Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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TUE ADVERTISER. Subscription Price"12 Months, $1.00 Payable in Advance. Rates for Advertising,?Ordinary Ad vertisements, per square, onn inser tion, $1.00; each subsequent Insertion, 60 cents. Liberal reduction made for large Advertisements. W. W. Bali,, ProDrietor. LAURENS, 8. C, Jan. 7, 1008. Tho State's Honor. Governor McSwoenev has vetoed the bill providing that $37,000 of State bonds which have nover bpen refunded bo ''written off the treasurer's books." The fact*", fully established, are that these bonds wore not presented for pay ment at the proper time. Now the holdors have ''turned up" with them and are asking thr general assembly to provide for their recognition and payment. They represent an bonost debc of South Carolina. Of all this, scores of people who have examined tho matter, are sure*. The sole objec tion raised to the pajuient that wo havo heard Is that tho bocds may have passed out of tho hands of tho original holders aud may have beeu suld for lens than they a>-e worth. That is no business for the state of South Carolina. If the debt is duo and owing, South Carolina w'll be dis graced if it be not paid If this news paper didn't pay its d"brs to the ut most of its ability the people of Luu rens County would hnvo no more re spect for it than for a chain gang tramp. The Advertiser would dis like to live in a state that repudiates a dobt?so would every other honest man. Wc do not wish to be In a posi tion to look down upon our stuto with tempt. Moreover, tho stato hn< no excuse for haggling. It should Bettle Its little bills and make no wry faces. There has been too much hageling over this bond olalm already. The facts are now fully understood. If the claim re mains unsettled, the facts remaining undisputed, we should unanimously be ashamed of ourselves. * # TO BE WITHDRAWN. Three Weeks Longer Only to Get Two Papers at One Price. ? It is tho purpose of The Adver tiser to withdraw its offer to furnish The Advertiser and the Twice A Week News and Courier for oOo price on Fobruary, 1st. The offer may pos sibly be withdrawn earlier. The offer will not likely be renewed. Those who desire tho two papers a year for a dollar had better subscribe quiok. HAIRSTON'S NEWS. The health in this community is ex ceptionally good. Mr. T, R. Blakely has moved back to his place, where he formerly lived. Glad to seo him back again. Mr. William Jennings' family has moved on the placo known as tho Jeans place. Miss Lucy Sloan, who is teaching the Princeton school spont tho holidays at borne. Miss Lena Cunningham who is at tending the Spartanburg Business Col lege spent Christmas with her parents. Mrs. Godfrey of Ekom spent a few weeks with her son Dr. Godfrey at Halrston's. Tho Christmas tree at Oak Grove school house on Christmas night was a nuocoss. There woro many nice pres ents and everyone enjoyed it. A cat belonging to Mr. R" O. Hairs ton's family died a few days ago, aged 19 years. Pretty good age for.a cat, isn't it? Nows is scarce at this writing.. Joe. -Cares Blood, Skin Troubles, Cancer, Blood Poison. Greatest Blood Purifier Free. If your blood Is impure, thin, dis eased, hot or full of ixuumrs, if jou havo blood poison, cancer, carbifncles, eating sores, scrofula, eczenih, itching, risings and lumps, scabby, pfln6p*$?*kln, bone pains, catarrh, rhouinat'lsro, or any blood or skin disease take Botanic Blood Balm (B. B. B.) according to di rections. Soon all sores heal, aches and pains stop, the blood is made pure and rich, leaving the skin free from every eruption, and giving the rich glow of perfect health to the skin. At, the same, B. B. B. improves the diges tion, cures dyspersia, strengthens weak kidney*. Just the meaiclne for old people, as it gives them dew, vigorous blood. I Druggists, $1 per large bottle, with directions for home cure. Sample free and prepaid by writing Blood ' Balm Co., Atlanta, Ga. Describe trou ble and special free medical advice also sent In sealed letterr. B. B. B. is es pecially advised for chronic, deep seated oases of impure blood and skin disease, and cures after all else fail*. Sold in Laurens by H. F. Poj?y. State of South Carolina, COUNTY OF LAURENS. Trnstee's Sate. By virtue of the power given to me in a Trust Deed, exeoutod by W. T. Putnam, on January 2 >th 1902, which Deed is recorded In the office of tho 'Jerk of Court of Common Pleas, for Laurens County, in Book 9, at page 344, I will sell at public outcry, to the highest bidder, at Laurens O. H. S.C, on .