Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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By A. L. D?ANE. [Copyright, 1S07. by tho Author.] Wo wore going to Europe. Mr.i. Wal lis bad written to mo at Christmas time, which I spent in tho (Jity of Mexico with Jack Darrcll and his wifo, asking mo to accompany hof. My pooketbook bappenod to bo un usually "high grado" just then?to uso n westornism?an Jack had taken mo down to Mexico in his private ear and given mo no opportunity to squander xny mo lest income, so I wrolo to Mrs. Wallis and accepted her invitation. New York was almost as much of a foreign city to us as any wo would seo on the other sido of tho Atlantic, hut although our stay there had bei U cir cumscribed by tho Now York hotel, tho best shops and tho passable theaters, and in tho nature of things wo could not expect to bo escorted down to tho pier by tho proprietors of any of those, however sorry tiny might be to witness our departure, being accustomed to tho ready friendships and cordial relations of the west, wo felt a triilo blue at hav ing no goodbys to say. Thero was a regular confusion of pnssongora and their friends all about us, but not as many tragic scenes as I had expected from tho novels I had rend, judiciously padded witli tho de scriptions of oecau voyages made by heroes going over to finish their educa tion, 01 heroines Dying from their uu happinoBses. Wiio isn't acquainted with tho youth or maiden who sits on deck and likens his lifo to the stately ship plowing its way through rolling billows, or sees in "Is it nty 'profession' you would know, mudainct" tho waves of molten gold tho kind friends who would cover her from tho world? We didn't seo anything like that. I do not even r? member anybody who stee l oil tho deck for a lust look at Firo island and a chance to exclaim "Farewell, my native land!" Most of thorn seemed liko us to bo going over for tho first time, and, also liko us, try ing by their easy manners, nautical talk and elaborate array of steamer chairs, steamer caps and steamer nov els to bo giving the impression that or< -inj; the Atlantic was an export euco ns familiar as riding on horsooars, Mrs. Wallis and I had finished our educati ins, snob as they were, long ago. Wo had no misery to osoape. (Mrs. Wallis' husband was dead, and mine ?was to be got.) So as wo had no roman tic roles to piny wo began our voyage With tho utmost conventionality. Wo wrote as impressive looking letters as anybody and gave them to tho pilot when ho loft us. Mrs. Wallis' was to her housekeeper, and mine to Susie Messersmith, tilling her sho might ride my hor.-o while 1 was away, but nobody knew that they were not tho longed for last words to some bereaved dovotco. And after that ceremony wo wero fairly off. Tho .sea was as calm as it usually is between the months of May and Sep tombor, and thoro was no exenso for seasickness on tho part of anybody, so wo walked tho decks and posed as old Bailors in the possession of stomachs whose self possession had nover boeu called into question. As Mrs. Wallis and I strolled along arm in arm trying to think of somo sensible and ladylike remark that would bo open scsamo to tho captain's atten tion and favor wo noticed a gentleman who was walking in tho other direc tion, but upon our line, and who conse quently met us at every turn. "Watch him take in your feot,"Mrs. Wallis said flatteringly. If thero is ouo thing that I do pride myself upon, it is my feet. They wero looking unusual ly well that day, ns I had realized tho eonspiononsness of shoes on a deck promenade. Ho was a tall, dark man with a twisted mustacbo and almost stem black oyes, just that masterful sort of eyes that wemen past their early girl hood and who havo lived in tho world aro fond of. Poor innocents, when they are young thoy can find a master in al most any sort of a man. Thero was nothing bold looking about tho proiue ttfldor, but ho gavo us side glances that did not mean utter indifference "Ho must bo somebody," Mrs. Wallis Haid, "becauso you seo ho is an Italian or a Spaniard or something, and in those countries tho middle and lower classes do not look liko gentlemen. I'll wager you something ho is a count at tho very least." "Poufl" And I blew my lips out with scorn, but still somo of tho air cas tles that I had kept in resorvo siuco my early girlhood for thoso seasons when my devoted admirers did not suit mo or I bad nouo and which had arisen liko magic when wo began to talk of Europe, went visionlikc beforo mo. "Countess" sounded sweet in my ears. Count, princo, whatever ho might bo, ho cer tainly was interested in us. Not that ho presumed in tho least, but when we wont on deck tho second morning our steamer chairs woro stretched in tbe pleasantest