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REVIVAL OF ROMANCE. Too long, too ions we hc^ep the level plain, The tilled, tame fields, the bending orchard boujrh. The byre, the barn, the thrashing floor, the plow Too long have bern our theroe and our re frain. Enough, ray brothers, of this Doric strain. Lift up your spirits and record a vow To gather laurel from the mountain's brow And bring the era of rich verse again. Ye .painters, paint great Mature at her height Seas, forests, cliffs upreared in liquid air. And touch with glamour all things rough and crude. And ye who fiction weave for our delight, Give us bravo men and women good as fair? And shame our hollow Sadducean rvo-J. ?Edith M. Thomas in Century. LOVE IS EVEB YOUNG. She had not tho least shame about telling her age. On the contrary, she was rather proud to do so. It was some thing to be proud of. Not that she was 64, bnt that at 64 she looked not a day over 48, and a blooming 4S at that,. True, her hair was silver, but what a waving wealth of silver! And it was not sent to soften wrinkles either. She wore as many of these ornaments as it is legitimate to wear at 48, and no more. Oh, she was certainly a wonder ful woman fox her age, was Mrs. Joseph Allestree! It did not detract from the compara tively youthful appearance of Mrs. Al lestree that her costumes always repre sented the height of the fashion. Quaint, indeed, she appeared, partic ularly on a certain evening, standing in the old square portico, with the sun shiTiing straight under the trees into her face. The house at her back was low and long. It stood endwise to tho lazy little river that flowed at the foot of the abruptly sloping lawn. On the other side, at the end of a long, shady av enue, was a gate with an old fashioned wooden arch over it, concealed by vines. It was toVard this gate that Mrs. Al lestree looked, leaning forward eagerly, like a girl, one hand shielding her eyes from the level sunbeams. She wore white?think of her daring to wear white! She was watching for Joseph. He had gene down to Stoneton?only a mile distant?for the pest at o'clock. That was two hours ago. Joseph did love dearly to gossip with the old farm ers and shopkeepers, but he really ought to remember dinner time. . But Joseph had not forgotten his dinner. At this very minute the gate ^opened and his little gig rolled in* fcl ? ^owed by three enthusiastic degs?a St. Bernard and two red setters. Mr. Allestree, after embracing his wife, as if he had just returned from a year's journey, went in with her to din ner, and Mr. Allestree was?but I will not" describe him ; simpiy'he was every N-thing that the husband of Mrs. Allestree should have been. Forty-two years had gone by since their marriage, and in all that time they had never been separated a single day. "Dearest," said Mr. Allestree as they sat down, * 'I owe you an apology for my tardiness, but it couldn't be helped. I got a letter calling me away on an im portant matter, and I had to stop to at tend to some things in the village. I must go immediately?tomorrow. " ; "Oh, that Perley affair," she said, glancing over the page. "But, Joseph, can't you put it off? Remember tho Kennedys are coming in the morning to stay over Sunday. " "I cannot, Henrietta. It's got to be attended to at once. " "But, Joseph, you can't go without me. You know you never did such a thing." "I am afraid I must do it this time, " he replied mournfully. They sat in silence for some minutes. Twice Mrs. Allestree wiped away a sly tear with her napkin. At length, brave ly assuming a cheerful aspect, she ask ed, "How long will you be gone?" "I can't possibly reach London, ac complish all I want to and get home again in less than ten days. " "Joseph, it will kill us both. " "Ah, no, my dear," he laughed; "it won't quite do that?at least I hope not. It will be hard, very hard. But think, my love, we were apart for five long years once on a time. " ' 'Ah, Joseph, ' ' with a sob in her voice, "that was before we had ever lived to gether. We only knew each other by let ter, you know." "And a mighty comfort did we take out of those same letters. Isn't it strange that in two and forty years we should never have had occasion to write to one another? Not since you were Henrietta Shower. " "It is a singular circumstance," she replied. "Yes, we can write. Do you know, Joseph, the thought of it already consoles me a little. It will be such a delightful novelty. " It was a good thing for Mrs. Alles tree that she expected visitors. But after the guests had departed her condi tion was pitiable. Especially as no let ter had come. Mr. Allestree had gone away early on Saturday. Now it was Tuesday. She had managed to be patient over the Sabbath, but on Monday morning, when Jimmy came up from Stcneton empty handed, she had refused to believe that he had not dropped the letter or that the postmaster had not overlooked