Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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f i teC SUMTER WATCHMAN, established April, I S50. Consolidated Aug. 2, ISSI.] ?1 ?1 1 ?I ii I ii ?a n i ii I kBe Just and Fe?.r not-Let all the Ends thoa Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's -r* Tis s TitUK Siiiimtox', K^taLlished June, 15G^ SUMTER, S. C., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1889. New Series-Vol. TI IL No. 47. ? .. N. Gr. OSTEEN, SUMTER, S. C. TERMS : two M?t s fer ???sm-rn advance. A. D V K?TIS S irCS TS - O^Sjoar?\ $rst insertion.$1 00 ?very subsequent insertion. SO Contracts/ for three mout-hs, or longer will L Jbe made t??reduced rates. ^~^X*??fnroon?cations which subserre private $s*t?rest8 will be charged for as advertisements. ObitdSHeq and tributes of respect will be ebargedior. _Tf??a#e some beautiful oj.'A nn GOODS ? - IN Attractive Styles, ? AND ^Te have some beautiful lack Silks. 0 A. LOVELY ASSORTMENT OF JERSEYS, Handkerchiefs, Hoisery, j SHOES, ETC. Ladies wlio buy of us SATE ?Q?ney. The store is full of pretty things. FOE MEJSJ", WB H?TE CHOICE GOODS. * -. ? -* . CLOTHING-, HATS, y SHOES, NECKWEAR, Etc. IS G$LOCE?IES, REMEMBER WE ALWAYS KEEP TILE BEST. ALTAMONT MOSES. Sept. 2?. , HO! FOE THE SEASIDE! PAWLEY'S ISLAND HOTEL. SEASON OF 1889. J Beach Unsurpassed on the Coast. Superb Fishing Grounds. Splendid Bathing. No Mosquitoes. This hotel, which was operated last year by Hr. M. Manheim, having been leased hy me, bas been refurnished and improved and wi!! be kept open Summer and Winter. A Ladies' Parlor will be provided. Will be ready for recep? tion of guests on June ls;. For terms and particulars address Mas. A. K. RICHARDSON. Waverly Mills, S. C. Maj 29._ If any dealer oay? a? has th? "W. I.. Douglas #hoeft without name and prie? stamped ca tb? bottom, pat him. down aa a fraud. Wc L. DOUGLAS $3 SHOE CENTLEMEK. Best in tho world. Examino hi*_ SOO GEN?I NE HAN D s E W M I > SH O E. OO HAND-SEW E? > IV ELT SHOE. S3JSO POLICE AND FARMKKS' SHOE. I MZJiO EXTRA VALUE CALF SHOE. #2.25 WORKINGMAN'S SHOE. 9ZJOO and ?1.75 BOYS' SCHOOL SHOES. An made in Conjrrt-?s Button and Lac?. W. L. DOUGLAS S3 SHOE LADIES. Best Material- Bert Style. Rest Fitting:. If not sold by your dealer, write *^ W. L. DOUGLAS. LOCKTON. MAS? Examine W L. Douglas 82.00 Shoe? for gentlemen and ladies. FOR SALE BY J. Eyttenberg & Sons, Agents, Jan. 16 SUMTER, S. C. Absolutely Pure? This powder never varies. A marvel of purity, strength and wholesomeness. More ecenomical than the ordinary kinds, and can? not be sold in comp?tition with the nrnltitude of low test, short weight, alum cr phosphate powders. "Sold only in cms. ROYAL BAK? ING POWDER CO".. !06 Wallet., N. V. Cil IP3I AX'S LIVES PILLS 31? fe ARE THE AU who have used these Fills speak well of them. They Never Gripe nor cause any irritation or in? convenience. Will purify your blood and positively cure SICK. HEADACHE. Sold by all druggists. Mav 22-3a Ely's Cream Balm CIcnriscs thoISasaI Passe gc'?. Al? lays InSaiirrnaiion. Heals the Sores. Restores thc Sences of Saste, Smell and Hearing. A particle is ap;>;i:*<i info ear1: nostril nnd ia agreeable. Price .'-,0;-. r?i Dr:iK:{>'>or!>y mail. ELY^I?O'i i:E:;s,: :; Warren St JCew York. -* -?BBaWB--JJBCMBMBOWC s? ^ y ri 51 W?^ ?k*> ap^otiie-. Indijcestion. Flatulence, fifCii. Headache, -ali r::u tiown/' los inx floris, you will find lia B I * fe?? s i 1 ?B ?111 ?VI liinl !iti& i# i -?'??& the remedy yon nee<I. They lone np the ncak stomach and h v. Hil up the flas^risii? encr?ies. Sufferer* from mental or physical ov?.'rv.ook n ??: find r eli e? frons thens. T* icely sugar co ated. SOLD EVEHYWiiJEItE. Emm HOUSE, Sumter, S. C. RATES-SJ PER DAY Liberal deduction according to time. Comfortable Rooms. Good Table, Private Parlor for Ladies. J. H. DIXON, Nov. 28. Proprietor. ?. WHITE i SM, Insurance Agents, Offer in First Class Companies. FIRE INSURANCE, TORNADO INSURANCE, ACCIDENT INSURANCE. LI F iL INSURANCE, PLAT;: GLASS INSURANCE, SURETYSHIP UN BONDS. April 6 J Tl W FOR SALE. I have on band a fine lot of CLEAR STRAINED HONEY, this season's make, for sale by the gallon or less quantity. Also, NEW WHITE COMB HONEY. Orders filled at residence, c ?? Renn! i?can Street. Samples can bo seen nt Watchman and Southron oHice. _N. G. OSTEEN. SUMTER MARBLE W??K? ESTABLISHED IN 1869. ? I a ?tltl i ?ij WHO IS STILL PREPARED WITH Improved Facilities, MONUMENTS, HEADSTONES * - AND Siiids cf Cszactcry V7?~'?, In inst Class Workmanship Dec. 2?. DRESSMAKING. IA DI KS' DRESSES OUT AND M A DE j in the latest styl?, fi' and work v. r ranted nnd t i ~t;? ct '= - - *i guaranteed, by Miss Adele OstfC?, Republican street, opposite Karby A venue. Prices ?a rv:i?o:;:;?. le ? ? o?