Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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I' FRAN J >HN MECKENIUDGE Illustrations by O. Invln Mv?,s CHAPTER f. A Knock st the Door. Fran knocked st the front door. It wss too dark for her to find the bell; however, had she found it, sho would hare knocked Just the same. At first, no oue answered. That was act surprising, since e' eiybody was supposed to be at the Uiloa Camp meeting that had been ailvert'sed for the last two months, and t.iat any one In IJttleburg should go visiting at I alt-past eight, and espocUUy that any cae should come knocking at the door of thts particular house, was almost Incredible No doubt that is why the young womsn who flnall/ opmed i*?e d;or? after Fran had subjected it to .? sec? ond and more pri longed visitation of her small fist?looked at the stranger with surprise which was, In itself re? proof The lady In the door* ay be? ttered herself confronted by a "camp? er**?one of those fitting birds of outer darkness who have no religion of their own, but who are always putting ' tbst of others to the proof. The voice from *he doorway was cool. Impersonal, an if, by its very aloofness, It would push the wanderer away: "What do you want?" **I want Hamilton Gregory," Fran erswered promptly, without the stlgntest trace of embarrassment "I'm told he lives here." Mr. Gregory"?offering the name with Its title as a palpable rebuke? Tlvee here, but Is not at home. What do you want, little girl?" "Where le he?" Fran asked, un? daunted. Hr fe at the camp meeting." the young womar answered reluctantly, 1 Irritated at opposition, and displeased with herself for being Irritated. "What do you want with him? I will attend to whatever It is. I am acquainted with ail of his affairs?I am his secre? tary." "Where's thst camp-meeting? How can I find the place?" was Fran's quick rejoinder. Sho could not ex? plain the dislike rising within her. Sib* TVO- ?r.o w,,.r,? V>nrr-I* * r> for. si dor the other's y??ntn an ndvsntlgfl but the beauty of tk Imperious wi no sa In the doorway?why did it not stir her liuagln it on? Mr. Gregory's ?eerrtsry reflected that, despite Its seeming Improbabil? ity. It might bo important for him to see this queer creature who came to ?trange doors at night-time. "If you will go strslght down that rosd"?she pointed?"and keep on for about a mile and a half, you will come to the big tent. Mr. Gregory will be In Um tent, leading the choir." "All right." And turning her back 90 tho door, Fran swiftly gained the front steps. Half way down, she peueed, snd glanced over her thin ?houlder. Standing thus, nothing was to be seen of her but a blurred out? line, snd the shining of her eyes. "1 guess," said Fran Inscrutably, "you're not Mrs. Gregory." "No." came the answer, with an al? most imperceptible change of manner - a change as of gradual petrifaction, ?*1 am not Mrs. Gregory." And with that the lsdy, who was not Mrs. Greg? ory, quietly but forcibly closed the door It was as If, with tho closing c< that "I Gums." 8sid Frsn Inscrutably, "You're Not Mrs. Gregory." door, sho would of hor Hfe. ?vvo shut Fran out CHAPTER II. A Disturbing Laugh. The sermon was ended, tho oxhor ts'lou was at the petit of loudest rolco and mos? Impassioned sargest nees. A number of men, most of bum young, thronged tin footpath hading from the stiles to ?M tatet A few were smoking; sll waff, waiting for the pretty girls to come forth from the Christinn camp. Fran pushed lo r say among Um Idtefl with admirable nonchalance, her sharp < Ibow ready for the first rc?dstlve pulr of ilbs The crowd osj|g||g did not arguo a scarcity of seats under thi canvas Fran found a iluuk without a back. loosely disposed, and entirely unoc? cupied. Sho scnted herself, straight as an Indian, and with the air of be? ing very much at ease. The scene was new to her. Moro than a thousand villagers, ranged along a naturul declivity, looked down upon the platform of undressed pine. In front of the platform men and women were kneeling on the ground. Some were bathed In tears; some were praying aloud; some were talk? ing to those who stood, or knelt bo sido them; Bomo wero clasping con? vulsive hands; all were oblivious of surroundings. From the