The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, April 28, 1909, Image 6
*Ibt Maiden and
the Befell
Gallant
my LOUI? *. VANCE
na, fe a a artow? rv
R'CHA-RD DORRAKC*\
meditatlrery rolling a ciga?
rette, cast sbeset htm an ap?
pro-ring glaaoa,
'Tskfaet country," he drawled to m>
body la pertJoular, though Tom Derby
same at hand fie heat. "Orange emishloe
am the yellow seaaa? magenta shadows*
sjttmmarliM see* foxurlant roM-sge to
bant aU tisation. This beats Urning
raswand on board a yacht, anyway.
T*aink ril marry a netrre and settle
smsju to dream out my days to pence.'*
Ha lit the elgarstte and flopped crrer
-ssa nie beet, flourishing heavenward
Mi anagthj and Immaealately white
gmcfc clad legs. Tom Darby res anted
fan resultant display of rtrtd htaiery
emd growled. Darby waa in a noent
igj sated. He bad been most comfy
Dorrance*s prtrate yacht, the
Gallant, and saw no earthly rw
?na why he should bare been dragged
for a mile's row orer the
shallows to the end that they
saeght merely loaf on the edge otf the
Moreover, he waa a thirst
not a drink In sight," be
>crosely, "nor a suggestion of a
Ibis Is plainly the Jumping off
And we'll be caught In the
of a thnndet stutuj If T*m not nile
%,
"Disappointed, yon mean."
?J*Bea,Jeel" Darby went on defiantly,
fgeaislin the correction, **wbo*d hare
jssj, I*d Bke to know TT
*Tbat*s Immaterial ril find some
sum** Be raised hie eotee and chanted:
ganilemsn, neb and of dlstln
appearanoa, desires a wise. Ob
matrimony. Ho tri Dare"
Darby grsuited and resumed his <thv
oeatampm?en of Dorrance's
He waa a boot to mane an un
rk when bom became
of a third per
one stst got there so quietly
con Id oarer understand, bot ehe
before thorn trim and neat and
lesireble hi a chic maelln frock
a canary colored bat of some sort
ribbons, patched saucily atop her
brown bah?. Brown eyes she
too, and the eery devil of mle
rarktng In men? depths, and rosy
with the shadow of mirth in their
Darby betteree that her nose
tin tilted just the leant bit bet he
? rearer dare eat set It At any rate,
wee entirely to be adored, with
sun filtering down through the
and dotting bar with little blurs
on his feet in an in
and yon may believe that Tom j
was not far behind him. The
stood bke Idiots, gaping at her as
Sf etna bed dropped from haaren. And
erne might bare that, bot the dancing
eg as were agalust the theory.
flaw glanced from the one to the oth
aCj apparently enjoying the situation
She fairly laughed when
"Good evening, gentlemen.**
stammered incoherent re
and then the young lady calm
|y pointed et Daeranee with the tip
af rear dainty peresoL
*TU marry yon,** said the. She might
been snkfhg bim to tea.
t Dorrance waa ever more ready
Darby and tacky It Is but fair
state that Tarn waa staggered, but
i nee!
~l was convinced of that when I laid
gen on you," be said, bowing.
?Just so," She laughed.
And then Derby found his tongue.
"Petliaps you're overlooked me*** he
sjfcfl timidly. "Dorrance It ail very
but 1 hare my points." He stuck
his cheat touting low and with a
're weil eorered,'* said Dor
nastily.
?"Which you hereby respectfully sub?
set to my consideration?" she asked,
so, but you're a trifle late, Mr,?
Dorranco, 1 think you said? Mr.
fjlarrance asked first"
Darby protested. "But be nerer
"Oh. bet I did," Dorrance interrupt?
ed unbroahtngly. *T*r* expected tbrs
aegnt along."
**Of course he ban," she added eerere
Tfty. "That waa vary ungallant of you.**
Darby collapsed; be bed nerer l*arn
wd to accept defeat gracefully.
"Jost my rock," he moaned. ** 1 ner?
er raised a little doe and learned to
*asre Its soft brown eye but whet* **?
"Oh, dry up," said Dorrance ungra
cnestsly enough. "Dasidsa, you barn It
Tom Darby sulked. The maiden
ary?*l Dorrance somewhat approvingly.
Iis returned her gase wtth admiring In?
marsat but she kept her countenance?
only those eyes would dance dlrinety.
sYelther spoke till she extended a tiny
Taand with a firm pink palm.
"Come along." she said, "since we
are to be married."