it. There were only two deliveries in the 24 hours, and at evening the same performance was repeated. On Tuesday Mrs. Allestree went her self to Stoneton and delivered a severe lecture to the postmaster upon tho gen- j eral m^iff^ren&e of.go.vernment officials. The deserted, neglected wife must blame somebody, and she would not blame her husband. She did not at first even dream of blaming Joseph. By tho middle of the week her whole | mood changed. She felt hurt, deeply hurt. There seemed to be no reason, no excuse for such neglect To think that this, their first separation in so many years, should be: unbridged by a word! She could not have the consolation of writing to him, for he had left no ad dress, there, being an uncertainty about the very part of London in which that troublesome Perley was living. It was the way of men, and he, it seems, was no better than the rest of ' them. Once out < ? her sigi-: be ?orgct? forgot all the love and daily devotion of 42 years. By Saturday morning Mrs. Allestree was ill?ill enough to go to bed. Jimmy had to fetch both pests, and, after deliv ering in person the first one, which con sisted of papers only, he vowed to Molly that he would not approach Mrs. Alles treo again while Mr. Allestree was away. All day Sunday Mrs. Allestree lay si lent in a dart chamber. Molly could not get a word from her, nor g| uld she eat. It was almost resrfuir-r? be so weak. True, she was in despair. She had given up all expectation cf seeing Joseph again; but, compared with the bewil dering tossings of vain conjecture, her present state was one of quietude and peace. But by Monday morning she was suf fering torments onco more. She felt that if Jimmy returned without either Joseph or a letter she would surely die And indeed she nearly died as it was. When the wheels sounded again upon the gravel, Mrs, Allestree sat up in bed. She was whiter than her hair. No voices were heard below. She clutched' her heart and gasped. But presently a door opened and a step came up the stairs. It was the step of Joseph. As he entered tho room she fell back among the pil lows. "My dear Henrietta, what's all this?" He looked round almost accusingly upon the two frightened women as if he had caught them in the act of assassinating their mistress. "Didn't Jimmy tell you?" she mur mured. "Yon know Jimmy never tells any thing. He did say yon weren't well. But have you been very ill, dear?" The wom? n had withdrawn, and he seated hims. if upcu the bed. " Joseph, you might have scut me one little line!" * *Wh-what? I don't quite comprehend. A line?" "Yes; it wouldn't have hurt you to write a line. ' ' "Henrietta, I wrote to you every day, and sometimes twice a day. " They stared at each other. "But I never got a solitary letter, " she said presently. "I sent to every de livery:?went myself until I became ill. Mr. Framwell said there was nothing froni you. It nearly killed me. Joseph. " "However," he muttered, "they couldn't have all miscarried?I?Hen rietta! I have it. Wait; I'll be back in 20 minutes," and the gentleman fairly ran cut of the room. He laughed all the way down stairs, and she heard his ha, ha's between his shouts f cr Jimmy to bring back the trap. In a few minutes they rattled out of the grounds, and within the time he men tioned they rattled back again. Mr. Allestree tore breathless; up the stairs,, bursting boy fashion into his wfe's room. He carried a package of letters, which he spread out in a circle on the bed. There were 14 of them, and every one was addressd to Miss Henrietta Shower. For a short space nothing was said, and then the two aged lovers began to laugh, and they laughed until they cried. "Joseph, " she said, "it's very funny, very, but it was almost the death of me. How did you come to do it?" "Why, Henrietta, love, when I once got out of your dear, familiar presence the Old days came back completely. You were little Retta Shower, and"? Mr. Joseph Allestree blushed; he did not often quote poetry? And our two-and-forty years Seemed a mist that rolled away. ?Pearson's Weekly. SHE WANTED TO KICK. Bat Somehow the Gentle Clerk Managed to Balk Her Scheme.. "Is this the water office?" she asked as she entered, with fire in her eye and fight in her voice. "It is, madam," replied the gentle clerk at the desk. "Is there anything I can do for you this fine morning?" "There may be, and there may not be," she replied, with much asperity, " but I came in to say that while-1 was drawing water to make coffee for break fast a great fish came out of the faucet, and"? "Oh, I see," the clerk interrupted, with an ingratiating smile. "You came in to pay the city for the fish. That was very honest and good of you, I'm sure, but the city will not accept any money for a single fish. It is true the city charges for water only and does not guarantee to furnish fish as well, and I'm bound to say that most ladies would have taken