University of South Carolina Libraries
THE ADVERTISE Ii. Subscription Prlce--12 Mouths, $1.00 .Payable In Adranco. Bates Tor AdvcutisIngT^Ordinary Ad vertisements, per Bquaro, one inser tion, $1.00; eaon subsequent Insertion, 60 cents. Liberal rcduotlon made for large Advertisements. W. VV. Ball, Proprietor. LAU BENS, S. C, Mnr. 25, 11)03. Tho Society Column. The Columbia State and the Charles ton News and Courier now publish a great quantity of society news in thoir Sunday Issues, it adds much to the In terest of both papers, A curious thing >*??!* that the News and Courier publishes no nows about t harleston society. This is because tho Charleston peoplo dis like to see society news in print. The Charleston Post publishes a column or two about people occasionally, which adds to the value of the papar, though ^ it must bo said that Its society dopart ?? ment is not romarkably well con ducted. This may bo duo to the prevail ing objections of the peoplo rathor than ? to laok of ability on the part of the so oiety editor. Ono doas well to be ablo to havo a respectable excuse for a so olety column in Charleston. This objoctlon by Charlostonlans to the publishing of news about them selves Is an interesting phenomenon. It deserves to bo studied. Similar po * cullarltios ara observed In the orient. Tho Turkish and Persian women keep thoir faces covored, except as to tho eyos. The anti-publloity trait in Charles Ion is old. It does nit necessarily In dicate superior breeding. The court gazettes of Europe publish the engage ments, and announcements of impor tant social affairs. Indeed, it may bo that the "society column" had its ori gin in tho customs of tho highest cir cles. At any rate, in tho up country wo rather like the society column. It is a convenience. When a Liurons woman has a visitor from Spartanburg she is glad to have others know it quickly and the newspaper Is a good medium.? Hostoss and guest usually profit by it In pleasure. Our folks avail them selves of whatever seems to bo practi cal and good. Of course vulgarity, gaudy writing, flashy descriptions of parties, etc., do not find approval among our peoplo any more than 'among tho people of Charleston. But our people like to read of tho doings of each other, their comings and goings, and they see no sound reason why a newspaper of good taste may not tell of them. Of course they do not read newspapers capable of violating the rules of good taste. Our up-coun try people, tho people of tho Pied mont South, we boliove are superior in cultivation and in refinement to those of most sections of this country. Wo do not wish to make unpleasant compari sons but we think that tho communi ties of Spartanburg and Greenville will average higher in cultivation than the communities of Charleston and Savan- i nab. Both of those old coast towns ] havo many people, very many, who in good mannors arc equal to tho host in tho world. Nevertheless, tho average is higher in those younger and smaller Piedmont towns and one is more apt to find a safe guide in the public op'nion of the latter on social qucst'ons than In the former. In short there is such a thing as progress in good manners as well as in material a Hairs and ancient habits of action and thought are not always the best or purest. On the whole, an un prejudiced outsider would probably de cide that ideally good manners prevail in such towns as Spartanburg and Grconvillc, in proforenco to sny of the larger cities, Northern or Southern. Of course we are not objecting to tho objections of the Charleston people to personal newspaper mention. That would not be good manner j on our part. The individual is tho llnal judgo in those matters. "Do gustibus" etc. .But discussing tho question solely be cause it is interesting as a study in hu mon nature, wo believe tho Up-country opinion Is distinctly bettor than that of the soacoast cities. Therefore, The Now? and Courier confers a favor uiK>n its up-country friends by giving them a weokly medium of communicating about each other socially, even though tho Forbidden City remain forbidden. But it would bo tho ossence of 111 breeding to criticise tho Turkish gen tlemen and the Turkish ladles on ac count of social customs and ideas, which, though undoubtedly peculiar scorning to us, aro in no wise harmful or in tho loast distressing. V MERCHANTS NEWS. Just recoived a beautiful lino of ad justable Go-Car.s in different stylos with all tho latest improvements. Wo havo put prices on these that will make ?it to your interest to seo them before buying. S. M. A 1*1. H. Wllkos. , A good thing for a rainy day is ono of our new, neat umbrellas, guaranteed to withstand sun, rain and almost any thing excopt gotting lost, and the price is only $1.00. The Hub. All the the latest things in Suits, Hats, Gloves and Ilabordasbcry for the Men and Doyp, will bo found horo Not at tho highest price, not at tho lowest price, but the bost for the price. Davis, Boper & Co. Call and seo our lino of ChlfTonlors which wo can show you either with or Without mirrors at prices that are right. S. M. A K. H, Wllkos. See our Bargain Shoe Counter. $1.25 values for only 80c. Hosiery for boys' use that will stand abu80. Extra heavy rib and fast color. 