-nlesday in February, 1903, being the 2nd day of the month, during the legal hours for public sales, the follow ing described tract of land: All thit tract situate in the County and State above named, containing jflf6y (67) seven acres, more or less, bounded by lands of J. D. Owings, Newton Dial. W. P. Pattoo, John L. Jones and others, known i>s cUrk Smith place. lorms of Sale: One-half cash and balance on a credit of 12 months, with loavo to purchaser to pay entire bid in cash, the oredit portion to be secured by note of the purchaser and a mort gage pf the premises, and to bear in terest'from day of sale at eight per cent, and if purchaser fails to comply premises will be re-sold at his risk on same or some subsequent salesday. Purchaser to pay for deed and mort gage, and for record ng mortgage. ?. C. fkathkk8tonk, Trustee/ ? ? 0 ? ? 9 9 ? ? ? # ^ *5* ? & ? $ 9 ? 9 ? & ? ? ft1 BLACK ROC By RALPH CONNOR j: 0 ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 9 ? ? ? ? 0 @ ^ & e ff & 9 ? ? i CHAPTER II. TFTK BLACK HOCK CIHU8TUA8. ANY strange Christmas days have I seen, but that wild ninck Rock Christmas stnnds out strangest of nil. While I was reveling In my delicious second morning sleep, Just nwnko enough to enjoy It, Mr. Crnig came abruptly, an nouncing breakfast and adding: "Hope you are in good shape, for we have our work before us this day." "Hello!" I replied, still half asleep and anxious to hide from the minister that I was trying to gain n few moro moments of Btiooalag delight. "Wlmt's abroad?" "The devil," he answered shortly and with such emphasis that I Bat bolt up tight, looking anxiously about "Ob. no need for alarm! He's not after you particularly?at least not to day," said Cralg, with a shadow of a smile. "But he is going about In good style, I can tell you." By this time I was quite awake. "Well, what particular stylo does his majesty affect this morning?" He pulled out a showbill. "Pecul iarly gaudy and effective, is It not?" The items announced wero sufficient ly attractive. The Frisco Opera com pany was to produce tho "screaming furce," "The Cay and Giddy Dude," after which there Was to bo a grand ball, during which the ' Kallfornla Fe male Kickers" were to do some fancy figures, tho whole to bo followed by a "big supper," with ,"t\yo free driuks to every man and one to the-lady," and all for the Insignificant sum of $2. "Can't you go one better?" I said. He looked inquiringly and a little disgustedly at me.' "What can ypu do ngnlnst free drinks and a dance, not to speak of the high kickers?" ho groaned. "No," he con tinued. "It's a cjeau beat for us today. The miners and lumbermen will have In their pockets $10,000 nnd every dol lar burning a bole, and Slavlmaud his gang will get most of it. But," ho added, "you must have breakfast. You'll find a tub In the kitchen. Don't be afraid to splash. 'It Is tho best I have to offer you." Tho tub sounded Inviting; nnd beforo many minutes had passed I was In a delightful glow, the effect of cold water nnd o rough towel and that conscious ness of vlrtuo that comes to a man who has had courage to face his cold bath on a winter morning. The breakfast was laid with fine taste. A diminutive pine tree in a pot hung round with wlntergreen stood In the center of the table. "\VeJl, now, this looks good?porridge, beefsteak, potatoes, toast and am raw Inde." "I hope you will enjoy It all." There was not much talk over our meal. Mr. Cralg was evidently preoc cupied aud as blue as his politeness would allow him. Slavln's victory weighed upon his spirits. Finally he burst out: "Look berel I can't?I won't stand itl Something must bo done. Last Christmas this town was for two weeks, as one of tho miners said, 'a little suburb of bell.' It was something too awful. And at the end of It nil oue young fellow was found dead In his shack, and twenty or more crawled back to the camps, leaving their three-months* pay with Slavln and his suckers. I won't stand It, I say!" Ho turned flercoly on me. "What's to be done?" This rather took me aback, for I had troubled myself with nothing of this sort In my life before, being fully oc cupied in keeping myself out of diffi culty nnd allowing others tho same privilege. So I ventured the consola tion thnt he had done his part and that a spree more or less would not make much difference to these men. But the next moment I wished I bad been slow er in speech, for ho swiftly faced me, and his words came liko a torrent: "God forgive you that heartless wordl Do you know? But, no; you don't know