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“ CHAPTER IV-Conanued. •‘Na We’ve simply got to stay here, major. Personally I'm only too glud to be here to help you out It cauia < be long before the troops come harry ing back when they find they've been tricked. Very probably they • have found it ont by this time.'' Then, with quick decision, he stepped back to the dour of the Concord. “GirlsI Paquita! Rnthlel Tumble ont both of you. We’re to stay here at Moreno's to night" And, the paymaster aiding, the silent trembling sisters were lifted from the wagon and led away into the one guestroom—the east room—where, pistol in hand, still sat Dawes on the lafe. The wraps and pillows were quickly passed in. The little hurricane lamp was stood in one corner. A bnn- The (dent, trembling tUtert were lifted from the tcagon. die of cavalry blankets, left behind by the detachment when it took the trail, was spread out upon the earthen floor. The safe was hauled' into the empty barroom, and bidding bis sisters lie down and fear nothing, assuring them of their perfect safety there and urging them to sleep all they could against their move at dawn, Edward Harvey, looking well to his arms and bidding his two men to do likewise, came forth and joined bis soldier friends. “There are five of us now against Morales and his outfit, and I’ll just bet my horse we can thrash ’em. ” "Only 11 o'clock,” muttered old Rummer as he struck a match and consulted his watch. “It's been the longest evening I’ve overspent; but, thank God, our worst fears are at an end. 1 never doubted for a moment that your sisters were captives. Who could the man have been who personat ed you?” “1 don’t know. I’ve heard of him once before. He is about my height and build, but darker, they say, and _ with more of Mezjco in his manner. ' He has been to Tucson, but 1 never ’heard of his masquerading over my name until now, though 1 have heard of the resemblance. Ho must have cop- led my writing, too, to so completely fool father. ” “Oh, that was a mere scrawl on soft paper with a broad, pointed pencil. There was no time to scrutinize it close ly,” explained the major. “Now, Fee- ny, you're officer of the guard. How do you want to post os?” •’It’s what I’ve been thinking of, sir, ever since Mr. Harvey got in, and we’ve no time to lose. We. can’t loophole this adobe now, bat we can barricade the door of - these two rooms and stand off a good sized gang. Mr. Harvey will of course want to be where he can look after the ladies, but if 1 can put one of his men in the corral—one who can be relied upon to shoot down any of Moreno's people who should try to come out—1 think we cam. look out for the rest Any minute now they’ll be coming. First thing, run these two wag ons arouhd to the corral, so as to clear the approaches. There mustn’t be any thing behind which they can hide or take shelter. ” .And laying hold of the poie while willing hands manned the spokes Feeny soon had the Concord and the weather beaten ansbuianoe safely ont of the way. Then came a moment r o< consultation aato which of Harvey's mea would be best suited for the oner ous pint opposite the enemy’s door and then a sudden and breathless silence. ' “Ltstenl” whispered Feeny. “That is a signal. Hist I you’ll hear it again presently.", Grasping their rifles with norvons hands, the five men stood huddling in a little group at the west end of the low, • flat building. Somewhere out on the dark expanse toward the peak a long, low whistle, ending in an abrupt high note, had sounded. For a moment there was no repetition. The invisible foe was sig- ' nallng for reply. From whom could answer be expected bat Moreno? “Watch the Old scoundrel’s Window there and this shutter over here, ” whis pered the sergeant, indicating a board covered port in the westward wall. ••They’ll try to show a light perhaps. Run around into the corral and smash the first man that trite to come ont I’ll tend to any feller that shows a bead hereabouts. ” Harvey turned with his employee and ran with him as far as the other end of the ranch. Here he entered the low doorway. The little lamp burned dimly, bat two pairs of dark dilated eyes gleamed eagerly npon him. "I'm going to close this door now, girlies,” be Whispered. “Lie