25ct pr pair. Tho Hub. Why go through lifo footsore and weary when you can get ease and com fort by wearing our Shoes. Both for Ladles and Gentlowen. Prices right. Davis, Boper ?fc Co. Tho part of a shoo that p'nehes is generally the prioe. An lnspaotion of our stock will take away tho fear. Try us. The Hub. Ladies don't forgot bur millinery de partment. Miss I'M wan Is of New York and Baltimore will be in charge or this department and It is useless to say you will have tho pick of all the bes things in millinery. Davis, Boner & Co : ft ?i ft ft A ft ? ? ft A ft ft ft ft ft ft ft 8 ft ft ? ft ft ? 191 $ tft$< By RALPH CONNOR ROCK ft ft :ft :? ! ft S^^s^^s^^^ ! ? ? *S* *?> ? $ ? 4| ? 0 ? 0 $ <5> A $ 0 $ 0 ^ ? $ ??? 0 When Graeme mot mo lu tho city nt the end of tho minimer, he brought mo her love nml then burst forth: "Connor, do you know, I have Just discovered iny mother. I hnve never known her till this summer." "More fool you," I answered, for of ten hnd I, who hud never known a mother, envied him his. "Yes; that la true," ho answered shortly, "but you cannot seo until you have eyes." Before ho set out again for the west I Kavo him a supper, asking the men who hnd been with us in the old var sity days. I was doubtful as to tho wisdom of this nud was persuaded only by Graeme's eager assent to my proposal. "Certainly; let's have them," he said. "I shall be uwfully glad to see them. Great stuff they were." "But I don't know, Graeme. You seo ?well, hang it?you know?you'ro dif ferent, you know." lie looked nt me curiously. "I hope I can still stand a good sup per, and if tho boys cfln't stand me, why, I can't help it. I'll do anything but roar, and don't you begin to -work off your menagerie act. Now, you hear me!" "Well, it is rather hard lines that when I hnve been talking up my lion for a year and then finally secure him he will not roar." "Serves you right," ho replied quito heartlessly. "But I'll tell you whnt I'll do?I'll feed! Don't you "worry," ho added soothingly. "The supper .will go." And go it did. Tho supper was.of tho best, the wines first classT'I had asked Graeme nbout tho wines. "Do as you like, old man," was his answer. "It's your supper. But," ho added, "are the men all straight?" I ran them over in my mind. "Yes, I think so." "If not, don't you help them down, and anyway you cau't be too careful. But don't mind me. I am quit of the whole business from this out." So I ventured wines, for the last tiipe, as it happened. We were a quaint combination?old "Beetles," whose nickname was pro phetic of his future fame as a bugmnn, as the fellows Irreverently said; "Stum py" Smith, a demon bowler; "roily" Lindsay, slow as ever and ns sure as when ho held the halfback lino with Graeme and used to mnko my heart stand still nt his cool deliberation. But he was never known to fumble or funk, and somehow he always got us out safe enough. Then there were Bnttray? "Rat" for short?who, from a swell, hnd developed into a cynic with a sneer, awfully clever and a good enough fellow at heart; little "Wig" Martin, the sharpest quarter ever seen, and Barney Luudy, center scrimmage, whose terrific roar and rush hnd often struck terror to the enemy's heart nnd Who was Graeme's slave. Such was the party. As tho supper went on my fears be gan to vanish, for if Graemo did not roar he did the next best thing?ate nnd talked qidte up to his old form. Now wo played our matches over again, bit terly lamenting the "lfs" that had lost us tho championships nnd wildly ap proving the tackles that had saved nnd tho runs that had made tho varsity crowd go mad with delight nnd had won for us, and ns their names came up in talk wo learned how life had gone with thoso who hnd been our comrades of ten years ago. Somo suc cess had lifted to high places, somo failure hnd left upon the rocks, and a few lay in their graves. But as the evening wore on I began to wish that I had left out the wines, for the men began to drop an occasion al oath, though I had lot them know during the summer that Gmeme was not the man he hnd boon. But Graeme smoked nnd talked and heeded not till Hattray