Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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u -- -. ijgWfthaoiYi tm i ?. -_ 8?>"o 'S**?. ll or M! ???: l?? ^ ^ ??? By lv^> ? ?. \ "Tomorrow night, my lord, \ ' *k> as well, for I am engaged night." iCYery well; let it be tomorr l?ght. But, mind, this is settl 3tere is no more question abc $his affair. When.I see yon again $rust yon will have no reason to < 1er why Eurie Nerel has not be disposed of." "Yon need have no fears on ti head, my lord. You may consic Ifeat the gunmaker is dead." U ?Eight! So let it be." And thus did the wicked duke d ^pose of Eurie Nevel. Again Olga took a tura across t room, and when he stopped the iras a dark cloud upon his brow. "SaFotano," he said, "there is o: more man whom I at least would 1 assured is not in my way. I mei 3hat infernal monk." "I saw him this morning, n lord, and I am sure he is watchii me. And he is not alone. He hi !-others with him. I have been io lewed, and one of my men-the 01 who entrapped Hevel--told me n< Itwo hours ago that he knew h steps had been followed/' "And do yon think this monk : .at the bottom of it?" asked th duke, with some uneasiness. "I know it, for I have seen hil when I knew he was watching me. "Then why have you not ?ot hil oat of the way ?" "Aha!" uttered the priest, with -dubious shake* of the head. "W cannot always do as we would. Bu h.e shall not live long, if I can hel] JIum off, and I think the opportunit; may offer itself." 'TBfe is a bold fellow. Why, found him only yesterday in my owi palace- in the chamber of th< ---countess." "Ha! And could you not hav< disposed of him then?" ^btwell. it was in broad day and people were about. But if J catch him here again my sword sha!! find his heart 1 have given him le? gal waining. But," continued thc duke after some further thought, ^on must be careful in your deal? ings with him. He may have somr ^organized band always about.him." - "I will be caught in no trap," re turned the priest confident I v. "He shall find that I can be as \een ao ie can. But it is very strange'' V. "What is strange?" asked Olga, starting, for he, too, had been think? ing of a very strange thing. <rWhy, that this black monk should tura up here in Moscow so suddenly and commence, the first thing, to dog my footsteps and hang about your palace/' 11-^Aye," responded *<an(] ^ same thought was in my mind when you spoke. But never mind: he shall ?ot escape me if he presumes much more. By heavens, they shall "inow that the Duke of Tula is not *?? be trifled with. There is but one .power in Moscow above mine, and 4hat is the emperor himself, and I may say that even he is not above me. He cannot get along without me. Does anything turn up tb puz? zle him, he sends straightway for gb *?Fhen use your power for your own good, my lord." "1 will. Fear not for me on that ? score." At this juncture the priest arose f)^6 take his leave. "You have your instructions," ?aid Olga. "J remember them well, my lord, and thev shall be carried out to the * Jeiter/'" s "And when done let me know." ? *1 will obey." And once more the misshapen .priest was in the street and the duke r was alone. "Ah. ray lord," muttered the pli ? ant tool to himself as he walked thoughtfully along, "you may be a Hattie too confident of your own pow? er. ? have known such things in Russia." _ x . CHAPTER XIV. THE MYSTIC TRIBUNAL. \ Away back of the old Cathedral of Moscow and in a narrow, dark court which was overlooked by the towers of the giant edifice stood a curiously constructed stone build? ing, which, though not connected "bodily with the cathedral, yet seem 'cd to belong to it. It was low and broad, with a nat, tiled roof and without a visible window. Within one of the apartments of this build? ing-an apartment away down in the bowels of the earth, where the light of day never came-were seat? ed six men. The room was of fair size, and the floor, the walls and the ceiling were of dark stone. Wooden benches were arranged about the ? ? ? '.' ? ainu M"*"'"? ? ? o . S ? " . J o g ^^^^^^^^^; ^ i ^ I SCOW 0 ll XVAN?S COBB, Jr. 1 *i .a<o? ^W?V>V?V?V?V?V>W?Vio I i-rn-"- 1 iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiTWMfl place, and lhere were some other ar tides of furniture there, too strange contrivances they were anr fashioned after venous shapes am patterns. Bill of that anon. The place was lichte?! bv a large hanging lamp which had just power enougl to make the room gloomy and dis mai. The six men sat about a tabl< on which were a book and sword and the most prominent man there was Vladimir, the monk. And Vladimir alone exposed hi? face. All the rest wore black masks, their robes being of