still. Do not venture near it or the window and don’t be frightened. It looks ar though some of the Morales gang were around here hoping to find the paymas ter unguarded. We’ll give them a les- . son they’ll never forget if they attempt to attack him.” For all gnawer Ruth Harvey only nes tled closer to’ her sister and dung to her for courage and support Paquita, however, became amazonian at once. "la there nothing 1 can do, Ned? 1 can’t bear to lie here listening and tak ing no part. Surely 1 could shout a pis tol well enough. ” “ Ton can help ns best and most'-by lying flat and showing not so much as a finger at the door. We can tend to - them. Fan. It won’t be long before fa- thar and the troop come galloping back. Don’t show a light now, unleaa wa 1 call.” Then he darted to the barroom. “Are they coming?” bailed the clerk in a hoarse whisper. | ’’ Somebody signaled ont on the plain, i It’s probably they. Look out for More- I no now. Don’t let him or anybody through that door. ’’ Far out on the desert again, louder, j shriller, clearer, the whistle was re- | pea ted. | “Ah, blow and be d d to ye!" muttered Feeny. "There’s no answer 1 from here ye’U get this night Watch ont now. Some of ’em will try to crawl np after a little. ” But nearly five minutes passed with out other sign or sonnd. Then cloeer in a horse .stamped and snorted. A coarse Mexican voice mattered a savage oath. Feeny, cronching low, darted into the darkuess in the direction of the sound. Plnmmer and Harvey would hare restrained him, but it was too late. He was gone before either could speak. Then a latch creaked and snapped be hind them, and slowly and cantionsly the wooden shatter began to open out ward. In an instant Harvey had raised his rifle and struck the resounding board a fierce blow with the butt The door flew back, crashing in violent contact against the grizzled pate of Moreno himself, who, with a bowl of mingled rage and anguish, fell back from the aperture. “Open that again, and I’ll blow your head oft, yon scoundrel 1" growled Har vey. "Don’t yon dare show hair nor hide outside your room. Every man has orders to shoot you on sight, if that’s any comfort to yon. ’’ Only for a second had the old Mexi can's head appeared, only an instant had he for plea or protestation, but that instant bad served to show a narrow streak of light from the room within, and this mere crack revealed to the watchful eyes out upon the plain the position of the ranch—possibly told them something more, for in less than half a minute two horsemen came loom ing np out of the darkness and canter ing fearlessly toward them. Phlegmat ic as he was, old Plummer’s nerves gave a twitch as, sharp and stern, young Harvey challenged. “Halt there! Who are yon? Haiti or we fire. ” “ Friends, "shouted one voice,” Amer icans, ” the other, as promptly the or der to halt was obeyed, the trained horses going almost on their haunches under the cruel force of the huge Mexi can bit “We are seeking Moreno’a,” contin ued the first voice. "The Apaches jumped our outfit just after sunset and we had to run for it ’’ “How many are there of you all told?” demanded Harvey. “Only us two. We’re partners, pros pecting. Been down toward the Sono ra line. For the Lord's sake, gentle men, don’t keep ns ont here. We've lost everything we’ve had—packs, pack ers and grub. We’re about dead beat for a drink and something to eat" “What do you think of this, major?” whispered Harvey. "Those are Amer icans sure.” “Well, I’d let ’em in,” said the ma jor, “but where the devil’s Feeny? He’s the best judge, really. Their story may be all true. They may be alone. ” “1 don’t know—It isn’t likely. Yon heard that voice out there a moment ago. That was Mexican beyond any doubt We’ve got to stand thoee fel lows off till we hear from Feeny." Then, raising his voice, Harvey called; “Just stay where yon are a moment. Yon’re all right perhaps, but our guards have orders to be on the lookout for Morales and his gang, and yon might get shot by mistake. ’’ “Well, for God’s sake, turn out yonr men, if you’ve got any, and help us catch these murdering thieves,” was the impatient reply. “How many are ! yon?” t “Oh, there’s plenty of ns here,” was Harvey’s cheery answer. “Most of C troop, but we’ve other