The Darlington news. (Darlington, S.C.) 1875-1909, February 02, 1893, Image 3

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| coma. "Wlmtr cries the carter in so sharp a note that his very horse stiyted, and I then, “Well, mnnnie," he aiTded, “it’a ; nanc of my affairs, but ye seem a decent •.IKikeii 1 id, and if ye'll take a word from me ye'll keep clear of the Shaws." CHAPTER L I SET OFF UPON MY JOUKHKT TO THE HOISK OF SHAWS. 1 will begin the story of my adven tures with a certain morning early in the month of June, the year of grace seventeen hundred and fifty-one, when I took the key for the last time out of the door of my father’s house. The sun began to shine upon the summit of the hills as 1 went down the road, and by the time 1 had come as far as the manse the blackbirds were whistling in the garden lilacs, and the mist that hang around the valley in the time of the dawn was beginning to arise and die away. Mr. Campbell, the minister of Essen- dean, was waiting for me by the garden gate, good man! He asked me if 1 had breakfasted, and hearing that 1 lacked for nothing he took my hand in l>oth of fcis and clapped it kindly under his arm. “Well. Davie, lad," said he, “1 will go with you as far as the ford, to set yon on the way." And wo began to walk forward in si lence. "Are ye sorry to leave Essendean?" said he. after awhile. “Why, sir,” said I, “if 1 knew where 1 was going, or what was likely to be come of me, I would tell you candidly. Essendean is a good place indeed, and 1 have been very happy there; but then 1 have never been anywhere else. My father and mother, since they are both dead, 1 shall be no nearer to in Esseu- dean than in the kingdom of Hungary; and to speak truth, if 1 thought 1 had a chance to better myself where 1 was go ing, 1 would go with a good will.” “Aye?” said Mr. Campbell. “Very well, Davie. Then it behooves me to tell your fortunb, or so far as 1 may. When your mother was gone and yom father (the worthy, Christian man) be gan to sicken for his end he gave me in c harge a certain letter, which he said was your inheritance. ‘So soon,' says he, ‘as i am gone and the house is redd up and the gear disposed of (all which, Davie, hath been done) ‘give my boy this letter inUFhis hand and start him off to I he hoitle of Shaws, not far from Cramond. That is the place 1 came from,’ he said, ‘and it's where it befits that my boy should return. He is a steady lad,’ your father said, ‘and a canny goer, and 1 doubt not he will come safe and be well liked where be goes.’" "Th* house of Shaws!” 1 cried. “What bad my poor father to do with the house of Shaws?" “Nay,” said Mr. Campbell, “who can tell that for a surety? But the name of that family, Davie, boy, is the name yon bear—B.dfonrs of Shaws: an ancient, honest, reputable house, peradventure in these latter days decayed. Your father, too, was a man of learning as befitted his position; no man more plausibly conducted school; nor had he the manner or the speech of a common dominie; bnt (as ye will yourself remem ber) I took aye a pleasure to have him to the manse to meet the gentry, and those of my own house—Campbell of Kilren net, Campbell of Dus wire, Campbell of Minch and others, all well kenned gen tlemen, had pleasure in his society Lastly, to put all the elements of this affair before you, here is the testa mentary letter itself, superscribed by the own hand of our departed brother." have here a Utile packet which can taint four Ihinyt." He gave me the letter, which was ad dressed in these words, "To the hands of Ebenezer Balfour, Esquire, of Shaws, In his honse of Shaws, these will lg.‘ de livered by my son, David Balfour." My heart was beating hard at this great prospect now suddenly openjpg before a lad of sixteen years of age, the son of a poor country dominie In the forest of Ettrick. “Mr. Campbell,” 1 stammered, “and if yon were in my shoes, would you go?” “Of a surety," said the minister, “that would I, and without pause. A pretty lad like you should get to Cramond (which is near in by Edinburgh) in two days of walk. If the worst came to the worst, and your high relations (as 1 can not but suppose them to be somewhat of your blood) should put you to the door, you can but walk the two days back again and risp at the manse door, But I would rather hope that ye shall be well received as your poor father fore cast for you, and for anything that 1 ken, come to be a great man in time. And here, Davie, laddie,” he