Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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_By HOWARD FIELDING , COPYRIGHT 1911 BY AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION i IWAS one of tho Marshall heirs, ex pecting a fortune and weakly waiting for the contest of the will to ho compromised. Mean while I was a species of errand hoy for Oliver Garland, who seemed to bo some sort of capitalist. I never had the faintest comprehension of his busi ness. I met him first at the Harvard club one evening, and wo took a fancy to (KLIA ni.INO USUALLY THE T,AST. encji other, though he was very much older. That evening, ns he Informed me, was tho twentieth anniversary of Iiis wedding. His wife Was long in her grave. In return for this confidence I told him that I had spent all my money and 'must go to work. The result was that I became his errand boy, though he treated me like a friend. This relation continued for mouths. One day toward the middle of Decem ber he told ine n queer tale about hav ing sent money to some poor relations on the Maine const for u year and a half. They were his cousin's widow and her son and daughter. Recently he hail received n letter from the son which led him to believe that nono of this money had been received, where upon he had sent a check?the other remittances having boon In currency? which also seemed to have gone astray, lie showed me (be stub marked "Cella K. Garland, Nov. 27. '07, $2r?0." I could not understand this story- in fact. I never expected to understand any story of his. for ho always omit ted all the essential particulars?but I agreed to go to Easterly Harbor and see what was the matter. It was ar ranged that on the next day after my depurture he should mall another letfer in a pink envelope of unusual shape and I should watch for lt. I was to say nothing to anybody and conceal the fact that I came from him. Hut at the last I was to play Santa Claus for this family In munificent fashion, for which purpose lie gave me some checks signed in blank and a letter to a bank er named Manning in Belfast, an old friend of Gnrlnn l. On Saturday, Dee. t l, I arrived at Easterly Harbor and found my way to the Garland bouse, where it was be Moved that I could secure board. I was, in fact, welcomed with the most charming courtesy. And here I received a surprise quite characteristic of Garland and his er rands. The household consisted of - the mother, whose lift nie was Lucy; a cousin of about her own age. who was ^ called Aunt Kate; the boy, 1'r.iTIk. and the most beautiful blue eyed, golden haired girl who ever existed. Ami she was Celia! Surely nobody but Garland would hove failed to tell me that he had sent his benefactions to the daughter and not the mother and why be had done so. * It was possible, of course, that at the time when he began to send the money Mrs. Garland may have been proslrated by her recent bereavement, in which case Oolia would have been the natural bead of the family, for Aunt Kate seemed not quite of sound mind, her great afflict ion tempered by God's mercy and her own lovely na ture Into a gentle, dreamlike detach ment from tho world's realities. It required no detective skill to dis cover that this family was In very narrow circumstances and that Gar land's remlttonccs had gone astray. I waited with great interest, there fore, for the test letter, or. rather, for tbe dn/ ?et for its arrival. The truth art that I had no expectation of seeing It, having made tip my mind that the whole merles of letters bad been stolen Id the Easterly Harbor postofflce. tint the letter came. I saw Frank take It from the box at the poatofflce. Right at the foot of tbe steps he met his alster. "Nothing for you. sis," sold he. ?5?his wait dire. I had not tot- an Instant dreamed of theft by a member ?f the family. What should X do? After some bard thinking I decided to state the facts to Garland In the mild est possible manner, not condemning the boy unheard, but merely asking tor authority to question him. a re ply by mall could not be expected bo fore the fifth day, nnd meanwhile I might observe Frank nnd try to solve the riddle of bis conduct. He seemed a good boy. but some what secretive and mysterious. lie bad built a little house for himself at the rear edge of the garden, and though he lacked any direct/instruction in carpentry the work had a distinct professional Mulsh. There ho spent most of his leisure, working with tools and often making salable articles, but Chiefly occupied with some invention, his sister told me. Frank would admit me to tlds house, biyj. not to its secrets. An end of its single room was always screened olT. I became more and more (irmly con vinced that the solution of the whole mystery lay behind that screen. 