Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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VHv BBHTOB WATCHMAN, Established April. 18S0. "Be Just and Fear not-Let al! the Ends thou Aims't at, be thy Country's, thy God's and Truth's." THE THEE SOUTHRON, Established Jone. I3fc6 Consolidated Aug. 2,1881. SUMTER. S. G., WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22.1899. New Series-Yoi. XVIII. No. 34 >.:.*?-.. t .-"<''-/-.>C\" Tiien came an entry without date. lead tiras: "I am perfectly calm and dispassi Ate now. I am absolutely alone in . -world, and my love is dead. It d that night, killed by one blow. It is : months since I wrote those words tl seem to mock me--five months sine dressed to please him. He came i with him a friend. He seemed sorr bad waited np. His friend would J go to bed. He was going on by the xio' train in a fow boors. I was about to i ense myself and retire when the zn turned to me: " 'Well, Mrs. Durant, yon may c< grat late yourself on having your hi band back tonight last night's tho toughest job we have had for a lo tima. We were lucky in just carchi the last train, or we should surely ha bean taken. X don't believe there ii square inch in the village that has n "been scoured before this.' "As he spoke Arthur made a step f< ward as though to interrupt him. B be stopped short suddenly ar d allow him to continue. But when the mi emptied a handful of jewelry out of h pocket Arthur put his hand over it wi an oath. A ring rolled across the tani I knew it in a moment-papa's sign ring, which had never been oif his fi (ger within my memory. " 'How did you become possessed timi ring?1 I gasped in a voice which scarcely recognized as my own. "The man picked it up, slipped it c his floger and turned his hand about i snow it to advantage. " 'Yes, it's valuable, isn't it, bx not negotiable. The old duke's a gan un, but' *' 'Shut up, you fool!' cried Arthui The ground seemed to rock. I caught chair to steady myself. Arthur's fae < was suffused with deadly rage; hi hands were clinched; he started foi ward as though he would have struc the man who had betrayed him. The: he folded his arms and stood as if wait ing for me to speak. " 'And you, Arthur-you, my hui and, a common thief!' I cried. 'Oh! eumjt, cannot believe it. Tell mo I ar dreaming. Tell me I am mad-any tiling but that,' and I went to him am seized his hand. He turned his fae away and did not speak. I sank to th Soor in my shame, and the love I ha< borne him lay dead and in its place wa bom a passionate hate. My voice wa low when I spoke: 'Then your specula lions were burglaries. Your last infam: the robbery and perhaps murder cf nr lather ! May I never see you again never hear your name-never remembe: thai I ever met you! Tonight I leav< C ^Fou, and I will never again willing.^ let my eyes rest on you !' "My wedding ring I flung from ma Its touch was pollution. v **1 would .aave passed out of the hous< -as I was without cloak' or hat, but ht barred my way. 'Not so fast, Florence. You married me for better and foi worse, and you shall not leave ma ' Til the gray dawn crept in he argued, prayed, besought, threatened. His com pan ion had long since slunk away. Al last, in answer to a burst of threats, J said, with all the determination of s desperate woman: 'The up train goes from the junction at 3 o'clock. If yoe do not: let ms leave by that tiain, I will arouse! the house and denounce you both. You will be taken red handed. You have reminded me that a wife can not give evidence against her husband, but those tilings will be enough to con demn you. ' In vain he implored me tc stay and told me of his undying lova *Lcve P I cried. 'Such love as yours is WOT 8 than bata -Words cannot tell you Jbcv' I despise and loathe you.' " 'All right, madam,' he hissed betwesn his teeth. 