The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, December 17, 1902, Image 2

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

TUE ADVERTISER. Subscription Prlce-12 Months, $1.00 Parable In Advance. Rates Tor Advertising. -Ordinary Ad vertisements, por so uar?, ono inser tion, $1.00; each subsequent Insertion, 60 cents. Liberal reduction made for largo Advertisements. W. W. Ball, Proprietor. LAURENS, '1. C, Dee. 17. 1002. Shall We Raise Tobacco! A numbor of business men and farm ers In Laurens are considering the ad visability of attempting to produce to bacco for market. Thk Advertiser could not risk an opinion as to whether or not the experiment ought to be mado Such an experiment was made on an elaborate scale in Spartanburg county 16 or 20 years ago. It failed. Later tho people of the Peedee planted tobacco. Many of them lost money. Some lost a great deal. Nevertheless, the Peedee people persevered. Now and then a man would bo successful. Several succeeded from tho first. At last these Darlington,* Fioronce and Suiutor farmers mastered the business and now it may fairly bo sa d that the Peedeo Is a flourishing tobacco region with tho industry fairly established. This yoar the tobaeoo planters have re ceived handsome prices for their crops and they aro "on velvet." However, one of tho best Informed gentlemen in Darlington told Tu? Adv?rtiskr last summer that probably tho aggregate losses in tobacco in Darlington county would equal the gains up to that time. Tho experimental period is past now, tho farmers have "loarr I tobacco" and there are only such losses as are in cidental to bad seasons, poor price*, etc., which are incidental moro or less to all crops. The tobacco crop is a source of groat wealth. The Darlington farmer who made twenty bales of cotton this year cultivated four acros of tabacco and out of Its proceeds paid tho whole ex penses of his farm and bad his cotton as profit?at least such stories are com mon in the Peedee and must be true. Additionally, the tobacco crop comes on tho market in tho summor. Put money Into circulation at tho dullest period of tho yoar and morchants, bankers newspaper men and ail sorts of business men are holped. We have only to say that our farmers need not attempt this experiment un less thoy are prepared to be disappoint ed and to suffer loss temporarily. This must be thoir fato oven if they succeed in the end. If they aro ready to spend some money and to stick to tho trial four or five yoars they may succeed as well as tho Peedee people or they may dleocver that the Piedmont is no place for tobacco growing. On tho whole we are inclined to think that tho farmor in Laurons who raises the many crops and many an imals that can bo raised easily and cheaply in Laurens and who follows good business methods cau come out better at the year's end than the cotton and tobacco man of Darlington. We be lieve that Mr. Hubert Abercromble will And that his red polls are a paying investment in spite of tho ruinous freight that he had to pay on them, beoau8o beef cattle always command a good price and good beeves can bo raised in Laurens. Beef is better than tobacco, even in this country of ours. Hay, grain, many fruits, even riee, dozens of grasses, goobers, peas, are all safe crops in Laurens and all bring wealth. Hogs are worth eight conts the pound on their feet today and we have in mind a lady not a mile from this office who lives on a little farm and who.has fifty dollars worth of ba con which cost not over eight dollars to produce. Mind, we do pot advise against the to bacco experiment.Wo should like to see it made, especially by the mon who are talking about making it, bocause we know they will make it thoroughly. The tobacco industry in this coun ty, once established would make "the July grade" a vast deal easier for The Laurens Advertiser ? Indeed, we think the July grade wonld bo leveled by it. But wo think It right to say that tho mastering of tho details of producing and selling so difficult a orop as tobacco will cost time and pa 'tlence and much money?and it may be that climatic and toil condition? will prelude the possibility of success. Meanwhile, tobaeoo is not a last resort and opportunities are plentiful for the ambitious farmer who Is up and doing. * * * Wasted Compassion. Every day or two some South Caro lina newspaper woep? an editorial about the town of Charleston. The latest to emit a groan about Charles ton's condition is the Spartanburg Herald. Now The Advertiser knows .something about Charleston and The Spartanburg newspaper is giving itself needless pain. Tbore aro also voices in Columbia thatcry out In misspent com passion oonoornlng Charleston. The truth Is that Charleston is the happiest and most flourishing town in the world. Tho most expensive luxury a town can have is a .daily paper and Charleston supports two twice as well as any othor South Carolina town sup ports one. Wo have never seen any poor white folks In Charleston. 