University of South Carolina Libraries
Hoorigucs - Ottolcngui [CopyriKlit, 1805, by O. P. Putnam’■ Buna.] CHAPTER VII. MU. RANDOLPH HAS A FIOIIT WITH HIS CONSCTKN’CK. Upon leaviui? tlio vaults Mr. Mitchcl and tlio detective parted company, tlie former Koinj? down to Tiffany’s, where ho left the rnhy, with instructions as to how ho 'A i: licit it M-t. On tho following morning Wilson’s reiiort to Mr. Uarnos stated that Mr. Mitchcl had spent the afternoon at tho Union League club and had accompanied his tiauceu to a private ball in tho evening. • On the morning of the 6th, as Mr. Mitchel was dressing, a card was brought to him which boro the name of his friend, Mr. Randolph, and that gentle man a few minutes later entered. Mr. Mitchel was cordial in his greeting and extended his hand, but Mr. Randolph refused it, saying: “Excuse me, Mitchel, but I have come to see you about that wager I was stupid enough to make with you. ” "Well, what of it?” “I did not suppose that yon would go so fur. ” “So far os what?” “Why, haven’t you read the papers?” “No; I never da I am above that class of literature. ” "Then, with your permission, I will read one to you. ” “&o ahead; I am all attention. ” Mr. Mitchel seated himself in his most com fortable armchair, and Mr. Randolph, without removing his overcoat, sat in an other. Taking a morning paper from his pocket he read the following; “Tho inquest upon the body of the mysterious woman found murdered in the Thirtieth street apartment house was resumed yesterday at the coroner’s office. Mr. Buruee, the well knowu de tective, testiffed that ho had lieen upon the Boston express at the time of the rubbery of the jewels; that he had an interview with the woman at which she gave the name Rose Mitchel and made an appointment with him at her resi dence. He called at the time agreed upon—9 o’clock on the morning of the 3d—and discovered her lying in bed with her throat cut. One singular fact brought out by the detective’s testimony is that tho woman's name had been deliberate ly cut from every garment. This may indicate that Rose Mitchel is an assumed name. “Tho doctors who performed the au topsy declare it as their opinion that the woman was attiteked while she slept. Otherwise there would have been moro blood stains found, us the jugular vein and carotid artery were both out. They thiuk that tho assassin Used au ordinary pocKetkuile, because the wound, though deep, is uot very largr. “A curious story was i in,uo al from the janitor. The woman V.iiehrl had been in the house about three weeks. She was not a tenant, hut occupied tho apartments of Mr. and Mrs. Comstock, who are absent in Europe. The woman gave him a letter purporting to be writ ten by Mrs. Comstock instructing the janitor to allow tho heaifr to occupy the apartment until suited elsewhere, and also asking that the janitor's wife would see that she had proper attendance. The janitor did not doubt the authenticity ot the letter, but it now appears from flie testimony of a relative of the Com stocks, who is well acquainted with Mrs. Comstock’s writing, that this let ter is a forgery. "After a little further evidence of no special importance the inquest was ad journed until today. It is plain that the detectives are all at sea in this case. A startling piece of evidence has now been obtained by a reporter which may serve ns a dew. It is no less than the discov ery of the lost jewels. It will hs. remem bered that Mr. Barnes was on the train and ordered that tho passengers should be searched. Nothing was found, from whioh it seemed safe to presume that there were two persons connected with tho theft. One of these secured the plunder and handed it through a win dow of the car to his accomplice out side. A reporter weut over the route yesterday, beginning his investigation in New Haven. Ho went the rounds of the hotels, endeavoring to discover if any suspicions person had been noticed in the city. At one of the last which he visited, which is about five minutes’ walk from the railroad depot, tho clerk remembered a man who did act strange ly It seems that this man came into tho hotel at about noon on the 3d, regis tered, asked that