whnt you are saying. You don't kuow that those men have been clam bering for dear life out of a fearful pit for three months past and doing good climbing, too, poor chaps. You don't' think that some of them have wives,' most of them mothers and sisters. In the east or across the sea, for whose sake they are slaving here, tho miners hoping to save enough to bring tbelr families to this homeless place, the rest to make euougb to go back with credit. Why, there's Nixon, miner, splendid chnp, who bus been here for two years and drawing the highest pay. Twice he has been in sight of his heaven, for be can't speak of bis wife and babies without breaklug up, nnd twice that slick son of the devil?that's (Scripture, mind you?Slavln, got him and 'rolled' him, as the boys say. He went back to the mines broken in body and in heart. He says this Is bis third aud last chance. If Slavln gets him, his wife nnd babies will never see him on earth or in heaven. There are San dy and the rest too. And," he added in n lower tone and with the ctttious little thrill of pathos in his voice, "this 1b the day tho Saviour came to tho world." He paused, and then with a little, snd smile, "But I don't want to abuse you." "Do. I enjoy, it. I'm a beast, n self iRh boastr PoY somehow^ his Intens*,' blazing earnestness made me feel un comfortably small., "What have we to offerl" I demand ed. "Wait till I hove got these things cleared away and my housekeeping done." I pressed ray services noon blm, somewhat feebly, I own, tfor I can't bear dishwater, but he rejected my offer. "I don't like trusting my cbtna to the bands of a tenderfoot." "Quite light, though yoor china v?ould prove on excellent means of defense at long range." It wns delft a quarter of an inch thick, so I smoked while he washed up, ?wept, dusted nnd arranged the room. After the room was ordered to his tnsto we proceeded to hold counsel. Ho could offer dinner, magic lantern, mu sic. "We enn fill In tlino for two hoars, but," he added gloomily, i'w? can't beat the danco nnd tho high kickers." "Have you nothing new or startling?" He shook his bend. "No kind of show?dog show, snake charmer?" "Slavln bas a monopoly of tbe snakes'." Then be added hesitatingly: "There wns an old Punch and Judy chap here last year, but he died. Whisky again." "What happened to his show?" "The Black Bock hotel man took It for bonnl nnd whisky bill. He hns it still, 1 suppose." I did not much relish the business, but 1 hated to see him beaten, so I ventured. "I have run a Punch nnd Judy In on nmatcur way at tho var sity." He sprnng to his feet with n yell. "You have! You mean to say It? We've got them! We've beaten them!" Ho bad an extraordinary way of taking your help for granted. "Tho miner chaps, mostly English and Welsh, werft mad over tho poor old showman and made him so wealthy that In sheer gratitude he drunk himself to death." He walked up and down In high ex citemeut and in such evident delight, that I felt pledged to my best effort. j "W "I." I said, "tlrst the poster. We i must heat them In that." Ho brought me largo sheets of brown papcri aud after two hours' hard work I had half a dozen pictorial showbills done In gorgeous colors and striking designs. They were good, If I do say It myself. The turkey, tho magic lantern, the Punch nnd .Judy show, were nil there, the last with a crowd before It In gap ing delight. A few explanatory words were thrown lu, emphasising tho high ly artistic nature of the Punch and Judy entertainment. Oralg was-delighted ami proceeded to perfect his pluns. He had some half a dozen youiu: men, four young ladles and eight or ten matrons upon whom he could depend for help. These ho or ganized Into a vigilance commltteo charged with tho duty of preventing miners and lumbermen from getting nwny to Slavln's. "The critical moments will be Imme diately before nnd after dinner nnd then again after the show Is over," ho explained. "The first two crises must be left to the care of Punch nnd Judy, and, as for . the last, 1 am not yet'sure what shall be done," But I saw ho had something In his head, for he added, "I shall see Mrs. Mnvor." "Who Is Mrs. Mnvor?" 