Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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^IIEN Polly understood (lint To by was actually gone it seem ed to her tliiit site could never hi Ugh again, She had been too young to realize the Inevilitbleness of death when it came lo her mother, and now she could scarcely believe that Toby would never, never come back to her. She f..|( that she must DO aide to drag him back; that she could not go on without hltn. She wanted to tell him how grateful she Was for nil his care of her. She thought of the thousand little things that she might have done for him. She longed to recall every Impatient word to hltn. His gentle, reproachful eyes were always haunting her. "You must com?, back, Toby!" she cried. "You must!" It was only when body and mind had worn themselves out with yearning that a numbness nt last crept over her, und out of this grew n gradual con sciousness of things about her and a returning sense of her obligation to others. Site tried to answer in her old, smiling way and to keep her mind upon what they were saying instead of letting It wander away to the past, Douglas mid Mnndy were overjoyed to see the color creeping back to her cheeks. She joined the pastor ngtiln in his visits to the poor, Th?' women of the town would often see them passing ami would either whisper to ?'ach other, shrug their shoulders or lift 1 their eyebrows with smiling Insinua tions, but Polly ui)d the pastor were (oo much absorbed in each other to take much notice of what was going on about them, . JPney had n??'t gore for their walk today because Mnndy had needed Polly to help make ready fi r the social lo be held In the Sunday s hool room to-1 night* >'linrly In the afternoon Polly had , seen Houghs shut himself up in I be study, ami she was sun- that he was writing, so when the village children stopped In on the way from school for Mnudy's new made cookies she used tier <? .. >mnr,V trick to get them away. "Tag y< if re It I" she cried and then | dashed out the back doer, pursued by the laughing, si reaming youngsters. Mnndy followed the children to the perch and stood looking after them as I the mad little band scurried about the ! hack yard, darted in and out, among , the trees, then tip the side of the wood- , cd hill, just beyond the church. The h aves niu e nu re were red and yellow on tlie trees, but today the air was warin mid the children were wear ing their summer dresses. Polly's lithe | girlish figure looked almost tall by comparison with the children about ' her. She were a plain, simple gown of white, whi.-ii Mnndy h*id helped her i" make. It hild been etil ankle length, for POlly W;is HOW seventeen. I lor quaint, Old fashioned manner, h-r seri ous eyes and her trick of knotting her 1 hCnVj brown hair low on her neck made her seem older. Mnndy waited Ulltll the children had disappeared ever (be hill, then began bustling about, looking for the stop ladder Which Hasty had left under the vines of the porch. It had 1.n a busy day at the parsonage. A social always meant perturbation for Mainly. She called sharply to Hasty as he enme j down the path which made a short cut to the village. "So's youse back, Is y.i'V she asked sarcnsi lenity. "Sure I'S bade." answered Hasty good nnturedly ns he sank upon nn I empty bojt that had held pome tilings for the social nnd pretended to wipe the perspiration from his forehead. "Massa John done send yo' to de postoliloe two hours ago," said Mnndy as she took the letters and papers from his hand. "Plvo minute-! {?< plenty <?b time for any nigger to d.> (hit job." "I done been detained." Hasty drnwled. "Youse always 'tattled when dor's any work a-golu* on," Mnndy snapped at him. "Whnr's Miss Potty?" Hasty asked, ignoring Mond.v'S reference to work. "Nebber ,Vo' mine) 'bout Miss Tolly. She don't want J'0'? JOS' yo' done fetch that stepiadder Into do Sunday school room." "Put I wants- her." Hasty Insisted. Ts been on very 'tlCUllir business What she ought lo know- 'bout." "Business':" she repeated. "What kind ob business:" "I got '.<> fix de Sunday school room." said Hasty as he perceived her grow ing curiosity. "You come benh. nigger:" Mnndy called, determined that none of the village doings should escape her. "Out wld It!" "Well. It'? 'bOUt ?(' ClrCUS," Hasty answered, seating himself again on the box. "Dey'.s sbOWllf In YVnketlold to night, an' next month day's eoniln' here. ' "I>nt same circus what Miss Polly used to be wld?" Mnndy's eyes grew large with curiosity. "DO very (tame," nnd Hasty nodded mysteriously. "How yo' know dflt?" Mnndy was Uncertain whether tO believe him. ?"Cause da's a big red wagon down 'town wld de name ob de show painted on it. It's de iidverth in' one what goes ahead will nil de pictures what (Joy pastes up." "An' jo' been bangiu' rouu' dnt wagon V" "I done thought Miss P?lly might want to know." "See hero, la/.y nigger, don' yo' g<> ptlttiu' n<> elreua notions into Miss Tol ly's head. She don* enre no more 'bout dem flags Mince her Uncle Toby (Jone die. She (lone