Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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115 Year s Old and in Heed. Richard Green, an old colored man, better . known to maoy of oar citizens as "Uncle Dick Buford," bas requested us to make an apperd to the good people of Sumter in bis behalf. He says that he bas outlived all bis fafmily and has no ene to do anything for him, and that he safifere for necessaries of iife. He expects soon to go to Pinewood where be bas some relatives, and asks that any contribu tions for him be binded to Magistrate H. L. B. Wells-or, if more convenient to leave contributions at this office same will be for warded to him. He bas papers slating that he was born Feb. 15, 1785 in Charleston, S. C., as the slave of Edward Linning. He was after wards owned for many years by the late Mrs. Buford, who lived near the city. His last owner was the late Myles Moran. He is still in possession of his sound mental faculties, and takes pleasure in telling of bis early recollections. He saw Washington wbeu he visited Charleston, and also Lafayette, when he was in this country. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. / Proceedings of Regular Monthly Meeting of Board. The County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday with all the members present except commissioner Jenkins. The Committee on road from Cedar Creek Church in Bishopville township reported through Commissioner Scarborough that tbey had examined into said road and thought that it was a real necessity, there being no other public road in that locality. The road would be about 4 or A miles io length, and that the citizens offered to put it in good condition, except Mr. Rodgers refusing to give the right of way. On motion it was decided to have the road "..pened, provided that an arrangement could be made through Mr. McKeithan to obtain the right of way with out expense. Commissioner McLeod, of the Committee on the Dc Bose road, reported that they could not say the road was a necessity, though au accommodation to two or three families ic getting to church. About 10 bridges are on the road, and some would have to be enlarged, and the way it was proposed to open it out, changing it WOG id be difficult work. Action on tbe matter was indefinitely postponed on motion of Commissioner Rhodes. Supervisor Dorn stated that he had con salted tbe County Attorney as to case cf damages to male of E. W. A. Baltmao, and be said the County was not liable, and that they should so inform Mr. Buitrean in writ ing. The Board decided to act on advice of attorcey, and the Clerk was instructed to notify Mr. Eulrman. The County Supervisor was instructed to borrow from the First National Bank for pay ment of court and other county expenses the sam of .three thousand dollars. County Treasurer Scarborough was before tbe Board and stated that the lamp used by bim was isjorioas to the eyes in doing nigbt work, which he was obliged to do. He asked for authority to have his office lighted by electricity, or to furnish two metal lamps. On motion of Commissioner Rhodes tbe County Treasurer and Supervisor were in structed to bave said office lighted ia the most economical manner as suggested by Treasurer. There was a disagreement between the Su perintendent of the bridge force and Messrs. J. R. McCoy fc Bro., lamber dealers, as to -amount of lumber furnished bridge force. Mr. Cummings made it ont 4,601 fe, and the Messrs. McCoy claimed 5,841 ft, as delivered to Mr. Cummings. Mr. Cummings stated be was certain be was correct, as he entered every piece of lumber on hi3 book. On mo tion of Commissioner Scarborough it was decided to settle with J. R. McCoy & Bro . by memorandum of M. W. Cummings, to wit : 4 601 ft at 80 cts. per 100 ft. The Board found it necessary to dismiss Jno. S Mitchel!, a pauper, from Poor House on account of hts bad behavior. His family were retained. Several accounts were approved and the Board adjourned. Practical Remarks on Wheat Rais- j ing. Mr Editor: I see considerable written on the subject of wheat raising in Sumter Coun ty. lt is no new fact to some of the older citizens of tbe county that wheat can be raised and successfully raised. When I was a boy my father, amoog a number of other farmers raised ali toe flour they used in their families and on their places Tbe yield was from twelve to eighteen bushels per acre. They planted m October geoerally and sel dom failed-to make a good crop ; but here the easy part ended. The same trouble exists cow io wheat raising. No facility for har vesting, und preparation for milliog, and worst of all, no mill. The old plan was to invite fron thirty to sixty to cot and thresh on the same day, give a big dinner, get about two-thirds or a little more threshed out. Then came tbe cleaning process which was an after and endless job. The milling was in tbose days, as now, done at considerable loss The same mills that grind oorcorn grind our wheat. Now, Mr. Editor, what we need are mills, reapers and threshers If some enterprising citizen