Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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The Indifference ol The Miller of Hofbau. By ANTHONY HOPE. [Copyright, i?is, by A. H. Hawkins.] There- is n swift littlo river running by thu village of Hofbau, aud on tbu river 1h a mill, kept in the days* f Kin;; Kudolf III by a sturdy follow \vl . lived there till alone. Thu king know bill), having alighted at his house for a draft Of boor as be rodo hunting, and it was of him the king spoko Wbeil lie said to the queen, "Thuro is, I bolievo, hut ono mau iu the country whom Osra could not move, und that is thn miller of Hof bau." Out, though ho addressed the queon, it was Iiis ststor at whom he aimed tho speech. Tho princess herself was sitting by, and when slto heard tho king she said: "In truth, 1 do not desiro to move any man. What hut troubles como of it? Yet who is this millor?" Tho king told her where the miller might be found, and bo adtled, "If you oouvert bint to tho love of women, you shall bavo tho fluost bracelet lu Strel sau." "There is nothing, sir, so roinoto from my thoughts or desiro us to con vert your miller," Haid Osra scornfully. And in this at the mouicut she spoko truthfully, but being left alono for Bomo days at the castle of Zenda, which is but a few niilos from Hofbau, she found timo hung very heavy on her bauds. Indeed, sho did not know what to do witb herself for weariness, nnd so for this reason and none other at all ono day she ordered her horso rud rodo off with a single groom into tho forest Coming as tho morning went on to a Wido road, she asked tho groom wberp It lod. "To Hofbau, inadame," ho an swered. "It is not moro than a mile farther on. " Oura waited for a few moments. Then she said: "I will ritlo on and see tho village, for I bavo b. on told that it is pretty Wait hero till 1 return. " And sho rode on, smiling a little and with a delicato tint of color in her cheeks. Beforo long sho sawibo river and tho mill on tho river, nnd. coming to the mill, sho saw tho miller sitting beforo bis door, smoking a long pipe, and sho called out to him, asking him to sell bor a glass of milk "You can bavo it for the asking," said tho miller Ho was a good looking, fair fellow aud woro a scarlet cap. "There is a pail of it just insido tho door behind mo." Yot ho did not riso, but lay there, lolling luxuriously in tho sun For ho did not know Osra, never having been to Strclmu iu his lifo and to Zenda throe or four times only, and that when tho princess was not tbero. Moreover?though this, as must bo al lowed, is not to the purpose?ho bad sworn never ngaiu to go so far afield. Being answered in this manner and at thu samo timo desiring tho milk, tho princess had no choice but to dismount. This sho did and passed by the miller, pausing a moment to look at him with bright, ourious oyes that flashed from under tho brim of ber wido rimmed feathered hat, but the miller blinked lazily up at tho sun and took no heed of her. Osra passed on, found tho pail, pour ed out n cup of milk and drank it. Then, refilling tho cup, sho carried it to thu miller. " ?Vill you not have somo?" said sho, With a smile. "I was too lazy to get it," said tho miller, and ho held out his hand, but did not otherwise change his position. Osra's brow was puckered and ber cheek flushed as bIio knelt down, hold iug tbo cup of milk so that tho miller could reach it He took and drained it, gave it back to her and pot his pipe iu his mouth again. Osra sat down by him and watched him. Ho puffed aud blinked away, never so much as looking at bor. "What have yon for dinner?" usked sho presently "A pioco of cold pie," said ho. "There's enough for two if you'ro hun gry. 1' "Would you not liko it better hot?" "Oh, aye, but I cannot weary myself witb beating itl" "I will heat it," said tbo princess, nnd, rising, sho went into the houso and Pausing a moment to look at him with bright, curious eyes. mado up tho firo, which was almost burnt out. Then sho beatod tbo pio nnd set tbo room in order and laid tho tnblo and drow a largo jug of bcor from tho cask. Noxt shu placod no armchair ready for tho miller and put tho jug by it; then sho filled a pipo from tho bowl of tobacco ami hot a cushion in thn cbair. And all this while sho hummed a tnno and from Mme to timo smiled gayly. Lastly sho uranged a chair by the olbow of tho nn.lor's chair. Then she went ont and told him that his din ner was ready, and ho Rtumbled to his feet with a sigh of lazinoss nnd walked before her into tbo bouso. '.'May I oomo?" cried sho. "Aye, (hero Is onongb for two," said the miller of Hof ban, without looking round. So she followed him in. Ho sank into tho armchair and sat thoro for a mo rn mt, snrvoying tho room, which was so neat, and tbo tablo so daintily laid and the pio *o steaming hot, and he sighed* ?asia.il_w ' "It was [fl.O tins before poor mother died." And lie tell to on a great por tion of pie with which Osra piled his philo When he had finished eating?which thing did not happen for BOUI0 time? sho held the jug while he took a long draft; then she brought a coal in the tongs and held it while ho lit his pipe from it; then she sat down by him. For soverul moments ho puffed, and then at last he turned his head and looked at Prit)CC89 Osm, and she drooped her long lashes and cast down her eyes, and next she lifted her eyes and glanced for an instant at the miller, und dually she dropped her eyes again and murmured shyly; "What is it, sir? Why do you look at me?" "You seem to bo n handy wench," observed i he miller "The pie was steaming hot and yet not burnt, the beer was well frothed, but not shaken nor thickened, and the pipe draws well. Where does your father dwoll?" "Ho is dead, sir," said the Princess Osra very demurely, "And your mother?" pursued tho miller "yiio also is dead. " "There is small harm in that," said tho miller thoughtfully, and Osra