Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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CHAPTER X. Just as first call for tatlco Was sound ing (no oil'1 having thought to toll the orderly trumpeter that, both on account of tho holiday and tho unexpected duly for tho garrisou, "tho rules wero bus ponded") a long column of oavalvy wound away through tluvshimmer of tho snowy moonlight and disappeared from sight ii'ong tho flats below the post. Fen ton and Wayne, with four of tho fiix troops, had ridden down Stream for a ton mile march. His object was to bring Big Road, with his little village, warriors, women, children, ponies, dogs, dirt and all, within tho lines of tho reservation of Fort FrnyilO. Ouco there even cowboy dare not molest them and no ?elf appointed sheriff could impose his authority. With all Thorpe's blus ter Fen ton felt reasonably assured that oven in BO turbulent a corner of Wy oming tho hustli s could not must r in forco sufficient to wuriant an attack that night. Bi^ Road's braves were few in num ber, but they wero fighters to a man. Their sins, like thoso of nil their tribe and kindred tribes, had long since been forgiven them by Unolo 8am, and it was not for his vassals to keep up tho fend, Rare, indeed, are. (ho cases when tho soldier has long oherb lied a grudgd against the Indian. Tho Twelfth had fought like devils after tho murder, as they could but regard it, of their beloved colonel, but when the opposing band had finally surrendered and accepted tho sit uation nil rancor speedily died away. It scorned to tho regiment, therefore, a perfectly natural and obvious thing that it should hasten forth to protect this little remnant from tho revenge of tho whites. Laramio Pete, with all his faults, was a frontier hero whoso popu larity was second only to t hat of Thorpe, and at tho hitter's call, from far and near, cowboy, ranchman, miner and prospector would hasten to join forces nuder his load* rship, and in 21 hours or loss he could count on 600 determined followers, fearless us they WOX'C reckless, and defiant of any law that was not of thoir own devising. In tho selection of his troops Feuton had been governed by tho time honored tenets of tho Twelfth. Lealo's men, having returned but a month before from a torir of detached service, escort ing a government survey through the lands of tho Shoshoncs far to tho west, woro thoroforo tho ones designated to remain in charge of tho post, being sup ported by what was left of tho so called Indian troop?Crow Knife's company, a band of swarthy cavalrymen that took Undo Sam's clothing, pay and rations ? With avidity, and even to his drill and discipline, so long as it was a new toy, bnt little by little tho innate sloth und restlessness of tho savago nature pre vailed, and, ono after another, noncom missioned officer and private, tho Sionx soldiery had been discharged until nearly nil wero gone. Of tho dozen that re mained, however, wero some of tho noblest specimens of tho race, men, Who, liko Crow Knife, seemed deter mined to riso uhove tho apathy of tho rast into some position of power and in fluence for their pooplo in tho future, and it was almost unspeakable grief to these that th< y should bo told that they could not go with tho C nmaud. Yet Fenton's decision 'as a wise ono. Ever since Big Road's messengers (White Wolf and Pretty Bear) dashed Into tho garrison ut 8 o'clock, claiming tho intercession of tho Great Father's soldiers, the excitement nmoug tho rem nant of the Indian troop was furious. For a moment it looked as though they might oast off their uniforms and, tinn ing out in brcccholout and paint nnd 'feathers, indulge in a genuine old fash ioned war dance on tho parade. They woro wild to get their arms and horses nnd to gallop to the succor of their kins men down tho valley, bnt the lieutenant commanding Was aCOOl hand, and, aided by rlio persuasive talk of one or two older warriors, measurably quieted tire disturbance. Then, as most of tho men on guard begged to bo allowed to go With their comrades, seven of tho In dians wero distributed among tho three reliefs, and Leale's men filled all tho other gaps. It was about 0:80, as has boon said, when tho column marched away. It might bo l ack before Christ mas night. It might not be back for a week. No ono at the momont could say because, even now, Big Road could havo broken camp and started with his whole villago on a night march for tho fast nesses of the mountains, uncertain what fato might be in store for them if ho re mained. With the column went Wnito Wolf and Boar, the formor generally believed to ho ono of tho four Indians engaged in the, fracas that wound up Iho earthly career of Larnmlo Pete. Ahead of tho column, full gallop, with only n single orderly, but with instructions to toll Big Rond and his peoplo to Stay just whoro they were, as tho Great Father meant to como to their protect ion, went I nontenant Warn n, and tho maddest, "miserablcst" man in all tho garrison was Lioatcnunt Will Farrar. When a young fellow is full of sol dierly ambition, when ho knows ho is master of his work and is eager for an opportunity to prove it, whon everybody has boon treating him as a hoy and ho knows ho has all tho ability of a man, whon his sweetheart, even, has boon tensing and twitting him upoti his np parent look of conscqncnco in tho oyes of tho garrison, and he is thoreforo nil tho moro mad to prove at any hazard that it contains no moro daring and spirited an ofllcor, such an opportunity as was horc afforded Mr. Farrar was not to be Jost. Ifc had implored Colonel Fonton to lot him bo tho bearor of tho message and was brokon hearted at tho kind but firm refusal. "Tho Indian is peculiar, Will," said tho old soldier gontly.. "lio novcr forgots or forgives. If hh fathor had been killed as yonrs tho death of Pete. They cannot undcr Btund such a thing as vhito soldiers, from sheer sonso of duty nud justice, iu torposing against their own kind to savo tho red man. In your coming thoy would read only treachoi^ and would nrguo that you camo to urgo their ro muiuing so that wo might join our whilo brethren in surrounding und wip