will invest in these necessities in wheat culture and establish a good roller miii ia Sumter or some other eood locality ; and . as many farmers cannot afford to own reapers and threshers let those who are aole do so. acd go from farm to farm and harvest and prepare the crop for milliog. By this means many more may be induced to engage in wheat raising. On the other hand no business man would care tc invest in useless machinery. Why can't the citizens of the county meet and inaugurate some plan whereby tbis difficulty may be obviated and tbe enterprise be of mutual benefit to a iarge number ? Io connection with the roller mill a rst class rice boiler conld be very profitebly operated, for the farmers are payirjg more attention to this cop than ever. W. G. W. Tindal, Sept 7, 1839. DeWjjts Little Early Risers permacently cure chronic constipation, biliousness, ner vousness and worn out feeling ; cleanse and regulate tbe entire system. Small, pleasant, never gripe er sicken-"famous little pilis." -nugbsoo-Ligou Co. Eli Harrison, who escaped from the chain gang some time ago, was captured at Wedge field Friday by Bill .PickeoB. Harrisoo was seat to the chain gang for assault and battery oa Kennedy Lewis. Bill Piclcens received tbs $10 reward offered for the capture of Harrison. The macadam work on one half of Main street from Liberty street to Levi Bros' store bas been completed and ii in use. The comparison between the maeadam half and tbe mud half of the street ia so decided that no better argomeot could be made in favor of macadamizing all of Main street. Tbe mac adam half ia firm and cleao while the other is a miry, dirty muck. The rain Monday morning had no effect upon tbe macadam while it transformed the other from a heavy, dotty sand bed into a muddy mire. A CASE OP NEPOTISM. Judge Buchanan Discharges Sten ographer Parrott to Give His Brother-in-law the Job. Judge 0. W. Buchanan has appointed bi3 brother-in-law, Mr. George D Tillman, Jr., court steoographer for tbeThird r-cuit. Mr. L. I. Parrott, who has held that position for several Tears under Judge Buchacao and for twelve years uoder Judge Fraser, was re quested to vacate tbe position on Sept. 1st. Wben Judge Buchanan was elected judge for for the Third circuit about seven years be did not consider Mr. Parrott's application to be continued as stenographer, but appointed Mr. J W. Mixoa, a son of the State.di3pense Wb n Mr. Mixoa got mixed up in the rebate scandal tbe court was ieft without a steno grapher. In this dilemma Mr. Parrott, wbo was io business io Darlington, wa3 appealed to and be went to Florence, wbere court was in eession, and worked for three week9. Before court adjourned, Jndge Benet, who w^s presiding, issued an order that Mr. Par rott be paid the salary of the regular steno grapher for that mooth. Mr. Misson had not resigned at that time and be collected bis salary while Mr. Perrott was paid ootbiug for his work and bas never received a cent. Shortly after that time Mr. Misson resign ed and Mr. Parrott was summoned by tele graph to Lexington by Judge Buchanan and waa appointed court stenographer. Since then Mr. Parrott has filled the position capa bly and acceptably until he was notified a 6bort time ago by Judge Buchanan to vacate tbe position on Sept. 1st. As far as can be learned there bas been no complaint against Mr. Parrott and be has given satisfaction to all connectsd with tbe court. Judge Buchanan bas simply displaced bim without, cause io make a place for his brother-in-law, and as Judge Buchanan has the power to appoiat the stenographer Mr. Parrott bas no redress, but must look out for another pb. Judge Buchanan undoubtedly has the power to dismiss a court stenographer whenever he sees fit aud to appoint whomso ever be wisbes, but bis action io discharging Mr. Parrott, an efficient and experienced stenographer, who bas held the position for years, is rather hard and inconsiderate, espe cially "in tbe circumstances. "They are siaaply perfect," writes Robert Moore, cf La Fayette. Ind., of DeWitt's Lit tle Early Risers, the "famous little pills" for constipation and all liver ailments. Never gripe. Hoghnso-Ligon Co. The Bishopville Recorder, referring to the article published lately io this paper in regard to the schedule on tbe Bisbopville railroad, says : "While the above schedule is not what the people of Bisbopville want, they have no one to blame bot themselves, as the petition to change the schedule was signed by nearly all of our business men." Chester E Brown, Kalamazoo, Mich., says: "Kodol Dyspepsia Cure cured me of a severe case ot indigestion ; cae atroogly recommend it to all dj8peptics, "Digests what you eat without aid from the stomach, and cures dyspepsia.