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James Pike Of Pikeville By EVERETT P. CLARKE The Pikeville gold lields were discovered and exploited by Jim Pike, who was as big a rascal as ever lived. There was not an ounce of gold within two miles of the place except what Jim had put there from some other mine, but it was enough when mixed with a certain red ore there was on the property he had staked out to sell to others to convince hungry gold hunters that he had struck it rich. When therefore he gave out that he had several hundred acres and couldn't wurs more man one acre uimsclf everybody clamored to buy a small slice of his surplus. It required a lot of persuading to induce him to sell, and every time he sold a lot he seemed to be heartbroken. "There goes a fortun\" he would sny, "just because 1 haven't the funds to get it out o' the ground." Nevertheless .lira was always perHuaded, and if the would bo purchaser hadn't the cash to buy with he would? just as a favor?take anything he could get. He sold one man who was down on his luck u lot lifty feet by fifty for a revolver. This transaction was talked about, and any innn who had a horse, a watch or an old fiddle would go to Jlin Pike and buy a bit of ground with it. But none of these investors got any gold out of their lots. First there was grumbling; then there was cursing, and at last there was a putting together of heads, and the opinion was promulgated that Pike had swindled the purchasers. Those who had bought the best and largest tracts for cash consulted as to how they could get their money back; those who had bought with cats and dogs were not so wrought up, but among the whole there grew up a disposition to prevent Pike from getting away from the place with the booty. nKe had a (loop Insight Into human nature. It was his opinion that those who have boon swindled once mifht be swindled again. Moreover, he believed that it is easier to swindle' a community than an individual. "That's the plan:" he said, "on which promoters work. If Tom is satisfied that a certain scheme is a good one Dick is ready to follow Tom, and the two together bring in Harry. Tom, Dick and Harry bring in the multitude." So Mr. Pike concluded that, having by one swindle made a nucleus for another, he bethought himself what that other one should be. The object of his second scheme was not to take any more money out of the citizens of Pikevllle, for he had got about all there was. What he desired was to get away with his plunder. He gave out that in the kindness of his heart he had taken many odds and ends for his property for which he had no use. He had decided to lump them and rathe them, ne thought there were $1,000 worth of them, but he would call it $500. Those who hud invested money in Pikeville lots scorned to invest in Pike's lottery. Those who had lost nothing of moment, thinking that these neighbors had bought with more valuable articles than himself nnH tim? tbe collection would be a fine thing to have, took shares. In this way 200 shares were sold to the most gulliblo of the population. Pike not only took the remaining 200 shares himself, but pledged himself if he won to put the names of those holding shares in a hut and let a little child, blindfolded, draw a name. To the person whose name was drawn he would turn over the articles rallied for. This seemed so fair, so generous, that it caused quite a revulsion in Pike's favor. Those who had sneered at him did not do so any more for fear of exciting hostility against themselves. Indeed, there were several fights between scoffers and shareholders in the lottery. While the shares were being subscribed for the articles to be rallied were exhibited. In Pike's yard were two horses, both blind, n cow. three, dogs and a goat. In his living room were fishing rods, musical instruments, several articles of furniture, some rugs ?much worn?and small articles of every description down to a jews harp. When the collection had l>een exhibited long enough to give every one a sight, though too short to enable any one to judge of its worthlessness, it was announced that the drawing would take place the next eveqhig at 7 o'clock. A little girl six years Vld was blindfolded, a plug hat with TiOO names in it?200 ladng Pike's?was placed before her, she put in her hand and drew out the name of Jaiues Pike. Mr. Pike stepped forth and said that he had understood there was some error in me mimes in tlie hat, that they would be carefully examined and the final drawing would take place at 10 o'clock the next morning. There was a cheer at this, and the generous Mr. Pike bowed and smiled affably. The citizens of Plkevllle arose the next