resm ed, “it lies near upon my conscience to im prove this parting, and set you on the right guard against the dangers of the world." Here he cast abont for a comfortable seat, lighted on a big bowlder under a birch by the track side, sat down upon it with a very long, serious upper lip, and the sun now shining in njain ns be tween two peaks, put his pocket hand kerchief over his cocked hat to shelter him. There then, with uplifted fore finger. he first pnt me on my guard against a considerable number of her esies, to which 1 liad no temptation, and urged upon me to be instant in my pray ers and reading of the Bible. That done, he drew a picture of the great bouse that I was bound to, apd how I should conduct myself with its inhabitants. “Be soople, Davie, in things imma terial,” said he. “Bear ye this in mind, that, though gentle born, ye have bad a country rearing. Dinnae shame us, Davie; dinnae shame ns! In von great mucKie uonee, with all these domestics, upper and under, show yourself as nice, as circumspect, as quick at the concep tion, and as slow of speech as any. As 'for the laird—remember lie’s the laird: 1 say no more; honor to whom honor. It's a pleasure to obey a laird, or should be, to the young.” "Well, sir,” said 1, “it may lie, and I’ll promise yon I'll try to make it so." “Why, very well said,” replied Mr. ’Jampbell heartily. “And now to come to tlie material or (to intike a quibble) to the immaterial. 1 have here a little packet which contains four things.” He tugged it as lie spoke, and with some difficulty, from the skirt pocket of his coat. "Of these four things, the first is your legal due—the little pickle money for your father's books and plen ishing, which I have bought (as 1 have explained from the first) in .the design of reselling at a profit to the incoming dominie. The other three are gifties that M s. Campbell and myself would be blithe of your acceptance. The first, which is round, will likely please ye best at the first off go: hut, oh. Davie, lad die! it's but a drop of water in the sea; it'll help yon but a step, and vanish like the morning. The second, which is flat and square and written upon, will stand by you through life, like a good staff for the road and a good pillow to your head in sickness. And as for the last, which is cubical, that'll see you, it’s my prayerfnl wish, into a better land.” W ith that he got upon his feet, took off his hat, and prayed a little while aloud, and in affecting terms, for a young man setting ont into the world; then suddenly took me in his arms and embraced me very hard: then held me at arm’s length, looking at me with his face all working with sorrow, and then whipped about, and crying goodby to me set off backward by the way that he had come at a sort of a Jogging run. It might have been laughable to another; but I was in no mind to laugh. ! watched him as long as be was in sight, and he never stopped harrying, nor once looked back. Then it came in upon my mind that this was all his-sorrow at my departure, and my conscience smote me hard and fast, because l, for my part, was overjoyed to get away out of that quiet countryside, and go to a great, busy honse, among rich and respected gentlefolk of my own name and blood. "Davie, Davie,” 1 thought, “was ever seen such black ingratitude? Can you forget old favors and old friends at the mere whistle of a name? Fy, fy; think shame!” And 1 sat down on the bowlder the good man had just left and opened the parcel to see the nature of my gifts. That which he had called cubical 1 had never had much doubt of. Sure enough, it was a little Bible, to carry in a plaid neuk. That which he had called round 1 found to be a shilling piece, and the third, which was to help me so wonder fully both in health and sickness all the days of my life, was a little piece of coarse, yellow paper, written upon thus in red ink: “To Make Lily of the Valley Water- Take the flowers of lily of the valley ard distill them in sack, and drink a spoon ful or two as there is occasion. It re stores speech to those that have the dumb palsy. It is good against the Gout; it comforts the heart and strength ens the memory, and the flowers, pnt into a Ulasse, close stopt and set into ano hill of ants for a month, then take it out, and you will find a liquor which comes from the flowers, which keep in a vial. It is good, ill or well, and whether man or woman.” And then in the minister’s own hand was added: "Likewise for sprains mb it in, and for the cholic a great spooneful in the hour.” To be sure, I laughed over this: but it was rather tremulous laughter, and I was glad to get my bundle on my staff's end and set ont over the ford and up the hill upon the farther side, till, just as 1 came on the green drove road running wide through the heather, I took my last h>ok of Kirk Essendean, the trees about the manse, and the big rowans fn the kirkyard where my father and my mother lay. CHAPTER It 1 COME TO MY JOURNEY'S END. On the forenoon of the second day, coming to the top of a hill, 1 saw all the country fall away before me down to the sea, and in the midst of this descent, on a long ridge, the city of Edinburgh smoking like a kiln. Presently after 1 came by a house where a Shephard lived ar.d got a rough direction for the neighborhood of Cra mond. A little farther on, and 1 was told 1 was in .Cramond parish, and began to substitute in my inquiries the name of the house of Shaws. It was a word that seemed to surprise those of whom 1 sought my way. At first 1 thought the plainness of my appearance in my conn- try habit, and that all dusty from the road, consorted ill with the greatness of the place to which I was Ixmnd. But after two, or maybe three, had given me the same look and the same answer. I be gan to take it in my head there was something strange about the Shaws it self. The better to set this fear at rest 1 changed the form of my inquiries, and spying an honest fellow coming along a ane on the shaft of his cart I asked him if he had ever heard tell of a house they ralled the honse of Shaws. He stopped his cart and looked at me. like the others. “Aye,” said he. “What for!” “It’s a great house?” I asked. “Doubtless," said he. “The house is a big, muckle house.” “Aye," said l. “but the folk that are in it?" "Folk!'” cried he. “Are ye daft? There’s nae folk there—to call folk.” “What?" says I: “not Mr. Ebenezer? - “Oh, aye," sayu the man; "there’s the laird, to be sure, if it’s him you’re want ing. What’ll like be your business, man nie?” “1 was led to think that I would get a situation,” I said, looking as modest as 1 1 1. “They call me David Balfour.” At that 1 made sure the man started, for 1 heard the blunderbuss rattle on the window sffl. and it was after quite a long pause and with a curious change j of voice that the next question followed "Is your father dead?” 1 was so much surprised at this that 1 could find no voice to answer, but stood staring. “Aye," the min resumed, “lie'll be dead no doubt, and that'll be what brings ye chapping to my door.” An other pause and tben defiantly, “Well, man," be said, “I’ll let ye in,” and he disappeared from the window. “Il’t loaded,” eald a t'olce. The next person 1 came across was a dapper little man In a beautiful white wig, whom 1 saw to be a barlier on his rounds, and knowing well that barbers were great gossips 1 asked him plainly what sort of a man was Mr. Balfour, of the Shaws. “Hoot, hoot, hoot,” said the barber, “nae kind of a man, nae kind of a man at all," and began to ask me very shrewdly what my business was; bnt 1 v as more than a match for him at that, ami he went on to his next customer no wiser than he came. 1 cannot well describe the blow this dealt to my illusions. If an hour's walk ing would have brought me back to Essendean I had left my adventure then and there and returned to Mr. Camp bell's. But 1 was ont of mere self re spect to carry it through, and little as 1 liked the sound of what 1 beard, and slow as I began to travel, 1 still kept asking my way and still kept advanc ing. It was drawing on to sundown when 1 met a stout, dark, sour looking woman coming trudging down a bill, and she. when 1 had put my usual question, turned sharp about, accompanied me back to the summit she had just left and pointed to a great bulk of building standing very bare upon a green in the bottom of the next valley. The country was pleasant round about, running in low hills, pleasantly watered and wooded, and the crops, to my eyes, won derfully good, but the house itself ap peared to be a kind of ruin; no road led up to it; no smoke arose from any of the chimneys, nor was there any semblance of a garden. My heart sank. “That!" I cried. The woman's face lit up with a ma lignant anger. “That is the house of Shaws!” she cried. “Blood built it; blood stopped the building of it; blood shall bring it down. See here!” she cried again, “1 spit upon the