-Haghson-Ligon Co. j It is stated that the Fourth Regiment Band ! will give an open air concert once a week \ during the fall and winter. If a band stand was erected on the Graded School Square, j so that the band men could be comfortable, they would be able td give us better music and more of it ; besides, the square is the natural place of rendezvous for our people, and weekly concerts at this place would be the occasion for tbe commingling of our cit zens, which will not be tbe least of tbe pleas ores gained by having the concerts on the square. Mr. Ingram's Wheat The Columbia correspondent of the News and Courier, writing under date of Septem ber 7tb, give3 the fo'lowing report of the ex periment io wheat growing by Messrs. Ingram & Purdy on their Stateburg farm : Mr. W. H. laeram, of Stateburg, was in the city today. Mr. Ingram has just resign ed the position of Master for Sumter County He got to talking about his wheat planting, and gave some very interesting and valuable I suggestions of a practical nature. Mr. Ingram iast year planted 23 acre3 in wheat. He has threshed and bad ground 597 boehels, or an average of 19 17-20 per acre Toe wheat was planted on gravel land that had been abandoned as unfit for other grain. This wheat was manured 20 bushels of cotton seed to the acre, and a top dressing of 100 pounds cf soda to the acre. Since the harvesting of the wheat the lasd has been sowed, by a Deering harvester, io peas, and Mr Ingram says tbe peas will make 3 to 4 tens an acre. The same land and 100 acres adjneent will be sown in wheat next October. The cotton acreage of this farm bas been entirely given over to small grain, as offer ing the best money making crop. The wheat planted by Mr. Ingram is known as tbe "Red May " Mr. Iogram thinks it produces better results, and before planting is subjected to a blue stooe wash, which pre vents "smut" and seems to avoid the worms. Mr. Iogram figures up the cost on his wheat like this : Twenty bushels cotton seed at 10 cent?, S2 ; soda to 'he acre S2.40, ploughing $1 an acre, harvesting $1 an acre, allowing for machine be owns. Oat of this Mr. Iogram gets per acre three barrels of double patent flour, two barrels of second?, brao and straw. The straw be uses for po tatoes, and be says that with plenty of straw under potatoes they wiil make from 300 to 500 bushels to the acre. Chronic Diarrhoea Cured This is toceitify that 1 have had chronic diarrhoea ever 3ince the war. I got so weak I could hardly wait or do anything. One bottle of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy cored me sound and wei!. J. R Gibbs, Fmcastle, Va. I had chronic diarrhoea lor twelve ye&rs. Three bottles of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy cured me S. L. Shaver, Fincastle, Va. Both Mr. Gibba and Mr. Shaver are prom inent farmers and reside near Fincastle, Va. Tbey procured the remedy from Mr. W. E. Casper, a druggist of that place, who is well acquainted with them and will vouch for the truth of their statements. For sale by Dr. A J. China. BISHOPVILLE. PERSONALS From The Recorder, Sept. 6. Mis3 Christene McKagan returned to ber borne ia Sumter Monday, after spending some time with relatives bere. Prof W. P. Baskin wilt leave Thursday for Wedgefield tc take charge of the Wedge field School to which he has been elected. Miss Essie Fleming has tendered ber resig nation as teacher in the Bisbopville Graded School with the request io accept same. The board of trustees held a rpecial meeting to day for the purpose of acting upoo her resig nation and electing a teacher. Mies Estelle Barrett, who bas been on an extended visit to relatives in Sumter, return ed home Tuesday, accompanied by ber little neice, Cecile McKagen. Mr. H. A. McLeod left Monday for Spartan burg, wbere be bas gone into business. We regret to lose Mr. MeLeod, bot wish bim much 3 neceas in his new fieid of labor. Mr Samuel Bradley met with quite a pain ful accident one day last week in having bis band badly cot in a gin. Two of bis fingers were evered. Amputation will not be nee THE BUSINESS LEAGUE. The first of the regalar monthly meetings of the Business League was held ia the Sum ter Club rooms last Wednesday night. President Mos?s reported for the executive committee that the railroad authorities had beeo communicated with in reference to the arrangement of more convenient schedules. Letters from General Manager J. R. Kenly, of the Atlantic Coast Line a d Superin tendent J. H. Sands, of the Charleston Divi sioo cf the Southern were read. Both stated that the matter of schedules would be taken up when the winter schedules were arranged and the requests of the league would be complied with if possible. Letters from the Manufacturers Record in reference to the write up of Sumter and rates for a standing advertisement were read. The write up promised some months ago will be published as soon as the copy for same is furnished. A proposition from toe Sumter Club to combine the club and the league so that boto bodies may occupy the club rooms was sub mined, the proposition was received as information and will be considered at the next meeting. There was a general discussion of freight rates and discriminations against Sumter dealers. Nothing definite was done, as no facts and figures were submitted, but it wa3 decided that those who have complaints in tature shall collect the facts and lay