the same mel? ancholy hue. They sat there silent as death, Vladimir gazing down up? on the table and the other five gaz? ing fixedly upon him. They were stout men, ali of them, and they bore themselves toward Vladimir as bears a servant to his acknowl? edged master. "The hour is waxing late," said Vladimir at length, looking up from the table.. His voice sounded in that place like the echo of a tomb. It was low and hollow, and the others started as they heard it. "There's time yet to spare, mas? ter/' replied one who sat next the monk. "I trust we shall not be disap? pointed/' said Vladimir at the expi? ration of a few moments more. To this no answer was returned. At length there came a dull echo from overhead, and the six dark sit? ters started uo to listen. The sound grew louder, and soon it sent down into that dismal chamber the notes of coming footsteps. In a few mo? ments more the heavy iron door creaked upon its hinges, and three men entered, and soon behind them came three more. Those who came in advance were two of them leading the third as a prisoner. And so it .was with those behind. The iron door creaked again, and when the heavy bolts had been shoved into their sockets the two "prisoners were led forward. "Master," spoke one of the new? comers, "we have brought the pris? oners-two of them-as you com? manded." . "It is well," said Vladimir. "Let them be brought before us." As the two men are brought to where the light can strike upon their faces we see the two guides who conducted Ruric ?sFevel to his place of confinement. One of them was he who met Eurie in the street, and the other is the one who guided him into the old bathhouse with the lantern in his hand. They shudder? ed fearfully as they gazed around upon the (dismal scene, and their looks plainly showed that they knew not why thev had been brought thither. "Lesko Totma !" pronounced Vla? dimir. The first of the prisoners-he who had met Ruric in the street started as he heard that name and tried to speak. "Are you the man?" asked the monk, looking into his face. "Yes, holy father," the wretch tremblingly replied. "Then stand VOL: here in front of me." The fellow was moved up in front cf the table, and surprise and fear seemed to be struggling for the mas? tery over him, for he recognized now the straDge monk about whom he had probably heard so much. "Lesko Totma," said Vladimir low and slowly, "you have been seen much in the company of a hump? backed priest named Savotano. You know such a priest, do you not?" 1 The man hesitated. He gazed fur? tively about him and trembled more than before. "Answer me!" "Yes, sir ; I know him." "And now, sir, be sure that you answer mt directly and truly. Do you know a young gunmaker named Ruric Xcvel ?" The fellow started with a percep? tible quake as this question was asked, but he seemed to have been prepared for it, for his answer was direct. "No, sir; I do not." "Ha! Beware! Think well be? fore you speak." "If you mean the man who fought the duel with the Count DamonofT, then 1 have heard of him, but I do ; not know, that 1 ever saw him." "Thon you are sure of this?" "Of course I am." "Frederic Viska !" The second prisoner now came ! forward, fie was a few years youn- j ger than his companion, though somewhat larger and evidently more bold. Totma was conducted out of ? the apartment as Viska came for? ward. "You, too, have been in the com? pany of this priest, Savotano, have . you not ?" the monk asked. "1 know him," the fellow repli?e with a slight touch of defiance in hi tone. He had not surely looke about him to -see those strange cor trivances by which he was surrounc ed, or he would not have venture such a tone. "And vou have been some in hi company ?" "Perhaps so." "Very well. And, now, do yo not also know Ruric Nevel?" "I have seen him, too, sir." "And now can you tell me wher he is at this present time ?" "No," was the answer, short an quick. "Beware! If you have any re gard for your own welfare, you wil answer me truly. Where is Ruri< Nevel?" "I tell you I know nothing abou him-nothing at alL" "And of this you are sure ?" "Who art you that assume U question me thus? I know you not.' Viska spoke this in a tone of vir? tuous indignation, probably think ing that that turn might serve him. "We will let you into the secrel by and by," the monk returned with a peculiar shake of the head "But I will ask you once more, dc you know where Xevel is?" "No!" "You need not speak quite sc loud. We hear easily." "Then don't ask me impertinent questions," retorted the prisoner. Vladimir started half way up, and his fists were clinched, but the quick flush passed from his face, and he sat back again.. "Look ye," he said