ground and crack my thumb at it! B'ark laj its fall! If ye see the laird tell him what ye hear; tell him this makes the twelve banner and nineteen time th it Jennet Clouston has called down the curse on him and his house, byre and stable, man, guest and master, wife, miss or bairn— black, black be their fall!" And the woman, whose voice had risen fo a kind of eldritch singsong, turned with a skip and was gone. 1 sat me down and stared at the bouse of Shaws. The more 1 looked the pleasanter that countryside appeared, being all set with hawthorn bashes full of flowers, the fields dotted v, ith sheep, a fine flight of rooks in the sky and every sign of a kind soil and climate, and yet the barrack in the midst of it went sore against my fancy. The nearer I got to that the drearier it appeared. It seemed like the one wing of a honse that had never been finished. What should have been the inner end stood open on the npper floors and showed against the sky with steps and stairs of uncompleted masonry. Many of the windows were unglazed, and bats flev. in and out like doves ont of a dovecote. The night had begun to fall as 1 got close, and in three of the lower win dows, which were very high npand nar row and well barred, the changing light of a little fire began to glimmer. Was tins the palace I had been com ing to? Was it witbin these walls that I was to seek new friends, and begin great fortunes? Why, in my father's house on Essen-Ws'lerside the fire and the bright lights could show a mile away, and the dooj open to a beggar’s knoi k. 1 came forward cautiously, and giv ing ear as 1 came beard some one rat tling with dishes, and a little, dry, eager cough that came in fits, but there was no sound of speech and not a dog barked. The door, as well as 1 could see it in the dim light, was a great piece of wood all studded with nails, and I lifted my hand with a faint heart under my jacket and knocked once. Th -n 1 stood and waited. The honse had fallen into a dead silence. A whole minute passed away, and nothing stirred but the hats overhead. 1 knocked again and heark ened again. By this time my ears had grown so accustomed to the quiet that 1 could hear the ticking of the clock in side as it slowly counted out the sec onds, but whoever was in that house kept deadly still and must have held his breath. I was in. two minds whether to run away; but anger got the np;>cr hand, and 1 began instead to rain kicks and buffets on the door and to shout out aloud for Mr. Balfour. 1 was iu full career when 1 heard the cough right overhead, and jumping back and looking up beheld a man's head in a tall night cap. and the liell mouth of a blunder buss at one of the first windows. “It's loaded," said a voice. ”1 have come here with a letter,” 1 said,‘Ho Mr. Ebenezer Balfour, of Shaws Is be here?" “From whom is it?” asked the man with the blunderbuss. “That is neither here nor there," said I, for I was growing very wroth. “Well," was the reply, “ye can pnt it down upon the doorstep and 1* off with ye.” “1 will do no such thing,” I cried. “1 will deliver it into Mr. Balfour’s hands, as it was meant I should. It is a letter of introduction.” “A what?” cried the voice sharply. I repeated what 1 hail said. “Who are yo yourself?” was the next Question after a considerable pause. “T am rtnii aakAmaf^ of TOV pn-Tpq,” an-ld CHAPTER III. I MAKE ACQUAINTANCE OF MV CNCLR. Presently there came a great rattling of chains and holts, and the door was cautiously opened and shut to again be hind me as soon as I hail passed. “Go into the kitchen and tonch naeth- ing,” said the voice; and while the per son of the house set himself to replacing the defenses of the door, 1 groped my way forward and entered the kitchen. The tire had burned up fairly bright, and showed me the barest room I think 1 ever pnt my eyes on. Half a dozen dishes stood upon the shelves; the table ! was laid for supper with a bowl of por ridge, a born spoon and a cup of small beer. Besides what 1 have named there was not another thing in that great, stone vaulted, empty chamber, but^lock- fast chests ...ranged along the wall and a corner cupboard with a jiadlock. As soon as the last chain was np the man rejoined me. He was a mean, stooping, ns now shouldered, clay fac ’d creature, ard his age might have been anything between fifty and seventy. His nightcap was flannel, and so was the nightgown be wore, instead of coat ami waistcoat, over his ragged shirt. He was long unshaved; bnt what most dl* ! tressed and even daunted me, he would I neither take his eye away from me noi i look me fairly in the face. What be was, whether by trade or birth, was more than 1 could fathom; bnt he seemed most like an old, unprofitable ! serving man, who should have been left in charge of that big house upon board wages. “Are ye sharp set?” he asked, glanc ing at about the level of my knee. “Ye can eat that drop parritch.” “I’ll lake the ale, though.” 