Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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"Chrlstnui8 comoH but onco a year and whon it gooa I'm glad of It!" mis quoted Mr. Anthony Riggs, looking sourly at the too of bis slipper. As Anthony Riggs lived ?11 alone In the big bouse, (here was no one to reply to bis unpleasant remarks. Downstairs In the kitchen his one servant clnttered noisily about her work. Everywhere else In the house It was very quiet. And there Is no silence like that of a great house which has once known the joyful clamor of a largo and happy family. Years ago Anthony had had a love affair, hut It ended most unhappily. The girl had married another man und Anthony lllggs had been left to develop Into a morose old bachelor and not so very old at that. "Christmas comes but once a year and I'll try to get as far away from it as I can," misquoted Mr. Itlgns once more, as he kicked off his slip Tiers and reached for Ills shoes. When he was buttoned tightly Into his fur lined ulster and his sealskin cap was rallied down over his ears there was nothing to Ii.1 seen save a pair of very bright brown eyes and an aris tocratic nose Once in the snowy streets Anthony Rtpgn found himself nearer to Christ mas than he had been before. The shops were overflowing with holly wreaths and branches of mistletoe, toys and games and candy and nuts. Beautiful gifts were displayed In the windows and many happy, expectant faces were pressed against the plate glass panes. "Please, sir," said a small voice at Anthony's elbow, "can't you give mo a job carrying your bundles?" "What bundles?" frowned Anthony. "Your Christmas presents?what you're going to buy, sir," said the little boy, reapectfully. "I'm not going to buy any pres ents," replied Anthony quite fiercely. "Here'* something for you?go and buy your own gifts and don't bother me!" He thrust a dollar bill Into the eager little fingers and strode on, un mindful of the curious glances, of those who had overheard his conversa tion with tbe little lad. A glittering window full of jewels threw a flashlight on his memory. It was In that same shop he bad once purchased a ring for Mary Wood. The ring had been returned to him and he had flung It Into the farthest cor ner of his desk. It was there now. He turned away and sauntered on. In front of his own church,. friendly hands drew him Into the brightly lighted basement of the edifice where the annual Christmas bazaar was in progress. 'i here was a merry throng of men, 1 women an I chlldron moving to and fro among the booths devoted to the sale of fancy articles, toys and candy Supper tables occupied one end of the room and In in obscure corner a for tune teller's tent was made of gay shawls. In tho middle of the room stood a gigantic Christmas tree, load ed with gifts Wrapped in tissue pa per. "Ten cents will entitle you to a gift fiom the tree," explained his guide. . "I don't like presents," said An thony grimly. Deacon Rmlthors smiled quizzically. "Very well, suit yourself, Anthony! There is tho fortune teller perhaps she will predict a happy future for you! There Is the supper table, that will insure you a good nn al and the booths pay your monoy and take your cholco!" Ho moved away and H ft Anthony RlggS standing pale and cold In the midst of the happy crowd. Perhaps It was because ho did not know what else to do that Anthony awaited his turn at the fortune tell er's lent, and once within Its dim re cesses he felt foolishly aware that , fhe future held nothing for him that Jtt did not know. The gipsy's dark head was con cealed In the folds of a hu e mantilla; from the flowing sleeves of her rod velvet bodice, two slim brown arms and hands flashed out and caught his largo hand. The lace-draped head bent over his palm. "You have had much sorrow," said the glpay In a low musical voice, "but much of It has been your own ma iking! Do the things I shall tell you and you will live to be very happy and see your dearest wish gratified!" Anthony smiled sardonically. "And the three things l sball do?" he tasked. "The day after tomorrow Is Christ mas day. Tomorrow night you mint .make three persons happy. Find three fpersona who are poor and needy and ?sorrowful and take them to your home tand provide them with a bountiful .dinner; hare gifts for them and when rtfcey have gone away bleeelng you then, you may receive a gift your ?elf" "What will it be? I don't want a mfltl I haven't kept Christina* for years," protected Anthony, a? he rlaced some moaey om the table. ?Three you did, that*! Don't forget? or you will lose your last chance or being happy. And stay?" A ?Ilm hand arrested h!s