been satisfied right nliar she am. Jes' yo' let her be." "I nln't done nothln'," Hasty pro tested. "Nebber do do nothln'." growled Man fly. "Go 'long now an' get a-work. "Tu;/; MOUVi it.'" Polly cried. Mos' 4 o'clock an' dat Sunday school room ain't ready yet." Hasty picked up tlie empty box and the Htepladder and went out through the gale. lie bad barely disappeared WheU a peal of laughter was heard from the hillside, and before Mandy could get out of the way the young liters came tumbling down the path again. "Lawny, lawsy!" she gasped as Polly circled around bet, dodging the chil dren. "Youse cheeks is red as plnles, honey." "Tag; you're It I" Polly cried as she touched the widow's auburn hatred off spring on the sleeve. There was much wailing when Willie passed the tag to little Jennie, the smallest gin In the crow d. "I won't play no more," she subbed, " 'cause I's always It." Tu comfort her ['oily began tu sing an old circus sung that the children bad learned to love, and the little ones huddled nbortt her in a circle tu bear of the wonderful "Van Arnberg" who used to "walk riL'h! Into the lion's cage and put bis bead in the Pun's mouth." The children were In a state of nerves that did credit to Polly as an enter tallier when Hasty broke In upon the sonir. "When yo" get n minute I want tor tell yo' some! bin'." "I have one right now." And. turn ing to the eager mites nt her side. Pol ly told them to run along Into the grove ami that she'd come pretty soon to teach them n new game. The youngsters wont screaming and laughing on their way. and she breath ed a sigh of relief as she threw herself down on the rustle seat that encircled the elm tree. "What is It. Hasty?" she asked, stis pectlng that be was In trouble with Mandy. "It s 'bout do circus," Hasty Inform ell her bluntly. "The Clt'CUS?" She rose arid crossed to him quickly. "It's In Wahelie'.d?an' no\" month It's a cumin" here." "Here?" Polly gasped. "i thought yo'd want tor know," said Hasty, a little surprised at her lack of enthusiasm. "Yes, of Course." She turned away and pretended to look at the flowers, "Don* youso tell Mandy 1 boon tnlkln' 'bout dat circus." said Hasty uneasily. He was beginning to fear that ho had made a mistake, but before Polly could answer Mandy came out of the bouse, carrying baskets of food, which Ilas , ty was to take to the Sunday school ; room. She looked at the girl's trou bled face and drooping Rhouldera in surprise. "What make yo* look so serious, honey?'' "Just thinking." said Polly absently. "My! Don' yo' look fine In your now dross:" She was anxious to draw the girl out of her reverie. "Do you like It?" Polly asked ea gerly, forgetting her depression of a moment before. "I>o yen think Mr. John will like It?" "Massa John? Mercy me! lie neb ber takes no notice ob dem fing?. I done gut a bran', spankln' new nlla i paca one time, an' do you think be I Cbbor seed It? I.awsy, no! We might I Jes' well be goln' roun' like Mudder JBve for all dat man know." Polly i looked disappointed. "Rut udder folks I fcoes." Mandy continued comfortingly, ) "an* yo' certainly look mighty fine. I _ Why, vousc jiisl "as ?60(1 nowT"as yo' was nfnre yo* got burted!" "Yes, I'm well now and able (<> work again." There was no enthusiasm In [ her tone, for Hasty'S news had made her realize how unwelcome the old life would he to her. "WorkI Yo' does work nil de time. My stars, de help yo' Is to Mnssa John!" "Do you think so? Do 1 help him? Do I?" "Of course yo' does. Yo' tells him t'lngs to do In Sunday school what the Chlllun like, nn' yo' loams him to laugh an' 'Joy himself an' n lot <>f t'lngs what nobody else could a-leamed Mm." "You mustn't say 'learned him,'" Polly corrected. "You must say 'taught him.' You can't 'learn- anybody any thing. You can only 'teach' them." "I.ordy Bakes! I didn't know dat." She rolled her large eyes at her young Instructress and saw that Polly looked very serious. "She's gwltie tor have anudder one a dem Mlclnr spells." thought Mamly, and she made ready to protest. "See here, ain't you Debitor"? She was Interrupted by a quick "Have you never" from Polly. "It done make no difference what yo* Stty," Mandy snapped, "so long as folks understands yo'." She always grew restive under these ordeals, hut Polly's firm controlled manner gener ally conquered. "Oh, yes, It does." answered Polly. "I used to think It didn't, but It does. You have to say things In n certain way or folks look down on you." "1*8 satisfied de way I be." declared Mandy ns she plumped herself down on the garden bench and began to fidget with resentment. "The way I am," Polly persisted sweetly. "See here, chile. Is dat why yo' been a-settln' up nights an' keepin' de light burnln'?" "You mustn't say 'settln' up.' You must say 'sitting up.' Hens set"? "So do i," Interrupted Mandy. "i's doln' It now." l-'of a time she pre served nn Injured silence, then turned . Upon Polly vehemently. "If 1 had to think oh all dat 'ere foolishness eher- I lime I open my mouth. I'd dono been tongue tied afore I was born." "I could teach you