place, with our rugs com fortably adjusted, and tho stcwMfel, as ho brought ns a basket of fruit, men tioned that "the gentleman" had order ed it brought up as soon nswo took pos session of tho chairs. Wo nto tho fruit and let tho stoward continue to think that he iu some sort holouged to ns, al though wo had not oxebanged a siuglo word. That evoning it began to blow, and tho swell tossed tho ship about in a most nncomfortablo mannor. Wo did feot stay np to boo how many real old IravolnrsThnro were anioiitf the nrotend ? trs, hnt ignrTminuniHiy retreaton to tho reolusion which tho cabin grants. Tho light was just stniggling in through tho round wir..low of our stateroom tho next morning whou the Btownrdoss mado bor appearance, bearing a tray With a bottle, two small glasses and a oard. I was qnito oxhansted from my horriblo night, but I fonnd strougtb to rend tho card. On ono side was noatly. engraved, "Honri Valois, Paris." Mrs. Wallis was mistaken. Ho was a Frenchman after all. On tho other sido was written in a most gentlemanly hand with a penoil: "If madamo and mademoiselle will bo bo good, indeed, as to drink the oontcnts of tho bottlo by tho glassful at inter vals, thoy will find no more mal de '""Mavbe tVm Lft?m> M? w-m Ate stngo wljrn poison was prcicriiDio tu sonsickiHHH, mid sho followed mo ill taking a glassful of tho colorless stuff. 1 don't know what it wan. I wish I did, but tho BOOOOd glassful certainly put us upon our ft i t. I impressed upon Mrs. Wallis my sense of tho kindness of an eutiro stranger, and that slio must givo him our most cordial thtmks. Wo found our Bt< amer chairs ngaiii in plaoo just where tho evening sun WOQld strike past thein, but leave our faces in shadow, and lounging near Ahem was Mr. "Henri Valois. " "That is a very interesting and nriH tocvatio name," Mrs. Wallis had said, holding the card in ono band und her lorgnette in tho other. As sbo critically examined it, "Valois?Valois?wasn't there a king or something with a mono like that?" I suggested that this might bo u branch of the family With tho bar sinis ter, and then Mrs. Wallis said positive ly: "Thon that settles it. Ho is a duke, or a duo, at tho very least. Tboso kings always gave titles and estates light and loft to that sort of connections. I'll j find out!" To do her justice, sho made valiant efforts to keep tier word. As we took possession of our chairs j was tho most natural thing in the world that Mrs. Wallis should smile sweetly and bow invitingly to agentlo- j man who had bceu of such servico to ub. Mr. Valois (wo longed to say mon sieur, but woro conscious that tho pro nunciation of French by westerm rs would hardly sound Parisian to native cars) responded with open delight. And then began a most delightful friendship. Ho was not only oxtromoly distinguished looking, so that it was with a onlm joy and hearts froo from carking jealousy that we looked upon tho other parties in tho ship as wo throe sat or walked or dined together, but Mr. Valois had been everywhere, knew everything that oame up in tho world, ?'"oke several languages, and could 1 .u adven'uro equal to Ridor Uaggard. I remember ono night?it was tho evening beforo wo reached Cork harbor?wo hat ou tho deck until tho moon came up out, of tho dark sea Mr. Valois was telling us of an adventure that a party of gentlemen bad encoun tered in southern Italy. They were go ing by private enrringo from ono point *o another when they were set upon by brigands. From tho minute description that ho gave of every thing ho must have been there, but hu did not speak of himself once. Thcro was a certain Marquis do St. Lippo who had put his pistol to the chief bandit's head and vowed bo would shoot him dead if nny of tho bund lifted a finger and had made the villain order off bis men, who fig ured as tho hero. I can sco him now as ho sat on tho camp stool, leaning ex citedly forward, tho words clipping after each other on his tongue, tho white moonlight and tho excitement of his story making his eyes all uglittcr. After wo went into our stateroom Mrs. Wallis tinned to mo with suppressed excitement: "Don't you sco it? Ho is tho Marquis do St. Lippe himself. No man ever took that much interest in his friend's ad ventures. " Aftor that Mrs. Wallis tried with all tho smartness of the traditional Yankee to bring out BOmo detail of Mr. Valois' private history, but that was tho only subject upon which ho was silent. Ono day when she had been unusually press ing ho turned suddenly, mid, smiling in her face, said in his peculiar, rather short sentences: "Is it my'profession' you would know, madamo? Franco is not liko Amerioa. All men do not cast accounts nor keep a shop. It is differ ent. I am a traveler from ono beautiful city to another. " After tliut madamo