Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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

1 ST? ff MV VIOLIN BY AXEL SKOVGAARD Violins may not have the sentiments and sensibilities attributed to them by Imaginative musicians, but they have histories, interesting and varied, gay romances and dark tragedies ev en as their warm friends among man kind. A violin which is not only re markable In itself, but with a remark able story, is the one possessed by Axel Skovgaard, the Danish violinist. It is as bright and polished as if it had left the hftfidg of its maker but .yesterday, and l(im thj5 Instrument Is nearly two hundred years old. In spite of Its age it retains without a flaw or a scratch the original varnish as applied by the skillful hands of Antonius Stradivarlus. Looking very young and new, it is among the old est violins In existence, as it is ono of the most famous and costly. But more remarkable than its age and fine state of preservation is that the first persons to play upon it was Mr. Skovgaard himself, and as he is a young man making no pretence at hav ing attained perpetual youth, the Htory is naturally a most unusual one. To a chnnce meeting with a Ix>n. don dealer in musical instruments Mr. Skovgaard owes his good fortune in obtaining bis rare Strad. This mini had a lino collection of Italion violins among them being masterpieces by Amati, Stradivarlus. (luanerius Ber gonzi and (iundagniu. They were real antiques, cracked, scratched, scraped and worn thru more or less rough life for several centuries. Having re veled in the wealth before him and tried most of them. Mr. Skovgaard re marked that it would have been a pleasure to have seen such instru ments when they were new, but such pleasures were denied modern artists. To the surprise of Mr. Skovgaard his new friend replied in the nega tive, and stepped to a fireproof vault and came out with a big yellow leath er case, which be opened and took out an unstrung violin and handed it to his guest. Apparently it was just from a maker's shop, but plainly It was let tered "Antonius Stradivarlus. Anno ITILV "I could not believe my eyes," says Mr. Skovgaard, "but stood as one in a trance." As I stood there with the handsomest of all violins in the world In my bands, I was carried back as if in a dream to the days of the great violin makers. Its form was perfect, color ideal and the varnish as tender and living so tho it were a work from the hands of Raphael or Corregio. And this violin had in all these years nev er heard its own voice, but. like n wild rose hidden in the mountains, had slept for two centuries. No hu man being had ever coaxed forth its voice, yet many people must in that long time have gazed on its handsome form. 1 fell as tho holding a holy relic in my hands. A violin unplayed. two bundled years old and yet looking its tho it had come from the hand of Strndivnrlus but .yesterday. Such a violin I now hold in my hands. In its virgin purity it had lain and dreamed of its own song. How could it tell "us of the c lear, blue Ital ian sky and the genial sun which dried Its varnish, the making of which is now fl lost art, which no person, not even the greatest of chemists, can re veal. I felt myself unworthy to even hold this wondrous work of a great master, and then an overwhelming desire to possess the magic Instru ment came over tue. My peace of mind was gone. I could only lie and dream of it at night, and during the day I envied the collec tor who could not play a note, and yet owned til! ' most splendid violin. In my dreams I was to play on it at a great concert, but it would not obey the bow; yet sang all the time on the deep (i string, "Save me from the iron vault. I am as a bewitched princess. Kill the evil wizard who holds me and steal me away. I will Sing for you all your life? thru and make you the greatest artist in the world. I am horn for you,-and you for me. Plunge your dagger in Iiis heart and go to the iron vault, which will open of itself when you repeat 'open sesame" three times.'' When I awoke I wa.. bathed in per spiration and fever was on me otn morning till night. The violin wc ild not go from my mind. It was mine, for it. had itself said that it was born for me, and 1 had but to take it. Daily I sharpened my penknife till it could cut hair In the air. Yet think of cutting into the funny old dealer, who had gone to such trou ble to show me his violins, and had so much enjoyed their delightful tones Oh, how gladly would I have spared his life and allowed him to keep his whole collection with'my Quaragnlnl in the bargain If I could but possess the one in the iron chamber. No. be must be put out of tho way?bill shall I stab him?