1 :ie Charleston merchants apparently all make money. They are mostly rich. Outside of Charleston In this state a mercantile house over ten or twenty years old is uncommon; they are plea* ' tlful over fifty years old In Charleston. We suspect that more business failures have occurred in Spartanburg in the last five years than in Charleston. No body over "breaks" there. Fires are very rare. A prominent Insuranoe man of Louisville, Ky., told the writer that Oharlesionians missed a wonder ful opportunity whon they did not let their town burn up at the time of the earth-quake and collect from the in surance companies, "but," said he, "thfcy were such?fool honost peo*p*ie they put the Ares out after thoy bad started accidentally." Charleston is highly prosperous The eating and drinking, there is par ticuhv )y good. One can buy a far hot tor cigar for a nickel in Charleston than elsewhere in the state. Perhaps the population is not increasing but that la no matter. We say the people of Charleston are "in good fix" and all moaning for them is ridiculous. Some of them talk poor but they don't mean it. They have a melancholy pleasure in talking poor. It is true that the sur plus eons of Charleston men, finding nothing to do, sometimes leave Char leston when they grow up but they are useful elsewhere. Meanwhile, "poor old Charleston" Is getting on better than any community we know of anywhere. There aro no "unem ployed" in Charleston. At least 1000 men In Charleston are employed in political industries and when a man loses a job In any other line, a placo In politics is waiting for him. HUNTINGDON TIDINGS. Nimrods Succeeded In Ragging Many Rabbits and Birds. Thanksgiving was spent very quietly. Crops aro about all gathored and the farmers ave finishing up sowing grain. Hunting is the ordor of the day. Two squads of hunters on Thanksgiv ing killed 50 rabbits and about the same number of birds. Mr. J. P, Saxon has beei\very un woll for some time but is much im proved. Mr. and Mrs. S. L. Saxon and littlo Sarah of Laurens have boen at their father, Dr. C. A Saxon's. The former has boon quite sick. Mr. R, R. Glonn was in Laurons on Saturday to meot tho United Statos Mail Inspector to ask for a rural de livery routo from Clinton to Hunting ton. Mr. D. A. Glonn and family spent Thanksgiving with his mother. Mr. A. E. Cleveland speut several days in Cross Keys last week. Mr. and Mrs. J. 1. Sanders spout sev oral days with relatives in Union last week. Buck. O WINGS VILLE. Our farmers are about through pick ing cotton. Sowing grain is the order of the day. Rev. J. O. Martin of Irby was in this tectlon a few days ago. Mrs. Dr. ?oland and Miss Esther Goddard visited relatives in your city last week. Mr. Daniel Balentine has moved near Brewerton for another year. Peto. ? IN THE CHURCHES. Church of tho Epiphany, Laurens, S. C, W. Edward Callendor, Minister in chargo. Tho following services are held in the above church every Sunday. W:00 a. m. Sunday School; 11:00 a. m. Morning Prayer aud Sermon; 4:00 p. m. Evening Prayer and Address. The first series of addresses will bo on tho Prayer Book. A cordial invita tion is extended. All seats free. First Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Rev. Watson B.Duncan, A. M., pastor. Proaohlng at 11 o'oclck a. m. and at 7.30 p. m. Prayer meeting on {Thursday at 7.80 p. m. Sunday School, Hon. C. G. Feather stone, Superintendent, at 10 o'clock at a. m. Woman's Missionary Society, Mrs. S. D. Garlington, President, meets on Tuesday after First Sunday, at 4.30 o'clock p. m. Ladies' Aid Society, Mrs. J. F. Bolt, President, meets on Tuesday, after Third Sunday at -1 80 o'clock p. m. Church Conference every Third Sun day after the morning service. First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Robt. Adams, Pastor, services at 11 a. m. and 8:15 p. m., each Sabbath. All are welcome. Sunday School, C. W. Tune, Super intendant, Sunday Morning at 10 a. m. Todd Memorial Presbyterian Church, East End,-Pastor. Preach ing in Factory Hall every Appointments for North Laurens Circuit. Triuty, First Sunday, at 11 o'clock, a. m. Trinity, Third Sunday, at 3:30 o'clock, p. m. Shiloh, First Sunday, at 8:80 o'clock, p. m. Shiloh, Third Sunday, at 11 