ing them out of oxist- nco. Whatever you urged, ovon in my muuo, thoy would bo sure not to do. No, I must soiul'Warren. Thoy know him well and trust him." But Fenton was thankful ho had so good an oxouso, for oven with out it ho could not huvo brought himself to send Marjorio Fnrrar's only remain ing son upon a mission that might provo perilous?that would certainly seem perilous in her eyes. Hastening to tho chaplain's as soon as Thorpe mndo his inelodramutio exit, Ormsby wan mot at the door by tho good old dominie himself nnd begged him to sny to Mrs. Farrar that there was no eauso for alarm. There had been a fight botweou Indians and cowboyB several miles nwny, and Colonel Fenton had do cided to send a forco out to keep the peace. Sho heard his voico, and faintly but oagcrly nsked that ho should como in. It was Helen, uot Ellis, who bore her message?Helen, who noted with comfort, and Ellis, witli mixed emo tion, hat tho mother had learned to lean upon this stanch and devoted friend. Mrs. Farrar took his hand and looked appealingly up into his faco as ho briefly told her what had happened nnd what the colonel had decided to do. "Will Willy havo to go?" was hor ono question, nnd, ignorant na yet that Louie's troop would bo designated to re main, Ormsby gravely answered that ho presumed tho entire command was or dorcd out. "But," ho uddod reassur ingly, "that fact itsolf is tho surest guarantee of peace. Thero can ho no further disorder in faco of bo strong a force.'' For answer sho bowed her head and hid it in her sFuder white hands. No wonder it seemed as though Glirist rnas over brought its tragedy to her at old Fort Frayno. And then came diversion that was moroifal. There was a rush of light footsteps, a flutter of silken skirts on tho porch without, n bang at the door and in oamo Kitty, flushed, disheveled, tearful, indignant. "What's this about Willy's going?" sho demanded. "Whoro is ho? What business has ho? Why, ho cannot go, Mrs. Farrar. Ho's engaged to me for the gorman tomorrow night." There was somothing so comical in her utter inability to understand tho gravity of tho situation, to roalizo that u soldier's duty far outranked oven ro solemn a eompnet as an engagement to dance with Ins sweetheart, that ovon Mrs. Farrar forgot her grief and appre hension for tho moment and oponed her arms to tho imperious little lady and drew her to her heart. "Ah, Kitty, you Iwivo the some lesson to learn that I had long years ago," fiho cried as she sought to soothe and con sole tho child, but Miss Ormsby was In no mood for petting. She wns up in arms, i ho was being dofrauded. Undo Fenton had no business whatever to send Willy away on such a qneet ?nt such a time. It was worse than incon sid< rate. It was outrageous, nnd then Mrs. Farrar's face went white again as sho asked what Kitty meant, and then Kitty's nerve gave way, and sho buried her bonny face on that motherly shoul der and burst into te ars. "I thought you'd heard,"she sobbed. "Thoy havo only jnst told me. Captain Farwoll came home to change his dress, and I asked him whore Will was, and ho said he hfl him offering Iiis services to Uncle Fenton to ride ahead to the Indians, and he wanted to know if I didn't think Will was n trump. I don't?I didn't?I think it's simply h-h-heuvtloss in him I" And then Mrs. Fnrrnr raised her eyes nppealingly to Ormsby, and ho went wit hont a word. Ho knew what she needed and hastened iu search of Will. Ho found him at Fcnton's, whifhor he had accompanied tlio colonel, and where hi) was still pleading and tugging at his tiny mustache nnd tramping up and down and biting his nails, whilo Fen ton, iu tho adjoining room, was cnlmly gotting out of hit dress clothes nnd into winter Hold garb. "Would you mind dropping thin and going down to tho ohoplnin's and com forting your mother and my sister?" said Ormsby as soon as ho could got in a word edgewise. "Yes. Co. Will." said Fenton, "and toll her that thero is nothing whiitovcr in this affair to worry about Wo'ro merely going to bring old Big Road np hero to tnko Christmas dinner at tho fort. There's no chanco for a light or you should go along. No, it's useless arguing, my boy. I'd do anything for you that's right, but this is absolutely unroasonuhlo on your part. Now go and tell thoso two blessed women thatyou'ro to romaiu on guard over thorn, and they'll riBO np and call mo blessed?at least thoy ought to. And so, finally, OrmBby got tho pep pery yonug fellow out of tho house and fairly started, Ormsby keeping pace with him as ho fltrodo exoifodly from tho room. "I want you to do something for me, Will," said he in a low tone as thoy hastened along. "I'm going with tho command, and I haven't s moment to spare. Oivo this note to Mr?. Damit on for mo as soon as possiblo after you reach tho house. May I rely upon you?" And as ho spoko ho hold forth an en* velopo, evidently snugly filled, and Far rar took it mechanically and without reply. Tho boy was thinking only of his own disappointment. "Do you under stand, Will?" porslstod Ornfsby. "It is of great importance that Bhe should havo it before 10 o'clock. Yon won't forget?" And wondering now, Farrar 1 promised, and Ormsby turned abruptly as tho guardsman hurried hnok to dress for the night ride. Already the four J troops had in arched to stables and were \ saddling. Already there were- sounds of exoitomont over across tho rivor and much scurrying through tho straggling street of tho cattle town of well mount ed ranchmen and "cow punohers." Thorpe was as good as bis word. He was routing tho comity with n vengo anoo, hop.'ug to rido dowu rho valloy iu strong force within tho hour and "wind up tho wholo business" bofore the cavalry could como to tho rescue of the offending baud. Will could hoar the ooouHloual whoop and yoll that oame rlngiug over on tiio still night air, and hs was iu a petulant mood bordering on exasperation when admitted at tho ohup laiu's and ushored into tho parlor, Where Kitty still lay clasped in the mother's arms. She scrambled to hor feet tho instant he entered and began an onorgetio out burst, but tho Bight of his woebegouo fuco checkod her suddenly. Mrs. Farrar