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.r-’.i.-L., ■■■i.i.’.A U ,:V; i*******************"*********’* 1 '*******: By ... WILL N. HARDEN ! 1 ABNER DANIEL Author of ‘•XOtJter/tU’ Copyright, 1902, by HARPER <& BROS., Who Publish iKe Work in Book Form. AH Right* Reserved - * CHAPTER II. [LAN found bis uncle on the buck porch washing his face and hands in a basin on tin 1 water shelf. The young man leaned against one of the wooden posts which supported the low roof of the porch and waited for him to conclude the putting, sputtering operation, which he finally did by enveloping his head in a long towel hanging from a wood en roller on the weatherboarding. “Well,” he laughed, “yore uncle Ab didn’t better matters in thar overly much, but what could a feller do? Yore pa’s as bullheaded as a younr steer, an’ he’s already played smash anyway. Yore ma’s wastin’ breath; but a woman seems to have plenty of it to spare. A woman’s tongue's like a windmill—it takes breath to keep it a-goin’, an’ a dead clam ’ud kill her business.” “It’s no laughing matter, Uncle Ab,” said Alan despondently. “Something must have gone wrong with father’s Judgment. He never has acted this way before.” The old man dropped the towel and thrust his long, almost jointless fingers into his vest pocket for a horn comb which folded up like a jackknife. “I was Jest a-wonderin’,” as he began to rake his shaggy hair straight down to his eyes—“I was jest a-wouderin’ ef he could ’a’ bent his skull In a little that time his ^nule th’owed ’im ag’in the sweet gum. They say that often changes a body powerful. Folks do “It’s no laughing matter, Uncle Ab.” think he’s oil his cazip on the land question, an’ now that he’s traded his best nest egg fer another swipe o’ the earth’s surface I reckon they’ll talk harder. But yore pa ain’t no fool. No plumb idiot could ’a’ managed yore ma as well as he has. You see, I know what he’s accomplished, fer I’ve been with ’im ever since they was yoked together. When they was married, she was as wild as a buck an’ certainly made our daddy walk a chalk line, but Alfred has tapered ’er down beautiful. She didn’t want this thing done om bit, an’ yet it is settled by this time”— the old man looked through the hall to the front gate—“yes, Trabne’s unhitch- in’. He’s got them stock certificates in his pocket, an’ yore pa has the deeds in his note case. When this gits out, mossbacks from beer clean to Gilmer ’ll be trapsin’ in to dispose o’ land at so much a front foot.” “But what under high heaven will be do with it all?” “Hold on to it,” grinned Abner; “that Is, ef he kin rake an’ scrape enough to gether to pay the taxes. Why, last yeer his taxes mighty nigh floored ’im, an’ the expenses on this county he’s jest annexed will push ’im like rips, fer now, you know, he’ll have to do with out the income on his factory stock. But he thinks he’s got the right sow by the yeer. Before long he may yell out to us to come he’p ’im turn ’er loose, but he’s waltzin’ with ’er now.” At this juncture Mrs. Bishop came out of the dining room wiping her eyes on her apron. “Mother,” said Alan tenderly, “try not to w-orry over this any more than you can help.” “Your pa’s gettin' old an’ childish,” whimpered Mrs. Bishop. "He’s heerd somebody say timber land up in the mountains will some day advance, an’ he forgets that he’s too old to get the benefit of it He’s goin’ to bankrupt us.” “Ef I do,” the man accused thun dered from the hall as he strode out, “it’ll be my money that’s lost—money that I made by hard work.” He stood before them, glaring over his eyeglasses at his wife. “I’ve had enough of yore tongue, my lady. Ef I'd not had so much to think about in thar jest now, I’d ’a’ shut you up soon er. Dry up now—not another word. I’m doin’ the best I kin accordin’ to my lights to provide fer my children, an’ I won’t be interfered with.” No one spoke for a moment. How- I ever, Mrs. Bishop Anally retorted, as her brother knew she would in her | own time. "I don't call buyin’ thousands o’ acres o' unsalable land providin’ fer anything except the porehouse,” she fumed. "That's beca’se you don’t happen to know as mmh about the business as I do.” said Bishop, with a satisfied