his satchel should be placed in tho safe, went ont and has not returned since. The reporter at once guessed that this was the missing satch el, and, so stating, tho chief of police was sent for, and in his presence it was opened. In it was found a red Russia leather case containing unset jewels of such size and luster that one can well believe that they are Wurtli $100,000, as claimed. That these are the missing penis is plainly indicated by tho fact that tho jewel ease has the name of Mitchel stamped upon it. Unfortunate ly there was nothing about the satchel or in it which gives any clew to the thief hiinself. The clerk, however, re- Members him distinctly, and from his description the detectives hope soon to have him under lock and key.” "What have you to say to that, Mitch el?” “Why, it is just that kind of thing that made me give up reading tho news papers—a sensational description of a mysterious robbery mid murder. Yet if one reads the papers he must submit to that almost every day." "Do you mean that this particular case has no interest to you?” "Why should it interest me? Because I happened to be on tho train and was oom]>ei;ed to submit to being searched by an order from a blundering detect ive?” "There is more reason than that for nftract ihg jour attention. Any man with « grain of sense and w ith the knowledge of your wager must see your hand in tins.” “In which, tho robbery or the mur der?" "My Hod, I don’t know. You and I have been the best of friends ever since first met. I have stood by you and believed in you in spito of all that your enemies bavo said against you. But now"—, "Well?" "Well, I don't know what to think. You bet me that you would commit a fiHufe. in it fewimhrsthsrefi a tobbery, and a little later u woman is killed in the very house where tlie Remsens lived. It is known—there is another account in another paper i.ere—it is known that you worn in that house for an hour aftor 11 :30 at night mid that wMle you were there a woman was heard to scream from That apartment where the corpse was found. Then here they find the jewels, and tho case had your name on it.” “The woman’s name, you mean. The paper made that deduction, I think. ” “That is true. I did uot think of that. Of course it was her name, but don't you see I am all muddled up and excited? I came here to ask yon to say outright that yon have had nothing to do with tliis thiug. ” “That is impossible.” “What, you refuse? You will not claim that you are inuoceut? Then you practically admit that you are guilty?” "I do not. I neither deny nor admit anything. Do you remember our wager? I told you then that this crisis would arise—that you would hear of some crime and come to ask me about it. I warned you that I would refuse to en lighten you. I simply keep my word.” This was followed by a silence. Mr. Randolph seemed much disturbed. Jam ming his hands into his pockets he went and looked out of the window. Mr. Mitchcl looked at him for some minutes with a smile of amusement hovering about his lips. Suddenly he said: ‘ ‘ Randolph, does your conscience trou ble you?” “Most decidedly I” answered his com panion sharply, turning toward him. “Why not go and unburden your soul po the police?” “I thiuk it is my duty to do sa But 1 feel like a coward at the idea. It scorns like betraying a friend. ” “Ah, you still count me your friend! Then, my dear friend—for I assure you I value your good will—I will show you how to act so as to satisfy your con science and yet not injure me. ” “I wish to heaven you would I” "Nothing easier. Go to Mr. Barnes and make a clean breast of all that you know." "But that is betraying you to the po lice. ” "No; Mr. Barnes is not the police. Ho is only a private detective. If you remember, he is the very one about t\ Iiom we were tuls . r was made. You wee i. ,d his skill. It should satisfy yc u linn to have him on my track, and it will satisfy me if you agree to talk with no other. Is it a bargain?” "Yes, since you are willing. I must tell some one in authority. It is impos sible for me to withhold what may be the means of detecting a criminal. ” Mr Randolph, upon leaving the ho tel, went in search of