the fish and said noth ing about it However, the city will not take advantage of your unequaled gen erosity. It will make no charge for it." With a magnanimous wave of his hand the clerk tried to dismiss the sub ject, but the caller resumed : "But this fish was"? "Oh, yes, I know what you would say. The fish was a fine large one and made an agreeable addition to your morning meal, but still the city would not think of charging you for it. If you are so very conscientious about it, however, you might keep count of the j fish that the city supplies in that way, I and after you have had, say, a dozen we may make seme sort of a charge, but we could not think of accepting pay i for one or two, not for a moment. " "Young man," glared the woman, | "do you think it is the proper thing to get your fish by way of yoar water 1 faucets?" "To be frank with you, madam, I do I net think it is, and for that reason I j would advise you to say nothing about ! it, especially among neighbors. If tho people generally got to know that tho city was favoring you by sending you fresh fish for breakfast in your water pipes, why, wo should have streams of people coming in here kick because j the city does not provide them with . fresh fish also. Yen can easily see that the city canner undertake to do that. Fine morning, buti think we shall have more rain before night." The clerk resumed his seat, and the compiaiuer departed, muttering seme thing which no one could hear.?Town Topica ! KLEPTOMANIACS ARE LISTED. Bis: Stores Collect the Names of Those Who Should Be Watched. It will doubtless be astonishing to those who have not studied the question feo learn that kleptomania has grown so much during the last few years that dry goods merchants have, so to speak, formed a co-operative union of self pro tection against the evil. Shoplifters are easily dealt with and disposed of, as they are generally of the class who can be punished to the full extent of the law, but the kleptomaniac is usually a woman of refinement, good family and possessed of ample means, which per mit of the gratification of her most ex travagant needs. Strange as the assertion may seem, it is so true and has assumed such propor tions that in the majority of the stores there is a book kept in tho private onice of the firm in which are written the names of the women who are known to be thus afflicted, and when they are caught in the act a bill for the goods stolen is sent to the husband, father or ths person who has made himself re sponsible for the things taken. It was found necessary to do this after two or three arrests had been made and the culprit found, upon investigation, to be long to some well known family. It was not only necessary for the protection of the merchants against loss by the theft, but it was also more imperative from the fact that these exposures endangered his business. After such an arrest and the consequent publicity the family of the accused were very loath to trade at that particular store, and the with drawal of such patronage meant loss of thousands of dollars to the proprietor. This explanation was given me by the superintendent of one of the largest de partment stores, where, after a thorough canvassing of the principal retail stores in the city, I found that it was no mere gossip as to the existence of this book, and the fact that nine out of ten em ployed women detectives, not only for the conviction cf shoplifters and pick pockets, but to watch the more wealthy offenders who were afflicted with what is called a nervous disease in the medi cal books?kleptomania These women are obliged to be very clever, bright and intelligent, as they must learn to know these kleptomaniacs by sight and to dis criminate between the professional and the afflicted if they detect a stranger in the act of purloining tho firm's goods. ?New York Herald. Birds as Seed Carriers. Two centuries ago the Dutch destroy ed every nutmeg tree in the Moluccas in order to enjoy a monopoly of the business, having planted the trees in their own possessions. In spite of their most earnest efforts, however, the islands were being con stantly restocked. For a long time the thing was a mystery, but at length it was solved. The doves of that quarter of the world are of large size and / readily swallow the seed of the nutmeg, with the fruit of which they traverse wide stretches of sea and land in a few hours and deposit the seeds of the nutmeg not only unin jured, but better fitted for germination by the heat and moisture of the bird's system. By a similar process thousands of acres of land have been covered with trees of different kinds, the birds acting as na ture's agents in the dissemination of plants. But in quite another manner do they transport seeds from place to place. Darwin found in six grains of earth ad hering to the feet of a plover three dif ferent kinds of seeds, and in mud stick ing to the feet of ducks and geese shot in England he found the seeds of plants peculiar to the Victoria Nyanza, in central Africa, thus proving not only the extent of migration, but also the possibility of plants appearing in strange localities through the agency of these birds. In the mud sticking to the feet of a Texas steer the seeds of five different kinds of weeds and grasses common in Texas were found by a microscopist after the arrival of the animal in New York.?St. Louis Globe-Democrat "I wonder why so many telephone operators are women?" said the man who cultivates an idle curiosity. "I don't know," replied the misan thrope, "unless it's because the occupa tion puts them in a position to have the last word every time."