retired from hor researches, abashed, but ever sinco tho night of the story of the bandit adven ture Mrs. Wallis had addressed mo as "tho marquise." It did no good for mo to try to laugh her fancies away and tell her that Mr. Valois had never hinted a word of lovo making to mo. Sho always suid, "Just as though, Joan Modllcott, I had not lived in this world long enough to know the difference between flirtatious attentions and that deferential service a man gives to a woman ho means to wiul" Notwithstanding my disclaimers I folt rather liko a marquise already. I fully realized that to marry a French nobleman was decidedly different from tho brilliant destiny attained by somo of our American women in marrying English dukes and lords, but even a French count, if bo is genoiuo, is not to bo despised in a land where tho only man with any sort of title that you havo uny ohauco of marrying is uu nrmy lieutenant. I havo hardly enough money to buy a titln in tho regular market, but a bargain sometimes falls in my way. Mrs. Wallis and X both felt that thiscnoounter wus an unusual r. tcco of luck. For tho last year or two pcoplo who wore interested in my affairs had begun to make allusions to that typical maid who went through and through tho thicket and picked up a crooked stick at last and to suggest that a crooked stick was n better support over tho rug ged roads that lie over tho end of lifo than no staff at all. I didn't mind thnir advice, but I had long ago made up my mind that it was going to bo tho most beautiful wand to bo found or no staff at all, and aa luck would havo it horo it lay across my path. And still nothing was settled, but Mrs. Wallis declared sho know what bIio know, and cortainly no qneon and princess royal were over served as gal lantly as iur. valors nttoiiacd upon Mrs. Wallis and mo. Thcro was a littlo boat enroo off at QuceiiHtown, and several of the passoii Bors left us. Wo wero watching them embark, when I saw Mr. Valois givo a note With somo English money to ono of tho departing ones. Mrs. Wallis looked a littlo anxious. I hardly know what who thought it could bo, but when wo readied Liverpool wo discovered. Thcro was a onrringo waiting for us on tho pier. Tho coachman tipped his hot respectfully to Mr. Valois. Evidently ho was no Stronger. Wo had told Mr. Va lois that wo meant to go to tho Lang ham hotel in London and that was about tho extent of our information. Ho had suggested that wo stay a day in Liverpool aud rest beforo wo took tho journey up to London, and now wo found that ho had telegraphed from Qncenstown for our rooms at tho Adol phi. "I took tho liberty," hosaid, smiling iu at tho carriago door. "I will aoo mat yoor luggngo is ?ont to you ana will meet you at tho station tomorrow afternoon if I do not sco you beforo." "Oh, but Mr. Valoia," Mrs. Wallis cried, putting hor head out of tho win dow, "you most como up and dino with us tonight." "With pleasure, madamo." And the oarriago drovo on. Mir. Wallis loaned baok in the cush ions. "Woll, you aro a luoky glrll Did thoro ever livo anotL nmn as thought ful?" Thoro had tv.en something hovering on my touguo for a day or two. X didn't . ., .g hut the most tea. S? / wanted <o fcnow t/ ho made love to her. Uio Hast, but 1 laid it: ?'rmrecCI, 1 hardly think it is I who happen to bo tho lnoky ono. It seems to mo ho pays you a groat deal the most attention." Mrs. Wallis is 40, but extremely stylish and a fully equipped woman of tho world in most things, but to my ut ter .surprise she nut my little sally with an embarrassed laugh and a vivid, burn ing blush. In my astonishment I could not take my eyes from her faco. Kho was turned away Lorn mo, looking out of tho window. "Oh, ho, my dear madamel" I thought. "Is it thus the wind blows?" It would bo a flue finish to bor lifo to dio u mnrquiso. It was necessary to look to my laurels. I, Jean Mcdliectt, find i iug a rival in Mrs. Wallis I Oh, it was too absurd to think about Mr. Vulois came around to dinner that evening, ' and I put on my pietticst dress. It was a palo green thin thing, and I thought , I looked unusually well until I saw , Mrs. Wallis in all of her war paint. Sbo was positively regal in a dark red velvet and black lace. Her beautiful hair was piled high, and there was a I diamond hero and thero. After dinner i Mr. Vulois took us to the theater to seo Mary Anderson. 