as soon as he was sure his anger would not mani? fest itself, "were I not sure that vou know what I ask I would not ques? tion you thus. And now, once more I ask you, will you give me some clew to the whereabouts of Ruric Nevel?" "Fl! answer you once more. I know nothing about him. You must not think that this dark place and you men all dressed in black can fright men into telling a lie as it might a child." At this point Vladimir turned to one of his men, one of those who helped bring the prisoners in, and said: "You know this to be the man ?" "Yes, my master." "And you have seen him in pri? vate confab with the humpbacked priest ?" "Thave." "And the other things you told me are true ?" "They are, master." "Then let down those interpret? ers/; At this command two cf the at? tendants moved to the back side of the room, where they unhooked a stout chain from the wall, and as they allowed it to slide through their hands a curious piece of ma? chinery descended directly in front of thc table. It consisted of a stout bar of iron which was suspended midway upon the chain and there rested parallel with the ceiling. Up? on each end of this bar were straps of iron armed with springs and screws. At a motion from the monk the prisoner was led back till he stood directly beneath the bar, and then his arms were seized and raised up. He struggled some and cursed more, but he was soon over? come. The iron bands were passed around his wrists, and connected with these were two small cups which were slipped over the thumbs. After these had been firmly secured the chain was tightened, and the fel? low's hands were raised far abo his head. There were two results produced by tightening the chain. It not only tended to draw the thumbs back upon the wrists, but it also twisted the thumb, the two cups being armed with filelike teeth with? in and closing tightly upon the flesh. "Kow, sir," spoke Vladimir lowly and deeply, "J am going to ask these questions again, and you will do well to answer them truly. Will you tell nie where Ruric Nevel is?" "I don't know." "Will von tell me where you saw him last ?" "1 haven't seen him since he fought the duel with Damonoff." "Beware!" "1 have not." "Mark me. 1 have had you watch? ed, and I know t hat you Im ve seen Nevel within these three days. This 1 know, so 1 have no hesitation in the course I am about lo pursue. Once more, where is Ruric Xevel ?" Thc man hesitated now, but his answer was still the same. Ile would not tell. Vladimir made a motion to the two men who stood by the wall, and they gave a pull upon the chain. "0 God!" gasped the prisoner as the painful twist and wrench came upon his thumbs. "Will you answer?" "How can 1 ? How can I?" "By speaking what you know." "I know nothing." Another signal was made to the men at the chain, and they pulled again; another groan from the pris? oner, but no other response. Another signal and another pull. "Mercy!" shrieked the poor wretch, quivering with pain. "Will you answer?" 1 "I don't know." "Then we must try again." "No, no; O God, no more!" "But vou must answer." "1 don't know." "Then you must have forgotten, and such treacherous memories need starting up." As Vladimir thus spoke he waved his hand again. "0 God, have mercy! Oh-o-o! Save me! Save me!" "Save yourself." ' The wretch was in torment now without ceasing. Nearly the whole of his weight bore upon his wrists and thumbs, and the latter were drawn over almost to the wi 1st. But he would not answer. He had a deeper fear than this. He feared to break the horrid oaths by which he was bound to the scheming priest. One more pull upon the chain, and the man's feet were cleur of the floor. His whole weight now bore upon his thumbs, and he groaned in the agony of torture. He bore it a few moments, but his coward soul could bear no more. "0 God! Down, down! Let me down!" "But answer. Where is Eurie Ne vel?" "I-I-don't" "Hold, thou false hearted vil? lain !" shouted Vladimir in a voice of thunder. "This is the last of this torture, but when we take you from here we can put you into a state compared with which the pain you now experience is real joy. Each particular limb shall be wrenched all out of shape, and your very eyes shall start out like" "Down, down! 0 great God, down!" "Where is Eurie ?evel ?" "IT1 tell you ! I'll tell you if you spare me !" "Tell me first!" There was a moment more of hes? itation, one single moment, and then the miserable wretch gave up. "He's in the bathhouse." "Ha! Where?" "In the old bathhouse near the river on the Tula pass in one of the vaults!" "Very well. Let him down." The chain was slacked up, and Frederic Viska was once more upon his feet. He trembled yet, for there was pain in his arms. "Now carry him out," ordered Vladimir, "and bring the other one in." In a few moments more Lesko Totma was before the strange tri? bunal. 