Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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3j B HAMLIN COPYRIGHT. 1905. ^liaym??cl's eyes flashed -with a silent menace, but he did ?.s he was told, and ms he put the chair down for Ann he toted it with his hat Xouis was husky voiced with joy. "IDid you see that, Ann? TH have to .work that in somewhere." Baker continued, in the same tone, ^Oan't you rustle a little grub for the J ttnpany, Jack?" Baymond curtly replied, 'Til try Jsard." Baker, who was gaining self control, turned to Ann, "We have to humor OTT cooks out here. They're scarce and .mighty uncertain in their minds-stop -?Ead shy at nothin', like a locoed steer." louis clapped his hands. "Oh, isn't tte talk good, Ann? And these chairs -aren't they fine?" *<Cook made 'em," said Baker. "He's Sandy as a bootjack with tools." Ann ignored the chairs, but studied 'tte cook, whose curiously absorbed, sullen yet deft movements interested her. He appeared to be about thirty -years of age, and his lean, powerful figure dignified the rough and dust stained clothes he wore. His profile -ares stern and manly, but his chin was youthful. His eyes she had not yet j seem. TSaymond, on his part, was fairly abashed by the grace and youthful j *&arm of his visitor. She reminded ? j_t\ ? . I 1 . s 4 ?' " ' l?t ?ure makes a fillin? cornMnxiUon" trim, as she stood there calmly looking ?bout the grimy walls, of the stories he nad read of princesses visiting the huts : ni their peasantry. She was of good I ?eaght, but the proud lift of her head ! sande her seem taller than she was, | ?nd the cut of her gown, the color of lier gloves and hat, told of good taste ?ad the service of the best tailors and I ??reinere. J^Great Scott!" .he said to "f?mself. "She's an up to date beauty. *What will I do to feed her?" And, im? perturbable as he looked, his heart ?auk within him, and if he could have ?ed honorably he would have cone so instantly. Saymond took no pains to be noise? less or dainty in his work, but every unaoment told. He sloshed out the cof SJpepot and sliced the bacon and stirred ?jp the fire, all with a grace and quiet 'Signify which opened Ann's eyes in an "^effort to understand him. His hands "were noticeably fine, and the poise of 3ns head expressed strength and pride. Se was very brown, almost as brown as the leather cuffs he wore on his arms. Once, when he passed out of hearing, -i^jshe turned to Baker suddenly and ask? ed: "Why does your cook wear spurs ? An aff station, I suppose." Baker flushed and stammered. "Well, .Jtto; he has to help with the cattle once in awhile." Baymond called to Perry, who was seated on the doorstep. "Perry, jump ?your horse and round up a dry cotton? wood snag. This brash is of no sort of use. I want a hot fire." Louis beamed on Ann. "He's talking just like Walter Owen's heroes." Ann silenced him. "Hush! He'll hear you." Baker, quite ready to take a fall out ot Raymond, interposed: "He's a little hard -at first, but reel sociable when you git him started. He's shy as a rab? bit when they's any company round." Raymond uttered a cough which made Baker start. "I guess I'll go out and see what that driver has done with his horses." Louis sprang up. 'TU go, too, if you --flon't mind, sis." As Ann looked round the low ceiled xoom in which the flies buzzed her eyes rfell upon a little case of books in the corner. For h?ck of something better to do, she rose to inspect them. She was surprised to find them mainly es? says, and wondered who of these men read Emerson and BurrougL-^ One of them was a book of verse. Raymond's name ^as on the fly leaf. '*How handsome the cook is!" was her inward exclamation as she return ied to her seat. She was not one of |hose_who sit in silence when they wish PERI GARLAND f HAMLIN GARLAND -- ?? ? ? I -.,.? ??. !-n " information, "and, lift??gT?er voice little, she said: "I understood Mr. Barnett to say th yon had a woman to cook for yon?" Raymond shifted a stove lid. " Y did." "Where is she?" "Gone-a week ago." "Isn't there any woman about tl placer He peered into the coffeepot "? one but yon." Ann sat in silence for a moment ' didn't understand. Mr. Barnett said" Raymond straightened and looked ; her somberly. "If Barnett paid a litt more attention to his ranch and less polo- I wrote him, more than a we* ago, that Jon^sy was pullin' t? freight" Ke returned to his cooking. Ann composedly went on. "Was Jone the name cf the foreman?' "No, he was assistant; but he wi married, and bis wife was our doug twister. He's gone to Skytown gol camp. The whole country is full o' tl fever." Ann, with