Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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*' i \ . ??????? 5 -W MYNHE] BY ST. QBORQI v^fvv^v'yi Con-aiGiiT JO"-, n^c; 2* CHAPTER A. i [Continued.] So tli? explorer takes oat-naps until morning comes. Theu he linds the sky ablaze as the suu rises in a sea of red?a spectacle that is awe-inspiring in its grandeur. Being a lover of nature, Mynheer Joe gloats over the view and regrets to see ilie bright colors fade away. Another day in Egypt has begun, a day of sigbtseeiDg to the many travelers who come to feast their eyes on 6toried Nile, majestic pyramids, won oeriui ruins, strange torans newn in the reeks of the Mokkatfiin Ilills above Cairo, and, above all, the massive Sphinx, that guards the remaius of a temple under the sand?a day that ^ may have much to do with the fortunes of Mynheer Joe and those he calls friends. CHAPTEIt XI. OtflXQ EVENTS CAST A SHADOW R2> * FORE. Shepherd's Is astir. Parties are sailyiug forth, equipped f?r sightseeing. Some go by the river, while others mount donkeys, according to what they mean to gaze upon. The .sec no in front of the hotel is once more one of confusion. Finely dressed uragomans* are ousting auoiu, oraer- j lng the donkey-boys this way ar.il that, and assuming an air of most tremendous importance. Indeed, it could bo easily Imagined that souie {treat East! ern potentate is about to set out on j a most wonderful journey to sec the j excitement thai reigns in front of the hotel. Every day. during the winter season. It is the same. These tourists, prin- j VIpally English and American, who make the rounds of Egypt, leave a large sum of money behind them, aud if a year comes when some dreaded disease keeps the tide of travel away, there will be mourning in the land of j the Khedive among Turk, Arab. Moor | and native feliahin. Mynheer Joe. after breakfast, is ! seated where he may watch this pano- 1 ramn. and enjoy its peculiar features ! as .only one can who is a veteran trav- j eler or has no business on hand. While Joe sits upon the piazza lie sees or.e approaching whose coming fires his heart. Ol' course it is Molly ?no ore else could make his blood leap so madly. She reaches his side, j and Myuhu*r .!' ,? is on his feet instantly. offering her a chair. lie luu.tv.- a m 4*?> m> wau av*aj. but Glic calls out*: "Hefraiu! 1 1: <v.- it would give you pain in the tirsl place, and in the open air I really enj v be cdor ct' a good cigar." she laughs-. looks at ills weed uor.btfully. ' Tills is Turkish tobacco, and lias a .'""fine reputation, but I rather prefer the American wneu I can get It. or Ha-: vana, which is the same thing. However. since you are so kind, I will keep ! It. and take a seat to leeward," which j be does with much pleasure. She does uot look as though bent upon a mission of reproach. Joe takes courage and boldly opens the game himself. "Yon have learned the truth. Miss ' Molly. I was In the act of confessing > myself, when the baron and bis friend Interrupted us." "Yes. 1 know all about it." she replies, nodding. "Ajid you don't bear malice?" eagerly. "How could I?against the one who saved my life?and under such extra-; ordinary circumstances as this thing was done. too. No. sin-e my father has forgiven you 1 will uot t?o back.- J ward about doing the same. Besides. he firmly believes that you saved his life in some way that he would not explain." It is ev..lent that Molly docs not I know all. and is ignorant that the! baron 1$ the prime cause of this trouble, itome nxii would have taken solid satisfaction In informing her a? to the truth, and with good reason, too. but Mynheer Joe seems to be above it. "Let us drop the whole matter. Miss Molly," lie says, quite willing it shall j be forgotten. She looks at hiin a little queerly. for it has already occurred to her women's ntind that there is something ba< k I of it all which she had not yet fath- I omed?something concerning an un- i known quantity, the terrible danger j J at which her father has hinted with- i out giviDg any details, and like others' ! of the homan family, Miss Molly is gifted with a cettain amount of curi- : osfty, that trait not wholly confined to 1 her sex. "Very well. It shall be just as you say, on one condition, Mynheer Joe," - " sh^ replies. "What Is that?" he asks. "Some time you will tell me what This danger Is that hangs over the gov* crnor's head." "Yes, I promise, but It is no longer there, I assure you," he makes