Mr. Baines. Meanwhile that gentleman was holding a c< mersatiou with Wilson. “Yiu say,” said the detective, “that Sir. Mitchel gave you the slip again yesterday afternoon?” “Yes? he d< ubled st^often on his I tracks (.n the elevated road that at last j he eluded me, getting on a train which 1 tailed to hoard. You see, it was impos- j tilde to tell, till the moment of starting, | whether he would take a train or nut. i He would mix with tho crowd and seem j anxious to get on, mid then at the last ! moment step back. I had to imitate him at the other end of tho coach, and i finally he got on just ns tho guard at 1 my end slammed the gates.” “This was at Forty-second street?” “Yes; he took the down train.” “Did ho notice you in any way?” “I suppose so, hut no one would have guessed it. He appeared entirely igno rant of the fact that he was followed, so far as watching me was concerned. ” “Yon are not to blame. Go back to his hotel and do tho best you cau. Leave tho rest to me. I will discover where it is he goes on these mysterious trips. ” Left to himself Mr. Barnes’ thoughts took this form; “Wilson is no match for Mr. Mitchel That is evident I wonder whether there is any real object in this game of hide and sock, or whether it is simply an in timation to me that he cannot be shad owed. If the latter—well, we shall see. Now let me thiuk about thase jewels found in New Haven. They tally exact ly with the description. Their discovery complicates the case once more. I bad almost concluded that those in the safety vaults were the ones stolen and that as they really belong to Mr. Mitchel, as proved by his receipts, ho stole them to win his wager. In this way he ran no risk, since, if tho crime were brought homo to him, he could uot be imprison ed, though he would lose the bet. Now here is another set, evidently the right ones. Mr. Mitchcl was plainly surprised at sight of the list which I found. I am sure he did uot know of its existence. Therefore he may equally well have known nothing about this duplicate set of jewels. In that case the occurrence of tho train robbery on the very night of tho wager may bo simply a coincidence. He says that the dead woman was a blackmailer and that he gave her the address of his Paris jeweler. May he not have bought his set from that very man and may uot this woman have stolen the duplicate set recently and brought them to this country? Plainly the Paris jeweler must he looked up. I have his name, which I copied from the hill of sale. If this line of argument is true, some one has followed this woman from France in otder to rob her, after allowing her to accomplish the risky I business of smuggling. Is that person | our friend Thauret? Along this line of argument we arrive at the conclusion that Mr. Mitchel has uot yet committed his crime. Ho hinted that I should re member this if I should exculpate him from those already committed. But do I? Why did ho show me that ruby and i say that he meant to present it to his | sweetheart? Will ho give it to her and | then rob her of it? If so, will she bo in the plot and make a hue and cry, so that the papers may make a noise? That was a part of the agreement in making his j bet. But, after all, what about that but- 1 ton? No explanation explains which does not throw a light upon that. ” Here Mr. Barnes was interrupted by ■ tho iiiiuouuccuient that Mr. Raudolpn wished to speak tflth him. It must be remembered that Mr. Randolph was not aware ot the fact that the conversation iu tho sleeping car had been overheard. Brought face to face with Mr. Barnes, he felt confused and hesitated. “Mr. Randolph, 1 believe,” said the detective, glancing ut the curd which had been sent in. “Reseated. Youhave come to see me about this Mitchcl case?” The rising inflection with which tho last word was spoken seemed almost unuecessarv to Mr. Randolph, For if the mi n could us|| such a question bo might as will have made it a positive statement. This assumption of knowl edge made him more than ever confident of tho skill of deiectivcs, and especially of the one before him. “You know that?” said he. “Would you miud tolling me how?” “We detectives aie supposed to know