turn ed away her head to hido her smile. "Aro you not very lonely, living hero nil by yourself?" sho asked a moment later. "Indeed I hnvo to do everything for myself," said the miller sadly. "And (hero is nobody to?to care for you?" I "No, nor to look after my comfort," said tho miller. "Have you any kin dred?" "1 have two brothers, sir, hut thoy nro ruarried nmv and bavo no need of mo. " Tho miller laid down his pipe, und, sotting his elbow on tho table, faced Princess Osra. "H'm," said ho. "And is it likely you will rido this way again?" "I may chance to do so," said Osra, and now there was a glance of malicious triumph in her eyes, and she was think ing already how tho bracelot would look on her arm "Ah," said tho miller, and after a | pause ho added: "If you do, coino half an hour before dinner, and you can lend a baud in making it ready. Where did you get thoso lluo clothes?" "My mistress gave them to me," an swered Osra. "Sho has cast them off." "And that horso you rode?" "It is my master's. I have it to rido when I do my mistress' errands." "And will your master and mistress do anythiug for you if you leavo your service?" "I have been promised u present if" ?said Osra, and she paused iu apparent confusion. "Aye, " said tho miller, noddiug saga olously, and ho rose slowly from tho armchair. "Will you he this way agaiu in n week or so?" hi' nsltcd. "I think it is very likely," answered Princess Osra. "Then look in," said tho miller, | "about half an hour before dinner." ! And ho nodded his head again very sig- I nilicantly at Osra and, turning away, went to his work as a man goes who would far rather sit still in the sun. Put just as ho reached the door ho turned Iiis head and asked, "Are you sturdy?" "Iam strong enough, I think," said sho. "A sack of flour is a heavy thing for a man to lift by himself," remarked tho miller, and with that ho passed through tho door and left her nlouo. Then sho cleared tho table, put tho pio, or what little was left, in tho lard er, set tho room in order, refilled tho pipe, stood the jug handy by tho cask and with u look of great satisfaction on her faco tripped out to where her horso was, mounted and rode away. Tho next week?and tho interval had seemed long to her and no less long to tho miller of Ilofbau?sho came again, and so tho week after, and in tho week following that she came twice, and on the second of these two days, after din ner, tho miller did not go off to his ?acks, hut ho followed her out of tho houso, pipo in hand, when sho wont to mount lfer horse, and as sho was about to mount ho said : "Indeed you aro a bandy wench." "You say much of my bauds, but nothing of my face, " remarked Princess Osra. "Of your face?" repoateed tho miller in koiiio surprise. " What should I say of your faco?" "Well, is it not a comely face?" asked Osra, turning toward him that bo might bo better ablo to answer her ques tion. Tho miller regarded her for koiiio mo ments; then u slow smilo spreud on his lips. "Ob, aye, it is well enough I" xald ho. Then ho laid a floury linger on bor arm, and ho continued: "If you coino ooxt week?why, it is but half a inilo to church. I'll bavo the cart ready and bid tho priest ho there What is your name?" For ho bad not hithorto asked Osra's nanio. "Rosa Sohwurtz, " said sho, and her faco was all alight with triumph and amusement. "Yes, 1 shall ho very comfortable with you," said the miller, "Wo will bo at tho church an hour before noon, so that there may be time afterward for tho preparation of dinner. " "That will ho on Thursday of next week?" asked Osra. "Aye, on Thursday, " said tho miller, and he turned on his heel. Put in a minuto ho turned again, saying, "Give mo n kfflft, then, since wo aro to ho man and wife," and he canio slowly toward bor, holdi ng bit arms open. "Nay, the ki.'s will wait till Thurs day. Maybe there will bo less flour on your faco then. " And with a laugh sho dived under his outstrecthod arniH and made her escapo. Tho day being warm, tho miller did not put himself out by pursuing her, but stood where ho was, with a broad, comfortnblo smilo on his lips, and so ho watched hor rido away. Now, as sho rode tho princosa was much occupied in thinking of tho mill er of Hofbau. Elated and triumphant I as sho was at having won from him a I proiuiso of marriage, sho was yet some what vexed that ho had not shown a moro passionato affection, and this i thought clouded her brow for full half an hour. But then her faco cleared. "Still waters run deep," said sho to herself. "Ho is not liko thoso court gal lants who have loarned to mako love as i soon as thoy loam to walk and cannot 'talk to a woraanuwhuftut howlnp; ami grfuinoiug nnd nr^lilTig iiP"ev?ry*\?drtI. Tho miller has a doop nature, and sure ly I have won his In art, or he would not tuko me for his wile. Poor miller! I pray that lie umy not grieve very Lit teily when I make tho truth known to him. " And then, at tho thought of tho griof of the miller, her face was again clouded, but it again cleared when sho considered of tho great triumph that she had won, and how sho would enjoy a victory over the king and would have the finest I racelot in all Strelsau as a gift Iron: him. Thus she arrived at tho castle in tho height of merriment and exultat ion. it chanced that the king also came to Zenda that night to spend a week hunt ing tho boar iu the forest, and when Osra, all blushing aud laughing, told liiin of hor success with tho miller of Hofbau ho was greatly amused and swore that no such girl ever lived and applauded her, renewing his promise of tho bracelet, and he declared that ho would himself rido with her to Hofbau OU the wedding day and seo how tho poor miller bore his disappointment. "Indeed, I do net see bow you are going to oxouso yourself to him," he laughed. "A purse of BOO crowns must do that oflleo for me," said she. " What, will crowns patch a broken heart V" "His broken heart must heal itself, ns men's broken hearts do, brother." "In truth, sister, I have known them cure themselves, bet us hope it may bo bo with the miller of Hofbau." "At tho worst I have revenged tho wrongs of women on him. It is unen durable that any man should scorn us, bo bo king or miller. " "It is indeed very proper that ho should sutler great pilllgH," agreed the king, "in spite of his plaster of crowns. 