o'clock, a. m. * Dials, Second Sunday, at 11 o'clock, a. m. Dials, Fourth Sunday, at 3:30 o'clock, p. m. Graycourt, 2d Sunday at 3.30 o'clock, p. m. Graycourt, 4th Sunday at 11 o'clock a. m. Sunday Schools at each appointment one hour before preaching. Prayer meeting Thursday nights, at Graycourt, ac 8 o'clock. All are alike invited to attend those servicos, for it is here, as it is in Heaven, "the rich and the poor meet together." J. K. McCain, Pastor. Langston's Churoh, Baptist, preach ing 11 u. m., Fourth Sundays, and Sat urday before, by Rev. E. C. Watson. Hurricane Churoh, BaptiBt, preaoh ing 11 a. m*, First Sundays and on Sat urday before by Rev. E. C, Watson. Dorroh Presbyterian churoh, Gray Court, S. C, T. B. Cralg, pastor. Preaching on 1st Sunday at 11 a. m. 3rd Sunday 4 p. m. Sabbath School on 1st and 2nd Sun days at 10 a m., and on 8rd and 4th Sundays at 3 p. m. . T. Peden, Supt. Lanford, Baptist preaching 11 a. m. Socond Sundays by Rev. E. C. Watson; Preaching at Cedar Shoal Church on same day at 3 o'clock p. m. Padgett's Creek, Baptist preaching at 11 a. m. on Third Sundays by E. C. Watson. Warrior Creek Baptist Church, Rev. O. L. Jones, supply. Service every 4th Sunday at l l^clock and Saturday be a Mt. IJothol, *?ec?nd Sunday at 11 Po'clock, a. m. U Mt. Bethel, Fourth Sunday at 3:30 f o'clock; .p. m. S. W. Henry, Pastor. Cedar Grove Baptist Ohureh, Rev. R B. Vaughn, Pastor?Service on the 1st Sunday of each month at 11 o 'clock a. m. ana on Saturday before at 2 o'clook pvm. Fetwer Gallons; Wears Longer. 0: CASE 1^7" Emile Gaboriau 9? CHAPTER XII. |HE following is the statement ns he wrote'it out for tho ben ellt of tho Judge of instruc tion, knowing that it would doubtless secure an indictment aguiust tho accused: "Two leagues from Tarascon, ou the left bank of tho Rhoue, stood tho Cha teau of Clauieran. Hero lived la 1841 the old marquis and his two sonn, Gns ton and Louis. A near neighbor was the Countess do la Verberlo, with ono daughter, Valentine, a lovMy ghi of eighteen. M. do Claruoran detested the countess, and Mine, do la Verberlo execrated the marquis. It was said that under the reign of Honry IV. a La Verberlo had betrayed tho affection of a fair daughter of the Clamerans. This, misdeed led to a duel, which In turn led to bitter hatred between tho two houses. "Gnston do Olainerftn met Valentino do la Verberlo at an evening entertain ment, and the two fell desperately In love. Gnston would often plunge Into the Rhone at Clameran and rise out of the water at Verberlo, where ho would have a secret meeting with Valentino. In order to facilitate these meetings Gnston would place a light In his win dow immediately before starting which could be seen by Valentine at her home. Tho two lovers, despairing of permis sion to marry, kept up a secret intima cy, which led to Valentino's becoming u wife without tho sanction of tho church or the law. "One evening Gaston went into n cafe for a cup of coffee. Later, whllo playing billiards, hearing Valentine's name coupled with his own to her dis honor, he demanded a retraction, be came embroiled and killed two men. He lied to tho chateau, where he con fessed to his father his Intimacy with Valentine, declaring that he wished to marry her. Ills father urged him to fly from tho consequences of tho mur ders ho had committed and, having no money to give him, supplied him with the family Jewels. Meanwhile tho po lice were coming to arrest him, and It was arranged that the gates should ho suddenly opened, a servant should flee In ono direction, Louis In another and thus misleading tho police give Gnston nn opportunity to esenpe. Gaston would have got away had not Louis purposely tripped and fallen. The po lice, thus discovering tho ruse, pushed on after Gaston, who, to save himself, Jumped iuto the Rhone. Tho current was at the time so swollen that his pursuers gave him up as drowned. "Escaping almost certain death, Gas ton, who before leaving tho chateau had placed tho signal for Valentine In his window, reached La Verberlo and had nn interview with his beloved. She informed him that she would soon be come a mother. Before parting ho left With her tho jewels given him by his father, then fled the country, going to South America. That night the old mnrquls died, Louis, assuming that his elder brother had been drowned, took tho title and tho estate. He left Cla meran immediately and began a life full of ignominy. "Valentino confessed her condition to her mother, who took her to Eng land, where she provided for her daughter's secret accouchement under tho care of a physician and a maid, Mlhonne. A son was