business on hand The order to bait vat obeyed. just now. Yon wait there quietly for a minute or two nntii the sergeant cornea around with the petrol. He’D see to yon. ” And then, as though the whole thing 1 had been planned beforehand, ont In the darkness to the north Feeny’s voice ! was heard in low toned bat sharp com mand: “Patrol, halt I Close np there, Ken nedy. Where are yon. No. 6?" And so, cool and confident as though i he had a dozen troopers at his back, Feeny came striding np to the spot ‘ ’ What’s the matter, sentry ? Didn’t i hear yon parleying here with some body?" "Two strangers ont there, sergeant, say they’re prospectors and been jump ed by Apaches.” “Where awsy are they?’’ Then in a low tone, “Go yon ont beyond the cor ral," he whispered to old Plnmmer. “TTiere's four of them out there. Chal lenge if they try to come in. ” Then alond again, “Share, I don't see any thing, sentry.” “Right ont ahead there, sergeant ^ Two men, mounted. ” “Come down, one of ye. Dismount j and come in here. L’ave yonr gun be- ! hind. Give your reins to your pal i there, ” was Feeny’s next mandate, i There was a moment of hesitation, | a faint sound of whispering as thongh tha self atvled prospectori were In con sultation, and again Feeny spoxe in a tone more sharp and imperative: “Dismount one, I say. Come in here, or I’ll send a bullet for yonr cards. Quick now. ’’ Still ano&er delay. The “prospec tors" seemed anxious to edge off into deeper darkness. “If ye’re not off that horse's back In 10 seconds, be jabers. I’ll fire. So be lively.” And as his excitement rose so did Feeny't Irish. Fonr, five seconds ticked by, and still there was no approach. Fiercely, with sharp emphasis, the sergeant brought his carbine to full cock. “It's aiming I am,"said he as he qnickly raised the butt to his shoulder. There was a sudden scarry and scramble of horses’ hoofs, low voiced words of warning and a muttered curse or two. Then leaped a tongue of tire into the night, and from the corral corner came a sharp report, followed by a cry, a gurgle, a groan, then silence. "My God! they’ve shot the major!” sxclaimed Harvey as he leaped away In the direction of the shot. At the same moment away sped the two horse men in front of the post. No use to fire. They were shrouded in thick darkness and out of harm’s way before one could pull trigger. Then came two Sashes, two quick reports, then half a dozen rapid, spntteriug revolver shots, then a vengeful howl and a rush out on the plain. Feeny ran like a deer on the trail of Mr. Harvey, and in less time than it takes to tell it they came upon the paymaster, sinking, shocked and nerveless to the sandy soil, his hands clasping on his side. “Pick him np, yon and yonr man there. Carry him into the ranch. I’ll bate back those blackguards yet,” mat tered Feeny as he took a qnick snap shot at some dim object flitting across the plain and sent another into the dark- nees, aiming vaguely where he could hear the thud of horses’ hoofs For a moment, running from point to point after each discharge, he kept np a rapid fusillade, under cover of which the hap less paymaster was born swiftly away around the corner of the ranch and car ried into the bar, where, wild with anxiety, but faithful to bis trust, Mr. Dawes still guarded the safe. Then Harvey stepped throngb the narrow doorway to the eastern room. "1 have to borrow the lamp a mo ment, Fan,” he whispered. "Now, He still. We may have to stand a siege awhile until father can reach os.” Two minutes more, bending low and with his last cartridge crammed into the chamber of his carbine, Feeny turned to make a run for the ranch. Just as he came speeding in past the westward wall the wooden shutter was hurled open, and a strange voice, loud, exult ant, strident, burst upon his ear. “Come on, Pasquall Come” But the rest was lost in the roar of Feeny’s ready weapon. The rude fa cade of adobe blazed red one instant in the flash of the carbine, and the loud report went bellowing ont across the plain. But within the ranch there went np a wail of terror and dismay, for Ramon Morales, shot through the brain, was stretched Ufeless at the foot of Moreno and his shnddering wife. And then Feeny, unscathed, leaped inside the barroom. "Now for it, men! Drag in