1 said 1 feared it was his own sup- per. “Oh," said be, “1 can do fine Ranting j it. I’ll take the ale, though, for it j slockens my congh.” He drank the cup about half out, still keeping an eye upon me as he drank, and then suddenly held out -his hand. “Let s see the letter,” said he. I told him the letter was for Mr. Bal four—not for him. “And who do ye think 1 am? - says he. “Give me Alexander's letter.” “You know my father's name?” “It should be strange if 1 didua,” he returned, “for he was my born brother, and little as ye seem to like either me or my house, or my good parritch, I’m your born uncle, Davie, my man, and you my born nephew. So give us the letter and sit down and fill your kyte.” If 1 had been some years younger, what with shame, weariness and disap- poiutment.I believe 1 had burst into tears. As it was, 1 could find no words, neither black nor white, but banded him the letter and sat down to the porridge with as little appetite for meat as ever a Young man had. Meanwhile my uncle, stooping over the fire, turned the letter over and over in bis hands. "Do ye ken what’s in it?" he asked suddenly. “Yon see for yourself, sir,” said 1, “that the seal bas not been broken.” “Aye,” said be, "but what brought yon here?” "To give the letter,” said 1. “No," says he cunningly, “but ye’ll have bad some hopes, nae doubt?” “1 confess, sir,” said I, “when 1 was told that 1 had kinsfolk well to do, 1 did indeed indulge the hope that they might help me in my life. But 1 am no beg gar; I look for no favors at your bands, and 1 want none that are not freely given. For as poor as I appear, I have friends of my own that will be blithe to help me.” “Hoot, hoot!” said Uncle Ebenezer, “dinna fly up in the snuff at me. We’ll agree fine yet. And Davie, my man, if you’re done with that bit parritch, 1 could just take a sup of it myself. Aye,” he continued, as soon as he had ousted me from the stool and spoon, “they’re tine, halesome food—they’re grand food, parritch.” He murmured a little grace to himself and fell to. “Your father was very fond of his meat. I mind. He was a hearty if not a great eater, but as for me, I could never do mair than pylne at food.” He took a pull at the small beer, which probably reminded him of hospitable dntips, for his next speech ran thus, “If ye’re dry ye’ll find water behind the door." To this 1 returned no answer, stand ing stiffly on my two feet and looking down upon my uncle with a mighty an gry heart. He, on his part, continued to eat like a man under some pressure of time, and to throw out little darting glances now at my shoes and now at my homespun stockings. Once o»ly, when he had ventured to look a little higher, our eyes met, and no thief taken with a hand in a man’s pocket could have shown more lively signals of distress. This set me in a muse whether bis timid ity arose from too long a disuse of any human company, and whether perhaps, upon a little trial, it might pass off and my nncle change into an altogether dif ferent man. From this I was awakened by his sharp voice. “Your father's been long dead?” he asked. “Three weeks, sir," said L “He was a secret man, Alexander—a secret,, silept man,” be continued, “He ' never saia muckle wnen ne was young. I He'll never have spoken muckle of me.” “1 never knew, sir, till you told it me vnnrself that he had anv brother.” t “Dear me, uear me: saw r.oenezer ' “Nor yet of Shaws, 1 dare say.” “Not so much as the name, sir,” said I. “To think o’ that I” said he. “A strange nature of a man!" For all that ho seemed singularly satisfied, but i whether with himself or me, or with this ! conduct of my father, was more than 1 could read. Certainly, however, he seemed to lie outgrowing that distaste or ill will that he had conceived at first against my i>erson, for jM-esently he jumped up, came across the room be hind me and hit me a smack upon the shoulder. “We'll agree fine yet!” he cried. “I'm just as glad 1 let you in. and now cone awa' to vour bed ” To my surprise, ne nt no lamp or caudle, but set forth into the dark pas sage, groped his way, breathing deeply, up a flight of stejis, and jiaused before a door, which he unlocked. 