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VOL. XVI. LAURENS S. C, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 2,1901. NO 19 I i * 1901 JANUARY 1901 Sil. _6_ 13 20 27 Mo. 14 21 28 Tu. 8 15 22 29 We. 2 9 16 23 30 Th. 10 17 24 31 Fri. 11 18 25 Sat. 12 19 26 NEW YEAR'S CUSTOMS GIFT MAKING HAS ALWAYS BfctN A FEATURE OF THE DAY. OD The Old Hourbun Klnm ttxpected tu Thni lleuleutah Their TrtMUrleti The Un.?Kll lluul In KuKl?ud-Old Bongs. |EW YEAR'S DAY, the day when the huii's light began to Increase again und so promise the return of plenty, bus al ways been a day of Joy und present glvlug. Annui!; all peoples the priests of old got the lion's share. The old Teutons guve the spoils of war and of th? chase. Roman knights yielded their most beautiful slaves. The Christ Inn era somewhat uiodllied the custom, but ?till It was a day of rubbery by priests and mouarcbs, and New Year's day rather thuu Christmas w as the day for the exehuuge of gifts. The old Bour bon kings looked to It to havo their treasuries replenished then, and woe to the baron who did not give geuerously. it was a time of mkurymakinq. A twentieth of one'a Income was thought to he the proper amount to give to king, church und friends. In fact, no country In the times pust made more merry on New Year's duy than merry old England. It was the time of the wassail bowl, the old Saxon "wes hall" (do well) being the drinking pledge There were much eatlug, deep drinking and pranks nnd games pecul iar to the day. Many of these were not ovemlee. ''Lamb's wool" was the drink of the day, and It was made of ale, nutmeg, powdered bay leaves, roasted crabs und toust, aud a queer mixture it would seem. No one slept on New Year's eve. It was a time of "most ungodly wantonness," so the later Puritans said. Hut nt the time he who did not get very drunk for four days together was deemed "a most uu gleesoine churl." It was the custom to form processions and benr the wassail bowl about as long as any one was so ber enough to carry it, compelling all to drink. Pretty maidens might escape by paying the forfeit of a kiss. Who would not huve preached abstinence to the fair in those merry days? 'Twas Bacchus or Venus for days. Here's how a contemporary bard slugs the tune: No sound* but sound* of Joy salute th* year, Tt>? blushing mild* are binding up their hair Aftrr th* romp, th* laugh, the hearty kit* adorn Tn*lr Up*, and the wassail bowl in boro* In village, grange and town to make Th* good in*d feel the New Year well awake. At the midnight stroke of the bell all the maidens wero kissed 12 times, all the mugs were tilled, and those who could stand (so states a precise writer) drank a good health and a happy New Year to each other. They joined hands and danced around the wassail bowl and sang the sougs of the times. Here U a specimen: Waasall, wasaall, over the town; Our toast la white, our al* 1* brown, Our board U made of the niaplln tre?. BacchusI Bacchus! W* drink to th**. choi?*. i.ovo sud Joy com* to you, And to our merry wssesll, too. And may one pretty maid be true Through all the coming year. The modern loving cup is said to be a reflex of the New Yeur wassail bowl. Ah the poetry of the so called good old time was dot as bad as the above, howe.er. 8wet?t Robert Herrlek lived in that boisterous time, and no bard quite equals hhn in catching the true pastoral spirit of tboso reckless days, neither has any poet portrayed the Images aud conceits of merry England aa sha was two centuries ago with so aweet a truth. Though he did sing wantonly of the wdssall kiss, ho was musical withal.' Herrlek has sung many of the cus toms of the time. One little stanza we find among his melodious numbers fitly concludes our sketch, and who is there that cannot say "amen" to It on New Year's day: O sweet Christ child who from thy stall Bring*st in thy blood a balm that akall B* th* beat Now Year's gift to all. ounsiuiBH ut. me executive mansion under all administrations has been es sentially a home festival. It Is on New Year's day that the doors of the estab lishment aro opened to the public, and everybody who is anybody comes to ?hake tho president's hand. wvej naa ner rauus, nut in inventing clothes shA gave the world the Jw> of the child's Cuilstmas stocking. ? In dl&c?polls 8entlnel. BeanOa _yf Tin Kind You Haw Always Boogfrt O*o*o*o#o#o*o*o>:o*o*o*o*c?o 1 IN NEW AMSTERDAM! o o * - * 2 NE'V vr AR'S WITH <j> 6 TLaE DUTCH SETTLERS. o OttO*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0*0 |H ION our Dutch ancestors de barked from the Half Moon in the linrbor of Manhattan. It was the year 1014. And they brought with them from their native Holland nothing of that spirit of reli gions Intolerance which distinguished the New England Puritans who came six years later, snys the Utlcn Observ er, in fact, they were denounced by their Yankee neighbors as a "godless crew," hut It is now plain that they loved their homes and families, they foi'gnve their enemies, and they fanned to till me the spark of national honor which they possessed. When Peter stuyvesunt came to New Amsterdam as governor in itf-17, he was quickly dubbed "old Sil verleg" because he was a veteran who had given a leg to the cause of his country ami