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9k Darlington Jte. WADOY THOMPSON, Editor. During the temporary abtence of tht regular Editor, hi* local work de- eo/tfc* upon R. C. Starr, Jr. Thursday, August 31, 1893. STATE CONTROL OF TEXT-BOOKS. When the State Board of Ex aminers met five years ago for the purpose of deciding what text kooks were to be used in the public schools, they adopted what is known as a “multiple series”, that is, they put on the list three or four books of the same grade for each study, leav ing it to the several county boards to select from this “mul tiple series” the text-books for their respective counties. Some ot them adopted one series and some another. The most serious objection to the “school-book dispensary” scheme now con templated by the State author! ties is, that, accorditfg to the avowed intention of its origin ator himself, it will necissitate the substitution of a single ser ies for the entire State in place of thepresent “multiple series”. Since no two counties are now using exactly the same series, there will have to be many changes made, a result greatly to be deplored, for it is this very thing of condemning the books in use and compelling the pur chase of others in their place, year after year and every year, which, even more than the high price of the books themselves, has been such a great hardship on the people, and has given rise to so much murmering on the school-book question. This alone then should be a sufficient objection to the administration scheme in the eyes of the people to make them utterly condemn it. When the regular book-sellers are run out of the market, and the school commissioners of the several counties are put in charge of the trade on the part of the State, there will be more trouble. The beggarly pay grudgingly doled out to these officials under the parsimonious policy now in vogue has ex emplified the adage of “poor pay, poor preach”. The vast majority of our present school commissioners are anything but the experienced and reliable business men to whom the great publishing houses of the North and West would voluntarily en trust the handling of their goods, and under such management, the State’s school-book trade would soon be but another charge and trial put upon the already over-burdened Common wealth. The fact that the school commissioner of Darlington County does not come within the category above described is the exception which goes to prove the rule. There is one thing certain, if Mr. Perritt has to give up his present regular employment as a teacher and move to Darlington for the pur- p o s e of running the State’s school-book depository at a pro fit of five per cent to cover the actual expenses of the business, with nothing but his meagre official salary to live on, he will soon find out that the school commissioner’s “lot isnotahap- py one”. It will be seen we be lieve, on investigation, that comparatively few of the pre sent school commissioners re side at their respective county seats, or even very near them. The experiment will soon devel op the fact, too, that five per cent will not cover the actual cost of handling the books, and as the net profits of the present dealers, after paying freight and drayage, has been shown to be rarely more than ten per cent, the evil of high-priced school-books is not going to be so very much remedied after all. Under the proposed new scheme, the single series of text books adopted by the Ptate Board of Examiners is to be forced upon the graded schools also, which, owing to the fact that they are supported by a special tax levied upon all the property within the school dis trict and derive no revenue from the ordinary county school fund, have been very properly allow ed the privilege heretofore of selecting their own text-books. The graded school authorities know their needs better than the State Board of Examiners, and to them, we feel sure, the patrons arc perfectly willing to leave the whole subject. As no body wants these schools in cluded under the new law, the gratuitous enforcement of a uniform series of text-books up on them will be tyrannical in the highest degree. The State Board of Examiners will meet next month to decide upon the whole matter. In the meantime they have issued to all the leading publishing houses of the country a circular letter setting forth the project in full and