1 shall love to boo tbo stolid fellow sigh ing and moaning like a lovo sick court ier. '' So they agreed to ride together to tho miller's at Hofbau on the day appointed for tho Wedding, and both of them waited with im patience for it. Mut with tbo bad luck that pursues mortals (oven though they bo princes) in this poor world it happened that early in tho morning of tho Thursday a great officer caino, riding posthaste from Strelsau to take the king's commands on high mat ters of state, and, although Rudolf was sorely put out of temper by this unto ward interrupt ion, yet ho had no alterna tive but to transact tho business before he rode to the miller's at Hofbau. So ho sat fretting and fuming while long pa pers were read to him, and the princess walked up and down the length of tho drawbridge, fretting also, for before the king could escape from bis affairs tho hour of the \\i tiding was already come, and doubtless the miller of Hofbau was waiting with tho priest in the church. And indeed it was 1 o'clock or more be fore Osra and tho king set out from Zenda, and they had then a rido of an hour aud a half, and all this when Osra should bavo been at tho miller's at 11 o'clock. "Poor man, he will bo half mad with waiting and with anxiety for mo, " cried Osra. "I must givo him another lou crowns on account of it." And sho add ed, after a pause, "I pray he may not take it too much to heart, Rudolf." "Wo must try to prevent hint doing himself any mischief in his despair." smiled the king. "Indeed it is a serious matter," pout ed the princess, who thought tho king's smiles out of place. "It was not so when you began it," said ber brother, and Osra was silent. Then about half past ~ they came in sight of the mill. Now, tho king dis mounted while they were still several hundred yard.- awny and tied his horso to a tree in a clump by the mill. Ho made a circuit and approached from thu sido, and, creeping along the house, hid himself behind a largo *vator butt which stood just under the window, and from that spot ho could hear what passed in sido tho bouse, although ho could not see Hut Osra rode up to the front of tbo mill, ns she had been accustomed to do, and, getting down from her horse, walkod up to tlm door. Tho miller's t cart stood in the yard of tho mill, but tho horso was not in the shafts, and nei ther tho miller nor anybody else was to bo seen about, and tho door of tho bouse was shut. "Ho must bewailing at tho oiiurcb," said sho. "Hut I will look in and make euro. Indeed, 1 feel half afraid to moot him." And ber heart was beating rap idly and her faco was rather pale as sho walked up to tlm door, for she fear cd what tint miller might do in tho pas iiion of his disappointment on learning who sho was and that sho could not bo bis wife. "I hope tho (100 crowns will comfort him," sho said as sho laid her band on tie- latch of tho door, and sho sighed, her heart being heavy for tho miller, and maybe a little heavy also for the guilt that lay on her conscience for having deceived him. Now, when she lifted tho latch and opened tho door, tho sight that mot ber oyes was this: Tho tablo was strewn with tho remains of a bravo dinner. Two burnt out pipes lay bosido tho platos. A smaller tablo was in front of tbo flro. On it stood a very largo jug, entirely empty, but bearing signs of having boon full not so long ago, and on oithor sido of it, each in an arm chair, sat tho priest of tho village and tho miller of Hofbau. and both of them I were sleeping vorj onntentodly and snoring somewhat as they slept. Tho princess, smitten by remorse at this spectaolo, said softly: "Poor follow, ho grew weary of wait ing nnd hungry and was compelled to , tako bis dinner, and, liko tho man ho I is, ho has entertained tho priest nnd kept him hero so that no timo should ho lost when I arrived. Indeed, I am afraid tbo poor man loves mo very much. Well, miller or lord or prince, thoy are nil the same, Iloighho! Why did I deceive him?" And sho walked np to tho millor's chair and loaned over tho baok of it and lightly touched bis rod cap witb her flngors, and ho put up his hand and brushed with it as though ho brushed away a fly, but gavo no oth^r sign of awakening. Then tho king softly called from bo bind tho water butt under tho window: "Is bo there, Osra? Is bo thoro?" "Tho poor man lias fallen asleep in weariness," sho answered, "Hut tho priest is bore, ready to marry ub. Oh, Rudolf, I am sorry for what I havo donol" "Girls aro always mighty sorry nftor it is done,," romarkod tho king.' "Wake him un. Qsra." _ / /// //'/ / / , Itaf.li of thf-ru l'.cj'c xJyDinu. At tins moment tho miller ol Hofbau sat up in Iiis chair and gave u great Biicozo, and by this sound tho priest also was awakened. Osra caino forward and stood betwCOt) thom. Tim miller looked at her and tilted his red cap forward in order that ho might scratch his head. Then ho look* d across to tho priest and said: "It is she, father. She has como. " Tho priest rubbed his hands together and smiled uncomfortably. "We waited two hours," said he, glancing at tho clock. ".See, it is ii o'clock now." "I am sorry you waited so long," said Osra, "hut I could not como be fore. And?and now that I am como I cannot"? Hut hero sho paused in great distress and confusion, not knowing how to broak her sad tidings to tho mi1' or of Hofbau, Tho miller drew his legs up under his chair and regarded Osra with a grave air. "You should have been hero at 11," said ho. "I went to tho church at 