"Brer at your serrtoe." And he took
the hand.
"Squire of demeer Tom Darby snap?
ped
"Bat you are disagreeable," the said
wouderingly.
"Don't mind htm." Dorrance said
soothingly; "we cannot justly blame
him "
They moved off, hand In hand. Dar?
by remained motionless In high dudg?
eon. The affair was so distinctly pre?
posterous, end the girl was so dis?
tinctly pretty. He hesrd Dorrance
laugh, and there was s familiar elan to
bis tone which warned Darby that his
friend was ripe for any absurd a<lven?
ture Moreover. Darby confesses to
me aln of curiosity. He relented auf
flelently to permit s glance over his
shoulder They were qnlte s distance
away, dlaeppsaiiog an mud a bend In
ne beach. He ran after them shouting
They turned end waited.
"Mayn't I come, toor ha pleaded
humbly.
If yeuTl be nice/' aba stipulated,
"And ha can be beet man," eald Dor*
ranee tentatively.
"Oome?" creed Derby generously;
?feef* eoane oosMweetinnl Bot Dick, the
Beau Gallant r
^Bother the Beeo," said Dorrmncs
warmly. Be looked oot to tea. The
race* woe beating steadily up against
tee bseese, "Hendrleke can take cere
of her all right Ttarl eeery day a fel
low gets married. "
"No, Indeed," Tom Darby assented
heartily end followed them. At least
he could eee Dorrence through even
should he fall to keep htm from egre?
gious folly. And he himself was falling
into the mad humor of the proceeding.
"Ruth," Dorrence began over his
shoulder.
"Woof*
"My fiancee, sir!"
"Ohr
"Introduce me," she seid demurely.
"Ruth, this Is my chum, Mr. Tom
Derby"
Tbomae Bdgorton Der"?
Tom, my promised bride. Miss Ruth
Wnartoo,"
Again Derby bowed, this time over e
pink end white confection of ,a hand.
*\I'U marry you,**
Decidedly, If Dick did?which of course
was mo astro ua?If he actually should
win her, he was open to congratulation.
"Both," said Dorrance, "is taking us
to her ancestral home. We are to meet
her paternal trade, Mr. Henry Whar?
ton, this evening. At present he Is not
st home."
"Neturelly she wonts her family to
inspect her choice. I promise to make
no revelations se to your character; I'll
maintain e moat discreet"?
"And damning silence. I prefer that
you talk."
"It Is not fur now,- said Ruth.
?The walk has made me thirsty,"
Derby complained,
"It has then accomplished the Inev?
itable," Dorrence remarked loftily.
They had struck Inland from the
beach, tossing through e sparse belt
of pmea, end now emerged upon a
narrow strip of sandy road, Opposite
them wee e IVchened stone well sur?
mounted by broken glass and boasting
a rickety, rusty gate of Iron. The three
plowed across to this and entered fair?
ly specious end well kept grounds.
Magnolias end shrubbery grew here
end there, end the orange trees were
In blossom. There were prim little
beds of old fashioned flowers; also a I
cast iron stag, severely weather beaten.
The tinkle of water from e hidden
fountain wae very grateful to Tom
Darby's ears. At the end of a glade
be caught glimpses of white Corinthian
columns, evidently the facade of a
mission. Darby's misgivings vanished
under the Ufluence of this peaceful
scene. If Ruth were heir to such e
stately property, then Dorrance?oh,
Dorrance was plainly favored of the
gods!
Meanwhile tine remarkable young
lady was sotting a pace that was quite
uncomfortable for Derby, who was end
to plump, 1st ne say, and firmly op?
posed to exertion et any. time,, so that
be fell somewhat in the rear and
thought It mlghttry dleoourteoue that
the two should converse in tones so
low that he wae able to hear never e
word, Nevertheless he persevered,
though with much puffing, and was
presently rewarded with an easy chatr
upon a broad, coolly shaded veranda
and left there, Dorrance and his pre?
cious Ruth entering the house, engaged
in the moot earneet of conversations.
Darby felt horribly neglected and out
of drawing till, to his huge delight, an
aged negro appeared with a tray end
glasses. He forgot his sorrows in the
rattle of cracked Ice.
From the open window came the
murmur of voices, a steady monotone
suggestive of anything but love's sweet
silence. What on earth did It all mean
anyway? Darby's glass was empty;
he contemplated It mournfully and
slowly stirred himself to refill It He
realised that he was very hungry.