replaced it with a substantial WOOdeil one bound with silver. Though Governor Stuyvesunt was a harsh and cruel man. all accounts agree that he was a good ruler, hut in 10G-J one day when a British tleet appeared off the coast of New An1 >rdntu and demand ed Its surrender ??old SU verleg" was forced to yield, his people refusing to light. So the British took possession of the Island of Manhattan and christen ed It New York, the same being the egg from which is hatched that Greater New York which today stands forth tili" second city In the world. Hut what did our Dutch ancestors do to distinguish themselves? Well, they kept Christmas and New Year's day. both of which were frowned upon by the Massachusetts Puritans. On New Veer's morning the old Dutch burgher Would start forth from his own door and visit Iiis neighbors, collecting all the money due him from the solvent debtors and forgiving the Insolvent ones. and. having drunk numberless mugs of punch with the solvent and Insolvent alike, he returned t?> his home a better man, mure forgiving in spirit and (whisper Ibis!) more religious minded than his Puritan neighbor who had spent the day precisely ms he spends every other weekday in the year. Why have we forgotten the example of our Dutch ancestors'/ We all keep the l/ourth of .lu!s. sacred to liberty. We nil keep Thanksgiving; day out of respect to the pilgrim fathers perhaps, hut more out of gratitude to the Giver of all good things. We all keep Christ mas out of love of him whose birth it commemorates. Why don't we keep New Year's? Are we recreant sous of our Dutch ancestors who llrst settled New a in8tcrdnm.' A TWELFTH NIGHT SUPPER. Revival of nil Old ('UNlniu?Choosing n kiiik h>mi Qn<-?-u at Festivities* The old custom of celebrating Twelfth night (Jan. To Is again being revived and makers a pleasing novelty In the way of entertainments for the New Year, says the New York Post. As this Is the festival of the bean king beans should be largely used In the decorations. In the dining room festoons of them might hang from the Chandelier to the table. To use the lit tle white beans they should llrst be soaked in water overnight, strung while wet, tiRlng a line needle, then put away for a day, when they will again become dry and hard. The supper may be sim ple or elaborate, us the hostess wishes, but the table should be lighted with candles and the Twelfth cake given the most conspicuous place. To avoid con fusion have the cake Iced In two colors, white and pink or white and chocolate the men taking the slices of one color, the ladles of the other. When baking the cake, place a bean In one side and a pen In the other. Stick a straw in beside each one, tying a colored thread around one straw so that no mistake; vlll he made. The man who finds the bean In his piece of cake will be tin king, while the queen will be the lad' who holds the pea. After supper a mock court Is held, when the king and queen receive the homage of the company. At one end of the room have a platform on which are two chans. Here the king and queen must be crowned with appropri ate ceremony, placing upon their heads crown:-, of cardboard covered with gilt paper and having beads and spangle? sewed on. Very effective additions an long capes of muslin trimmed with broad borders of crintno (canton flan nel marked with black paint). The king should also hold a scepter, which can he a short, round stick or cane cov ered with gilt paper. When the coronation Is over and the king and queen are seated upon their throne, the court should be presented. Previous to this each guest should be given a card showing who he la to Im? personate. Each enrd. cut and painted to represent a bean, bears the name of a historical or fictitious* character what is more Interesting, that of some celebrity of the present day. The her ald, with a great flourish of his trum pet, will call out the name, with a brief Introduction. Social Impersonations will greatly Add to IhO merriment. The cards designating the places at the suppor table might he painted with a cake, n row of candles or a string of peas and beans. iu noine pans or rural Ktigianu every mince pie partaken of under a different roof during the Christmas season In sures a hnppy month during the com ing year. Every housekeeper has a stock of pies 011 hand to offer her friends, and no excuse for not eating Is permissible except, "Thanks; I have eaten my 12." Make an Advance. If as the old year ends and the new begins there Is one person who feels that no advance has been made, either something im wrong with that person or the shadows have not yet risen high enough above his path to permit even an Indistinct gllmpso of the goal to ward which ho Is surely moving.?A. H. Bradford. D r? THE ROSY NEW YEAR. Ho. you little follow. With the hpurkle In your eycst Will you wreathe your arms around in, Will you kiss jh.iv our sighs. You rosy little fellow. With the sparkle in your eyes? Ho, you little fellow. Like a sunbeam from the Bklesl Will yon set the bells to ringing, Will you give us songs for sighs, You rosy little lellOW, With the sparkle in your eyes? Ho, you little follow. Near your dimples Borrow dies; The ilarkiuv, .