'You have said quite enough. You have your turn today. Mine" will come before long, and then you'll repent what you've said tonight. ' "The 7:50 train carried me to London. Arthur Durant stood on the platform, hat in hand. Oh, the ghastliness of the farce! His face wore a look so diabolic al that had I not been past all fear it would have terrified me. "By the newspapers I learned that both Glenmore and Abbinga ai! had been broken into and a large amount of valuables carried away. The Duke of iiundy, who was disturbed and attempt ed a capture, was hurt in the scuffle. Hr. Durant was away from home at the time, but returned the next day. The -police had no clew. Oh, the bitter irony cfit all! "I took rooms in this little bouse at "Hammersmith, and for weeks I was ill. My landlady was kind,, and when my money was nearly all spent she made arrangements for me to do fancy work for her sister's shop. " The further entries of that year dealt with her uneventful life in the Ham mersmith lodgings. Then came others tbat Mabel read eagerly: "Today, as I came out of a shop where I had taken my work, I noticed a tall man watching me with interest. I looked at him a second time. It was Beber'; ! I knew him at once by the scar cn his forehead and his dear red bair. But, oh. how altered he was-and he has lost an arm ! He scarcely waited for my exclamation of joy and surprise to come to me. What a meeting it was! Poor boy! How be must have suffered * since he left us! We walked about fer hours in the p?.rk, talking about what bad happened since we saw one anoth er. He was naturally much surprised to learn I was living alone and in such shabby rooms. I told bim very little about my husband. Robert rejoins a theatrical company next week in Scot land. "Feb. 5.-We have had a long day together, Robert and I. He has told me much of his checkered life since he left Oxford. He was natura J ly curious to know why I had left Arthur, but I did not tell bim anything more. "Feb. 7.-He begs me to join this company with which he is playing. If they will only take me, I will do so gladly. At least, it will keep me near Robert, and it cannot be harder than the work by which I gained a miserable pittance so far. But ought I to take it? Bobers and Arthur might one day meet, and Robert's hasty temper might lead to violence. "Feb. 9.- am going with Robert to Scotland tomorrow. He says there will be no difficulty about my joining.^ "Feb. ll.-I saw Mr. Flannery, the manager of the company, today, and he actually engaged me as a ' .aper,' as they call it This is a rare bit of luck for ma I shall always be with Robert and shall be able to look after him. Poor boy, he has never known a sister's love. I was only 14 when he left ns. "Feb. 21.-I joined the company to day. My parts are very trivial, but I do my best in them, and perhaps in time Mr. Flannery may promote me. He complimented me on my acting today, bet I did not like the way he did-it I forgot to say I have given my name as Mary "Western. Robert has for years been known as Dick Lambert. "March .4.-Robert and Mr. Flan nery, who persists in -worrying me with his unwelcome attendons, had a quarrel this morning, and Eobert has been dis missed. So I have brought him nothing but ill luck after all. I would leave, too, but I am just getting a bigger sal ary, and Robert thinks I had better stay. Beggars cannot be choosers. "April 7.-My chance came last night. We played *Th6 Lady of Lyons. ' Miss Hastings, our leading lady, was ill, and I .took her place as Pauline.1 They ail tell me I was an immense sue- i cess. Mr. Flannery was unpleasantly complimentary. I scarcely heard any thing, but they say I had an enthusi astic reception. I am to try my hand at Juliet next weet, which means very hard work in the meantime. "April 16.-I was Juliet last night I was horribly nervous at first, but that strange Romeo, Mr. Vandeleur, helped me through, and I soon recovered my self. I believe I-did well. At any rate I have a further increase in my salary, and am now to take all Miss Hastings' parts. I am sorry for her. I am not surprised at hex drinking with ail the trouble she has. "April 20.-I have told Robert aJl about Arthur. I thought it better to do sa He was terribly angry with him for his duplicity. I dare not think of what will happen should they ever meet. "May 2.-At last it has come. Arthur has found out where I am. I had a hor rible letter from him this morning. Luckily today is Saturday. I sball leave after the performance is over, and Rob ert will follow on Monday. Where we go I care not, but surely we can escape that xn?.n-my husband. "May 4.-rAt Hinton, a restful spot on tbe Wye- Tbey only fcave one room at liberty at the inn, so Robert will have to sleep elsewhere. I am glad he is coming today, for there are a lot of ! people here. I "May 12.