swore by that namo most sa cred of all ever borne by man. Thon Graeme opened upon him In a cool, slow way: "What on awful fool a man is to damn things as you do, Rat! Things are not damned. It is men who are, nnd that Is too bad to bo talked much nbout. But when n man flings out of his foul mouth the name of Jesus Christ"?here he lowered his voice? "it's a shame; it's more?it's a crime." There was dead silence. Then Rat tray replied: "I suppose you're right enough. It Is Lnd form. But crime Is rather strong, I think." "Not if you consider who it is," said felrnemc, with emphasis. "Oh, como now!" broko in Beetles. ''Religion Is all right It is a good thing and, I believe, a necessary thing for tho race. But no one takes serious ly any longer tho Christ myth." "What nbout your mother, Beetles?' put in Wig Martin. BectleB consigned him to the pit and was silent, for his father was nn Epis copal clergyman and bis mother a saintly woman. "I fooled with that for some time, Beetles, but it won't do. You can't build a religion that will take tho dev il out of a man on a myth. That won't do tho trick. I don't want to argue about it, but I nm quito convinced the myth theory Is not reasonable, and, be ? sides, it won't work." "Will tho other work?" asked Rat tray, with a sneer. "Sure," suld Orneme. "I've scon It." "Where?" challenged Rattray. "I haven't seen much of It." "Yes, you have, Rattroy; you know you have," said Wig again. But Rnttray Ignored him. "I'll tell you, boys," sold Groomc. "I want j'ou to knpw anyway why I bollovo whnt I do." Then ho told them tho story of old man Nelson, from the old const days, beforo I know him, to the end. Ho told tho story well. The stern fight nnd tho victory of tho lifo nnd tho self sacrifice and tho pathos of the death nppcalod to these men, who loved fight and could understand sacrifice. "That's why 1 bollovo in Jesus Christ, nnd that's why I think It a crlmo to fling his namo nbout." "I wish to heaven I could sny that," said Beetles. "Keep wishing hard enough, nnd It will como to you," said Graeme "Look here, old chap," said Rattray. "You're quito right nbout this. I'm willing to own up. Wig Is correct. I know a few at least of that stamp, but most of thoso who go In for that sort of thing are not much account." "For ten years, Rattray," said Graeme in a downright matter of fact way, i, "you and I havo tiled Ibis sort of tiling," tapping n bottle, "and wo got ont of it all there is to bo got, paid Well for It, too, und, faugh, you know lt*H not good enough, and tho inoro you go in for it the more you curse your self. So I have quit this, und I am going In for tho other." "What? Going In for preaching?" "Not much?railroading, money in It ?and lending n hand to fellows on tho rocks." "I say, don't you want n center for ward?" said big Barney in IiIb deep voice. "Every man must play his game iu his place, old chap. I'd llko to see yon tackle It, though, right well," said Graeme enrnestly. And so he did In the after years, and good tackllug It was. But that is an other story. "But, I say, Graeme," persisted Bee tles, "about this business?do you mean to say you go tho whole thing?Jonah, you know, and the rest of It?" Graeme hesitated, then Bald: "I haven't much of a creed, Beetles; don't really know how much I believe. But"?by this time ho was standing? "I do know that good Is good, and bad Is bad, and good and bad aro not the same, and I know n man's a fool to fol low the one and a wlso man to follow the other, and," lowering his voice, "I believe Clod *a at the back of a man who wants to get done with bad. I've tried all that folly," sweeping his hand over tho glasses and bottles, "and all that goes with it, and I've done with It." "I'll go you that fur," roared big Bar ney, following his old captain as of yore. "Good man," suld Graeme, ?trlking humls with him. "Put me down," said little Wig cheer fully. Then I took up tho word, for there rose before mo tho sceno In tho league saloon, und I sow tho beautiful faco with the deep, shining cyeB, nnd I was speaking for her again. I told them of Cralg nnd his fight for thcBO men's lives. I told them, too, of how I had been too indolent to begin. "But," I said, "I am going this far from tonight." Anil I swept the bottles into the cham pagne tub. "I say," said Polly Lindsay, coining up In his old style, slow, but sure, "let's nil go in, say, for live years." And so we did. Wo didn't sign any thing, but every man shook hands with Graeme. And as I told Cralg about this n year later, when he Avas on his way back from his old land trip to join Graeme in the mountains, ho threw up his head in tho old way and said: "it was well