thoee two drunken brute bastes,” he cried, laying hold of Malian's limp carcass. “Lag in wan of them water jars. Stick their d d heads into that trough beyant Now be lively. The whole gang'll be on us in lees than a minute. ” CHAPTER V. At midnight the aituation at More no’s ranch was a strange one. The oc cupants of the two rooms farthest to the east were being besieged by 10 or 15 outlawed men, some Mexican, some “gringo,” but all entthroats, aud up to this moment the besiegsd had had the best of it And yet their plight was desperate. In the easternmost room, secure from bullet or missile of any kind so long as they crouched close to the ground and back from the doorway, lay trembling in silence old Harvey’s daughters. At the door, only the barrel of his rifle protruding, keeping under cover all he possibly could behind an improvised parapet of barley bags, knelt their de voted brother, cool and determined, ev ery now and then whispering words of hope and encouragement In the ad joining room, connected with the east ern chamber by a doorless aperture throngb the adobe wall, lay the pay master, sorely wounded, bnt still con- scions and plncky, his faithfnl clerk ministering to him as best he conld, stanching the flow of blood and comfort ing him with cool water. At the doorway opening on the hard, trampled space at the southern front of tho ranch, sheltering himself behind hia breastwork of barley, bnt never re laxing vigilant watch, knelt Sergeant Feeny, a bandana bound about hia fore head, the blood trickling down his right cheek, the sleeve of his flannel shirt rent by q ballet that just grazed the upper arm. Kneeling on the counter and peeping through a hole in the bot tom of the wooden window shatter, one of Harvey’a men kept guard. The other faced the doorway into Moreno’s domestic apartments, every now and then letting drive a shot throngb the woodwork to keep them, as he said, “from monkeying with the bolt on the other side." In planning his roadside ranch More no bad allowed outer doors only to those rooms which were for public use. The three which lay to the west of the bar could not be entered except through that resort or by • door giving on tbs corral, both of these doors being sup plied with mass vs bolts as security against intruders, and all three rooms being furnished with air ports rather than windows, pierced at such a height through the adobe that no one from without, except in saddle, conld peer through the aperture and see whst was going on within. The travelers’ room and the barroom ports, however, were iow and Urge, and all the rooms were spacious. The bar of coarse, being the dining as well as drinking room, tarried off the honors In point of siaa • hia, too, was furnished with an open- ng into the corral, hot Feeny’s first thought on reaching his comrades was to barricade. Springing into the walled inclosnra and bidding Harvey watch while the others worked, he had soon succeeded in lugging s score of big barley sacka into the interior and piling them into breastworks at the three doers, the one opening into the corral being provided in addition with a high traverse to protect its guard against shots that, might come .through km Hvw't room. All tuts was aouur.ipriat.ou the wailing of the Mexican women and the fusillade begun by the asaailanta in hopes of terrorizing the defense before venturing to closer quarters. Like fa mous Croghan of Fort Stephenson, Fee ny had kept np a fire from so many dif ferent points as to impress the enemy with the idea there were a dozen men and a dosen guns where there was in reality only one, and even the tempta tion of that vast sum in the paymaster's safe was not sufficient to nerve the fol lowers of Morales to instant attack. The valor and vigor of the defense and the appalling death of one of their leaders had so unnerved them that Pas- qual himself, raging, imploring, threat ening by turns, was nnable to nrge them to close quarters. “Most men are cowards in the dark” is a theory widely believed in. Indians certainly are only brave against defenseless wom en and children at such a time. Not until the firing had ceaaed and it was evident that the defenders had retired to the shelter of the ranch, and then only very slowly and cautiously, would