the mat ter before the executive committee, which body will proceed immediately to make a thorough investigation. If there has been discrimination and if the complainant bas a grievance the executive committee will take the necessary steps to obtain redress. The executive committee reported that a folder setting forth briefly the advantages of Sumter as a cottoo and tobacco market and as a manufacturing, railroad and mercantile centre had been prepared and would be cir culated. The meeting was not largely attended, but the discussion of cutters of ioterest to the city was of r. practical nature and many ex cellent suggestions were made. It is evident that the Business League bas commenced work along the right line and that it will dc the work that is needed to develop the city. Not the Wisest Way. It is cot always best to wait until it is needed before buying a bottle of Chamber lain's Colic, Cholera and Diarrhoea Remedy. Quite frequently the remedy is required in the very ousiest season cr in the night and much inconvenience cad suffering must be borne before it can be obtained, lt costs but a trifle as compared with its real worth and every family can well afford to keep it io their home. It is everywhere acknowledged to be the most successful medicine io the world for bowel complaints. For sale by Dr. A. J. China. Reckless and careless bicycle riders are doing all that lies within their power to force the City Council to pass an ordinance forbid ding bicyclists to ride on the sidewalks in any part of tbe city They ride on the side walks at the highest possible speed, day and night, and show an utter disregard of the rights cf pedestrians. Half the time they do not ring or give any warning, but dash by or ran over those who are walting. At night they are even worse, for they ride without lights and do not ring when approaching corners or pedestrians. Accidents are of daily occurrence and it is remarkable that some one has not been seriously ir.jared before this. Bicycles are allowed on the sidewalks oo suf ferance only, and unless riders exercise the proper care it will be necessary for the pro tection of those who have the first right to the sidewalks to pass an ordinance requiring bicyclists to ase the streets and keep off the sidewalks During the past week Manager Ryttenberg rjfcade a ten strike io signing a contract with t* Andrews Opera Co., which is one of the largest and best opera companies in the Uni ted States, to sing one night in our city. The company is making a long jump to Charleston, and the enterprise of our Mr. Ryttenberg will probably be rewarded with a packed bouse. If such attractions as this are Drought to our doors, we should co all in our power to encourage the iocal manage ment ia going further with the gool work. Date will be dartag November. - -- 11- - The Government Cotton Report Washington, Sept. ll -The bureau report on the condition of cotton gives an average of 63.5 against 84 for last month and 79.8 for last year This is the lowest average for 25 years. There wa3 an improvement io tue August average of 6 ia Alabama, 8 points in Mississippi, 10 in North Carolina and Geor gia. 12 in South Carolina nd Louisiana. 16 in Florida, 20 in Oklahoma, 2 i in Arkansas, 24 in Texas and 40 in Indian Territory. The result of the long drought the eeoeral aver ages, givea by states, are : Virginia, 87 ; North Carolina, 73 ; Georgia, 6P ; South Carolina, 66 ; Florida, 77 ; Alabama, 76 ; Mississippi, 78 ; Louisiana, 74 ; Texas, 61 ; Arkansas, 62 : Tennessre, 76 ; Missouri, 85 ; Oklahoma, 66 ; Indian Territory, 53. A conservative estimate on the basis of the government report makes the total crop less than ten million bales. Card of Thanks. In behalf of the Fourth Regiment Band, I desire to extend our sincere thanks to all who contributed toward the success of the concert and lawn festival held last night and the two held heretofore. The members of the band are very grateful to the ladies wbo con tributed refreshmeots so generously, and 3lso to the macy persons who attended the con cert and made it a success socially and finan ially, and they take this means of thanking chem one and all. Respectfully, R. S. HOOD, Sec. and Treas. 4tb Reg't Band. Some time ago we expressed the opinion that the price of cotton would advance with the season. Neill's esti mate came later, and, although uncon vinced of a record-breaking crop, we held our peace-watching Texas. It makes little difference how short our own crop is; it is only Texas that counts. Texas fills the eye of the consumer. Saturday's reports from Texas seem to settle the questioo. The crop of that State will at least be below the average of the la3t two years, and elsewhere it will be materially smaller. Cotton, therefore, is a good thing to hold There is a great re vival in the mill industry ail over the world. The demand for cottoo goods is increasing and manufacturers will need more cotton than ever before. Cottoo will respond to the prevailing movement toward higher prices. Those producers who are able to hold it on their plantation should do so. thus keeping it from entering into the reports of receipts Those who cannot afford to go without money should store their cottoo in bonded warehouses aod get loans on it. The prospect of an advanoe of half a oent a pound will warrant warehousing it for tb;ee months -The State. Washington Political Gossip McKinley's Truckling to Pub lie Sentiment. MILES MAY BE SENT TO THE PHILIPPINES. Washington. Sept ll.