morning much excited. They had fed on excitement for months, and the feast had now reached a climax. Also there was a sudden fall. The articles to be raffled for were all at hand, but the rafller had departed. The singular part of this story Is that, while the shareholders might have drawn lots for the collection of articles that had been put up. not a person mnde any more to do so. The live stock scattered in search of food and most of the other things were broken up by the children. YEAR OF INDEPENDENCE. The Custom of Dating Proclamation; by the President. White the president of the Unite* States dates official documents fron the year of the Declaration of lnde pendence, there is no law on the suh ject, and the custom is neither genera nor binding, the form being used oiilj in proclamations by the president Ii originated before the adoption of tin constitution during the days of tin confederacy. The original articles of confcderatioi show they were signed by tho dele gates "at Philadelphia, in the state 01 Pennsylvania, the Oth day of July, ii tho ycur of our Lord, 177N, and in tin third year of the independence ol America." The signers dated "the in dependence of America" from the Dec laration of Independence, July 4, 177(5 although the war was still young ant continued several years longer. Tin constitution shows it was signed "tin 17th day of September A. D., 1787, ant of the Independence of tho Uuitcc States of America the l'Jth." The first proclamation Issued l?j Washington as president was, "Givei under my hand and the seal of tin United States in the city of New Yorl tho 14th day of August A. D., 1700 ninl in the fifteenth year of the sov ereignty and independence of tin United States." lie used the phrast "sovereignty and independence" ii two proclamations and then droppec the word sovereignty. All subsequent executive proclama tlons are dated from the year of lnde pendojice, as beginning July 4. 1770 although the Independence of tho Unit ed States was not acknowledged til several years later. ? Philadelphh Press. KIT-CAT PORTRAITS. Origin of tho Term That Stands Foi Stupid Mediocrity. Several years ago an eastern art crlt ic waxeil sarcastic concerning a collec tion of paintings on view at one of tin leading New York clubs. In thecoursi of n vitriolic tirade he relieved him self of the assertion that the exhibi tion consisted chiefly of kit-cat por traits. Those who went to the club rooms expecting to see canvases adorn ed with feline compositions were con doomed to disappointment. There wui not a cat picture iu the whole show. "What is a kit-cat portrait?" was tin burning question of the hour. Why, i stupid portrait, a commonplace piec< of painting that reveals no glimmer o genius. At this stage of the explana tion the inevitable interruption?"Bu why do you call it n kit-cat picture?' And not one critic out of u liuudret had the remotest idea. The term for stupid mediocrity hat its origin in a collection of forty-tw< portraits of prominent men painted be tween 1703 and 1720 by Sir Godfrey Kneller, one of the best known Brltlsl portrait painters. They were exactly tha nf)mo ai7a nnH ?rv ii VJ.C Aiuiucu aiiAt hence the Idea of monotony which let to the Idea of mediocrity. The sub jects of these portraits were member of a club that met in the tavern of f celebrated pastry cook, Christopher Ca ?called Kit for short?nnd among then were such men as Addison, Steele Walpole and Marlborough. It was tin influence of this club that placed Ceorgi I. on the throne of England.?Exchange Mollified. Tills really happened In New Yorl the other day: Displeased Parent?Molly, I find yoi have been buying three pairs of glove! without my permission. Why did yoi do it? Miss Molly (aged twelve)?Why, dad dy, 1 was obliged to have some gloves 1 hadn't a pair to wear! Displeased Parent?It was veri wrong of you to buy the gloves with out asking either your mother or m< about It. Miss Molly?Well, never miml, daddy dear. They won't cost anything, had them charged!?New York Post. Her Conscience. In spite of scoldings, Helen persisted In running away from home. One day after n longer absence than usual, hei mother asked: "Helen, dear, does not your con science trouble you when you are run ning away from mother?" explaining that her conscience was a little voict speaking within. Helen answered: "Oil, yes, mamma; that little voice ii always saying, 'Run faster, faster, Uel en; your mother Is after you!' "?Pitts burgh Chronicle-Telegraph. Feline Amenities. They were discussing the newest en gagement. The fair fiancee had previ ously made three similar announce ments, but not onu had resulted in f. wedding. "Do you think she will really marry him?" asked her dearest friend. "I can't say, my dear," retorted th< next dearest. "It is possible, but no( customary."