road instantly tho oaUSO of Iiis gloom, aud hor eyes brightened with rejoicing. "Willy, my boy, then you don't havo to go?" "Don't havo to go!" was tho wrath ful answer. "Don't havo to gol I've been on my knees to that stony hearted old rip for tho last ten minutes, aud ho won't let mo go," "Qod bless him I" woro tho mothor's fervent words. "IIo knew ? ho woll know?what it would cost mo to have my only boy torn from mo at this time," was tho thought that Unshed through hor mind, and her eyes wolled with grateful tears, though she could say no more. It was Kitty who restored tho social equilibrium. "I won't havo you speak of Undo Fentou iu that disgrace ful way, Mr. Farrar. You ought to bo thankful you don't havo to go, as you put it. Havo you totally forgotten our ongogemcut for tomorrow night?" "Oh, for heaven's sake, Kitty 1 What is that at such a timo as this? Thero won't bo n sign of a dance unless they all get back in timo, and I'd rather bo doad than left here tho first scout tho rogmient bus after my joining it." Ho threw himself disgustedly into a chair, refusing to see his mothor's outstretched hand and for tho timo being absolutely indifferent to Kitty's reproaches. It was tho discovery of this fact that taught "Willy, my boy, then you don't haw to yoT" hor how thoroughly in earnest ho was, taught hor that tiicro was something alive in his heart of wine'' nhe might woll be jealous, and for the first timo in hor lifo tho girl stood a littlo in awo of him, and, relinquishing hor pnrposo of upbraiding, slio turned book, baflled and defeated, and took rcfugo by tho mother's cimir. "Toll us who are to go, Willy," said Mrs. Farrar entreatingly. "Everybody but mo and Lonle. Tho3''ll bo off in ten minutes too. Even Jack Ormsby goes, and I'm ordered? absolutely ordered?to stay hero, as if I wero some?souio baby in arms, unfit to do duty with my fellows. I'll never forgivo Fenton as Ion:; as I livo." "And I'll nover for..nt it," murmured tho mother as siio gontly ohecked Kitty, once nioro about to burst into impetuous specoh. "I'm suro Colonel Fenlon had grave and good reasons for keeping you hero, my son, and if so tried and bravo a soldier as Captain Loalo can remain without reproach aureiy yon can." "Thero's just tho difforonco," an swered Will miserably. "Loalo has been under flro and on trying duty timo and again. His reputatiou was assured long years ago. I'm treated as a boy by ?by everybody in this garrison, high or low, and forbidden a chance to do a thing. If you folks want to seo that command off, tho sooner you get out to the bluff tho hotter." "But yon are going to take us, Willy," said his sister sympathetically. "Kitty and I, at least, wish to seo the regiment. Do you enro to go, mother, dear?" she asked anxiously, und then crossing over to hor mothor's sido bent down and kissed her, but the question was no sooner asked than sho would gladly havo rocallod it?"or will you oomo homo now with mo?" slio hastened to say. "I'll tako mother home," said Will "Go on if you wont to seo them start I don't. That's more than I could poi sibly stand. Tho chaplain will tako you gladly enough." And so at last didMbs Ormsby bogi.i to realizo that even in tho eyes of tho man she had captivated sho was for the timo being of no account. It was ono of Fen ton's fads to havo out tho band when tho regiment or nny oonsidcrablo dotachmout of it mnrched away, and now, oven nt night, ho did not depart from his praotico. Tho chap lain had opened tho door to noto tho progress of the preparations across the parado. Orderlies with tho horses of the officers woro trotting past. Tho noncom missioned staff woro already mounting at the adjutant's offlco, aud over at tiio band barrnoks tho gray chargers, tho mnsio stools of tho musioians, wero Do ing led into the lino. A mounted band was something that Kitty had never scon, and curiosity and ooquotry oombincd led hor to lend hor oar to thj chaplain's suggostion that sho should como out and seo tho colnmn ride away and wavo a good by to her admirers among tho subalterns. If Will persisted in his ill temper, th-.ro was no sense in staying thero, and pel imps tho qniokest woy to bring him to terms was to monifest interest in ids fellows. Bo, leaving him to the ministrations of his mother, slio danced nway to tho front door, Ellis promptly following. Tho night was still nud beautiful, softly har.y and not vory cold, aud tho scone across tho snow covered parado was)full of life and animation. LigldH /wore donoiug to and fro among tho eonipeiiy quarters. Tv, stables, formed lino in front of their barracks and, dismounting, wero await ing the sounding of adjutant's call and the formation of tho squadron. Officers wero mounting evory moment along the row and trotting out to join their com mands, and presently, from tho colo nol's big house on the odge of the bluff, cmuo threo horsemen clad in heavy win tor fiold garb, and oven in tho dim light thero was no difficulty in recognizing Fouton's Roldiorly form. These were joined by the adjutant as they rorlo out upon tho parade, and then ono of tho group oamo jogging over toward tho chaplain, followed by an attendant or dorly. It was Jack Ormsby, nnd Kitty fluttered dpwn to tho gato to moot him. "Sou and AuntLuorotia will havo to keep hooso by yourselves tonight, little sister," snid ho laughingly as ho bent to kiss her goodby. "Corporal Korke is to sleep nt tho houso, so that you will not laok for guards. Whoro's Will?" "Ho'8 with his mothor in tho parlor and just too misernblo for anything," said Kitty, who, now that she could foo for horself tho proparation for n mntoh, begun to feol far moro sympathy for her lovor, if not actually to wish thut eho woro a man ami could go too. Ellis, quick to notice Ormsby's coming, had slipped haok within tho hall and par tially closed the door. Glancing ovor hor shoulder, sho could see that her mother had loft her reclining chair and was bending fondly over Will, smooth ing his tumbled hair nnd striving to soothe and comfort him, but it was evi dent that Will was florely hurt, for ho turned nwity in irrepressible chagrin and distress and covered his faco with