'He trembled fearfully, for he had been where he could hear his companion's groans without hearing what he said. "Lesko Totma," spoke the monk in a low, deep tone, "we have given you time for thought, and mayhap you have your memory brightened by this time. Now, where is Eurie Nevel?" "I don't know." "Ah, you still forget, eh?" "I never knew." "A most strange forgetfulness, I must confess. Let the interpreters be adjusted !" "Oh, mercy ! Don't murder me !" But no notice was taken of his cries. The straps and conical cups were adjusted and the chain drawn tight. At the first turn of the self acting screw the fellow shrieked, it was jot so much with the present pain as with the fear of what was to come. The very presage of the place, so dark and dismal, had more effect upon his mind than it had up? on his companion. At a second pull of the chain he groaned and begged for mercy. He had heard of this dark place, and he fancied that men who came there seldom went away alive. "Hark ye. base wretch," the monk said, "if you do not tell me where the young gunmaker is I'll have you torn limb from limb. Another pull, there!" As the wrench came again the vil? lain fairly shouted with pain. "Oh, let me go! Let me go! I'll tell all!" "Then tell. You leave not this place alive until you have told." "He is-0 God! He is-in the old bath!" "Where?" "The duke's bath, on the pass of Tula!" "Whereabouts there ?" "In the lowest, farthest vault. Oh, spare!" Vladimir waved his hand, and the quaking wretch was freed from his torture. "Now conduct them both to tho dungeons and lock them up. They mus? no! run at large for the pros? ent. Let ihcm be secure." ".\To, no." cried V iska, who had been bronchi back. "You were io let nie *o if ! told von." "Kol free, sir.'" said Vladimir. "But you luive no right to hold me thus. I am nearly dead wit!) pain now where you have torn my hands in pieces. By the" "Silence, dog! My authority here is my power. My right is my might. 1 have you, and I will keep you. Were I to let you go I might not 1 have the power to catch you again, as legal officers could. Lead them off, and then we'll turn our atten? tion to the duke's bath!" [TO BE CONTINUED.] A SENATOR DISGRACED. How Mr. Dietrich, of Nebraska, Dodged a Shameful Charge. Omaha, Neb., Jan. 8.-The trial of Senator Charles H. Dietrich for alleg? ed bribery, in connection with the appointment of a postmaster at Hast? ings, Neb., came to an abrapt end to? day, when the United States Circnit Court, Judge Vandeventer presiding, decided that Dietrich was not a Sena? tor at the time the alleged acts oc? curred. The opinion was a lengthy one and is said to be a precedent. Upon this decision, District Attorney Sum? mers entered a nolle in other cases against the Senator, with the state? ment that the construction placed on the law by the Court precluded further proceedings against Senator Dietrich or Postmaster Fisher, both of whom were discharged. District Attorney Summers stated to the Court that the Government had not within bis knowledge ever placed a man on trial on what might be termed a technical violation of the law. He said that under the construction upon Section 1,781 Dietrich had enjoyed the lease, but a short time after be had become a United States Senator, that is after taking the oath. He &aid that although he bad received rentals from -April 24 to December 2, under the Court's construction of the section there had been no violation of the law. The property was deeded to Senator Dietrich's daughter shortly after December 2, 190L "I would not," said the district attorney, "ask. a jury to return a verdict of guilty against a man under any circumstances unless I believe such a verdict to be in the interest of justice." The Court, therefore, on motion of the district attorney, entered a nolle to the indictment, which cleared the docket of the cases against Dietrich and Fisher. In his opinion Judge Vandeventer said: "The two houses of Congress, under the Constitution, are the only judges of who shall sit as members of their respective bodies. The district attorney bas admitted that there was no session of Congress from 28, the date of the election by theJLegislaturej of Dietrich, and December 2, the date of the convening of Congress. Until the latter date there could be no ques? tion raised as to bis actual member? ship in the Senate, nor could he qualify before that body until that time. Until then it was not known whether he would be permitted to en? ter upon bis duties as a United States