'There was no way to get into the little house unobserved In the daytime, and at last I resolved upon a burglari ous midnight entry. Upon the evening which I had select ed for my amateur burglary Colin and I sat a little later than usual by the fire, and it was some while past VI When I crept out of the silent honst; and across the bad; garden and broke Into Frank's den. The first object that met my eye when I bad removed the screen com pletely staggered me. It was an up right piano covered In the usual way for shipment, but absolutely unmis takable. A placard was attached, ami. bending forward with my candle, I read the words, "Cella, from Uncle Oliver." There were several sm.iller objects whose shape did not disclose their nature, and I saw that Frank'k own name was upon one of them. The boy must have played Santa Claus with his uncle's money. Hut how had he managed to buy the things and to 1 head tub woiu> 'CKUA.'" have them carted to that house with out his mother's knowledge? "May I Inquire," said a voice, "what you are doing here?" 1 turned like a Hash, and there was Colin. Before I could answer her she bad seen the outlines of the piano. "What is that," she cried, "und who uro you? Have you come from Mr. Garland?" There was no help for It now. 1 had to tell the story, dealing with Frank's unbelievable conduct in the most gen erous nnd light hearted spirit as a mere freak of youthful folly. "Hut these things can't have cost all that money!" exclaimed (Vila, horrified and heartbroken. "He must have stolen the rest." "Pianos are expensive." sr.ld I. "and we don't yet know what the other things are. Let's have a peep at this, which seems to be Intended for your mother." It looked like some sort of chair, and so it was?the most dilapidated, the most pathetic, the most laughable wreck of a chair that ever was seen. A card fastened upon it bore this let tering: COUSIN I.UCY: GENUINE ANTIQUE. GUARANTEED BY COUSIN OLIVER. "That chair has been in our attic for forty years," said Cella. I turned to the piano nnd lifted an end. It came up like a balloon. The thing was a framework of wood, cleverly built and protected by a cover borrowed from a citizen of tho Ilarbor who had recently received a real piano. "These merry Jests," said I, "acquit your brother. If he had touched that money he certainly would not Joke about it." We stood dumb with utter perplexity. "You are sure the money was sent to me?" said Cella at last. "I can't understand. Oh," she cried suddenly, "was It Cella K. Garland?* "Yes. Isn't that you?" "No; It's Aunt Kate. Tier first nnme is Cella. No doubt Mr. Garland used to call her by that name." "They were friends in youth?" I asked. "I suppose so," she replied. "Aunt Knie, of course, was not always us she is now." "She lives in a gentle dream." said I. "What was it that disturbed her mind?" ?* "1 never knew." answered Cella, and after a moment's pause. "Let us go back to the house." Cella lighted the sitting room lamp and bade mo wait. She was gone only a few minutes and returned with an enameled box, which she placed on the table. "1 took this from her roam while she slept," said she. "Is it right?" "Yes." said I. "It seems right to me." She opened the box, which contained only some rilling keepsakes und a package of letters tied with n faded blue ribbon. At the top was the pink envelope, at tho bottom a letter post marked more than twenty years ago. upon the day of Oliver Garland's wed ding. The others hud been received within 11 year and a half, pol'hupy a dozen i:i all. None bad been opened. II was the wedding date which I solved the riddle for me, revealing the I old. long hidden, sad romance. Gar j hind had broken this woman's heart ! and dethroned her mind. I already ] knew that the man had married an heiress. His attempt to make Aunt Kate his almoner was n clumsy effort to as suage his conscience. Upon her side the gap of years was nothing. She had laid the new letters with the old. un opened. I sat down that night and wrote to Garland the mere facts, without my explanation. Next day I began the execution of a counter joke upon Master Prank. I went across to Belfast, cashed a check, bought a piano and some other things as near as possible to tho lim? of the boy's Christmas jests and had them shipped across to mo at the Har 1 o.-, but not sent to the house. I wrote an account of this matter to Garland, from whom I had h:vl no word. The days slipped by. (hi Dec. 2J1 I received notification from the local telephone ofilco that some one wished to speak with me. It proved to be Manning, the Belfast banker. "That cheek has com?? back no g ?od." said he. "For heaven's sake, why?" I do mnnded. "It cost mo 918 In telephone tolls to find out," sai l he. "but I know now. Garland has gone to smash and has skipped. Present whereabouts un known. I look to you to make good." "All right." said I. "I'll see you to morrow." I returned at once to the houso and told Cella the whole truth. The girl I was nglittst. "They can put you i:i prison." she erlcd. "No, they can't," said I. "Nobody