1 shall never forget that evening. My dreams seemed to bo j all broken up. My castles wcro coming down like cards. Mm. Wallis was evi dently in love with Mr. Valois, although ! ho was fully ten years her junior. I must havo been blind not to have seen It before. And he? He was charmingly courteous to me, but that grand defer , onco was as certainly paid to Mrs. Wallis. I Wo all went up to London tho next duy. Ali tho way Mr. Valois spoko of I tho sights to bo seen in tho great metropolis, but begged us to make a short stay thero at first, going over to tho continent for awhile, and then com ing back. Ho said?very justly?that coming at onco into a country whero our own language was spoken wo would begin to draw comparisons with America and belittle tho magvifloenoe of England. But while wo wero hcrr thero wero a few places that wo must seo. Mr. Valois, who evidently know London like a book, suggested that iu i atoad of the Langham wo should go to a small hotel, almost like a private house, and characteristically English, where tho maids brought tho hot wator up in jugs and pots of dowers bloomed on our parlor window sills. Froin hero wo made excursions into tho old world about US, and it was hero that wo had afternoon tea and dinner by tho soft light of wax candles. Mr. Valois was constantly with us My air castles wore up again. I began to seo differently. Mr. Valois heated Mrs. Wallis as ho would havo treated my mother, and ho seemed perfectly unconscious of her infatuati n for him. But for tho first timo since wo had known onch other there was a little coolness between Mrs. Wallis and my self. It was nothing defined, just ono of thoso uncomfortable, constrained States that seem to come sometimes bo tween friends like the breath of a north wind. Ono day wo bad been drinking tea and were standing about with tho cups in our hands w hen there was a commo tion in tho street. Thero hud been a collision between a carriugo and n cart. Tho occupant of the cairiage was just alighting ns we looked out. Ho wns a small, wi'/cn faced creature in tho most correct afternoon costume, and ho seem ed to bo in a terrible rage. Mr. Valois looked and then started. "What!" he. cried excitedly. "That is tho Prince Qortohoff. I will go to him." But just then tho old man stepped inio the carriage again aud wns driven oil'. A maid had just come in after tho tea things. Mr. Valois took a card from his pock et, v rote something on it and, putting it Into an envelope, hade tho maid run down und soud the missivo after the old Gentleman's carrintrn. It. wjuj oil aono in a second, but Mrs. Wallis and 1 looked nt each other. Wo had seen that tho card was not liko tho ono Mr. Va lois had sent us. Thero was a titlo after tho name. Tho next day Mr. Valois didn't como nntil evening. Mrs. Wallis wns out first, evidently waiting for him. As I opened my room door to go into tho parlor I saw that thoy woro in oarnest Conversation, and I could hardly holp overhearing a littlo of it, and I did want to know if ho mudo lovo to her. Ho didn't "And did you go to pco tho prince? I cannot remember his mono?" she ask ed sweetly. "Brluco Gortchoff? Yes, modamo; 1 was with him today. Ho is a Russian, ono of tho great nobles of that empire. Host saw him in Vienna, towbiohcity I had traveled with him from St Peters burg. " I could sec Mrs. Wallis fairly pluming hcrsolf at knowing so groat a porsonago even ut secondhand. "And when," sho said softly, "aro *W0 to seo the curds yon send to tho prince?" Mr. Volois gave a littlo laugh and walked awny. "Oh, I am of sorvioo to you hero as I am, madnmo. Ipromiso? when you reach France." Thou I opened tho door and wnlkod in. Two dr.yn ?fter wo left England and orosscd the channel to France, At tho last minute Mr. Valois found that ho eould not accompany us, but promised to meet ns in Patia within a fow days. I don't know why, but I didn't boliovo ho would come. I felt that I was saying "goodby" to ono of tho plonsantost no qunLitnnccs I had over made And, na sometimes happen!), my presontimont wnfc not far from v roug. "It is not 'gOOdby, "he si.id. "It is only au revoir SVo slndl travel long roads together over there." Aud ho looked at mo. After wo had embarked npon tho ohopping Ohailliol wo wero glad that Mr. Valois was not with us, unless his sensiokness remedy wns also on hand Wo wero frightfully ill, ns wero all the roat of tho passengers, and tho piles of washbowls woro in constant neo. Wo only .stopped in Calais for one da/. Our rooms wero already ongnged in Paris Mr. Valois had attended to that for us. Mrs. Wallis aud I wero anxious to get into tho whirl of lifo. Wo wore no lengor good oemradea for oooh other, j and wo both moped in the absoneo of a wmwiiitoj "Jufl hod dcuo ?o jauch to 1 enliven us or Into, it soomcu ausuru when wo realized (hat wo had only known liiui a fortnight. Wo had boon in Paris a woek, had shopped at tho Bon Marcho, bought a dross or two of tho immortal Worth, and had found somo American friends who had rapidly seen tho sights of tho French capital and wanted us to pusli on into Switzerland and north Ger many with them. "Winter was tl o timo for Paris. " But wo woro awaiting somo one whoso judgment was infalli ble Wo woro to go tho next day to say goi dby to them and wero sitting in ou: parlor talking in a desultory way of their plans, carefully leaving out Air. Valois' name when wo spokoof our own, when thero was a knock at the door, and a servant oamo in with a largo salver?a brass sea, islanded by a tiny white note. It was addressed to Mrs. Wallis, and wo both recognized tho writing as that of Mr. Valois. Bho broke tho seal with almost trembling bands, and after Bho bad road it handed it over to mo: Madame? You uro how In Paris, wlicro 1 can refer you to utmost liny gentleman In tho city for Information ns to my standing. 