done. It must have been worth Boe ing. Old man Nelson's work Is not done yet. Tell rue again." And bo made me go over the wholo scene, with all the details put in. But when I told Mrs. Mnvor after two years had gone she only said, "Old things aro passed away; all things ore become new," but the light glowed In her eyes till I could not see their color. But all that, too, is another story. t'S^ CHAPTER XV. cominu to tiie1r own. MAN with a conscience is of ten provoking, sometimes Im possible. Persunslon la lost upon hin). He will not get angry, and he looks at one with such a faraway expression In his fucc that in striving to persuade him one feels earthly and even fiendish. At leuet this was my experience with Cralg. Ho spent a week with mo Just before he sailed for the old land for the pur pose, as he said, of getting Bonie of tho coal dust nnd other grime out of him. Ho made me angry tho last night of his stay and all the more that ho re mained quite sweetly unmoved. It was a strategic mistake of mine to toll him how Nelson came homo to us and how Graeme stood up before the var sity chaps at my supper nnd made hie confession and confused Itattray's easy stepping profanity nnd started his own five year league, for all this stirred in Oralg the hero, nnd he was ready for nil sorts of heroic nonsense, ns I called It. We talked of everything but the ono thing, and nbout that we snid not n word till, bending low to poke my fire and to hide my face, I plunged: "You will see her, of course?" Be made no pretense of not under standing, but answered: "Of course." "There's really no sense in her stay ing over there," I suggested. "And yet she Is n wise woman," he said, ns if carefully onsldcrlng the question. "Heaps of landlords never see their tenants, and they are none the worse." "Tho landlords?" "No, tho tenants." "Probably, having such landlords." "And, ns for tho old lady, there must be some one in the connection to whom It would be a godsend to care for her." "Now, Connor," ho snid quietly, "don't. Wo have gone over all thorn. Is to bo said. Nothing now hns come. Don't turn it all up ngnln." Then I played tho heathen and raged, as Graeme would havo said, till Cralg smiled a little wcnrlly nnd said: 'You oxhaust yourself, old chap. Havo a pipe?do." And nftor a pause ho added In his own way: "What would you have? The path lies straight from my feet. Should I quit It? I could not so dlsnppolnt yon?nnd all of them." And I knew ho was thinking of Graemo nnd tho lads In tho mountains ho had taught to bo true men. It did not holp my rngo, but it checked my speech, so I smoked In silence till he was moved to sny: "And after all, you know, old chap, I there aro great compensations for nil losses, but for tho loss of a good con science toward God what can make up?" But, nil the same, I hoped for some better result from his visit to Britain. It seemed to mo that something mailt turn up to change such nn unbearable situation. Tho year passed, however, nnd when I looked Into Crnlg's face ngaln I know that nothing bad been changed and thnt ho had 'como back to tako up again his lifo nlone, more resolutely hopeful than ever. But tho year hnd left its mark upon him too. He was a broader nnd deep er man. Hi had been living and think ing with uma of larger ideas and rich or culture,\nd he was tattoo quick In sympathy with life togemajn un touched by his surroundings. He was uiore tulcrant of opinions other thnn his own, but more unrelenting In his fidelity to conscience nnd inoro Impa tient of half henrtedness nnd self In dulgence. Ho wns full of reverence for the great scholars nnd the great lenders of men ho had como to know. "Great, noble fellows they aro and extraordinarily modest," he said?"that Is, the really grent nie modest. There are plenty of the other sort, neither great nor modest. And the books to be read! i am quito hopeless about my reading. It gave me a queer sensa tion to shake hands with a man who hnd written a great book. To hear hi in make eommonplnco remarks, to witness u faltering in knowledge?one expects these men to know everything and to experience respectful kindness nt his hands!" "What of the younger men?" I asked. "Bright, keen, generous fellows?In things theoretical omniscient, but in things practical quite helpless. They toss about great Ideas as tho miners lumps of coal. They can call them by their book names easily enough, but I often wonder whether they could put them into English. Some of them I coveted for tho mountains, men with clear bends and big hearts and built ufter Sandy Mc.Nuughlon's model. It does seem a sinful waste of God's good human stuff to see these fellows potter away