chuckle, which to the observing Dan iel sounded very much like exultation. "When you all know’ what I know, you'll be laughin’ on t’other sides o’ yore mouths. I reckon I’M jest have to let you all know about this or I won’t have a speck o’ peace from now on. I didn’t tell you at fust beca’se nobody kin keep a secret as well as the man it belongs to, an’ I was afeered it ud leak out an’ damage my interests, but this last 5,000 acres jest about sweeps all the best timber in the whole Cohutta section, an’ I mought as well let up. I reckon you all know that ef—I say ef—my land was nigh a railroad it ud be low at five times what I paid fer it, don’t you? Well, then, the long an’ short of it is that I happen to be on the inside an’ know that a railroad is goin’ to be run from Blue Lick Junction to Darley. It’ll be started inside of the next yeer an’ ’ll run smack dab through my proper ty. Thar now’! You know more’n you thought you did, don’t you?” The little group stared into his glow ing face incredulously. “A railroad is to be built, father?” exclaimed Alan. “That's what I said.” Mrs. Bishop’s eyes flashed with sud den hope, and then, as if remembering her husband’s limitations, her face fell. “Alfred,” she asked skeptically, “how’ does it happen that you know about the railroad before other folks dot's?” “How do I? That’s it now—how do I?” and the old man laughed freely. “I’ve had my fun out o’ this thing, listenin’ to what every crank said about me bein’ cracked an’ so on. but 1 was jest a-iyin’ low waitin’ fer my time.” "Well, I’ll be switched!" ejaculated Abner Daniel, half seriously, half sar castically. “(loevhiiikins! A railroad! I’ve always said one would pay like rips an’ open up a dern good, God forsaken country. I’m glad you are a-goin’ to stiin-t one, Alfred.” Alan’s face was filled with an ex pression of blended doubt and pity for his father’s credulity. “Father,” he said gently, “are you sure you got your Information straight?” "I got it from headquarters.” The old man raised himself on his toes and knocked his heels together, a habit he had not indulged in for many a year. “It was told to me confidentially by a man who knows all about the whole thing, a man who is in, the employ o’ the company that’s goin’ to build it.” “Huh!” The exclamation was Ab ner Daniel’s. “Do you mean that At lanta lawyer, Perkins?” Bishop stared, his mouth lost some of its pleased firmness, and he ceased the motion of his feet. “What made you mention his name?” he asked curiously. “Oh, I dunno. Somehow I jest thought o’ him. He looks to me like he mought be buildin’ a railroad ur two.” “Well, that’s the man I mean,” said Bishop, more uneasily. Somehow the others were all looking at Abner Daniel, who grunted sudden ly and almost angrily. “I wouldn’t trust that skunk no fur- der ’n I could fling a bull by the tail.” “You say you wouldn’t?” Bishop tried to smile, but the effort was a fa cial failure. “I wouldn’t trust ’im nuther, Brother Ab,” chimed in Mrs. Bishop. “As soon as I laid eyes on ’im I knowed he wouldn’t do. He’s too mealy mouthed an’ fawnin’. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He bragged on ever’thlng we had while he was beer. Now, Al fred, what we must git at is, what was his object in tellin’ you that tale.” “Object!” thundered her husband, losing his temper in the face of the aw ful possibility that her words hinted at. “Are you all a pack an’ passle o’ fools? If you must dive an’ probe, then I’ll tell you he owns a slice o’ timber land above Holley creek, j’inin’ some o’ mine, an’ so he let me into the secret out o’ puore good will. Oh, you all cayn’t skeer me. I ain’t one o’ the skeerin’ kind.” But, notwithstanding this outburst, It was plain that doubt had actually taken root In the ordinarily cautious mind of the crude speculator. Abner Daniel laughed out harshly all I at once and then was silent. “What’s i the matter?” asked his sister In de- ; spair. “I was jest a-wonderin’,” replied her brother. “You are?’ said Bishop angrily. “It seems to me you don’t do much else.” “Folks ’at wonders a lot ain’t so apt to believe ever’thing they heer,” re torted Abner. “I was just a-wonderin’ why that little, spindle shanked Peter