?Woman's Home Corapan Ion. Tho Limit. "I shall never speak to her again as long as I live." "But you've said that often before." "I know, but what else is there tc say when a person becomes as angry as sho makes me?"?Detroit Free Press. Cautious. Iliggs?Crooke is a criminal lawyer, isn't he? DJggs?He's a lawyer, but iit? iu tux nouij; criminal, I think bo's too careful to quite overstep the line.? New York Sun. Clod j?lves every bird Its food, but does not throw It into the nest.?J. G. Holland. - A Trap and a : Confession I By EUNICE BLAKE ' "I understand, Itilly, that your en, gagcment with Ida Trust is broken?" "It is." i There was a brief silence between - the two men, when Billy Staples said: C "Ida sent me off." 1 This was all the information any one ever gbt out of Mr. Staples. There is ^ a story connected with his dismissal that puts the matter in a different light. j Miss Trusk was one of a house party , giveu In the autumn. And of course , Billy was invited too. Edith Storms, j one of the girls of the party, was sitI ting on the porch with Billy and said to him: f "I'm tired of riding, and I wish we ' did inore walking. Nothing delights me so much as to start out on a brisk walk in cool autumn weather, when the leaves are turning. I love to kick up the leaves drvlne on the uroiim! ' "I will be most happy to be your ~ companion for a walk," said Billy gall lastly. I "Ida might not like it" "I see no reason why she should object" "Nevertheless it would be just as well if she did not see us go away to' gethor. She's in the library playing j cards." t "I'm perfectly willing she should see us." They started off and were soon in the woods, kicking up the fallen leaves. Miss Storms coming to a secluded spot did not seem as desirous of walking as P she had claimed. A branch of a tree growing very near the ground and parallel to It formed a convenient seat Miss Storms sat down, leaving room " for her companion to sit beside her. lie L did so, and the two chatted for awhile on the scenic beauty of the spot and the stillness, the lady remarking that it was just the place for a proposal, whereupon the gentleman said that he . would be happy to accommodate her 3 If he were not nlready engaged. Miss Storms leaned forward, expos, tng a shapely waist. Blllv resisted a x temptation to drop an arm upon it. but 9 when she turned her face toward him f with her lips very near his ne gave it i . up. He kissed her. t The temptress rose and walked away, Billy following her. He couldn't i tell whether she was offended or hurt or conscience stricken. Their walk 1 back to the house was in silence, and > when they reached it the girl went - immediately to her room, f That evening Miss Trask intimated 1 that she would like a private converse7 14-t. U /J- ?* " - uuu w iin uer uuuce. \L'ney went into * one of the little parlors on the main * floor, nnd when seated the lady said: "I saw you go to walk this afternoon * with Edith Storms. Do you think It * Just the thing to take walks In the ^ woods with one girl when' you are enguged to another?" [ "I see no harm In it" " "There is no harm provided nothing , occurs that is harmful." Billy mude no reply to this. "If you assure me that nothing harmful occurred 1 have nothing further to say." Billy pondered as to his answer, then said, "Ask Edith." Then, rising, he j left the room. She met her fiance in the hall the next morning, and handing him a note she passed on. The note was simply a breaking of their engagement. 7 Edith Storms, on seeing Billy shortly after his dismissal, indicated that she , would like to speak to him alone. Billy gave her nil opportunity, but maintained a reserve. I "Why did you send Ida to me about what happened yesterday?" she asked. "Because it is the woman's privilege to answer all such questions." j "Could you not have saved yourself by"? r "A lie? No." "You compelled me to accuse you of - taking a kiss without my consent." "I don't sec how you could have oth; erwise defended yourself." i "But this reflected on you." "I shall have to bear the iuiputa? tion." "Has Ida broken with you?" "Yes." Miss Storms did not seem quite satisfied and showed her dissatisfaction. She tovcd with a bangle on her arm. then with u string of bends around her ' neck. "What makes tue feel unpleasant," 1 she said presently. "Is that I don't wish you to think that I wish to take ' you away from Ida. Indeed. I am preoccupied in that"? J "Don't give yourself any concern that ^ I should think you are in love with me." There was something cutting in