answer. They drift on to general topics, and' then Demosthenes Tanner's voice is heard In the land, as he figuratively demolishes a clumsy waiter who has had the misfortune to step <m his pet ?orn. ) He joins them and greet* them with, in warmth tha# proves his mind has pndergone no change since they parted on the previous night. Turning his er Toe]i V/ J' VvVy^'v t ^ : pATHBORNE. a. pi nr Tlnvxr*?fiSr?fi IV a bead rtgnr and lert lie snows taut :t n is still in a serviceable condition. k "A little stiff in the neck, that's all, tl ray boy. Wonderful stuff, lia in ma metis! Only for my having a bottle aloug h< I'd have been laid up for a week, a Jove! Feel that muscle! Like steel! j( I say, this business of exploring the k wilds is no child's play, after all. Is ti it?" hi lie rattles on. drawing two chairs up. placing his feet on one. and bring-. t< lug into view an enormous cigar, b which must have been made espe- <t cially for a man of his size. h So Joe has to describe how, on many an occasion, he and his men have been u compelled to actually hew a way n: through a dense network of vines and ft fallen trees that covered the stream ti they were navigating. aBy degrees they get him to Khar- nl toom, and as he had promised Tanner tl the story of that doomed city's fall he st proceeds to give a graphic description tl of what took place, from the time of Gordon's arrival up to the ill-fated m liGtli of January, when the Christian tr hero fell, a martyr to political hesita- w tiou at homo, betrayed by those in tc whom he trusted. m Mvnheer joe would speak as lil'.le >1 as possible of his own sHaro In these tragic events, but they draw him out. ?J and he is thus compelled to tell what in happened. sc While Molly sits there, her lovely M eyes glued 011 the face ot the speaker. r?i deep admiration and even growing p< love kindling her fine features, the qi baron glares at the group from the other end Of the piazza. tv He realizes that the fates have dealt p< hint a terrible blow, and that his ease In is indeed hopeless, unless fortune in throws in his way a means of over- to turning circumstances. hi The baron chances to be one of those fr men who imagine that the battle is in won by tlie party who figllis for vie- tl; tory; therefore he will not be apt to p: sit around with his hands in his pock- st ots. si Already he has proven to what end v' he can be driven by necessity. Nonu " but a desperate fiend would ever think of getting a dangerous rival out of the ! way by such a pl.au as ruining his | looks with acid. This same man is I it fertile in re sources and dangerous as a j foe. Mynheer .Toe may learn to his [ 1? cost that ho was really safer among m the howling. maddened dervishes of ti: the Malidi than he is in Cairo to-day. In M hen the spectacle grows too hitter to for hint to longer gaze tip the baron v' wal!:s away, muttering to himself. m Mr. (Jriic.es lias front a place if e n- a cealaunt been watching this game, nd chuckles when he notes the diplo- U] mat's discomfiture. Still keeping his eye upon him he sees the baron signal a French ex-aripy officer, who has it' some connection with the Khedive's e\ palace, bt lug in his employ. si These two talk long and earnestly, m during which the baron glances a tl: number of times toward the trio 011 the piazza, and even the Frenchman looks earnestly that way. vr "Some deviltry afoot," mutters Mr. st Crimes. "I'd give a little to be able w to hear what is said, but must find : hi out the truth in another way." Watching the couple ho finally sees- j tL them shake hands heartily: the French* h< officer bows, places a hand on hi<^ fc heart, makes a gesture and walks of away. Whatever has been the pur- fa port of their conversation the matter1 F has undoubtedly been arranged. hi As the baron passes Mr. Grimes the, latter quietly follows him, making at sure to attract no attention. In this bt way he sees the Russian diplomat In finally enter a peculiar house, wuicl/ hrw something of the annearauce of a m gymnasium. at Loitering around Mr. Grimes discov- re ors an English gentleman, v.hotn ho knows, about to enter. He stops him' to ask a question and learns that the; d; building is an athletic elubroom. His friend asks him to enter, which lie' 0j willingly does, for this is exactly what' i lie wants. to A number of men are within. Some iu box, others lean and swiiig dumb-bells, 01 while not a l'ew use ihe foils. Mr. p: Grimes discovers the baron, dressed in a suit that