1 hnvo ro trained from culling myself up to thl? timo bocuuKO I w lulled you to know mo well beforo I made any pretensions. May I call at your rooms in uiiu hour fiom thin? Your dovoUxl servant, Huniu Vaixms. Mrs. Wallis went over to tho t.iolo and wroto a hasty note, which sho dis i patched. Again was her faco that burn ing red. . "I will ordor tho carriago and go around to seo tho Prices," I said, und she did not object. I went into my own room and "nearly died of laughter," as schoolgirls say, while I was putting on my jacket and hat. I folt as B?ro as I ovor folt of anything that Henri Va lois, or tho Marquis do Saint Lippe, or ' whoever ho might be?and wo should soon know?was going to proposo to Mrs. Wallis for my hand. To him sho Btood in tho place of my mother. A man never would writo BUOh a business like epistlo as that to tho woman ho I was going to ask to marry him. I felt a littlo sorry for her and then I folt ex I ultant. It was good enough for her. A , woman of that ago has no business fulling in love with young men. And then I laughed again and im agined her sensations when ?io wont I Into that room, expecting tl.o embraces . of a lover, to bo asked to play tho part I of mother to mo. Oh, it was too good I almost to keep to myself 1 If Mr. Valois had ever made downright lovo to mo, I ns nn Englishman or an American would certainly havo dono under the j circumstances, I would havo told Delia 1 Price all about it and let her laugh ? With mo, but it would have been a tamo i lovo story whoso only Incident was the 1 joke with which it reached its climax. . But I was merciful in one respeot?I timed my return so that tho embarrass | mont should bo as short as possiblo for Mrs. Wallis. After Mr. Valois (ho was something moro than that now) had explained himself I would como in. I looked at my watch as I went up in tho elevator (thoy call them lifts and nSSOUBOUrS over here) and calculated that Honri bad been with Mrs. Wallis about three quarters of an hour. I went through my own room, took off my hat, fluffed up my bangs and softly opened tho parlor door. It was empty. As I stepped in, a littlo bewildered, Mrs. Wallis' door opened on tho other sido, nnd sho rushed \r oss tho room, and throwing herself into my arms broke into tho wildest pealsof laughter. I was frightened to uoath. Had tho woman gone stark mad over her disap pointment? Sho left mo as suddenly as sho had clutched my neck, nnd picking up an engraved card from tho table held it boforo my eyes. "Oh, Jean, Jean I" sho fairly scronmed between her ha-has. "If wo nron't green I That man is a courier. Ho wanted mo to hiro him to travel with us, and becauso I wouldn't ho is furious. Ho mado mo pay for tho theater tickets nnd carriages und everything wo had in Liverpool nnd London. And, oh. ves?ho said tho tnlo grnin iroiii IgUCOUStOWn was 12 sliil lings, and he wanted ?10 for tho time ho wnstod taking us about after be found tlint 1 wouldn't havo him travel with us over here." There was tho engraved card that bo eent to tho prince?"Henri Vnlois, courier, speaks French, Italian, Ger man, Russian, Spanish, English." We changed our minds and wont to Switzerland with the Prices. Last winter, down on tho lako of Como, wo wero sitting with a group of tourists who wero talking of the short comings of couriers very much ns American ladies talk of their servants "Thero is one man," Sir George Bholby said, "who has been simply ruined by lining allowed to look and net liko a gentleman. Ho wns tho best courier in Europe ten years ago, but there is no living with him now." "Who is that?" Mr. Donaldson of New York asked. "Valois?" "That's tho fellow." "Well," Mr. Donaldson Bald, "I ro grot to say that Americans are responsi ble for it An Amorioan family of wealth and somo position in ono of our lnrgo western citios employed Valois hero for a year, and then took him homo with them for a visit, and notnally Introduced him to their friends as a do sirablo acquaintance." Thero worn various exoliunatlons of THE HURRY1NQ FEET OF WOMEN at the new-born infant's cry, tells the story of woman's sympathy