>d work eau be di;.ie 'ur Feb u [Copyright by J B. Lippincott Company, Phila? delphia, Pa., and published by special arrango rnent through the American Press Association.] CHAPTER UL USU HURL? STONE was not tho only young man in New York in Jovo with Helen Knowl? ton. There was scarcely a man in tho city who was not in the samo condi? tion. I cannot say that all were as hard hit as our young friend, but several of them thought they were-which amounted to I the same thing for the time being. Tins j is not to be wondered at, either. Helen j -Knowlton was a woman of remarkable ? attractions. Aside from her gifts as a 1 singer (and she was now at the zenith of ! her powers), she was a clever woman, a ! student of books and of men, and with I sentiment enough to enable lier to inter ! pr?t poetic characters most successfully. I While not, perhaps, what would bo j called a beauty, she wau strikingly hand . some. According to classic ideas, her features i were not perfect; yet one seldom sees i finer eyes or a straighter nose, or a hand ? somer mouth than hers when she was j talking or laughing. Rome people ! thought her mouth too large, but Rush i never liked a small mouth in man or ! woman; a large mouth with glistening ! teeth always attracted hiin. Her eyes j were brown, with jet black lashes and j brows, the former so thick and long that when he looked into her eyes he thought cf ?ire burning its way through shrub? bery. Her hair was brown, and grew in waving lines around her brow, and the line that marked its growth at the back of her neck was as clearly defined as though it had been drawn with a pencil. This may seem a small matter to speak of, but it i> a great beauty in a woman. Her figure was exceedingly well propor? tioned, and she dressed with the most exquisite taste. With ail these physical attractions, sho had an unusually bright mind. She was constantly adding 'to her store of knowledge, and what she knew sho knew thoroughly. If she had not been a prima donna, she would have dis? tinguished herself in some other walk in life. As to her diameter it was peculiar. When Rush came to know her intimate i Iv he told her she was the most singular ? -combination of baby and woman he had j ever met. and so she was. She lived in j the world, but she was not a? woman of I tho world. She could not say one thing i and mean another, and her friends used j to tell her that was an accomplishment a ! prima donna, of all persons, should pos ' sess. She was credulous, yet suspicious; j she was practical to a fault, yet senti i mental; she seemed cold in her nature, i yet she unconsciously hungered for ' love. She made friends easily and toc;k i no pains to keep T;hem, yet somehow or j other they stuck by lier. She was at this I time just a little spoiled and with reason. ! The town was at her feet. There wasn't a man, woman or child who would net liavo been proud to do her a favor. Ladies vied with one another in enter? taining her at their houses, young mon fought for an introduction and old men toasted her at their clubs. I believe that ii she had chosen to have Union club men pull her carnage instead of horses they would have humored her whim. Everything new that came out in the way of bric-a-brac, jewelry or books was ! -sent to her on ino instant by some known j or unknown admirer. Artists painted I her in their pictures and poets lauded j her in their lyrics. She had liad so much j of this'adoration that sha took it almost j as a thing of course; yet she was pleased j by every new .attention, and never tired I even of the flowers that were showered upon her. Guarded Uko a hot house plant herself, the breath of scandal had never Wown towards her. You could not look at her and believe that she was otherwise than pure, and tho veriest old roue would have found himself awed by her innocence. Yet she was no ?>rudc. She was fond of tho society of men and enjoyed a good time as much as any one, but she was possessed by a very strong idea of what a woman should and should not do. lier position made it necessary for lier to bo particularly careful, and, although she was ?5 years old, she had never entertained a man alone in a room in lier life. Foreigners, with their ideas of women cn the stage, could not under? stand her, but nono tho less they joined with her countrymen in burning incense to her. Helen Knowlton's parents had died when she was a baby, leaving her in charge of an aunt, Miss Rebecca Sand? ford, her mother's sister, who was known to half of Helen's friends and thc whole musical profession as "Aunt Rebecca." This good lady was a dragon of virtue. Sh.o looked upon her niece as a child and treated her as such; and, as it was kind? ly treatment, it had the effect of keening her young, so that at 25 she was as fresh and youthful in her ideas as most girls of 13. Aunt Rebecca never let "that child*' know any of the business details j of her profession. The good lady stood j between her niece and tho managers, j Sho read tho contracts; Helen signed ! them. It was a shrewd manager who could get tho better of her in a bargain, j and tho managers knew it and respected . her cleverness. There were, naturally, a great iva ny 1 visitors to the little Gothic cottage ia ! West Twentieth street, where tho prima I donna mad" her home; but they ail had ; to pass the oyo of Aunt Rebecca before : they could seo her niece, and even then . thu matron scated herself in tho room, ! let the visitor bo man, woman or child, ! and never left till he or she had gone. ! S!io did not always take part m the con- ! versation, but would often busy herself j with a French novel (Aunt Rebecca was ; very pani::! Lo George? Sand) and Let tho ! young people talk of t'?eir own alla irs. ; It must be confessed that sh.o rather ! o erdid ? he guardianship at times; but if any very intimate friend suggested tlii ; : she would say: "? don't wu:.I t? give ' wagging tongues a clip:!' -4. ]f ;;:.y eros- j siping creature says snell and such a tiling; occurred at such a timo leann- : ply: 'My friend, you li??, for J was there.