hundred members of the choir, Fran singled out tho man ehe had been seeking for so many years. It was easy enough to distinguish him from the singers who crowded the platform, not only by his baton which proclaimed the choir-leader, but by his resemblance to tho picture she had discovered in a New York Sunday Supplement. Hamilton Gregory was clean-shaved except for a B?ken reddish mustache; his complexion was fair, his hair a shade between red and brown, his eyes blue. Ills finely marked face and striking bearing were stamped with distinction and grace. It was strange to Fran that ho did not once glance in her direction. True, there was nothing In her ap? pearance to excite especial attention, but sho had looked forward to meet; ing him ever since she could remem? ber. Now that her e:es were fast? ened on bis face, now that they were bo near, sheltered by a common roof, how could he help feeling her pres? ence? The choir-leader rose and lifted his baton. At bis back the hundred men and women obeyed the signal, while hymn-books fluttered open throughout he congregation. Suddenly the leader of the choir started into galvanic life. He led the Bong with his sweet voice, his swaying body, his frantic baton, his wild arms, his imperious feet. With all that there was of him, ho conducted the melodious charge upon tho ramparts of sin and Indifference. If In repOBe Fran had thought htm singularly handsome and attractive, she now found him inspiring. His blue eyes burned with exaltation while his magic voice seemed to thrill with more ,'han human ecstasy. Ot\ tie left, the heavy basg was singing, "One think we know. Wherever we go? Wo reap what we sow. Wo reap what wo sow/* While these words wero being doled out at long and. impressive intervals, like the tolling of a heavy bell, moro than half a hundred soprano voices were hastily getting In their requisite number of half-notes, thus? "80 scatter llttlo, scatter little, scatter stter tttttti ? eds of kindness." In Spitt of the vast volume of sound , foduced by these voices, as rell gg b] acompaniment of two piain>s aud a snare-drum, tho voice of Hamilton Gregory, soaring flute-like toward heaven, seemed to dart through the Interstices of 'Tests," to thread its Blender way along infinites? imal curves of silence. As one list? ened, it was the Inspired truth as ut? tered by Hamilton Gregory that brought the message home to con? science. Ab If one had never beforu been told that one reaps what one bows, uneasy memory started out of hidden places with its whisper of seed sown amiss. Tears rose to many eyes, and smothered sobs betrayed intense emotion. Of those who were Lot in tho least , affected, Fran was one. She saw and heard Hamilton Gregory's impassioned earnestness, and divined his yearning to touch many hearts; nor did sho doubt that ho would then and there have given his life to press home upon the erring that they must Ultimately reap what they wero sowing. Never? theless she was altogether unmoved. It would havo been easier for her to la irh than to cry. Although tho preacher had ceased his exhortations for the singing of the evangelistic hymn, he was by no means at the end of his resources. Sounding at tho margin of tho plat? form, looking out on the congregation, he slowly moved back and forth his magnetic arms In parallel lines. Not 0110 word did lie speak. Kven between tho verses, when he might have striv? en against the pianos and the snare drum, he maintained his terrlblu si? lence. Hut as he fixed his ardent oyes Upon Bpace, as he moved those impel tin ? arms, a man would rise here, a woman start up then? reluctuntty, or eagerly, the unsaved would press tin ir >vny to tho group kneeling at the front I'rayen; and groans roan louder. Jubilant shouts of religious victory were more frequent. Ono could now hardly hear the- choir as it in? sisted? "\v. \t what w* "iiw, i w,- reas what ws sew,11 Suddenly the evangelist smote his hands together, a signal for song and prayer to cease. Having obtained a silence thet was breathless he leaned over the edge of tho platform, arid addressed a man who knelt upon the ground: "Brother Clinton can't yon get It?" The man shook his hand "You've been kneeling there night after night," tho evangelist continued; "don't you feel that the Ijord loves you? Can't, you feel it? Can't you feel it now? Can't you get it? Can't yog get it now I Brother Clinton, I trnnl yofJ to g?