for her sister-woman. If women would only spread the medical gospel, ttiat a woman is unfitted for wife nood and motherhood as long as she suffers from weakness or disease of the distinctly womanly organism, there would be less necessity for the sisterly sympathy that a woman receives when she is in the throes of child-bearing. A woman who is thoroughly strong and healthy hi a womanly way has to suffer comparatively little pain and sickness when she becomes a mother. Dr. Pierce'a I'avor itc Prescription acts directly on die delicate and important organs that bear the burdens of maternity and given them health, strength and elasticity. It allays inflamma tion, heals ulccration and soothes pain. It banishes the discomforts of the faint hearted period and makes baby's advent easy and almost painless. It insures the newcomer's health, Over 90,000 women have testified to its marvelous merits and many of them have permitted their experi ences, names, addresses and photographs to be printed In Dr. I'ierce's Common Sense Medical Adviser, so that other women may learn of this wonderful medicine. Good medicine dealers sell it, 9 "I am now real well," writes Mrs. T.lltlc IUI?, banl, of Merrill, Lincoln Co., Wl?. *' I have heen doing my own housework, Including washing and ironing. I hardly ever feel the pnln in my side unless I lift hard. I took four bohtcs of Dr. Plerce's Favorite Prescription, one of 'Golden Medical Discovery ' aud two bottles of ' Plensant Pellets.' I have not been taking any medicine for over two months. This Is the first time I have been well enough to do my work for over three years. Your medicine is all that helped me." Send m one-cent stamps, to cover cost of mailing only, for a paper - covered copy of Dr. Plerce's Common Sense Medical Adviser. Cloth binding, to cents extra. Address Dr. R. V. Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y. It is the most popular medical work in the Itnglish language ; it contains a thousand and eight, pages, and over three hundred 11 lustr.itions. It is a great storehouse of valuable information?a veritable medical In one volume. POWDER Absolutely Pure? , Celobratc? for its preut luavoninp Strength and hcnlthfulncss. Assures tho food apainst alum and all forms of adulteration common to tho cheap brands. Royal, Baking I'ow?kk Co., Now York. wonder und disgust from all tho A'meri cmiH. Tho English were too polite to do more thim smilo at our national ways, but of all the group nobody expressed Snoh wonder and almost incredulous astonishment at such ignoronoo an Mrs. Wallis aud myself. TUB I'.ND. -?? ? ? 4??? THE 8TATK SCHOOLS. Marked Inoroase in the Total Enrol ment?The Itelatlve Showing Made by i lie White and Colored. Getting the benefit of tho tbreo mill school tax and the prospect of obtaining considerably longer terms in the public schools of tho State has resulted in quite an increase in this year's enrol ment of pupils in tho schools. There are this year 25,840 more pupils en rolled in the public schools than laet year. Nearly 10,000 of these aro white, pupils. Another noticeable thing is that while there wore scarcely more than 100 more girls than boys last year In tho public schools, this year the girls have a little over 1,000 in their favor. Several thousand more colored than white children aro still availing themselves of the educational advan tages offered by the State. Although tho increase is not Oo largo as was ex pected this year it is by several thous and tho largest In recent years. The following figures speak for themselves, showing a comparison of the total en rolment by years for scvoral years past : 1897.258.183 1800.2:t2,:t:t7 1805 . 223,021 1804.220,760 1893.223,160 The following was the total enrol ment for last year by races and sexes: White, 100,150; colored, 123,178; male, 110,091; female, 110,240; gn id total, 2:i2,:>;i7. This year's enrolment figures by counties are as follows: White. Colored. Abbeville. 4,112 4,184 Alken. 3,070 3,053 Anderson. 0,7.'I2 .'!.S21 Barnwell. 5,071 7,804 Beaufort. 4f?l 874 Berkeley . 1,370 3,328 Charleston. 3.500 7,807 Chester. 1,830 4,099 Chesterfield. 2 120 1,348 Clarendon. 1,801 2,955 Collcton. 3,241 .'1 202 Darlington. 2,816 3,621 Fdgcliold. 2,390 6,248 Falrtiold. 1,700 4,400 Florence. 2,778 \\ 121 Georgetown. 1,010 2.715 Greenville . 7,749 3,800 Hampton . 1,991 2,231 Horry. 3,004 1,460 Korshaw. 2 270 2,037 Lancaster. 2,910 t,790 Laurens. 3,788 4,5?i Lexington. 4,173 1,020 Marion. .'{,720 3,330 Marlboro. 1,898 2,935 Nowberry. 2,041 .'{,'.?27 Oconce. 4,H?f) 1,238 Orangoburn. 4,1102 7,708 Bickens. ."1270 1,395 Rich land. 2,507 6 400 Saluda. 2,107 2,370 Spartanburg. 10,526 5,451 Sumter. 2,858 7,024 Union. 2,074 2,339 Wllliamsbnrg. 2,014 3,057 York. 4,012 5,029 Totals.110,027 139,150 Male. Female. Total. Abbevlllo. 