-il-It? in music, And the glory's in the sklesl You rosy little follow, SMtli the sparkle in your eyes! ? Atlanta Constitution. ON THE WINGS OF FAITH. A little maid, In white arrayed. Knelt by the duiuty trundle bed; With lisping lip she softly prayed, And this is what she bald: "Dear Cod, 'tis Christmas eve, you know, And, oh, please do one thing for me I I want to cloac my eyes and go. In dicams, to papa o'er the seal "I hung his Stocking by the side Ol mine ami mamma's the tree, And uiaiiiiuu hugged me tight and tried And cried, 'cause papa couldn't see. "And when she wont to sleep I thought, Dear Clod, I'll kneel and pray to you To send my papa what 1 bought. And all my bestest kisses too." A soldier watching In Luzon Paced slow, a weary sentinel. He raw the flush of coming dawn And cried the watchword, "All Is w, 111" So, sudden, in the foleirn hush That brooded o'er his lonely place He heard the wings of angels rush And felt sweat kisses on his face! ?Cincinnati Kogulrcr, The Greater Gitta. Civ* us. New Y'car, the Light Along the lonely way; ? ; Some Star to mako the night Hold kinship with the day! Over the storms of life Arch thou the rainbow rayt Give us. New Year, the grace. To bless a world la need, To stand before God's face, Pure with the dream and deed; To soothe the souls that mourn, To blud the wound* that blcedl So ahall thy coining be Blest of each cot and clod; The seed shall flowerlngly Urlghten the desert aod And the world roll nearer heaven Under the smile of Oodl ?Atlanta Constitution. A Scottish New Year Custom. In the more primitive Scotch towns poor children go nround fantastically dressed, stopping ut the different houses to call for a shure of the good things made for the coming day. A cu rious old rhymo which they sing on this occasion follows: Get up, good wife. And shake your feathers, And diuna think that We are beggars, Kor we are bairns Come out to play; Get up and gie't our Hogmanay. There were many other picturesque customs in Scotland which have long ?luce died out. The Bells. What shall the New Year bear to met The shadow or the sun, A hope, a beam, A sunshine gleam, Love's long, interrupted dream. Or dark for daylight done? W hat doea the New Year hide for yout A silence or a song, A sigh, a note From Joy blrd'a throat, Or stillness lying long? What may the New Year hold for tut All light and shsde art there. Both silence chill And singing, still Old love that ever hath Its will Will give each heart its share I _?Post Wheeler. i'our Polling salted water over them, cook five minutes nml change water, doing tills twice. Holl until tender. If large quarters, cover with white sauce with buttered bread crumbs on top and bake until the crumbs are brown. ,rho colored hoy who tlntls a bare in his traps on Christmas day expects confidently to bo lucky during the com ing year. The left hind foot of such a rabbit is accord In value as a charm only to that of ono killed in a grave yard In the dark of the moon. BATTI/F, OP TREVII/lvIAN'S. One of the Hardest Cnvnlry Con tests of the Confederate War. iMr. W. w. Goldsborough In the Phila delphia Record gives the following account of too groat cavalry tight at Trevillian's, In which Qen. Hampton was victorious:] After the death of Gcu. J. B. B. Stuart, at Yellow Tavern, (Jen. Wade Hampton was placed in command of tho Confederate cavalry in Virginia and he was a worthy successor to that most illustrious cavalry leader. In deed, there are many Confederate cavalry olllccrs still living who believe Hampton possessed many qualifica tions as ?i leader that Stuart lacked, and lacked few that he possessed. During his career at the head of this arm of the service he was eminently success ful, especially when pitted against Sheridan, who was regarded in the North as without a peer in either army. After (ten. (haut had established himself securely on the York and James rivers, finding tho country un SUIted for the operations of cavalry, Oil June 7, 1 Stil, lie dispatched Sheridan In the direction of Gordonsville with two divisions of cavalry, along with artillery, to CO operate witli Hunter, who was moving on Lynchburg. Hampton was immediately informed by his scouts of Sheridan's departure, und he at once started witli his own division ami that of Fitz I.ee to in tercept him. On the evening of the Kith he found himself several miles ahead of Sheridan, who had gone into camp cast of Trevillian Station, on the old Virginia Central Railroad. Finding he hud outstripped Sheridan in ins march to co-operate with Hunter, Hampton rested und deter mined to await his further advance. Hampton's division was composed of the brigades of Butler, Hosser and Young, while, Fit/ Lee's division was made np of the brigades of YVickham and Lotnax, makiiiL' in all live brigades, or thirteen regiments and six battalions. Sheridan had under his command Tor belt's aud (Jrcgg's divisions, composed of six brigades or twenty-four regi ments, wllich it is plaill to see greatly outnumbered that under I lampion, Farly on the morning of the lllh Hampton took the brigades of Voting und Duller and moved to the attack. At tin: Bamo tune Tit/. I.ee was ordered to move in the direction of Clayton's Store to join in the engagement, while, to prevent Sheridan from turning off in the direction