a note of sympathy in hi voice, said: "I don't like to see a bij strong man cook. Do you get exti pay for it?" "Not a cent We all take turns ? it, to tell the honest truth." "I hope you're the best cook?" "That wouldn't be saying much, lad: I cook in self defense." Ann opened her eyes at the signif canee of this phrase. "Then you don do lt as a-a business." "Not by a whole row o' steers. D you like prunes and rice?" he aske nastily. Ann looked into the dish which h held out toward her and gravely rc plied: "I don't think I ever ate anj "iou don't mean they're cooked tc gether?" "That's what It sure makes a fi! ing combination," said he, dishing som out before her. "I can well believe it," she repli?e with a humorous intonation. "Let m taste it. Perhaps 1*11 like it." As sh nibbled a little of the mess from th spoon she glanced up at him with ? queer little smile that made the roon whirl before his eyes. "It seems a nu ! tritious mixture." He recovered himself. "Oh, it's J i hearty mess, all right. My cookinj j isn't fancy" T beg your pardon," Ann hasten? to explain, "I didn't mean to criticise I didn't intend to hurt your feelings I'm snre it's a very tasty dish." "Oh, I don't blame you; but, you see we're not running a summer hotel ex aetly. Still, we'll make you as com fortable as we can while you stay." "By which you mean to hint you hopi I won't stay |j>ng." She was frankly amused. He became very sincerely grave. "J didn't say that, lady.'" "But you meant it. I'm not obtuse I know when I am out of place. ] shall flee tomorrow." She was forcing his hand, as he wei] knew, but he remained gravely sim? ple. . "I'll be sorry if our grub or any? thing else "should scare you out." She changed the subject quickly. "I can see that Louis is to be perfectly happy down here. I am glad I came. I shall feel much more resigned to his being here now that I. have met ; Mr. Raymond and you." Raymond remained inexpressive. "Your brother is an enthusiast I be? lieve you said. He'll be more charita j ble than-than you, for instance." j Ann didn't like his emphasis. "I j don't wonder at your resentment. Our j coming is an imposition, but if I had . known-please be kind enough to ad? mit that I didn't know how you were situated." Raymond resumed his cowboy man? ner. "Now, lady, you let that <go. I don't blame you a hair. You're here, .and I'll see-I mean, the boss will see we'll all see-that the boy is treated right and I'll guarantee that he gets a fair share of what's going. I'm not apologizing, but I hope you won't take us on the wrong slant. I hope you'll come often. You brighten up the place wonderfully." Ann drew herself up. "I don't under? stand you, Mr." "Call me cook-Mr. Cook. Anything goes out here." They were now squared before each other, he with a malicious smile lurk? ing at che corner of his mouth, she with dark and puzzled brow. "Of course, you cowboys are all strange to me-I mean your manners and customs-but my roommate at col? lege told me a good deal about this life, j She was from Colorado." ! He betrayed new interest "What was your college? Smith?" Ann lifted her eyebrows in surprise. "No. What made you think it was?" Raymond began to retreat. "Oh, I don't know. You seemed about that style. I mean to say. you carry your? self like a Smith college girl that came down here once with Mrs. Barnett." He caught up the water bucket. "Ex cuse me a minute. I'll run down to the spring and get some water." His go? ing was equivalent to flight. Ann smiled composedly as she sipped her coffee, which was very good in? deed. Louis burst in at the door. "Sis. you ought to see the corrals out here. They J have ninety head of horses! Think of I that! And I'm to ride all I want to." i Baker, who. appeared Just behind him, put in a drawling word: " Teared like he wanted to ride four to once, like a circus man. Are you gettin' somethin' to eat, miss?" "Oh, yes, indeed." Louis, throwing down his cap in imi? tation of l?aymond, cried out, "I'm hungry !" Ann turned to Baker. "Mr. Fore? man, isn't there something mysterious about your cook? Part of the time he speaks like a ?man of the world and part of the time like a rancher. I think he's playing a part, and playing it badly." "What makes you think so?" asked j Louis. "They say he's a bully rider." "They ain't none better, miss," re j plied Baker., who began to' look a little uneasy. ;?nn pursued her point "I think he's one of those romantic cowboys who have sc'en better days-perhaps an English nobleman in disguise." Baker was always ready when a chance to get even with Raymond of? fered itself. He puckered his