his hands. Helen Dunnton, forgetful for tho moment of her own bitter trou- j bio, had sought to nid hor friend inoon- I soling tho boy, but it was her first expe rience in such a case. Sho had never realized what it meant to n proud and ambitions young soldier to ho held in garrison when his comrades wer? being sent to tho field, nnd, finding presently that eho could bo of little aid, sho drow away toward tho window to join the chaplain and his wife, who woro gaz ing out upon tho parade, when tho stir ring notes of adjutant's call camo trill ing through tho hazy moonlight, and, with a groim that seemed to rise from tho depths of his heart, poor Will threw himself fnco downward upon tho sofa, utterly refusing to 1)0 comforted. "Como," snid tho ohaplain in n low tone, "thoy will bo hotter loft to them selves. Let ns go out and see tho troops form lino," and, hastily quitting the parlor, they came suddenly upon Ellis lingering at tho outer door. "Mr. Ormsby was saying goodby to Kitty, "sho nervously explained, "nnd I remained hero for n moment. He is still thoro." Yes, still thoro, nlthough he had said adieu to his littlo sister, nnd tho squad ron was rapidly forming on tho parade. Still thoro nnd looking now and then beyond Kitty's protty, pathetic littlo face, clouded with a troublu altogether now to it. Still thero, nnd longing for n sight of tho face ho loved as he did no other despito all its coldness and avor sion. Then they enmo hurrying forth? the old dominie nud his faithful help meet, tho two young and beautiful women?nnd nt sight of them Ormsby suddenly dismounted und pnssing tho reins to his orderly ran nimbly up the steps and extended his hand. "Good night, ohaplain?good night, Mrs. Ransom. Wo connt on eating our Christmas dinner hero despite tho night march. Good night, Miss Farrar," he added gravely, gently. "Wo still hope to bo hero (o wisli you merry Christmas. Please extoud my sympathi es to Will. I know-how hard it is for him to stay. Good night, Mrs. F?Mrs. Daun ton," ho stumbled on, and extended to her tho hand which ho had withheld from Ellis. "Oh, pardon mo! Did Far rar givo yon a noto 1 intrusted to him for you?" "Not yot, Air. Ormsby. Ho has hard ly thought of anything but his grief at being retained hero." "Well, nsk him for it before 10 o'clock. It"?and he was halting pain fully now, for Ellis, withdrawing a pace from tho group, was gazing straight into his face?"it?it explains itself. You'll understand it. Good night; good night, all. I must hurry. " And with that ho ran down tho steps and out of tho gato, mounted quickly, and without a backward glance rodo quickly away to take his place by tho colonel's side. Another moment and tho adjutant, gal loping out in front of tho long lino of horsos, had presented rho >? tadron to Major Wayne, ami that d.tninguished officer, unexpectedly awnko nud lively, lost no time in preliminaries, but broke his command nt once into column of fours, nnd with tho band playing its joyous march music, and with old Fen ton himself in tho lead, away they wont down tho winding road to tho flats to tho cast. Ouoo ont of tho garrison tho band wheelod out of column nnd played the troopers by, then trotted back to unsad dle for tho night. Men, women and children, tho populnco of Fort Frayno, gathered nlong tho eastern edge of tho plateau and silently, and in not n few oases tearfully, watched tho column out of sight in tho dim, ghostly light, and then iittlo Trumpeter Mcinccko camo out from the gunrdhouso und trilled tho martiul curfow that sent thorn shiver ing homeward?an ominous Christmas eve tattoo._ [TO UK CONTINUED NTXT WEEK.] A BOIENT1FIO EXPLANATION. Why "Wo Arn ICxperloncing Mid Winter In Advance of the Season. The following statement of tho phe nomul weather combination from the bureau in Columbia will bo interesting to our readers: Today's storm Is tho result of a com bination of circumstances under which ulono this flection of the country ever experiences weather, tho liko of which Is common In moro northern latitude?. On Saturday a storm centre develop ed in the Gulf of Mexico and took an eastDorthorly course, moving across Alabama and Georgia to the coast, and thence over theqo an followlngclosely the Gulf Stream, a path usual for south Atlahtlc storms. Tho iiifluonco of that storm bogati to be felt In Columbia on Sunday nvonlng, when tho wind sud denly changed from the south to 'ho northeast, and shortly aftorward rain began and continued until Monday night, by wbloh time the storm had moved so far to the eastward that its i nil nonce watt no longer folt in this section, and dealing weather oould bo expected. The charted woathor on Tuesday morning sho ved that a storm I of considerable energy bad appoarcd ? to the southward of Florida, causing the northeast winds to continuo in this vicinity ail day Tuo?day, and by tho ' middle of the afternoon light rain began again due to the second storm.! This second, or Florida storm, had its starting point far to the eastward of the first or Gulf storm, and its cen tre probably did not at any tiu- i touch the mainland. The course of the second storm was along tho Gulf Stream, practically parallel to the coast. The aliovo out lines tho first part of tho combination, j and would in tho summer time havo given this section only precipitation In the form of rain. Tho second part of tho combination of conditions, and to which is due tho moisture of rain, sleet and enow which murks the unusual character of this storm, was a vast area of high baro meter with unusunMIy low temperatures covering almost the entire continent, excepting only the southeastern nor-, tions of tho United State?, and includ ing South Carolina, Georgia and Flor ida. As has already been stated, tho I prevailing winds wero from tho north east and north since Saturday night, Hewing into first tho Gulf nnd then the Florida storm, and gradually lower ing tho temneraturo approximating tho degree of cold from wheuco tho winds camo. The foregoing explains the pheno mena of snow and sleot so early iu tho season, which had it como two or threo months later, would not have been at all remarkable. To explain why 