of GordoUSVillC before reaching Trevillian's, itotsor was sent around to guard that think. The country being very heavily wooded the two attacking brigades were dismounted, under command of (Jen. Butler, and the horses sent back to Trevillian's for safely. Sheridan tinned Gregg off to meel Fit/ I.ee, kept Custer in the saddle for emer gencies, and dismounted Merrill and Devin to oppose Butler. A terrific battle ensued, which more nearly resembled an infantry engage ment than one between cavalry, for the men on both sides fought on foot. Merrill and Devin were al length driven back by Butler, and Fitz i.ee wus compelled to retire to Louisa Court House before (iregg. Custer now saw his opportunity and, slipping in between Hampton and Fit/. Lee, but for an accident would have inflicted upon Hampton a crushing de feat. As soon as Custer reached the riderless horses of Butler's command he set to work to securo them, together with all the ambulances and wagon but a wounded (Jeorgia cavalry man suc ceeded in reaching Roascr and made him acquainted with the stale of affairs. HoBser at onco put his troops in rapid motion and, coming upon Custer unexpectedly, charged him with the fury of a whirlwind, routed him with heavy loss, recaptured all that had been lost, and pursued him to bis wagon train, which he captured along with (Jen. Custer's headquarters wagon containing his private papers, ano effectually broke up Ins brigade, and thus gave Hampton an opportunity to withdraw Butler from his exposed position, although this movement was attended by hard lighting. Lute in tho afternoon Hampton or dered an advance on Sheridan's lines near Trevillian's, but in the meantime that general had gained possession of j the railroad cut and could not be dis lodged. Thai night both commands, exhausted from n day of continuous bloody fighting, rested on their arms; but in the morning Sheridan concen trated his foice and assumed the offen sive, attacking Hampton witli great fury, but notwithstanding ' \ superior numbers he was unable to drive Hamp ton from the strong position lie had taken during the night. A HARDLY CONTE8TKD PATTIiK. The contest was renewed several times during the day without material results to either side, when, on the night of the 12th, Sheridan, fearing further disaster, quietly withdrew and, crossing the Mottapony, as well as the 1'amunky, he finally reached Grant's army, after a long and tedious inarch, having been completely foiled in his offorts to co-operate with Hunter. Th? haltle of Trevillian's, which lasted tho greater part of two days, was one of the most desperately con tested cavalry engagements of the. war, and yet much less seems to be known of it than of any of the other great cavalry battles. (Jen. Sheridan had come from tho battlefields of tho West with a sph ndid record and much was expected of him; but ns yet he had done nothing to sus tain his great reputation. Iu h.s at tempt upon Richmond he had been foiled by Stuart with a great by inferior forco and here again at Trovillian's he was driven back upo? Grant by another infc.ior forco. In each engagement Sheridan should have destroyed Iiis antagonist, for his superiority did not consist merely iu his larger force, but in tho vnst advantage of tho broech loading repeating enrbino ovor tho muzzle-loading gun. His goncrnlship was at fault and it was tho general bcliof omong Confederate cavalry ofli cors, and it is today, that as a cavalry olllccrs ho was inferior to many of tho gonorals under his command. I have heard it asserted that Sheridan was not by naturo fitted for tho command of cavalry, ns ho was too dull and slow for that arm of tho servico and, when we anoly/.o his many battles, it would seem that he was successful only when I in command of infantry. A PLAN TO CAl'TUItU LINCOLN. Dining the winter of 1803*4 Col. Bradley T. Johnson, in commaud.of tlie Marylaud line, originated a plan that had for its objeet the capture of Presi dent Lincoln. At tirat glance the undertaking seemed a foolhardy one, hut alter all the details were laid before ("en. Hampton he fully approved of the undertaking, as did (Jon, Lee. Indeed so enthusiastic did Hampton become over it that he asked to bo allowed to conduct the expedition at the head of four thousand horse and might have done so but for Sheridan's advance. During that winter the Confederate authorities were, if possible, more than usually well supplied with infor mation Iron, friends Ol the cause in Washington and they knew perfectly Well where every picket pod was located and the number of men com posing each, To carry out this apparently des perato undertaking Col. Johnson was to take the 1st Maryland cavalry, many of whose members, coming from the vicinity of Washington and the city itself, knew tho country well. Johnson was to cross the I'otoniac above Georgetown, make n dash at a battalion of cavalry known to he stationed there and then push on to the Soldiers' Home where it was well known President Lincoln lived and, after capturing him, send him across the river in charge of a small body of picked men, while the main body, to invite pursuit and distract the enemy's attention from this small party, was to cut the wires leading in every direcli m