can do any tricks with me any more. It is my turn. 1 came here as Oliver Oar land's errand boy to help you, ami this Is the end of it. (live me the right to ;lo it in my own proper character. Cella, if you will put your hand in mine and trust in me if you <: i do it. if your heart prompts you?1 will be a weak man no longer* I will light this world to Its knees." It seemed a long time that we s! ?od quite still, looking into each other's eyes. Then I felt her hand in mim?. The resi was easy. I saw Manning next^day and made him take my note. I crammed It down his throat. Then I went to New Vork, and for about a week I raged aroiind among "X TOOK THIS VHOU HUB BOOK. the Marshall heirs like a mad bull until thoy were all so frightened that thoy didn't dare to stay alone in the dark. Then the strongest of us got together and forced an equitable settle ment over tho heads of tho luwyers. In February I returned to Easterly Har bor a rich man, with a reasonable self respect under my waistcoat. Oliver Garland's letters still lie In the enameled box. So tbey shall lie until Aunt Kate Is gone. Then Cells shall open them, bestow tho money In charity and burn the letters unread. W?NTED-? RIDER AGENT IN BACH TOWN and district torldo and exhibita sarnplo Latest Model 'Ranger" blcyclo furnished by us. Our sgvutsovory where are inaklug tlionvy fast. It'tlti for full ?awUtuleirianJ ifttlalnfer atenf. ?tJ NO MONEY REQUIRED until you rcct 1 v?> and npprovo of your blcyclo. wo ?alpto anyone any where In the O, S. iin*??ia<i.ii^;?i/i In advance, ,r,,,,fr,.ehi. aud nllovr TEN DAYO' FREE TRIAL during whtcb tlmoyou may rido the blcyclo and put It to any test you wish. If you aro then not perfectly s-.itl-.fled or da not wish to keep tho blcyclo slilp It hack to us at our expetl o nud r< <? tvlll not be tut ?>?? urn. FA?YARV PHIPF** w,> ru'nl !l 1!' ' highest grade bicycles it Is ? ??waw?i ? niva?w possible to nnko at one small profit abovo nctu'nl factory cost. You save $10 to k-5 middlemen's profits by buy J lug director us ami hnvo tho manufacturer's guaranteo behind your Jblcvcle. DO NOT BUY a blcyclo or n pair of tires from anrtnt at ant tt'lf until you recelvo our Cata'ogUCS nnd lenrn our unheard of ta<Hrg It'1'" and r.mo.t.iH; ifr,i?l eftn to rider ;i;;cnt .1. 'Vnil Mil I HP AQTnUlCUrn "h-n you t^tre our beautiful catalog IUU WILL DC HO I UNlOPLIf (!..??? <..ir:..i|..Tl..ii...l<-lKi?tO?.i,?m.V? 'fully I/no prle*a wo con mako you tills yrar. We aril the hlrhoat craMo bicycles for leva money tlianany otber factory. Weare>atUlled with ?1.00 prollt above factory coet. BICYCLE DEALERS,you can N? our bicycles uui'.ur jour own namo puitoatdoublo our price*. ' Orders filled the day received. 8KCOND HAND BICYCLES. Wo do not Kintal 'v hsirt'o peoond hurt* hlerele*. lint usually hare _i number on hand taken In trade br our Chicago r lull norm. Tuu*0 ?0 clear out promptly at prlcoa ranfflng frOO] S3 to $8 <>r $10. IHwrlptivti barialn lints IMkltod live. COASTER"?R?KES *,nsla w*>ooia. Imported ro'U 10 ? rxt/i U'.r retail ?H gj Hcdgethorn Puftclure^roof $ SAMPLE PAIR Self-healingTircs ri to itrrttonuoEfOHLY .mm The rerularrttall prleeoftheiitlret hi $10.00 per fair, but to tntiodutt xuif will sell you a lample pjtlrforttfOieoth toithorJertl.SS., NO MORE TROUBLE FROM PUriCYURKS NAILS, Taoka, orClaaa will not lot tho mr out. ' A luiudrt'd thousand pairs sold last year, DESCRIPTIONS riding, very durable nnd lined Inside with a special quality of rubber, whi-h never be* conies porous and which closes III) small punctures without allowing U10 uir to escnpo. Wo have hundreds of letters from satisfied customers statlngthat their tireshavoonly beeimunipcd tn> onco or twice In a whole season. They welsh r.omoro than an ordinary tire, the puncture i Riven by several layers of fabric on tho tread, 'i'ho is $10.00 per pair, but for ad > . making' a special factory price to tho rider of only 84.80 per pair. All orders shIpped samo day letter is received. Wo ship C 0. I>. on approval. Vou do not pay a cent until you have examined nnd found them strictly as represented. Wo will allow itoaan discount of II |>orColli I IkurOby lunkins tliv price tf-*.r>3 iht pilr> If you send FULL CASH WITH on v '? ami em-low thin advertisement. ^ ou run no rli Ii I? uding i.s an order as tlio tires may lie roturm-.! nt OUR oxix^nso If forany rt-i.~.o tl.-v iir.. 11..I ,Mi> nclory on examination, We aro p.-rfivtly reliable nud money Kent to ub Isas safonH In u bank. If > ? i ord -r a l ilr Of I ' ? ? 11 ? . > OU w III IIml Hint they will rldo easier, run faster, wear bettor, last loitBC runil lo.tk lln-.