born, which tho countess immediately sent away to bo adopted by a farmer. Subsequently Mine, do la Verberlo pursuaded her daughter to attempt to forget tho past, to consider it burled in oblivion and to marry. A young engineer, M. Andre Fnuvel, spent some time at Deauealrc, where they lived, and fell In love with Valentine, who, urged by her mother, accepted his attentions and Anally mar ried him. M. Fauvol afterward be came the famous Toris banker. Tho countess died in 1859. "Louis dt Clameran, after an absence from home of eighteen years, returned, and from Mlhonne, tho maid who had been with Valentino nt the time of her confinement, learned that his brother had not been drowned, that Valentino had had a son by Gnston and that she had subsequently married M. Fauvel. Impoverished by his excesses and un ublo to find a living honestly, Louis de termined to use this Information for the purpose of extorting, money from Mme. Fauvel. Going to Paris, ho call ed upon her and gavo her to under stand that ho knew of her past. In order to better serve his purposo ho told her that her son by Gnston was living, that he bad been brought up In London, that his father had been thero and fouud him, that Gaston had died In poverty and had asked him (Louis) to apply to her for means for the mainte nance of their son Rnoul. Mme. Fau vel at once gave Louis the Jewels Gas ton bad left with her at their last In terview to be used for Raoul. Louis soon introduced, a young man to her who personated her son and received, from her largo sums, which the two villains divided. All this Mme. Fauvel kept a secret from her husband. Fi nally Clameran, in order to facilitate his plans, demanded that she receive Raoul into her house. Mme. Fauvel had a cousin living at St. Remy of tho namo of Lugors, and Clameran, partly by persuasion, partly by intimidation, induced Mme. Fauvel to announce bor supposed son as her nephew, Raoul do Lagors. This was done, and Raoul, having constant access to Mme. Fau vel, soon extorted n small fortune, which he squandered. "Louis de Clameran now conceived the Idea of marrying Madeleine, with whom he had fallen violently In love. To force her to break with Prosper ho used the power he possessed over Mme. Fauvel. Madeleine ' discovered her aunt's situation and hi order to avert a catastrophe consentod to glvo up Pros*..?*', whom she loved, and mnrry Clameran, whom she detested. Break-, lng her engagement with Prosper, sho secured his promise to take upon him self tho sole responsibility of tho rup ture:. ? "Menuwhllo Gnston had made a for tnne In South America and returned to France. To still tho memory of his yonthful misfortunes ho resolved to engage In business and bought an iron mill at Oloron. Louis, hearing of his arrival, went to Oloron and greeted him with every pretenso of affection. Louis took up hia quarters with his brother, who soon sickened and died under very suspicious circumstances, leaving his fortune to Louis. ? Louis now turned his attention to forcing Madeleine to marny him. He irny agreed to Bettle 5 Targe income upon Kuoul If ho would extort money from Mine. Fnuvel In sufficient quantity' to embarrass her. Huoul consented und lived recklessly on the means furnished by the woman who supposed she was his mother. Finally, having no moro to give him, she was persuaded to sur render her diamonds, a present from her husband on the day he became worth a million. When Mine. Fauvel's Jewels Were gone, .Madeleine's were given up. All were pawned by Itaoul. "Louis do Olameran was n4t satisfied to marry Madeleine while bor heart was given to uifother. lie determined to ruin Prosper, thut sho might loso her respect und her love for him, Ono night at a supper at which Ituoul and Prosper were present Itnoul heard Prosper, under the Inlluence of wine, name tho word (Gipsy) that would uqv lock the safe In M. Fauvel's bank. Tbl? be communicated to Clnmeran, also telling him that when M. Fnuvel went out he always loft the key to tho wife in tho drawer of his secretary In bis chamber. "Clnmeran .then arranged thnt 800, 000 francs should bo kept in tho bank over night ready for him to draw In tho morning. Thnt night Itaoul, hav ing boon coached for the- part by Cla mcran, wont to Mine. Fnuvel, told her thnt ho was ruined nnd must have n largo, sum of money at once, threaten ing that if he did not get It ho would blow out his brains. . He told her that she must give him tho key to tho safe, which ho would open, take what bo needed and restore it on tho morrow. Mine. Fauvol, In terror lest he should commit suicide and thinking thnt ho* did not