asking for their co-opera tion. What the result will be remains to be seen, but we do not hesitate to predict that the adoption of the plan as at pre sent outlined, or anything like it, will produce great dissatis faction and will end in a lament able failure. HIS NOTIONS CHANGED. WhJ H« Didn't Acme With HU Friend on the SuVJect of Vmention*. A little bunch of well known business men were gathered by chance in front of the Lindell hotel. They stood there for some time discussing politics and enjoy ing the sunshine. Finally, as they were about to separate, one of the group no ticed that the overcoat pocket of his via- a-vis was crammed with railway maps, steamers’ guides and time tables. "I say, Charlie,” he said, “why are you collecting all that rubbish? Planning a vacation?" “Yes,” he answered. Same old thing every year. Go somewhere—go some where. I think sometimes I'd rather take my family out here on the Maramec, live ip a tent and fish. But no, it's fash ionable to hurry away on long and te dious journeys, stop at stuffy hotels, rash through a maze of nonsense and then rash home dead tired, weary, half sick and altogtjker footsore. The very contemplation ef it tires me.” “Why don't yon stop it then?” said the questioner. “Rather a difficult thing to do, I should judge—when your family plans the campaign.” “Do as I did. It just took me three years to accomplish it, and now I live in peace. On onr first summer vacation, which was by sail, I devoted my spare time to reading aloud the statistics, and descriptions of horrible accidents on rail roads. At the hotel I brushed up on all the hotel conflagrations since watering places were Invented and mentioned them in detail npon all possible occa sions. It was a most exasperating and uncomfortable experience for all con cerned, I can tell you, but it worked. Next summer, when the vacation busi ness came up, I merely asked if we were going over the same route as before and was met with a most unanimous and emphatic chorus of noes. They were afraid of railroads and hotels, and so they compromised on a long trip by Iteamboat up and down the river, be cause it would be entirely safe. “I prepared myself again, and when the boat moved out I had in my state room a couple of books which portrayed in the most heartrending manner the final blowing up of almost every steam boat that ever ran the river. These I dragged out and read with much unction and deep pathos. In the holy calm of the summer evenings, in the glorious hush of the sunlit mornings, I read 'em aloud until we were all afraid we would never get home alive. Well, sir, it was awful! The horrors of those days and nights are with us yet. Next summer I suggested the beauties of a river trip, but nobody seconded the motion, and i soon learned that we were to spend a few months at a small inland resort not many miles distant from St. Louis. “This was an unexpected flank move ment, but I loaded up with statistics, and on cloudy evenings I would lie in the hammock of the resort and tell my family how cyclones are formed and show them how they rash up the valley and sweep resorts from the face of the earth. I was compelled to manufacture a few facts in order to prove that cy clones had a special fondness for sum mer boarders, but the scheme worked like a charm. We came home a month in advance and have never gone any where since. Say, old man, you don’t know how I enjoy life now with a week or two in the woods with my fishing and hunting club. It’s a great scheme.” And the ugly man laughed a harsh, discordant, exasperating laugh. Nobody said anything for some time. The group was thinking. "Yes, sir-ee. It’s a great scheme,” re sumed the ugly man. “Don’t you think so, John?” “No, I don't,” said John, “and IT1 tell you why. I used to have your notions of a good time, and in consequence the summer outings ef myself and family were anything Wat pleasant. But the little woman is lying out yender in Belle- fontaine now, and when these beauti ful days come along I feel as thongh I would give the universe for one more chance to do something for the comfor and pleasure of one who deserved sq mnch and got shuttle. That’s why.” And John and Charlie and the ugly man turned away without another word. —St Louis Republic. SUNDAY AMUSEMENT. IN MEXICO A PRIEST SENDS Hit BIRDS TO A COCK FIGHT. • A Gond Enough Henaon. The handsome hospital nurse who married the old wealthy man the other day was very happy in her reply to a friend who asked why she wedded such a fossil, 'T thought I might as well be engaged ip nursing one old man as a dosen.”