-r tlinn oliv Ilm yell liavo ever ucod or seen at any prleo. Wo know that you will Im) ho well |)h u: i .l r ?h I on you waul " liloyclo loll will gtvo U? your order. Wo want voiito send usa trial order at oneo. hOOCO '. I rcn nrkaldo I.Ilir. prleo i-nt II you pend for a pnlrof Ileditetlinrn ,i iir..v ?i nud trial iti tho H|Mx'lal Introductory u which de^criboaand QUOtoa nil mukoa anil T THI1K OF OUYINO n hl-yelo or a pair of Lo now and v. omli rlul olfcru wo aro maktntf. ,urcie>istiii!,M:iialiiies b.Miitr fm, J?vroyoi of thin. siM-ially urepui-etl < > <,rr?.?w,Ji regular prlco of theso tires tj ffiiov'S advertlsliuf purposes wo i>r.> tRC,T ** fJotlce tho thick rubbortrcad ''A"and punctureatrlp?"B?? and '"D" also rim atrip H" crevenv rim cutting. Thift : outlast any other SOFT, ELASTIC and RSDINC. prleo quoted abovoi or write for our big Kinds of tiro* at about half tho usual lirieci DO NOT IrVi" It only co.sIh a |m>stal t<: I and MlUdi y Cl J. L. MEAD CYCLE et^FMW, SHICACO, ILL. Notice of Election. State of South Carolina, County of Laurent*. Whereas, petitions signed by a le gal number of tho qualified electors and freehoulders residing In Laurens School District No. 3, Laurens County South Carolina, asking for an election upon the question of voting an addi tional 3 mill tax upon the property in said school district to be used for school purposes have been filed with the county hoard of education, an elec tion is hereby ordered upon said ques tion, said election to he held on the 19th day of December, 1911 at. Uraiub lets Store, under the management of the trustees of said school district. Only such electors as return real or personal property for taxation and who exhibit their tax receipts and registration certificates as required In general elections shall bo allowed to vote. Those favoring the !? mill addition al tax shall vote a ballot containing the word "YES" written or printed thereon. Those against the tax shall vote a ballot containing the word "NO" written or printed thereon. Polls shall open at the honr of 8 o'clock In tin* forenoon and shall remain open until the hour of I o'clock in the af ternoon when they shall closed and the ballots be counted. The trustees shall report tho re sults of the election to the county auditor and to the county superinten dent of education within ton days thereafter. Ceo. L. PlttB, County Supt. of Education. 19-2t Todd Simpson & Co. sells two brands of tobacco at a dime per plug which is worth 15 cents per plug. They are IMINN'S CHAMPION and SQUARE OKAL. LEA it N AUTOMOBILE BUSINESS. Take a thirty days Practical course hi our well equipped .Machine Shops and learn the Automobile business, mid accept good positions. <' 11 A I i - LOTTE AUTO st ilt),,.,, charlotte, N. C. FORD When you buy an automobile get all that belongs with it. Don't pay enough for a "fully equipped" car only to find that a Top will cost you $75 extra; a Speedometer $25 extra; a /V\agnefo another $75 or thereabouts; a Windshield still an= other 25; and so on until you are "in" or "out" about $200 more than you expected to pay for the car you saw advertised or read about in the catalogue. T he beauty of purchasing a FORD, aside from the high standard of excellence in that Vanadium Steel marvel, is that it comes "fully equipped"==the Car without "Extras." There is no hokus-pokus about a FORD deal. You pay the regular advertised price and you get a Whole automobile'?not pieces of one. The saving to you on Ivquipment alone is, at the lowest, 12J4 per cent of your entire investment. You can hank this saving. What a satisfaction the FORD plan is! Price mentioned just once. ['or example, when you are buying that snappy 4-cylinder Vi IRD Model T Torpedo, the salesman tolls you it will cost you $590 complete?-no extras; when you buy a Vi >RD, V. O. H. Detroit and there is no time spent in haggling over the equipment that today should be a part of eve.iy car. There are no misunderstandings. $590 Ford Medel T Torpedo You just fiU'er up with gasoline and oil and drive away in a happy state of mind, with the positive assurance that you have received the greatest automobile value in the world. Of course, FORD gives you a double advantage by purchase in such enormous quan tities that the price is the lowest possible. FORD carries all that financial load for FORD buyers, and the equipment for your FORD car comes to you all paid. Immediate delivery In addition to the Ford Model T Torpedo, we offer for immediate delivery the following: models. KORO Model T Touring Car, 5 passengers, Completely Equisped, P. O. H. Detroit, FORD Model T Delivery Car, ca paeity 750 pounds merchandise, Completely Equipped, F. O. B. Detroit, $690 $700 FORD Model T Commercial Road ster, 8 passengers removable rum ble seat. Completely Equipped, F. O. U. Detroit, FORD Model T (I.andaulct) Town Car, 6 passengers, Completely Equipped, F. O. H. Dotroit. $590 $900 (No Ford Cars Sold Unequipped.) Allow us to give you a demonstration. Take a ride and know for yourself how smooth Model T runs and how easy it is to operate and control. Catalogs and other ucw literature descriptive of FORD cars on request. Call, write or telephone. J. I. CHIPLEY Auto Exchange Greenwood, S. C.