know tho word which, with the key, was necessary to open the safe, in order to gain time, gave him the key. Itnoul wont down the stairway, Mmo. Fauvol following him In agony. Hnoul opened tho safe and took tho money in tended to bo paid Clnmeran In tho morning. Mmo. Fauvel, astonished that he had succeeded, begged him to shut the safe, clinging to his arm nnd endeavoring to pull him away. Tho key was dragged from the lock nnd, slipping along the glossy varnish, made a long, deep scratch. "The next day, nfter tho robbery wns discovered and Olameran had been paid tho amount duo him, bo went to Mmo. Fauvol nnd to Madeleine nnd told them that Itaoul bad secured the word nec .essnry to open the safe from Prosper, who was to share in tho plunder. Ola meran, affecting to moko a noble sacri fice for tho two women, offered to re store the stolen money through them to M, Fauvol, but Madeleine, suspecting some hidden motive, declined the offer. "Madeleine, believing that she nnd Mine. Fnuvel would eventually get rid of the extortionists and vindicate Pros per, asked bor uncle for 10,000 francs, to bo used for a charitable purposo, nnd sent tho amount to Prosper, with a letti r made up of words cut out of a prayer book. "Mine. Fnuvel nnd Madeleine, owing to tho extortions to which they had been subjected, became urgently press ed by tradesmen and others to whom they owed money nnd bad nothing on which to keep up their position in soci ety. They remained secluded for n time, but we're at last obliged to appear in public at the Jandldler ball. Mado leine went to Vcslnot to ask Hnoul to return some of tho money and jewels they had given him. On this occasion she was followed by M. Verduret nnd Prosper. Madeleine's effort was fruit less, though she finally forced Raoul by throats of exposure to surrender some of the pawn tickets. . "At last Olameran and Itaoul found in tho clown at the Jandldler ball an onemy who possessed tho secrot of their villainies and tried to murder him." CHAPTER XIII. S?"lUCn nre tho fncts that, with an nlinost Incredlblo talent SSgEvg for Investigation" hnd been SbBBI collected and prepared by tho fat man with the Jovial fnco who had taken Prosper under his protection, M. Verduret. Reaching Paris at 0 o'clock In the evening, not by the Lyons route, ns ho had said, but by tho Orleans trnln, M. Verduret hurried to tho Archangel, where' ho found Prosper imputleutly expecting him. "You nre about to hear some rich de velopments," he snld to Prosper, "and see how far hack into tho past ono has to seek for the primary cnuso of a crlmo. All things aro linked together in this world of ours. If. Gnston de Clnmeran hnd not tnken a cup of cof fee in a little enfo at Tara scon twenty years ago, your money snfe would not have boon robbed three weeks ngp. "Valentine do la Verbcrio is punished in 18G0 for tho murder committed for love of her In 1810. Nothing is neg lected or forgotten. Listen." And he relnted nil thnt he had dis covered, referring to a voluminous manuscript which ho hnd prcpnred, with many notes and authenticated proofs attached. "I wonder how you discovered all these infamies," snld Prosper when ho hnd finished. Tho fat man smlied. "When I under take a task," ho snld, "I devote my wdiolo attention to It. Now, mnko a note of this: When a man of ordinary Intelligence concentrates his thoughts nnd energies upon tho uttninment of an object, he Is certain to nttnin that object. Resides thnt, I have my own method of working up a case. To be sure, one needs soino light to guide one In a dark affair like this, but tho fire in Clnmcran's eye when I pronounced tho nnme of Gnston ignited my lantern. From that moment 1 walked straight to the solution of the mystery ns to n beacon light.". Prosper's look showed thut he would like to know fho secret of Ids protect or's penetration ami at tho snino time bo more thoroughly convinced thnt what he hoard was nil true?thnt bis Inuocencc would bo more dearly prov ed. "Now, confess," cried M. Verduret, "you would give anything In the world to Ond out how I arrived nt tho truth!" '.'I admit It, for It Is marvelous." M. Verduret enjoyed Prosper's bewil derment. To bo sure, he wns neither n good Judgo nor a distinguished nnin teur; but ndmlrntlon Is always flatter lug, no matter whenco It comes. "Well," ho replied, "I will cxplnln my system. There Is nothing marvelous about It. We worked together to Und tho solution of tho problem* You know .my reasons for suspecting Clamcran bad a bund in the robbery. As soon as l bad Acquired this certainty my task ? was easy. What did I dof I placed trustworthy people