Dorrance came out abruptly and seat?
ed hlmeelf on the railing of the verau
da. Darby ignored him; he was offend?
ed to the last degree. Finally, how?
ever, "Try e Julep, Dick," he bald;
"they're excellent"
"You were ever a carnal creature,
Tom."
Darby looked up sharply. Dorrance's
tone was strange. He found him smil?
ing rather grimly, an odd, truculent ex?
pression which was at variance with
his usual placid contentment.
"Hellor Darby was alarmed. "What's
up r
"Got nerves. Tom?"
"Kot a nerve. AU lost in adipose
tkwn*." He promptly belled him ?elf
by uia dieeompoeur? and repeated
ajixkmsly, "Whafa up?"
"I want your assistance. It*a Just
Uxia, old fallow, the unele of this
angeT?
"Meaning your betrothed r Derby
griaaea in hollow fashion.
"?Just the ssme and seriously."
Derby experienced a flash of cem
preheoaloo; this might explain why
Dorrance was so momentously solemn.
"Man, yon don't actually intend to
commit matrimony r
"But I do, and I may before morn?
ing."
"Lordl" said Darby helplessly.
"No joking matter, Tom. This undo.
Henry Wbsrton, as near as I can make
out, is a thorough paced scoundrel."
"The rtll sin of this dr a romer?
G*wanr
"listen to me, you infernal Idiot 1
Ruth"
Darby waggled his bead hopelessly.
Dorrance fixed him with a stern glare.
"Ruth," he repeated with determina?
tion, "Is heiress to a peck of property?
this and more. She's an orphan, and
old Wbsrton is ner guardian. She
comes into possession when she's
eighteen, and she will be that tomor?
row."
"A woman's age"?
"Be quiet If she marries before
that nine-tenths of her inheritance re?
verts to her guardian."
Here Darby grew befuddled.
"Then why In heaven's name does
she want you 7" \
"I don't know that she does except
as an alternativa This amiable uncle
is addled about money; wants to get
her married, even tried to force her
Into a match with a?oh, a real day Vil?
lah sort of fellow, Fetter by name.
Now, Fetter won't do, according to
Ruth. She doesn't want him, or any?
body, 'or that matter."
"Not eren you 7"
"Not eren me,"
"How do you know?" ehe queried
archly from the doorway, and Darby
is positive that a prettier picture nerer
was than she made framed In its rich,
somber darkness. "Are we not en?
gaged?"
"I hope soP Dorrance cried fervent?
ly. Til here you if you'll let me,
though all the world"?
"Oh, here," Derby exclaimed hastily,
"I'm a modest man! Go on with the
plot I begin to eee a light"
"Well, then," Roth took up the thread
of narrative, "as a last resort he per?
suaded me to come down here from At?
lanta, knowing that I could nerer es?
cape. And I never thought It's twen?
ty miles to the nearest village, eighteen
to the nearest railroad. I could not
walk it if I tried, and Caesius keeps
close watch on me. The horses uncle
took with him when he left this morn?
ing, saying that he would return this
evening. I am positive that he means
to bring beck with him this odious Mr.
Fetter end a clergyman."
"Two end two," said Darby.
"And?and 1 kn^w you thought me a
bold creature this afternoon, but 1 was
desperate, helpless. I could not think
what to do. You will help me, dear Mr.
Darby, won't you?" And, believe me,
she plumped down on her knees before
him.
Darby was so embarrassed that he
Jumped as though she had kissed him.
He adopted a paternal tone, speaking
with the matured judgment of twenty
five years.
''Why, of course, my dear, you may
rely on ma" He was in a fine conceit
with himself for that speech.
"Oh, thank you."
"Not at all! Not at all!" Darby mar?
vels that he restrained himself from
saying, "Tut tot my dear!" He added,
with"5 relievinglnBpiration, "ThenT?e
beet thing we can do is to get right
aboard the Beau Gallant."
"Not In a thousand years," said Dor?
rance firmly.
"Wbyr
Dorrance eyed him curiously. Tve
a better plan," be said at length.
"Welir
"I'll tell you later. For the present
you stay here, I'm going to trot down
to the beach and signal Hendricks. We
dine aboard tonight yon and L"
S "That's a mercy. At what tlmeT"
But Dorrance was gone.
"He Is just splendid, isn't her said
Ruth.
"Dorranoe? Oh, yes, he's all right
If yon marry him"?
"I've promised." She hung her bead
In such sweet confusion that Tom Dar?
by was more than ever envious.
"But he will not hold you to that
promise."