5,701 ?,107 11,80S Aikon. 3,342 2,387 0,720 Anderson. 5,378 5,175 10,553 Burn well. 0,471 0 404 12.S75 Beaufort. 2,129 2,100 4,325 Berkeley. 2,242 2,450 4.098 Charleston. 5,233 6,104 11,307 Chester. 2,8110 3,000 5,020 Chesterfield.... 1,038 1,830 3,708 Clarendon. 2,411 2,."U5 4,750 Collcton. 8,223 3 310 0 5X5 Darlington. 3,228 .'5,108 0,336 Kdgclield. 3,721 3,020 7,047 Falrfiold. 2,025 3,247 (1,172 Florence. 2,048 2 051 5,899 Georgetown_ 1.873 1,882 .'1,755 Greonvillo. 5.021 5,028 11,649 Hampton. 2,142 2,080 4.222 Horry. 2,008 2,410 5,114 KorBhaw. 2,1.'17 2,170 4,.'107 Lancaster. 2,387 2,1113 4,700 Laurens. 4,080 4.203 8,340 Lexington. 3,179 2,914 (i,00:i Marion . 3,408 3.588 7,050 Marlboro. 2,488 2,345 4,033 Nowborry. 2,014 3,054 0,508 Oeoneo. :i,120 2,073 0,973 Orangeburg_ 0 108 6,904 12 070 Bickens. 2.404 2,171 4,005 Kichland. 3,930 4 037 7.007 Saluda. 2,329 2,214 4,643 Spartanburg... 8,179 7.798 15,077 Sumter. 4,812 5,o70 0,882 Union. 2,2-17 2,100 4,413 Williamsburg.. 3,105 3,106 0 271 York. 5,182 5,059 10,241 Totals.128,517 120,666 258,183 COTTON mi i.is AND TAB TARIFF. i lie New Knglaml Manufacture? Are Complain I u^r About tbc Con dition of A Hairs- -The Protective Tariff Does Not Save Them. Atlnntn Constitution. It will boromomberod that when Mr. Uingley, as chairman of tho ways and means commltteo, announcod that an autopsy would bo held on tho resources of tho country for tho purpose of dis covering bow much could no diverted from tho pockots of tho pooplo for tho bonotltof those manufacturers who had contributed to tho Republican corrup tion fund, tho first to respond to the summons wore tho cotton mill mon of Now England. Thoy swarmed down upon Mr. Dlng loy and took possession of the com mltteo room. When tho Wilson-Gor man tar in mcasuro was going through tho Sonato procoss of filtration, tho manufacturers of cotton goods woro permitted to wrlto tholr own tariff 8ohodules. This fact was stated in tho debate, and was not disputed by any body. Hut, somehow, tho tariff didn't work. Tho prlco of cotton goods con tinued to fall, and tho manufacturers concludod that thoy had boon alto gether too modest. Therefore, when Uanna appeared In tho Hold with a or.noIdato who bad passed tho examination required .by the international banki and the gold tmst, tho cotton goods mon wore raoro than repensive. They shoved their hands deop down into their pookota with an effusiveness that causod Hr. I Henna to wear ont of his broadrA*t j home-mado grins, Tho manufacturers not only contributed to the corruption fund but drummed their operatives into line by promises of more work and higher wages. When Mr. McKinley was succcsful, these manufacturers wore happy, but they did not allow thoir happiness to intorfuro with thoir busings Instincts. Not at all. Thoy swarmed down on Mr. Diogley and enlarged upon their previous demands. In consequence tho cotton schedules wero made a good deal higher. Ilaving, as thoy sup posed, made all things secure they j wont homo prepared to on joy a long season of McKinley prosperity. They set their spindles and looms to work und made things hum. The Wall street organs cried out: " Look what the gold standard has done for tho country I" Tho high tarilT organs shouted, " liehold tho results o.' a Ko publleau tar I If |?? an Addkee.8 to Southern Farm? BUS.?Mr. J.C Wl!b<rn, president of tho recent Cotton Crowors* Conven tion, in accordance with the instruc tions of that body has Issued the fol lowing call for a convention of tho cot ton growers of tho South to bo held iu Atlanta : Columbia, s. c, Nov. 19, l.ssn. To tho Cotton Growers of tho South: At A largo and enthusiastic mooting of tho cotton growers of tho State of South Carolina, wherein all sections of this Stato wore reprosonted, it was re solved that every State in tho South bo invitod to send delegates to a conven tion to bo called to meet in Atlanta, Ga., December 14th, 1807. Tho pur pose of this convention ie to organize tho cotton growers of the Sooth, there by securing unity of action iu tho mar keting and salu of this great staple ; also, to deviso ways and moans by which we may bo ablo to break and throw olT the shackles of business slav ery that DOW bind us. With foreign exchanges dictating the price, we can only expect ruin and distress in tho futuro. Wo can achieve independence only by organization. With a view of securing an exchange of ideas and poriooting an organization which it is hoped will result in good, I have been instructed to call a conven tion of delegates from all tho cotton growing States to meet in A Hanta, Ca., on the 14th Of December, 1807. All who are Interested In this cause are most earnestly requested to co operate. Tho Governors of the cotton growing States have been asked to select delegates and all Stato organiza tions interested in the prosperity of tho cotton growers are requested to name and secure tho attendance of d-legates at this general convention. J. C. WlLHOKN, l'res't S. C. Cotton Growers Associa tion. A man in gcorgln purchased the gal lows on which a man was hanged and built a hennery of tho lumber. lie has never had a chicken stolen from it, and it is said that the colored brother won't go within a block if ho can possible avoid doing so. CHARLESTON & WESTERN CARO Hna Railway Co. "Augusta and Asbe villa Short Lino." Schedule In effect Kob 7th, 1807._ bv Augusta.u 40 am 1 40 pre Ar Orcenwood.12 17 pm . Anderson. (i 10 an 1.aureus. 