Mosely has been boldin’ his head so high the last week or so. I’ll bet I could make a durn good guess now.” “What under the sun’s Peter Mosely got to do with my business?” burst from Bishop’s impatient lips. “He’s got a sorter roundabout con nection with it, I reckon,” smiled Ab ner grimly. “I happen to know that Abe Tompkins sold ’Im 2,000 acres o’ timber land on Huckleberry ridge jest atter yore Atlanta man spent the day lookin’ round In these parts.” Bishop was no fool, and he grasped Abner’s meaning even before it was quite clear to the others. “Looky heer,” he said sharply, “what do you take me fer?” “I ’ain’t tuck you fer nothin’,” said Abner, with a grin. “Leastwise, I ’ain’t tuck you fer $5,000 wuth o’ cot- \£Z- pnrt of a gentleman to let ’er set tnn. fctretchln’ ’er neck out o’ socket to cull a clerk when I was handy, so l wheel ed about, hopin’ an’ prayin’ ef she did look at me she’d take a fancy to the back o’ my head’, an’ went In the store an’ told ’em to git a hustle on the’r- se’ves. When I come out, she hauled me up to ax some questions about when camp mootin’ was goin’ to set in this yeer an’ when Adele was coinin’ home. I let my box o’ axle grease drap, an’ it rolled like a wagon wheel ofi - duty an’ me after it, bendin’— ! bendin’ of all positions—heer an’ yan in the most ridiculous way. I tell you, I’d never play croquet ur leapfrog in them pants. All the way home I thought how I’d disgraced you.” “Ot, you are all right, Uncle Ab,” laughed Alan. “She’s told me several times that she likes you very much. She says you are genuine—genuine through and through, and she’s right.” “I’d ruther have her say it than any other gal I know,” said Abner. “She’s purty as red shoes, an’ ef I’m any judge she’s genuwine too. I’ve got an other idee about ’er, but I ain’t a-givin’ it away jest now.” “You mean that she”— “No,” and the old man smiled mis chievously. “I didn’t mean nothin’ o’ the sort. I wonder how on earth you could ’a’ got sech a notion in yore head. I’m goin’ to see how that black scamp has left my cotton land. I’ll bet he haln’t scratched it any deeper ’n a old hen would ’a’ done lookin’ fer worms.” A New Shell. The latest explosive shell has the greater part of its interior filled with lead, which, when fired, is melted by a burning composition, so that when the ! shell bursts the moltei4|ead is scattered to a considerable distance, and the smallest particle causes a nasty wound. DO YOU WI K? Kidney Trouble Makes Tou Miserable. This story will be continued in next Friday’s issue. “low mean to say”— ton mill stock. To make a long story short, the Atlanta jack leg lawyer is akin to the Tompkins family some way. I’d bet a new hat to a ginger cake that Perkins never owned a spoonful o’ land up heer an’ that he’s jest he’pin’ the Tompkins folks on the sly to unload some o’ the’r land, so they kin move west, whar they’ve al ways wanted to go. Peter Mosely is a man on the watch out fer rail soft snaps, an’ when Perkins whispered the big secret in his yeer, like he did to you, he started out on a still hunt fer timbered land on the line of the pro posed trunk line due west vy-ah Lick- skillet to Darley, with stop over privi leges at Buzzard Roost an’ fifteen min utes fer hash at Dog Trot Springs. Then, somehow or other, by hook or crook—mostly crook—Abe Tompkins ! wasn’t dodgin’ anybody about that time. Peter Mosely could ’a’ run agin ’im with his eyes shut on a dark night, j “I was at Neil Filmore’s store when the two met, an’ ef a trade was ever 1 made quicker betwixt two folks it was , done by telegraph an’ the paper was j signed by lightnin’. Abe said he had ; the land an’ wouldn’t part with it at any price ef he hadn't been bad in need o' money, fer he believed it was chuck full o’ iron ore, soapstone, black marble an’ water power, to say nothin’ o’ tim ber; but he’d been troubled so much about cash, he said, that he'd made up his mind to let ’er slide an’ the devil take the contents. I never seed two parties to a deal better satisfied. They both left the store with a strut. Mose- ly's strut was the biggest, fer he wasn’t afeerd o’ nothin’. Tompkins looked like he was afeerd Mosely ’ud call ’im back an’ want to rue.” “You mean