*" Aunt i: : orv?u sharp lan? guage at times; but, she said, "What i? thc t:so of bcutii ,; ar-uiri tho bush?1 You might ??3 wi ll eat the devil as drink hisbrcth." Never having known anvthing differ? ent, Helen was well satisfied with h<-r aunt's guardianship, and never ques? tioned it. Sometimes sho would say to lier you iv* friends, ::u th( y started ' ?or a walk iii Fifth avenue," "I envy yoi your freedom to como and go as yoi please, but I suppose while I am a pub lie singer I must accept the situatioi And give up the usual amusements o inning women of my age." So sh? v 'ould go back to her room and superin tend thc making of a costume with much interest that she would forget r.? about thc ordinary pleasures of life, anc be wholly wrapped up in the dry detaih of her profession. She studied hare every day, and exercised and ate a* carefully as an oarsman in training foi a race. Properly speaking, she hac never had any childhood, as she hac1 begun her studies when very young anc* had boen singing since she was in hoi teens. She liked the life of a singer am she didn't liko it. The act of singing was of itself a pleasure, and there wai nothing in the world so exciting to hei as a largo and enthusiastic audience. "If an audience only knew how much better music it gets from an artist wher it gives her something in return," she used fo say, "I think it would always show a sympathetic spirit." She had i it tie to complain of onfhescoro of cold? ness in her audiences. In New York she was always treated as though she were the particular favorite of every auditor, and tho applause when she came upon the- stage only ceased that they might hear her sing. It is not surprising that a woman o? this sort should have had many admirers. It was said in society that she could marry any man she wanted-that they all would only bc too happy to bestow their hands and fortunes upon her, from Unelo Lightfoot Myers to that muck courted young man, Mr. West Hastings. Aunt Rebecca smiled at the attentions of Uncle Lightfoot, but she was more severo upon West Hastings, though the latter was of a suitable age, had an in? come of eighty thousand dollars a year, and was considered a most desirable parti altogether. Iii? was looked upon as a confirmed bachelor until he met Helen Knowlton, to whom ho began paying devoted attentions very early in their acquaintance. Hastings was a man of the world, a member of half a dozen clubs, and lived more like a European than do most Americans. He had inherited his money, and had never donc a day's work in his lifo, which was so much the worso for him; but he was not so good-for-nothing as are many of Iiis countrymen similarly gifted by for? tune. It was said that he patronized tho ballet in the persons of its premieres; but, however this may bo, you could never find a woman in society who would believe it, for there was nothing in his manner to betoken that he was not a man of the most exquisite refine? ment If it liad been Livingston Dash, or Charlie Vernon, or any one of half a dozen ether well known club men, who had been so accused, tho accusation might have been believed. When Archie Tiiiinghast told his cous? in Bessie Archer that ho had seen "West Hastings' coupe, with tho blinds up, driving away from tho stage doer of Niblo's Garden during tho run of "The Black Crook," sho loft the room in indig? nation, and would hardly speak to him thc rest of tho evening, though he was her escort to the Charity ball. When it became generally known that Hastings was paying marked attentions to Helen Knowlton ike women said that she would do well to accept him; that a marriage with him would be a brilliant c:c*;e for a brilliant career; but sumo of tho men who knew him best shook their heads and said that, while West Hast? ings was a "good fellow," he was hardly calculated to make a good husband; that he would get tired of tho best woman in the world if he was married to her, and they wanted to seo Helen Knowlton married to a man who would make her liappy to tho end of her days. That Hastings was interested in Mis^ Knowlton is net surprising. She was tho most feted woman in New York, anti .-he was thc ono wonjan whoso ii ead was not turned by his attentions. Ile had been used to a different sort of woman on thc stage. Here was a prima donna who was as much of a lady and as pure a woman as rn's own sister. He began by pouring the ordinary compliments of a man of the world into her car (he had to do it in Italian, for Aunt liebeccu was always on hand); but he soon saw that it l<ored her, und that sho was only in? terested when ho talked sense. Ho had traveled far and wide, had heard the nativo music of many countries, and could be very interesting if ho chose. That sho listened to liim best when he appeared to the best advantago pleased him. Indeed, sho pleased him alto? gether, for sho gave him a new sensa? tion, and if there was anything in this world that Hastings honestly loved, it was a new sensation. Ho was beginning to think that he was in love with Helen Knowlton; and so he was, to a certain extent. Ile thought her cold, but he also thought her tho most interesting person he had ever met; and then lie liked to be considered the favored suiter of tho most popular prima donna in tho country. It pleased hiui that thc men at tho club called him a "iucky dog," and he enjoyed hearing it whimpered, "That is West Hastings with Miss Knowlton." "I believe I'll marry that girl," he would sometimes say to I i i insclf, never taking into consideration the fact that "that girl" might refuse to marry him. Then he would think of his luxurious bachelor quarters, of his per? fect freedom from ail domestic ties, and ho would conclude to wait au iii!" longer l>. f< ?remaking a I'; ?rn?al offer < >f marriage, believing that he could occupy thc field as long as he cared to. Helen Knowlton hied West Hastings . very much. Ile was attentive and amusing, and he didn't ask her to marry hija. I think that ii' he had snit tho question seriously shu would have re la him. She was i:i love with her art. Music was the oul v thing that re? alized her ideal. She loo?;cd upon men; tho little she saw of them, as pleasant companions, that was nil. Music had satisfied her I * ? J : i r gs up to (hi.; time, and Aunt Rebecca had instilled into her mind the idea that men were a delusion and a snare; that her art was the only Iking upon which r!;" could rely. . iie more you do f<-:' mon, tl?