Senator and as the representative of the people of Nebraska before that body." The opinion then defines the mean? ing of m embers-elect, ex-mern be rs and members of Congress and closes : "Our opinion, therefore, is that this defendant was not a United States Senator at the time of the acts charg? ed in this indictment, within the in? hibition jf this statute. The jury is instructed to find a verdict of not guilty." Immediately after the verdict was ordered for defendant, District At? torney Summers announced that he wished to enter a nolle in the case of Jacob Fisher, postmaster at Hastings, explaining his motion by saying: " If Charles H. Dietrich was not a member of Congress until after De? cember 2, 1901, and the Court held that he was not, then, Jacob Fisher cannot be put upon trial for or on ac? count of agreeing to pay or paying certain sums of money to him or per? forming contracts for him during the months from July to October, 1901, under a contract made with him as a member of Congress, whereby Jacob Fisher was to be appointed postmas? ter." The Court made the order. TO FIGHT THTGIEWEEVIL Congress Makes tha Sum of $250,000 Available. Washington, Jan. 8.-The House to? day made available the sum of $250, - 000 to be used to meet the emergency caused by the ravages of the cotton boll weevil and other insects and dis? eases affecting cotton. The measure had the support of both sides and was adopted without division. The sum is diverted from the half million dol? lars appropriated last year to eradicate the foot and mouth disease among cattle. Mr. Burleson, of Texas, eyplained that the bill simply diverted money heretofore appropriated for another purpose, and did not make a new appro? priation. He urged the importance of the passage of the bill to: the cotton growing sections, giving the history of the boll weevil and what it has done. Mr. Gillette, of Massachusetts, call? ed attention to another insect-the gypsy moth-which has been brought to New England and which, he said, was equally dangerous and should re? ceive attention with a view to extermi? nation. Mr. Robinson, of Michigan, said he believed it would be establishing a bad precedent to pass the bill. Mr. Gillette, of Massachusetts, offer? ed an amendment for an additional ap? propriation Of $250,000 for the eradica? tion of the Egyptian moth. The Speaker sustained a point of order against the amendment and the bill was passed without division. It provides that the sum made available may be expended by the Secretary of Agriculture in snell manner as be shall deem best, in cooperation with State experiment stations and practi? cal cotton growers, if the Secretary of Agriculture s-hall deem it advisable, io meet thc emergency caused by the ravages of the cotton boll weevil and other insects affecting cotton. Pension bills to the number of 115 were considere ! in committee of the whole and passed. The House ad jcurn ed until Monday. Omaha, Neb., Jan. 5.- Itis officially stated tcday that E. H. Harriman will bf come president of the Union Pacific railroad, to succeed Horace G. Hurt; whose resignation was recently announced. A general manager will be i amed. who will be lie, active head of the affairs of the road, with head? quarters in Omaha. The road will be operated by a method similar to that in vogue on the Southern Pacific railroad. Mr. Harriman's incumbency, it is stated, will be one j ear, at the end of which period his permanent successor, if any, will be named. HAND POWER BUSBY. New Invention That May Compete With the Automobile* A motorless >auto-buggy, propelled by means of hand-wheels, may soon be a familiar feature of street traffic, if the hopes of J. H. Blackburne of Lib? erty, DeKalb, county, are realized. That they will be realized Mr. Black? burne is confident and the fact that on Saturday he received from the United States patent office letters patent on his invention, have made him very sanguine. Mr. Blackburne on Monday exhibit? ed the patent to an American reporter, and showed detailed drawings of the invention, which he believes is destin? ed to suceed the automobile as that machine has succeeded the horse drawn vehicle. Briefly described, the invention is an ordinary buggy with the exception that the rear axle and wheels revolve together ; the axle ia ball-bearing. It is connected with a system of gearings,, for every turn of hand wheel, whick, rises from the buggy bottom in front of the passenger, revolves the larger rear wheels sixteen times. From this it can easily be figured that as one torn of the power wheel, turning the rear wheel sixteen times, will carry the vehicle something like 177 feet. Thirty revolutions of the power