going. "Yen?" Anthony's voice was very cold. "Be sure to have that ring In read I ness you may uoe? H!" And the nexl Instant Anthony found himsell elbowed out of the tent by impatient waiters at the door, and without another glance about the dec orated room he left the church and wenl home, much perturbed. Of course, Anthony Uiggs know that the fortune teller rould he none Other than some member of his, church who was familiar with more ; or less ol the detail of ids life and , liablts, He was surprised at his own lack of Indignation because his pri vate affairs had been discussed l> ? a Stranger indeed, ho almost fell a glow of gratification that he was ftill numbered among those lo whom son,eiIdng wonderful might happen "I'll try It, anyway," said Anthony that night as lie blew out bis candle "It can do no harm " It is a simple matter to make poor people happy. Anthony Kings found It so. The day before Christmas was marked by a series ol" galvanic shocks lor the servant maid In the basement of Anthony's fine houso. Before night the pantries were tilled with delicious viands and the smell of spices and mincemeat pervaded the house. Anthony's three persons became six, for It was so easy lo add another one and still unother to the little company he had Invited. They were old men and women and they enjoyed thofeast of good things with a pleas ure that made Anthony's heart ache as It had never ache 1 since the day when Mary Wood had sent back his ring. At last he sent them home in car riages laden with the remains of the dinner and with many gifts that I would add comfort to declining years. I The best gift ot all was : hat Anthony | Klggs lud prom!30(1 not to forget (hem?he would he their benefactor till they had passed into the hands of the great benefactor. When he was ahme In the brightly lighted parlor, with the blaze ol the' chandelier falling on the silver threads ; in his black hair, Anthony thought . "And You?You Meant What You Promised??That Happiness Would Coma to Me?" of the hUter years he had wasted - years in which he might have made many persons happy. The re ward of good deeds was warm lu his heart tills night and lie forgot that I hero was nut ut:o to offer him a gift with loving Words. He had received the greatest of all gifts the love and gratitude of his fellow men. The door softly opened and a wom an crop! in, small. Blonder woman with dusky hair and dark eyes :hii:::.:, like stars Antnony Rlggn did not look up. lie had forgotten that the fortuno teller had promised him a gift that night. On Ills little linger was a small ring set with a single pearl "Anthony!" The visitor's voice was low and musical. "Mary Woo l.'' said Anthony hoarse ly; and then with a glance at the black lace draped about her head, he added: "You were the fortune teller last night ?" "Yes." ' And vou -you meant what you promised'.* that happiness would come to me?" "It has come. Anthony,'' Rhe faltered drawing near to him. "We were so mistaken you and I and the years have been long. I am free now they said you needed me and that night when I saw your hitter face I knew you needed the influence of a greater love than mine before we met." Anthony Klggs took his sweetheart into his arms. "I have fourfd the greater love, Mary, and its root la pity. My love for you will be better and worthier because of my love for the poor and needy. And tomorrow?to morrow you will marry me and be come my Christmas gift In truth?" "Yes," laid Mary Wood. And to Anthony Rlggn slipped tha little pearl ring on her finger. (Oopyrlarht, 1?I0.) A Way Out of It. Ann* was making Christmas pres ents. "Oh, dear, this doean't look alee." said she. Little Helen, looking on. remarked In a ?ympathtatng tone: "Oh, well, aunt!*,' you <?an>iVS it t* some ons who U a?ar?4ght*d." <?tjrtetmas ?ix> Christmas cvo! And a blustery night? Snow-flurries nlmost blinding the. sight; Eddying winds shift to and fro And toss from tho chimneys smoke clouds low. On the street Is heard a noisy throng or pleasure-bent shoppers, hurrying along. Laden with bundles and baskets and toys To gladden the hearts of girls and boys Let the wintry winds moan on. and sigh Through the forests, and sing their lullaby; 'Neatb holly-wreathed branch and mistletoe I rest and sleep while the tempests blow. Christmas eve! And the sound of bell. Yulotldc harmonies, break and swell. And sing of a Babe In Bethlehem, Horn In a manger?Saviour of men! ?E. A. Fergerson. } CURIOUS CHRISTMAS DISHES | Curious Christmas dishes, unfami liar to Londoners, are by no means out of date In various parts of the country. In Derbyshire, for instance, there Is the delicacy, always made on Christmas