-1 more you :::::v do." said !;t:'i wiso woman; ** 1 t t ! i-. more you do for art. the moro art v. ii! do for VOIL 1 >on't t? ?I me. I haven't lived all ihvse years among mei? for nothing. They can't take me in, and they never could." 1 don't think 11 io ur.m ev. }' lived who cori! ! have i ?cen m ?..?..ed ; ? tal . Mi* ? ; c:\"i Sanford in, f.-.r he u..:iid h..ve known that ii' hf <!:?1 so fie w. a ! have to ? ive the reina into h r har: ! ; and resign th ? drive r's box r.,.-,. Y i ?. Aron* IV h. cea didn't intent! that h< r roe?-.? y.?>?ul.l marry. :?t I? r?- t for marry n li:!"1 dav, and her influence was very strott0". She wouldn't say: "You musift know So and So?" <.! try any of ila* usual rneaJis of keeping a gil I from falling ia love; l".:t shu would with her witty tongue put n man in so ridiculous n light that Helen could never think ot him i again without laughing. Aunt Rebec< was very clever in her way, and she w more than a match for her niece. If el had once given Helen a chanco to fe seriously in lovo thc girl's attachrae: would have been too strong to be shake by her shafts of ridicule. But she d not. When sho thought West Hastin; Was becoming a little too attentive si asked Helen if she hod noticed how 1 picked all the trufilesout of tho pate ar put themon his own plate and select* thc delicate bits of thc celery for hir. self. Helen had not noticed this, but si supposed that if her aunt said so it mu 1x2 true. Aunt Rebecca was always ready wil an anecdote against Hastings, which si told with a good natured laugh that e: tirely diverted suspicion. Ko one kne why she was so opposed to Helen marrying, except th rit she wanted h?r'1 make even more of a career and add sti moro to her bank account. And si really did not believe that a woman wi any happier for being married. "Ma riago is a lottery, where all tho ticke: are blanks," she would say; and she gc her niece to be ver}* much of her opinioi In the case of West Hastings, Aunt R becca's plan was to impress Helen wit tho idea that he was a selfish old bachek (he was only 30), and every. little thin he did that might be regarded as sclfis she magnified. He was a selfish mai there is no doubt about that Ma wealthy bachelors are. They have ha few or none of the experiences that ai supposed to sweeten a man's dispositior Hastings had everything in the worl that ho wanted, and he was never crosse in any of his pleasures. It piqued him little -that Helen Knowlton did not seer to be moro impressed by his attention.? but he never for a moment dreamed thi he would bo unsuccessful in a seriou suit of that young woman. At the time Rush Hurlstono saw hir escorting Miss Knowlton to her cai riago at tho stage door of th Academy of Music moro than one half of society thought that ho wa engaged to bo married to her, thoug! neither of the persons most interests had heard tho rumor. Aunt Rebccc took a wiso course in tho Hasting affair. From the day Helen first mc lum at Bessie Archer's "coming out ball she showed a greater liking for liir than for any man she liad met before and tho astute Miss Sandford said to he: self, "To break this oil I must be diplc matic. It never does to opposo youn; people openly in matters of this sort Let lum como to see her. I wiM sto; him from going too far if I can, and if can't I shall accept tho situation grace fully (ho has eighty thousand dollars J year) and consider myself shelved fo the rest of my days. But I don't prc pose to let him go too far. I don't se myself shelved at my time of life." Aunt Rebecca enjoyed the business de tails of the operatic profession as mud as her niece did tho arti. tic part. T< outwit tho managers was as exciting ti her as a game of chess is to some people and she loved to plan a winter's cam paign. No traveling was too hard fo her, not even a "jump" from Boston t< Chicago. Sho could make herself a happy in a car as in a drawing room Her mind was on the gallop ali tho time and it could work as well in one placea in another; indeed, sho contended tha rho motion of a train only stimulated he: thoughts. Helen was naturally of ai activo disposition, but sho had growl passive under her aunts dominating influ euee, and did not assert herself as mud as she should have done. Unco in a grea while sho would rebel, but it was a men flash in the pam Few people who div not know Helen Knowlton can imagine such a person, and there is no doubt thai sho was an exception to tho rule ol womanhood. Just at the timo of which I write, sh-: was absorbed in tho study of her new part, and tho thousand and one things that had to be attended to before thc eventful night on which tho new o?