and then move hack through Western Mary'-nd to the Valley of Virginia. After the battle of Trovllllan, Gen, Hampton gave Col. Johnson orders to prepare for the trip. The best horses m tin: whole cavalry command were carefully selected and the Strongest men in the Maryland cavalry picked OUt, but while shoeing the horses and recruiting Iiis men in Goochland County lie was prevented from carry ing out Iiis much chorishod plan by an order to join Geu. Early with ids bat talion, as his services were urgently needed to cover that genornl's rear while he went after Hunter, who had marched upon Lynchburg. Had it not been for this unexpected interruption what might have grown out of this undertaking, had it been successful, and what hearing would it have had on the future conduct of the war? Gen. Johnson has told me since that he felt confident of succeeding, and, that from the information in his possession, the undertaking was not near so difficult as one would suppose. During lOarly's operations against Hunter Col. Johnson was promoted to the command of a brigade and, at his earnest request, he was permitted to attach the 1st Maryland hattalliou und Gilmore's -Id Maryland to his brigade. On the 511) day of July he was ordered by ("en. Early to cross the Potomac at Sharpsburg and take the advance in that general's invasion of Maryland, which had for its main purpose, the investment of the Federal Capital. After he had effected a crossing Johnson shaped his course toward Frederick, which he was to threaten until Early came up with his tired int fan try, for these had been inarching without Intermission for many weeks and their movements were necessarily slow. In connection with this movement into Maryland a scheme for the libera tion of l?,000 Confederate prisoners confined at Point Lookout had been approved by Gen. Lee and ("en. John son, with his brigade, had been selected to carry it out if possible. This matter was dependent, however, On Farly's being able to maintain a position to which the released prisoners could ho conducted. SIIKLLGO HIS OWN IIOUSK. While Johnson was muking a demonstration in front of Frederick by throwing an occasional shell aimed at his own house, which had been con fiscated, Early came up and engaged Wallace at the Monocacy and after that battle, which resulted in the utter rout of iho Federal army, tho cavalry struck off in the direction of West? minister, on their way to the line of] he Northern Central Itailroad nt . Cockoysville, at which point Gilmore, i with his battalion, was detached, with , instructions to destroy tho Philadel phia, Wilmington and Baltimore Hail-1 road at Bush and Gunpowder rivers. Gilmore was successful beyond his I expectations, for he not only succeeded in destroying the road at these points, but ho also captured a passenger train upon which was (Jen. W. B. Franklin, one of the most distinguished generals in tho Federal army. But Franklin was not destined to he a prisoner long, as ho mysteriously disappeared a few days afterward. It was ifivon out that Gen. Franklinmado his escape owing ' to the fact that his guards slumbered one eight, but the story was never given the slightest credence by Iho troopers of tko 1st Maryland. Marry Gilmore was a generous and giateful man, and never forgot to return an act of kindness with interest, and the mOBt likely reason for ('en. Franklin's escnpo is that he had befriended Harry when he was himself a prisoner at Fort Warren, and in return proved his gratitude by sotting him free. | IIALTIMORK IN A PANIC The Maryland hoys were now upon their native, heath, and many of I In in for tho liret time sinco the war broke out visited their homos in Baltimoro County, and some ovon entered the cily. Baltimore was in a dreadful state of panic at the close proximity of the daring raiders and the friends of tho South wcro in a happy frame of mind, whilst the Union people were quaking with fear lest tho city should be captured and some eld scores set tled for their persistent persecution of thoso friendly to tho Confederacy. Gladly would tho hoys have remained longer in Green Spring Valloy, which, to them, never looked so beautiful before; but time was pressing, and they reluctantly bado farewell to friends and kindred, nlns, with many it wns for tho lust time. I rogrot to have hero ..o record an act of retaliation that was only mado possible by tho incendiary acts ot I Hunter in Virginia, Among the beautiful mansions that adorned the suburbs of Baltimore was that of Gov ernor Bradford, one of the most p.o nounced enemies of the Confederate cause. Perhaps had he noi been so bitterly antagonistic to tho South he might have been spared, but, as it was, he was considered a very proper sub ject to retaliate upon. Hunter had burned iho residence of Governor 1.etcher, near Lexington, Ya., and why should not another Governor's house atone for it? Lieut. Ulaekstoiie, of the 1st Maryland, was detailed with a small party to do the work aud he performed his duty well. 1'assing around the city of Baltimore, Johnson headed for Washington. On learning that a considerable body of infantry was at Laurel a dolour wns made and this danger avoided. At Beltsville a large drove of mules was captured, and it was