is worn in the exercise,' about to enter into an engagement ui with one of the professors. The sight at somehow makes him jump at conclu- In Isions. Does the baron contemplate a duel? Since his villainous plan to de-1 tfi stroy Joe's looks has failed, will be th endeavor to put the dashing explorer out of the way by a recourse to arms In and the code of honor? Mr. Grimes knows that this man has. been a principal in many duels?that. *1/* in Jin PTnort swordriaan and a dead' shot. His size, Instead of being agalnstj cl lilm, really gives him an advantage. Hence Mynheer Joe's friend watchesj T the work of the baron closely. MrJ as Grimes Is no swordsman himself, butl E he ?an tell good wrist-play, lunge andj pi parry when he sees it h< Before five minutes pass by he real- u izes that the baron is immense. He hi plays with the professor as a cat fd< might with a mouse, and whenever ^n he feels in the humor dazzles the , man's eyes with a flashing wall of jH steel, plucks his foil out of his grasp by a wonderful wrench, and laughs in a cold-blooded, saruonlc way that set^ Grimes wild. ' 'a' ;v?'. 'V .. ' V . *; -y^rry.' Ilenven help poor Mynheer Joe, h? links, if he stands before this little anc with a sword in his hand! There just about one chance in a dozer >r him. He may outwit iho baron in iplomacy. but cold steel held in the rasp of a wizard is a hard thing tc eat. So Mr. Crimes watches and slurb ers. as in imagination he sees his ieud occupying the place of the pro ssor. r.cfore now. under such cir tiiwtinw): hnroll's cruel blade time was spent in singing livmns anc good old songs of parting. 1 During the day the speaker announr ed the appointment of the followinj ! standing committees: On printing reports of State supreme court, Messrs. J. R. Coggeshall anc | Adam H. Moss. On examining State officials' books Messrs. J. G. Richards and W. J. John| son. On inspecting State dispensary books i Messrs. Joseph Glover and R. W ! Nichols. On penal and charitable institutions . Messrs. J.' Hampden Brooks and J. E . | Bcamguard. To visit the State colleges. Messrs Rainsford and Kibler. 1 During one of the frequent recesses 1 the house organizaod itself into the ' :ommittcc of the whole and called Mr Moses to the chair. Mr. H. Spanr Dowling of Bamberg introduced th< following resolutions which were adopted to acclamation. Whereas!, the Hon. M. L. Smith ha: | presided ever the deliberations of this body with fairness, efficiency anc marked ability, and Whereas, each member hereof er.pnkino- ns a representative and as ?>uld have passed through his body. Mr. Grimes studies his method, hop i:; to lind a weak spot. As lias nl sidy becu said he has considerabh nowledgo of the science, and after ? ine jumps at a conclusion. "Heavens! This man. wonderful a; e is. would stand a poor show againsi left-handed swordsman! I have seer oc do a number of things with hit ft hand. If he handles a sword k tat way?well. Mr. Iiaron, you maj e astonished?that's all." When the baron has enjoyed lilmsell > the full with the professor, who is ut a plaything in his hands, he satin >rs over to the shooting-gallery to trj is hand. One would think Bis nerve might ot be as steady as could be dosiref rtfr his hot engagement with the tils, and Mr. Grimes feels an ndmira on for the man coupled with his eersion when he sees him send shol ftor shot with astonishing accuracy to various swiuging targets beiup ruck almost with every discharge ol te revolver. "A dangerous combination of .1 an to be at large, capable of doing ti eniendous amount of mischief in the oriel, and the sooner he turns up his es under the sod the better for lnr iauity." is the mental comment ol r. Grimes. He meets the baron at the bar of the illery In a friendly spirit, and wish' ig to see more of his pistol practice >or banters him into a little wager r. Grimes has always prided him sell 1 his marksmanship, but he has 11 lor show bcskle this man of the lick eye and steady hand. !!!. ?vi akia/if i c 4-a /i ? coat*ot lLltdlft VUJWl 10 kV UlCVUIVi hether the baron has any went >int about liis marksmanship, so that ; can turn it to good account. Even this a fair measure of success falls i his share, enough to pay him for s trouble. At fifteen and twentyre paces the Russian duellist is nlost a dead shot, but strange to say te American beats him at twenty ices. It would be hard to underand just why this is so. and to make ire of it Mr. tlrin.es is not content irh the one trial, but goes