11, nnd tho priest was there, and my cous in Hans to act us my groom, and my cousin Ucrtrudo to bo your maid. Ami there wo waited hard on two hours, and you did not come. " "Ium very sorry," pleaded Hrincess Osra, and the king laughed low to him 6olf behind tho water butt, being much amused at her distress and her humility. "And now that you are come," pur sued tho miller, scratching his bend again, "I do not know what wo aro to do." And he looked again at tho priest, seeking counsel. At this the '. rincess Osra, thinking that an opportunity had como, took tho purse of 000 crowns from under her cloak a. d laid it on tho tablo. "What is this?" said the miller, for tho lirst time showing some eagerness. "Thoy aro for you," said Osra, and sho watched him while ho unfasteued tho purso. Then he poured tho crowns out on tho table and counted them one by one till ho had told all tho ODO. Then bo raised bis bands above his head, let them fall again, sighed slight ly and looked across at tho priest. "I warned you not to bo in such a hurry, friend miller," remarked the priest. "I waitod two hours," said tho mill er plaintively, "and you know that sho is a handy wench and very fond of me." And he began to gather up tho crowns and return them to tho purso. "I trust I am a handy wench," said Osra, smiling, yet still very norvous, "and indeed I bavo a great regard for tho miller, but"? "Nay, ho docs not mean you," inter rupted the. priest. "Six hundred," sighed tho miller, "and Gertrud-- has but 200! Still, sho is a handy wem b and very sturdy. I doubt if you could lift a sack by your self as sho can. " And ho looked doubt fully at Osra'8 slender liguro. "I do not know why you talk of Gor trudo," said tho princess petulantly. "What is Gertrude to me?" "Why, I take it that she is nothing St all to you," answered tho priest, folding his hands on his lap and smiling placidly. "Still, for my part I bade him wait a little longer." "I waited two hours," said tho mill er, "and Gertrude urged mo, saying that you would not come and that she Would look after mo better than you. being one of the family, and sho said thnt it was bard that she should have no husband while her own cousin mar ried a stranger, nnd since it was all the same to me, provided I got a handy and sturdy wench"? "What?" cried the Princess >sra, and tho king was so interest (1 that he rose up from behind the water butt and, leaning his elbows on the window sill, looked in and saw all that happened. "It being," pursued tho milhr of Hofbau, "all the same to me so that I got what I wanted?why, win n you did not come"? "Ho married his cousin," said tin priest. A sudden loud hurst of laughter can: ? from the window. All three turned round, but tin? king ducked his head and crouched again behind the water butt before they saw him. "Who was that?" ertou tue priest. "A lad that came to hold my horse," nnswered Osra hastily, and 11 it it she turned fiercely on the miller. "And that," she said, "was all yon wanted? I thought you loved me." "Ayo, I liked you very well, ' said the miller. " You are a handy"? A stamp of her foot drowned the rest. "Hut you should have como in time," ho went on. "And thi.i Gertrude, Is ehe pretty?" demanded ()sra. "Ucrtrudo !s well enough," said the miller, "butsho bns only iiOO < rowns And ho put the purse, now full again, oil the table, with a resigned sigh. "And you shall have no morel" cried Osra, snatching up her purse in great rago. "And you and Gertrude may"? "What of Gertrude?" como at this moment from tho door of tho room whoro tho sacks were. Tho princess turned round swift as tho wind and saw in the doorway a short nnd very broad fcirl, with a very wldo faco and strag gling hair. Tho girl's uoso was very flat and her eyes wero small, but her great month smiled good humorodly, and .as tho ntluoot a ^aUad *bj? U?* ?H? to tlTo ground n sack of flour that sho bnd boot) carrying 01) her sturdy hack. "Aye, Gortrudo is \m 11 enough," said the miller, looking at her content? dly. "Sho is very strong and willing." Thou while Gortrudo stood wonder ing and staring with wido eyes in tho doorway the princess stepped up to tbo miller ami leaned over bill) and oriod: "Look at my fact'! Look at my facel What manner of faco is it?" "It is well cuongb," said the miller. "But Gortrudo is"? There was a crash upon tho floor, and tho (100 crowns rolled out of tho purse and scattered, spinning and rollinu Uuls or and thither all over tho" floor und into overy corner of tho room. And Princess Osra cried, "Havo you no Oyos?" and tboi) turuod away, for her lip was quivering, and she would not havo tho miller seo it. Hut sho turned from tho miller only to faco Oertrudu, bis wifo, and Gcrtrudo's small eyes hrigl.. onod witb sudden intelligenco. "All, you aro tho other girl," said Gertrude, witb much amusement. "And was that your dowry? It is largo. I am glad you did not come in time. Hut, boo, I'll pick it up for you. Nay, don't take ou. I daro say you'll lind another bus band. " And Bho passed by Osra, pat ting ber on the shoulder kindly as sho went, and then fell on her knees and began to pick up tho crowns, crawling after them all over tho floor and hold ing up her apron to receive the recover ed treasure. Aud Princess Osra stood looking at her. "Aye, you'll find another husband," nodded tho priest encouragingly. "Aye, you'll lind another husband," assented tho miller placidly, "and just as ono girl is pretty nearly as good as OUOthor if sho is bandy and sturdy, bo ono busbaud is ns good as another if ho can keep a house over you." Princess Osra said nothing, but Ger trude, having picked up tho crowns, ouiao to ber with a full apron and said: "Hold up your lap and I'll pour them in. They'll get you a good husband." Thou Princess Osra suddenly bent and kissed Gcrtrudo's cheek, and sho Baid gently: "1 hopo you bavo got a good busband, my dear, but let him do BOU10 