-What a terrible day yes ! terday was! As we were crossing the lawn Arthur met ne. He had been to Scotland and then, tracked ms here. There was a terrible scene. Arthur thought Robert was my lover. Robert wanted to avenge my wrongs, and I had to plead, beg and explain. At last they grew calmer, and Robert said: 'I don't grumble about your housebreaking pro pensities-you can go to the devil your own way for all I care-but the score I have to settle with you is that you de ceived my sister and ruined her for life.' Then Arthur spoke with all the artful ness and plausibility of the evil one. Had a spark of affection for him reap peared in my heart it would have died out as he talked. Oh, the intolerable j ness of the thought that I am that man's ; wife! Robert listened at first contemp ! uously, ^nd then with attention, and ! my heart sank es I saw how readily he I fell a prey to Arthur's sophistries. His ! moral weakness has been the cause of j all his misfortunes. Before the evening j was over he was quite friendly with j Arthur. "May 14.-They have gone away to gether. I dare not imagine for what purpose. "May 27.-They returned today. I was so thankful to see Robert safe again. There has been a robbery at the h tl. Robert said laughingly: 'My first ex perience. Anything for a new sensa tion. ' Oh, it is too horrible! They are j going abroad in a few days. I should j breathe freefy when I knew that Ar ! thur, who now calls himself Archie i Dacre, was really out of Engfaud, if ! only he had not Robert in his clutches." j Then the diary abruptly ceased. The remaining leaves had been torn out, and I there was no written record to tell of . her meeting with George or of her feel ; ings toward him. But from what she : had read, all Mabel's sympathies were ; awakened for the poor girl, whom up I to then she had regarded as an unprin cipled woman, whosy dark ways had led io her own untimely ead. CHAPTER XX. HASEL ESCAPES, When the door was unlooked and her I breakfast brought in on the following morning, Mabel saw with glad surprise that her jailer was now the man whom she had recognized as Robert Kin?, and to her surprise he continued to act as such for the next few days. She tried to get him to talk, but Robert was wary and would not enter into conversation. Of course King had read of the De Vere Gardens burglary and had ceased to expect the return of Fitzgerald, but he was daily expecting the instructions of Mr. Keighley Gates respecting his charge. That gentleman, however, maintained a discreet silence, and as the days passed Robert King grew more and more inclined to accede to the un ceasing prayers of his captive, especial ly as his funds had now run low, leav ing him without the means for keeping the establishment going. So one day Mabel found her door left ajar. She opened it gently and peered into the passage. The front door was wide open. In another minute" the girl was in the street, running as though for her very life, regardless of the re marks of the passersby. How long she ran she did not know, but she ultimate ly stopped when she saw a hansom fer hire. She hailed it, and after some demur-for she admitted she could not pay her fare beforehand-the man agreed to drive her to De Vere Gardens. She got inside and the~man whipped up his horse. Soon the streets grew fa miliar, and Mabel leaned back with a sigh of unutterable thankfulness. AU danger was passed. She was free ; she would be at home within the hour! Suddenly the cry of a newspaper boy rang in her ears-"The South Audley street murder!" And like a death knell came the words: "Trial of George Fen ton. Verdict and sentence!" CHAPTER XXL MABEL'S RETURN. Ali the way home that horrible cry rang in Mabel's ears. In every street it was shouted out, and at every corner a newspaper bill was displayed bearing the fateful words: "Trial of George Fenton today. Ver dict and sentence!" The hansom drew up before her home, and the girl stepped out. She did not stay to reply to Soames' expressions of surprise and gladness when he opened the door, but walked straight to her mother's room. She opened the door gently and stop ped on the threshold, and in that in stant she knew the worst had happened. Her mother was in her old chair by the window, deathly pale and worn, but tearless. One hand 'clutched the ta ble at her side and the other was held by her husband, who, bending over her, strove by tenderest words and caresses to alleviate for au inatent the agony of her griel He looked piteously aged and broken. "Mother! Father!" cried Mabel, rushing, toward them without stretched hands. "My darling, my darling!" cried the mother, holding her dear one to her breast, and