everything, arc we not?” This was said with an affable smile, but the answer plainly indicated that Mr. Barnes pre ferred not to lie interrogated. Mr. Ran dolph therefore concluded to hurry through with his unpleasant business. “Mr. Barnes, 1 have a confession to make, and”— “I must interrupt you, to remind you that whatever you say is uusolicited, and that it you incriminate yourself the evidence will be used against you.” “Thank you for your warning, but I bavo come hero that 1 may uot he in criminated. The facts, iu brief, r.ro sim ply these. ” Then he narrated as accu rately as he could recall them all tlie tircumstances in connection with the Wager. Mr. Baines listened as though it was all a new story to him. He even jotted down a few notes on a bit of pa per as thongh for reference. At the con clusion he said: “This ia a most astounding tale, Randolph. It ia very difficult to believe that a man like Mr. Mitchel, who cer tainly seema to be a gentleman, would undertake to become a criminal aimply to win a sum of money. Now you must have been thinking this over, and, if to, you hare some explanation to offer. Would you mind telling it to mo?” “I should be glad to do sa” Mr. Ran dolph spoke eagerly. In his heart be Was fond of his friend, and therefore his theory was one which in a measure would excuse him. He waa delighted to have the chance of confiding his views to the detective. “You see,” he contin ued, “it is one of the most difficult things in the world to say who is and who is uot perfectly sane. Some experts contend that nine-tenths of tho people in the world are affected by mania in some form or other. I hold that any man who makes a collection of any kind of things, using them for other than their legitimate uses, is in a meas ure insane.” “Do you mean legally insane? That is to say, irresponsible?" “As to responsibility, I cannot say. But I think such a mania might tempt a man to an illegal act. I must explain my idea further. Postage stamps un doubtedly have a very important value. One who collects them after they have been canceled, paying many times their fade value for them, is iu my opinion somewhat crazy, since he pays afini- tious price for what has no intrinsic value. ” “You might say the same thing of paintings. Tlie intrinsic value repre sented in canvas mid oil is little, yet thousands of dollars are paid for pic tures. ” “That, too, is on insanity, one, of course, which cannot bo indulged in by any save the rich. But it is uot tlie same as with the old stamp craze. Pic tures remind us of nature and appeal to the senses of all mankind by recalling recollections brought into being by the scene presented. There is therefore a legitimate use for paintings, and a rea sonable price as compensation for tlie work and genius of the artist is perhaps permissible. But should a man pay a fortune for a single canvas and then hang it in a room in his own house where it will be seen by few save him self, that man I should consider de mented. bo with jewels”— “Ahl What of them?” “Jewels have a market value, and a place in tlie world. But when a man goes about buying up every magnificent specimen that can bo fennd, mid then locks his treasures up iu a safe, he is simply a crazy man pure and simple.” “What has all this to do with the case iu hand?” “Everything. My friend is a crank on the subject of jewels. Sensible and en tertaining on any other topic, if you mention the name of any kind of jewel he is off iu a minute, giving a long his tory of this or that celebrated stone. His especial craze iu this connection is to relate the crimes that have surround ed every stone of any great price. He has made my blood curdle at his ghast ly tales of cruel murder, committed to gain possession of diamonds and rubies. ” “Then your conclusion is that by fill ing bis miud with such thoughts he may have accustomed himself to the idea of crime in counectiou with jew els?” “Exactly. The worst of it is that we may become habituated to auythiug. For instance, all ordinary men are abashed in the presence of the dead. No matter how strong minded a man may be or how much he may scoff at the idea of ghosts and the like, h6 