plump face into a frown of deep concern. "I guess you're some right, miss, but he ain't no English lord, I don't think. We never inquire very close into a man's pediifree out here if he can ride a cayuse tJid flip a gun. But he's American, ?.11 right, and a good cook." "Is Cook .Uis real name?" Baker became cautious. "Did he say his name was Cook? If he did, that goes. I'm not in the habit of disputing him." '"No, he didn't tell his name, but he intimated that I might call him Cook. Your name is Raymond, isn't it?" Baker was again slow^ to answer. "Did he intimate that my name was Raymond?" Ann after looking at him in silence remarked gravely, "Of course, you're both having fun with us because we're from the east, and I don't think it quite nice in you." Baker began to look distressed. "Oh, see here, miss, jrou mustn't think you're all wrong! Why, we're delight? ed-we-you see" Ann tun.ed to Louis. "Louis, you are living out one of Owen's stories this very minute. I want you to stay here until you can meet these people on their own ground." She faced Bak? er again. "Tell me more about this cook. He's a college man, and there's some hidden mystery, as the story books say. What brought him to this pass? Is Le a fugitive from justice?" Baker took a seat and appeared to ponder. "Well, now, I don't like to say. You see, it ain't safe to tell tales on Cook. Ii you'll swear not to breathe a word" "Hold up your hands, Louis, and swear!" cried Ann. "Of course we won't teli." Baker settled into his chair. "You mustn't blame him till you hear the hull story, but he killed a feller back east, somewhere in Illinois." Ann started melodramatically. "Real? ly?" Baker, pleased with his success, add? ed, "Two of 'em, in fact." Louis, wide eyed with interest, "What did he do it for?" Baker, flowing with pleasure in the work of his own imagination, cut loose from his moorings. "It was this way: He was courting a girl-the-daughter of a rich farmer-and her family was hot because !Etob was poor, and her dad put another fellow on to tell lies about Rob's drinkin' and all that and Rob met up with this feller and just natu? rally piped him full of soft nose bullets. That led him to seek higher altitudes, as the newspapers say. Now,' that's the plain tru'ii of the whole business, as I heard it' Louis [pursued the inquiry. "Who was the other man he killed?" "The d?ppity sherf. Had to do that to get away." Ann looked about "You say he reads these bocks?" "When he has time. He dotes on 'em." "Do you read them?' "Great Scott no! I'd go to sleep over suca things. "The Boy's Own' is about my size." Ann's tone was reflective. "That's queer. ;.VTr. Barnett said you were a great reader." Baker paled, then got red. He had walked into a clever little trap. He wriggled in his chair. "Did he say that? Well-I-I used to, but lately-" Ann lc oked at him keenly and said calmly: "You also are an impostor. Your .naine isn't Raymond-you're not the foreman. You are all bandits and have stclen my cousin's ranch and are running it to suit yourselves. I believe you killed poor old Mr. Jones and his wife." . Louis sprang to his feet "Ann, what do you mean?" Baker threw up both, hands. "Hold on! Don't shoot! I'll come down. I knew I couldn't keep the game going." He rose, and his manner changed. "Now listen. I'll tell you the square toed truth. It was my turn to cook, ard Rnymond-that's our boss-when he heaid you was comin', knowin' I couldn't cook sour bran mash, says: j 'Baker, you'll have to play boss while j the company's here. I've got to toss up the bacon and prunes. Xow that's tlie fact lady." Ann. with conviction, turned to Louis: ' "Now [ believe he's telling the truth. What is your name?" "John Edwin Baker-Jack, the boys call me. I never had any other name, Pm sorry to say, and I came here from Kansas. I never killed anything big ger'n a coyote. I'm just a plain cow puncher at twenty-six per month." Raymond, reappearing ?rt the door, put them all into guilty confusion. His eyes vere too keen to be withstood. and Ann's lashes fell for a moment as lie offered the dipper. "Like a cool drink, lady?" T?JO recovered herself instantly. "Thank you, if you will be so kind." Rayi ?ond threw a glance at Baker that propelled him through thc door? way as palpably as a kick, then turned to Louis. "How does the grub go, younga tor?" "BuDy!" replied the boy as he took 1 up a spoonful of rice. His eyes folli ed the little figure of the rancher v joy. Ann cut In with a grave face, bel by something in her voice. "I did suppose a foreman would stoop cook." The young fellow frowned. "Whi that?" Ann went