eve, called "black ball," which Is especially appreciated by the | younger members of the community. "Black ball" Is made of black treacle, and sugar boiled together in a pan. While the mixture is boiling, a little hour and grated ginger or spices are added. When thoroughly boiled. It Is poured Into a large s!i illow dish, and. i when sufficiently cooled. Is cut into squares and lengths, which are rolled or molded Into various shapes. When quite cool the "black ball" Is very hard, but Is declared by connoisseurs to be decidedly toothsome. In Cornwall, again. It Is the ortho dox practise In most households on Christmas eve to make a batch of cur rant cake colored and flavored with saffron, according to western custom, with a "Christmas" on the top of each cake. The adornment so called la a small portion of the dough In the cen ter of the top pulled up and made into the form of a miniature cake, resting on the larger one beneath. It Is the custom for each person to have his or her own special cake, and everyone Is supposed to take a small piece of every other person's cake; but none of the batch must be cut until Christ mas day. .t^S3?^L~ CHRISTMAS JIBES All Paid For. "Your wife was telling my wife that you've got all your Christmas presents paid for," remarked the man In the , corner of the city train to tho lean In dividual sitting by his side. "Yes; paid for the last of them yes terday," was the reply. "Lucky dog! 1 haven't even begun to think of tho presents I've got to buy " "Oh. neither have we for this year. My wife was speaking of last year's presents." ? * ? Santa Is Easy. Hobby (on Christmas morning) ? ' Where does Santa Clans got all his things, mamma 7" Mamma?"Oh. he buys them." Hobby ?"Well, he must he a Jay to let anyone palm oft a tin watch on him!" ? * ? Seasonable Thoughts. At this season thoughts of boys lightly run to Santa Claus, 4 ? ? Where They Come From. Quant (dining at marry Christmas Iparty)?-"Tommy, where do turkeys come from T" Tommy (pointing to that on the ta ble)? "Dunno; but ma got this one from a tramp for a shilling, 'cause ha ?aid he stole It. Didn't he. ra?r A GIFT! A Gift should bo adequately expressive of the douoi's sincerity and of the depth of regard. The recip enl's value of a gift reposes upon sentiment, beauty and impressiveness. As only the worthy endure;?, the abiding- essentials are quality and durability. Precious stones, Watches, Silverware, Silver deposit ware, Bracelets, La Vallieses, Lockets, Fobs, Cuff Links, I'ins, Match Boxes, etc. arc all of enduring beauty and of excellent appropriateness as Christmas Gifts Every article bought here has our guarantee of inherent subtantialness, purity and genuiness. The values offered must be seen to be appreciated. WILLIAM SOLOMAN Reliable jeweler, |>KIVATE WHITE, C. S. A. Chief Justice's Appointment a Itcuu (it'llI Christmas GJft to the South. Suppose forty-six years ago some body bad told Privat j White. C. S. A., trudging along, ragged and happy and J shooting at the United States tlng| win never he saw it. that he would live to be appointed chief justice of the United States supreme court by a pres ident from Ohio and a Republican. Na poleon used to encourage his men by telling them that every private car ried in his knapsack the baton of a marshal of France; but nobody ever told a private of a hostile army that he had in his head the chief justice ship of the greatest and most respon sible court on earth. Really the chief justiceship Is a higher place than the presidency. It Is the place Mr. Taft Coveted and for which he tried to avoid billig president. Yet the Con federate private, the Democrat gets It from the Republican president and is confirmed by a Republican senate unanimously, except for the chronical ly and constitutionally and unconsti tutionally absurd Ueyburn. It is one of the wonders of our mod eln progress and development. It comes as a beautiful Christmas gift to the South and to the former com rades of Privat ? White, C. S. A., a message of peace on earth and good will and justice to ail men in this country?men of all sections and par. tus and ( feeds. We us< d to have horri bi ? fears of a Roman Catholic as pres id Ut. Here is a Roman Catholic rath er higher than the president, appoint ed by a Unitarian and voted for by men of many beliefs. And we had a Jew in the cabin ?! until he declined fur ther service. In all of which there is material for some deep and solemn loyous thought. Wo are getting away i,. in bigotry and narrowness and sec tionalism and prejudice and old dis turbing antagonisms, and getting away very fast. Mr. Justice White has achieved and attained by force of