—Exchange. A C'lrvnr Bsmtader. A very brave soldier had both his arms carried off in battle, after which his colo nel offered him half a crown. “Colonel,” said the soldier, “yon think I have lost a pair of gloves.”—London Tit-Bits. Aa Kothn.lutle Lo«er of Gmbo Roooton Entertain. HU Cotnre**tlon With Bar* Coatee t* Between Belligerent Cock*. One Sunday’. Sport. “It was in a Mexican village,” said the explorer. “Great had been our surprise the evening before when a little after 5 o'clock we rode into the public square up to the door of the convent and ob served a long line of game cocks guard ing one side of the great church. Well, that was onr first impression. Closer inspection made things plainer. In the convent, residence of only the priest and bis relations, we hang onr hammocks, rested awhile, refreshed the inner man with tortillas and black beans, then went forth to investigate the feathered regi ment. The large church was built out into the square, so that»its rear wall was on a line with the convent and other structures forming that side of the square. “Along the wall that stood at right an gles with the front of the convent small wooden stakes had been driven in the ground. To each a plumed warrior was securely attached at a safe distance from his vsliant compeers. Who could have dared to utilize for such a purpose the shade afforded by the wall of the sacred edifice? Another instant and we should have voiced this thought. It is general ly a mistake to speak in a hurry. The good old priest had followed us and waa now at onr side. Pointing a lean brown finger at a very prond looking rooster, he said: ‘That is the prince of this lot, thongh they will all prove themselves splendid fighters, I know! I have not studied the creatures 40 years for not hing ” Sol They were his own property I Yes, another five minutes’ talk made it plain that the pet hobby of this holy man was cock fighting! We will call him Father F. because it is not necessary to give the name of onr kind host. Fairly launched on his favorite topic, be talked sway for a full hour and waa ut terly amazed, not to say somewhat in- crednlous, when informed that we had never seen a professional tussle between those birds so dear to his he::rt and purse, and which he loved to see fighting in the ring. 'But you must come with me tomorrow afternoon,’ said he; ‘the people here all like it, and we enjoy the harmless sport every Sunday afternoon.’ He intended no sarcasm. “Nolens volens, when Sunday after noon came, onr host, having laid aside his sacerdotal robes after celebrating high maas, piloted us to the scene of ac tion. The pit was in the interior court yard of a pijyate house. A circular fsuee of slender sticks surrounded the carefully leveled ground dedicated to the carnage. Chairs surrounded it, and a shed, thatched with palm leaves, shel tered the spot from the scorching rays of the sun. In gay attire the most re spected matrons and maidens of the place were there, the performance being countenanced and partly provided by the priest. A bvely conversation was kept np, all present being acquainted. The roosters had been shorn of their feathers, save those of the wings and tail. Each bird was weighed; then curved steel spurs were secured to the stamps of those provided by natnre, but which had been cat off. Quite suddenly conversation ceases. Two birds are in the ring. The straggle commences. Heads lowered, eyes glaring, qnivering with rage, the heroes fly at each other. “Calcnlating that his opponent has jumped too high, the other one crouches, avoids the blow and tarns npon his foe. who stands firm. Both rise in the air. breaift striking against breast, each striv ing to deal his adversary a mortal blow. One is stabbed —he staggers. Profiting by this weakness, his adversary follows np the attack, bnt the wounded one keeps an eye on his enemy, and not be ing ready for him dodges, regains his position and inflicts a wound. Both now have difflcnlty in keeping on their feet, though neither will yield. More wounds are dealt. Both fall exhausted. One recovers, sees his foe prostrate, so does not attack, bnt shakes his lowered head and claws the ground in his