their lives among theories, living and dead, and end up by producing a book. They are all either making or going to make a book. A good thing we haven't to rend them. But hero and there among them Is some quiet chap who will make a book that men will tumble over each other to read." Then we paused und looked at each other. "Well?" I said. He understood me. "Yes," he unswercd slowly, "doing great work. Every one worships her Just ns wo do, and she is making them all do something worth while, ns she used to make us." He spoke cheerfully und readily, as if he were repeating a lesson Avoll learn ed, but he could not humbug me. I folt the heartache in the cheerful tone. "Tell me nbout her," I said, for I knew that if ho would talk It would do him good, nnd talk he did, often forget ting me, till, ns I listened, I found my self looking ngnln into tho fathomless eyes and healing again tho heart searching voice. I saw her go In and out of the little red tiled cottages and down the narrow back lanes of the vil lage; I heard her voice In a sweet, low song by the bed of a dying child or pouring forth floods of music In the great new hall of the factory town near by, but I could not see, though ho tried to show me, tho stately, gra cious lady receiving the country folk In her home. He did not linger over that scene, but went back ugnln to the Kate cottage where she bud taken him one day to see Billy Breen's mother. "I found the old woman knew all nbout me," he said simply enough, "but there were ninny things about Billy she had never beard, and I was glad to put her right on some points, though Mrs. Mavor would not hear it." He sat silent for n little, looking Into the coals, then went on in a soft, quiet voice: "It brought back tho mountains and the old days to hear again Billy's tones In his mother's voice nnd to see her sitting there In the very dress she wore the night of tho league, you remember ?some soft stuff with black lace about It?and to hear her sing ns she did for Billy. Ah! Ah!" His voice unexpectedly broke, but In a moment ho was master of himself nnd begged me to forgive bis weak ness. I am afraid I snld words that should not bo said, n thing I never do except when suddenly und utterly up set. "I nm getting selfish nnd weak," be paid. ''I must get to work. I am glad to get to work. There Is much to do, and It Is worth while, If only to keep one from getting useless nnd lazy." "Useless and lazy!" I said to myself, thinking of my life beside his and try ing to get command of my voice, so as not to make quite a fool of myself, and for many u day those words goad ed me to work and to the exercise of some mild self denial. But, more than nil else, after Craig hnd gone back to the mountains Graeme's letters from the railway construction camp stirred one to do unpleasant duty long post poned nnd rendered uncomfortable my hours of most luxurious ease. Many of tho old gang were with him, both of lumbermen and miners, and Crnlg wns their minister, and tho letters told of how he labored by day and by night along the lino of construction, carry ing his tent nnd kit with him, preach ing straight sermons, watching by sick men, writing their letters nnd winning their hearts, making strong their lives and helping them to die well when their hour came. One day these letters proved too much for me, and I packed nwny my paints nnd brushes nnd mode my vow unto tho Lord that I would bo "useless and lazy" no longer, but would do something with myself. In consequence I found myself within three wcoks walking the London hospitals, finishing my course, that I might Join that band of men who were doing something with lifo or, if throwing it away, were not losing It for nothing. I had finished being n fool, I hoped, nt least a fool of the useless nnd luxurious kind. The letter that came from Graeme In reply to my request for a position on his staff was characteristic of tho man, both new and old, full of gayest humor and of most earnest welcomo to the work. Mrs. Mayor's reply was like herself: T knew you would not long bo content with tho making of pictures, whioh the world dors not really need, and would Join your friend* In tho dear west, making lives that tho world needs so sorely. But her last words touched me strangely: But bo sure to be thankful every day for your privilege. * * * It will be good to think of you all, with the glorious moun tains about you and Christ's own work In your hnndii. ? ? ? Ah, how we would like to choose our work und tho placo in which to do itl Tho longing did not appear in tho words, but I needed no words to tell me how deep and how constant it was, and 1 tnko somo credit to myself that