*t through before these revival services close. They close thhi night. I go away tomorrow. This may be your laut opportunity. I want fOU to gel it now. All these waiting friends want you to get it. now. All those- praying neighbors want to sen, you get it. Can't you get through to-' night? Just quietly hero, without any excitement, without any noise or tu? mult, just you and your bouI alone to? gether?Brother Clinton, can't you get through tonight?" Brother Clinton shook his head. Fran laughed aloud. Tho evangelist had already turned to Hamilton Gregory as a signal for the hymi; to be resumed, for some? times singing helped them "through," but the sound of irreverent laughter chilled his blood. To his highly wrought emotional nature, hat sound of mirth camo as tho laughter of fiends over the tragedy of an immortal soul. "Several times," ho cried, with whit? ened face, "these services have been disturbed by the ungodly." He point? ed an Inflexible finger at Fran: "Yon der sits a little girl who should not have been allowed in this tent unac? companied by her parents. Brethren! Too much Is at stake, at moments llko these, to shrink from heroic measures. Souls are here, waiting to "Won't You Go With Me, Little Girl? be saved. Let the little girl be re? moved. Where are tho ushers? I hope she will go without disturbance, but go she shall! Now, Brother Greg? ory, sing." As the song swept over tLe wor? shipers in a wave of pleading, such ushers as still remained held a brief consultation. Tho task assigned them did not seem included In their proper functions. Only one could be found to volunteer as policeman, and he only because the evangelist's determined eye and rigid arm had never ceased to indicate the disturber of the peace. Fran was furious; her small white face seemed cut in stono as sho stared at the evangelist. How could she have known she was going to laugh? Her tumultuous emotions. Inspired by the sight of Humilton Gregory, might well have found expression in some other way. That laugh had been as a darting of tongue-flame directed against the armored Christian soldier whose faco was so spiritually beauti? ful, wdiose voice was so eloquent. Fran was suddenly aware of a man pausing Irresolutely at the end of the plank that held her erect. Without turning hev head, she asked in a rather spiteful voice, "Are you the sheriff?" He spoke with conciliatory persua? siveness: "Won't you go with mo, little girl?" Fran turned impatiently to glare at the usher. Ho was a fine young fellow of per? haps twenty-four, tall and straight, clean and wholesome. His eyes were sincere and earnest yet they promised much in the way of sunny smiles?at the proper time and place. His mouth was frank, his forehead open, his shoulders broad. Fran rose as swiftly as If a giant had lifted her to her feet. "Come on, then." she said in a tone somewhat smothered. She climbed over the stringer" at the end of her plank, and marched behind tho youug man as if oblivious of devouring eyes. As they passed tho last pole that supported a gasolene-burner, Fran glanced up shyly from under her broad hat. The light burned red upon the young usher's face, and there was something In the crimson glow, or in the face, that mado her feel like cry? ing, just because?or so she fancied? it revived the recollection of her lone? liness. And as she usually did what sho felt like doing, she cried, silently, as she followed tho young mau out be? neath tho stars. CHAPTER HI. On the Foot-tirldge. To the young usher, thd :hange of ocene was rather bewildc *mg. His eyes WCTO still full of tho light from gasolene-burners, his cart; still rang with the confusion of tent-noise lnlo which entered the prolonged mono? tones of Inarticulate groanlngs, and the explosive suddenness of seemingly Irreverent Amens, Nothing Just then mattered except the saving of souls. Having faithfully attended the camp-meeting for three weeks ho found other interests blot? ted out. The village as a whole had given itself over to religious ecstasy. Those who had professed their faith left no stone