-"End the war in the Philippines speedily, or the result will be disastrous to you and to the republican party " That is the sum and substance of what is being daily dinned into the ears of Mr. McKinley, not by his opponents, but by leading republicans, who know how unpopular that war is becoming all over the country Mr McKinley is gradually becoming con vinced that the reaction in public sentiment concerning his Philippine policy, predicted more than a year ago by Col. Bryan, is at hand, and once fully convinced, there is no teli ing what he may do, for this country bas never had a president who feared the public sentiment of the country as much as Mr. McKinley does, or who tried so hard to make his official acts meet its approval, regardless of his own opinion The most striking thing connected with the hearing on trusts, by the industrial commission, was a daring and somewhat scandalous attack upon Vice Chairman Philips of the com mission, who is connected with an independent oil company in Pennsyl vania, by officials of the Standard Oil trust. Mr. Philips denied the charge that be had been mixed up in an offer to dicker with the Stand ard Oil trust, but the charge left a bad taste in everybody's mouth, and is not calculated to add anything to the prestige of the commission, which isn't any too great at best. Senator StewaTt ie a fine specimen of stalwart radicalism in ail his views He never trims on any ques tion, conservatism is unknown to his mind. He has got it in for France for several reasons, the latest of which is the second conviction of Dreyfus, and says that country really has no government at all, and that we. should break off diplomatic rela tions until France gets a government. The slnator threatens to offer a joint resolution to that effect when con gress meets ; also a bili repealing ali official recognition of the exposition at Paris next year The administration appears to be still detetermined to leave Geo Otis in supreme command in the Philip pines, although Secretary Root is understood to have recommended a change, and to favor sending Gen Miles over there. There is politics in this determination, and it isn't the sort cf politics that reflects any credit upon Mr. McKinley. The Hanna crowd are afraid of Miles now, and if be should go to the Philippines and do what Otis bas signally failed to do, they would fear him still more. They know that Otis is not iikeiy, under any circum stances, to develop popularity enough j to make him a political rival of Mr. j McKinliey. That is why they wish to keep Otis in command, notwith standing the overwhelming evidences from ail sources, of his unfitness, not to call it by a harsher term. The agent of the non partisan Associated Press, in a long letter from Manila, just published, after going into de tails, showing the failure of Otis, sums up by saying : "The secret of the whole trouble here is that the government has left a small man to deal with a most delicate problem, requiring broad statesmanship Ev eryone agrees that Otis is honest, and that counts for much in a posi tion affording such chances for die honesty, but everyone agrees also with the most remarkable unanimity, that he has bungled affairs from the beginning " lt is evident to even the most casual observer of those political currents which are to be found by those who koow how, just below the surface of the party waters, that the republican leaders are carefully pav ing the way to drop Mr Hobart if they shall consider it, expedient to do so The state of Mr. Hobart's health is made the basie of all these preparatory stories If it doesn't improve, "his family will have to veto the idea of his remaining in politics," etc. This is all tommyrot. Mr Hobart has shown upon several occasions, during tbe last three months, notably by his getting Alger to resign, that his health is good enough to do what other men, not on the sick list, failed to do His "health" ie likely to remain in a precarioue condition, until Boss Han na has fully made up hie mind whether it will be best to have him run again with Mr. McKinley, and he isn't likely to fully decide until the national convention meets. Then Mr. Hobart's health will take a good or bad turn, in accordance with Han na's decision. After wobbling around the ques- j tion for about two weeks, the war department, under political preesure, issued the order for the enlistment of two negro regiments for the Philip pines. They will bring the volun teer army up to the limit eet by con gress, which it has been clear from the first that the administration in tended to do. Col. W. J. Bryan was