The council of Ilammonton, N. J., has passed an ordinance allowing a re bate of $1 In taxes for each wheel on a wagon having a tire four inches or more in width. It has been found by test that vehicles with broad tires do not damage tbe gravel roads as much ns the narrow tires, and to make the change popular among farmers the re bate In taxes has been inaugurated. At Farmington, Me., it is stated that tlie ladies of that vicinity, some thir teen in number, held a “bee” and put a piece of road of about one mile in the best condition it was ever in. It is re ported that they came early, armed with shovels, rakes, hoes and wheel barrows, and labored the entire day. It is said that a woman surveyor of highways in that town is to be elected another spring. A novel method of raising money to repair roads has been adopted in Su perior, Neb. The Commercial club lias decided to get up a minstrel show and devote the proceeds to repairing the roads in tbe river bottoms which were destroyed by the overflowing of the Republican river the past summer. The road question is being agitated in Tullahoma, Tenn., and vicinity. At a recent meeting one farmer stated that he had sustained a loss of $800 by not being able to get his corn to mar ket owing to bad roads. He thought it time that they were improved. Oth er farmers were of the same opinion, and it. is expected that the agitation will result in improving roads in that section. Joplin, .Mo., has excellent roads lead ing from it in every direction. About $23,000 a year is spent on an average. Some $150,000 has been spent during the past six years. The funds for the work come mainly from the saloon taxes, every saloon In tbe district be ing compelled to pay $520 to tbe fund. Ten per cent on each $100 of taxable valuation in tbe district Is the only additional means of revenue. — Good Roads Magazine. A SPLENDID INVESTMENT. Good Roadx lirinK Joy to Every Com munity. Many of us do not know that bad roads are responsible for so many of our woes because we have not thought, says Isaac B. Potter. Some of our farmers are patient and many of them arc contented with these roads because they do not know tbe value of a good one. A good road is a splendid invest ment. There never was a good road made in any civilized country on earth that didn’t pay 100 per cent a year on its cost. A good road raises tbe value of every acre, invites us to market when prices are good and takes us out of tbe clutch es of tbe commission pirates who sell our goods behind our backs at their own figures, keep their own accounts and pay us a pittance for our toil and trouble. A good road shortens distance, eaves time, wagons, horseflesh, harness, increases the load and lessens tbe bur den and makes it possible to haul two tons to market with the same power that now leaves one ton stuck in the mire. A good road brings us closer together, drives out gloom, makes neighbors of hermits, discounts every farm mort gage and brings joy and contentment to every community. Imagine a man knee deep iu the mud trying to look cheerful! TO IMPROVE HIGHWAYS. California Coanty Alive to the Value of Ueuutiful Hoads. At the recent meeting of the San Joaquin Valley Commercial association in Merced the committee on resolutions reported iu favor of adopting the fol lowing: Whereas, Nothing adds more beauty to a farming country than appropriate shade trees along its highways, ai \ w tereas, there is a notable absence o. such trees along the roadways of the San Joaquin valley; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That each organization in the San Joaquin valley be urged to set aside a day to bo known as Arbor day, making the same a holiday, and to invite the population of each respective community to turn out en masse on that day for the purpose of planting shade trees along the roads in its respective neighborhood. Ways and means for the purchase of ap propriate trees and for the defraying of incidental expenses should be raised by popular subscription or otherwise, as seems most Judicious. The different organisations in the valley, says the San Francisco Chron icle, were urged to beud every effort toward effecting a betterment of the public roads. Worth More Thau Larger Crops, A system of good turnpikes or even of the modern well drained and well kept dirt road, constructed according | to scientific engineering principles, would lie worth more than au extra barrel of corn or a fraction of a hale of cotton to the acre, says the Spring- field (Mo.) Republican. With easy and i cheap transportation every pound of marketable value would he gathered and sold, and not left to rot iu the fields, as is too often the case now. Besides this, country life would be made more attractive and the value of real estate would advance. BOUGHT OUT COMPETITORS. Cedar-town Exchange Becomes Proper ty of Long Distance Telephone. Carrollton, Ga., Jan. 8.