1 was close upon his heels, having stumbled after him as liest 1 might; and he bade me go in, for that was my chamber. I did as he bid, but paused after a few steps and begged a light to go to lied with. “Hoot toot!" said Uncle Ebenezer, /‘there’s a fine moon.” “Neither moon nor star, sir, and pit- mirk,” [dark as the pit] said L “I can- m>t> aoa Kxxsl ’* "Hoot toot, hoot toot!” said he. “Lights in a house is a thing 1 dinnae agree with. I'm unco feared of fires. Good night to ye, Davie, my man." And before I had time to add a further protest, be pulled the door to, and 1 heard him lock me in from the outside. 1 did not know whether to laugh or cry. The room was as cold as a well and the bed, when I had found my way to it, as damp as a peat hag; bnt by good fortune I had caught npmy bundle and my plaid, and rolling myself in the latter 1 lay down upon the flour under the lee of the big bedstead and fell speedily asleep. With the first peep of day 1 opened • eyes, to find myself in a great bed chamber, bang with stamped leather, furnished with fine embroidered furni ture and lit by three fair windows. Ten years ago, or perhaps twenty, it must have been as pleasant a room to lie down or to awake in as a man could wish; but damp, dirt, disuse and the mice and spiders bad done their worst since then. Many of the window panes besides were broken, and indeed this was so common a feat are in that house that 1 believe my uncle must at some time have stood a siege from his indig nant neighbors—iierhaps with Jennet Clouston at their head. Meanwhile the sun was shining out side, and being very cold in that miser able room 1 knocked and shouted till my jailer came and let me out. He carried me to the back of the honse, where was a draw well, and told me to “wash my face there, if I wanted;” and when that was done, I made the best of my own way back to the kitchen, where he had lit the fire and was making the porridge. The table was laid with two bowls and two horn spoona, but the same single measure of small beer. Per haps my eye rested on this particular with some surprise, and perhaps my uncle observed it; for he sjioko np as if in answer to my thought, asking me if I would like to drink ale—for so he called It. I told him such was my habit, bnt not to put himself about.' "Nae, nae," said he; ‘Til deny you nothing in reason." He fetched an other cup from the shelf, and then, to my great surprise, instead of drawing more lieer, he ponied an accurate half from one enp to the other. There was a kind of nobleness in this that took my breath away. If my nncle was certain ly a miser ho was one of that thorough breed that goes near to make the vice respectable. When we had made an end of onr meal my uncle Ebenezer unlocked a drawer, and drew out.of it a clay pipe and a lump of tobacco, from which he cut one fill before he locked it np again. Tben he sat down in the sun at one of the windows and silently smoked. From time to time his eyes came coasting round to me, and he shot out one of his ques tions. Once it was, “And your mother?' and when 1 had told him that she, too, was dead, “Aye, she was a bonnie lassie!” Then after another long pause, “Whao were these friends o’ yours?” 1 told him they were ninorem geuue- men of the name of Campbell; though indeed there was only one, and that the minister, that had ever taken the least note of me, but 1 began to think my uncle made too light of my position, and finding myself alone with him 1 did not wish him to suppose me helpless. He seemed to turn this over in his mind; and then, “Davie, my man,” said he, “ye’ve come to the right bit when ye came to your Uncle Ebenezer. I’ve a great notion of the family, and 1 mean to do the right by you, hut while I’m taking a bit think to mysel' of what's the best thing to put yon to—whether the law, or the meenistry, or may he the army, whilk is what boys are fondest of —1 wouldnae like the Balfours to be humbled before a wheen Hieland Camp bells, and I'll ask you to keep your tongue within your teeth. Nae letters, nae messages, nae kind of word to ony body, or else—there’s my door.” “Uncle Elienezer,” said l, “I’ve no manner or reason to suppose you mean anything but well by me. For all that. I would have yon to know that I have a pride of my own. It was by