1 nsked. But he mnde no reply. He was a born fighter, nnd he put the fighting spirit Into us all. Wo were bound to wlu. The sports wero to begin at 2 o'clock. By lunehtlme everything was in rendi ness. After lunch I wns having a quiet smoke in Crnlg's shack -when in be rushed, saying: "The battle will be lost before it is fought. If wo lose Quntre Brns, we shall never get to Waterloo." "What's up?" "Slavln, Just now. Tho miners are coming in, nnd be will have them In tow in half an hour." He looked nt me appealingly. I knew what ho wanted. "All right. I suppose I must, but it is an awful bore that a man can't have a quiet smoke." "You're not half a bad fellow," he replied, smiling. "I shall get the la dies to furnish coffee Inside the booth. You furnish th-mi intellectual nourish* ment in front with dear old Punch and Judy." He sent a boy with a bell round tho village, announcing, "Punch and Judy In front of tho Christmas booth be side the church," and for three-quor j tera of an hour I shrieked nnd sweated , In that awful little pen. But it wns almost worth it to hear the shouts of approval and laughter that greeted my performcuce. It was cold work stand ing about, so that the crowd was quite ready to respond when Punch, after being duly hanged, caine forward and Invited nil Into the booth for the hot coffee which Judy had ordered. In they trooped, nnd Quntre Bras wns won. No sooner were tho miners safely en gaged with their coffee than I hoard a groat noise of bells nnd of men shout ing, and on.reaching the street f saw thnt tho m?h from tho lumber camp Were coming in. Two Immense sleighs, decorated with ribbons nnd spruce boughs, each drawn by n four horso tenm gnyly adorned, filled with some fifty men, singing and shouting with nil their might, were coming down tho hill road at full gallop. Bound the cor ner they swung, dashed at .full speed ocross the bridge and down tho street and pulled up after they had made the circuit of n block, to the grent admira tion of the onlookers. Among others, Slavln sauntered up good naturedly, making himself ngreeablo to Sandy and those who wero helping to unhitch his tenm. "Oh. you need not tnke trouble with me or my tenm,'Mike Slavln. Baton* ee?nnd me nnd the boys enn look after them flro?," said Sandy coolly. This rejecting of hospitality was per fectly understood by Slavln and by all. "Dnt's too bnd, hob?" said B;iptiste Wickedly. "And, Sandy, he's got good money on his pocket for sure too." , The boys Inughod. nnd Slavln, Join ing In, turned away with Keefo nnd Blnney, but by tho look in his eye I knew he wns plnylng Br'er Rnbblt nnd lying low. Mr. Cralg Just then enme up. "Hello, hoys! Too late for Punch and Judy, but Just In time for hot cof feo and doughnuts." -"Bon! ? Dnt's~' fuRS rnte," said Bap tlste henrtlly. "Where ydu keep him?" "Up In tho tent next the church there. The miners nre nil In." "Ah! Dnt's bo? Dnt's bnd news for tho shanty ftrefl, lieh. Sandy?" said tho little Frenchman dolefully. "There were a elothosbnnket full of doughnuts nnd a boiler of coffee left as I passed just now," snld Cralg en cournglngly. "Allons, mcs gnrcons. Vlte! Never my keel!" cried Bnptlsto excitedly, stripping off tho harness. But Sandy would not lrnvo the horses till they were carefully rubbed down, blauketed and fed, for he wns entered for the four horse race, nnd It behoov ed him to do his best to win. Itcsldcs, ho scorned to- hurry himself for nny thing so.unimportant ns-en ting. Thnt ho considered hardly worthy even of Bnptlsto. Mr. Cralg managed to gel a word with him before he wont off. and I sow Sandy solemnly und em phntlcnlly shake his head, siiylug: "Ah. we'll bent him this day!" And I gath ered (hnt ho wns added to the vfgllnnce committee. 0)d mAtl Nelson wns busy with bin own tenm. He turned slowly at Mr. Crnlg's greeting. "-IJoW Is It, Nolsou?"* And It wos with a very grnvo volco ho answered: "I hardly know, ?lr\but I am not gone yet, though It noonVi llttlo'to hold "All you wont for n grip Is what your hand can cover. What would you have? And, besides, do you kuow why you are not gone yet?" , The old innn waited, looking at the minister gravely. "Because he hasn't let go his grip of you." "Ilow do you kuow he's gripped me?" "Now, look here, Nelson, do you wnut to quit this thing aud give it nil up?" "No, no?for heaven's sake, not Wiry, do you think I have lost it?" said Nel son almost pltcously. "Well, he's keener about It than you, and I'll bet you haven't thought It worth whllo to thank him." "To thank him," he repeated almost stupidly, "for"? "Vor keeping you where you aro over night," sold Mr. Cralg almost sternly. The old man gazed at tho minister, a light growing in his eyes. "You're right! Thank God, you're right!" And then he turned quickly away aud went Into the stable behind his team. It was u minute before he came out. Over his face there was a trembling Joy. "Cou't I do anything for you today?" he asked humbly. "Indeed