work for bintsulf and keep tho (il)O crowns as a present from mo, for ho will value you moro with ?00 than with 200." Tho eyes of all three were Uxed on ber in wonder and almost in fear, for ber tone and manner now were differ ent. Tbeu sho turned to tho miller, and ?ha bit her lip and dashed her band onco across her eyes and said: "And you, miller, aro tho only sensi blo man I havo found in all tho king dom ; therefore good luck and u good wifo to you. " And sho gave n little short laugh and turned and walked out of tho cottage, leaving them all spell bound in wonder. But tint miller rose from his chair aud ran to tho door, and when he reached it tho king was just lifting Osra on to her horse, and tho miller knew tho king and stood there with eyos wide and cheeks bulged iu wonder, nnd In- could gasp out no moro than "The king, tho king!" beforo Hil dulf ami Osra hail ridden away, and tin y could none of them, neither tho miller nor Gertrude nor tho priest, tell what the matter meant until one day King Rudolf rode .gain to tho miller at Hofbau and, having sent for the priest, told the tl r v enough of thu truth, say ing (but the affair was tho outcome of a jest at court, and he made each of them a handsome present and vowed them to secrecy bj their fealty and attachment to his person and his honor. "Then she would not have married mo anyhow?" asked the miller. "1 think not. friend," answered Ru dolf, with a laugh. "Then we aro but quits, and all is Well, (iertrude, the jug, my l.iss. " And so, indeed, it seemed to the king that they were but quits, and ho said so to the Princess Osra. Hut ho declared that she had so far prevailed with tho miller as to make him desire marriage as a wholesome and useful thing in it self, although sho had not persuaded him tbut it was of great moment whom a man married. Therefore ho was very anxious to give her tho bracelet which he had promised, and moro than onco prayed her to accept it. Hut Osra saw the laugh that lurked In tho king's eye and would not consent to bavo the brncolet, and for a long while sho did not lovo to speak of the miller of Hof bau. Yet once, when the king on some occasion cried out Tory impatiently that all men were fools, sho said : "Siro, you forgot tho miller of Hof bau," and she bluwhed and laughed ami turned her eyes away. And one other thing sho did which puzzled very greatly Queen Margaret, and till tho Indies of the court, and all tho waiting women, and all tbo serv ant maids, and, in flue, every person, high or low, who saw or heard of it, except the king only, For in winter evenings she took her scissors and her Doodle, nnd sho cut strips of red ribbon, each a foot long and a couple of inches broad, and slit* embroidered on each and everyone of them a motto or legend, and she nfllxcd the ribbons bearing tho legend to cadi and every one of tho mirrors iu each of her chambers at Strelsau, at Zenda anil all tho other royal residences. And her waiting WO? mon noticed that whenever sho had looked in tho mirror and smiled at her own imago or shown other signs of pleasure in it she would then cast ber oyos up to the legend and seem to read it and blush a little and laugh a lit tle and sigh a little, tho reason for which things they could by no moans understand. For tho legend was but this: "Ro mombor tbo miller of Hofbau." Tim UND. K.-ul Meauln,- ftf tho Flral CongreM. Stripped of all disguises and all tem porary questions, this was what tbo con gress meant?that tho pooplo of America did not propose to havo Oreat Hritnin govern them, except ns tboy pleased, and that tboy intended to control tboir own governments and govern thnin solves. ('engross had taken tbo first stop nlong this now road. Tboy could still turn back. Tho English ministry had still timo to yiold. Hut tho decision was to bo made elsewhere, not in London or in Philadelphia, not among ministers or members of congress, but by certain plain men, with arms in their bonds, far nway to tbo north, whoso action would put it boyond tho power of con gress to r? treat, oven if they had de sired to do so.?Senator Henry Gebot Lodge iu Stribnor's. TUB W BATH Kit and chops. Valuable Iiiforuiatlun for au Who Arc Interested In Farmlug Opera t Ions. Tlio following is tho weekly bulletin issued hy tho weather bureau In Columbia as to the condition of the crops in this State : Columbia, 6. c, April 12, l^os. The weather during February was steadily cool and dry, the rainfall amounting to only 24 per cent, of the normal for the State. The actual rain fall averaged 6.4? inches less than Un normal during January and February, and the dcticUncy was further lti er eused In places only, during March, but baa boen considerably reduced by the generous rainfall ol April up to date, which has brought the total amount since March 1st about iqual to the normal for this period. These conditions were favorable for tho preparation of lands during Feb ruary and March, which work pro gressed rapidly and is now about ten cays in advance of 'ts Ueuu' stuge for this date, with lidd practically ull ready for coin and cotton, ISvon bot tom lands tint are usually too wet4tO be plowed until about May have been in good condition for working. Plant ing of the staple crops was In advance of the season up to the beginning of April, since then too cool weather and heavy rains have retarded this work, tspecially over the western por tions of the State, where the ground \vus frozen hard on two mornings. The temperature for the week aver aged 8 degrees per day below tho nor nui', with a mean of 62 for the State. The rungo ol temperature was bo twein Sil on the 5th at White Hull und 25 on tho 7th at Central. Ice formed on the 7th as fur east as Hampton county, while in the more wis'.erly portions tho ground wus frozen. Thin ice was noted on the Bib in the western counties. Frost occurred on four mornings, hut that on the 7th wus general and damag ing over the entire State, severe enough along the coast to materially injure garden truck, corn and cotton that was up, but not hurting fruit. Throughout the central counties fruit escaped unhurt except over limited areas where peaches and plums were buiily damaged. Throughout the northern and extreme western border couutii s, where the temperature feh to from ii to 7 degreess below freezing, it appears to be the exceptional locali ties where peaches and plums escaped. Grapes, apples, pears und the Btvarai \ ai ietioo of wild fruits and berries ap pear to be unhurt: wheat and oat only slightly hurt mi a few localities : corn, beans tomatoes, aud melons, where up were considerably injured. 