"Indeed," she flamed defiantly, "be
bos the right.*"
"I wish I had,** said Darby. "Hefa a
lucky dog." ,
Here he suddenly executed a back?
ward leap of some several feet Ram
had whipped out from beneath her
skirts a small revolver. To Tom Derby
Its slee approximated that of a can?
non.
"Great Scott!" he cried. "You can
have him. Tm not thinking of inter?
fering. Dontr
For a moment her surprise was only
equaled by his own. Then she began
to laugh convulsively.
"Take it!" she gasped. "Ife?for?
you."
Darby was suspicious. "What fort"
ho inquired.
"You might need?It?should uncle
Henry come. He?he would be angry."
Darby approached and took the weap?
on gingerly.
"Is it loaded?" he asked, with trepi?
dation.
"Of course."
"Very well, then," In resignation. He
fleposlted It softly upon a table, con?
vinced that nt any second he might be?
come an Involuntary suicide, aud re?
tired to a distance. Uuth fled into the
hallwny. Darby eyed the revolver
askance and Hwore softly, sighed and
lit n cigarette.
Twilight was falling, and from be?
hind him came stilled mirth.
Come 10 o'clock on a cooi, starlit
night and the Beau Gallant was speed
ing * is* sard under ? full hstfl of
steesn. To the north loomed the dim,
low eemet of Alabama.
In Che ealoon was aaeembted a mot?
ley party to a champagne supper, of
winds Dorren te and Tom Darby form?
ed the only self satisfied members, the
others beiag plunged In deepeet gloom
despite all attempts to entlTon them.
First, Henry Wbarton, aged In years
and eta, if his countenance be allowed
as evidence, glowering evilly across
the tabls st Dsrby, whom he had mis?
takenly conceived to be the moving
spirit of the enterprise; then Mr. Fet?
ter, young sad weak willed, lacking ex?
cuse for his existence, but mightily Im?
pressed with his own simulation of
rakish worldllnsss; lastly, a pale,
frightened person, a clergyman by his
cloth, but deep in the clutch of a rag?
ing thirst for strong drink?these were
the an willing guests.
Mr. Wbarton addressed himself to
Tom Darby, who was contentedly en?
gaging the breast of a tender chicken.
Mr. Wbarton shook a lean fist framed
In soiled linen st him.
"I'll have the law on you!" ho cried,
quivering with rage. "You'll find,
young man, that this is not a country
where you can kidnap?yes, kidnap?
peaceful cl?asns at your will and not
Buffer for It"
"I wish," said Darby calmly, "that
you wouldn't wear your cuffs more
than a week at a time. You spoil my
appetite."
Mr. Wbarton fumed, speechless. Fet?
ter laughed.
"He's right there, pop," he said ir?
reverently. "But don't you think you
are a little lawless?" he added to
Darby. '
"Not at all," Dorrance interposed,
smiling indulgently. "The parson will
be witness that you came willingly."
The parson raised expostulating
hands. "At the pistol's point" be pro?
tested very truthfully.
"I merely, invited you to a stag on
my wedding ere, end you came with
alacrity, though I did understand that
you had a pressing engagement"
The parson smiled faintly. Mr. Whar
ton attempted to control himself. "I'll
tell you what" be said, speaking slow?
ly and thickly. "If you'll take us back
immediately I'll give you $1,000."
Dorrance laughed and shook his
head.
"Fifteen hundred?"
"You ante too low," Tom Darby sug?
gested.
"Three thousand," he snarled.
"On, make it worth while and I'll ;
raise you, pop," cried Fetter.
"Fiver
"No," said Dorrance.
"Ten, then. I'll give you tenT
Mr. Wharton's hands were trembling
violently. Dorrance politely filled his
glass for him. He tossed it off eagerly.
"Twenty?" he pleaded*
"Whe-ewT* Darby whistled. "I had j
no Idea the stakes were so high."
Mr. Wbarton hesitated; every mo- |
ment was now v t consequence. He |
stuttered painfully. |
"Fl-fif-flfty thousand," he managed^to
say. i
Dorrance rose and looked at his j
watch. "You have no security to offer
but your word," he said wearily, "and
that is worthless."
Mr. Wharton's Jaw moved loosely,
but no sounds came.