—The Gainea. boro Long Distance Telephone com pany, of this city, hae juet bought out the Cedartown exchange and add ed tide extensive service to its sys tem. The Gainesboro company, which entered 1 this field, locating head quarters at this place some 30 months ago, have ramifications of their sys tem penetrating almost every district in this county and numerous lines and a score of pay stations In adjoin ing counties. A few weeks ago it finished a gap from Buchanan, the county seat of Haralson county, to Ce dartown, the county seat of Polk, a distance of 18 miles. On this impor tant extension were established sta tions at Youngs, Felton and other points. Soon after entering Cedar- town the acquisition of that exchange became of interest to this company. Sorghum a Profitable Crop. Jackson, Miss., Jan. 8.—A fine crop of sorghum molasses was raised in south Mississippi this year, and a number of enterprising farmers in that section are engaging in a new phase of the industry by putting up the sirup in attractively labeled cans and placing it on the market. There is quite a demand for molasses in this form in the north, and good prices are being obtained, some of the farm ers netting as much as $200 per acre from their cane patches. The indus trial department of the Gulf and Ship Island road is making considerable headway with its campaign for the es tablishment of canning factories in that section, and a circular letter is now being sent out among local pro moters assuring them that-the road will co-operate in every possible way in the establishment of canning fac tories to convert home-raised products into marketable shape. Goml ItondM In Europe. In Europe many roads, especially in the mountain regions, with their wind ings, buttresses, culverts, walls and tunnels, are monuments of the highest engineering skill. In European road ways all ditches, brooks and small wa ter courses are spanned by stone cul verts, often of elaborate construction, while projecting spurs of rock on the mountain slopes are pierced by tunnels. Slanting sides are usually covered with grass, which is kept neatly trimmed. This prevents washing by rains and adds permanency to the structure. Strict Quarantine Maintained. Tucson, Ariz., Jan. 8.—Information to The Star from the office of the secretary of state of Hermosillo con cerning the plague situation, is as fol lows: 'A© strictest quarantine is maintained at Guaymas against Ma- zatla^. A cordoa of soldiers has been established from the tidewater on the boundary line between the states of Sonora and Sinaloa, the sol diers being stationed within sight of each other along the entire distance with instructions tto shoot any one endeavoring to pass the line. The strictest kind of patrol is kept along the coast. No passports are issued to ships to clear from Guaymas, and no ships are allowed to enter from any points. Guaymas is depending entirely on her own resources for subsistence. Flood Situation In Washington. Tacoma, Wash., Jan. 8.—The flood situation so far as the Northern Pa cific is concerned, is practically the same as reported Tuesday. A largo force of men are at work with pile drivers on the main line between Palmer Junction and Lester. Another gang is at work on the big bridge at Martin, and still other gangs are at work at various places along the line. Until the line is cleared, the North ern Pacific will send all trains via Portland, and the O. R. and N. There are now hut 12 passengers on the trains that are tied up in the mount ains and they are comfortable. Among those who came out over the different routes w 7 ere several ladies. They stood the strain remarkably well. Goes To Insane Hospital. Sacramento, Cal., Jan. 8.—William F. McCormick, one of the best known horsemen in the United States, has been brought from Folsom prison, en- route to the state hospital for the in sane at Napa. McCormick was sent to Folsom on May 16, for a term of 10 years for the murder of Thomas Cullen, a stable boy, employed on the racho del Paso. He was a horse trainer for the Rancho del Paso, Green B. Morris, Theodore Winters and several other owners. He achiev ed the greatest success while in the service of Winters, when he trained that veteran’s stable, including the famous El Roy. Engineer and Firemen’s Conference. Louisville, Jan. 8.