>em was to be produced. Every ono in New York who liad a picture or a book relat? ing in any way to Helen of Troy sent it to her, and all took a personal interest in the presentation of the opera. Thc night was drawing near. Tho Saturday matinee was postponed that sho might get more rest and study, and there was to bo a fail dress rehearsal on Sunday, to which thc critics of tho press and a favored few were to bo invited. Monday night was tho great night, and you may imagino that sho was moro or less nerv? ous in anticipation. Unelo Lightfoot Myers sent her a set of gold bands for her hair, with his best wishes for her success, and West Hastings sent her a beautifully wrought golden girdle, with tho inscription, "And, like another Helen, fired another Troy," engraved on the inside. It seemed as though every ono in New York wanted to have some part in tho production of tho opera beyond tho more buying of seats. In that they were gen? erous enough, for everything in (lie house was bought up thc day the IKJX oiiice opened. Monday came. There was a flurry of spring snow in tho morn? ing, but by afternoon it was bright and clear. Helen did not get up until IO o'clock. She ate tho lightest sort of breakfast, and at 4 had a heartier meal. All day long she was not allowed to speak-which was no deprivation, as sho did ::ot feel like it, being too much ex? cited for words. At 7 o'clock thc car? riage was at the door, and sise was driven to thc Academy with Aunt lic hecca and her maid. For 'he next hour everything was confusion i:* the dress? ing room at the foot of the little stair? way. Stitches that ted drop: dd lani to :>e caught up, a tight sleeve liad to be let out, and all tho thousand and oncdetailifcthat crowd m?o the last mo uit'ists of a great occasion hail to be at? na.1?-.! to. As the prima donna stood in front of tho i'1!:.; mirror, maid and costumer bus ily at work upon her skirts, she would Open lier mon th mid run a scale to see i: her voice was in condition, while the narrow wall trembled \v ith he: song When tho finishing touches had been put . :> li? r toilet the manager came in to stv how sh.e looked. "Beautiful, ruy child! Mon Dieu! how exquisite! Superb!" And >ie kissed both of her banda enthusias? tically and retired. Then came the lead? er of ;!?;? orchestra, with a similar ec? stasy of admiration and the announce? ment that it was time for him to begin; that the ballet had IKVU dance ! ano the men were tuning up for iii" opercu Was ! rho ready? "Yes; begin nt once, lani nervous ar' a witch, but nothing is gained by delny." T|u? house was packed : lhere was .not * ft square inch of standing room in tho piaco by hali past ??. Even the Loxes were ni!'-'!, the usually ?.?nh occupants ijei?iu s?.-* JVM xioti?* :!S tho futility eircr?c to Welcome tho prima donna when she came upon the stage in her new role. And 'Jit'X did welcome her. They gave her three cheers, and would have added a "tiger" il' any one had suggested it. ? lint w'.irre-was- Rush I furl-tone a ll this ' time.' Uti was not tar away, liebig unable "to'buy a seat-they had been sol< before he carno to New York, an< the speculators' prices were 'beyond hi means-he-acted upon the suggestion o his friend of the ballet and accepted th stage manager's oller to den a Greciai dress and go on the stage as a Trojai warrior. You would have supposed tba ho was going to sing tho leading teno role, he was so exceedingly nervous O? this occasion. But it was not the though of facing an audience that unstrung hi nerves; he knew well enough that h< would not bc seen, or. if seen, recognized it was the fact that ho would be taking? part, no matter how small, in the sam< performance with Helen Knowlton, ant that he would be within touching dis tance of her garments perhaps a dozer times in the evening. It was a great occasion, and the no** opera was a complete success. Helei never sang more beautifully. In th< great aria just before her -flight wit! Paris she brought the house to its fee by her dramatic singing and acting Uncle Lightfoot Myers leaned out of hi: box at an angle that imperiled hi? life and waved :hi9 opera hat, shouting "Brava!" until he was hoarse. Wes Hastings, who occupied a prosceniuu box with his sister, Mrs. Dick Griswold stood up and applauded with an eieganc< that was remarked ey every one in thc house; and Mrs. Dick not only titree tho bouquet "that lay on the railing o: lier box, but unpinned tho bunch ol roses at her corsage and threw them al the prima donna's feet. Mrs. Vaude water Tod, who occupied tho next box not to bo outdone in enthusiasm, took t large diamond star from her hair, and, pinning it to a bouquet, threw it wit! excited fingers at the singer; but it fel short of its mark, and, striking thc venerable bass viol player on his bale head, bounced into tho orchestra. Thc house roared with good natured laughtei as tho old man, after feeling his head tc seo that the skull was not cracked, picked up the bouquet with its precious addition and handed it to the smiling prima donna, while tho family circle shouted and the boxes wared theil handkerchiefs. Tho ushers were worn out carrying "floral tributes" down thc aisle; and, altogether, such a night liad never been known. The most excited person ia the house was Rush Hurlstone, By a lucky chanco he waa standing in tho wings in all tho dignity of his Trojan armer when Helen made a sudden exit. Coming from the brilliantly lighted stage inte tho dark behind the scenes she struck her foot against a carelessly laid gas pipe and almost pitched into his arms. He put out his hand and sho caught hold of it quickly. Tho tiling did not take half a minute, "Grazie," said