unturned in leading oth? ers to tho altar, as If life could not re? sume its routine until tho unconverted were brought to kneel at the evang? elist's feet, Ar Abbott Ashion reflected that, be? cause of this young girl with tho mocking laugh, ho was losing the cli? macteric expression of the three weeks* campaign. Ida displeasure grew, within him was an undefined thought vibration akin to surprise, caused by the serenity of the hushed sky. Was It not Incongruous that the heavens ShOUld be so peaceful with their qulel star-beacons, while man was uiertlng himsell to iho utujost of gesture and noise to glorify the Maker of that calm canopy? From the weather-stained canvas rolled tho warning, not unmusically: "We reap what wo sow. We reap what wo sow." Abovo tho tide of melody, the voice of tho evangelist rose In a scream, ap palling in its agony?"Oh, men and women, why will you die, why will you die?" But the stars, looking down a* the silent earth, spoke not of death, spoke only as stars, seeming to say, "Here are April days, dear old earth, balmy springtime and summer harvest be? fore us!?What merry nights we shall pass together!" Tho earth answered with a sudden white smile, for the moon had just rioen above the distant woods. At the stile where the footpath from the tent ended, Abbott paused. Why should he go further? This scof? fer, the one false note in the meet? ing's harmony, had been silenced. "There," he said, showing the road. His tone was final. It meant, "De-' part." Fran spoke In a choking voice, "I'm afraid." It was not until then, that he knew she had been crying, for not once had he looked back. That ehe should cry, changed everything. "I am so little," Fran said plain? tively, "and the world Is so large." Abbott stood irresolute. To take Fran back to the tent would destroy the Influence, but it seemed inhuman to send her away. He temporised rather weakly, "But you came here alone." "But I'm not going away alone," paid Fran. Her voice was still damp, but she had kept her resolution dry. | In the gloom, he vainly sought to discern her features. "Whose little girl are you?" he asked, not without an accent of gentle commiseration. Fran, one foot on the first step of the stile, looked up at him; the sud? den flare of a torch revealed the sor? row In her eyes. "I am nobody'b little girl," she answered plaintively. Her eyes were so large, and bo soft and dark, that Abbott was glad she was only a child of fourteen?or fif? teen, perhaps. Her face was so strangely eloquent in Its yearning for something quite beyond his compre? hension, that fie decided, then and there, to be her friend. The unsteady light prevented definite perception of her face. There was, in truth, an ele? ment of charm in all he could discern of the girl. Possibly the big hat helped to conceal or accentuate?at any rate, the effect was somewhat elfish. As for those great and lumi? nously black eyeB, he could not for the life of him have said what he saw In them to set hla blood tingling with a feeling of protecting tenderness. Pob sibly it was her trust in him, for as he gazed into the earnest eyes of Fran, it was like looking Into a clear pool to see oneself. (TO BE CONTINUED.) SAYS GERMANY is WEAK. Herr Hebel Behexe* Trance Could Have Overcome Her, London, Aug.L'5.?Replying to u question whether Germany's recent army increases meant an attack on France, August Bebel, the late Oer -1 man Socialist, leader just before his death at Zurich, on August 13 last, wrote the following letter which i published in the Pall Mall Gazette. "The Oerman Emperor has seen during the Balkan war that our army has completely gone to pieces?that is, our otlicers are incapable of com? manding and the material is absolu? tely impossible, n the French had Wished to attack us tiny would prob abl> have been successful, for wej were nut strong enough at the fron? tier. If tin- French had guessed that they were strong enough they could, have begun an attack. '?'l'le- German Emperor says French! arms were of greater Importance in the Balkan war than the German ones. It also is known that the Ger? man (lenient that had helped the Turks was to blame for the misfor? tunes of the Turks. it is an open secret that Germany was to blame for their defeat." These facts, Herr Bebel assured his correspondent, had been obtained from the last sources. .1 \PAN'S VOTE TO UNITED STATES Latest Communication on California Band Coiltrovcr*) Delivered to Sec? retary Bryan. Washington, Aug. 26.?Ambassador Chindu 'ate today delivered to Sec* retury Bryan Japan's latest note in the California untl-alien land contro \ ersy. Sccretarj Bryan and Ambassador ('hind.