considered a most fortunate capture, as mounted on these mules an addition could be made to the cavalry force, even if it was mule cavalry. Stopping at Beltsville only to feed, Johnson took up his line of march for Point Lookout, and had proceeded some miles on Ins road when he re ceived a peremptory order to retrace his slops and join Gcu. Early at a point near Washington. The rapid concentration of Federal troops lor the defence of the Capital, which fact Goo Johnson learned while near Baltimore, made this order neces sary, for that general saw at once that ho had failed in the object of his ex pedition and that a retreat across the Potomac into Virginia was the only course left him. QUMEElt CHRISTAS CUSTOMS. Among the Christmas observances that mew up by degrees nil over Eu rope, many of them grotesque and ab sind, and some with profuse, and un seemly accompaniments, wore also not a few of a more pleasing and human humanizing kind, and among the rural population the brute creation was in cluded as interested parlies. Shakes-1 pcare tells how " Some flay, that ever, 'gainst that season conies, Wherein mir Saviour's birth i? celebrated, The bird of dawning Bingcth all night long." Among :he fancies of this kind thai longest survived in Europe, and even i came naturalized in our own prosaic land, was one. that the cattle, at one o'clock on Christmas morning, when ever they were free to do so, would turn their heads to the eastward, and get down upon their knees to worship the Ring that was born in a stable; and still anoth ? which continued to comparatively recent times, that dur ing the ChtlStinas season the barn yard cocks were accustomed to crow with more than usual force and fre quency, both by day and night. The earlier inhabitants of the great Scandinavian peninsula were accus tomed to celebrate, at this season, the great festival of their gods. When the. people of the peninsula became Christians, although no less zealous for their Christiau observances, they retained some of the old practices, and are to this day careful to associate with themselves in its festivities every living thing about them. Tho author of "The Land of the Midnight Sun'' tells us, in his account of a Christinas in Norway: ''The Christmas feeding of the birds is prevalent in many of the provinces of Norway and Sweden. Bunches of oats are placed on the roofs of bouses 00 trees and fences, for them to feed upon. Two or three days before, cart loads of sheaves arc brought into the towns for this purpose, and both rich and poor buy and place them every where. Every poor man and every head of a fnmi'y had saved a penny or two, or even one farthing, to buy bunch of oats for tho birds to have their Christmas. On this day, on many of the farms, the dear old horse the young colt, the cattle, the sheep the goats, and even the pig rcceiv double their usual amount of food. It is a beautiful custom, and speaks well for tho natural goodness of heart of the Scandinavian." But our mattcr-of-fnet times and modes of thinking are rapidly driving away all of these pleasant illusions, until nations as well as individuals have reason sometimes to sigh to bo children again. Phosphate Royalty. -The royalty this year will not be as great as last on account of the shut down of the three largest consumers of Carolina rock. Last year at this time there was on hand only 13,000 tons of rock while this year there is at least 70,000 tons | left. It is nlmost impossible for the miners to get vessels for shipment, of the rock, and as a result the royalty this year will bo about $25,000 coin pared with 930,000 last year. Had all the rock mined been consumed the royalty would have exceeded that! of last year by several thousand dollars. The conditions will be greatly un proved, however, tho first of next year by the opening up of one mi.I in Port Royal and two in Savannah. The royally derived from phosphate goes to the payment of the. State public debt. There is plenty of rock on hand for : foreign markets, but freight rates have I beim so high shipments have been greatly reduced. OUH GIIK.A.TK8T BPKCIALIST. For 20 years Dr. j. Newton Hathaway has ho successfully treated chronic diseas es that he is acknowledged today to stadn At tho head of bis profession in this lino. Hit exclusive method of treatment for Varicocolo and 8tricti.ro, without too aid of knife or cautery cures In 00 per cont. of all cases. In tho treatment of tho loss of Vital Forces. Nervous Disorders, Kidnoy and Urinary Complaints, Paralysis, blood Poisoning, Khounrntism, Catarrh, and dip cases peculiar to women, he is equally successful. Dr. Hatbaway's practlre is moro than douhlo that of anv otlior biicc ialist. Casos pronounced hflrl^ss by other physicians roadily yield to bin treatment Writo him today fully about your case, lie makes no chargo for const ''Atlon or ad ?ico, either at hia otlioe or by i..iul. J. Newton Hathaway. M. D., 22>< B lb broad hi root, Atlanta. (*? Bean the _J)lhfl Kinri YouJ|avB_AI*a)fs Bought Signatare of Every cotton planter should write forourvaluable illustrated pamphlet, "Cotton Culture." It is sent free. ? Send nama an?l ndtlrcM lu GERMAN KAI I WOK KS, iti N..s ..? S(.. N. V. THK PERILS OF THB PARTY. Grover Cleveland's