fury. Im patiently he thirsts for the life of. his opponent, who, no less savage, regains his feet, and with glaring eyes watches every move of his adversary. “The enthusiasm of their owners and backers increases aa the wonnds become more nnmeroos—the excitement is in tense, and bets run high. The creatures engaged in deadly strife keep cooler than the audience. A moment arrives when all the backers talk at once. ‘Five dol lars more on the whiter ‘Ten on the csnelo'(cinnamon color). The stakes do not exceed $S0. At last one warrior falls. Dead silence follows, so great is the suspense. Will he rise once more? Victor examinee victim very distrust fully, makes sure he is dead, then mount ing on the prostrate form draws himself np with an exultant cry of victory, just like some gladiator of olden times. “All through the long summer after noon ons battle succeeded another. The birds that survived were taken home to be carefully tended until restored enough to fight agflB. Even those that had lost one or both eyes would fight if an oppor tunity was given to them, tor these birds are so ferociously brave that unless wanted to fight they have to be kept oat of each other's reach. "At the S o'clock dinner in the con vent onr reverend host talked of nothing but his triumphant rooster* and called on ns to bear witness that the very one he had pointed ont had proved itself that day the greatest hero of them all.”—New York Tribune. COLUMBIA* Four COLUMBIA BICYCLE Points. i The Double Diamond Frame, supreme in rigid ity, lightness, elegance. The Band Brake, of ample power and easy con trol. It doesn’t touch the tire and can’t injure it. 2 3 The Columbia Pneumatic Tire; the tire you are sure of; the tire that is guaranteed. Always, now, and probably forever, the STAND ARD BICYCLE of the world. Absolutely guaranteed 4 You can tell a Columbia by the way it looks and the way it wears. Il grows old beautifully. It wears out slowly. J. D. BAIRD & CO., DARLINGTON, S.O. * ' July 20—3m IS NOW A complete line of every thing usual to a first-class Hardware Store. Also a full line of * igraM Inpltitiis, Esgiuin’ Sipjlies, Uk;, Stons AND TUSTWAlFtE, And will sell at the very lowest prices for cash. Tinning, Roofing & Plumbing Oct6—tf A SUPKOI.AJLT'Z-. THESE ARE LINESI A SoSden Had *f a WfcUt Geese. In the spring ot 1789 a “fattish” lady —the epithet is not mins— was playing atesedsat an assembly. Her partner •creamed ont: “Dear me, madam, what are yon doing! What caff yon be dreaming about? You have the ace in your hand, and you suffer the adver sary's king to pass.” A glance at the lady soon showed that any explanation of ker misconduct was impossible. She had been seized with a stroke of “apo plexy, which put an end to both her and the rubber. ”—Temple Bar. “TBs Wind Blew Tferoagh HI* Whteken.’ A correspondent of the Pittsburg Dis patch says that the very objectionable bit of slang, “The wind blew through bis whiskers,” is not American at all. In fact, be says, it was first nsed by an Englishman, one Dan Chancer, who wrote the “Canterbury Tales.” In the tale of “Tbs Shipman" occurs this remarkable line, “With many a tempest had his WE CARRY: Dry Goods, Dress Goods, I Trimmings, Notions, Laces, White Goods, Embroidery, Slices, Ready-made Clothing, Tinware, Hardware, Crockery, Glass, O-KsOOBKrlES, (at Wholesale and Retail.) We would just like the public to know that we have opened np a larire and complete line In all the above departments 8 Foi* Spring, 1893. Customers who have dealt with us in the paet know what that means To those who never deatlt with us we wish to say that we pride oureelvee on th« * ,h ' ^ BRUNSON, LUNN & CO. FAST Lv. AtHcvnxa, Lv. Knoxville, Ar. Harriman, Ar. Lexington, Ar. Louisvillr, Lv. Louisville, Ar. Indianapolis, Ar. Chicago, Asheville, N. C. to Chicago, His. Through Pullman Cur. 4:08 p.m. vi A The Richmond ff I (R. ft D. R. R.) (E.T. V. ft G. Ry.) (E. T. V. ft (G. Ry.) (Q.ftC. R. R.) (Lou. So.) (Penn. R. R.) (Penn. R. R.) (Penn. R. R.) Eaef rseeessesi ftpinla ff Georgia; Queen i Creecent 8lIC A,M. ( I 1 '■ 11:40 A.M. 11 and Penn*fleanin R^lreade. ? NOTE THE 5 45 P “ A through Chicago Sleeper via Cincie^ati, secured at Harriman arrives at Chicago by Big F^nr Route at 5:15 p.m. Stop-overs allowed at Cind.