6uch a storm was possible so early would require a re view of tho weather of tho entire month of November just, ended, and behind that the moro difficult and im possible question why November ex hibited tho weather it did over tho entire North Amoricau continent, for -lie latter question is beyond tho ken of meteorology in tho present st?go of its advancement. However, the accurate observations of the'weather bureau alTord a basis of comparison between tho past month's weather and that of tho previous year's weather, and also enables certain deductions to be made as to the results-that aro likely to follow ocrtaln types of con ditions. By this means the possibility and more than that, tiio probability of the present weather can bo explained. Bri< lly stated, November exhibited abnormal weather over the entire, range of observation, especially during the latter portion of tho month. The climate am) cropbullotinof tho weather bureau for tho month of November, 181K), gives a torso summary of tho temperature, conditions, as follows : " November, 1890, has been a month of very exceptional temperature con ditions. * * * Tho most note worthy feature of tho month was tho excep tionally low temperatures whioh pro vailed almost continuously throughout tho month from tho upper Mis i isippl valley westward to tho north PaoiUe coast, giving most remarkable depar ture from the normal, thu deficiency being greatest over Montana and the western portions of tho Dakotas, where it ranged from 15 to 27 degree per day throughout tho month. Over the ontiro region from tho north Pacific coast to tho uppper Mississippi valley, tho average dally doQolenoy gen erally oxeceded 8 degrees per day. On tho middle Pacific coast, over the con tral plateau region and middle Rooky Mountains slope, the month averaged coider than usual, but tho deficiency in temperature was generally slight." Extreme low temperatures and ex treme high buroim tor r< adings are generally coincident. [:i other words, when the barometer pressure la high the temperature is low. In tho sum mer type of weather thero exists an area of quite stationary high barometer far to the northward of the borders of the United States, and storms gen erally form near, when it is remember < ii that continental distances aro con sidered, the southern edgo moves to the BOUthward, further south during some, years than on Others, and conse qently tho area of probable storm development moves also further south. If this deduction is true it should follow that during the November just pint, especially during tho latter portion of the month, tho storms of the north should havo developed in the middle and southern Rocky Moun tain slopes instead of the northern slope and tho British northweat. An examination of the daily weather maps for the past t-vo weeks shows this to have been the cado. This answors briefly why we are experiencing mid winter weather fully a month or two in ndvanco of tho time it is usual to expect it. As tho reason for tho early south ward movement of the high area is not known, it is Impossible to uccur rately preuiotdtscontinuance, or to say positively that the winter will beone of unusual severity, or that the advent of spring will bo early or late. It is not oven known whether the solution of tho problem involves ler resttal or eolar investigation, but the tTrst manifestation of the answer will bo seen in the northwestern portions of the United States and British America. J. W. Hai ku, Observer Wcathor Bureau. WfBYLBR BUTOHffiltfl WOMEN. Defenseless Prisoners aro Shot Down by Drunken Soldiers? A Itolgn of Terror Openly Inaugurated. Unablo to crush tho insurgents' armicB, Captain-General Weyler lias, according to Cuban advices, renewed bis war on non-combatants with savage energy. It is stated that he somo weeks ago issued a secret order to "eloarthc country of non-combatants." This order has bocn Interpreted by the .Spanish commanders as an edict to muesacroold men, women and children, and tho result is an appalling list of butcheries. Colonol Struch, whohae beon operat ing in Plnar dol Rio at the head of a thousand mon, soems to havo been most active in carrying out Weyler's savage edict. On Novomber 18 ho aud his command started on a raid. They visited Rio Hondo, Palaclos, Paso Real and other towns in the southorn portion of Ploar del Rio. At cvory place Colonol Struch gttvo his troops llcenso to loot, burn and murder, and tho result was that every hamlet visited wub destroyed. Dur ing the raid the Spanish troops made prisoners of over 300 Cubans, the great majority of whom wero wono n and young girls. These unfortunates wero forced to follow tho trooper*. On tho nightof Novembi r28, Colonol Btruob and his mon drank heavily, and then followed ono of tho most horrlblo occurrences of tho war. In flamed by drihk, tho Spanish soldiers ushed upon tho' helpless prisoners, toro off their- clothing and subjected them to horrible trootmont. Finally, Colonel Struch significantly told his men that It was no use to bo longer bothered by tho "Cuban oattlo." The soldiers took tiio hint and imme diately began firim? on the old men, women and' girls. Volley after voiioy of h ad win fired at. tho coWerin-r and shrieking creatures, until not one was left alive. ) Tho I^Ueatrfjbajkv for tho vultures, and Colonel Struoh marched hie command back to head quartora and reported to Captain General Weylcr that several insurgent cnmps had been " raided and over 300 rebels killed." Colonel Struch and many of his offi cers received furloughs In oondsidcra tlon of tholr services and returned to Havana. Colonel Struoh has, It Is said, op-nly boa?ted of tho awful slaughter of Innocents. From other provinces como stories of massacres of innocents, but nono so well authenticated as tho ono related above. Weylor'a edict ottering par don to those who surrendor la proving to bo simply a dcvlco to lure Cubans to death. A special to theCommerclal-Tribuno from Key West says : Wey tor's thrcutthat ho would starvo Maoeo Out seems likely to bo carried out, as from all reports from Marie!, near where Wcylor ia now, t work of destruction is hein^ can. out fully. Tho