through it 1 again. The result is the same. That settles it. If there is to bo an cchauge of shots between the rivals must be at twenty paces. lie feels tat he is doing only what is right in aniing these facts. Doubtless this an without a conscience has in mes past spitted more than one r.u:eky dev.! on liis sword, wiio proved i b> a boor at the duello, and against hem he limi a grudge. lie deserves ?n nor sympainy nor pny, mm mji.ii man nsiw's nothing of the world. I\ chaps the baron has already si.tcd > the other, and remembers that he iw him with the man he plots to (lcroy. That does not appear to (lisirb hint very much; indeed, he may ;en take a savage satisfaction in lowing the American how he will a he crow's meat of his friend when le time comes. Mr. Grimes has seen enough. At his first opportunity he must aru Joe. so that the other may not untitle into the pit which the baron ould dig for him. at least without a lowledge of the consequences. After leaving the gymnasium where ie stalwart British officers spend an >ur or so every day he looks around >r the explorer, but can see nothing him. Molly and her distinguished itlur are also among the missing, resently he runs across some one he tows. "Ah! there. Sandy, my boy. where vay?" he calls out, whereat the istling little correspondent brought a heap consents to halt briefly. "Off to wire for a passage on t?e bionthly steamer for India. Touches Alexandria, you know, and then diet to Port Said for the Canal." "When is it due?" "The Ailiainbra arrives on Saturi.v." "Secure passage for me, lmt bqld i: perhaps you'd better wait and see. uudersta .1 Tanner and his daughter, gethcr v i! h Mynheer Joe, are headg in that direction. If We all go on le steamer it will make a jolly irty." Sandy strikes an attitude. "Bless you, that's a fact. I'll wait itil we have a little consultation, and )ide by the result. By the way, tho iron goes ou her." "I supposed as much. How did you id that out, Sandy, my boy?" queries ie other. "I hoard him give orders this morn* g. Several parties accompany him." "Who took the order?" "The fellow looking like a Hindoo." Mr. Grimes smiles. "I wish you had noticed that fellow osely, Sandy," he remarks, quietly. "Well, now, that's just what I did. ou see he had a lordly air yesterday, - AL. 1 1 - ~ A I thougn ne ownea me wuwe ul gypt, while this morning he limped ilnfuUy, had a bruise on his fore;ad, and bis left arm was tied up in great ball of cotton, while his face id a look as though intense pain and jvilish fury were fighting for the astery." At this Mr. Grimes no longer smiles, e chuckles. [To be Continued.] A sample room of German wares it bout to b? opened in Constantinople, . i an individual, desires to place upor i record his appreciation and endorse, irent of the speaker of the house; anc Wfcc-reas. we are about to say goodbye for a seasan aud are taking oui 1 j leave; therefor; 1 L'e it resohed. That the house herebj i j tenders the Hon. M. L. Smith its ap j preci ition of the able and impartia j man;;- r in which he has ruled over its I deliberations, wishing him God's speed . ! in all tilings pertaining to his wcifarc i and happiness and looking forward with confidence to his "presiding at th? ! next session. i Do it further resolved. That the h.rus< ' | hereby tenders its thanks to the Hon | T. V. Williams for his impartial rulj ings and efficient manner in which h< 1 presided over the house as speaker pro : tcm. Be it further resolved. That the ! house tenders its thanks to the clerk ; Tom C. Hamer. and J. Wilson Gibbes the assistant eierk. and J. S. Withers | J. S. Wilson and ail other officers and I attaches who have so faithfully con ! tributed to the satisfactory dispatct I of business of this body, and to Messrs I August Kohn and William Banks foi | the fair and impartial reports the} i have made of the proceedings in The i News and Courier and The State. the ' newspapers which they respective!