she, lightly, thinking of course that he was ono of thc regular Italian chorus. Then she passed on to her dressing room followed by her maid bearing her train, and her aunt, who had just throw n a wrap across her shoulders. Rush blushed scarlet under his warrior's beard. Ho was afraid tho men standing around would hear tho thumping of his heart against his tin armor. When no ono was looking ha raised tho back of thc hand she liad touched to his lips and kissed it, and then ho wondered how he could have boen such a foo!. When theopera was over, Rush thought it no more than polite for him to accom? pany Mme. Celia and lier daughter home; but when he went to look for them he found that they had gone as soon as the dancing was finished. Ho was not sorry, for now ho could linger around the place ?and perhaps see Helen again. As he stood by the door leading into the audi? torium, ho caw half thc wealth and fash? ion of thc city pass through on its way to the prima donna's dressing room to congratulate her upon her great success. Ho could catch an occasional glimpse of her, standing there in her classic robes, a veritablo Helen, giving her beautiful hand to this one and a gracious word to tho other. Rush felt like throwing him? self at her feet, or (like another Paris) bearing her off in his arms. He watched tho men aa they talked and laughed with, her, until he wa3 beside himself With jealousy, ne recognized West Hastings at once, having seen him at the stage door the week before, and felt certain that tiie confidence of his manner in ad? dressing the prima donna was the as ! surance of proprietorship. Uncle Light? foot Myer? came rushing in, his gray hair matted on his brow, and the per? spiration running down his florid cheeks. "I deserve a kiss, my dear, for what Tve done for you to-night," lie exclaim? ed. "Two pairs of gloves spilt imo ehreds, my collar wilted, and my voice all gone shouting 'Bravai' Come, now, where is my reward?" "Your reward is in the consciousness Of having done a good deed." answered tho singer, gayly, giving him her hand, which he kissed with old fashioned gal? lantry. "Ah, Uncle Lightfoot,*" said Mr?. Dick Griswold, "you are too young a man to be claiming an old man's privileges." "Nonsense! nonsense."* snit! Uncle Lightfoot, straightening his necktie ano looking as pleased as Punch. "I'm old enough t<> be Helen's father." lie was really old enough io bo lier grandfather; hut it would have been a cruel person who could tell hin; so. Men and women carno crowding in and out of the prima donnas room, but Rush noticed that West Hastings stood his ground and showed no signs of go? ing, mid ho also noticed that he s? ?opeo I down now and then and whispered some J wonks in the singer's ear which seemed j to give hera good deal of pleasure, for j she would misc her eyes to his with a j look that Rush would have diet! for. j lie didn't know then that a woman, j particularly a prima donna, may look everything anti mean nothing. Finally lhere was a lull in the gav chatter, and \ thc manager entered lise room, followed ? by a somewhat seedy lo??king y??u:ig j nem with keen bright eyes and a well ! shaped head. Ho whispered something j In Italian to Miss Knowlton. An o? I pression of anuoynnce pass*si over her ! face, hut she was exceedingly polite when the mainvgor h.tnxktccd Mr. Gra? dy, of The Dawn, who begged that he might ask ker a few questions. The young man was evidently embar? rassed *tt meeting so many outsiders i?* j the room, and the prima donna, though i she was annoyed at the interview, was most gracious in her manner, particu? larly as she detected the ends of West Hastings' mustache turning scornfully j upward, and feare?l that the reporter ciU'o . might notice his st!?*or. Aunt Rebecca ! would have taken tho Interviewer under I her protection at once, but she wasstrik- ; ing for bigger game, She had the mu? elen I critic of Thc Daily Trumpet hy the ear, aivl rv?t?callii?g hist cri??'al eli:':ii ion ? (.o tho remarkable fioriture added hy her niece to tho grand a ria. Rush recognized : in the reporter one of the men ho had Been at the office of Thc Dawn, and lie listened attentively to learn how thc processof ?"interview ing" was carried on. i "How were you pleased with your ve i coption, JI?S3 Knowlton?" the reporter in qui rod. I "I was delighted; nothing could have I boen more cordial or more gratifying,** j she answered, ? "Is the music of the opera pleading to sing?" "Thoroughly so. It does not strain the voice, yet it displays its best quali? ties. " ''What impressed you most in the per- i fornuince?" "I caa tell you.what impressed me the ? most, Helen," exclaimed ..1rs. Dick Gris- ! wold, bursting in upon the interview. ? "It was in the scene with Tartalli, when | yon took the poor old thing's hand and j reade her come down to the footlights. I She hadn't done anything, to be sure, | but your manner in insisting upon her sharing the applause with you was beau? tiful it almost made mo cry; for al? though I never heard Tartalli in her | prime I know she used to be a favorite j singer, and I always feel thc liveliest i pity for favorites who have outlived their popularity but who still havo to keep bo- i fore the public to carn their bread and f .butter. Put that in your paper, my dear ! sir, and you will lia ve a charming incl dent,** rattled on the vivacious Mrs. Dick. I The reporter thanked her and the ! ?prima donna also, and bowed himself Out of the room, tho manager following J at Iiis elbow. "Tao poor fellow didn't | get much material for aa interview there," thought Rush. "He'll have to make his excuses to the city editor to? night" Tho talking was resumed in the dressing room, but only in the shape of good nights. West Hastings said some? thing to Uncle Lightfoot in an under? tone, and the old beau put Mrs. Gris? wold's arm through his. 