Spanish army sweeps >very tbing before it, killing beeves that it cannot use, burning eano fields and small stores with their provisions and leaving a wide waste of ruin and deso lation in its v.'uko. People vulnly implore Weylcr to leave their provisions to keep them alive, but his brutal ollioers refuse with oaths and insulting words, if not worse. Over IHK) refugees havo come into Madrid since Weyler went out thia last time all giving tho same story of raping, plunder and murdei of tho Spaniards. A Spanish guerrilla captain named Colzazo is accused of murdering over 100 persons in tho valleys South of Ma riel during the latUr part of Novem ber. In ono instance he ia acoused of Confining a number of women and girls in a dhuroh, and after they hnd been repeatedly abused i?nd lnaltcratcd by hits me", he burned the building with them in it. Many other outrages, all as horrible, are charged to him and hia company. saluoa's broon1j killing. Three Men Attack an:! Will 11 Noted Desperado. Augusta Chronicle, Mr. Joseph Murphy, tho well known EM is street stable man, was an eyo witness to a most horrible killing on Saturday which occurred at Saiuda, S. C.. a binall town twelve, lu.'es From Johnston, Mr. Murphy was over there soiling stock and happened to be on the main street of the littlo town when the bloody work was done. Three men, a fattier and his two sons, shot, cut ami with rocks pounded a man to d nth, ami up to the time Mr. Murphy left Saiuda they had not been arrested. The man who was killed was a noted desperado. Hi; had twice stood before the tribunal of the State charged with murder and on a third occasion was tried for assault with intent to Kill. Twice be escaped the gallows by the mercy of a South Carolina jury, and once tho penitentiary. Arising out of this last mentioned case camo a difficulty that on Saturday put an end to the eriralntd career of Buzardt for nil time. Buzardthad been tho terror of his section for years, and It Is believed that there uro few who are regretful of his end. Buzardt had ridden, it is snid, rough shod over tho community. He had kept at bay all per sons who would have held him in chock. But at last ho met his man, who, with the assistance of two others, called him down forever. Some years ago Buzardt killed a man by the name of Moss. Ho was not l ung, and then he killed a man named Blayton. About, n year ago Buzardt shot Will Henderson, a well known farmer. As usual with Buzardt, he got off, nnd since then Henderson has been worried no little by the man. On all occasions Buzardt bullied, brushed up against, and in ail waya possible endeavored to show to Henderson that be thought him a coward. This went on for a year. Saturday the end came. Henderson, with his father and brother, was at Saiuda for the day and Buzardt put In Iiis appearance. Mr. Murphy did not eco the beginning of t be row, but thinks that Buzardt began usual his bullying. Will Henderson was armed. In Iiis right band ho had ? shot gun and in his left a revolver. Henderson raised the gun in ono hand and IIrod at Buzardt. Tho shot did not take effect and Buzardt turned and run. Henderson dropping his gun nnd catching bis pistol in bis right hand followed up toe shooting. Three bul lets took effect In Buzardt, one. striking him in the. leg, causing him to fall to tho ground. At this juncture, old man Henderson took a band. Picking up several large stonos he ran to tho prostrate man and pounded his fuce almost into a pulp. Then came the younger brother who, with a knife, stabbed Buzardt as ho lay upon thegiound. Will Henderson had ono more cartridge in hia pistol, nnd, standing over Buzardt, ho tired. This ball entered the right arm. By standers then interfered. M'\ Murphy said that when ho left Saiuda Buzardt was dying. on TUB RIGHT Link?Tho Colum bia State, says that Governor-elect Hl lorbo's plan to reduce tho taxes of the State by inducing emigrants to settle here,utilizing the largo surplus of land, it appears tis o be carried out. The first movo along this lino lias just been made and it Is likely to boar fruit in the near future. Tho scheme adopted is ono that others will do well to emulate. A few settlements iu South Carolina suoh as that made at Fitzgerald, Ga.,lt is conceded ou cvory aide, will go vory far to make South Carolina one of the loading of the Southern States. Tho first step Is taken by the Hurt man Colon y company of South Caro linn, tho corporators of which are Julius Hartman, of A Hanta. Gn., and Carl Stroever, of Wbeaten, Do Page County, III. They have secured their commission from the S.-cretary of State. Tbey proposo to havo thdr settlement at Dresden In Abbovillo County. The capital stock is to be $35,000, divided. Into .'150 shares at $100 each. Alroady tho proposed ne\. town of Dresden is being laid off. in the declaration the Corporators nay : "Tho business th - ee rporators propose to do is to seturo settlers, to ob n;n, own, soil, lease and rent real est ate, personal property, to ore-ot, p erato, reut, lease houses, fac? torlos, waterworks, to operate mines, lay out towns, to engage in farming, and stock raising, and transportation, to do a gonoral trading business and to do such othor things as may bo In cidental to or necessary or desirable for the successful dcvoloptnont of colo nlos." ? ???? ? ? ?? ? ?Apropos of tho inconvonlont names often given to. helploBS children, a bt.'ango custom amonii the mothers of : Japan is to name their children after the Bret object whioh the oyea of the I mother happen to rost after tho bat,u Was horn. Thus la o.to villaga^J^^ L?to Children/named respoj ' iatuAJup and.JjwT TllK oh1uin OF NAMfcJS. BUI Arp FIiuIh it a Curious mul In tel <? .1 in-. Study. I was ruminating about tho origin of name?, Anglo-Saxon names, and tiud it toobo a curious and intorosting study. For instance is it possible that tho original Bledsoo was wounded in a tight or by accident and bb>d so much that it rav6 him a name. Is it proba ble tho liedwino ancestor had a vine yard and madff wine of that color or maybe did not havo a vineyard, but was muoh given to looking upon tho wine when it was red. it sooms that tho common people