on, "I think it's nice of y Mr. Raymond, to abase yourself to rim of a kettle." "Excuse me, lady, but"- He lool about for Baker. Ann interposed. "That's twice you called me 'lady.' No real cowboy e1 does that, I'm told, so you must be impostor." Raymond's face flushed with ang "See here! What has that fat jacki been saying to you about me?" Ann, calmly smiling, made 1 charges specific. "You're not the co You're called Robert Raymond. You the foreman and a graduate of H var1 university, like all superior cc boys, and you have gallantly voil teered to cook in order that we mii eat Now, isn't this true?" Raymond was stunned for a mome but as she went on his head lifted, a into his eyes leaped a spark of i light "Wait till I sight that scoundi You'll have a fine chance to study cowboy in action. What else did say?" "He told us all about your fight' w: your rival. It was very thrilling. I like being a character in a novel 01 self. I'm quite exalted by the though Raymond's eyes ceased to glow, faint smile quivered at the corners his lips as he bowed gracefully. "Mi Rupert, permit me to astonish you st more. My name, though alliterative, my own. I have never killed a man' he looked toward the door-"that i credible ass will be my first I am n a graduate of Harvard, and I did n leave my native town between tv days. Does this disappoint you?" "Most deeply. Are there no mitigi lng circumstances?" "None whatever. I am hopeless commonplace. I'm not even a cowbo I'm foreman of a hay ranch." "You destroy our dreams. But the books are yours?" Raymond's eyes wavered. "Well, y -some of them, but I don't care pose as the student rancher. The bo.1 respect me now because I can ride horse and pitch hay. I make it a poi: not to air my other accomplishments" He was interrupted by a series i faint yells, and as they all listened tl swift trample of horses' hoofs could I heard. Louis sprang up, all excit ment, his eyes glowing. "What is that-Indians?" Raymond smiled at Ann. "No, on! a bunch of cowboys passing." B stepped' to +he door to study their a] proach. "It's a mob of Williams' mei I don't know what they're doing here. The rush and trample of hoofs swej. nearer, and a group of five drab co ored horsemen drew up at the hitchin pole with loud outcries, each man se ting his pony on end with a wrench a the reins. "Hello, Bob!" shouted the leader. . "Howdy, boys-howdy?" he replie coldly. It was plain he was not we", pleased by their inopportune call. "Got anything to eat?" asked one o them as he swaggered up. "Sure thing. Tidy up and come in. Raymond, turning to Ann, said gently "Perhaps you and the boy had bette step into the other room. This gang i coming in." "They're not dangerous?" "No, but some of them are not fit t< eat in the presence of a lady." "Louis will want to see your guests.' "Very well," replied Raymond anc turned to meet his visitors, who ap peared fresh from a hasty toiiet "Come right in, boys. What's the besi word from over the ridge?" The man who entered first was a big rawboned, wide mouthed, freckle faced fellow, who gaped in amazement as h? caught sight of Ann. "Hello! .What's all this?" he asked, hunching the man next him. * The insolent vulgarity of his tone brought a flush of anger to Raymond's face. "Shut up!" he commanded in a low voice. Then added in explanation, "Some of Barnett's folks visiting the ranch." At the moment he hated them all with a sudden realization of their essential cheapness and their fi&hy manners. As they took seats each man glanced at Ann with furtive, devc/uring eyes, and she thrilled under the scrutiny as she would have done beneath the glare of a wolf. She had a sudden sense of danger. "I am getting close to the ele? mental man," she thought, and by con? trast Raymond, assumed new interest. Though his clothing was almost as rough as theirs, his face and voice be? trayed good blood and refinement. She wondered whether Wayne Peabody could stand between such a mob of ruffians and a woman. This man Ray? mond dominated them easily. Louis sat as one entranced studying the groupings in the sunset light, which had begun to dim a little. To him these men were heroic. Their physical hardihood, their slouching grace, their rumpled hair, their tag ends of ker? chiefs and greasy belts and cuffs were ail "bang up material." The avid glare under which Ann shivered was hidden from the eyes of the boy, but Raymond took note of every nudge, every wink that passed, and once or twice he fixed his eyes on the man they called Spec? kle in a look which stayed a coarse jest upon his lawless lips. They talked of the great new mining camp on