to watch tbe par ties in whom I wits most Interested. Funfcclot us Joseph Dub?tS took charge of Clamerau, and Nina Gipsy never lost eight of Mine. Fauvel and her niece. "I understand It all now," satd Pros per. l(Aud what have you been doing dur ing r.iy absence, my young friend?" asked M. Vorduret after a pause. At this question Prosper blushed. "Alap," he Stammered, "1 rend in a newspaper thai Clnnieran wns about to marry Madeleine, and l net Od like 0 fool!" "What did you do?" Inquired Verdu ret uneasily. "l wrote an nnouytnous letter to M. Fauvel In form I up i m that his wife was In love with IJuoul"? M Vorduret brought his clinched list down upcti the table. "Stupid!" bo oxehiliued. "You have ruined everything!" He arose from his f eat and strode up and down the room, oblivious of the lodgers below, whose windows shook with every angry stamp of bis foot. Prosper remained silent as long as he could and then uneasily said: "1 am afraid I have embarrassed you vn y much, monsieur." "Yes, you have dreadfully embar rassed me. What am 1 to do? Shall I l\pston matters or wait? And 1 ,nm bound by a sacred promise. Wo had better go and advise with the judge of Instruction, lie can assist me. Come with mo." As M. Vorduret had anticipated, Pros pers letter had a terrible effect. When M. Fauvel opened his mall the morning after it was posted, the fatal missive fell Into his bauds, Something about the writing struck him as peculiar. It was evidently a disguised hand, and,' although, owing to the fact of his being n millionaire, he was In the habit of receiving anony mous communications, this particular letter tilled him with an Indefinite pre sentiment of evil. With trembling hand and absolute certainty that.ho was about to learn some new calamity, ho broke tbo seal and, opening the coarse cafe paper, was shocked by the following words: Pear Sir?You consigned your cashier to prison. You did well, ftnee you were convinced of his dishonesty and faithlessness. Hut CVCU If he stolo 850,000 francs from your safe, does It follow that be also stoto Mine. Fauvel's diamonds? This was a stroke of lightning to a man whose life hitherto had been no uubrokeu chniu of prosperity, who could recall the past without one bitter regret, without remembering any sor row deep enough to bring forth a tear. What! Ills wife deceive html And, among all men, to Choose one vllo enough to rob her of her jewels and force her to he his accomplice In the ruin of nn innocent young maul For did not the anonymous, letter assert this to be.the fact and tell him how to convince himself of Us truth? M. Fauvel determined to show the letter to his wife. "Put suppose It be true!" he mutter ed to himself. "Suppose I have been miserably duped I By confiding in my wife I shall pot her on her guard and lose nil chance of discovering the truth." There was one simple means of veri fication. The letter sold the diamonds bad been pawned. If It lied In this Instance, he would treat 11 with the scorn It deserved. If, on the other hand, It should prove to be true? Breakfast wns announced. At tnblo M. Fauvel talked Incessantly, so as to escape any questions from his wife, who, lie saw, was uneasy nt the sight of his pale foce. But all the time ho wns talking he was casting over In his mind expedients for getting his wife out of the house long enough for htm to search her bureau without her per ceiving him. At last ho usked Mine. Fauvel If she were going out beforo dinner. "Yes," Paid she. "The weather Is dreadful, but Madeleine and I must do some shopping." "At what hour shall you go?" "Immediately after breakfast" He drew a long breath, as If relieved of a great weight. In a short time ho would know the truth. After awhile ho beard the carriage roll away with his wlfo and niece. Hurrying Into Mine. Fauvel's room, he opened the drawer of th? chiffonier where she kept hor Jewels. The boxes containing superb sets of jewelry which he had presented to her were gone! The anonymous letter hnd told tho truth! Perhaps Valentino had put her dia monds In Madeleine's room, Without stopping to consider the In delicacy of what he was about to do ho hurried into the young girl's room and pulled open ono drawer after another. Ho did not Und Mine, Fauvel's dia monds, but Madeleine's seven or eight boxes, also empty. Was she, too, an accomplice? This blow broke down his courage. Wf. Fauvel well knew that the fact of tbo diamonds being stolen was not suf ficient ground upon which to bring an accusation against tho accomplices. Happily he could procure other proof. Ho began by calling his valet and oi% derlng him to