--1 so dislike blood?or shall I choke him? I think it Is best to stab anyway, for choking hau had something awful for me since the time that I as a lad had gotten chicken bones croeswlBe in my throat. At last one day I left the hotel with my double sharpened penklife In my pocket, to visit the dealer. I wandered pensively thrue Regent and Cockspur streets. On the left of Trafalgar Square I had the National Oallery. and on the right, some dis tance away. I saw the hous?? of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, where Haydn lies burled. In the Strand I came near being ran over, but reached Ludgate Hill just as the roaring train ru?hed over head. How angry St. Paul's cathedral looked that day. Did it know my deep secret? Did it know that I went with a sharp ened kuife Ii. my pocket? Intuitively I reached after my knife. It was there and I rushed down Cunnon street. On London bridge I met several wagons full of butchered cattle and my courage rose at once. I gazed in fascination at the bloody carcasses of cow and sheep in order to accus tom my eyes to the blood, and I felt myself so strong that neither raw ment nor blood sausage could affrlght en me. Then I wandered on and plan ned how I could cut Geep into the funny old dealer. The awesome tow er loomed up before me thru the fog. Then came the thot?suppose I should be discovered and thrown Into prison for life before I could escape to Amer ica with my eherished violin. I braced myself and jumped on a passing omnibus. Shame on you, Axel. Here lies the best and hand somest of all instruments and calls you. Will you stand by and see It put in the Iron chamber to remain anoth er hundred years, perhaps, the one who pomlses to be your companion for life and help you to become a great artist? No, and again, no. Down with the dealer. Thus I mused as I humped about on the top of the rat tling omnibus, passed thru Ilorough Mill and Hlackman streets and was come in my bloody dreams thru New ington causeway, when I was awak ened by an unpoetlcnl voice crying, "Fare, please." I searched my hind pocket, my side pockets on both shies, my three vest pockets, but found nothing except the Sharp penknife and a bitten pencil. Also the coat pockets were empty, ev en the great coat. I had forgotten to supply myself with money, and mur der without money is not to be ad vised. As far as the omnibus was con cerned. I was set oft at the Elephant and Castle. Now what can be done in a giant city like London without money? With money anything is possible, I said to myself, and repeated the sentiment two or throe times and was suddenly startled by my own thots, Surely, with money one can do anything, even to buying new Stradivari!; I who have plenty of money at the hotel and at home In Denmark. It was a good idea, and I was almost ashamed of myself because I bail not dot of it before, I decided that 1 would not cut the dealer any more than was necessary, for possibly he would consent to sell me the violin when he learned that Iiis life depended upon it. Pondering over this new idea. I sat down in one of the attractive chairs in the square and sought to collect my thots. First of all I asked myself what is the v.luo of a first class Strad? As is well known, St i adivarius fash ioned his best instruments between the years 1700 and 1720, while the choicest wore mad" between 1700 and 171.".. Vlottl's violin is from 1701 and is valued at $16,000. The violin own ed by the virtuoso H. W. Ernst, but now the property of Wilma Uoruda Halle, cost Carles Hallo Slu.OnO. Frans Pies had had one from ITH? which cost $16,700. One in the possession of Snrnsate is dated 1713 and is own ed by the Spanish crown, which has loaned It to Sarasate for life. This is the one he usually plays Upon. The other he owns himself and is from the year 172 1 and Is a gift from Queen Isabella of Spain. The value Is not less than $22.000. Joseph Joaquim has throe. The most famous Is the one called "Pes torgeige," which the master uses most frequently. It is from 1711 and cost $20,000. Another one from the same year was given to Joachim by friends in England, who paid $l?,000. The third is played by Carl Hallr. It is from the seventeenth century and has a small but brilliant tone. Its value I don't recall, but Joachim has loaned it to Halir for an indefinite time. (To ho continued ; Chamberlain's stomach and Liver Tablets invariably bring relief to wom en Buffering from chronic constipation, headache, biliousness, dizziness, sal iownesB of the ski nnnd dyspepsia, Hold by Laurons Drug Co. ?MlftTCJUO* 'I? That there is more to a Fertilizer than A Analysis is proven conclusively by the results m ? obtained every year from Royster Fertilizer*, m. They are made from experience obtained by M actual field experiments of what the plant m [ requires, and not from ready reference [m ! formulating. 