to say”— But old Bishop seemed unable to put his growing fear Into words. “Oh, I don’t know nothin’ fer cer tain,” said Abner Daniel sympa thetically, “but ef I was you I’d go down to Atlanta an’ see Perkins. You kin tell by the way he acts whether thar’s anything in his railroad story or not. But, by gum, you ort to know whar you stand. You’ve loaded yore- se’f from hind to fore quarters, an’ ef you don’t plant yore feet on some’u you’ll go down.” Bishop clutched this proposition as a drowning man would a straw. “Well, i I will go see ’im,” he said. “Ill go jest to satisfy you. As fer as I’m concerned I know' he wasn’t tellin’ me no lie, but I reckon you all never ’ll rest till you are satisfied.” He descended the steps and crossed the yard to the barn. They saw him lean over the rail fence for a moment as if in troubled thought. “Poor father,” said Alan to his uncle as his mother retired slowly into the house. “He seems troubled, and it may mean our ruin—absolute ruin.” “It ain’t no triflin’ matter,” admitted Daniel. “Thar’s no tellin’ how many thousand acres he may have bought. He’s keepin’ somethin’ to hisse’f. I re member jest when that dum skunk of a lawyer put that flea in his yeer. They was at Hanson’s mill an’ talked con fidential together mighty nigh all morn- in’. But let’s not cross a bridge tell we git to it. Let’s talk about some’n else. I hain’t never had a chance to tell you. but 1 seed that gal in town yesterday an* talked to ’er.” “Did you. Uncle Ab?” The face of the young man brightened. His teue was eager and expectant. “Yes. I’d hitched in the wagon yard an’ run into Hazen’s drugstore to git a box o’ axle grease an’ was cornin’ out with the durn stuff under my arm • when I run upon ’er a-settin’ in a bug- I gy waitin’ to git a clerk to fetch ’er out a glass o’ sody water. She recog nized me, an’ fer no other earthly rea- I sou than that I’m yore uncle she spoke to me as pleasin’ as a basket o’ chips. What was L to do? I never was in such a plight in my life. I’d been un loadin’ side meat at Bartow’s ware house an’ was kivered from head to foot with salt and grease. I didn’t have on no coat, an’ the seat o’ my pants was non est—I don’t think thar was any est about ’em, to tell the truth. But I knowed it wouldn’t be the wjm: i> i— r i ii ■—I A Feat of memory. Some light is thrown on Abe possibil ities of memory culture by,an interest ing recital contained In tbe autobiog raphy of Robert Houdin, the famous conjurer. He taught his son to glance at, say, a shop window and to memo rize accurately, as in a brain picture, the window’s (jontents. Then he would ask him to describe the contents, check ing and correcting him as he went on. On one occasion Houdin was com manded to the Tuilerics'to give a per formance before the French court. As he passed through an anteroom to the saloon he bade his.son note the arrange ment of the rooms and the contents of the bookcases. Then at the close of the entertainment Houdin astonished his audience by giving what he called a “second sight” test. Declaring his un- familiarlty yd* 1 the Tuilerios, Houdin, blindfolding his son, asked him to send his gaze through the wall of the 1 room to the chamber beyond, to describe the arrangement of the chamber and to read the titles of the volumes on the shelves of the bookcases. This feat the young lad accomplished, to the aston ishment of the court. In Vacation Time. The school bell no longer is ringing, Nor will it for ever so long. Instead all the kiddies are singing; I don’t know the words of the song. But I know that each rosy cheeked chap pie Effervesces with real elation. For there’s no one so happy, so happy, so happy, So happy as kids in vacation. Foolish grown ups possess the opinion Vacations are made for a rest! Away with each radical minion! The kiddies, believe me, know best. Their industry makes a man dizzy, But wins from him no approbation. For there’s no one so busy, so busy, so busy, So busy as kids in vacation. There are pools that invite you to swim ming; There are nests that are chock full of eggs. O’er the grass butterflies gayly skimming Invite you to limber your legs. There are games (here my data get meager, As I’m lacking direct