Explanation of Democratic Defeat. ?x-Presidout Clovclnnd in a copy righted nrliclc for the Saturday Kvon [tig Posl lias given his political views, in which he reviews the history of the Democratic parly and discusses its de lects since 180<1 in detail. In taking up tin1 question of the present condition of the Democracy he says that the success of the parly in 1892 was so decisive and overwhelm ing that a long continuance of its su premacy was anticipated. Then canto " the fallacy of free silver and Popu lism.lie continues ns follows ; " The culmination of Democratic woo was reached when its compact with these undemocratic forces was complete, and when our rank and (He were summoned to do battle undo bannors which bore strange symbols anil wore, held aloft in unfamilar hands. The result of such n betrayal was fore doomed. Tho abandonment of the prin ciples of true Democracy, this contemp tuous disobedience of its traditions, and this deliberate violation of the law of its strength and vigor were by a de cree as inexorable as those of fate fol lowed b\ the inevitable punishment of stunning, Btaggoring defeat. "The disaster of 1872, invited by similar ndvontUl'e, was quickly follow ed by a return to the professions and practices of sane Democracy. Hut the extent ami persistency of our wander ings in 18(10 is illustrated in a most as tounding way by the command, issued on the day of our rout and discomfit ure, that a second battle should be fought on the same liei'I, with the same false war cries and the s.une leadership that had brought to us the surrounding gloom of defeat. " Thus, in l'.'OU, the lesson of ism' was contemptuously rejected, and eycry hope of Democratic success was wil fully cast aside. Again our long suf fering rank ami lilc, whose loyalty and obedience deserved better things, were sacrlflcd In a cause thoiiS only in name; and again it was demonstrated, hut more, clearly than ever before, that the only forces that can win Democratic success are adherence to recognized Democrat te principles and reliance upon Democratic councils and leader ship. " Why should we not return to these and in their name again achieve vic tories no less glorious and renowned than were ours in the days of courage ous advocacy of our tune-honored faith ? Arc our principles so shop worn or antiquated as to require reno vation, or their displacement by others more fashionable ? There is not an honest Democrat in this broad land that will concede, these things, nor is there one who would not hail the pro clamation of the old faith with that lighting enthusiasm that foretokens Democratic triumph. As new eondit Iions arise, our principles must be ap plied lo them ; hut in the creed that has guided us through a century ol party existence we shall lind the key to every such application; nor shall we need the lexicon of Populism to oid us in interpreting this creed.'' Air. CMovchtml touches in turn on free silver and the Federal courts, and believes that all true Democrats arc against condemning '? the general gov ernment for protecting itself in the ex ercise of its function against violent obstruction within a Stale.-' He then says ? " I believe no Democrat will havo tho hardihood to deny thai we have fought our last two campaigns in al liance with undemocratic forces, and that this alliance was immensely costly in defeat. Is lliore nol good reason to suppose that even in success such an alliance would have proved un profitable and dangerous? " Sincere Democrats of every condi tion and in every part of tllC land realize that the situation of the party needs repair. Reorganization is not necessary, hut a return from our wan dering is absolutely ossontial. Let us he frank with ourselves and Candidly acknowledge tho futility of attempting I to gain Democratic victories except in the Democratic cause and through De mocratic methods, Reorganization is worse than useless, and the aiTOgation of superior parly virtue will breed only mischief. This is a lime for sober thought, tolerant language and frater nal counsels. We are dealing with the condition of a party that cannot be tie stoyed by external foes, and since its ruin can be wrought only from within, it should he imperishable. Above all things, there should he a manly (enun ciation and avoidance of undue sec tional control. Democracy will not op crate Olflclontly in sectional lines. " There is much for us to do, and the future is full of Democratic duty and opportunity. Our lighting forces will respond listlessly and fiiltermgly if summoned to a third defeat ill a strango cause, hut if they hear the rallying call of true Democracy, they will gather for buttle with old-timu Democratic enthusiasm and courage. ** If I should attempt lo epilomi/.c what I havo written by suggesting n plan for the rehabilitation and restora tion of true Democracy, I should em body it in theso words: 'Give the rank and lib- a chance.' " STATE NEWS AND NOTKS. Gntheted From Our Exchanges and Other Sources The Morris cotton mills, ttotoechoe, are ready to contract tor the buildiug of a dam of approximately 2,000 cubic feet of stone. J. C. Wallace, of Union, is inter ested iu tiu> organization of the com pauy that intends building n cotton factory at