—Jan. 15 is the date set for a conference between the locomotive engineers and firemen of the Louisville and Nashville with the management of that system over the matter of an increase in wages. The Louisville and Nashville officials here maintain that no demand has been made upon them for an advance in the working rates of this branch of the service, and that the meeting held in this city ton days ago was merely for the purpose of arranging- a day for the presentation of demands. It is not known whether the trainmen of tho system are contemplating the pro- sentati<^ of a request for an increase. Chattanooga Pottery Purchased. Chattanooga, Tenn., Jan. 8.— consolidated naval stores company has purchased the Chattanooga pottery, located at Daisy, Tenn., from D. F. Montague, of this city and will manu facture turpentine pots for the prod ucts of the company. This branch is capitalized at $50,000. Sprained Wrist While Wrestling. LouisviHo, Ky., Jan. 8.—Marvin Hart, tho pugilist, sprained Ms wrist while wrestling last night and has cancelled his engagement with Jack O’Brien, of Philadelphia, set for Jan. 17. SHORT LOCAL ITEMS. The mercury stood at twenty this morning at 7 :30 Auditor Gamp is out in tbe country taking tax returns. G. Lee Martin has been appointed postmastrr at Ezells. The mercury stood at twenty-seven yesterday morning at 7 o’clock. The General Assembly, of South Carolina, will convene next Tuesday in Columbia T. H. Westrope has moved into bis building next to Finckeu’s “Pal ace of Sweets.” The cold weather of the last few days materially reduced the number of country people iu the city. Pf-ople buy shoes in wet weather, clothing in cold weather and “fuss X” dispensary liquor all the time. J. C Otts, Esq., and N. W. Har din. Es-q , argued a case before Judge Gage, in Cnester, the last of last week. . The many friends of litt’e Annie Mosher Pierson will be pleased to learn that she is • improwing after a critical illness. Wednesday and yesterday were two of the cold days of the winter. The weather was clear with the wind coming out briskly from the north west. Joe E McArthur has resigned his place with J. G. Lipscomb & Co., and is devoting his time to the Poag Mule Company which will be in its com modious new stables next week. Miss Georgia Steedly will give a re cital of piano music at the college next Saturday evening at 8 o’clock. All levers of music will embrace this opportunity of hearing some first- class music. Rev. D. L. Padget, who conducted the meeting in the hall on Granard street, has returned to Spartanburg. Mr. Padget is a good preacher and his meeting here did much good. Quite a large number professed re ligion. j It is a pity that when a “blind tiger” is caught, that a case is not made out against him for every sale he is kiown to have made instead of pooling all the evidence of each transaction in one prosecution. Try one case at a time, then more ade quate punishment can be inflicted. Played to Packed Houhch in Charlotte. The Peruchi-Beldeni Company played, of course, to a packed house at the theatre last night, and were loudly applauded from start to end of the sensational play, “Atthe Hour of Nine.” Tonight the company will present “Tbe Prisoner of Algiers,” and will be again greeteo by a crowded theatre—Charlotte Daily Observer, Sept. 30fh. ISoy's life Maved from Memhranoutt Croup. C. W. Lynch, a prominent citizen of Winchester, Ind , writes, “My lit tle boy had a severe attack of mem branous croup, and only got relief after taking Foley’s Honey and Tar. He got relief after one dose and I feel that it saved tbe life of my boy.” Refuse substitutes. For sale by Cherokee Drug Co. More than 200 different types of cells are described by an English electrician, Dir S. R. Bottone, in a new work on galvanic batteries. Flue FdoukIi for Wedding Cake Or any other cake—and still the best flour for bread, biscuit and everything else. That’s what “Clif ton” flour is, an ail-rouud flour that will never disappoint you no matter what you use it for. Buy it and try it. A woman can stand being kissed against her will all right, but it makes her way very indignant if you don’t pretend to use force. To Cure a Cold In One Day Take Laxative Bromo Quinine Tab lets. All druggists refund the money if it fails to cure. E. W. Grove’s sig nature is on each box. 25c. Girls are weak creatures at best yet the weakest of them is capable of throwing a strong man over with the greateet of ease. The reaeor. why Hancock’s Liquid Sulphur should be in every house, it is indorsed and prescribed by the leading physicians, for such diseases as Eczema, Pimples, Ringworm, Salt Rheum, Dandruff, Diphtheria, Sore Throat, Cuts, Burns. Open Sores, and all blood and skin