brains and char acter. Yet be would not have reached where he is if the American people bad not elected as president Cleve land, the Democrat, who put him on the supreme court bench, and Taft, the Republican, who elevated him. We congratulate the Democratic party and the Republican party, the South and the North. President Taft and Private 1 White Jacksonville Times-Union. There Is more Catarrh in this sec lion of the country than all other dls ses put together, nnd until the last few years was supposed to bo incur able. For a great many years doctors pronounced it a local disease and pre. scribed local remedies, and by con stantly falling to cure with local treat ment, pronounced It incurable. Science has proven catarrh to be a constitu tional disease and therefore requires constitutional treatment. Hall's Ca tarrh Cure, manufactured by P. J, Cht ..ey & Co., Toledo. Ohio, ir. the only constItulonal cure on the market. It is taken internally in doses from 10 drops to a teaepoepful. It acts directly on the blood and mucous surfaces the system. They offer one ?\u dollars for any casa it falls to send for circulars and testimo Address: F. J. Cheney ft Co., Ohio. Sold by Druggists. 76c. Take Hall's Family Pills for con stipatlon. . 5 Visit The Central Cafe For Ladies and Gentlemen. Our Long Experience has taught us how to | serve you Neatly, Quickly and Agreeably. Centra! Cafe Laurens, S. C. Open Until Midnight. ?????????????????????? ? A Few Facts For 5 Your Consideration $ First. That systematic saving pays. A deposit of ? $5 00 a month for five years, with 4 per cent, interest cotn ? pitted semi-annnally, will yield yon $332.27. Ten dollars a a month for the same length of time will yield #664.60, while in ten years yon would have $1,474.76. Second. The safety of yonr money. The well known c haracter and ability of onr board of directors is a sufficient guarantee of honest and capable management. ? Third. That we take any amount from $1.00 ? upwards. Fourth. That your money is payable on demand. ? Fifth. That we pay 4 per cent, interest Saving @ accounts, crediting the interest on the Saving accounts on ? the first day of January and July in each year. f? .Sixth. Thai we extend to our patrons every courtesy ? and accommodation in our power, consistent with good A hanking, and r- Seventh. That we arc under Government inspection. ; We respectful!) solicit your business. MM ' ' .* il I ?! i| ill; I .if THE BANK3^ LAU RENS LAU RENS, S.C, , The Bank for Your Savings. SUPPLY ORDINANCE Hinte <>f South Carolina, Count} of I,min us, The CM) of Laurcus. An Ordinance imposing an Annual Tax on all Taxable Property hi the City of Lauren* to raise Supplies for the saiil City for the Fiscal Year Commencing .Ian. 1st, 1911. He It ordained by the City Council of the City of I>aurens: Section I. That a tax of fifty cents j on every one hundred dollars worth of assessed value of all property, real or personal not exempt by law from taxation, situate within the limits of the City of Laurens, be, and the same Is hereby levied for corporate purposes to defray the current ex penses, flsCfft* I Tftll. a ness ' aald C an additl Mty of Laureus for the mmencinK .Tany. 1st, such other Indebted n contracted by the I 'fcrporate purposes. That l'-tax of seventy cents on every 'oite hundred' dollars worth or assessed value* of /allVtfr&toerty, real or personal, nOt exf ihpV4>y"*}aw from taxation, situate withtaf taK limits of the City of Lauren*, be. and th? same is hereby levied to meei the intoros! to become due upon the bonded In dehtedness of the City of Lnurens, and to ereilte a sinking fund to bfl used in aid of the retirement and pay ment of said bond S et ion ?>. That the clerk of the said City shall enter said levies and assessments upon the hooks of the said City and receive said taxes. That the said taxes herein levied shall be paid to the said clerk in lawful money Of the United States, on or before the first day of March 1011, and any per son failing to pay the said taxes, shall he liable to the penally now provided by law for the failure lo pay the general state tax. Done and ratified by the city council of the City of Lau rens. and the corporate seal of the said city hereto afllxed. this. 15th day of December In the year of Our Lord One thousand, nine hundred and ten, and the one hundred and thirty-fifth year of the sovereignty and Independ ence of the fnitnd States of America. C. M. BAHIi. JNO. IT. PKTKR80N. Mayor. f'lTk of the City Council. tBefore ordering Magazines geiHB our big clubbing Catalogue and'SH Special offers, and save moneyfl Beninern Subscription AgcncjJfl Raleigh, N. (. 4 postal will do.fl