bring him every letter thnt should come to the house. Ho then wrote to n notary at St. Remy to send him a telegram containing au thentic information about tho La got o family and especially about ltuoul. The reply was as follows: Tho MgOrs, arc very poor, nnd no one knows ?ny member of tho family named Itaoul. Mine, t.ii roi i had no son, only two daughters. The next dartr") among the letters which his valet brought him, was ono bearing tho postmark of Veslnet. He opened the cnvelopo with great core and read: Dear Aunt--H Is Indispensable that 1 sec you today. Come to me. I will explain why I glvo you this trouble Instead of calling on you. raooi? "1 have them now!" cried Mi FauvoJ, trembling with satisfaction at tho near prospect of vengeance. linger to lose no'time, ho opened a ^Irawer, took out n revolver and exam ined the hammer to see If "It was In or der. Ho imagined himself alone, but n vigllnnt eyo was watching his move ments. Gipsy, tinder strict Instructions from M. Vorduret, stationed herself nt the keyhole of the .study door and saw nil that occurred. M. Fauvel laid the pistol on the mantelpiece and resenletl |lm letter, which ho then placed where tho letters were usually left, not wish ing lils wife to know that It had passed through his hahds. lie was only ab sent but two minutes; but, inspired by the Imminence of tho danger, Gipsy darted luio the study, rushed to tho mantel and rapidly extracted tho balls from -tbo revolver. "ThereI" sho murmured. "This peril Is, for tho present, averted, and M. Vorduret, whom I shall warn through Cavolllon, will now perhaps have time to prevent n murder." Sho descended"to tho bank and sent tho clerk with a message, telling htm to lenvo it with Mine. Alexandre for Ml Vorduret. Au h?rt? later Mmo. Fan vci ordered her carriage und went out. M. Puuvel took a hackney coach and followed her. "Grout heavens!" cried N'lna to her self. "If M. Vorduret does not reach thero In time, Mme. Fauvel and ltaoul uro lostl" [to be continukp.] Jiching Joints In the flllgoro, toes, arms, and other parts of tl?o body, are joints that aro inflamed and swollen by rheumatism? that acid condition of the blood which affects the muscles :dso. Sufferers dread to move, especially after Bitting or lying lout;, and their condition is commonly worso in wet weather. "It h:is been a long time since wo bavo been without Rood's Sorsnpnrllla. ajy father thinks be COUld not do without It. Ho has been troubled with rheumatism since ha was a hoy, and Mood's Sursapa rllla is (he only medicine he can take that will enable him t>> his place in tho ftold." Miss Ada Doty, Sidney, Iowa. Hood's Sarsaparilla and Pills Remove the cause of rheumatism?no outward application can. Take them. TMmble, THIMBLE! Who jrot The Thimble? Do you hold a Draft on us for a THIMBLE? If you do call and we will be glad to explain how you can get a Sterling Silver Thimble Free* Ask to see our Art Portfolio. For Four Cents }'Ott can get a beautiful picture. Visit our store and we will be pleased. Palmetto Drug Co. Look for sign with the Tree. Executor's Land Sale. By virtue of power vested in mo by the last will and testament of James 11. Shell, deceased, I wi.l sell at public outcy at 1.aureus 0. ?. S. C, within tho legal hours of salo on salc&duy in January 1903, being the 5th day of the month, all that pared or tract of land, situate in Dial Township, 1.aureus County, S. C , containing ninety-eight aor< s, more or les*, bounded by lands of A. C. Watson, lOstate of 1$. F. Garrett, deceased, J. R. Culbertson, W. A. Putman and others. Terms of Sale- Cash. If the pur chafer fails to comply with the terms of salo, the promises \o be re-sold at his risk on tho same or some subsequent salesday. Purchaser to pay for papers. Also ht tho same time and place, and on the same torms. Three shares stock of Tho Bank of Laurens, having a par valuo of oue hundred dollars per share. Two shares of stock Gray Court Cot ton Oil Mill Co., having a par value of fifty dollars per share. E. T. SmxL,, Executor. Dec. I, 1002?It. BLACIDMUGHTI THE ORIGINAL A sallow complexion, dizziness/ biliousness and a coated tongue aro common indications of liver and kidney diseases. Stomach an,d bowol troubles, severe as they aro, give immediate warning by pain, l)iit liver and kidney troubles, though less painful at the start, are much harder to cure. Tiiedford's Black-Draught never fails to bene fitdiseased liver and weakened kid neys. It stirs up the torpid liver to throw off the gcrtns of fever and ague. It is a certain preventive or cholera and Ilright's disease of the kidneys. With kidneys re