* agreed to continue their un? derstanding of making public nothing on the question. Tlie latest Japanese note, it Is said, contain* nothing in the nature of an ultimatum or which might i>i in.^ the negotiations to ,( finality; on the oth ? r baud, it is t ouched In a \ ein to carry the negotiations along and pre? serve the issue without making an:/ determination of tbe contentions of either government, its general tone is said to Indicate that the negotia? tion may continue for months, Seere lurj Bryan soon prepare u replv. Being ;tii exceeding!) wise man, Cardinal Gibbons believes women will act equal suffrage, if not anything else Ihey happen to want. -Cleveland Leader. G?MBOA'8 REPLY TO LIND. MlXM ?\ UOVKllS'MEXT Hi:.ii ns WILSON'H Ol | i ks OF As S1STANCK. Hucrta Itamuiids Itcxtigitiiion U\ United States?Itcfuses to Acre? to Proposals Made by President Wll son. Washington, Aug. 27.?The text of Sonor Gam boa's reply to the pro? posals submitted through John Lind, by instruction of the president, Is In part as follows: "The government of Mexico has paid due attention to the advice und considerations expressed by the gov? ernment of the Tinted States; has done this on account <>f three prin? cipal reasons: First, because Mexico entertains the highest respect for the personality of his excellency, Wood row Wilson; second, because certain European and American governments, With which Mexico cultivates the closest relations of international amity, having in a most delicate, re? spectful way, highly gratifying to us, made use of their good offices to the end that Mexico should accord you a, hearing Inasmuch as you were the bearer of a private mission from the president of the United states, and, third, because Mexico was anxious, not so much to justify its attitude be? fore the inhabitants of the republic In the present emergency, the great majority of whom nave signified their adhesion and approval, as to demon? strate In every way the justice of its cause. "The imputation in your instruc? tions that no progress has been made toward establishing in the capital >f Mexico a government that may enjoy the respect and obedience of the Mex? ican people is unfou ided." Senor Gamboa says his government appreciates the good offices tendered by the United States, "but if such good offices are to be of the character Of those now tendered to us, we should huve to decline them in the most categorical and definite man? ner." "Inasmuch as the United states is Willing to act In the most disinterest? ed friendship, it will be difficult for it to find a more propitious oppor? tunity than the following: It* it would only watch that no material monetary assistance is given to rebels who con? spire and provide themselves with arms and food on the other side of the border; if it should demand from its minor and local authorities the strictest observance of the neutral? ity laws, I assure you, Mr. Confiden? tial Agent, that the complete pacifl i cation of this republic would be ac? complished within a relatively short time. "An Immediate suspension of the ?truggle In Mexico, a definite armistice 1 ?solemnly constructed and scrupulous? ly observed,' is not possible. "The assurance asked of my gov? ernment that it should promptly con? vene free elections is the most evi? dent proof and the most unequivocal concession that the government of the United states considers it legally and solidly constituted and that it is exercising, like all those of its class, acts of studi importance as to in? dicate the perfect civil operation of a sovereign nation. While the pres? ent government is of a provisional character, it will cede Its place to ths lefinlte government which may he ?1? cted by the people. "The request that Gen. Vletoriano Huerta should agree not to appear as a candidate for the presidency of the republic In the cording elections can not be taken into consideration be? cause aside from its strange and un? warranted character, there is a risk that the same might he interpreted as a matter of personal dislike. This point can only he decided by Mexican public opinion when it may be ex? pressed at the polls. 