'jffl Every ingredient in Royster Goods is M ; selected for its plant food value, and has its ? j| work to do at the proper time, therefore the Im || plant fertilized wirb ROYSTER goods is fed m H regular from sprouting time until harvest. 'm H Ask your dealer for Royster goods and M || see that the trade-mark is on every bag. m When you tee this ? fV.v y?u know that jjh }k you are getting the genuine and original 'jjh I ROYSTER Fish Fertilizer. fl I F. S. ROYSTER GUANO COMPANY, W l FACTORIES AND SALES OFRCES: "|| ^ . NORFOLK, VA. TARBORO. N. C COLUMBIA. 8. C. V Ijk ^ j| BALTIMORE, HO. MACON. OA SPARTANBURO. S. C \? ^ jh I After The Grippe 1 "I am much pleased, to be able to write and thank I you for what Cardui has done for me," writes Mrs. Sarah I J. Gilliland, of Siler City, N. C. "Last February, I had the Grippe, which left me In Ks I bad shape. Before that, I had been bothered with female Kg I trouble, for ten years, and nothing seemed to cure it "At last, I began to take Cardui. I have taken only Kg I three bottles, but it has done me more good than all the B| I doctors or than any other medicine I ever took." a? CARDUI The Woman's Tonic" For the after-effects of any serious illness, like the H I Grip, Cardui is the best tonic you can use. It builds strength, steadies the nerves, improves the I appetite, regulates irregularities and helps bring back the natural glow of health. Cardui is your best friend, if you only knew it Think of the thousands of ladies whom Cardui has helpedl What could possibly prevent it from helping you? Remember you cannot get the benefit of the Cardui I ingredients in any other medicine, for they are not for sale I in any drug store except in the Cardui bottle. Try Cardui. Write to: Ladies* Advisory Dept.. Chattanooga Medicine Co., Chattanoora, Tenn., I for Special Instructions, and 64-pagc book, "Home Treatment ior Women." teat tree. Executors, Administrators, Guardians und Trustees. Executors, Administrators. Guard ians, and Trusteos are hereby noti fied that this is the time to make their annual returns. O. G. THOMPSON'. Probate Judge. January 30, 1911?2 mo. Clerk of Court's Sule. State of South Carolina, County of Laurens. Pursuant to a decree of the court of common pleas for said county and state, in case of W. L. Gray vs. D. D. Peden I will sell at public outcry to the highest bidder for cash on sales day in March, 1011, being the 6th day of the month, at Laurens C. IL, during legal hours, 6 lots in the town of Gray Court known as lots Nos. 17, 18, 29, 30. 40 and 41 or survey and plat of H. B. Humbert, January 10th, PJ07, and bounded by the Dorroh lands, lands of R. L. Gray and lying on streets and alleys in said town; the purchaser to pay for papers. John P. Holt, 29-IU C C. C. P. Stop Scratching Par-a-sit-i-cide cures itch and mange in 30 minutes. Pimples and Ringworms quickly. Price 50c at LAURENS DRUG CO. 60c by mail or express from Dr. L. J. Sharp & Co., Commerce, Ga. Guaranteed. "Take no substitute." I Valuable Real Estate 1 I For Sale | X Situated in the North Eastern part of the live and growing city of Lau- S| Lg rens, S. C, and divided into Fifty eight (58) Lots of convenient and at- ? ?n tractive size, thus affording opportunity for rich and pooralike to make S ?g profitable investments or buy desirable homes, will be offered for sale at ? %l public Auction at Laurens, S. C. on SALESDAY, jjj 1 Mar. 6th, 1911 | 3k Beginning Immediately After Official Sales, unless sooner disposed of ?2 3fc at Private Sale. ?2 2p This Property will be first offered by the lot, and then as a whole, and the most advantageous sale will be adopted. ? Titles Perfect. Terms?Cash. Purchaser to pay for papers. Upon fail ure of purchaser to comply with terms, the property will be immediately 2? resold at his risk. ^ Also, at same time and place and upon same terms certain lots situated W W on street leading from North Harper Street to Mills Street, being part of prop- ? 