1 be rainfall was copious over the greater portion of the State during the week, und very evenly distributed, ranging in amounts from 0.85 iuoh to 2 N't inches. The average of ull reports is 1.41 while the State normal for the sonic period isapproximately 0.70 Sunday's rainfall docs uot . how in the above average except from two stations. There is now plently of moisture in tlie ground for the present needs ol growing crops, und in places over tin. wist central portions of the state farm* win k is delayed by the wet, condition of i he soil. There way 1 ts than a normal amount of sunshine during the week, and the winds were cold northerly or north easteily. CHOPS. Vegetation of ull kinds made but little if any growth during the week as the temperature fell below the active growing point, each night, over a large portion of the Stute. Owing to tho favorable weather during March farm-work is well ad vanced and corn bus been planted in all portions of the state, being practi cal ly Qnisbed for early corn over the more cas.erly portions. Much that was up was injured by frost, the damage was especially severe in Horry county. The usual amount of replanting it necessary on account of crows and cus worms, the latter giving much trouble in places during tho cool weather. Corn that hud been recently cultivated was badly hurt by frost, while fields near hy, that hud not been worked, were untouched. Cotton planting has made consider able progress over the eastern coun ties, while little has been planted over the western portions or in the extreme northeast, but the preparation of lands is well advanced und indicates that about the same area will bo put to cot ton as lust year. As but little jetton was up, the damage by frost wrs slight. Sea-island up in many places and look ing well. Kico planting is well advanced tin usually so in the lower rico districts, while in the Georgetown district fair progress has been made. Tobacco plants aro plentiful and large for the season ; very little trans planting has been done yet owing to the cool weather. Oats are looking very promising, ex cept in portions of the southeaster.) counties where it was too dry during the winter. Frost apparently did not hurt much, if at all, simply checked its rapid growth. Tho same l.i into of wheat, although wheat in places turn ed slightly yellow. As neither wheat nor oats had begun to "joint,' at the time tho most severe frost occurred, they will not bo materially hurt by the frei zo. Melons, where up, were badly frosted and garden truck in general Buffered more or les in all portions, of the State, even in tho const truck districts w' o frosts in April are very rare Past in ago started to grow well in March Out latterly bus been rather scant. Gardens very backward ten orally, although instances are repotted of remarkably early maturity. Largo shipments aro being made from the Charleston district of strawberries, beans, peas nnd potatoes. J. W 13AUKU, Director. II I Mi A UP Will TUB ON W A It. The people lloNiit Appear to lie Much Concerned?-Negroes Are Inclined In HoliuVO i Ion I hoy Have to Do the I ij- In i nr. t bis Time'. War Is a big thing?an awful thing ?but our people do not seem to bo very much concerned They bavo more curiosity than apprehension. The great excitement Is at Washington, and oven there it Is basod not upon fear or blood or suffering, but upon the strugglo between tho two great politi cal parties?which ono Bhall got ahead and what movo Is beet one to tot ahead and stay they. Whatovor McKinby does or proposos to do the Democrats must fight It and vice versa. Tho suc cess of tho party is a blggor thing than war. We havo uover soen congress so bewildered. Some aro for Interven tion, some for tecogiJtlon, somo for annexation and all for revongo. Wall street sees nothing but the money that Is in it. Home preuc.he.r.i are for poaco at any price and somo are howling for war. Of course the army and navy want a light, for that is their profes sional business and gives a chance for promotion. Then there aro ti e editors and publishers who must appear to beat fever heat whether they feel so or not. for it is a bavost time for news ami the people want th< uews aim will buy the papers. The farmers, too, are atTccted and are studying what to plant for pro lit, and the speculators in grain and meat are bulling and bearing, accord ing to their faith. Hut tho great masses of the Ameri can people, the toilers aud consumers, who have nothing to gain and nothing to lose by u war. aro lookers on with unconcern. They have no ax to grind, nor even u hatchet, but still havo a feeble hope of moro work and better wages. Down here at the South there is no great interest except in the cities, for our people never get any contracts or government jobs, and don't expect any gain from a war with Spain. If wo got a custom house bore and there the material must come from over the line, notwithstanding the marble and the granite are atour uonrs. Northern contractors clean out our rivers and harbors and all tho profit goes away from home. Our inioehievous people tell the negroes they have got to go and do all the lighting, for it is McKinley'u war and they all voted for him. The