"Moreover," Dorrance continued, "I j
don't need your money, nor do I want
it" \
"I'll have the law on you," Wbarton
repeated sullenly. Hope was dead In
his breast
"I wouldn't if I were you. And you
will not This Is rather a noisome busi?
ness which you've attempted?and fail?
ed at Your credit would suffer were It i
known. So you will say nothing. I'm |
happy to inform you that you're too
late. It Is 11 o'clock, and your word
will be her own mistress In one hour." |
Dorrance walked to the door end
gave an order. The engines began to
chug more slowly, and the Beau Gal?
lant came' almost to a standstill. Mr.
Wharton sputtered threats and obsceni?
ties.
*T believe you were right" said Dor?
rance to him. "Ws do not desire your
company after all. Come on dock. I'll
put you ashore now."
The four followed him.
"That Is Mobile," he sold. Indicating
a hose of light on the northern horlxon.
"There is a landing here and a fair
road. By hard walking you should
reach It in the early morning. Thence
you can get home by noon if you're
lucky. But by that time Ruth and I
will be married."
"So that*s your game," Fetter sneer?
ed. "I thought you didn't care for the
money."
"My dear sir," said Dorrance, un?
moved, "when you have associated
with decent people for any length of
time?if you ever do?your thoughts
may be of some consequence. At pres?
ent your opinion is of absolutely no
moment"
"The boat Is ready, sir," a man re?
ported.
"And now, gentlemen, I thank you
for the pleasure which your company
has afforded me. Oh, not a word,
sir"?to Mr. Wharton?"the obligation
is entirely on my side. Good evening."
He was bowing them over the side
when a thought struck him. "Oh, par?
son, I quits forgot! Ws may need your
services. Do not go."
So the parson stayed, most willingly,
H seemed to Darby. And the Beau
Gallant turned tall on the lights of
Mobile, picked up her boat and steam?
ed swiftly back ovei her course.
The dawn found tho yacht swinging
tazlly at anchor. Mr. Dorrance camo
m deck, refreshed by a bath and a
breakfast yet with a carking doubt
for a background to his thoughts. He
received an Immediate Impression that
all nature was chuckling in huge en?
joyment of his predicament
He leaned upon the rail, scowled and
lit a cigar, hurling complicated oaths
I down at the careless sea.
Hore au hour later the slothful Dar?
by found him.
"Well," cried Darby genially, '-for an
expectant bridegroom"
1 T>orrauoe favored him with a heavy
glare.
"Bridegroom," he said shrwty, Ik
eWrnelly"?
"What! Why, but, yesterday"
"Wss yesterday. Today to another
matter. rm in the devil of a fix."
"The lady hasn't sent weed lefaelua
you 7" anxiously.
"No; that's Just the tsetfbla"
Dartzy grinned blandly at the uni?
verse.
"Boxaaooa,'* he propounded, Is the
asJt of life and its serov. Without
rtr?
"One eseapes the holy bonds of mat
rim out. Tom, without exception you
are the most unmitigated"? He broke
off. "I'm going ashore and have over
wKh it Come along."
'TU stand around obhvtotft at no
lovers' tryst You shall go alone."
And to this he stuck, so that the
rest is only hearsay, but strongly sup?
ported by circumstantial evidence.
She was seated by the splashing
fountain when hs met her. She did
not hear his footsteps, but sst Idly dab?
bling her hand in the water, lost in
reverie. A school of little goldfish gav.
lng for rations swarmed to her finger
tips-,
"Obi" she cried, wttn a rueful smile,
seeing him before her.
"I've returned," he said awkwardly
and k*t the power of coherent thought
'1 see you hare." She laughed con?
fusedly and rose. "You?you had no
trouble?were In no danger?"
"Not In the least I"? The unavoid?
able grew startlingly Imminent "You
have been safe, I trust?"
"Thanks to your kindness?ves," A
pause; then, "I?I don't know how to
thank 3*ou, Mr. Dorrance."
"Mr. Dorranee," he repeated foolish?
ly. H<? rushed desperately in where
both bid feared to tread. "There is
the wa;r"?
"I?I?of course, I"?
"Oh, then we are agreed?" Her tone
was haughty as a princess,
"But I didn't mean"? he floundered.
"You mads your meaning plain, sir?"
"Since you fsel that way about it"?
He turned to go.
"Oh, one moment I?I do not wish
that you should think me ungrateful.
Indeed, I am not You have done me s
great service, and"?
"And the reward?"
"But I scarcely know you."
"I havent claimed It"
"I am sensible that I gave my word.'
"But your heart?"
She sighed. "My heart remains
mine."
"I knew that"
"To bestow?oh f?
She had been toying with her ring, a
tiny affair studded with a single stone.