unanimously elected a member of the council of administration, of the Spanish War Veterans association, which has just closed its first encampment, in Wash irjgton, although he did not attend the encampment. Ex Gov. Oates, o Alabama, was a 6o elected a member of the council, as was H. H. Blunt, a Louisiana negro, who waa a lieu tenant in the Ninth immunes Gen. .1 W. Keifer, of Ohio, was elected commander in chief of the new or ganization, which hopes ultimately to embrace ali the state organizations of bpanish War veterans which have been formed. Here's a Sensation. AH Beer Dispensaries Are Ordered Closed. Special Cor. News aod Courier. Colombia, Sept. 9 -The board of control has tired of its own patted child -the beer dispensaries. Al! places wnere beer has been sold are to be closed.1 The edict went forth today. It was unexpected and shocking. It will play havoc with many who have prepared for the business and breaks up the business io the harvest season It is a rather late awakening on the part of the State board. All that is said about; the wide liceose aod latitude of the beer dispensers is so, and io some places the beer dispensaries authorized aod coddled by the State board, by permits, are good old-time saloons for the sale of beer. The mandate goes forth in these resolutions adopted by tbe board this morning. "Resolved, That all beer disp nsaries are hereby ordered closed and the terms of office of such dispensers are declared to be vacant ; this order to become effective on Nov. 1, 1899. "Resolved further, That semi steril ized, or family, beer be supplied to consumers through the regular county dispensaries, and that breweries usually seekiog business with the dispensary ar requested to submit bids to tbe State board of cootrol at the October meeting, proposing to supply such beer bottled and in crates and in snoh quan tities as may be necessary lo be shipped to various county dispensaries direct, and at such times as it may be ordered out by the board. "And it is further resolved, That the board at the October meeting designate such dispensaries as it is deemed pru deDt to require to handle such beer, and that they be required to handle such beer bnsioess by Nov. 1." That Second Chapter. The new pastor was preaching his first sermon. In the middle of it he stopped abruptly and asked: "How many ot" you have read the Bible?" Fifty hands went up. "Good," said the pastor. "Now, how many of you have read the second chapter of Jude?" Twenty-five hands went up. A wan smile overspread the divine's face. "That's also good: but when you go home read that chapter again, and you will doubtless leam something to your interest." There is only one chapter in the book of Judo.-Guthrie (O. T.) Leader. Punctured. Sprocket-Had my tire punctured this morning. Crocket-You don't say so? How did it happen? Sprocket-Riding in a strange coun try and ran against the forks of a road. -Toronto World. A Blt of Superstition. One of the most liberally patronized of the Pennsylvania's many passenger trains is ":he St. Louis express, which leaves the Broad street station each afternoon at 4:."u o'clock. The regular gate for the train is No. 14, but at this season of the year the rush of people to get aboard is so great it becomes necessary to open two gares. No. 13 being the nearest, it is the one selected. The saunterer happened to be in the station the other afternoon when the gates were thrown open. Instantly there was a rush for No. 14 and the crowd became jammed around it for a distance of 30 feet in each direction. Gate No. 13 was practically neglected. "This way for the St. Louis express," called out the ticket puncher at the gate. "This way for the St. Louis ex press." But, although his voice was good and loud, none of the passengers who were struggling around No. 14 seemed to hear it. Out of probably 100 well dressed, intelligent men and women the saunterer saw but three leave the pushing throng around No. 14 and pass through No. 13. Ile asked the gate man why it was. "Don't know." was his answer, "ex cept it's superstition. Afraid to start on a journey by passing through a gate with 13 as its number, I suppose. It's this way every time, and will be, I guess, as long as the number on the gate is left as it is. I believe that the most of the people would rather miss their train, if it came to that, than take chances with their superstitious fears. Funny, isn't it?"-Philadelphia Inquir er. Thc Pope's Entourage. The court cf Fope Leo Xiii comprises 1,000 persons. There are 20 valets, 120 house prelates, 170 privy chamberlains, G chamberlains, 300 extra honorary chamberlains. 130 supernumerary cham berlains, 30 officers of the Noble guard and GO guardsmen, 14 officers of the Swiss guard and police guard, 7 honor ary chaplains, 20 private secretaries, 10 stewards and masters of the horse and 60 doorkeepers. The paupers In Japan number fewer than 10.000 out of a population of 38, 000,000. In that country it is consider ed a disgrace to be an idler. Syndicates Swallow The Long Leaf Pine. Hundreds of Millions of Peet Bought in Many Counties. Florence. Sept 10.