b >ys read to them paragraphs from the northern papers which say that north ern soldiers woild die of fever in Cuba in a week and that only Southern negroes can stand the climate. Lots of ihem around hero are tixing to hide out and have done picked out thoir oanebrake. Clarence, the drayman, is a leader, a heider in elections, and he t-wys : "I never vote for any war. 1 ain't ({wine to light. I ain't done uothin' to nobody and nobody ain't donu notbin' to me, 1 ain't mad wid nobody and how can a man light wid out he's mad. Mr. Akerman and Mr. Crawford got me into dis scrape and dey must git me out. 1 wonder if dey is gwine to do war." Last Sunday 1 saw a gang of negroes standing around a preacher and he was reading the big head lings of Tho Con stitution to them. There is a large piotorial recruiting poster in tho post otlice and they slanu oil and look at it with serious alarm. Hut they aro not going from these parts, neither are the white people going right now. Old man Ingram was a good lighter in the last svar and seemed to like tho busi ness and he says h j wouldn't mind going if they will let him light under Ceneral Lee and wear gray clothes. My friend, Captain Dobbs, says he will go along with Dr. Calhoun and 111 skirmish around awhile and get sick and get the doctor to give him a dis charge at the end of three months and then he will come home and draw a pension all the rest of his life. Well, if it has to be a war Mr. Mc Kinley had better turn it over to Gen eral Lee to light it. Hig things are piling in on us just now. The state canvass for state ollicials is now going on and getting red hot and it takes nearly all our time to keep up With that and the war too. Maybe wc need another war governor and if we do Colonel Candler has had more experience In that line than some other folks. Colonol K-nfroo could take care of tho negro convicts and march them to the front just like old Joe drown did the i!UO convicts in the penitentiary when Sherman came along. G ?vernor Brown went down there with a wagon load of gray clothes and made them t.ike olT their stripes and he gavo them ad guns and had them to elect their officers and then made them a speech and said : "Gentlemen, Follow Citizen?, Soldi ers : It doesn't follow that because you are convicts you aro not patriots. Now is the great opportunity of your lives to redeem yourselves and wipe OlT the disgrace from yourselves and your kindred. The enemy is at your doors and you must light him?yes! '? Fight till the las", armed foe expires? Fight for your altern and your fires, (tod and your native laud." And they hailed their freedom with a shout and they inarched forth like new men, and they did light, .lust so, Colonel Lionfroe could march tho 2,000 negro convicts forth and under his lead they, too, will light. Then bore is tbo cold wintry blast that has come over our country and killed our fruit and vegetables and paralyzed our hopes. Our most for ward peaches are not killed, but our potatoes are utterly prostrated. They will come out again and 1 think will make us a good crop. Two years ago mine were killen down to the ground, but they came out again and I never had a better crop. This leads me to think that maybe thoy bad better be cut down dowti early and then they would make more fruit and less vines. My wifo threw all sorts of old clothes over her M iresehal Neal rose vine that was full of buds. My nolghbotS cov ered up their beans and beets, ami some of them spread newspapers over their potatoes and saved them. I was away down in Croensboro the coldest night and it was not cold enough there to kill anything. A few degrees of latitude makes a groat difference. Mr. Marbury, the weather man, fore told us of this coining freeze and 1 have great faith in him. When the weather bureau was first established wo thought it was a humbug, but long observation has convinced tbo worin that the winds and tho waves and the weather are not the mystery they used to be. Science has revealed their courses and their changes and the tclo graph tells it truly many hours before* hand. Tho scriptum says. "The wind bloweth where it llstotb and ye hear tho s ?und thereof, but yo cannot tell whence it oometh nor whither it goeth." I was ruminating about tbo olassto town of Greensboro, one of the oldest towns in the state. Wnat a beautiful country surrounds it! What pretty roads and streets. what attractive homes and pretty mansions. What wealth of lovely flowers. I saw wisterias there growing wild and bow Orlng upon old dead trees. Many of these stately ante-bollum mansions still have thu tall Hated columns and the parapet roofs that wero to common in tho olden time. I saw the old Cone mansion and the bouse whore William C. i)iwson lived. I went to college with the Dawson boys, but. they are dead and left no sign. ! hoard thoir father make a spoech In 1815. Ho was tho first whig who over represented that district In Congress. Ho was United States Senator In 1847. Ho was universally popular?kind, courteous and gontlo, ho worked his own way froi humble lifo up to many eminent positions and novor lost a frlono. D?W? son county was named for him, but none was named for Toombs or Stophons. Thoy wero eroat.er st?tos men, but thoy made enemies while Daw son, by hlB exceeding' oourtosv and gentlo manners, mado friends. Young men, If you aspire to political honors, you had bittor romembo this. When sie.phen Glrard was asked tho seorot of his success he ropliod, "Civility." Bill Arp. A MICMOUAHIjH Di l l,. Aiinlver?ary <>i' the Kneouiitcr Be* tweoil Two FmhoiiH Commodores. On tho 22nd of March, 1820, says the Washington Star, was fought ouo of tho most memorable duels in tho annals of the United States. Commo dore Deoatur and Commodore Barron met on tho fatal field near Dludeus hurg that day. Both participants wero wounded, Dccatur mortally, dying within iv few hours after the en counter. The