these brigands of the desert be induced to resume their stealthy approach. For fully half an hour there was a lull in the fight, and then, guided by the light Mo reno was now able to show, Pasqnal and two of the stouter hearted knaves approached the western wall and held a brief consultation with the rascally owner. Rage at the death of their leader's brother and ally, the thirst for ven geance and the hope of securing such rich booty—all were augmented by Mo reno's fiery assurances and enconrage- At the door knelt their denoted brother. meat All the soldiers were gone, he said, except the “pig of a sergeant" and two drugged and senseless swine. Somebody among them was wounded. There were only three, possibly four, left. Let his companeros make com bined attack, two or three through his (Moreno’s) rooms, two or three rush in from the corral, and the same number from the south front at once, and be yond doubt the cursed Yankees would succumb. Then no quarter, no quarter for the men. His connection with the outlaw band was now known, and these witnesses mast be put to death. Then —then the paymaster’s safe could read ily be battered open, then there was the mint of money to be divided among the victors, then away to Sonora with thi .r spoil and with old Harvey’s beautiful daughters. What ransom would be not be willing to pay—that proud, disdain ful father! Waa ever luck so great? But haste! haste—not a moment could be lost They must act at once. And so Morales hurried to station and instruct his men. Prowling like coyote^ through the darkness and at re spectful distance from the guarded end of the corral ranch, half a dozen of the number crept into the corral. Others were distributed over the southern front Three of the lighter and inore slender of the band were "booated” through the high west window into Mo reno’s domain. Then through the mid dle room they made their way, where sat the senora, rocking, weeping and moaning over the body of the ontlaw leader, where, hiding under the bed, shivering and praying, crouched the senorita, her daughter, and then, bare footed, they crept into the room adjoin ing the bar and listened, breathless, to the low toned instructions of the veter an sergeant From without no glim mer of light conld guide the asaailanta or help them in their aim. The black apertures of the doorways were poor marks for night shooting, and the more enterprising and adventurous, crawling like snakes to reconnoiter, were soon able to report that most scientifically had the defense thrown np their breast works. From group to group flitted Pasqnal. At his shrill battlscry all hands were to rush simultaneously to the attack, firing no shot for fear of hitting one another, bnt with pistol in one band and the long, deadly knife in the other close at once npon the defendera, leap over their barriers and overwhelm them in the dark interior. In three minutes the signal would be given. He himself would lead the dash of the party within the corral. Pasqnal wan shrewd enough to know that where there was only one doorway instead of two there would be better chance of dodging the bullets. But keen eyes and ears and wits were there alert. Feeny and Harvey well knew that this was bnt the lull before the storm. "Lay low, boys, and be ready. Shoot the first man that shows,” was the last caution old Plummer heard before the bursting of the tempest. Ail on s sudden a wild cry went np in the corral. All on a sudden from north and south the assailants dashed forward with answering yell. In an instant the dark apertures flashed their lightning, and rifle and revolver shots rang on the still night air. Harvey’s Henry barked like a Gatling. Feeny'a old Springfield banged like a six pound er. Two of the assailants on the south side went down in the dust, face fore most, the others swerved, broke and scurried for shelter. Pasqnal Morales, leading his men close under the north wall, made a pantherlike spring for the crest of the barley parapet and was saved from instant death when he fell by being dragged feet foremost, with a Colt’s 44 tearing through his thigjL In vain Moreno's squad fired shot aft er shot through the wooden door. Their bullets buried themselves deep in the improvised traverse, bnt let no drop of