1? erty formerly known as the Garlington Home Place. i h Plats may be seen at the office of C. D. Barksdale. For further particu- \ 7g lars apply to 5 B. F. POSEY, 85 \J J. C. OWINGS, ii: \L C. D. BARKSDALE, 0 Committee for 8 The National Bank of Laurens $ S Laurens, South Carolina j5 NOTICE -OF THE County Treasurer The Books of the County Treasurer will be opened for the collection of State, County and Commutation Road Taxes for fiscal year, 1910, at the Treasurer's Office from October 15th, to December 31st., 1910. After De cember 31st.. one pei" cent, will be added. After January 31st. two per cent, will be added, and after Feb ruary 28th., seven per cent, will be added till the 15th of March, 1911. when the books will oe closed. All persons owning property in more than one Township are request ed to call for receipts in each of the several Townships in wnich the prop erty is located. This in Important, aa additional cost and penalty may be attached. All able bodied male citizens be. tween the ages of 21 and 60 years oC age are liable to pay a poll tax of $1.00 except old soldiers, who are ex empt at 50 years or age. Commuta tion Road Tax $1.00, in lieu of road duty. Road Tax to be paid by the 1st day of March, 1911. Other taxes to be paid at the timo bb stated above. The tax levy U as follows: For State purposes.5% mills For Constitutional School Tax 3 mills For Ordinary County purposes 3 mills For Interest on Railroad Bonds 1 mtU For Roads and Bridge Bonds 3 mlllb For Court House Bonds .. ..1 mill Total.16% mlllf Special Schools?L-urens Township. Laurens No. 11.6 mills Trinity Ridge No. 1.4 mills Maddens No. 2.2 mills Narnle No. 3.2 mills Baileys No. 4.2 mills MlUs No. 5.2 milLs Oak Grove No. 6.2 mills Special Schools?Youngs Townchlp. Youngs No. 2.3 mills No. 4.3 nilllK No. 5.3 mills Fountain Inn No. 3B.10 mills Lanford No. 10.2% mills Ora No. 12.2 mills Special Schools?Dials Township Green Pond No. 1.3 mills Dials No. 2.3 mills Shlloh No. 3.2 mills Gray Court-Owings No. 5 .. ..2 mills Barksdale No. 6.2 millp. Dials Church No. 7.2 milks Special Schools?Sullivan Township. Princeton No. 1.3 mills Poplar Springs No. 8 .. ..2 mills No. 4.4 milts No. 5.4 mills Tumbling Shoals No. 6 .. ..2V& mlllt , Brewerton No. 7.3 mill* Sullivan Township R R Bonds 4 mills Special Schools?Waterloo Township. Waterloo No. 14.3 milid Mt. Gallagher No. 1.3 mills Bethlehem No. 2.2 mills Ekom No. 3.2 mil It No. 4.2 mills No. 5.3 mills Mt. Pleasant No. 6.2 mills Mt. Olive No. 7.4 millo Special Schools?Cross 11111 Township Cross Hill No. 13.6 mills Cross 11111 No. 1.2 mills Cross Hill No. 2.2 mills Cross Hill No. 4.2 mills Cross Hill No. G.2 mills Cross Hill No. 6.2 mills Special Schools Hunter Township Mountville No. ic.AVj. mills Hunter No. 2.2 mill Hunter No. 3.2 mill Clinton No. r,.3 mills Hunter No. 8.3 mills Special Schools?Jacks Township Jacks No. la.3 mill: Special Schools. Scu file town Township Scufflotown No. l.2 mills Lanford No. 10.2Vi m?h Ora No. 12.2 ~ milts Prompt attention will be given those who'Wish to pay their Taxes through the mall by check, money order, < Persons Bending in lists of names t< be taken off am requested to sein! them early; and give the Township of each, as the Treasurer Is very busy during the month of December. J. D. MOCK. County Treasurer. Oct. 7th.. 1010 ?tf. FINAL SETTLEMENT. Take notice thai on the 28th (lav of February, I will render a final ac count of my acts and doings as Ad ministratrix or the estate of B. L Metv.s . deceased, in the ollice of tin Judge of Probate of Laurens county al II o'clock, a. m., and on the bmw day will apply for a Una] dlscharg from my trusts as Administratrix. Any person indebted to said est n fire not I fled ami required to ntnko pay monl on that date; and all person; having claims against said estate wiiu present, them on or before said dat-v duly proven or he forever barred. Alice M. MotS58, Adinlnlsl rati Ix January 2f>. 1911.?1 mo. FINAL SETTLEMENT, Take notice that on the 27th dav of February, we will render a dual ac count of our acts and doings as Ex ecutors of the estate of .1. B. SwltZ W deceased, in the office of the Judge oi Probate of Laurens county, at 11 <> dock, a. m., and on the same dav will apply for a final discharge from out trusts as Executors. Any person indebted to said bstato are notified and rccpirrcd to make pay ment on that date; and all person having claims agnlnst. said estate will present them on or before said date duly proven or be forever barred. J. M. Shell. Louise Cannon ESxeoutors January >',, 1011.?1 mo. ?HICHESTER S PILLS i WtfT?K s* "mw u ,,, n a/A\ Inlo n? ?n,rr. ;|? of V .'i'tt ftl?Al ! T? ?"-< in:"-rri it a ima.ho.no nu\m? 1'ii.i.h, t r aa ? ytmknnwnn,liest,sifeM, aIwtnVclUI !? SOLD BY DiilCGISTS LVfUVUHLKE