Carlisle The addition to tho Darlington mill is uearillg completion and many new houses for operatives had boon built, forming a village which will bo known as Helena. The town council of Lauren* has au thorized the mayor to draw an ordin aucc dividing the city into wards and lias also decided to murk the streets and number the houses, it is the iuteotiou of the Grconwood cotton mills, Greenwood, to build another mill about the same size of the one already in operation. H is 10,000 spindles und 'AM looms. S. 1?. Martin, a Pnlrileld fanner, living at Kooky Mourn, was shot down while standing in his doorway b\ some, oao in the dark. He died the next day. A negro supposed to have dono the killing has been arrested. McDonald Furman writes that h h-i-> been just 100 years hiuco tho death of Capt. .lames Kincnid, of Fuirlicld Count}', who built the first run by water in this Slate, and was the firs I cotton buyer in the up-country. Caindon, instead of losing population as reported, has gained 5*22 in ten years m the actual incorporation, which is Rtnallci than before. Cainden and suburbs have gained J,hi)ip and the total is claimed to bo about 5,O00. Aguow Felder, n white youth of IS years, was shot and killed near I'rcg null's, s. C., Dec. 20, Ho was with a group of friends, among whom there was considerable pistol shooting, bill by whom young Feldor was sb it h noi known. It is reported (1ml Fnglish capital ists arc buying up mineral laud in York and Cherokee counties along the waters of King i reck and Uroad river, Negotiations are now under way loi the purchase of the Flint Hill gold mine property Oll 11 road river. Though nearly every one in Ihc Slate believes that ihcre is lo ho an extension of the time for the payment of taxes this year, it is not likely that it will be given. Govornor MeSwcoucj has stated that he certainly would no! recommend an extension this yen. He has the power to extend and this announcement, of course, means that tho matter goes lo the Legislature alter the term has expired. Mr. John Fletcher Hodges died suddenly tin Christmas day at his homo in Hodges. Mr. Hodges bad been in lading health for over a year, but the end was not expected so soon, lie was born Oct. 22nd, IS.';.;, and was in bis sixty-eighth year. As a member of the 211(1 s. c. Calvary he did gallant service foi the Confederacy, and as a citizen all his life long ho rendered true and loyal service to the State. Govornor McSwocncy has received from Dr. James I ".vans a valuable re port in regard lo the smallpox situation in this State. It shows that there ia much less of tho disease iu the Stale at present than is generally supposed. There is more or less of ii in the counties of F.iirlield, Uniou, Spartan burg, Barnwell, Beaufort and Orange burg. For a while during the summer it was confined almost entirely to Uniou County, which has not Urn free from il for a year. The trallic managers 'of the chief railroads of South Carolina are en deavoring lo get the railroad commis sion to increase I he rales on cotton seed, making them equal to those maintained in other slates. These rates were reduced several years ago when small oil mills needed nursing and have not since been increased. They are much below the rates in every other Southern Stale. For a haul of fifty miles (he rate in Smith Carolina is 05 cents; in Georgia,$1.80; for Hit) miles the South Carolina rate is $1.20; that in Georgia, 82, and the same, proportion exist- at oilier dis tancos. During the year just dosing. Iho Secretary of Stale has granted char ters to :M cotton milling companion, whose authorized capital aggregates $4,850,000. During Ihc sann lime, permission was given 1 I cotton milling companies to increase their capital, the aggregate increase authorized be ing $2,045.000. Dunn- the same, poriod, commissions were issued lo 12 cotton milling company corporators, who have not yet obtained their charters, whose authorized capita! will be $1,-105,000. Ti c ansinTkxas. Mr. F. A.Swiu don,ol Brown wood, Texas, who luv ?ion acres in pecans, ranging from three to ten years old, Is inclined lo ctlCOUl luge the cultivation of the mils. He sets forth as his rcasoil8 l he following in the Dalian A/ietos: "Take a tree, say 12 years old ; il will bear two '.mshels or 81! pound.-, to the. tree, at three to six cents per pound for common wild nuts and leu to twelve cents for large cultivated nuts. That would mean lo 000 plant in:r extra size mils (lor IhCJ reproduce themselves when planted) ft profit ol $10 per tree, or $270 per iu re, for there are 27 trees to the acre at lux Iu teet and the expense of gathering would be more than paid from inter cullure of tho land in Bermuda or some orchard grass. Calculate, if you will, the profits to be derived from 400 acres at the r ite ol $250 per Itcro, and we have ?100,000. This booiih enor mous, but. it will exceed 0100,000 when the orchard comes into lull bear ing." Poach trees in the vicinity of St. Jo goph, Mich., arc throatnod by a more dangerous enemy than Mio yellows. Local growers cull it "shot hole bore." Little white inscctH with red hoads invade the orchards and cover the trees with tiny holes, tho sap leaks out from these holes and the trees die for luck Of nourishment.