no will of | mine that I came seeking you, and if you show me your door again I'll take you at the word.” He seemed grievously put out. “Hoot* | toots,” said he, ‘‘ca’ cannie man—ca' [ cannie! Bide a day or two. I’m nae i warlock, to find a fertune for you in the j bottom of a parritch bowl; but just yon | give me a day or two and say naething | to naebody, and as sure as sure I'll do tbe riarht bv-Ton.” “Very wcil.T said I, “enough said. It you want to help me there's no doubt bnt I'll be glad of it, and none but I’ll be grateful.” It seemed to me (too soon, I dare say) that I was getting the npjier hand of my uncle, and 1 began next to say that 1 must have the bed and bedclothes aired and pnt to sun dry, for nothing would make me sleep in snch a pickle. “Is this my house or yours?” said he in his keen voice, and then all of a sadden broke off. “Nae, nae,” said ho; “1 dinnae mean that. What’s mine is yours, Da vie, my man, and what's yours is mine. Blood's thicker than water, and then‘s Uiebody but you and me that ought the name.” And then on he rambled about the family, and its ancient greatness, and bis father that began to enlarge the { bouse, and himself that stopped the | building os a pinful waste. [TO BE CONTINUED.] Like a Great Railway, With its branches running in every direction, art the arteries and veins which convey the blood to every part of the hu man system, A fold, sudden changes or exposur j, may cause poisonous acids to dog the cir* dilation, and then .:omes Rheu- j matism. Beware 1 If you val ue life remove the obstruction with Dr. Drmmond's Lightning Remedy. You cai get a large bottle at the drugg ists for $5 or it will be sent to yea by prepaid express with a guai anteeofeure if >ou send to the Drummond Medicine Co., 4850Maiden Lane, New York. Agent > wanted A man never * *alizes how much furniture he owns until he tries to walk rag idly through his house in the da k. A Million Fri A friend in indeed, and m i» million people such a friend * Discovery for l Coughs, and Colds, never used this < Medicine, one trial you that it has w- ative powers in al Throat, Chest and bottle is guarantt that is claimed or be refunded. Tria at Willcox & Co’s Large bottles 50c. i nds. is a friend ^ than one ‘ found just King’s New onsumption, -If you have Teat Cough vill convince nderful cur diseases of ,ungs. Each d to do all money will bottles free Drug Store, nd $1.00. “Your sealskin st cque is rath er short, is it m t ?’. “Yes ; vhen 1 got it my h isband was short.” Deserving Pi We desire to say zens, that for yea been selling Dr. Discovery for Cons King’s New Life Pii Arnica Salve and 1 ters; and have ne remedies that sell that have given sm satisfaction. Wet tate to guarantee time, and we stam fund the purchase isfactory results di their use. These n won their great pop ly on their meri Willcox & Co. Dru ;o our citi- s we have ving’s New imption, Dr. s,Bucklen’s lectric Bi^- 'er handle! us well, or h universal o not hesi- chem every ready to re •rice, if sat- • not follow medics have ilarity pure- s. Sold by rgists. Prunella—Did you tell him I was out, Marie? Her Maid- Yes, ma’am. Prmnella—Did he seem to believe you ? Her Maid—Not until I , aid you told me to tell him so. Shiloh's Consuirq This is beyond most successful < cine we have ever doses invariably ct cases of Cough, Cr< chitis, while its w. cess in the cure of ' is without a paralh tory of med cine, discovery it has be guarantee, a test w medicine can sta have a cough we f you to try it. Pri, and $1. If your lu chest, or back lam< Porous Plaster. Si A. Bovd tion Cure, luestion the ’ough Medi- sold, a few re the worst upandBron- nderful sue Jonsumption 1 in the his- 4ince its first )□ sold on a hich no other id. If you arnestly ask e 10c., 50c. igs are sore, . use Shiloh’s Id by Dr. J. Banks—I don’t i iind the grip itself so much—it’s the after ef fects I’m afraid of. Rivers—The aftur effects is «vhat ails me. I'm still stand ing off the doctor fi>r $65.—Chi cago Tribune. Answer This Q jestion. Why do so man people we see around us seen to prefer to suffer and be mai e miserable by Indigestion, ('onstipation, Dizziness, Loss <•{ Appetite, Coming up of the Food, Yellow Skin, when for 75c. we will sell them Shiloh’s Vit ilizer, guar anteed to cure th* tn. Sold by Dr. J. A. Boyd. KIDNAPPED,” BTf Robert Louis Stevenson, is now running ir this paper. Don't Miss a Chapter TXART8VILLE RAl .ROAD. In effact Jan. a, ISM. DAILY MIX.EL TRAIN Leave Hartsville 5.00 a m Jovann 5.30 a a F'oyd’a 5.36 a in Darlington 5.50 a is Palmetto 0.03 u m Arrive Florence 6.15 * m Leave Florence o.tO p , u Palmetto. 