will pre fer company if he must sit up with a corpse. More than that, the slightest sound in the room, as the moving of the ice in the icebox, will cause a shiver to pass through him. Yet physicians who study frequently in the dissecting room come to have that contempt of a dead body that a butcher has for the meat which he sells.” “Your argument is not bad, Mr. Ran dolph. It is not impossible that your friend might be generous and gentle and yet with a mania for the possession of jewels, and with the knowledge of all the crimes that have bun committed to gain them, the temptation to kill or steal would perhaps become overpower ing, where his passion sees an opportu nity to be satisfied. It is an odd world. ” “Do yon think that iu a case of that kind the man would bo excusable on the plea of mania? Legally, I mean?” “Well, no, I do not! Bsychologically, I admit that you may be correct, and I film sympathize with a man who became a criminal iu such a way. But legally he would be culpable. At least I think so. Tlie question to be answered is. Did your friend steal these jewels? You slept with him that night. What do yon think?” “I don’t know what to think. He could uot have left the berth without climbing over mo, and, though I sleep soundly, that ought to have awakened me. Then besides, if Be did get out and take the things, where could he have hidden them, and how did they get to New Haven? By the way, I suppose you have the description of tho man who left the satchel at the hotel? Does it tally with that of my friend?” “I can’t say. It is rather vague. The clerk says the mau was of medium size, with red hair and beard, while the por ter who saw him also is -equally posi tive that he hud black hair and no board. The last fits Mr. Mitchel better the first, but it is a descrintion which would d(5 tui well for J,C00 men found in a walk along Broad ay." "1 almost think that after all the thief is some one else.” “Lot us hope so, Mr. Randolph. 1 will say this mmli, if tliero is any com fort in it tor you. At present there is not enough evidence against him to war rant iiis arrest.” The detective said this w ith a pur pose. By relieving this man’s mind he hoped to mu lie him more communicative. Alter a pause he asked: “You have known Mr. Mitcbei for a number of years, I believe?” “No, not more than a year and a half. He has uot been in New York two years. ” “Oh I I see. A Boston man?” “No, I thiuk he came from New Or leans. ” A curious sensation passed over Mr. Barnes. There is a superstitious belief, much esteemed by many, that a shud der or chill uf this character means that some one is walking over the spot where the person affected is to be buried. Therefore an uncanny thought accom panies it. With Mr. Barnes it is differ ent He is free from all such notions, yet insensibly Le is moved when this occurs to him, because it has so often happened that at tlie time he just hii upon a clew. Therefore he stopped to consider. All that Mr. Randolph had said was that Mr. Mitchel, he thought, had come from New Orleans. In a mo ment it flashed across Mr. Barnes’ miud that the dead ivrman had told him that she hud lived in New Orleans. Was there any significance in this fact? Did the inau uml tho woman know each oth er in tlie southern city? “How do you know that be is a south erner?” asked Mr. Barnes. “Ob, that was easily discovered by his accent,” replied Mr. Randolph. "Besides, he clu ms to be from the south, thongh I think he is rather in clined uot to speak of his homa I have an indistinct recollection of his telling me once that be was born in New Or leans and that he had some painfnl rec ollections of the place. That is the only time that he ever alluded to it, how ever. ” “I would like to ask you a question about another man, Mr. Randolph. I wonder whet her you have met him. His name is Thauret." “Alphonse Thauret? Yes, I know him, and I do not like him. ” “Why not?” “I don’t exactly know. Perhaps it is only a prejudice. Still wo are apt to form quick estimates of men, and I have distrusted this man from the first in stant that I met him. ” “Distrusted him?” “Yes. I may bo entirely wrong, cud perhaps 1 should