the tears that had frozen in her heart now found their way. "And Geoige?" Mabel whispered, when she held her father's hands. He turned his head away, and there was a terrible silence in the room. Yes, the worst had happened. The evidence of the prosecution was abso W\ ii i "Mother: FatherP' cried MabeL i lntely convincing. High words had ' been heard between the prisoner and the woman, and then her body bad been found, with that curious dagger, which was proved to be his, sheathed in her heart, while he had fled from the spot, panic stricken by the horror of his deed. The defense had utterly broken down, and the summing up was completely against the prisoner. After five min utes' deliberation thc jury had brought in a verdict of "Guilty," and George Fenton had been sentenced to death in terms that forbade any hope of the mercy of the crown. CHAPTER XXII. DR. FITZGERALD CAUSES A SENSATION. On the day following the attempted burglary at De Vere Gardens Fitzger ald was remanded for a week, at the request of the police, pending the cap ture cf his accomplice, which was con fidently hoped for. . That capture, how ever, was not effected, and on the day after George Fenton had been sentenced to death Dr. Fitzgerald took his stand alone in the dock. In a corner, among the unwashed who had come to gloat over the baiting of the prisoner, was a black bearded man with keen, penetrating eyes and a glittering row of teeth. He had waited the whole day for this case, and when it at last was called and Fitzgerald came up the steps into the dock he leaned forward with eager intensity. For the purpose of the burglary Fitz gerald had discarded the frock coat which always lent some little pretense of respectability to him, and he now ap peared in a short pilot jacket. lu place of collar and tie a scarf was twisted round his neck, and gloves no longer gave a piquant finish to his exterior. From the depths of a pocket ho pro duced a single eyeglass, and, having carefully wiped it, fixed it in Iiis left eye and then courteously took note of the magistrate. He nodded approvingly at tii i reporters, smiled contemptuously on the lawyers below and then turin to survey tho spectators. Ile looked at them very carefully, and it might have been noted that as he did so tho black bearded man in tho last row but cue drew back into tho gloom of his corner. A warder tapped the prisoner on. the shoulder to direct his attention *to front, and, with an apology, Fitzgei turned round. A dapper little solicitor was novv his feet. "May it please your worship, " he, "I appear for the prosecution. 1 prisoner, James Fitzgerald, alias V liam Richmond, is charged with en ing the premises of Mr. Ralston Fent at 145 De Vere Gardens, between hours cf 12 and 2 on the morning of loth inst., with felonious intent, had an accomplice, who has unfoi nately escaped. The two men effected entry at the back of the house and i ceeded to appropriate various silver J other articles in the dining room. "Commander Brett, who was stay in the house at the time, evidently he them, and went down stairs, when was attacked by the men. A sev struggle apparently ensued, and I sorry to say that Captain Brett is n lying in a precarious condition, anc quite unable to give evidence-in fa up to last night he was unconscious. "Policeman Z 952, whom I shall c to give evidence, was on duty ou tl beat, and he will tell you that as passed Mr. Fenton's house the d< opened and a man rushed down 1 steps. He stopped at the sight of the fleer and hurriedly informed him tha robbery was taking place in the hon They entered together, but the man e dently took advantage of the darkn I of the hall to abscond. By this time i inmates of the house had been arom by the sounds of the scuffle, and t j prisoner had taken alarm. The offi< j met him in the doorway of the dini room with a bag in one hand and a 1 ! preserver in the other. Luckily, he ma aged to get the first blow in, a promptly secured the prisoner. He th ascertained from evidence in the roc that there had been two of them t work, and the man who had given t j information was undoubtedly the acco] plice of the prisoner. Call officer ! 