the side of Mogalyon. whereto they were all bound. "They're striking it rich in the grass roots, and we're go? ing up to take a hand in it. Why, last week they made three strikes on Pine j mountain within fifteen feet of the sur? face. They say the placer is turning out $10 a day. So we're riding up to turn a rock on our own account. The cattle business is done for. Gold chas ing is the game now." "Say, Raymond," called out a little man down by the stove, "you'd better hustle out Tour ga?g lina "meet "that fire. It's corning right over the ridge this way and is getting worse every minute." Raymond's face betrayed keen inter? est. "I've been trying to locate that fire all day. It's over about Round Top, isn't it?" "Oh, no. It's away this side. Looks like it's sure to take Williams' hay if he don't watch out, and yours too." "Why didn't you ride over and see just where it was?" asked Raymond. "Too busy," Speckle replied loudly, and the others laughed. "I'm after gold now. I'm sick o' forkin' hay." Raymond's voice grew sterner. "You didn't leave Williams short handed to fight that fire?" "No matter whether we did or not; we've got done. Our time was up; we've got our pay. He can fight his own fire; we're not responsible." They all laughed as though this were a good joke. Raymond's next words were as cold and calm as they were unexpected. "You get up and get out o' here, every man of you. I mean now." His anger broke out as they started. "I don't He landed outside the door on all fours. feed men who leave a rancher short handed with a fire rampin' down on him." He rose and stood beside the door. Speckle rose and stared in silence,, coffee dripping from his jaws. "You want to go easy with me, Rob Ray? mond. You've done me dirt enough al? ready." Raymond's face was pallid with pas? sion. "Get out!" They perceived his deadly earnest? ness "?n?l tramped out, out Speckle blustered: "I see you again. I get you for this. You crawl for this." Raymond's hand dropped upon his shoulder, and he landed outside the door on all fours. With his hand on his revolver, the young foreman stepped out and watched them mount Ann could hear their threats as they rode away, and Louis, breathless, ab? sorbed, his mouth open, stood in the doorway. CHAPTER IV. Jt NN had been absorbed in a /\ study of the cowboys. In her I \ own walk of life even the ?A basest of men approached her clad in linen and broadcloth-sleek beasts-with civility; but here were males whose lean jaws clamped upon food with the eager haste of wolves, men primitive as Picts, with less of law than Zulus. They were not out? laws from society, for they had never known society. They were desperadoes for diversion. ' Raymond's motive in thrusting them out appeared more and more a deed to win applause. It lowered him, made him less admirable in every way, and when he spoke to' her she withdrew into herself with a glance which chill? ed and depressed him. "Of course his character is of no con? sequence to me," she thought "except in so far as he is likely to influence Louis." The situation suddenly lost its spirit of comedy and took on a very serious cast. The plan of leaving a sensitive, poetic boy to the company and influence of men like these became questionable, even dangerous. Baker was a foolish and stupid person, and these rough riders troubled her; but Raymond, to whom the boy's eyes al? ready turned with fervent admiration, was more corrupting still, for whatever weaknesses he might have would sure? ly come to be active and vital forces in debasing others. The whole design, in the light of this encounter, assumed the face of folly. The powerful young rancher, a mix? ture of barbarism and culture, engross? ed her quite as a mountain lion might have done. His action could not be foretold, and she was amazed to find herself carried entirely outside herself, shaken ard dismayed. As he set to work to put the table in order, silent and sullen as before, she watched him from her corner with intent gaze. "How deeply can I trust him?" she asked herself. "Don admires him. and he certainly is a man of intelligence." Louis, who had gone to see the sun? set, called to her excitedly, and ns she stepped outside the door she. too. caught her breath in wonder and ad? miration. [TO BE CONTINUED.] Tho Preferred. Dumlcy-What they cai! preferred j stock is tile stock thal pays dividends, j isn't it? Wiseman-Not at all; but the j st;><-k tha-: does, pay dividends is al- j wa y s pref erred.