In my reply I gave her no bidding to Join our baud, but rather praised the work she wns doing in her place, tell ing her how I hnd heard of it from Crnlg. Tho summer found mo religiously do ing Taris and Vienna, gaining a moro perfect ncqunlntanco with the extent and variety of my own ignorance, and so fully occupied in this Interesting and wholesome occupation that I fell out with oil my correspondents, with the result of weeks of sllcucc between us. Two letters among the heap waiting on my tablo In London made my heart beat quick, but with how different feel ings, one from Grncmo telling me that Cratg hnd been very ill and that he was to take him home ns soon as he could be moved. Mrs. Mavor's letter told me of tho death of the old lady, who hod been her- enro for tho past two years, nud\of her Intention to spend some month* In her old borne In Edli)btirghtnud ^V*1*? ?I to.t%?|.?f. counts for my presence In a miserable, dingy, dirty little ball running off a close In the historic Oowgnte, redolent ' of tho glories of tho splendid past und of the vnrlous odors of tho evil smell ing present. I was there to hear Mrs. Mavor slug to tho crowd of gamins that thronged the closes in the neigh borhood and that had been gathered into a club by "a Uno leddle frao tho west end" for tho love of Christ and his lost. This was an "at home" night, nnd tho mothers nnd fathers, sisters aud brothers, of all ages and sizes, were present. Of nil the sad faces I had ever seen those mothers carried tho saddest and most woe stricken. "II en von pity us!" I found myself Bay ing, "is this the beautiful, tho cul tured, the heaven exalted city of Edin burgh? Will it not for this be cast down into hell some day if it repent not of its closes and their dens of de filement? Oh, tho utter weariness, the dnzed hopelessness, of tho ghastly faces! Do not the kindly, gentle churchgolng folk of the crescents nnd the gardens seo them in their dreams, or are their dreams too heavenly for these ghostly faces to appear? I cannot recall the programme of the evening, but In my memory gnllery Is a vivid picture of thut face, sweot, sad. beautiful, nllght with the deep glow of her eyes, as she stood nnd sang to that dingy crowd. As I sat upon tho window ledge listening to tho voice with Its flowing song my thoughts were far away, and I was looking down once more upon the eager, coal grimed faces in the rudu little church in Black Rock. I was brought bnck to find my self swallowing hard by an audible whisper from n wco lassie to her moth er: "MIthorl Seo till yon man. lie's greetln'." When I came to myself, sho was ?Inging "The Land o* tho Leal," the Scotch "Jerusalem, tho Golden," Im mortal, perfect. It needed experience of tho hunger haunted Cowgato closes, chill with tho black mist of an eastern haar, to feel tho full bliss of tho vision Of tho words: "There's nao sorrow there, Jean; There's neither cauld nor care, Jean; Tho day Is ayo fair In Tho i .a ml o' the Leal." A land of fair, warm days, untouched by sorrow nnd care, would he heaven Indeed to the dwellers of the Cowgato. The ro?t of that evening is hazy enough to mo now till I find myself opposite Mrs. Mavor at her tire, read ing Graeme's letter. Then nil Is vivid again. I could not keep the truth from her. I know *t would bo folly to try. So I rend . ;ht on till I came to the .words: e has had mountain fever, .whatever that may be, and he will not pull up again. If I can; I Bhnll take him home to my mother," when Bho suddenly stretched out her hand, say ing, "Oh, let mo read!" und I gave her the letter. In a mluuto sho had rend It and began almost breathlessly: "Listen. My life is much changed. My mother-ln-lnw is gone. She needs mo no longer. My solicitor tells me, too, that, owing to unfortunate invest ments, there is need of money, so great need that it is possible that ei ther the estates or tho works must go. My cousin has his all In the works iron Avorks, you know. It would bo wrong to have him sutTer. I shall give up tho estntcn. That is best" She paused. "And come with mel" I cried. "When do you sail?" "Next week," I answered eagerly. Sho looked at me a few moments, nnd Into her eyes there cniue a light soft and tender as she said: "I shall go with you." And bo she did, nnd no old Roman in all the glory of n triumph carried a prouder heart than I ns I bore her and her little one from the train to Graeme's carriage, crying: "I've got her!" But his was the better sense, for he stood waving his hat and shouting, "lie's all right!" at which Mrs. Mavor grew white, but when she shook hands With him the red was In her cheek again. "It was the cable did it," went on Graeme. "Connor's