?Washington Star. DICKENS' DUMMY BOOKS. _;_ ? The Most I>elicious Satire Was Inscribed On Their Covers. Gad's Hill was a merry house, writes Stephen Fiske in fondly recalling inci dents of his visits to Charles Dickens in an article telling of the personal side of the novelist in Ladies' Home Journal. Dickens was a wellspring of mirth, and his humor infected the whole party. Often when I came down from London he would walk out and lean against the doorpost while I was at the gate, and we would shout with laughter over the fun that we had had and were going to have. When everything else failed, the library was an unending amusement. The room was lined with bcoks from floor to ceiling, even the backs of doors being bookcases, but the books on the doors and along the floor were bogus. Dummy baci:.-: had been lettered with titles and pasted on the glass, and the titles had Wen selected by such wits as Dickens, Yates, the Collins brothers, Albert Smith and Mark Lemon of Punch. We used to sit on the floor to study this mock library and roll over with de light at some clever satire. I remember "Tho Virtues of Our Ancestors," a vol ume so thin that tho title had to be printed lengthwise; "Five Minutes In India, by a British Tourist, " in two vol umes as large a.s an unabridged diction ary; "Lives of the Poe ts," a mere pam phlet; "JC;:,;.s vu Bacon," to match "(Joke on Littleton;" "Statues Erected to the Duke of Vv eli ing: on, " l pertly voluta tss, ilu wore dozens of other quips a:;; ; 'creaks ??.?::;!'> :?:?? of these bogus U.;:;;? .-.,?:.:!.; ?j .?.????j . -e^?rvedj but II.?!.?;?::;.? .-.. ?^.;. >: v.*...: tig it car; nobody ?v..*..?.?: i U?..i ?voulu evo1 a .? Backten'? Arnica Salve. Tbe Best Salve in ch? won i for Cuts, Bruite Bores. Ulcers. Salt Rheum. ?*v*r Sore? l ort-' chapped ChflbSain*. Corne and -? S- Eruptions, and positively euros Pil-? ?? no pay required It lfl guarantee;! to g ve per met satisfaction, or money refunded. .nrice 25 cents per ho <aIc Kv Dr j.F.W.De Tjorrre. Electric Bitters. Electric JSitters is a medicine suitel for any season, but perhaps more generally needed, when the languid exhausted feeling crevaiUa when the liver is torpid and sluggish and the need of a tonic and alterative is felt. A prompt use of this medicine has often averted long anil perhaps fatal bilious fevers. No medi cine will act more surely in counteracting and freeing the system from malarial poison. Head ache. Indigestion. Constipation, Dizziness yiold to Electre Hitters. 50c. and $1.00 per hottle at J K. W. DeLonae's Drug Store. i Over Thirty Years Hhout Sickness. T. Wkttstkix, a well-known, ente., .-nig citizen of Byron, 111., writes: "Before I paid niiicli atten tion to regulating the bowels, 1 hardly knew a well day; but since I learned the evil re sults of constipation, and the efficacy of AVER'S Pills, ? have not liad one day's sickness J for over thirty years ? not one attack that did not readily yield to this remedy. My wife had been, previ ous to our marriage, an invalid for years. She had a prejudice against cathartics, but as fooii as she l cgr.n to use Ayer's Pills lier heaith v.a? restored." Cathartic Pals Medal and Diploma at Worl?'s Fair. Tn Restore Strengt. ta'<e Avar's Sarsaparilis DM MA SM?, DENTIST. office 07KB store of SUMTER dry goods company -un au ce 00 Main Street, Between Dry Goods Co. aod Durant & Sod OFFICE HOURS : 9 to 1.30 ; 2 to5 o'clock. April 9. 2 SALE OF REAL ESTATE. By J. E. Jei-vey, Auctioneer. WILL BE SOLD AT PUBLIC OUTCRY iu front or the Court House, io tbe town of Sumter, County of Samter, State of South Carolina, oo Monday tbe 7th day of December, 189i, ut eleven o'clock io tbe forenoon to tbe highest bidder, tbe following described property to-wit: "All that piece, parcel or tract of land sit* j nated in Sumter County, State of South Car olina, oo tbe waters of Black River, known as tbe Cedtr Grove tract, containing eight hundred and nineteen acres, more or 1res, bounded on tr e north by lands of W. L. Wilson and W E. Mills, on tbe east by lands now or formerly of D. D Barber, and on the west by lands now or formerly of H. W. Bradley. Als?) all that piece, parcel or tract of