you just can," said the min ister, taking Ids hand und shaking It very warmly, nnd then he told him Blavlu's programme and ours. "Sandy Is all right till after his race. After that Is his thee of danger," said the minister. "I'll slay with him, sir," said old Nel son In the tone of a man taking a cove nant nud Immediately set off for the coffee tout. "Here comes another recruit for your corps," 1 said, pointing to Leslie Graeme, who was coining down the street at that moment In his light sleigh. "I atu not so sure. Do you think you could get him?" 1 lnughed. "You are a good one." "Well," ho replied half defiantly, "Is not this your light too?" "You make me think so, though 1 nin bound to say I hardly rccognlzo myself todny. But here goes." And before I knew It I was describing our plans to Graeme, growing more and . more enthusiastic as he sat in his sleigh, listening with a quizzical smllo 1 didn't quite like. "lie's got you, too," he snld. "I fear ed 80." "Well." I lnughed, "perhaps so. But I want to lick that man Slavln. I've Just seen him, nnd he's Just what Cralg calls bhn, 'a slick son of the devil.' Don't be shocked. He says It Is Scrip ture." "Revised version," said Graeme gravely, whllo Cralg looked a llttlo abashed. "What Is assigned me, Mr. Cralg? Kor I know that lids man Is simply your agent." 1 repudiated the Idea, while Mr. Cralg said nothlug. "What's my part?" demanded Graeme. "Well," said Mr. Crnlg hesitatingly, "of course 1 would do nothing till I hod consulted you, but I want a man to take my place at the sports. I om referee." "That's all right," said Graeme, with an air Of relief. "I expected something hard." "And then I thought you would not mind presiding at the dinner. I wnut It to go off* well." "Did you notice""that?" said Grnemo to me. "Not a bau? touch, eh?" # "That's nothing to the way he touch ed me. Wait and learn," I answered, while Cralg looked quite distressed. "He'll do It, Mr. Cralg, never fear," I said, "and any other little duty." "Now, that's too bad of you. That Is all I want, honor bright," he replied, adding as he turned away: "You aro Just In time for a cup of coffee, Mr. Graeme. Now 1 must see Mrs. Mavor." "Who is Mrs. Mavor?" I demouded or Graeme. "Mrs. Mavor? The miners' guardian angel." We put up the horses and set off for coffee. As we approached the booth Graeme caught sight of tho Punch and Judy show, stood still In amazement; nnd exclaimed: "Can the dead live?" "Punch and Judy never die," I re plied solemnly. "But the old manipulator is dead enough, poor old beggnrl" "But he left his mantle, ns you see." . He looked ot me a moment. "What? Do you mean you"? "Yes; that is what I do inei^" "He is a great man, that Gnr% fellow, a truly great man." And then Tie leaned up against a tree and laughed till the tears came. "I sny, old boy, don't mljtd me," ha gasped, "but do you remember tho old varsity show?" "Yes, you villain, and I remember your part In It. I wonder how you can; even at this remole date laugh nt It." j Vor I had n vivid recollection of how, nfter a "chaste and highly artistic per-] foriuonce of this medlrcvnl play" had been given before a distinguished To ronto audience, the trapdoor by which I had entered my box was fastened and I wns left to swelter In my cage and forced to listen to tho suffocated laugh ter from the wings and the stage whis pers of "Hello, Mr. Punch, whore's the, baby?" And for ninny n dny nfter I wns subjected to anxious Inquiries as to the locality nnd health of "the baby", and whether It was able to be out. "Oh, tho dear old day's!" ho kept say ing over and over In a tono so full of sadness thnt my heart grew sore foij him nnd I forgave him, ns ninny a time before. The sports passed off In typical west-: em style. In addition, to the usual running nnd leaping contests, thero! was ride nnd pistol shooting, in both ef which old Nelson stood first, with. Shaw, foreman of the mines, second. Tho great event of tho day, however,' was to bo tho four tiorse raco, fov which three teams wero entered?ono from the mines, driven by Nixon, Crnig's friend; a citizens' team ond< Sandy's. The race was really between^ the miners' team and that from the woods, for the citizens' team, though*! made up of speedy horses, had not been driven much together nnd knew neither their driver nor ono another.'' In the miners' team were four bays, vory powerful, .a trifle heavy perhaps, but well matched, perfectly trained an? perfectly handled by tholrdriver. Sandy bad his long, rangy ronns nnd for lead ers a pair of half broken pinto bron-v cbos. Tho pintos, caught tbo summer( before upon tbo Alberta prairies, wcroj fleet as deer, but wicked and uncertain.' They wero Baptlute's special coro and pride, . If they would only run straight, there was llttlo doubt that they would carry tho roans and themselves te glo ry, but one could not tell the moment , they might bolt or kick thing's to pieces. Being the only nonpnrtlsan in the crowd. 