a great doctor. Ills first case will make him famous. Good prescription?after mountain fe ver try a cablegram!" And tho red grew deeper in the beau tiful face beside us. Never did the country look so love ly. The woods were In their gayest nutumn dress; the brown fields were bathed In a purplo haze; the nir was sweet nnd fresh with a suspicion of tho coming frosts of winter. But in spite of nil the road seemed long, nnd it was as If hours had gone before our eyes fell upon the white mnnse stand ing among the golden leaves. "Let them go!" I cried ns Graemo paused to take In the view, nnd down the sloping dusty road we flew on tho dead run. "Reminds ono n llttlo of Abe's carves," said Graeme as wo drew up nt the gate, but I answered htm not, for I was introducing to ench other the best two women In the world. As I was about to rush Into tho house Graeme seized me by tho collar, say ing: "Hold on, Conner! You forget your place. You're next." "Why, certainly!" I cried, thankfully enough. "What an ass I am!" "Quite true," said Graeme solemnly. "Whore Is he?" I asked. "At this present moment?" he asked in a shocked voice. "Why, Connor, you surprise mo!" "Oh, I see!" "Yes," ho went on gravely; "you may trust my mother to be discreetly at tending to her domestic duties! She is a grcnt woman, my mother." I had no doubt of It, for nt that mo ment she enmo out to us with llttlo Marjorlo in her nrms. "You havo shown Mrs. Mavor to her room, mother, I hope," said Graeme, but she only smiled and said: "Hun away with your horses, you Bil ly boy!" nt Which he solemnly shook his head. "Ah, mother, you are deep. Who would have thought It of you?" That evening the manse overflowed with Joy, and tho days that followed were like dreams set to sweet music. But for sheer wild delight nothing In my memory can quite come up to the demonstration organized by Graeme, with assistance from Nixon, Shaw, Sandy, Abo. Geordlo nnd Hnptlstc, In honor of the arrival In cninp of Mr. and Mrs. Cralg. and in my opinion It added Bomething to the occasion thnt after all the cheers for Mr. nnd Mrs. Crnlg had died away and nftcr nil the hntB hnfl come down Itnptlste, who had never taken his eyes from that rndlnnt face, should Btiddonly have swept the crowd Into n perfect storm of cheers by ex citedly seizing his toipie nnd calling out in his shrill voice: "By gar! Tree cheer for Mrs. Mavor!" And for many a day the men of Black Rock would easily fall into the old and well loved name, but up nnd down the line of construction, In n$thc camps beyond the Great Divide, the new name became ns dear as.the old had ever been In Black Hock. Those old wild days arc long since I gone Into the dim distance of the past I They will not come agUn^ for we have 1 Ask Your Doctor He will tell you? That barley - malt is a half-digested food,as good as food can be. That hops are an ex cellent tonic. That the little alcohol in beer?only '6% per cent? is an aid to digestion. But Purity is Essential But he will tell you that beer must be protected from germs, and brewed] in absolute cleanliness. He'll say, too, that agei is important, for age brings' perfect f e r m e n t a t i o n. Without it, beer ferments on the stomach, causing biliousness. Schlitz beer is brewed with nil precautions. It is the recog nized standard all the worl over, because of its purity. Ask/or th e Brewery Bottling. For sale at all dispensaries in the State, in quart aud pint bottles. the beer that made milwaukee famous fallen Into quiet times. But often in my .-mietest hours I felt my heart pause in its heat to hear ngnln that strong, clear voice, like the sound of a trumpet, bidding us to he men, ami 1 think of them all?Graeme, their chief; Bandy, Bnptlstc, Gcordic, Ahe. the Campbells, Nixon. Shaw, nil Btrongor, hotter, for their knowing of him, and then I think of Billy iisleop under the pines and of old man Nelson with the long grass waving over him in the quiet churchyard, and all my nous; use leaves me. and [-bless the Lord for all his hcncllts, but chletly for the day 1 met the missionary of Black Hock in the lumber camp among the Selkirk -. tiir Rxn. Manny Thonulit, Photographer?Now, 1 want you to look as if you were not having your picture taken. CustOiqer -Then you'd better glvo me nek the deposit I made In advance.? Life. MONEY TO LOAN On Improved farms. Long time. Easy payments. Small cost. No com mission. Apply to C. D. BaRKSDALE, Att Juno 21th, 1902?3m. baurens , s. 0 BLACKDRAU THE ORIGINAK ?????v??Bc8rv'?so~ A sallow complexion, dizziness, biliousness and a coated tongUO are common indications of liver and kidney disoar.es. Stomach and bowel troubles, severe asthoy give