} J represent. Upon Speaker Smith's return to the ; hall he was informed of the adoption j of the resolutions, and he responded i very eloquently and feelingly. Mr Williams also made a very apropriate short address. Speaker Smith has hiu' but two years previous experience It the house, but he has made a success j as a presiding officer. Considerate and j courteous of the members he has al! ways attemptei. to conauct toe dusv ness of the house with as much diS' patch as possible, and yet he did sc | in a very Intelligent and dignified I manner. Mr. Williams is also a verj i fine presiding officer. At 9-05 n m. the house returnee ! from the senate chamber, where th< 1 ratification of acts had been completed and Mr. Tatum, Mr. Wlngard and Mr Haskell were appointed a committ .e tc wait on th?' governor and to inforrr him that the house was ready to ad Journ. They returned presently rritl the a\ aunceirent that the governoi had n .urther jusines sto submit, ani the governor's private secretary, Mr J. E. N'orment, presented message No 9, informing the house that the ap propriation bills had been approved. Gen. Robert R. Hemphill, clerk o the senate, then announced that iha body was ready to adjourn, and Col Tom C. Hamer, clerk of the house, wai dispatched with a similar message t< the senate. At 2:14 p. m. Mr. Tatum's motion tc adjourn sine die was carried, and the gavel fell for the last time during the session of 1903. The morning session Saturday in the Senate which began at live minutes at ter midnight, a recess being taken ai 1.35. was resumed at 10 o'clock. A majority of the senators answered whet the roll was called, but weary in mine and body from the tedious work of the previous day not one seemed to tak< much interest in the routine work ne cessary to the ending of the session. A number of conferences and free 1 conferences were held and in a majority of cases satisfactory agreement were reached. The senate had to re cede from its amendments to the house bill requiring the State geologist tc furnish minerals to Clemson co\lege , The senate had inserted an amendmenl to strike out the words, "Clemson col1 lege and insert in lieu thereof the <6 V 1 y . . * -IV . T" : ' ijEND OF THE SESSIOI l _# I State Legislature Finishes its Wor and Adjourns ? o RESOLUTION OF THANKS PASSE Happy Closing of a Busy and Impoi tant Session of the South Carolin Lawmakers. i The South Carolina general assembl; ' closed its session on Saturday, hav ?r.g reached its constitutional limit o 1 time. t i The house of representatives hegai r its session on the final day at a* fe\ minutes after midnight and then tool ^ a recess for several hours, ailowin: the members to get a good night' rest. In this way the final scenes an not as spectacular as they are whei 7 the hour of final adjournment i reached just about dawn, but the mem t bers felt less jaded and arc willini 5 ever after to adjourn in the day. , There was a handful of represents tives present, but the contested worl of the session was over and those wen 5 principally members of the committci t responsible for the accuracy of th< , manuscript of the new acts, and a fev : members from the low country whe could not leave until in the afternoon The house had nothing to do bui t to wait for the acts to be sent ou from the engrossing department. Th< * * ' 4 i\ words "upon application to all the i chartered institutions in the State." Lieut. Gov. Sloan, the president, was In his room arranging some papers and President Pro Tern. Sheppard was k in the chair discharging the duties of that office. Calling Senator Goodwin to the chair Mr. Sheppard left the :hamher. Mr. Aldrich arose and presented the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted: D RESOLUTIONS OS THANKS. 1. Be it resolved by the senate of South Carolina that the thanks and lobtiAn'Ir.rl'TftniftntQ nf thn ennoto am ji &:iw ? i<;uf1Liiu.iiio ci tuv oiuui*. u? v due and are hereby tendered to Lieut. 1 jov. John T. Sloan, president of the ?rnat?. for the hieh courtesy, generous consideration and distinguished ability with which he has presided over the y deliberations of the senate during the . present session, and the ease and fa. ollity with which he has dispatched the business of the senate justifies the patriotic action of the people in placing him in his present high and honorv ibie position. ^ Resolved, That the thanks of the a senate are likewise tendered to the j? Hon. J. C. Sheppard, president prot e tem.. for his continued able, courtly j and efficient performance of the duties 3 of the chair, and that the senate wish. ds for it.s two said presiding officers g that prosperity, honor and happiness which their great worth, patriotisfs . and abilities, entitle them to. < THE PRESIDENT'S REPLY. p On the return of the president and e president pro tem to the chamber Sen j ator Goodwin mrormeci tnem or tne ac- | y fion of the senate and read the reso3 lutious. The president arose and thanked the t senate for the resolutions, saying that t