blood, while two return shots scattered the attack with the splinters from the heavy panels. Pleading, raging, mad dened, Morales learned that the dash had failed and that two of hia most during men, the two Americanos who hod rid den forward to personate prospectors and who had led the rush in the south ern front, were knocked ont of the fight And then it was that the inhuman brute gave the order to resort to Indian methods, and even old Moreno begged and prayed and blasphemed, all to no mmoae. Furious at tMuBBUta, tip band were ready to obey tneir leumra maddest wish. The word was, “Burn them ont ” Ned Harvey, crouching behind his barley bags, felt his blood turn to ice water in his veins when, with exnltant yells and tannts, the cor ral suddenly lighted np with a broad red glare. The match bad been applied to the big haystack close to the brnsh covered shed, close to the " leanto, ” un der which so much inflammable rub bish was stored. It could be a question of only a few moments; then they, too, would be a mass of flames, spreading rapidly westward. The stout adobe wall separating the ranch proper from the sheds would protect the occupants from direct contact with the flame, bnt what could save the roof? Stretching from wall to wall were the dry, resin ous pine logs that formed the basis of the bulky structure. Over these the lighter boards of pine and over all, thickly piled, dry as bone and inflam mable as tinder, heap on heap of brush. Once this was fairly ablaze tho hapless occupants of the rooms beueath might as well be under the grating of some hnge furnace. High in air shot the leaping flamee. Far and wide over the desert spread the inrid glare. Screaming with terror, the women of Moreno’s household were al ready dragging into the corral their few treasures and rushing back for such raiment as they conld save. Far over at tho corral gate, where the bullets of tho besieged could not find them, Pas- qnal Morales and bis exulting band were gathered, the chief lying ui>on his serape, with bloody bandages about his leg, his followers dancing about him in frantic glee, all keeping carefully out of range of the black doorways, yet three or four crack shota lay flat in the sands, their rifles covering the now glar ing fronts of the threatened rancho, ready to shoot down, Indianlike, the wretched garrison when driven ont. It waa at this juncture that from somewhere in the middle room, liebind Morcno'sjieavy door, a voice was beard: "Hand out the safe. Hand out your money now, and we'll leave you in peace. Every man of us will ride away, and you can come out as soon as we are gone. Answer, for ycsi have no time to lose.” "Answer him, you!” shouted Feeny to Mr. Dawes. "Send a shot through and hit him if you can. ” But before the clerk could drop the fan with which ho was striving to re vive his fainting chief, tho young fel low from Harvey’s party, he who was stationed at the north door and had been so fortunate as to shoot Morales himself, now suddenly sprang from his covert, and placing the muzzle of his Henry rifle close to the door deliberately popped three shots In quick succession through the splintering woodwork, and in the confusion and dismay which re sulted was able to leap nimbly into his corner again before the answering shots could come. “Take that for your answer!” shout ed Feeny again, "you black hearted, black bellied thafe, and take this, too, bad scran to ye I Every dollar of that money’s in greenbacks that'U burn as aisy as tissue, aud if you want it come and get it now. ’Tis you that’s got no time to lose. Come and get it, 1 say, for be the soul of St. Patrick you’ll never have another chance. Just as sure as ye let that fire reach this ranch and harm those young leddies—old Har vey’s daughters that never did ye a harm in the world—every dollar in the safe goes whack into the fire, and sorra a shinplaster will you have for all your pains. Ain’t that so, paymaster? Shore the government ought to be mighty glad of the chance of saving all those prom ises to pay.” “Bravo, Feeny!” shouted young Har vey from the adjoining room. “We’re not smoked ont yet, by a good deal, ” he added in lower tones. "But if the worst comes to the worst we can make a rush for the barley stack in the corral. Lie still, Ruth, little sister. It won’t be any time now before the soldiers will come galloping to us.” And, hiding her terror stricken face in her sister's breast the girl obeved. [to Bit co.vn.vum ] CArTION.