uot tell you tho stoiy, but I will do so. It was at one of my clubs about two weeks ago. home gen tlemen were playing vvbist, and this Thauret was of tlie number. Oilers were looking on. Tho stakes were small; still there was money up. Thauret and his partner seemed to have a great deal 1 of luck. Ordinarily, of course, ‘two packs are used, but for some reason there was but one that night, so that tlie boltom card would be the trump. Now it is pretty well known that as the cards run in whist, earh trick contain ing four of a suit mainly, it is a mathe- HOU8E IN THE CITY. NOTHING CHEAP BUT THE PRICE. Our Styles Always CORRECT. MILLINERY, HOISERY, VEII ISOS, FLOWEBS. LACES, RIBBONS, CORSETS, GLOVES, *C. Sole Agents for the World Renowned No other house la the city has these goods. The only guaranteed Conet on the market. Imlfii” Pate At the exceedingly low price of TEN CENTS EACH. Kindly call and Inspect our goods care fully. Yon will soon be convinced that it pays to trade at Mis. BIRO'S, DIRUIIGTON, S.C. Final Notion. ■El l -i » i ,j i L “This time he teas alone." metical certainty that if the pack is shuffled twice only, and the dealer is skillful enough to handle the pack so that the two halves split each other ex actly ln.th times, tho result will he that the majority of trumps will go to him self and partner. Cutting does not alter this fact at all. Now what I observed was that Thauret dealt in that way ev ery time. He and his partner won about 1-00 glaring the evening. I thiuk he cheated. ” "Who was his partner?" "I do not knew. ” “Was Mr. Mitchel present that night?” “Yes, and agreed with me that the man is a card sharp. Yet of coarse we may be doing him an injustice. After all we only know that he shuffled his cards twice, and played in good luck. I have since seen him lose ut the same game. ” “Well, I am much indebted to you, Mr. Randolph, for the information which you have given me. I will say that if I can prove that your friend had no hand iu this affair I shall be meet happy. ” The detective arose and Mr. Randolph accepted tho action us a hint that he was dismissed. After his departure Mr. Barnes sat down again. In his miud he wondered whether this partner in the card game might have been the accom plice of Thauret iu the jewel robbery, and v\ hither he was the man who left the jewels iu the hotel at New Haven. Why he should have done so, however, Was a mystery. A few minutes later Mr. Barnes left the building and walked rapidly to ward Third avenne, where he took the elevated read, getting out at Seventy- sixth street. Going eastward a few houses, ho rang tho bell of oue, and was shown into a modestly furnished parlor. A few minutes later a comely young woman of about 24 or 25 entered. The two talked together iu low tones for some time, and then the girl left the room, returning iu street attire. To- transpired, gether they left the louse. Four days later Mr. Barnes received a note which simply said, “Come up.’ He seemed to understand it, however, and was quickly on his way to the house on Seventy-sixth street. Once more the girl joined him in the parlor. "Well,” said Mr. Barnes, “have you succeeded?” “Why, of course,” replied the girl “You never knew me to make a failure, did you? You don't class me with Wil son, 1 hope?” “Never mind about Wilson; tell me yonr story." “Verv-aood. Don’t be impatient. Ton knew me. I tuf own' WBjr ot doing things. Well, you mu me in Madison Square park. I sat on a bench and watched Wilson. Two hours later ■ mail came out of the hotel and Wilson followed him. It made me langh to sea lie gavk skulking along in the rear. He’s no artist. Why, any booby could tell in a minute that he was on the trail” “I told yon to omit remarks about Wilson. ” “I know, bat I choose to tell yoa shout him, because 1 make you appre- ! ciato me mere. So there he was chasing after your man Mitchel Yon see I have found out his name. You didn’t tell | me, but that could uot tronble me long, 1 you know. It was real fuu. Oue minute Wilson would be actually running to keep up, and al- of a sudden Mitchel would stop so short that Wilson would almost bump into him. Of coarse be knows Wilson by