-"Within the next twelve mootb.3 there will be a complete career on all the long-leaf pine timber in South Carolina," remark ed a prominent saw mill man yesterday, and from present indications is seems as if his predictions will be verified. The tall yeilow pine trees that for so many years have graced our forests and furnished tho lumber with which our Southern homes have been built are . fast passing into the hands of aliens, and will soon be numbered with the things of the past For several months representatives of capitaliste, especially of three dis tinct firms, have been making a canvass of the counties of Horry, Georgetown, Williamsburg, Clarendon, Berkeley Sumter, Darlington, Florence, Marion and Marlboro, and buying all the timber that could be secured, the price varyiog from 50 cents to 6 an acre. These agents are slick, smooth talkers and the farmer who comes within the the sound of their siren voices find it b^rd to get away without signing one of their carefully worded con tracts Here is where the mischief is done and it is confidently predicted that tbese contracts will result in endless litigation. It has been observed for several months that the lawyers at the various court houses in the counties named have been busily engaged io looking up titles to various tracts of iand to ascertain if the owners oan sell the timber on their lands and if so, the terms of the contract which are signed in substance are as follows : The owner upon the acceptance of the purchase money bargains, sells and relinquishes aN bis claim to the timber standing or lying on his land "that me?aures twelve inches stump diameter, and upwards, twelve inches from tho ground at the time of cutting.7' but a reservation is granted to use the timber from this tract for ordinary planta tion purposes, and a right of way, generally about sixty feet wide, to be used whenever desired by the purchaser or their assigns for a permanent railroad or tramway or for any permanent branch railway or tramway. The pur chaser next gains the right to erect buildings, establish roads, etc., and at the end of contraot, (which never terminates) has the right to carry away every improvement made upon the land. After pledging himself to defend and guard this timber the seller theo enters into an agreement to give the buyer ten, and even in some esses fifteen years to sut and remove this timber-not from the date of the signing of contract, but from the time it might suit the buyer or his assigns to begin. This may be twenty cr forty years hence, it matters not which ; the time limit does not begin until the cutting actually commences, and if at the end of the ten or fifteen years further time is granted for the removal of tbe timber, or rather to allow the younger trees to grow, for an indefinite period of years upon the annual payment of 6 per cent, cf the original purchase money In j the meantime the landowner is bound by this contract to pay the taxes due open 'bis land which in a few years will amount to, and in many cases exceed the amount received for the timber, thus "selling bis birthright for a mess of pottage," and leasing his lands for an indefinite period to these lumber companies for the purpose of raising timber for the Northern and foreign markets. One company claims to have pur chased 96,000,000 feet of lumber during the month of July. If this timber could be seid and removed in a reasonable length of time these lands could be cleared up and used for agricultural purposes, but under existing contracts it is specifically expressed that no part; shall be cleared. This is no overdrawn picture, but the records in the court bouse in each of the counties Damed will verify every statement made. Where the matter wiil end DO one cow knows, but a devoted cid brother in Williamsburg County, of the Presby terian persuasion, who has read the Bible all his life and bas soid bis timber for a good round sum acd pocketed the moDey, declares that be can prove by the Bible that the millennium will begin with the year 1900. Let us hops for his sake, at least, that this prediction will be verified. F. P. Cooper. Ponce. Puerto Rioo, Sept. ll -The steamer Philadelphia, Capt. Chambers, from-Venezuelan ports, brings news of the spread of the revolution and the waning strength of lhe*gcvernment. The insurgent leader, Geo. Citrianao Castro, has 10,000 men under his com mand. According to the same authority, a strict censorship of cable dispatches has been established ; mail matter is freeiy opened, and a close watch is kept upon outgoing passengers. President Andrade has purchased a Spanish gunboat with an equipment of eight guns, for 135,000. Sixty-six prominent politicians, among them Senor Heroaodes and the editor of El Preganaro, were arrested Aug. 14, and moro than five hundred have been taken into custody since. A fierce battle wrs fought on Aug. 23 near Barquesimeto when the insur gents captured 2,000 government troops and secured a large quantity of ammu nition.