words would be inadequate to express j what he desired to say. In the dis1 charge of his duty he had endeavored to show partiality to none and ^ppre. elated the cordial support and cooper, ation given him by every member of the senate. It was with gratitude that ; he could point to the fact that there j had been no harsh words said in debate to wound the feelings of any senator?in fact the body was like a happy family. He wished them all a happy and prosperous year in the discharge of their personal affairs and would welcome them on thoir return to the next session of the general assembly. THE PRESIDENT. PRO TEM. Senator Sheppard said that he. too. appreciated the resolutions just passed by the senate. In his long experience in public life he had never served with gentlemen more courteous, considerate, . cordial and eentlemanlv in all their deportgient. At the beginning of the J lession he had pledged to the new prs, Ident the hear.F cooperation and supj port of every sen: iter and in this he had not been disappointed. On tho . ctner hand at tne close or the session ' he was glad to say that the president | had measured up fully to their high expectations. And now in parting with brother senators he could only say. ' "God be with you till we meet again." OTHKR RESOLUTIONS. Mr. Rayscr introduced the following j which were also adopted: State of South Carolina. Senate Chamber, Feb. 21, 1903. Do it resoluved. that the thanks of , th? senate are due and are hereby tendered to its faithful, capable and courtj eons clerk; the venerable soldier and . accomplished citizen. Gen. Robert H. ] Hemphill, for the efficient and satis, factory manner in which he has perI formed th' important and arduous du, ties cf the office of clerk of the senate unon ii'tinm' thp trnrk* nf 1P2islation SO , I arduously depend. II. Resolved. That the assistant clerk. Mr. R. M. McCowan; sergeant; at-arms. J. F. Schumpert; reading | clerk, W. H. Stewart, and the other officers of the senate are commended > for the faithful and efficient performance of their duties. THANKS OF THE PRESS. III. Resolved, That Messrs. Frank P. { Cooper and Paul M. Brice, representatives of the press during the present , session, are entitled to thv. acknowledgments of the senate for their full. p impatrial and accurate repots of the procedings of the senate, and by their f courtesy and kindness have earned the > good will and highest consideration of r the members of this body. CLOSING SCENES. , At 1:30 the hcuses met in joint as[ sembly and ratified 34 acts, the re[ mainder of the series of 185 for the session. | A committee was appointed to notify I the governor that the work for which , the general asembly had been convened . was accomplished and awaited his I pleasure. A message was received announcing . that he had signed the appropriations . and supply bill. > At 2:10 on the motion of Senator 1 Sharpe the senate adjourned sine die. j The goodbyes were said, and *Jie session of 1903 became memory. I 3 Alarm Clock. ) Speaking of alarm clocks," said Mr, i Flatdweller. "mine is a leaky steam pipe that runs up through my bedroom, i It wakes mo up daily with unfailing r regularity. 1 "Our janitor is a conscientious and also a very precise man. He lets the j * steam run down every night at just j the same time, and he starts it up in ! f the morning every day *t exactly the t same hour. Every morning, to a . minute, almost, at 5:45 o'clock, that 3 pipe in my room begins to sing and 3 sizzle loudly, "Now some people, no doubt, would j he disturbed by this, but not I. I am j not what you would call a fussy person; and, like the janitor, I am a man of regular habits, and that leaky 3 Joint begins to sizzle at just about my getting up time, and I can rely on it ^ entirely, without going to any trouble at all. 1 "I don't have to wind It up or bother J about It in any way whatever. If 1 ^ should forget it It would blow ofT and I wake me up Just the same."