1 16 pm 00 an (Jrecnvillc. 2 55 pm 1G 30 are Olenn Springe. 4 05 pm . Spartanburg.3 0upm 0 26 am Sabida.6 21 pm . Hendersonville. ..5 01 pm . Asbevillo.fi 46 pm . Lv'Aahcvillc. 8 20 am . Spartanburg.11 45 am 4 00 prr Greenville.1155 am 4 00 pn Lauren a. 1 15 pm 7 00 prx Anderson. 7 00 am . Greenwood. 2 28 pm . ArAuL'usta. 5 00 pm 11 10 are Ar Alken. (> 60 pm l.y Greenville . 1160 am Ar Clinton .? 2 10 pre Newberry. . 2 57 pun Prosperity. 8 18 pm Columbia. 4 80 pm Hum tor . 6 42 pm l.anca. 7 48 pre Lv Charleston. 7 oe are I .anes. 8 20 are Sumter... . 085 am Columbia. 11 00 air Prosperity . 11 58 are Newberry. 12 10 pre Clinton.? 12 60 pre Ar Greenville. 8 00pm Close OOnnecttons at Greenwood tor at points on 8. A b. and C. ?V. G. Railway, anr at Spartanburg with Southern Railway. For information relative to tickets rat r schedules, etc., address W.J. GPAIG, Gen rass. Agent. All"net.i. G.V J. S.Guretoe. Agent,0. H. Sp.ji?hiy Gen igen* Greenville. B. 0 W. II. MARTIN, Attorney at Law, Laurrns, - South Carolina. Will practice In all Courts of this State Attention given to collections. t. Johnson. W. R. RIOHKY JOHNSON & RICHI3Y, ATTORNEYS AT LAW. Okfiok ?Fleming 'Corner, Nor the at Hide of Public Square ii. Y. SIMPSON. 0. i). DARR8DALF SIMPSON & BAltKSDALE, Attorneys at Law, LAURENS, SOUTH CAROLINA Special attention given to tho investi gation of titles and collection of claims b. w. iia i,. w. sim kins. w. w. ball BALL, SIM KINS & BALL, Attorneys at Law, Laurrns, South Carolina. Will praetieo In all Stato and United States Court. .Special attention givon collections _ Who is Will Whitener ? He is our Fashionable Hair Cutter and Shaver -IN BENDELLA HOTEL. ou Can Buy the Standard Paragon Sewing Machine FROM Alexander Bros. & Co. for $17.50. ALEXANDER BROS. & CO. GREENVILLE, S C W. H, 01B0ES & CO., ? (AGENTS FOR AND DEALERS IN) ? Machinery, Vehicles and Mill Supplies, Represent: A. B. Farquhar Co., Engines, Boilers, Saw-Mills, Threshing M achines. Chandler & Taylor Co., Engines and Boilers. Lombard Iron Wt rks&Suppl .? Co.,Boilers and Saw-Mills. Liddell Co., Cotton Presses, E.igines and Boilers, Saw Mills. Daniel Pratt Gin Co., Cotton gins and cotton presses. Winship Machine Co.,< Otton gins and cotton presses. Blown Cotton Gin Co., Coiton gins.'1 Lane Manufacturing Co.. Saw-Mills. Straub Machinery Co., Grist Mills. Braunau & Co., Cane Mills, Evaporator pans, etc. Henry R. Worthington, Steam Pumps. Meridian Machine Shops, "Hunter Full Circle Hay Presses." Jno. E. Chisolm, "Chisolm's $35 hay press." Stover Manufacturing Co., Wind mills, tanks and towers. Rfe Hy draulicKngine M' f g Co., Hydraulic Rams. Henry Disston & Sons, Saws. Deering Harvesting Co., Harvesting Machinery. Keystone Manufacturing Co., Corn Shredders. J.A. Fay & Kgan Co., Wood Working Machinery. Studebaker Brothers M'f'g Co., Wagons, Buggies, etc. J. B. McFarlan Carriage Co., Vehicles. New York Belting & Packing Co., Rubber belting and packings. We arc in a position to quote Factory Prices on a thing in the Machinery, Vehicle or Mill Supply lines. We keep in stock, Cotton gins, Threshing machines, Hay presses, Binders, Mowers, Reapers, Hay Raken, Cane Mills, Evaporator Pans, Furnaces, Saws, Disc Harrows, Pipe and pipe fittings of all kinds, Injectors, Boiler tubes, Pumpa, Drive Points, Pump Cylinders, Rubber and Leather Belting, Wagons, Buggies, Road Carts and General Machinery Sup plies. Reliable Goods. jfJflP" Low Prices. ?9f" Fair Treatment. W. H. GIBBES & CO., 804 Gervais St. Columbia, S. C. Represented in Laurens County by II. E. Gray, Laurens, S.C. Prudential Insurance Co. ._4> ?*-? OF AMERICA. & Home Office, Newark, N, J. John F. Dryden, President. Assets July 1, 1897, $21,250,000. Surplus Over, $4,400,000. 9UUR Now Business Writ ten 1896, $129,000,000. %%%%%% Income 1896, $14,000,000. All Policies Contain the INCONTESTABLE and NoN-FoRFEITABLE features and Promise to Pay Claims Immediately upon Receipt of Satisfactory Proofs of Death. Also Provide for Cash Values, Loans, Paid-Up and Extended Insurance. I. L. WITHERS GENERAL AGF?T, 9 COLUMBIA* S. O.