952." The officer gave his evidence in co firmaticn of the statement of the pros cution, and Fitzgerald was then ask if he wished to put any questions him. i "Will you please describe the rn; ! you met on the doorstep?" he said. I "It was dark at the time, and J came on me so suddenly that I did n j turn my lantern on him, but I shou say he was of middle height, and he hz I a lightish beard." "And this man told you there was burglary going on inside the house?" "He did." "Thank you. That's all. " said Fit gerald with a vindictive smile on h face. "That is the case for the prosecute OJ your worship, " said the solicitor, "c the charge of burglary. It is cbvioi that a still graver charge should be pr ferred either against the prisoner ( som'e other person in * respect of the a sault which has been committed c Commander Brett, but further inquir * will be made before any information : laid." "Prisoner," said the magistral "having heard the evidence, do yo wish to say anything in answer to th: charge? You are not obliged tc say anj thing unless you desire to do so. Bc whatever you say will be taken down i writing, and may be given in evidenc against you at your trial." Fitzgerald leaned over the bar in frorj of him and nodded to the reporters. "Youhear?" he said. "You'vegott take it all down in writing. Don't mis an 'h.'" "Yes, your worship," he continuel in consecutive sentences, very difieren from his ordinary speech, "I do desir to say something, and something of im portance. I am guilty of this charge but it is not of myself, but cf my ac complice that I wish to speak. Fo years the police have been on his track but the devilish ingenuity of the mai and the assistance of his frisnds han prevented their purpose being attained I have been one of those friends, and u] to the night of this robbery I woulc have shielded him to the bes." of nr power. But that night he repa!- me b] the blackest ingratitude. He betrayed me, and now it is my intention to be tray him." The words of the prisoner, spoker with deliberate coolness, made a pro found impression in the crowded court "My accomplice in the robbery was a man well known in London, not only tc the police, but in society. Under divers disguises and at various times he has committed robberies all up and down the country-notably those at Glenmore, the Duke of Lundy's seat, at Abbing hall, the residence of Mr. Arthur Du rant, and at Hinton, at Squire Mar chant's. I eau give a list of those I know ff it is desired, but there are plenty of which I know nothing. The man who committed these felonies is known un der .various names, and the most notori ous of his aliases are Archie Dacre and Keighley Gates." Again the officers had to call out for silence, and when th hum of excite ment had died away Fitzgerald contin ued: "Many other misdeeds may be laid to this man's charge, and there is one of special vileness. Under the name bf Ar thur Durant, and in the guise of an hon est man, he induced Lady Florence Mos tyn, the woman who was murdered in South Audley street, to leave her fa ther's roof and marry him." The excitement in the court was now' at fever heat, but there was a breathless silence. Fitzgerald ^-paused for a few seconds and then said: "I now come to tho greatest crime of his life. With my own eyes I saw this man murder his wife, and for that mur ! der an innocent man was yesterday con ! demoed to death. " j If he had intended to create a sensa ! tiou his wish was gratified. Never in ' the annals of police courts had such a scene of confusion ensued as that which . followed hi dramatic ending. The ofii ' cers no longer attempted to preserve cr j der, and thc magistrate, after formally j committing the prisoner, ordered the j court to be cleared, t j Aniid the shooting crowd of spe ta lors who left at tba back was a black bearded man with white teeth. He did net join in the demonstrations of his neighbors. He seemed preoccupied. And he left the neighborhood uf the court with his shonlders thrust up and his eyes glued on the pavement. The chill of approach ing capture and death was gripping at his heart. . CHAPTER XXIII RO* TO EARTH. Mr. Finnecure Vandeleur was in low water. African interest had ceased to boom, and "Lost In the Great Sahara" no longer attracted bumper houses. He was now living in very third rate rooms off Bond street, and a few days after Fitzgerald's committal a brother actor looked in to pass the evening with him. He was.the heavy tragedy man of the company, and in private Lfe he man aged to combine the idiosyncrasies of the melancholy Jacques with the pe culiarities of King Gama. He was not exactly a jovial companion at his best, and Mr. Vandeleur evinced no particu lar pleasure when