'TH take you home, Mrs. Dick; and, if it isn't toolam, TH stop and have a rubber with that lazy Dick of yours, who. Til wager, is toast? ing his toes and reading the stock mar? ket reports before the lire." "I'll gladly accept your invitation, Uncle Lightfoot, and we'll ieavo West to Helen's tender mercies. Will you take good caro cf him, Helen, mid keen him cut of mischiefT'said Mrs. l)ick. "If that be possible," replied the prima donna, smiling. "But in the mean time I shall have to ask him to take a seat in the green rsom while 1 get ready for the street." At this all the visitors retired, and Rush hurried off to a room somewhere up among the "flies," where he trans? formed ht nself from a warrior of Troy into a peaceful citizen of New York. [TO BE CONTINUED.J Illiteracy ia tlie South. It is stated in the Philadelphia Pub? lic Ledger thai the percentage of illiter? acy is lower in Wyoming Territory thaD anywhere else in the United States, there being thero only 2 (3 per cent of the population who cannot read. lu Massachusetts and Maine it is 5.3 ppr cent, and 0.5 per cent respectively, while iu Louriana acd ia South Caro? lina it is said to be 45 8 and 48 per cents, and the average for the United Staten, is 17 per cent. Anything which weald bring about a decrease in the percentage in Louisi? ana and South Carolina weald attract attention, and it is worthy of note that j in that region, where the exercise of 1 thc franchise is farthest extended, the percentage of illiterates h least, i. c., ia Wyoming Territory, there the women vote.-Charleston World. Does our contemporary mean to say that the farther thc franchise is ex? tended that the lower is the per cent of illiteracy. Or that because the womel? are allowed the right to vote illiteracy is decreased. The percentage is 7ery large in South Carolina and. we would be very glad indeed to fall apon some plan that would reduce it. * One reason of the large per. cent cf illiteracy in South Carolina and Louis? iana is on account of the large number of negroes who were once nia ves be?ti2 in eur midst, but the per cent of white.; who cannot read we suspect would sur? prise some people. What we need to red nee this illiter? acy amongst our people i> more and better schools and not mare colleges. We have colleges enough, but we need some plan or system by which we can place within reach of every hoy ami i*iri a good common school. - ^cicocrr^ Herald. Tho Eiair Bill. Ks. Governor D. ll. Chamberlain in a recent speech took ocea^i-m to pay : I his respects to tho Blair Educational-.j ! Bil! and ito author as foi.lows : "? shall ? not attempt to conceal my want of re* ! oect for this scheme and \l< author, for it is the product almost alone of per- i ! haps tho most arrant and shallow acm- j alocuo who cow : fillet^ our national councils. Bat I do not deny that from ?Treat variety of causes some aide and sincere men havo been led to support ;!::> measure. It proposes to make popular education io eur common schools a national wer!:, a Federal: fanction--te not only support them by Federal money, bu! to pat them nader Federal supervision *' The Blair mil, Governor rh amber- j iain contended, was izncor.r^ittt?iona?. j fort!:.' Federal Government possessed no sach power as is attempts fo con .er. tie depicted tho malena! condition of j the ??ou:h to-day-prosperous and i-n- \ oro vin.**. What was still better, h-r ; people had tho ?lisps-siiion to do tln-ir ! duty ia tito matter ol >. iccarmn. tie quoted frota ir <* school lei .ats o? C*?n necu?*ut, in u hah aa income received : t v ihe various towns tr.on Western ; lands wis deplored as teudins to hurt . education, inasmuch as in many towns i .'h. je were noschool taxes collected, and | rho public schools were only kepi open '. h?n2 a* tho Western money lasted > The only way fo have ?oe.d public : schools Wis hy the existence of a spirit i in tho people willi?:;: to sustain them. | That fi irir wa? ..-er istns it} the South } and would coartarte to increase Any \ interference by the Feerrai Govern-; mont such as wa: proposed 1 \ the Blair . Bili weah! injure the South and the negroes. i nil I - * & . -JSV?^- - - - The K ard of visitors of tho Su;! h J Carolina Mditarv Academy^ threeth j their chairmen, Gen Johnson ivagaod. j have ordered the catire corps .>;' the Citadel Cadets lo go into military en? campment for two weeks, m; m ed tate ly ! after tho com moue meat exorcises, \ which take place duly 4:h. -T? 1 have rrhoseii Greenville as thc (.dace for i-uch . encampment. & Eofid Bill. .4 Practical Attempt to 3fcct the Requirements oj a Good Road Law. Thc following is the text of a bill, which seeks the solution of a pressing, difficulty ; viz, the road trouble. It first appeared in the Laurens Advertiser and will probably be brought to the attention, of :he Legislature of the State, when that body assembles in the fall : Sectios 1. Be rt resolved by thc. Se?are and E?oufc of Representatives of the State of S-auth Carolina, now met and sitting in General Assembly and by the authority of th?" t .me, That the County Commissioners of each county be, and they are hereby author ized and required to divide t*he