1 was asked to referee. Tbo race WAS Ahout half a mile and return, the first nnd last quarters bel?g upon Ice. The course nfter leaving tho ice led up from tho river by a long, easy slope to the level ubove and at tho farther end curved somewhat sharply round tho old fort. Tho only condi tion attaching to the rnco wns thnt the teams should start from the scratch, make the turn of the furt and finish nt the scratch. There were no vexlug regulations as to fouls. The man inak-' Ing the foul would llnd It necessary to reckon with the crowd, which wan considered sufficient guarantee for a fair nnd square race. Owing to the hazards of the course, the result would depend upon the skill of the drivers quite ns much ns upon the speed of tho tenms. The points of hazard were nt the turn round the old furt und at a little ravine which led down to tho river, over which the road pnssed by means of a long lo{| bridge or cause way. From a point upon tho high bank of the river tho whole course luy lp open view. It will) n scene full of life nod vividly picturesque. There woro min ers In dark cluthes nnd peak caps, citi zens In ordinary garb, ranchmen In wide cowboy hats nnd buckskin shirts and leggings, some with cartridge bells and pistols; a few half breeds and In dians In .half native, half civilized dress and, scattering ' through the crowd, tho lumbermen with gay scarlet and blue blanket coats nnd some with knitted- toques of the snmc colors. A very good nntared but extremely un certain crowd It wns. At. the head of each horse stood a man, but. at the pllitos' heads Bnptiste stood alone, try ing to hold down the off leader, thrown Into a frenzy of fear by the yelling of the crowd. Gradually all became quiet till, in the midst of absolute stillness, enmc the words, "Are you ready?" then tho pis tol shot, and the great raco began. Above the roar of the crowd came tho shrill cry of Bnptlsto as ho struck his broncho with the palm of his baud and swung himself into the sleigh beside Sandy ns it shot past. Like a Hash the bronchos sprang to the front two lengths before the other teams; but, terrified by tho yelling crowd, Instead of bending to the left bank, up which the rorid wound, they wheeled to the right and were almost across the river before Sandy could Bwing them back into the course. JJnptiste's cries, a curious mixture of French and English, continued to strike through nil other rounds till they gained tho top of tho slope, to hud the others almost n hundred yards in front, the citizens' tenm leading, with the miners' following close. The moment the pin (OS caught sight of the teams before them they set o!T nt a terrific pace and steadily devoured the inter vening space.. Nearer and nearer the turn came, the eight horses in front running straight and well within their speed. After them flow tho plntos. run ning savagely, with oars set back, lead ing well tho big roans, thundering along nnd gaining at every hound. And now the citizens' team had almost reached the fort, running hnrd nnd drawing away from the bays. But Nixon knew what he was about, nnd was simply steadying his team for the turn. Tho event proved his wisdom, for in the turn the lending team left the track, lost n moment oK two In tho deep snow, nnd-before they could re gain the road the buys had swept su perbly past, leaving their rlvnlu to fol low in the rear. On came the pint OS, swiftly Hearing the fort. Surely nt that pace they cannot make the turn. But Sandy knows Iiis loaders. They have their eyes upon the tennis In front nnd need no touch of rein. Without the slightest change in speed the nim ble footed bronchos round tho turn, hauling the big ronns h'ftor them, and fall in behind the citizens' team, which Is regaining steadily the ground lost In tho turr And now the struggle is for the bridge over the ravine. The bays In front, running with mouths wide open, nre evidently doing their best. Behind them and every moment noarhig them, but nt the limit of their speed, too, come the lighter nnd fleeter citizens' tenQ,i| while opposite their driver nre the plntos, pulling hard, enger and fresh. Their temper is too uncertain to send