—tti, Louis ville and Indianapolis. OATaXd ON on. John L. Milam: Trav. Pass. Agt, Knoxville, Tcnn. C. A. Benscoter, Div. Pai«. Agt., K.SHOXC'VXIaX*; C. W. Murphy, Ticket Agent, Asheville, N. C. B. W. Wrenh, G.P. ftT. A, CHICAGO. The Quren A CxncEirr Bom afford* tbs Qnlekeit Schedule., the Mnert Equipment, the ONLY THROUGH CAR UME TO CMCAN. I From Asheville, Paint Bock, Rot Spring* and Knoxville, via B. d D.. K T. V. d G., Q. A C., L. 8. R. R.. Louisville and the Fauna. Line* to Chicago without change. ■ from AmnUU In CtseloeaU. Ball Bek. cl«M cuuMctios witk >U CMm*. Sm*. Ask (or your tickets vis QUEEN 4 CRESCENT ROUTE. Aar AswtMtk. R. A D.. B. T. V. * •. at Gmaa * Gmwet etlk |1tc 700 IsforwaSoe at t. news, tOm. rl Stoi?' overs allowed at Cimaiaaa4i, La«U- vtUe *r Indlnnnylte. / D. G. TOWARDS. O.P. JL, - CINCINXATI, <k SSKi BANK OF DARLINGTON, DARLINOTOH, a. c., Capital, — — $100,000 Surplus and Undivi ded Profits, — $45,973.80 DIRECTORS: W. C. Coker, J. L Coker, R. W. Boyd, J. J. Ward. E. R. Mclver, A. Nachman, Bright Williamson. Transacts a General Banking Business. Savings Department. Deposits of $1 and upwards received. Interest allowed at rate of 6 per cent, per annum from date of deposit—payable 'quarterly on the first day of January, April, July and October. For further information ap ply at the Bank. Accounts in both Depart ments solicited and will be Kiven careful attention. BRIGHT WILLIAMSON, President. L. E. WILLIAMSON, Cashier. Dec. 81—tf LAW CARDS. a. W. BOYD. GKO. W. BROWS BOYD & BROWN- Ittonffy* and Goumalors at Law Office in brick building south of the Bank of Darlington. DARLINGTON C. H., S C.< PROMPT PERSONAL ATTENTION TO ALL BUSINESS. A FOUNTAIN OF HEALTH! Nature’s own remedy for the relief of the sick and suffering. L1J SPRINGS. CLEVELAND COUNTY, N. 9. The roost wonderful health giving water., in the country. A large and commodions hotel with all modern conveniences. A telegraph office is located in the building, and the railroad station is but two miles off. Always a popular resort with the people of Darlington, the proprietor, who has made every effort to render the season of 1898 particularly attrae- tive, solicits a continuance of their patronage. For circulars containing all further information, a ’dress J. B. WILKINSON, Shelby, N. C. July 80-tf G. W. DARGAH. B. T. THOMPSON. DARGAN & THOMPSON, Attornffya ai Law, Office, Hewitt building (up stairs) north side of the Public Square. Darlin/tton, S. U' J. B. NETTLES. C. S. NUTT LBS. Nettles & Nettles, Attorneys k Counselors at Law, Darlington (!. H„ 8. C. Will practice in all the State and Fed eral Courts. Prompt personal at tention given to the collection of Claims. 1. O WOODS. T. H. SPAIN WOODS* SPA IN, (Successors to Waid ft Woods,) Attorneys & Counsellors at Lav. Offices formerly occupied by Ward & Woods, over Bank of Darlington. Practise in State and Federal Courts. Prompt personal atten tion to all business. Fililti Cigiiti lulitnii, (For both sexes) LEXINGTON. S. C., Opens Tuesday, September 15, ’88. DEPARTMENTS: Ghskhal—Primary, Academic, Collegiate, Commerci il, Normal. Special—Elocution, Music, Teleg raphy, Shorthand, Typewriting, Pen manship and Physienl Culture. Eleven Professional Teachers. Cost—From 853 to $90 for board, washing and tuition fur full session of nine months. No robbery here! Healthy location; modern equip ments. (Don’t confound Palmetto and its low cost with any Yankee missionary school. Palmetto is cheap but operated by Southerners.) Send tor Catalogue. P. E. ROWELL, Aug24— Principal. ARE YOU GOING TO PAINT? If you are we want to say a few words to you about paints in general and The Averill Paint in particular. Our long, hot season makes ours one of the hardest ahd most trying climates on paints. Cheap paints are worthless The best while lead will “chalk off” in a very few months. A paint to give satisfactory results here must be especial- , (^adapted toourclimat-eeon- The Jltfeuill Is just such a paint. It has been nsed in thie lo cality for 85 years, and has al ways given satisfaction. It Is GUARANTEED To give you perfect satisfac tion after time sufficient to thoroughly test it has elapsed, and we are authorized to pro tect this guarantee. Please call at our store for color cards (tree), and see book of 80 ele- S nt designs for hoose-point- g- Wetling & Bonnoi Jun 33—8m. BW.B.KcGIM.D.D.S.,* Offers his professiuuai set vices to the people of Darlington and vicinity. Office over the store of Edwards, Not- -tent ft Go. Jan 19,’80—ly