?New York Sun. 1 ? A trolley line has been opened In 5 Porto Rico. This thoroughly dis" poses of any danger there might have ; been of Porto Rlcan revolutions. The people will be too busy dodging the t cars hereafter to engage in political - disturbances, remarks the Chicago Record-Herald. WERE ALL SURPRISED i Officers of the Army Get Something Unexpected. THE RETIREMENT UF BRECKINRIDGE The Enactment of the General Staff Law and His Connection With It? Saved His Corps. Washington, Special.?The following nominations were sent to the Senate Wednesday: Brigadier General J. C. Breckinridge, inspector general, to be major general, April 11, vice Major General Hughes; Brigadier General If., I. Ludington, quartermaster general, to major general, vice Breckinridge to be retired; Brigadies General Jamea P. Wade, to be major general, vice Ludington, to be retired. These nominations came as a genuine surprise,to army officers except those directly concerned. There is an impression In well-informed military circles that the enact? ment of the genera! staff law and General Breckinridge's connection with that legislation were potent factor* in bringing about his retirement General Breckinridge would not have retired under ordinary conditions until January, 1906. General Ludington, however, is three years older than the inspector general and would have retired July 4 next. It was generally supposed that both of those staff officers woold retire in their present grade of brlgadier generals. In recognition of their leng and honorable service, however, the Secretary of War, with the approval of the President, concluded to advance them both to the grade of mae Jor eeneral. on the condition that they would retire at once. This was acceptable to both Generals Breckinridge and Ludington. In advocating the creation of the general staff, Secretary Root insisted on the abolishment of the inspector general's Department ?f the army as no longer necessary, aa its duties would be performed by thf general staff. This particular feature of tho bill drawn by the War Depart* raent, was vigorously resisted by General Breckinridge, with the result that the inspector general's department was not disturbed by the bill, as it became a law. It therefore appears that while General Breckinridge saved his corps, he will no longer have the direction of its affairs. Negro Conference. Tuskeegee, Ala., Special.?The twelfth annual Tuskeegee Negro Con-? ference begat! its sessions at Tuskeegee Normal and Industrial Institute ^ Wednesday. The conference was organized by Principal Booker T. Washington. President Washington, in his opening address, said in part: "Fro? the first it has been the main work of this conference to confine itself to a simple and informal consideration of the methods and means of securing homes, the freeing ourselves from debts, the saving of money, the encouragement of intelligent producers, the payment of taxes and the cultivation of habits of thrift, honesty and virtue, the building of school houses and churches, the securing of educa- -i tion and high Christian character and friendship between the races. Throughout the entire race we must keep allvs a feeling of hope and encouragement. We have seen darker days than those through which we now seem to be passing." The conference adopted resolutions setting forth various methods by which the conditions of the colored agriculturist can be improved and concluding with the declaration that "property and peace are dependent upon good relations between the races.'* Shiras Resigns. Washington, Special.?Justice Shiras, of the United States Supreme Court, Wednesday presented to the President his resignation as a' mem i x-l? ber of that tribunal 10 xaae cuwi February 24. Former Secretary of Stale Wm. R. Day, of Ohio, has been selected as the successor of Mr. Shiras. Agreed on Suicide. New Orleans, Special.?Ella Atkins and Folger Green are in the hospital with three wounds as the result of a compact they entered into to end their lives. The woman died of morphine poisoning "'he man stabbed himself twice m ?eck and then slashed his wrists. The tragedy occurred in a room in the Victor Hotel, on Bourbon street, where the couple passed as man and wife. The following note was found: "Good bye to all and forgive. Am my worst enemy and go hence to the great beyond through force of circumstances. Notify Miss Atkins, Box 83, Hawesville. Ky., that her sister has at last gone home. (Signed) . "Folger Green and Ella Atkins." Col. Andrews a Director. Mobile, Ala., Special.?The annual meeting of the directors of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad here, resulted in the * election of A. B. Andrews, C. C. Cuylor, C. W. Butler Duncan, W. W. Finley, Adrian Iselin, Jr.; Thomas E. Jevons, A. W. Mcintosh, James H. Mason, W. E. Emlen Roosevelt, E. L. Russell, C. Sidney Shepard, Samuel Spencer and A. H. Stevens as directors. The purchase of the Mobile & Bay Shore Railroad was ratified. ' . * - -j . JiiL ar'-ftffiiM