inforced by Tiiedford's Rlaok Draught thousands of persons have dwelt immuhe in tho midst of yel low fever. Many families live in perfect health and have no other doctor than Tiiedford's Hlaek Draught. It is always on hand for use in an emergency and saves many expensive calls of a doctor. Abillins, S. C, March 10, 1901. I have used Thedford's Black-Draught for three years and I have not had to go to a doctor since I have hfl* n taking it. It is the best medicine for me that Is on the market for liver and kidney troubles and dyspepsia and other } complaints. Rev. A. 0. LEWIS. Goo. Johnston?. R. IT." Welch. A. 0. Todd. Johnsone,>Velcli & Todd, LAWYERS. Will Practico in all Courts, Stato and Federal. Ofllco, Law Range. LAURBNai S. 0. Final Settlement. TAKE notico that on the 20th day of December 1002, I wlllrendor a linal ac count of my acts and doings as Ad ministrator of tho ostnto of I. G. Lowe, deceased, in tho Office of Judgo of Probate for Laurens County, at 11 o'clock, a. m,*and on* the Bamo date will apply for a final discharge from my trust As Administrator. All persons having demands against said ostato will pleaso present them on or before that day, proven and authen ticated, or bo forovor barred, S. W. I OWE, Administrator. Nov. 19, 1002. Yos, wo expect to do "a thriving Christmas trade.'.1 St. Nick is holding the reins here, and wo've given nun tb6 tLVh/o& f?How is running things pretty much to his ?WDThe whole store has taken on a holiday aspect. livery de partment is replete with appropriate ami pleasing gifts Helpful Hints for Puzzled Gift-Hunters 11 ro hero in seemingly endless array. Wo have prepared for unusually largo sales by laying in now goods, and to brlghteu holiday buying, navo marked them all at extraordinary low prices. Sensible Stocking-Fillers are Here. Good old St. Nick finds it bard work filling tho lialf-hoso of . men. What a man likes is ...imothing he can wear. But be warned! He doesn't caro for tho ''bargain countor" stult*?ho won't wear antiquated neckwear. Got his present where he always buys bis wearables?hero. This whole store is a veritable Christmas Tree of ^it'ts beautiful ties faultless fitting shirts, "just, right"? underwear, 40cts. to $2.00; substantial half-hose. 25cts. to 50ots.; line handkerchiefs, 25otS. to 50cts.j good collars and outTs, lOcts. to 25cts.; handsome umbrellas. $1.00 t<> $2.00: suit casos, 25otS to 85.00, silk mulllers, 60ets. to $1.00; sweaters, $1.00 to $1.50. A Suit as a Gift. A particularly good gift for the boys. Bottor still if it is a "Mintor" suit. Every boy looks upon a "Minter"?suii of clothes as something line, something better than the ordinary. There's more style, more dash and snap to it?more wear. .Suits with Double Breasted Coat, knee pants, $2.00 to $5.00. Young Men's Suits, agres from 15 to 10 years, 8.50 to P.!0.00. Men's Suits, $5.00 to tJ.X5.00. Overcoat Gifts. Overcoats with as much smartness as fasbionablo tailors can cut and sew into an Overcoat, $.> 00 to $10 00. Young Men's Overcoats, $3.50 to $7.50. A visit to tho store will give you an oxcollont itloa of jnsi how well wo can help you select your gifts. Why hot buy early, and avoid tho crowds of tho lust days before Christinas? We are ready foi you now. J. E. MINTER & BRO., Lenders of Low Prices. Tho Kind Yon Have Always Bought, ami which has nccis la tiso for over SO years, has borno tho signature of ?/P _.. and has been mado under hiH por //' ^&-r/?7i~~^~'/>, sonal supervision since its infancy. W*&r?yt /-cttCvUM Allow no ono to deceive you In tills. All Counterfeits, Imitations and *'JTust-as-good" ovo but Experiments that trifle with and endanger (ho health of Infants and Children?Experience against Experiment* it Is Castorla- is a harmless substitute for Castor Oil, Pare ?tie, Drops antl Soothing" Syrups. It is Pleasant, it. contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotia substance. Its ago is its guarantee. It destroys Wormn and allays Fovorlsbncss. It euros "Diarrhoea and Wind, Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency. It assimilates tho Food, regulates tho Stomach and Dowels, giving healthy and natural sleep.. Tho Children's Panacea- Tho Mother's Friend. GENUINE CASTOR I? ALWAYS Bears the Signature of The Kind You Have Always Bought Bn Use For Over 30 Years. THC CtNTAUR COMPANY, TT MuniiAY tilHI.tr, NEW YOC1K CITY, Stepping Stones to Prosperitv ...I??.........._._' -'_ THE SUCCESSFUL FERTILIZES PLANTER LANDS...., The Virginia^Carolina Chemical *V, "Manufactures /be best ?crtiifca? oojfculh". Co* Vir, 0 gtoiA-CaroUna. Chorak^al Cou CM?HLESTON??w?jL ~J OfeflfiMM 'mm