them to the front. They run well following, but when leading enn not be trusted, nnd, besides, a broncho hates a bridge, so Sandy holds them where they are, waiting nnd hoping for his chance after the bridge Is crossed. Foot by foot tho citizens' team creep up upon the flank of the bays, with the plntos In turn hugging them .qlosely, till It seems ns If tho three, if none slack ens, must strike tho,bridge together, nnd this will menu destruction to one nt least. This danger Sandy perceives, but he dnre not check his lenders. Sud denly within n few.yards of the bridge Bnptisto throws himself upon the lines, wrenches them out of Sandy's hands nnd, with a quick swing, fnces the pln tos down the steep side of the ravine, which Is nlmost sheer Ice with a thin coat of snow. It Is n daring course to take, for the ravine, though not deep, Is full of undergrowth and Is partially closed tip by n brush heap nt the far ther end. But, with n yell, Bnptlsto hurls his four horses down the slope nnd Into the undergrowth. "AJIous, mos enfnnts! Courage!' Vitc! Vlte!" cries their driver, nnd nobly do tho pln tos respond. Regardless of bushes nnd brush heaps, they tear their way through, but ns they emerge the high bob sleigh catches a root, and, with a crash, tho sleigh is hurled in the air. Bapllste's cries ring out high 11 ltd shrill ns ever, encouraging his team, nnd never ceaso till, with n plunge and a scramble, they clear tho brush heap lying nt the mouth of the ravine and arc out on tho lee on tho river,-with Bnplistc stnndiug on the front bob, the box trailing be hind nnd Sandy, ikiwhere to.be scon. Three hundred ynrds of the course re inn In. The buys, perfectly handled, have gnlned nt the bridge and In the descent to tho Ice nnd nre lending the citizens' team by half a dozen lengths. Behind both comes Bnptlsto. It Is now or never for the plntos. Tho rattle of the trailing box, together with the wild yelling of tho. crowd rushing down the bank, excites the bronchos to madness, and, taking the bits in their teeth, they do their first free run ning that day. I'nst the citizens' tenm Ufte n whirlwind they dnsh, clear the Intervening space, nnd gnin the flunks of the bnys. Can the buys hold them? Over them leans their diivor, plying for the first time the hissing Insh. Only fifty yards more. The miners bo ffjn to yell. But Bniitlste, waving his lines high In.quo lined, seizes hlstoquo with the other, whirls It about his hend nnd flings it w)th a fiercer yell than ever nt tho bronchos. I,lko the burst ing of a hurricane the plntos leap for wnrd nnd with n splpndld rush cross tho scratch, winners by their own length. Therb was a w ild quarter of nn hour. The shanty men ? bad torn off their eontn nnd, were wnvlng them wildly nnd tossing them high, while tho ranchers ndded td the uproar.by oiop1 tylng their revolvers Into tho air In n wny thnt made one nervous. WIipii , the crowd wns somewhat quieted, Sandy's atlff figure appeared, slowly making toward them. A dozen lumbermen ran to him, eagerly Inquir ing If he were hurt. jBut Sandy could onTy curse the little Frenchman for losing the race. "L. sH Why man, we've won ill shouted a voice! nt which Sandy's rage vanished, nnd ho allowed himself to be carried In upou tho shoulders of bjs admirers. "Where's the lad?" was his first ques tion. "The bronchos nre off with blm. He's down at the rapids llko enough." "Let me go!" shouted Saudy. setting off at a run in the track of the sleigh. He had not gone far before he met Bnptlsto coming bnck witli bis team foaming, the roans golug quietly, but the bronchos dancing and eager to be nt it again. "Votla! BtUly boy! Tank the bon Dieu, Sandy. You not keel, eh? Ah. you are one grand chevalier!" exclaim ed Bnptlsto, hauling Sliudy In nnd thrusting the lines Into his hands. And so they came hack, the slelghbox sliil dragging behind, tho plntos executing fantastic figures on their hind legs and Sandy holding them down. The little Frenchman struck a drnmntlc attitude and called out: "Yoila! What's the matter whs San dy, hob?" Tho roar that answered set the bron chos off again plunging nnd kicking, and only when Bnptlsto got thorn by the heads could they be Induced to stand long enough to allow Sandy to be proclaimed winner of the race. Sever al of the lumbermen sprang into the sleighbox 'with Sandy and Baptiste, among them Kecfe, followed by Nel son, and the first part of the great day was over. Slavln could not understand the new order of things. That a great event like the four horse race should not be followed by drinks