immediate warning I y pain, but liver anil kidney troubles, though less painful at tho start, nro much harder to cure. Thcdford 8 Black-Draught never fails to bene fit diseased fiver and weakened kid ne. s. It stirs up the torpid liver to throw ofF the germs of rover and ague. It. is a certain preventive pf cholera and Brjght's dis< nso o? the kidneys. Wim kidneys re inforced by Thcdford's Black? Draught thousands of persons huvt dwelt iinmuno in the midst of yel low fever. Many families live Sorfect health and have no other oe.tor than Thedford's Black Draught. It is always on hand for use in an emergency and saves many expensive calls of a doctor. Mulllns, S. C, March 10, 1901. I have used Thedford's Black-Draught for three years and 1 have not had to go to a doctor since I have I f n taking It It is the best medicine fcr me that is on the market for liver and kidney troubles and dyspepsia and other complaint*. Kev. A. 0. LEWIS. TUB KYLE hay Press Farmers tako earo of what you make. There is as much in saving as there is in making, and if you bale your buy, fodder, oats, shucks etc., at the proper tlrao you not only euvo room and timo, but you tavo 33 per cent of the nutri olou8 matter that evaporates when it is not baled. The. Kyle Hay Tress fills a long felt want with farmers. It is tho best yet made. Tho opinion sec in a lo be unanimous that tho K Y l ,E HAY PRESS is unexcelled by-uoy press on tho market. -It Is going to the front, already a grtrkt number of them have boon sold, you duly need lo try It to be phased. It is cosy oper ated by 2 men and 1 horno. ItHipheap, durable, simple In construction, und easily mounted. It Is tho only press that can bo made or repaired on Rho farm, it has no casting to break uml cause long delay. No other press ha\ this advantage It is tho only preesV that tho farmer can afford to buy, it pays for Itsoif out of the first crop. Every farmer can own hU own press, and bale his hay at tho proper t ime. A. L IIUDGENS, Laurens, S. C. Loans on Kcal Estate- j For a series of years at 8 nor cent; straight Interest; negotiated, lluais, what land is assessed for taxation.? Cell on? FKROIT80N A FEAT!! ERfVTONE. Spring Opening! J? We beg -to announce our Opening Display of Fashionable niiiinery for Thursday April 2nd, 1903. We will also show a handsome line or Dress Goods and Trimmings, Embroideries, Laces, White Goods and all "the Novelties of the Season, We cordially invite every lady in the city and county to be present. Dial Corner. Respectfully, TH1B HUB. ? Tho Kind You Have Always Bought, and. which T-n been, in u:<o for over 30 years, has borno tho signutn of ^/? __tii<iM_, and lias boon made und /y>*^cj^^t^Z^" soiialsupervision since ; ' y? yftOi y Yt /?GbccAwi Allow no one to deceit an ??? ? > All Counterfeits, Imitations and "?Just-as-g< i are Experiments that trifle with and endanger the h< altli o? Infante and Children?Experience against Experiment? Castorfa is a harmless substitute i'-jt* Castor Oil Pare pcric, Drops and Soothing Syrups. It is Pica contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Ni substance, its age is its guarantee. It destroys and allays Feverishness. Jt eures Diarrho an? Win Colic, it relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation and Flatulency. It assimilates tho Food, regulates Stomach and Bowels, giving healthy ami natur; Tho Children's Panacea?Tho Mother's Friend. ALWAYS Bears the Signature of ?jb BoiigW In Use For Over 30 Years. mi CCNTA'JR COMPANY. TT MunnAY BTHCET, N C W YOf.K ClTV. \mmaaBBmi New Spring; Styles From the dark sombre shades of Winter colorings the eye is refreshed again by the bright tints for Spring wear. All=wool Albatross in delicate Shades" fo Waistings; Sickoline Zephyr, this is a mer= cerized finished fabric of rare brilliancy for inr expensive goods, market value 20 cts., yours at 15 cents; We open another weave which resembles a wool Albatross, the price only 10 cents per yard. Many other new and exclusive designs in wash Goods. We show a specialty in a yard-widcBlac k Taffeta Silk?every fibre fine silk?see it and hear the price*. Small White Checked D unities are scarce hut we offer a 15 cents grade at l 2.1 cents. There are Miscellaneous quotations. Every De partment has something in it for you. Another Article and we will give you a rest, we have reference to several numbers in nice Sheer White Linon: We placed our order last year for these goods shipped March ist, 1903, since then the price has steadily advanced. We will oiler it at the same old price and when sold no such value can be secured again this sea son. Inspection and comparison solicited. Respectfully , W. ?. WILSON & CO.