he entered. "A charming little den, Finny!" said i;he newcomer after a minute survey of the cheerless apartment. "It reminds me strongly of your Melnotte days. We only require your widowed mother to be complete." "You'd make a deuced poor Pauline at any rate," retorted Vandeleur. "I'd prefer Miss Hastings." "Now, would you? If you'd said the Western girl, I could have understood. I see you have her picture over there. Do you know, Fin:ay, I always thought you had a hand in her disappearance?" Mr. Finnecure Vandeleur seemed gratified by this insinuation, but he waved his dirty hand. "No, no, Lorton-'pon my honor, no. I won't say I hadn't a chance in that direction, but there was Dick, and he was my friend. Need I say more?" A sneer wriggled across Mr. Lorton's lips. "Your sentiments'do you honor, sir," he said with melodramatic effusion. "Allow me to shake hands." "Don't be an ass, Lorton. Look here -let's do something or other. I can't sit. listening to you. " "Then stand,* man. I've seen 82 in the pit and half the gallery doing that, when other people have played to empty benches." "Ah, that's not my way. I never care to chuck paper about broadcast, Lorton. Well, shall we play nap?" "For oyster shells, or what? I haven't a stiver, and I don't believe you've found a gold mine in the Sahara lately. Can't we make up a third? Does no one live in this mystio grove but your self?" "There's a man in the back room. Looks as if be broke the bank years ago and was living on the reminiscence." "Trothim out, then." "Don't know him. Go yourself. He seems a surly brute, or your genial elo quence would no doubt fetch him." Nothing loath, Mr. Lorton proceeded to the back sitting room, and after a long i absence returned with the other man. He was a swarthy looking individual with a scrubby beard and keen, piercing eyes. "Mr. Matthews, " said Lorton, usher ing him into the room, "allow me to in-"* troduce your'neighbor, Mr. Finnecure Vandeleur. Mr. Finnecure Vandeleur, your neighbor, Mr. Matthews." "Glad to see you, Mr. Matthews," said Vandeleur, shaking hands. "Mr. Lorton and myself find time hanging heavily on our hands. We thought jrou would perhaps take pity on us and pre vent our quarreling." "Cards!" said the newcomer, glanc ing at tho pack on the table. "Old friends, I see, " he addfd as he fingered : them. "Signs of the times, dear boy, " said j Finnecure Vandeleur. "Some day in the next few months I may be able to afford a new pack. " "Such old friends," continued Mat thews, disregarding the explanation, "that you must know most of the cards personally. " "Sir, " said Mr. Vandeleur, "do you wish to insult a gentleman? If you don't like the cards you can get out, and be hanged to you." Mr. Matthews did not take advantage of the suggestion. For various reasons he was thirsting for any small excite ment which would take him out of him self. He sat down and dealt around, faces uppermost. The first knave came to himself. "Ah!" he said, "Ideal." The stakes were not high. They play ed for the smallest brown coin but one which passes current in this realm. They played keenly. The actors were adepts at the game. Mr. Matthews show ed himself to be no novice, TO BB CONTINUED Seems Game. The venerable Dr. Sunderland, who was pat cat of the pastorate of the First Presbyterian cbaroh to make way for Dr. Taloaage," has announced that be will not aocept the pastorate which has been offered to bim now that Dr. Tal mage bas enough of it. Tbe oid gen tleman seems to be game. The roll of the Cuban army shows that half of the 50,000 men on the Hut were officers*, and they insist upon officers* pay There have been over 20,000 appli cations for the 101 "lieutenancies in the army. The officers' places do not go begging Successful Physicians. j V.'.