information)— Well, for games there is no one so eager, so eager. So eager as kids in vacation. Still, the kids have their own share of trials; There are errands for things mother needs, And their wrath is too big for plain vials When they pluck from the garden the weeds. Here and there for odd things they are worried: Ruffled feelings know great aggrava tion. For there’s no one so worried, so worried, so worried. So worried as kids in vacation. —Pittsburg Dispatch. Men and Women Almost papers is everybody who reads the news- sure to know of the wonderful cures made by Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp-Root, the great kidney, liver and bladder remedy. It is the great medi cal triumph of the nine teenth century; tlis- covered after years of scientific research by Dr. Kilmer, the emi nent kidney and blad der specialist, and is wonderfully successful in promptly curing lame back, kidney, bladder, uric acid trou bles and Bright's Disease, which is the worst form of kidney trouble. Dr. Kilmer’s Swamp>Root is not rtq-X ommended for everything but if you have k^5- ney, liver or bladder trouble it will be found just the remedy you need. It has been tested in so many ways, in hospital work, in private practice, among the helpless too poor to pur chase relief and has proved so successful in every case that a special arrangement has been made by which all readers of this paper who have not already tried it, may have a sample bottle sent free by mail, also a book telling more about Swamp-Root and how to find out if you have kidney or bladder trouble. When writing mention reading this generous offer in this paper and send your address toi Dr. K‘!mer&Cc..Bing- lamtoo, N. Y. The J igula* fifty cent and Home ot Swam^Uxi*. ioi'ar sizes are sold by .mod druggists. Notice of Opening of Books of Subscrip tion. Notice is hereby given that the books of 1 subscription to the capital stock of the Marie \ Mill will be opened at the office of the super- ). intendent of the Limestone Mills, on and after.Inly 6th, and remain open each day thereafter from it a. m.. to 4 p. m. E. Ii. Cash. who are in need of the best medical treat ment should not fail to consult Dr. Hatha way at once, as he is recognized as the leading ami most suc cessful specialist. You are safe in placing your ease in his hands, as he is the longest established and has the best rep utation. He cures where others fail; there is no patchwork or experimenting in his treatment. Per- KtW sonal attention by Dr. Hathaway, also spe- dr. Hathaway. cial counsel from his associate physicians when necessary, which no otlier office ha-*. If you can not call, write for free booklets and 1 question blanks. Mention your trouble. Ev erything strictly confidential J. Newton Hathaway, M. D. 41 Inman Bldg. S. Broad St., Atlanta, tia White Man’s Restaurant. We have opened up a Restaurant in rear of our Cycle Shop, on Limestone Street, where we will serve at all hours the best that the market offords. Every thing will be kept neat and in first-class order and meals prepared by competent cooks. LET US SERVE YOU. PARKER & TOLLESON. Cures Blood Poison, Cancer, Ulcers,Eczema Carbuncles, etc. Medicine Free. If you have offensive pimples or eruptions, ulcers on any part of the body, aching bones or joints, falling hair, mucous patches, swollen glands, skin itches and burns, sore lips or puras, eating, festering sores, sharp, gnawing pains, then you suffer from serious blood poison or the beginnings of deadly cancer. Take Botanic Blood Balm (B. B. B.) It kills the poison in the blood, thereby giving a healthy blood supply to the affected j arts, heals every sore or ulcer, even dead ly cancer, stops all aches and pains and reduces all swellings. Botanic Blood^Balm cures all malignant blood troubles, such as eczema, scabs and scales, pimples, running sores, car buncles, scrofula, rheumatism, ca- tirrh, etc Especially advised for all obstinate cases. Improves the db gestion, strengthens weak kidneys. Drughists,)j'l. To prove it cures, sam ple bottle of Blood Balm sent free and prepaid by writing Blood Balm Co., Atlanta, Ga. Describe trouble and free medical advice sent in sealed letter. If you are unable to