in no lime," vol unteered Polly eagerly. "I don't want P>r be to bed." pro tested Mandy doggedly. "Hasty Jones says l's too smart anyhow. Men don't like women kuowln' too much; It skeers 'em. l's good enough for my old man, nn' l ain't n-tryln' tor get nobody else's." Mandy wound up flatly. "Hut he'd like you all the better." persisted Polly, laughing. "1 dou't want to be liked no better by no nigger." snapped Mandy. VPs * busy woman, I Is." She made for the house; then curiosity couquered , her. nod she came bio k to Polly's side.1 "See here, honey, whoso been I'arnln' yo' nil dem nonsense?" "I learn from Mr. Douglas. I remem ber all the things he tells mo. and at night I write them down and say them over. Do yoU see this. Mandy ?" She tool; a small red book from her bei; and put it Into Mandy's black, chubby fists. "1 spo some writ In', !f dtt's what yo' mean." Mandy answered helpless-1 I.V. "These are my don'ts," Polly confided as she pointed enthusiastically to worn pages of finely written notes. "Youse what, chile?" "The things 1 mustn't do or say." "An" youse been losin' yonh beauty sleep for dem t'lngs?" Mnndy looked incredulous "I don't want Mr. .lohn to feel ashamed of me," she said, with grow ing pride. "Well, yo'd catch Mandy o-sottln' up for"? "Oil, oh! What did I tell you. Man dy v" Poiiy pointed reproachfully to the reminder in Hie little red book. It was a fortunate thing that Willie In terrupted the lesson at this point, for Mandy's temper was becoming very uncertain. The children had grown weary waiting for Polly, and Willie had been sent to fetch her. Polly offered to help Mnndy with the d<>oonitions. but Willie won the day. and she was running away hand In hand with him When Douglas came out of the house. "Walt n minute!" he called. "My, how fine you look!" He turned Polly about und surveyed the new gown ad miringly. "lie did see It! He did see it:" cried Polly gleefully. "<if course I did. I always notice everything. don't I. Mandy':" ? Yo' suah am Improvln' since Miss Polly come." Mnndy grunted. "Come, Willie!" called the girl and ran out laughing through the trees. "What's this':" Douglas took the small book from Mandy's awkward fingers and began to read "Hens set"? lie frowned. "Oh, dem's Jos' Miss Polly's 'don'ts,' " Interrupted Mandy disgustedly. "Ilor 'don'ts?'" "She done been sot sit sot tin' up nights try In' tor learn what yo' done tolo her," stuttered Mandy. "Dear little Polly." he murmured, then closed the book and put It Into his pocket* To he continued. Don't fiet a DDorec. A Western Judge granted a divorce on account of Ill-temper and had breath. Dr. King's New Life Pills would have prevented It. They cure ((instillation, causing had breath and liver trouble the ill temper, dispel colds, banish headaches, conquer chills. 26c at the Laurens Drug Co. and the Palmetto Drug Co. Yon will find here the largest .and best line of every thing you may want in Pino. Grey. Agate and Tin ware, consisting of the best quality of ware , at money saving prices. S. M. & E. II. VVSlkes & Co. rwm??m ?UHU . u rtvunrxzs t?iw Have you bought all I the FRUIT | JARS you will need for thisseason? o A? If not be sure to see our line of mason's FRUIT $ JARS that are made of the best quality of glass, ^ $ in half gallons, quarts and pint sizes, with por celain lined Tops and the best quality of Rubbers. On account of buying jars early in the season and in car load quantities we have them at prices that will be money saved for you If you will see our line before you S buy. Keep us in mind for the best line of Co-('arts, made of tlie betst quality of material with bodies of different designs, with upholstery, umbrellas and running gears in different colors. At prices that will be money saved by you. s. M. & B. H. Wilkes & Co. DIt. CLIFTON JONES Dentist Office in Simmons lSuilding Phone: Office No. 86; Residence 219. What about protecting your property against loss by fire. We have as good as the best in the way of Insurance. Laurens Fire In surance Agency C. W. McCRAVY, Mgr. CH1GHESTER SPILLS DIAMOND GO' BRAND LADIES I Ast Tour UruftffUt for CIII-CTIKR-TKR'fi A DIAMOND HKAND PILLS In ki n nii?l/A> Gold metallic l>oxe-i, scaled with BlucvK/) Rihl>r>a TAKR NO OTIinn. nu; oFyoar Y/ i>riiK*l?l anil o->U f..r Oil I-I'H KS.TI UM V DIAMOND R It A Nil rii.i.s, for twenly-flva years regarded ns Bent,Safest, Aiwny* Kelitthle. SOLD BY ALL DRUGGISTS EVERYWHERE JBBg JT I We Thank You | 9 Saturday night closed the biggest and best \ ^| sale ever conducted by us, and we take this method |l I of thanking the people who gave their patronage 2j I so liberally toward thesuccess of it. The big signs \ || were pulled down Saturday night and it is with |i g regret that we bid good bye to the last thirty days S of merchandising. | We will continue this sale for a few days | longer to clean up all Odd Lots and Short Ends ? **that have accumulated during the selling. The J jj| prices will be real interesting. | & Come in and pick up some of these j| Great Bargains. j?-= { K J. E. Minter & Brother | iL