It had slipped from her fingers and
splashed in the fountain. Dorrance was
Instant to plunge his arm in to the el
"Iii have IM law on yon I"
bow. Site was no less Quick. Their
hands met He had the ring. He re?
tained also the hand.
"Am I ever to be your debtor?" she
pouted petulantly.
"I hold that which can make you my
creditor forever."
She Mushed, and the day was not
peer to ber loveliness.
"We could never agree," she said
thoughtfully. 'Ton are so"?
"So"?
"Cannot you understand?"
He sho >k his hesd. *T am very dense.
I wish I did." The long lashes swept
low upon her cheek; he tried In vain to
see beneath them. "Won't you tell
me?"
"Oh," she flushed Impatiently, "you
have never ssked me. Am I to fall Into
your arms of my own accord, sir? You
never even said you wanted me or that
you?you"?
"Ruth! Ruth.!" he cried, with Infinite,
Joyful comprehension. He carried the
tiny, dripping hand to his Hps. "But I
do love you," hs pleaded tenderly.
"Will you marry me?"
She was purposefully detttjerattvo?
finally:
"No," she seid.
But she had tried to look htm steadily
In the eyes, and her own were dear
traitors.
Both Agreed.
"Young man. I was told today that
you were the worst boy In the neigh?
borhood."
"Gee! If I was a man and any one
talked that way about my little boy
some one would get licked."
"Some one Is going to get licked
now. Take off your coat"?Houston
Post
An infinitude of tenderness Is the
chief gift and inheritance of aJl great
men.?Ruskln.
One mwy dominate moral suTerings
only by labor. Study saves from dis?
couragement- -D'A bran tee.
OVER IN GEORGIA.
How the I/ma of Hevenue from Liquor
license Was Made Up in a Prohibi?
tion State.
Mr. Editor:
Your advice to the city council is
wise and timely; but as a matter of
consolation, it might be well to pub?
lish the accompanying facts and fig?
ures. I
C. C. BROWN.
"What are the facts about Georgia
and Atlanta under prohibition? The
records are interesting. State-wide
prohibition went into effect the first
of January, 1908. The tax books of
Atlanta show an increase in taxable
values for 1908 over 1907 of more
than $5,000,000. The city's budget for
1908 was greater than for 1907, and,
despite the loss of the saloon tax, the
income of the city for 1908 was more
than $68,000 in excess of 1907. In?
stead of a deficit, the present adminis?
tration will leave a surplus.
"There was a decrease In the num?
ber of arrests in Atlanta last year, as
compared with 1907, of 8,810, and a
decrease of cash collected through the
police court of more than $84,000."
Judge W. A. Covington, says:
"Let it be said that when Gabriel
blows his horn, whether that event
happen next year or a thousand years
fiom now, it will not wake up a single
place in Georgia where the sale of in?
toxicants is licensed by law. That kind
of a thing has taken its place with
kings, with slavery, and with witch?
craft persecutions. As a proof of It, '
no newspaper in the State and no pol?
itician is to be found that thinks oth?
erwise."
Gov. Hoke Smith's statement:
"Despite the fact that the prohibi?
tion law caused a loss to the treasury
of $240,000 annually, and despite last
year's panic, the State collected from
last year's taxes over $500,000 more
than it collected In December and the
eerly months of 1907 from taxes of
1906.
"This increase of revenue came In
part from compelling railroad and
public service companies to pay more
nearly the amount of taxes which,
they justly owed the State than they
paid before in pervious years.
"The tax returns already made In?
dicate that from -a'^rem taxes for
1908 we will collect in December, 1908
and during the early months of 1909
$20,000 more than we' did the year
pervious, so that next year the treas?
ury should have to Its credit between
$500,000 and $600,000 from ad va?
lorem taxes in excess of the amount
collected from the taxes of 1906.
"This item not only wiped out the
$240,000 loss from liquor licenses, but
It gave a balance In addition thereto.
We will this year pay $330,000 to the
public school in exce&s of any sum
paid in previous years.
"Every obligation of the State has
been met this year, and more has
been paid toward public schools than
during any previous year."
Do You
Want to
Make
$100.00?
Write Chas. M. Stieff
and he will gladlv tell
you how to do it. Don't
delay, write to-day and
watch each change of
our advertisement.
Chas. M. Stieff
Manufacturer of the
Artistic Stieff, Shaw and
Stieff Seifplayer Pianos.
SOUTHERN WAREROOM
5 W. Trade St.
CHARLOTTE, - N. C.
C. H. Wilmoth,
Manager.
(Mention this paper.)