land situated io Sumter County, iu tbe State of South Carolina, on the east side of Black River, containing seventy acres, more or less, bounded on the north by lands of W. E. Mills, on tbe east by lands of W. L WTsou, on the south by laodsof A. J Salinas k Sons, on the west by !at;ds of Wal'er L. Wilson. Both tbe above described tracts of laod to be sold as one tract. Terms: One half cash, balance secured by bond aod mortgage of th? purchaser, payable in one j eat from date of purchase with in terest at the rate of seven per cent per annum; purchaser to have tbe privilege to pay ail rash; and purchaser to pay $23 for papers. Possession to be given purchaser on the first day of January 1897. A. J. SALINAS k SONS. Nov 18. TASTELESS IS JUSTAS GOOD FOR ADULTS. WARRANTED. PRBC?50cts. GAI.ATIA, fl.LS., Nov. IG, 1S03. r.*:ris . Co., St. Louis, Mo. Gentlemen:?Wo sold hist year, W bottles o? : GKOVE'S TASTELESS CJI1LJ, TONIC and havo bought three Kress already this year. In all our ex perience "i 14 yenrs, in the dnm business, havo nevcrsold an nrti?lc that gave such universal satis* lactiuu aa your Tonic. Yours truly, ASSSY, Cakk ?CO SOLD?No Cute, No Pay, by A. J. China J. F. W. DeLorme, J. S. Bughsoa k Co. We are Ready. OUR F>LL STOCK Is now complete in every department, and buyers will do themselves an in justice, if they fail to see us before making their winter pur chases. It is impossible to do justice, in the limited space allowed us, to the different departments of our store, and we feel that we are well enough known in the territory tributary to Sumter, not to require u8 to enter into a detailed description of it. Our annually in creasing business has warranted us in buying The largest stock we have ever bought, And should we be so fortunate as to enjoy as liberal a patronage from our friends this season as we have in the past we will have no reaeoo to regret our purchases. Our buyer paid particular attention to the purchase of Hosiery. Having bought in ail near'y 10,000 HP^I?jTS, ?n wbich there are some excellent values. We would call particular attention to one case, 750 pairs, of Misses narrow ribbed, full regular made at 10c. per pair. These are regular 15c. to 20c. goods. One case, 900 pairs, of Boys7 extra long and very heavy woven seam, at 15c. per pair. Theee goods retail everywhere at 25 cents. One case, 1200 pairs, Ladies7 fast black, full regular made at 10c. per pair. ' These goods must be seen to be appreciated. Our Dry Goods Stock Is complete in every department. Our line of Dress Goods at 25c pei yard in all wool fabrics, are worthy of special mention. Will be pleased to send samples on application. -l|o|| Blankets. Those who were fortunate enough to secure a pair of our celebrated all-woo\ Tarheel's ?^a8t ^ear w^ bear testimeny as to their worth, but they are better made this season, and our large contract for them warrants us in selling them at $3.90 prpa?r. If these are too dear we will sell you a pair (from 45c. up. _+0+_ +?+ CAPES. Well we have a few of them, about 1,000 we should say, and the lady who buys without seeing our stock will have reason to regret it, for she will pay more money. We can sell a good Beaver Cloth in Black or Navy neatly trimmed in fur and braid for One Dollar?goods that sold last season from $2 00 to $2.50. -IMI Our stock in this line is better than ever. We carry no shoddy shoee. Every pair is warranted solid or money refunded. CLOTHING. Judging from the way our tables are piled we must expect to do some business in this line. If your boy wants a suit we have them from 65c. up. If your husband wants a suit we have them from $2 up. Our all-wool black Cheviot at $4 50 cannot be duplicated for less than $6.50. This is the line we have mada our reputation on, and we are bound to sustain it. Our competitors may advertise sample hats and Job Lots, but shrewd buyers who want the best goods for the least money seek ue. We will say nothing about our GROCERY STOCK?they are so cheap they are not worth advertising space. Every man, woman and cbild in Sumter County will need something for the Winter, and we extend to all an invitation to come and see us. Our salesmen will take pleasure in showing you through our stock, and if they cannot sell you, they will make it very interesting for those who do. O'DOHNELL & CO. Sept 23 fJJJSJJJJJ. TfWWWMMMMMM Hardware. Hardware. gJJJJJJJJl. ?JJ1SJJJJI. Let us Sell You! We have had years of experience in the business, and think we can sat isfy you in quality and price. For Table and Pocket Cutlery COME TO US. For Buggy and Wagon Material WE KEEP IT. For Best Cook and Heating Stoves OUR STORE IS THE PLACE. For Engine Supplies, Farm or Shop Tools, House Furnishing Goods, Har ness, Razors, Scissors, Guns, Pistols, Cartridges, Etc., Come right here. Eller ani Leather Belting, Paints anil Oils are Specialties CAN'T WE FURNISH YOU WITH SOMK? R. W. DURANT & S Oct.