—if a dealer oflere W. L. Dongle* shoe* at a reduced price, or *ays he ha* them without nemo clomped on bottom, pat him down as a fra ad. W. L. Douglas S3 SHOE THE* WORLD. W. Im DOUGLAS Shoes are stylish, easy fit. ting, and give better satisfaction at the prices ad vertised than any other make. Try one pair and be convinced. The stamping of W. L. Douglas' name and price on the bottom, which guarantees their value, saves thousands of dollars annually to those who wear them. Dealers who push the sale of W. L. Doeglas Shoes gain customers, which helps to increase the sales on their full line of goods. They can afford to fell at a less profit, and we believe you can save money bv b»?ving all your footwear of the dealer advertised below. Catalogue free upon application. Address, W.L.DOUGLAS, Brockton,Maea. Soldi* A_. J. BROOM, Darlington, S. C, Febl—5m EAGLE BRAND . THE BEST ROOFING Is unequalled for house, barn, fact ory or oat-buildings, and costa half the price of shingles, tin or iron. It is ready for use and easily applied by any one. RUBBER PAINT costs on ly 60 cents per gallon in barrel lots, or $1.50 for 5 gallon tubs. Color dark red. Will stop leaks in tin or iron roofs that will la^t for years. Try it. Send stamp for samples and particu lars. Excelsior Paint and Roofing Co., 155 DUANE ST., NEW YORK, N. Y. Dec 88—2m. Watches Repaired AND WARRANTED, — AT — MASON S JEWELRY STORE. Febl6—tf /CHARLESTON, SUMTER AND ^ NORTHERN RAILROAD CHARLES E. KIMBALL Receiver. NORTH. AWW v«*U. A\f* J loir* SOUTH. 1 t AM. P.M. Lv 7.80 Charleston 8.45 At S '* 8.40 Pregnall’s 7.27 10.47 Sumter 5.27 19.06 Darlington 4.12 12 56 Bennettsville 8.21 1.20 Gibson 2.57 1.47 Hamlet 2.80 Ar 6.00 Raleigh 10.15 Lv P.M- P.M. No. 1 connnects with Seaboard Air Line at Hamlet for Raleigh Wilmington, Charlotte, Shel by, Routherfordton ; and at Charlotte with R. & D. Vestibule Limited for Washington and New York. Passen gers can take sleepers at Charlotte at 5 :39 p. w. No. 2 passengers by this train have through Sleepers New York to Char lotte, connects with S. A. L. at Ham let from Charlotte, Raleigh and North, and from Wilmington, con nects with S.C. Ry. at Pregnalls for > harleston, Columbia, Angugta and the West. Dinner at Hamlet. C. MILLARD, Superintendent Tax Notice. Trkasohkr'b Office, I Darlington, C. H., Sept. 15’93. ( T HE Treasurer’s office will be opened for the collection of State, county, special county, school, special school and poll taxes for the fiscal year 1892-93 from October 15 to December 81, 1898, in compliance with law, excepting on Thanksgivings Day and December 25th. 1 will attend in oersonorbj deputy the following places on days named and on said precinct days the office at Darlington C. II. will Ire closed. Hartsville, Tuesday and Wednes day, Oct. 17 and 13. Jasper, Thursday, Oct. 19. Leavensworth, Friday, Oct. 20, Lydia, Tuesday, Oct. 81. Society Hill, Wednesday and Thurs day, Nov. 1 and 2. Swift Creek, Friday, Nov. 8 Mechanicsville, Tuesday, Nov. 4. Philadelphia, Wednesday, Nov. 8. Antioch, Thursday, Nov. 9. High Hill, Friday, Nov. 10. Lamar, Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 14 aud 15. Cypress, Thursday, Nov. 16. Stokes Bridge, Tuesday and Wed nesday, Nov, 21 and 22. Darlington C. H., October 16, 21, 28, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 80, November 6, 7, 11, 18, 17, 18, 20, 28, to December 81 in clusive. Books will close at 2 p. m. on Satur days and on last days at precincts where two days are given. Taxpay ers take notice. Levy for State purposes, 51 mills. Levy for County purposes, 3 mills. Levy for Jail Debt, t mill. Levy for Darlington Graded Schools, 4 mills. Levy for Interest on Graded School bonds, i mill. Le>y for Constitutional Schools, 2 mills. Poll tax, $1.00. Total levy for all purposes connty, 11 mills. Total levy for all county purposes and Graded Schools, 154 mills. J. E. BASS, Treasurer D. 0. Sept 21—it. (I. I HACkl & m, Manufacturers —or— Doors, Sash, Blinds, MOXJLXDIlSrOS —AND- Building Material. ESTABLISHED 1842. CHARLESTON, 8. 