> heartily recommend Dr. Hathaway Co. of 22 n S Broad Sc., Atlanta, Ga., au b -bsr per ? foctly reliable and remarkably successful in the ' treatment of c'ironic diseases of men and women. I They euro vhm others fail. Onr readers ii ia j need of medical help should-certainly v-te j these eminent doctors and you will recorre, a free emd expert opinion ot your case by return vr.si without cost. THE TURMOIL IN CUBA. Cauba Assembly Will Not be Heeded. Washington, March 16 -There ha3 been further telegraphic correspondence between Gen. Brooke and the war department regarding conditions in Coba, with the result that hereafter Geo. Brooke will confice himself wholly within the terms of the resolu tion adopted by congress before the war. No government, organization or set cf men will be recognized. The Uoited States government will deal directly with the people of Cuba.. It is not stated who the "people" are, bat it is inferred that the Uoited States authorities will determine that point as different questions arise. In the same connection it is regarded as important that the census which bas been determined upon should be taken so as to ascertain che resident c izeus of the island. The Caban assembly wiil be dealt with as any other organization. If its session provoke riot and disturbances it wiil be dispersed like any other disorderly body. If its meetiogs are harmld88 and amount to nothing more than the vociferation of men no attention will be paid to it If the assembly gets in tho way of the United States aathority in the preservation of tbe peace and tranquility of the island, then the assembly or any other set of., men must, in the language of the American police, "move on.-'' NO MORE FREE FOOD. Habana, March 16.-An order waa issued to-day by the United States military authorities to the effect that ail rations distributed to the Caban people after the supply cow on hand is exhausted, shall be charged against the customs receipts of the province in which they arc distributed. Monthly requisitions wiil be made as heretofore, aud the Uoited States authorities will supply, baying in the Cuban markets, such articles as sugar and rice if they can be obtaioed to better advantage here. The rest of tbe rations will be bought in the United States. Gan. Fitzhogh Lee has returned here from Cienfaegos. Fatal Hotel Fire. PEOPLE FORCED TO LEAP FOR LIFE. Xi New York, March 17.-Flames which originated from the igniting of a lace certain barst forth from the recond floor of the Windsor hotel at Forty seventh street and fifth avenue shortly after 3 o'clock this afternoon, and in a few minutes they had leaped ap to the roof and enveloped the entire Fifth avenue and Forty-seven street fronts of the hotel. Ten minutes later the flames were roaring through the interior of the hotel, and all means to escape by way eff stairways and elevators were cat off and there was the wildest scene of excitement within thc building. Hundreds of gaests sod employes were in the hotel when the fire broke oat, and for macy o them escape with safety was impossible Probably from four to fifteen lives were lost within a half hear, and 30 or 40 other persons were injured in jumping from windows and in rushing through the flames ic the corridors and oo the stairways. Many who were injured died later at nearby residences or at hospitals, and others who made wild leapt to the stone sidewalks were so badly iojared that they are still hovering between life and death.4 It may be 24 hours or more before the complete list of fatal ities becomes known, and it may be longer than that before ic can he ascertained definitely how many charred bodies are in the mass of fallen masonry that marks the spot where the hotel stood. I The News and Courier staff, we I believe, pride themselves upon the use, in their writing, of choice words and terms We should like to know, therefore, why they still speak of John C. Shephard, John Peter Richardson and other, who once ocenpried the governor's office, as "Governor'' Shephard, ''Governor'* Richardson, etc How would a stranger know whether either of these gentlemen or Ellerbe ia the governor ?-Press and Standard. Some enterprising statistician says the fly iays four times each sommer and 30 eggs each time. The descend ants of one female fly io a single seasoD mav number 2,080,320. We are not going to figure it oat, bat we have seen the time when we were will ing to believe it. J Pierpont Morgan's new ooai com bine, with a capital of $889,000,000, is by far the largest trust yet formed or projected. The members wiil save it all for themselves, for the consumers will not share in the gain. In fact, the saving will be an actual detriment to the public, since it meanr that just $3, 200,000 less wili be disbursed by the j coal magnates. They will draw from j tbe consumer as mach as ever, but will i return to the purchasing classes three j millions less than before. .BID- .< <>. -Km mmi - There isn't a weak point anywhere abont j tbe White Sewing Machine-M. B. Randie s2.1.';? heor Wisdom to-day means comfort to-morrow* To prove it coy a White and use it.