9.15 p m Darlington 9.30 p m Floyd’* 9.45 p in Jovann 10-05 p ib Arrrive Hartsville V-~ 10.36 p m J. F. DIVINEiSGeu. 8upt. CHARLESTON, SUHTER AND NORTHERN RAILROAD CHARLES E. KIMBALL Receiver. NORTH. UX7VV w <!• 14. AVy SOUTH. 21 1 2 22 A..V. AM. A,M. P.M. . ... 6.50 Charleston 10.30 8.15 I’regnalTi 9.05 6 45 8 30 Sumter 13.50 1 20 8.48 1.00 Lamar 11 31 11.39 9.22 1.20 Syracuse 11 11 11.03 10.40 1.41 Darlington 10.40 10.29 11.15 2 05 Mont Clare 10 26 958 11.40 2.21 Robin's Neck 10.10 8.18 12.10 2.41 Mandeville 9.50 7.53 12.10 8 01 Henuettsville 9.30 7.23 3 0 Gibson 8.40 4.30 Hamlet 7.50 P.M. P.M P.M. A.M. Close connection is made at Hamlet for all points reached by or via the Seaboard Air Line System ; at Ben- nettsville for all points via C. F. A Y. V. K R. No. 3 does not take passengers south of Sumter. Nos. 21 and 22 do not run north of Henuettsville. J. H. AVER1LL, General Manager. c. A D. and C. A 8. RAILROADS- In effect Jan. 2, 1898. Lea\e Wadenboro • 1.40 p in Dennett's 2.01 p m Morveu’s 2.25 p m McFarland 2-40 p m Cheraw 4.00 p in Cash's 4 30 p m Society Hill 6.05 p m Dove’s 5.45 p m Floyd’s 6.00 p in Darlington 0.25 p m Palmetto 0.40 p m Arrive Florence 7.(X£p in Leave Florence 0.80 a m Palmetto 6.50 a in Darlington 7.30 a m Floyd's 7.55 a in Dove's 8 10 a in Society Hill 8 40am Cash’s 9 35 a m Cheraw 10.00 a m McFarland 11.45 p m Morven’s 12.05 p m Bennett’s 12.20 p m Arrive Wadesboro 12.45 p m Local Freight Train. Leave Florence 9.00 a m Arrive Darlington 9.45 a m Leave Darlington 5.00 p m Arrive Florence 6.45 p m A. F. RAY ENEL, President. N ORTHEASTERN RAILROAD. In effect Jan. 2, 1893. SOUTH BOUND. No. 15 l^eave Florence 0 25am Kingstree 7.85 am lames 7.55 a m Arrive Charleston 9.44 a m No. 27. Leave Florence 10.60 p|m Kingstree 11.50 pm Lanes 12.18 a w Arrive Charleston 2.19 am No. 23. I^eave Florence 11.00 p in _ Kingstree 12.14 am Lanes 12.32 a m Arrive Charleston 2.38 a m No. 53. Leave Lanes 8.45 p m Arrive Charleston 10.40 p m Train on C. A D. U. K. connects at Florence with No. 16 Train. NORTH BOUND. Leave Charleston No. 78. I .alien 8.22 a in Kingstree Arrive Florence 4.55 a m Leave Charleston No. 66 I-aues Kingstree Arrive Florence No. 14. I-cave Charleston Lanes Kingstree 6.17 p m Arrive Florence 7.10 p m Leave Charleston No. 52. Arrive Lanes No. 52 runs through to Columbia via Central R. It. of S. C. No. 78 runs solid to Wilming ton, N. C., making close connection with W. A W. R. R. for all points North. Trains Nos. 14 and 06 run via Wilson an Fayetteville—Short Line—and make close connection for all points North. J. F. DIVINE. Gen. Snpt. Am/ILMINGTON, COLUMBIANA NT AUGUSTA RALROAD. In effect January 2 1893. SOUTH BOUND. No. 23. Leave Wilmington 6.25 p in Marion 9.41 p m Arrive Florence 10-25 p m No. 5o. Leave Florence 3.20 a m Sumter 4.35 a m Arrive Columbia 6.15 a m No. 63. Leave Sumter 9.43 a in Arrive Columbia 10.55 a m No. 68. Leave Florence..^ 7.57 a m Sumter 9 20 a m Arrive Columbia No. 52 runs through from Charles ton via Central Railroad; leaving Lanes 8-32 a m, Manning 9 09 a m. NORTH BOUND. No. 51. Leave Columbia 10.45 p m Sumter 12.05 a m Arrive Florence 1.30 am No. 78. Leave Florence 3.10 a Marion 5.53 a m Arrive Wilmington 9.10 am No. 59. Leave Columbia Sumter 7.30 p in Arrive Florence 8.50 p m No. 58. Leave Columbia 6.10 pm Arrive Sumter 7. 25p m No 53 runs through to charleston via central Railroad, arriving Man ning 8.00 p in. Lanes 8.40 charleston 10.30 a m. Trains on Manchester and Augr B. R-, leave Sumter daily except Sun day, 10-50 a. m., arrive Rimini 11:59 a. m. Returning leave '.Rimini 12:30 p. in., arrive Sumter 1:40 p in. Trains on Hartsville R. R. leave Hartitille 5:00 a. m., arriving Floyds 5:35 a. in. Returning leave Floyds 9:45 p. in., arriving Hartsvill 10:5 p. m. Daily except Sunday. Tiains on Wilmington, Chadhouru and Conway Railroad leave Chad- bourn 10:30 a. m., arrive at Conway 1:00 p. m„ returning leave Conway at 2 30 p. m , arrive Chadbourn 5:20 p. in Leave Chadbourn 7:15 a. m. and 5:50 p. iu., arrive Hub at 8:00 a. m. and 6:25 p. in. Returning leave Hub 9:00 a. m. and 6:45 p. in , arrive at I had- bourn 9:45 a- m. and 7:30 p m. Daily except Sunday. JOHN F. Di VINE, CenT Sup’t. FOR SALE A Second-hand Sewing Machine: in excellent condition. Apply at Tut Dakuxmo* Nxwa OOaa.