0. April, 2q 1898-1 Wives and Daughters A D. and C. & S. RAILROADS. In effect Dec 3, 1893. Through Passenger Train. Leave Wadesboro 4.30 a w Bennett's 4.51 a m Morven’s 5.04 a m McFarland 5 17am Cheraw 6.00 a m Cash's 6.12 a in Society Hill 6.26 a in Dove's 6.44 a m Floyd's 6.49 a u Darlington 7.00 a m Palmetto 7.11 a in Arrive Florence 7.25 a m Leave Florence 7.15 p m Palmetto 7.28 p in Darlington 7.88 p m Floyd's - 7.50 p m Dove's 7 55 p m Society Hill 8.18 pm Cash’s 8.27 p m Cheraw 8.50 p in McFarland 9.18 p m Morven’s 9.89 p in Bennett’s 9.54 p in Arrive Wadesboro 10.15 p m Freight Train. Leave Florence 7.30 a m Darlington 8.40 a m Arrive Cheiaw 11.20 a in Leave Cheraw l.OO.p in ;Darlington 4.00 p in Arrive Florence 5.00 p in HA. F. RAVENEL, President. N ORTHEA8TERN RAILROAD. Intellect Jan. 11,1894. SOOTH BOUND. No. 81 Leave Florence 7.45.a m Kingstree 8.58 a m Lanes 9.20 a m Arrive Charleston 11.20 a m No. 85. Leave Florence 3.87 a in Lanes 4.52 a m Arrive Charleston 6.50 a m No. 28. Leave Florence 7.25 p m Kingstree 8.87 p m Lanes 9.00 p m Arrive Charleston 11.00 p m No. 58. Leave Lanes 7.05 p w Arrive Charleston J 8.45 p m Train'on C.'ft D. R. R. connects at Florence with No. 61 .Train. NORTH BOUND. No. 78. Leave Charleston tseseassetsseeMse 3* 35 a m Lanes 5.80 am Kingstree 5 52 a in Arrive Florence 7.10 a m No. 60 Leave Charleston 2 s - 00 P m Lanes 7.05 p m Kingstree 7.25 p m Arrive Florence 8.60 p m No. 14. Leave Charleston 3.80 p m Lanes 5.29 pm Kingstree 5.45 p m Arrive Florence 6.45 p m No. 52. Leave Charleston 7.00 a m Arrive Lanes.. 8.85 a m No. 52 runs through to Colombia via Central R. R. of S. C. No. 78 runs solid to Wilming ton, N. C., making cloee connection with W. 4 W. R. R. for all points North. Train No. 14 runs via Wilson and Fayetteville—Short Line—and makes close connection for all points North. J. F. DIVINE, Gen. Snpt. w ILMINGTON, COLUMBIA AUGUSTA RALROAD. In effect Dec. 3, 1898, 4 SOUTH BOUND. Often lose the benefit of life assurance, taken out for their protection, because of ill-ad vised investments. Again, the intentions of the assured sometimes fail of realization through the prodigality of 4 son to whom the sudden pos session of so much money proves too great a temptation. The Equitable Life Leave Wilmington Marion Arrive Florence Leave Florence Sumter............... Arrive Columbia. Leave Florence •sesesce *••«*•*••»*< Arrive Somter Leave Somter ••••• ssssssssss*. •#. Arrive Colombia No. 58. 3-20 p m . 6.11 p m 6.50 p m No. 50. 7.10 p tt 8.28 p m 10.00 p m No. 58. . 7.45 a m 6 20am No. 52. 9.58 a m 11.06 a m No. 58 runs throogh from Charles ton via Central Railroad; leaving Lanes 8.40 a m, Manning 918 a m. NORTH BOUND. has provided against these contingencies by offering The Tontine Installment Policy. The premiums per thousand are much less than under older forms of insurance, and theamount is payable in 20,35 or 30 annual payments, thus securing a comfortable income for the beneficiary. Write to W. J. RODDEY, Manager* Bar tks Oaaellaaa, f ROCK HILL* S. w TXARTSVILLE RAILROAD. • LX In effect Dec 8.1898. DAILY MIXED TRAIN Leave Hartsville JOY&DQ Floyd’s 8.90 am 6.38 a m A rrivi-Darlington Leave Darlington Floyd's 7.20 a in ......... 0.80 p m Jovann Arrrive Hartsville J, f. Divur —8.20 p rn 8.40 p m K, Gan. Sep*. No. 61. Leave Colombia 4.30 a m Sumter. 5.67 a m Arrive Florenee 7.16 am No. 56. Leave Florenee esascseoeseeSs.Sssse* 7. 40am Marion 8.28 a m Arrive Wilmington.. «....11.10am No. 58. Leave Colombia 4.20 p m Arrive Bamter 6.85 p m No. 69. Leave Colombia.- - Somter.... 5.46 p m Arrive Florence— — —.... 6.66 p m No. 88 rone thiougu so uoarlestoa via central Railroad, arriving Man ning 8.18 p m. Lanes 7.00 p m, Charleston8.45 pm. Trains on Manchester and Angnsta R. R-, leave Somter daily except Sun day, 10.50 a. m., arrive Rimini 11:50 a. m. Returning leave Rimini 1.00 p. m.. arrive Sumter 8:10 p. m. Trains on Wilmington, Chad boons aod Conway Railroad leave Chad- boom at 10.10 a m, arrive at Conway 18.80 p m, returning leave Conway at £00 p. m., arrive Chad bourn 4:50 p. m. Leave Chadbourn 7.00 a m and 5.15 p m, arrive at Hob 7-45 a m and 6.00 p m. Returning leave Bub 8.15 a m and 6.80 p m, arrive at Chadbourn 9.00 a m ana 7.18 p m. Daily except f, DIYUtB. tienl 9mpX