this time, and jnst has fan with him. I wanted to get one good square look at him myself. I jnmped on a car and reached Third ave nne ahead of them. I ran np stairs to the platform of the elevated station and hid in the waiting room. Soon up came Mitchel, and away he goes to the end of the platform. Wilson stopped in the middle and tried to look natural, which, of course, be didn’t When the train came along, I got aboard and walked through till I found my man, and down I sat right opposite to him. I just stud ied his face, you bet ” “Yes, miss, and be studied yours. You are a goose, and you disobeyed or- dera I told you not to let that keen devil see yon at all" “That'sell right It came ont straight enough. At Forty-second street he got out, and so did Wilson, and so didn’t I. ” “Why not?” "Because then he might have suspect ed me. No, sir; I rode on np to Forty- seventh street, crossed over, took a i train down, and was waiting in the station when Mitchel came along the second time. This time he was alone, evidently having eluded Wilson at Thirty-fourth street He took the dow u train. So did I, this time keeping ont of 1 sight He went straight to his lay, and I after him. It is a house in Irving place Here is the nnmber. ” She hand ed a card to Mr. Barnes. “Yon have done well,” said he, tak ing it “But why did yon not report to me at once?” “I am not through yet When I take up a case, I go to the end of it Do you suppose I would track that man and then let you turn Wilson on him again? Not much. Next day I called at the | house ami rang the bell. A servant girl opened the doer. I asked to see the mis tress. She asked what I wanted, and 1 told her that X had been sent for to take a situation. She looked surprised, be cause, of course, she had not been noti fied that she was to be discharged. I quickly went on to say that I would not j like to make her lose her place, and , asked what sort of people they were * who lived in the honse. I got her talk ing and soon found out that it is a kind of private boarding school, and that there is a child there, a girl of 14, named Rose Mitchel, and that your man is her father. How does that strike yon?” “My girl, yon are a genius. But still yon knew this the day before yesterday Why did yon not report?” “I weut down again yesterday to try to learn more. I sat out in the pork and watched the young girls when they came out for an airing. I oonld not find a chance to speak to the girl, but I fonnd out which is she by hearing the others call her name. I had my camera along, and I took her portrait for you. What do you say now? Have I wasted my time?” “Not at all You are clever, but you will never be great, because you are too conceited. However, I have nothing but praise for you thia time. Get me the picture. ” The girl went up stairs and returned with a small, rather dim photograph of a young, pretty girl, and gave it to Mr. Barnes. Abont half an hour later he left the house. [TO BE OONTtNCED.) O N THE NINTH DAY OF A«»H- next I vill file my final account as Administrator of the estate of O. D. Lee, 8r., deceased, and apply to the Judge of .Probate of Darlingtoi M ft ’ I" A Bonanza In Knitting Mills. [News and Courier ] Chkraw, March 30.—Verily Che- raw’s time has come at last. Rhode Island parties have just closed a deal whereby they are to install at once a complete plant for the manufacture of sash cord, lamp wicks, corset lacee and shoestrings—small articles, but the quantity made will be enormous. A large number of hands will be em ployed in this new industry. Cheraw is to be the “Yankee Nation” manu facturing town. The formation of the new knitting enterprise, the Fin- layson Hosiery Mills, was completed to-day, and the new company calcu lates on Leing in operation in ten days. Mr. E. V. Finlayson, of Char lotte, N. C., is the president of the company. Other parties here are figuring to-day on a third knitting mill, mid it is very probable this one too will be launched before another month passes. Murder in Chesterfield. | News and Courier j Chkraw, March 30.