find an op portunity, goto work and make one. Hancocks’s Liquor Sulphur will give you Immediate relief and per- manetly cure all such diseases as Eczema, Pimples, Tetter, Herpes, Ringworm, Dandruff, Diphtheria, Sore Throat, Cuts, Burns, Open Sores, and all blood and skin troubles. Hun dreds of cases of skin diseases have been permanently cured by the use of Hancock’s Liquid Sulphur after all other remedies failed. For sale by the Cherokee Drug Co. Prosperity is liable to turn the Christian race into a dull trot. THE UP-TO-DATE MARKET. I have just got in a large cold storage and am prepared to keep all kinds of fresh Meats from 'i to 30 days. I guar antee every pound of Meat good and sound, no flies or tainted (Meats. I in vite the public to come and see for them selves. Fresh Fish, Country Produce, Vegetables, Heavy and Fancy Groceries and Ice for the public. Goods delivered on time; Meats carved by experienced men to suit the trade. Come or call ’Phone No. 60, Burnett Block. Yours for .business, L. W. 'ill We Paint anything at any time and anywhere. We guarantee satisfaction at all times. Give us a trial. GAINES & RAMSEY, Office next to Pearl Steam Laundry. Cherokee County Summer School. July l3*-Aug. 7, 1903. W. F. McArthur, Principal. R. C. SarraTT, First Assistant. The County Summer School will held as usual in Gaffney, and will op jP on Monday, July 13th. The session will last four weeks, closing Friday, Aug. 7th. coursk of study: History, Civics, Algebra, English, Pedagogy and Arithmetic. text hooks; Teachers who do not already po>sess them can purchase them from the County Superintendent at the following prices: Beuhler’s Grammar, 45c; Peterman’s Civil Government, 45c; Lee’s History, 60c; New School Algebra, 45c; London “School and Class Management.” Board in Private families can be had at $2.50 to $2.75 per week. Teachers are expected to make their own arrangements for board. RENEWAL OE CERTIFICATES; The County Board will renew the cer tificates of all who attend, and do satis factory work; and the County Superin tendent stands ready and willing at all times to give any aid in his power to those seeking it. Trustees and patrons are cordially in vited to visit the school, .nspect the work and select teachers. Very truly, J. L. Walker, Supt. of Schools. Winthrop College Scholarships and En trance Examinations. The ex zminations for the award of vacant scholarships in Winthrop College .•Ind for the admission of new students will be hold at the County Court House on Friday, July 10th, at 9 a. m. Applicants must not be less than tifteen years of age. When scholarships are vacated after July 10th. they will be awarded to those making the highest average ar this examination. The nextcsesslon will open about Septem ber 16th. 11103. For further information and a catalogue addri ss Pres. D. B. Johnson, Rock Hill, S. O Two Bottles Cared Him. “I was troubled with kidney com plaint for about two years," writes A. H. Davis, of Mt. Sterling, la., “but two bottles of Foley’s Kidney Cure effected a permanent cure.” Chero kee Drug Co. When David takes Goliath’s weapon he loses his heavenly ally. Bronchitis For Twenty Years. Mrs. Minerva Smith, Danville, III., writes: “I had bronchitis for twenty years and never got relief until I used Foley’s Honey and Tar which is a sure cu^e.” Cherokee Drug Co. FOR Up-to-Date Job Print ing, call at the LEDGER Office. Notice to Colored School Teachers. The colored school teachers of Chero kee county are hereby called to meet at Dunton Chapel in Gaffney, 9. C., on Fri day, July 10th, 1903, at 10 o’clock a. in., on business of importance. By order of the president, Rev. R. C. Campbell. 5-23-to July 10. r off now q r Kodol Dyspepsia Cura Gaffney, S. C. Digests what you oat. The only way to arbitrate with the Devil is with a shot gun. Foley’s Kidney Cure purifies the blood by straining out impurities and tones up the whole system. Cures kidney and bladder troubles. Chero kee Drug Co. The greatest things in life are the things that all can do. When Other Medicine* Have Failed take Foley’s Kidney Cure It has cured when everything else has dis appointed. Cherokee Drug Co. 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