-Exchange. COL.'D. A. SPIVEY S VIEWS. Statestin Detail Why He Voted Against the Recommendations of the Sub? committee. Col. D. A. Spivey of Horry has put on record with the investigating com? mittee the following as his official rea? sons for not longer holding up the $800,000 in claims due by the State to the whiskey houses: "I cannot get the consent of my mind to agree to the proposition sub? mitted by Messrs. Lyon and Christen? sen whereby all whiskey claims against the State dispensary are to be carried over to the next legislature, said accounts to be settled by the j general assembly as it may deem ! proper and right. My reasons for this I disagreement are as follows: "1st. My understanding is that the original intention of placing this hold? up clause in the act was not to repu didate-any of these accounts, but was for the purpose of forcing such infor? mation as we might not be able to otherwise get. The wisdom of this I think has been fully demonstrated, as it has been the means of getting some valuable testimony by the sub? committee. "2nd- Neither was it the purpose of the resolution creating this com? mittee in any way to place the man? agement of dispensary in our hands. It has been and .is our business to investigate. To continue the with? holding of these payments would cer? tainly interfere with the management of the institution and probably affect the crec? t of the State. "3rd. The plain injustice of placing all claims on a par, regardless of whether there be nkown fraud, ap? parent irregularities or cases where there is no indication of wrong doing there is no indication of wrong deal? ing. To be fair to all parties discrim? ination must be made between these. But the committee has not the time or the funds to pursue the investiga? tion further, and thus ascertain which are just and should be paid as against those that should not be paid. "4th. I doubt the'moral right (even if we have the legal right under this clause) to withhold payment of ac? counts due by the State for goods bought and actually sold (at a consid? erable profit in most cases) months ago ? Td the proceeds used by the State, the counties and the municipal? ities. Such a course dees not norr?r.ort with my sense cf honest dealing. "5tV.. There ar* certain unsalable ; goods now on hand at the State dis? pensary, I am . iniormed, wn*o>? I think, could oe returned to th^ houses from whom they were bought, and thus cancel something like $240, 000 of the State debt. It is. said that many of them are willing and anxious to effect such a settlement, and I think it to the State's interest to get rid of this "chemical stuff." "6th. I have confidence in the commissioner, in, at least a ma? jority of, the board of control to be? lieve that they, with the result of our investigation before them, and with the advice of the?r able counsel, will not pay these accounts unless it is le? gally and morally right to do so. They should, and I believe will, take this matter up where we leave it and ?adjust all claims advantageous to the State and in justice to her creditors. "7th. I regard it as wrong, at least unwise, on the part of our committee to present this matter again unsettled to the legislature. The investigation has been running now- for almost two years, and there should be an end. Some one must be trusted to make a / final settlement. The.- legislature would have to refer it to another com? mittee or tribunal for adjustment. And I know of no better tribunal for this purpose than that of the com? missioner and the board of control those men who have been legally elected, placed under the bond and entrusted with the management of the dispensary. "For these reasons I vote yes upon the resolution offered by Chairman Hay." Twenty Year Battle. *"I was a loser in a twenty year' battle with chronic piles and malig? nant sores, until. I tried Bucklen's Arnica Salve ; which turned the tide, by curing both, till not a trace re? mains." writes A. M. Bruce, of Farmville. Va. Best for old ulcers, cuts, burns and wounds. 25 cents at Sibert's Drug Store. . Boise, Idaho, July IS.-Capt. Wil? liam Yates, of the Fourteenth caval? ry, who yesterday suffered a fractured skull by being thrown from his horse, died this morning. Capt. Yates was a native of North Carolina. Only $2 Years Old. *'4I am only S2 years oid and don't expect even when I get to be real old io feel that way as long as I can get Electric Bitters." says Mrs. E. H. Brunson, of Dublin. Ga. Surely there's nothing oise keeps the old as young and makes the weak as strong as this grand tonic me iicine.. Dyspepsia, torpid liver, inflamed kidneys ' or chronic constipation ore unknown af? ter taking Electric Bitters a reasona? ble time. Guaranteed by Sibert's Drug