pubii-.j roads of their respective counties into highway districts of such e'rZ2 a's they may deem advantageous, and for each district they shad appoint three discreet tuen, whose duty it shall be to make a specific report to the County Commis-; stoners of the conditions of all roads under their charge and a minute state- ' meat of the woik necessary to put tho, road in good condition. They shall specify the width of the road, holes to. be fiiied and bow filled, ditches to be cut and ail work necessary to be done, Soc. 2 It shall be the duty of the. County Commissioners to revise the recommendations made by the super? visors, by addition or otherwise as they sec proper, and the report of the super-, visor so revised shall constitute tho. specifications upon which Lids will be received as hereinafter provided. Sec. 3. The County Commissioners shall file the speciueations for each pub-* lie road in the county with the Clerk, of the Cocrt for each county, and the same shall be open for inspection for. thirty days previous to letting of con? tracts, during which time notice shall be given by advertisement chat bids will be received by the commissioners, all bids to be fer repairing the highways accorUm g to specifications and keeping, the same io thorough repair for twelve months from each year, the County Commissioners being author^w to re? ject any or all bids, and ?I require a bond fur the faithful performance of the contract. Sec. 4. That for the purple of raising a fund to defray the expenses of working rho public roads as herein pro? vided, a tax of one mill shall be levied on all taxable property in this State, in addition to that now levied for specific purposes. And also, ali persons liable for road duty shall work under the. direction of the contractor four day? each year of eight hours each. Sec. 5. Any hand may compound for bia work by paying to the County Commissioners, the sum of two dollars. Sec. C. The contractor shall give each hand a receipt showing the number of days he has worked, which shall be credited to each hand by the commis* stoners, f.nd fer each hand so working the required number of days, the suai of two dollars shall be deducted frets. the amount of the contractor's bid. Sec. 7. All persons convicted of misdemeanors, and sentenced to confine? ment in the county jails shall upon the application of any contractor who has the required bond, be allowed to work under the direction of such contractor, who shall pay to the county fifty cents per day for each days work done by such convict. Sec. 8. For the purpose set forth ia this Act, convicts confined in the State penitentiary, shall be apportioned to the several counties, to work under the direction of the contractors chosen by the several Boards of County Commi? sioners. The amount cf convicts labor apportioned each county thall be meas sured by ouc-half the aggregate sen ranees of the convicts from each county, , bc furnished at such times as the directors of the penitentiary shall direct, and for each day* work of each convict, the contractor shalt pay to thc county treasurer fifty cents.-Charles ion li orld. Gen. Taft a Raving Maniac. Cien. \V. N Taft, of Charleston, sc-, companied by his wife- Cai. T. 1$?> J-.d;:ison, of Sumter, and a gentleman vi'hose name ciuid cot he learned, ar? rived in re on the even ti??: train froui Charleston hist Sunday and to k room* at thc Cc?.tral Hotel, to awai: the de? parture pf tho wesf bourn: train on tho. VV , C. and A. Railroad. The nervous manner of Mrs. Taft and the vit?!**?*. watch kept upon her husband by tuc ether members of the party indicated very strongly that t-cmcthiog ff.n wrong. None of the party came dc wa., to the onico to register, and chen ths clerk asked for the names, Mrs. Tuft instructed him to register them 4-Col. Johnson and party.,! Lu.r en it was "noised abo?? tt?S Gea. Taft's mind had again become de-, ranged and that he was on his wav to Columbia to enter the asylum. Fur? ther developments proved the rumor he t;uo only in part. Gen. Taft** I *.cl deranged, bat he was not g'-i-.g. to the asylum ; he was being taken ?*ui to Col. T. 1> Johnson'.* place, uri: Mayesyille, in Sumter County. Dur? ing the night, before tho train arri\e! en which they were to leave, toe un? fortunate man g??t so ravingly wild that, his friends ha;} to take him out of ?ita hotel and walk him up and dowu the railroad. lie was indeed a pitiable, obj vt. Thc party left on the ? 20 train en Monday muming -Fiormcc Fa mu i rn t::l. iviiT Yvon::N FADE. \Vc!?en ?ufe their beauty because '?olCs un licnahie liit'ir I:ff. Dr. Ackers English Keru Oily i.?r ' . . M; i p:",>n i< aa :il<st>luto cure fur c<>Us. 5? .-i i* 'Or J V. W DcLorme. riv??t?ii?LK. Ta??..': '.r<1< . >{ :.!': .:*:e!.> in Xcw York Ci'7 ?:'<. fn?:? t-??sanip*i?>n or pnecmonia. Tho mic proportion holds for m<?>t ?ther cities. Debv* arc dupgorous. Dr. Acker's English.. ?emc?!y for consumption will always relieve,. :? .i ;?>:i"v save \-ur ?ito. Sold by Dr. J. F. W. SA SAi> STOKT. Ti c rh lid coughed. T!ic riiothcr ran. N-o renicdj iv as near, ???.?u-e norning tho po<?r li: .. M;.'1" rer ?.vas dead. Moral: Always koop Pr Acker*." English Retried j at hand. Apply :;' Dr J. F. W DcI^rtuoV Dreg Storo. . .--1? ? ?? > ? -on?- - Fer Sale. TT y?n want Machinery apply to R. F.. ii-)', t. Sumter. S. C . agi-rit for Amos Engines, !*aii nn? Pra't Gins, Acme Gotten Press,?' \V?iod Reaper and Mower. an? all kinds of Machinery. lt.. F. livy*. skinner, i>. C.. Agi. loi t'u?.?a?? Iron Works.