—On Sunday near Houeycut’s. in this county. Ford Davis was found by Mr Sidney Doug las lying near the road shot with a ig- caiibre ball just above the heart. The wounded man was unconscious when found, but rallied, and accuses John D. Davis with the shooting, the sheriff so far has failed to get Davis. It is said the wounded man cannot live. The parties are all white. The cause of the shooting has uot yet ; : m for sale. _ from hiph class, heavy-weight sil ver-laced W yandottes, the oest ‘‘gen eral purpose’’ fowl in the world. They lay all the winter. I also have some 1 ’’English Red Cap’’ eggs for sale. Price, $1 to $1.50 for a setting of thir teen eggs. W. B. OAKES, Darlington, 8. C. ML* 3m. County for Letters Dismisaor) O. D. LEE, JR., Administrator Darlington, 8. C., Mar. 9,1898. Mchl2—4t. WILL. J. GABNEB, I. D„ DARLINGTON, 8. C. Office oner Boyd's Drug Store. Office Hours: 11 a m to 1 p m; 4:80 p m to 7 p m. Darlington Lodge. No. 7, Knights of Pythi as, meets on 1st and 3rd Tokbdat Evenings in each month, at Castle Hall, Florence street opposite Broad. Visit ing brothers fraternally invited. LAW CARDS. J. J.WARD, Attorney at Law, DABLINGTON, 8. C. Will Frfictke ia Ike Caarls tf Ike Faartk Cirealt. MohS 7 98—lyr. Ex-Judge J. H. Hudson, Speelml. HUDSON & MEGAN, Attorneys & Counselors at Law, DABLINGTON, 8. C. SPECIALTIES: Real Estate, Corporation and Commer cial Law. Practice in 3rd and 4th Circuits. Sept 18’95—lyr. Train No. 08—Daily except Sunday. Leave Darlington .8 is p m Bennetteville • 09 p as Arrive Gibeon’s 9 85 p a Train No. 07—Dally except Sunday Leave Gibeoa’s 0 00 a m BennettviUo 8 18 a a Arrive Darlington — 7Uaai NOTE.—Train No. connection for Columbia Via Darling ton and Sumter, and for Chart—ton via Florence; and tor aU poiata North. Train No. 89 makes close connection at Florence from Charleston and fro— all points North and at Darlington from Columbia. 1LMINGTON, COLUMBIA * AUGUSTA BALROAD. In affect Mar. 1.1896. soctm Botrro. Leave Wilmington Leave Marion .Arrive Florence Leave Florence Arrive Sumter Leave Sumter Arrive Columbia.... Leave Florence Arrive Sumter Leave Sumter Arrive Columbia... No. -.t through from ton > Central Railroad; laasl ins.— 8 88 a m. Manning 915 a m. SOUTH BO USD. No. 54. E. O. Woods. Robert Mwfartan- WOODS* IACFARLA1. (Successors to Woods * Spain.) ATTORNEYS AT LAW. Darlington, 8. C. Offices over The Bank of Darlington. Janl0’96—lyr. T. H. Spain, H. T. Thompeon. SPAIN A THOMPSON, Attorneys at Lav, Darlington, - - - 8. C. Offices in Darlington Guards’ Armory building, first floor. Special attention given to practice in the Probate Cenrt. Mch96*96—yr. R. W. Boyd. G. W. Brown. BOYD & BROWN- Attorneys tad Ooaasolars at Law Office in S. Marco building, op posite Court House. DABLINGTON, 8. C. Janl’96—lyr. Leave Co.umbb Arrive Sumter... Leave Sumter.— Arrive Florence Leave Florence... Leave Marion Arrive Wilmington. Leave Oolumbia... Arrive Sumter. Leave Sumter..... „ Arrive Florence.... *5.06pi TJtpi •Dally, fDaily axoept Sunday. >Cnarl—ton arriving a- 7Jf i ■ tmouRU via Central Railroad, i ning 8.85 p m. Charleston 8.58 p m. Trains on Wilmington A Conway B. R., leave Chad bourn at lOJMa—, ar rive at Conway It.56 p m, ist—liw 1—vo Conway 9 SO p m. arrive Chad- bourn 5.00 p m., leave Chadbourn SJS p m, arrive at Hub 6 90 p m. re turning leave Hub S 16 a m, arrive at Chadbourn 9.00 a m > 'ally exopot Sue Jay. JOHN F. DIVINE, Gen. Supt Have That Oil Bicycle Foal Bp and aad e to run eear aat look a We have the proper Mole aad a trnlaed workmaa. and tnaraate and moderate ohanree. If too i PATCHING RUBBER, CEMENT, ETC. to oarry on yonr tripe, we can famish jrau &IDE A MONARCH If too vant to set ahead of the heat and stay In good trim (or the winter. W. Id. Darlington. • - 8.O. July4’98—lyr. Hotice of fiaal Discharge. O N tbe 91st day ot April next, I will apply for a final dtachaiwe — Executrix of M. Ago— Fountain, doooixpcd ' LIZZIE 8. FOUNTAIN, Mar. 10—4b Executrix. SHEPHERD SUPPLY TOMPalNY, 232 MEETING STREET, - - CHARLESTON, S. C- STATE AGENTS FOB » OF WHOLESALE DEALERS IN Stoves, Tinwares, House Furnishings, Tin Plate, Sheet Iron. Tin Supplies, hltuiiii Site ui Iu Vte Fp b We Manufacture T0BA000 BABE TLUE FREIGHT PREPAID to any I :22 Varieties of Oil Stoves sad $0 Dee8’95—lyr.