didn't heed but ono name until long after thcChristian era. The Romans, however, began a system to honor and distinguish distinguished \ people. They udoptcd a pre-ncmon? j nomon and a cognomen?as Publius Cornolins Scipio Publius was his Chris tian nniue, as wo call tt. and no doubt the boys called him Pub. Cornelius, his family natno and Scipio was his most notable characteristic for he was good to his blind old father and led him about with a stafT, and scipio means a stalT. I have great respect for Scipio. Horace was called Hora teous because he had very large oars, and Plueous means flop-oared. It was not till tho eleventh century that family names were handed down to succeeding generations, and this cus tom was adopted because of a law re quiring births and marriages and deaths to be registered in tho parish hooks. As late as tho eighteenth cen tury many families in England bad no surnames, and the children were given nicknames, as Nosy, Soaker, Sucker, Snaggletooth, Cockeye, Jumpor, Bow leg*, it idtop, etc. As people multiplied, new methods had to bo devised to distinguish them. Prefixes and affixes wero resorted to. Tho word son was added to dist inguish the father from tho children, as John, .Johnson. Will, Wilson, Tomson. The word Pitz was a prefix to Norman names and came from tils or film, a son. Vltoh in tho Russian language has the .same meaning, and so bus von or van in German, and Mac in Scotch and Irish, as MaoDonald, tho son of Donald. O is an Irish prefix and means grandson, as O'Connor, O'Barr, O'Hal luran, etc. Do or Due is the French prefix for son aud An means the same in Welch. Theso affixes and prefixes will classify a great number of names, for from John oamo Jonson, Johnston and Johnstone. The Smith family name had a peculiar origin. The old Anglo Saxons were ever on tho look out for invasions of the island, and hence they kept a large force of mon on the hills near the coast to look out for the invaders and lo smite them when they came. Those mon had but a sin gle name, as John or Jack or Will, but they were known as John tho Smitcr or Jack the Smiter, or Will tho .- ml ter, which was soon abridged to John Smiter and then to John Smither, and finally to John Smith. Av smith is a em '.or?a goldsmith smites gold, a blacksmith smiles iron. And so all theso soldiers on the highlands bo came Smiths by name, and were good patriotic lighting stock. Hurrah for the Smiths?Including John. The Jones family aro of Welch extraction, and no doubt had a similar origin for the origin0.! name was Jono, and the S was added to make it plural. But mimes were still scarcer than people, and 60 they had to resort to occupations to distinguish them; hence came the honest names of Farmer, Carpenter, Mason, Baker, Gardner, Tanner, Weaver. Taylor, Draper, Cooper, Miller, Porter, Joiner, Sadler, Biewer. Barbor, Turner, Plumber, Thrasher, Carter, Currier, Granger, Cook, Bridgman, Bowman, etc. Scores Of Others could bo added that indicate trades and occupations. Not long after, as the people multi plied, they were named lor tho places where they lived or some natural ob j ?ct near hy, as Hill, Dale, Forest, Wood, Grove, Fountain, Lake, Pool, Rivers, Brooks, Branch, Bush. Crubh, Tree, Stone, Banks, Snore, Beach, Birch, Waters, Wall, Cliff, Peak, Seay, Rain, Rainwater, Tim her lake, Rico, Wbeat, Corn, Allcorn, etc. They e ven appropriated tho names of animals, bu ds, etc., us Lion. Lamb, Hog, Colt, Fowl, Bull, Bullook, Beav er, Bear, Buck, Deer, Swan, Hawk*, Dove, Crane, Bird, Herring, Bass, Trout, Salmon. And next the fruits and flowers, as Apple, Orange, Lemon, Plum, Cherry, Berry, Haws, Coffee, Turnip and Tur iiip.ccd. Colonel Turnip was colonel of tho Ninth Georgia regiment. Of flowers and trees, there is Rose, Vio let. Primrose, Chestnut and Holly. Then t'.-.ey had to encroach on tho nobility and clergy, and so we havo King, Queen, Prince, ?arlo, Lord, Duke, Knight, Page, Stewart, Cham berlain, Pope, Bishop, Priest, Abbot, Prior, Deacon and Bailey. And on tho heavenly bodies and heavenly things and precious stones, as Sun, Moon, Star, Cloud, Wind, Gale, Sky, Angel, Diamond, Pearl, Gold, Glu-s, Jewol, etc. And on parts of the body, as Bead, Heart, Beard, Hair, Arms. Logg, Foot, Shinn, Back, Hipp, Maid, etc. Ami on colors, a- White. Black, lb-own, Green, Rodd, Bluo, Cray, Hoar and Violot. Some were named OH account of per sonal peculiarities?as Long, Long fellow, Stringfellow, Short, Small, Strong, Meek, Light foot, Good, Best. Bliss, Wise, Witt, Wisdam, Fite and Fitten. But there arc enough for the. young fo ks W> build onto 1'iiJ mako a very good catalogue of names. Clr.flos [jttmb says that the original na* of Bacon was Hogllosh, Who was a i ry wealthy and eh ver gentleman, bn ais girl wouldn't marry him because be couldn't bear to beoalled Mrs. Hogflosh. | It would be. awful. And so he applied to | parliament and had his name changed j to Bacon. Ho couldn't give up the | wholo bog, but took it cured. Many names were abridged or changed from circumstances. John at tho Moor wji.-s changed to Atmore, At the Wood to AtWOOd aud Peter at tho Seven Oaks to Poter Snooks. Wl I, the tailor, had a sign of a poacook over his shop, and got to bo called Will Peacock. Anselm, the pawnbroker, bad a sign of a red shield, which in tho Jewish language was Rothschild, and so he and his brothers were called ltoths Ohllds, and became tl. richest men in tho world. The Old story of tho firm 01 J Ketchum & U. e huatatn may havo novel' existed, hut hi foro tho war there was a firm in Rome of Wise & Goodman, and closo by wus a Wit hiu) Wisdom. There is a FoutO and a F.tc iu Cartersvll e, and some years ago there was a Fitten. The poet asks what's in a name? There is a guod deal, and if I was a pretty girl, and had a pretty name, 1 wouldn't change It for a Hogg or a Sheepshanks. Bill aki\ ?"When did Georgo Washington dlo ? " artkod a toaohor in a New York public school. " Is he dead ? " was tho astonishing reply. "Why, it was not more than a week ago that we was celebrating bis birthday, and now ho td. it's a bad year on children, I ,'? ?',("? nio folks let him eat somo WAYSIDI'J