causes which led to the ill feeling between these two naval heroes bavo never been accurately de termined, but it is generally supposed that Dccutur's harsh criticism of Bar ron on account of tho latter's not re turning from u-broad to take part in the war brought about tho breach. Certain it is that Dccutur's words wero repeated to Barron, and a correspon dence between the two ousued which probably resulted in tho challenge. The impending duel was kept a pro found secret, only a few of tho most n'.imate friends of the respective pai tioipants had even an inkling of it. Dccatur was the lirst to arrive upon tho scene. Ho was accompanied In Commodores Dodgers and Porter and severul other friends. Barron arrived u few minutes later. Tho combatants bowed stiffly to each other and stood waiting for their friends to measure off the ground and make tho final ar range m< nts. " 1 hope, sir," said Darron, as thoy took their places, " thut when wo meet in another world we shall bo better friends than we have been iu this." Decutur is Bald to have haughtily regarded his adversary 'or a moment, and then have replied : "Sir, 1 have never been your en emy." A moment later tho word was given an 1 two shots rung out simultaneously. Darron fell almost Immediately, Deoatur straightened himself, but tho pistol fell from his grasp and in u mo ment ho was upon tho green sward, writhing in agony. Ho wus raised by his friends and curried nearer tho road, where Darren was lying "1 wish I had faden in tho service of my country." Dccatur muttered. Whereupon Dirron looked up " Everything bus been conducted most honorably," he said. Then turning his eyes to Deoatur : " 1 am mortally wounded. Commo dore Decutur, I forgive you from tho bottom of my heart." As Decutur was being lifted into a carriage Brain bridge, whom Decutur had once rescued from Moorish pris on, stooped down and kissed his chock. With his head upon Kodgers' shoulder, and in company with a physi cian, Dccatur wus driven slowly hack to the city und carried iuto his re sidence on Lafayette Square, where ho died a few hours afterwards. The news of the duel spread liko wilu lire through the city. The following day John Randolph offered consolatory resolutions in Congress, which, how ever, were promptly objected to, und the press rigorously denounced tho practice of dueling. Darron ultimately recovered from his injury, but it is said the memory of the fatal duel darkened his lifo ever afterward. He lived until tho y6ar 1851, and had charge of severul ves sels. At his own request ho was court martial od upon tho charges made agsinst him by Decutur and exoner ated. COSr OF TUB CUBAN WAU. Throe Years' Struggle Hat. Not Been Inexpensive or illoodleao. The Independent. The present uprising In Cuba began at Ybarra, province of Matanzaa F?b ruary 24, 1805. It bus been In progress, therefore, over three yours. Begin ning in one of tho western provinces on a very small scab), it has spread to all parts of the island, and seems to bo as strong, eunlident and determined today as at any time since it began. Insurgents forces are found in every one of the provinces According to the latest report of their distribution, ap proved by tho Cuban junta in this country, there arc itti 5UU men in arms, of whom nearly half aro in tho cavalry branch of service. Beginning with the westernmost province. Dinar del Rio, which General Weyler prenouncod " pacified," before ho wus recalled, there arc, west of Weylor's trocha, ncur Havana, some 7,200 insurgents, under the command of Cicncruls Diaz, LorontO and DucaSBO. Of these 3,8110 aro infantiy and tho rest cuvalry. These constitute the Oth army corps. In Havana and Matunzis provinces la tho 6th army corps, commanded by Genera) Rodriguez, with half a dozen chiefs of divisions. This corps consists of li.UOU infantry and 1,600 cuvalry. The Matanzaa division is in charge of Cjncral Delaucourt. In Santa Clara is tho Ith army corps, consisting of 5,700 men under General Carillo, as sisted by General Nunez, Arando, Mon teagudo and Jos? Miguel Comez. This makes a total of U> 700 men in tho west ern department. In the two provinces of tho ea-tern department, Ruerto Principe and Santiago de Cuba, thero are about 12,000 men, most of whom aro in tho latter province under Gen eral Culixto tiareiu. in tho former 1? the seat of tho Cuban government, at La i?sporanza, In tho Oubitas moun tains, and the headquarters of Gonoral Comez, the commaodor-ln-chlel of the Cuban forces. Thiso forcjs aro well equipped, and In tho eastern depart ment nave a plentiful supply of food. Thirty thousand Cubans, not in active service, are, It is saiJ, tilling the ground and furnishing food to the in surgents. Tho Spanish army Is sup posed to number lf>0,0U0 or more under tho general command of Captain Gen eral Blanco. In Uuoan waters Is a con siderable Spanish navy, consisting of .seven cruisers, li) gunboats (small) on transport, llvo torpedo boats and 24 launces. It is the purpose of this "oof to prevent tho Insurgents from rocolv? log arms, ammunition and supplies from the United Slates and other out side sources. Tlio cost of tho war to Spain hi s been, si far, $280,010 000, Hi" the yearly expenditure is abjut$B5, j 000,000. ?A good story Is told of a dog that ono day discovered an organ-grinder monkey souted upon a hank within hi master's grounds and at once made rush for It. The monkey, which wa attired In jacket und hat, awaited onset in tranquility and so undisturboi that the dog halted within a fow fee of it to reconnolter. Tho animals ten) a long staro at ot.ch other, but the was evldontly recovering from his sur prise and was about to make a sprln for tho Intrudor, when tho mohk raised his paw and saluted by llfti his hat. The effect wus magical. TH dog'u head and tail dropped and sneaked of to tho house, refusing leavo It until his polite but mysterlu .visitor had departed.