'The ambassador of the United States of America In his high diplo? matic investiture and appearing as dean of the foreign diplomatic corps accredited to the government of the republic congratulated Gen. Huerta upon his elevation to the presidency and continued to correspond with this department by means of diplomacy. With reference to the Anal pait of the instruction of President Wil? son, which I beg to include here? with and which say, 'If Mexico can suggest any better way in which to show our friendship, to serve the peo? ple of Mexico and meet our interna? tional obligations, we are more than willing to consider the suggestion; that part causes me to propose the following equally decorous arrange? ment: Oone, that our ambassador be received in Washington; two, that the United States of America send us a new ambassador without previous conditions." A DAY OF CRIME IK AUursTA. Augusta, Ga., Aug. 24.?One assault with alleged intent to murder, one attempted suicide, one assault of a high and aggravated nature and the Incidental acldenta of the day result? ed in a somewhat busy Sudnay for the hospitals today. it. Frank Cannon, a shipping clerk lies in a hospital with a serious bul? let wound in his head, inflicted by Fred Elliott, a saloonkeeper. Details of the crime could not be learned. Elliott says "it s a family affair," and refuses to talk further. Cannon is In a serious condition. Elliott is under $1,000 bond. Despondent over recent heavy financial reverses, C. H. Matthews swallowed seven ounces of launanum. is unconscious and in a grave condi? tion at the City Hospital. He admit? ted taking the drug before he lapsed into unconsciousness; Mystery surrounds the assault of a man named Winters by one Phillips. Winters is unconscious at the City Hospital suffering from heavy blows on the head with a beer bottle and severe cuts about the face. The crime was committed In a question? able part of the city. Both men are unknown to the police. ASSEMBLY RECOGNHE8 (iLYNN. Albany, X. Y, Aug. 27.?Lieut. Gov. Martin H. Glynn was formally recognised as acting governor by the assemby early this morning after a bitter deabtc. The vote of such recognition stood 48 Lr to 29 against. Representative "Dan" Riordan, it 1? now announced, is opposed to the currency MIL Wall street is in his district, and naturally Wall street is proud t?? be represented by so emi? nent an authority on banking and currency.?New York World. Wire Fence o We buy direct fro nitlie stool mills In car loads for cash with all ^ discounts oil, this enables us to sell you at the lowest prices, which <? we guarantee to do. I; Booth-Harby Live Stock Co. ? Sum tor, ... South Carolina Sumter Railway & Mill Supply Co., SUMTER, S. C. The season is here when you are obliged to have-repairs, generally, as quickly as they can be gotten. We are in your midst, can give you (pucker service than our competitors, and we bespeak a part of your business, guaranteeing satisfaction. Our Stock is Complete in the Following Lines: Rnnfins' Usiratdsed, <\>r nQUIing. rUftated tnri V. t'rlmped: Electrold n:ti!ifr rootling. 1. ?: ami :\ ply. Delling. nm[ Leather. Injectors: AU kln,,s Packing: r*? Bhcet As Hose ^'''a'" wa,fr AX6S* p*''0*^ Blocks: 5fJa. Ohsln* Rteel loadlim UMfliu. pr(,0f tented. ami PiiIIomc* steel. Iron end rullCJd. \ylK>u Kpl|f Win fiI soy sire ?diaft. Lace Leather: Sf *n* Babbitt Metal: ^;r;ino 10 Shafting: M,t,M* Hangers: d***"**"* Shaft Couplings, Coi7?T plate sad ribbed. Uttwac I en kins and st? ? IUta?. ;u,| i .41,,. w iUi ? n tock. Iron Pipe Flttino. Sift?. all styles. Bar Iron.Koun<1 ?????^ Pint ' 1,1 *n*1 Threaded ?'!??? from )-Sin to tin. in? clusive, lo sketch. Wire Rope. SaWS. i r '* u> sod rlrcu Clgl Kocks, rumps. Blacksmith Tills. In fact everything carried in an up-to-date supply house When needing anything write, phone, wire, or call. Your wants will have immediate attention. Respectfully, Sumter Railway & Mill Supply Co.