troubles. No home should be without it. For sale by the Cherokee Drug Co. When a servant girl waits until ironing day to demand more wages siie believes in striking while the iron is hot. Dickey’s l)> spep‘!a Cure cures in digestion, sour stomach, heartburn, costiveness, gnawing and burning pains at pit of stomach, sick head ache. Try it. One I o;tle will give you relief. S B. Crawley & Co. Hon. Lionel Guest, of London, has arrived in New York to spend the w-inter. Thousands of people have been cured of rheumatism hy taking Rheu- macide. Have you tried it. Posi- tivtdy does not injure, but benefits the organs of digestion. At Drug gist. BANNER SA LVE _the most healing salve In the world. Foley’s Kidney Cure makes kidneys and bladder right. THE STORY OF JACKSON. An Old “Gonfed” Gives HU Opinion of the Great ChrUtlan Hero. Center, Miss., December 15, 1902. Col. J. L. Strain, Etta Jane, 8. C. My Dear Sir and Comrade:—I en close a short communicatioc iu regard to tbe history of our great Stonewall Jackson which you can have publish ed in tbe Gaffney Ledger if you think it worth its space. I feel far inade quate of the task of doing justice to such a man. I authorize you to take from or add to it if by any means yom can make it better. He is tbe most remarkable man I ever read the history of. I have read the history of most of tbe great meu of tbe world and none of them sur pass, I might say, our immortal Jackson. I was never in the Virginia army, consequently never saw Jackson. I was in the western army of Tennessee ail tbe time. We never had a general capable of commanding an army after the death of the lamented A. 8. Johnston, who was a great general. His plan and execution of the battle of Shiloh was never excelled by mor tal man. I have his history in my library and occasionally read of the battle of Shiloh, although I cannot forbear shedding tears when I read it. It seemed the fortune of war turned against us at his death. I. M. Peeler and W. A. Peeler, of Gaffney, are nephews of mine; F. G., 8. A. and T. J. Stacy are children of an aged Sisiter living in Gaffney. Say to them any assistance or courtesy extended to you in your noble work will be appreciated by me. I have not had time to peruse the book (Story of Stonewall Jackson) through, but sufficient to form an opinion of its merits. It is well com posed—faultless in every particular. You requested my opinion for publi cation in your valuable county paper, The Ledger. I have read the history of mostof the great men of the world and 1 confess Jackson the most re markable man of them all in more ways than one. He was the great Christian hero of the 19th century. I have read the history of Bonaparte by French and American authors, but it’s natural for the former to have a partial leaning for his great general With all that he hid not make him a. greater man than our Christian hero, Jackson, whose valley campaign iu Virginia very much reminded me of one of Bonaparte’s greatest and most successful campaigns. Well did Bishop Kelly in his memorial address in Savannah, Ga., last spring place our southern women as tbe highest type of womanhood in the world. He could truly have gone a little further and stated the south had pro duced some of the greatest men of the world, for the impress of the mother is stamped on the child. As proclaimed the great Napoleon Bona parte in the zenith of his glory: “Whatever greatness is in me I owe it all to my mother.” It is a book that should be in the home of every southern family—more especially our Confederate comrades. It is ennobling and inspiring to the youth of our southland. Jackson acted on field of battle like one in spired from hii»h heaven. It seemed that he could with his wonderful mind penetrate the movements or designs of an enemy as if by inspira tion. His pausing amid the activities of war to commune or celebrate the Lord's) Supper places him without a parallel in the history 6f the world. Alas! but that our Confederate au thorities could have seen the great ness of the man at the commence ment of the Civil war and eleetd him commander-in-chief of the Confeder ate army—given him unlimited con trol, untramelled by the civi! authori ties, as the Continental Congress did the great Washington. Our Civil war would then have been ended in a very short time. I remain your friend and comrade. I Peeler 1! A \\ N Mi m m hs HIS PICTURE shows one of the dramatic situations in our next serial, The Reformer BY Rev. Charles fli Sheldon “The Reformer” is in the author’s be Jt vein, being the absorbing story of a rich young man who gave up home and fortune to devote hima^lf to the cause of reform.