VTHKKING8. lilts of Humor unu Nuggets of Truth for the multitude. ? You should forgive many things iu others, but nothing in yourself. ?Tho man who is always insisting that he is his own man is usually Jftl own slave. ? Economy is no disgrace; it liettor living on a little than outliving a great deal. ?Parents who aro rude to the children need not ho surprised if thul children become rudo to them. ?To have tho advantage of aa cmy, nud yet abstain from using it, to display true Christian magnat in-lty. ?Tho assessed value of farms tho United States in 1880 was ov< $10,000,000,000 and in 18(J0 was ovc $13,01)0,000,000. ?It is cowardice to conceal youi rollon through four of mon, and is riiarisaism to flaunt it ostentatiously before the world. ?Mauy havo an idea that thoy aro serving the Lord whon thoy aro med dling with something that is none of' their business. ?" Is it truo that Pidpor is finan cially embarrassed ? " " Ho is awfully iu debt, but it docs not soom to oa? barrass him any.'' ?How many blunders wo should escape, if wo wero not so muoh in clined to t'.iink of ourselves more high ly thun we ought to think. ?Australians aro the greatest tea drinkers, and annually consume 7.60 pounds per bead. The pcoplo of Groat Britain consume 4,90 pounds each. ?There aro people who havo an idea that if a sin is universal, thoy havo tho right to do it, and if It Is wldo Bpread it is spread too thin to do any damage. ? 1 What did God create P" ask a Sundaj -school toucher of a littlo girl; and the littlo g.rl answered, "Tho earth, tho sun, tho moon, tho stars? aud stripes." ?Tho voyage to Liberia takes 3ij days by nailing vessels. In 70 years, during which there havo boon nearly 200 emigrations, there bus not boon a case of loss or disaster. ?If you really wish to euro a mls undorstanding that has grown up be tween you und your friend, you will certainly avoid any notion that may givo fresh causo for otTonso. ?Tho most powerful guns now mado fire a shot from 12 to 13 miles, aud Krugg's grout 130-ton stool gun hurled a shot weighing 2,600 pounds a fow yards over 15 miles. ?Of u dozen photographs Of a scene tukcu from as many different points of view, no two wero alike. And yet wo uro persuaded that tho man who differ8 with us Is bithor blind or a fool. ?"I don't mind bein' spanked," sobbed Bobbie," nor 1 don't mind sittin' in a chair for live minutes ; but when I'm spanked ?rst und havo to sit down right away afterwards, I tell you it hurts." ? If you have maoc a mistake, don't think it a condescension to apologize. . The truo gentleman is always ready to rectify u blunder. Only tho mulo bites with one end and kicks with tho other. ?"What is woman's sphere?" shoi demanded, oratcrlcally. "Well," hoi replied thoughtfully, " unless thoro bus been a change since the Garden of Kden, I should say it was an apple.J Of course there isn't u perfect sphere; L but it satisfied Kve." ?That extreme partiality which gives horses warm stublos und good bedding, while, cow.-, uro turned out.ln the ruin to Ho on wet ground, und tako * ail tho exposure of the inclement soa son, Is a discrimination most hurtful to tho farmer who permit.- it. ?Tho driss of u fully cuuipped diver weighs IQlQi pounds unu costs about $500. The thick underclothing weighs 8* pounds, tho dress itself 14 pounds; tho hugo boots, with leaden solos, 32 pounds; tho breast and back weights 80 pounds, and the helmet 35 pounds. ?An Irishman once worked all day on the promise of getting a glass of grog. At night the employer brought out the grog to him, und the Irishman tasted it und said, " Which did you put In first, tho whiskey or tho wa tor V" "Oh," said the employer, "the whiskey." " Umhuni," mused the Irlshraur. " Well, maybe l'llcomoto it by and by.' ?Teacher?Have you finished your composition on what little boys should not do in school ? " Yos'm. "Read it *' " Littlo boys when at school should not make faces at ti teacher and should not study too had, cu..:" it makes t hem nearsighted, an . should not sit too long in one position, 'cause it makes their bucks orook< ', and should not do long examples in ..tith inetlc, 'causo it uses up their pencils too fast." ?An old Algerian hud sovon sons. His .vife died, und he remained a wid owor. Onco his sons wero seated und talking. The youngostof them said to hisbrothors: "Come, oh, my brothers! let us sell some gouts, and with tho price of them marry our futhcr again." They dropped tho subject of convors* tlon, and passed to another, After awhile, the old man said to them, "Come, my sons, let US ret'iyn-Vj the conversation bout the goats.'* ; ?The pastor of a churoh in uppor New York, whose hoaroiv aro among the riebest in town, but aro niggardly in their eohtrlbutlons, has b( i n ' ?yinr* to induce poor people to C0':\ ? to hU churoh, ami rccontly, through th< ool minis of the. local papers, OXtendcd to them a OOrdlal invitation to attci Last Sunday at the (dose of til vice ho said : " Brethren, I havo tried to reach the poor of o ir town, and In duce them to come, to our church and break-With us the bread of life. I in fer from the amount of the collection just taken?$7.35 -that thoy havo come." Only those who wero of mature a:1 at the time of our lust war can havo any conception ol tho tremendous losses in Ufo und limb ooeussioned by sanguinary hostile operations. From April 10, 1801, until May 20, 18(i5, there were 7 ? 180 F?deral eoldiors killed outright on the field of battle, with 11,701 who Woro mortally wound ed ami (1 led soon sftor. Tho lossosof tho* ? Confederate armlos were ?0,872 killed . TYi battle und 12 71s mortally wound ed. There wero also 16,207 Federals* - reported 'missing to bo aiidod to tho list of (load, with 10,184 Confoderatoa who woro never heard of again. By accident on land and soa thoro wero 8,1 in Federals killed and 6,011 Con federates, making tho total of vlolonfc deaths ruaoh tho awful sum of 263,120. Large as theoc figures aro thoy woro oxceodod by tbo deaths from disease,, exposure and privation, 180,321 Fed erals and 138,510 Confederates dying from theso/causes, a total of 318,845 tho aggrou?ito loss in --human both sldo?rbo'ng^ ^2,260, be ado. (I