wheel would therefore carry the vehicle a mile. One turn of the wheel every four seconds would mean a speed of thirty miles an hour, and Mr. Blackburne asserts that a child-can turn the wheel with ease and secure as great a speed as a grown man. In fact, Mr. Black? burne further asserts that a one-fourth model of his invention was required by the patent office before issuing a. patent, and that his grandson, twelve years old, operated the miniature ve* hicijjpn the streets of Washington,, creajpg a sensation by the speed at? tained. Colonel Blackburne states that bag? gies equipped with the invention can be built and placed on the market tc sell for $100 to $125 each, and he is confident that it will not be long until the streets of Nashville are crowded with his invention. He states that the model he will have ready in two weeks will be capable of attaining a speed of a mile a minute, and he as? serts that as a test he will ride in the machine over any turnpike, preferring those with the steepest grades in order' to show the hill-climbing ability of the machine. He states that he can mske the trip from Nashville to Le? banon and return in less than two hours, the distance being about twenty miles each way.-Nashville American. NEW SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY. lt is Thought That Thermit is the Exact Opposite of Liquid Air. Dr. Hans Goldschmidt of Essen, has invented thermit. It is the exact op? posite of liquid air, and is composed of oxygen in the form of oxides and aluminum. Combined and ignited... these substances produce a tempera? ture equal to that of the arc light, and of the highest value for the welding cf large pieces of iron and steel, es? pecially in the repair of broken parts of huge machines, which it is not desired to take apart and send to a great forge. Thus, it will be of inesti? mable value for the welding of shiips' parts, fractured sections of ordinance and for work on bridges and railways.. It already has been proved to be of the greatest commercial importance, . having been employed for the purposes indicated in nearly all cf the principal cities of Europe, for, unlike liquid air, its uses are not confined to she wholly spectacular side of science. Thermit compound is a grayish black powder, much like coarse gun? powder in appearance. When it is* desired to secure pure iron, either for welding or for the arts, this powder is placed in a crucible of magnesia, or other substance that will resist the maximum of heat, with a quantity of iron rust, and then ignited by a pinch of peroxide of barium and a fuse. The result is, immediate. The oxygen of the iron rust combines with the aluminum, producing aluminum oxide, while the iron contained in the oxide of iron sinks to the bottom below the aluminum slag. This action takes less than one min? ute. An enormous heat is devekpec with safety, for the crucible may be moved about with the hands. The chemical reaction provides a rapid evolution of heat, which when started from a given point, raises the next nearest portions of the mixture to a temperature sufficiently high to cause another reaction, and this mode of heat propagation continues until the entire contents of the crucible are ig? nited.-Milwaukee Sentinel. - i- II ? - - Elk playing cards. For sale by H.. G. Osteen & Co. Master's Sale. \ BY VIRTUE of a Decree cf the Court of Common Pleas for Sumter County, in the State of S nth Carolin?, in the case or Catherine M. Werber against W. 0. Cain, in his own right and as Guardian, Marion Moise, William M. Cain, S. R. Cain, Carrie E. Geurge, Helen E Ramsey, Thomas J Jackson, B. J. Jackson, and J. B. Karvin, I ? ill sell to the highest bidder at the C >urt House in the city of Sumter, in said conr ty and State, on' sale day in February. 1904, being the first day of said month, dunne the usual hours of sale, the follow? ing described real estate, to wit : 1st. All that tract of land situate in the County of Sumter, State aforesaid, containing one hundred and thirty-thre^ acres, bounded on the north by Janis of H. D. Cain, south by lands John J. Rowland, and Isaac Ballard, east by estate of R. B. Cain, known as the "Mill Tract," and west by land of A. J. China. 2d. All that tract of land situate in ?aid county and Stat?, containing ox.? hundred and seventy-five acres, bounded north by lands of J. S. Richardson, south by lauds of J. R. Cain, east by lands of F.. M. Mellett and by the estai e of R. M. Cain and west bj land of J. T. Jackson. Except the ninety-five ac^es of land heretofore conveyed to Jane Rose and David Nathaniel. Term& of sale cash. Purchaser to pay. for papers. H. FRANK WILSON, Jan i)^ Master, for Sumter County..