all round was to him at once disgusting and In comprehensible, and, realizing his de feat for the moment, ho fell Into tho crowd and disappeared. But ho left be hind him his runners. He had not yet thrown up the game. Mr. C'raig meantime came to mo nnd, looking after Sandy In his sleigh, with Ida frantic crowd of yelling admirers, said in a gloomy voice: "Poor Sandy! ilo Is easily caught, and KOefo baa the devil's cunning." "He won't touch Slavln's whisky to day," I answered confidently. "There'll be twenty bottles waiting him In the stable," be replied bitterly, "and I can't go following him' up. He won't stand that. No man would. God help us all!" I could hardly recognize myself, for I found in my heart an earnest echo to that prayer as I watched him go to ward the crowd again. Ids face set in strong determination. He looked like tho captain of a forlorn hope, and I was proud to be following him. [to nie c?rmNUEP.j Jin Ancient Foe *De health and happiness is Scrofula? 03 ugly an ever sinco time immemorial. It causes bunches in the neck, dis figures tko skin, in Maines tho mucous membrane, wastes the muscles, WOftic? ens the bones, reduces tho power of rosistanco to disease and tho capacity for recovery, Mid develops into con sumption. "A bunch appear?^ on tho left eldo of my neck. It paused greats pnin, was lanced, and became a running sore. 1 wont into a Reneral decline. I was persuaded to try Hood's Knrsapnrilla, and when I had taken six bottles my neck was healed, and I have never had any tronblo of the kind since." Muh. K. T. Smydbb-, Trpy> Ohio. Hood's Sarsaparilla and Pills will rid. you of if/, radically and per nlancntly, as they have rid thousands. Thimble, THIMBLE! Who got The Thimble? Do you hold a Draft on us lor 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 you can get a beautiful picture. Visit our store and we will be pleased. Palmetto Drug Co. 'Look for sign with the Tree. AN IDEAL GIFT THAT OSTS LITTLE. It keeps time, pleases the eye and leans lighly on the pocket book. A Black-wood CLOCK that look like marble, strikes ihe hours on a musical gong-bell and the half hours on a tinkling cup bell; is tastefully decorated in gilt scrolls, and has a face that reflects the beauty and worth of the movement behind it. ONLY $4.00 REMEMHER. We have some $2.50 to $25.00 Call and see ihcm and get your choice before the line is broken. A Unique and Inexpensive Mantle Adornment. Fleming Bros. Jewelera and Opticians. AYetf etable Preparationfor As - Prnmoles Dificslion.Checrfuh Oplua.Morpluiie nor Mineral. SoX^AHCOTIC. Pimujcin Seed' JnUeSetd. * A perfect Remedy forConiUpn Hon, Sour Stomach,Diarrhoen Worms .Convulsions .Feverish ness and LQ890F SLEEP. Facsimile Signnlure of NEW YOHK. Bears A t t> itio'n th* ??1.U V5 1)()M V- ] )<- ! N 1 % Thirty "FAffaB Where Must 1 Buy My Tobacco for the Year 1903? At the CASH BARGAIN STORE J. L. HOPKINS Where You can get it from 29cts up to 55 cents per pound. J. L. HOPKINS, Proprie-tor LAURENS, S. C. A BIO - Crowd this Week. Laurens Awakened! The progressive step marks her pathway with steady move ment is fast coming to the front. Daring this week's festivities many special a'lr ictions will be displayed. W. G. Wik m dr Co. will offer during the week Special Lines in? Dress Goods. Blankets and Ladies' Jackets. Decided Bargains will easily be detected here by those who are thoroughly familiar with present market values. These cut prices are for this week only at? W. G. Wilson & Co. II. E. GRAY. J. C. SIIEALY. Gray & Skealy. A WORD ON SHINGLES ought to interest the tnnu Whosj roof has a holo in it. Also tho man vho has no oof, but intends to build one. Our Long Loaf uublod Piue Shin* %l6s are tho best offered in this city. Mado from n line grado wood and right in every particular. And those figures ought to provo that prices are right, too. Gtay S: Sfjealy. A NEW LAW FI KM. The undorslgned havo this day en tered into a partnership for tho practice of law in the Courts of thls'Stato, under the name of Simpson & Cooper and will promptly attend to all business en trusted to them. CASTOR IA Hie Kind You Have Always Bought IT. Y.Simpson, It. A. coopbb. For Infants and Children. Bears the dictator* of Ton Cents Cotton. We aro pro pared to take earo of A quantity o( cott m od. Btorago and ?d vanod money on s?mj. Now In i*?o timo to etoro your cotton for a proli' Don't soil tjo fast, or it wiM give out too quick. J. WadB Andiuhon, Om ? Pi'osl loit and Manager. Auctioneer, ?fters his services to the p^o pie of Laurens Oounty. Addrcjs : Gray Coukt, S. C