this that called a slight Hush to her check. "All the blame of this affair." she 1 said, "falls on me. I'm not going to hear it. I'll tell you the whole story if you will agree to drop tho matter." "Tell it. I have no reason to follow , It up." "It seems very wrong of me, but I shall feel hotter after having made an explanation. Ida has recently met a man with whom she has fallen desperately in love. She wanted a reason to break with you and"? "Never mind the rest. What you have fold me will never pass my lips." "You forgive me?" "Certainly." Hut he never forgave the girl who 1 ad broken with him. ANIMALS IN PAWN. Tame or Wild, They Are Good For a Loan In This New York Shop. Among tho curious industries or sources of livelihood in New York city is au animal pawnshop. As you take a watch to an ordinary pawnshop to raise money on it, so you may take a watchdog to the animal pawnshop. Keceutly a man did this, getting $20 ou a dog that was easily worth $50, the pawnbroker said, liut he was a trick dog which had been taught to open doors. So in due time lie opened a door and let himself out while letting the pawnbroker in. A well known animal trainer owns the shop. He takes camels, lions, elephants?any animals. There are no charges for interest ou the loan, the only charge beln^ for the keep of the animals, among which at almost any time are dogs, monkeys, hears, goats, cats, coons, foxes, parrots, canaries. At one time he had forty trick donkeys in pawn. The profits arising from charges for feed and care are enough to make the institution pay. Once ho had a lion in pawn which broke his chain in the stable and went roaring around, scared almost to death, and It was only after heroic efforts that tliey mustered courage to capture him. As a matter of fact the animal was a decrepit beast that had served his time in sideshows and was anxious to get a way.?Exchange. A CLEW TO HER PAST. 8h? Knew Entirely Too Much, As a Close Observer Discovered. She looked rich and acted rich, and every one knew that sbo was rich hecause she had married a rich man, yet the Slicrk >ck IIollllovi nf fliA ton nnrtr I discovered t bat she had once been poor. "Take it from me," she said, "that there was a time, and that not so very long ago, when she was as poor as the rest of us." "Marvelous!" exclaimed the other four girls. "How did you discover that?" "Through her knowing so absolutely where I keep all my housekeeping things. She knew that the tea caddy was in the writing desk, that the cheese, biscuits and other edibles beloved by mice were ta that tin box under the sofa, that the alcohol for my stove was in the corner behind the washstand, that the butter and milk were on the window ledge and that the egg" and other raw fo^io wore in a DO* on the bottom shelf of the wardrobe "When we were cooking she went straight to the spot and got every one of those things without once asking where they were, which is something that a person who had not had a wide experience of housekeeping In one room could never have done."?New York Times. Aw Ingenious Device. When Sir Robert Perks' school days were over he entered the office of a firm of lawyers and worked very hard. It was no uncommon tiling to And him reading law at 5 in the morning, and this often after he had been working late on the previous night. As a matter of fact, ho made it an inflexible rule never to lie in bod of a morning after 5. To enforce this rule he in- | vented an ingenious device. This consisted of a long glass tube filled with water nicely balanced over his head and attached by a string to an alarm. At the desired hour the bell rang and awakened the sleeper. If within a few seconds he did not leap from his bed and avert the calamity the descending weight of the clock destroyed Hie balance of the tube, and down poured the water on his guilty head!?From "The Life Story of Sir Robert W. Perks." u? c-iJ: d-I The Italian soldier gets a very high character from Richard Ragot in his "Italians of Today." "To see an Italian soldier drunk or in any way misconducting himself in a public place is exceedingly rare?so rare indeed that it would create a very disagreeable impression on the witnesses. Indeed, the men of any one of the more important j Italian regiments who misconducted themselves in a public place would, in addition to tlie severe punishment administered by the regimental authorities-. undergo a very bad time of it at the hands of their own comrades."? London (Ilobe. Her Idea. "Ma, your bank account is overdrawn." "What does that mean, pa?" "Simply this. You've written checks for $13 more money than was In the bank." "The Idea! If $13 Will break the bank I\l find another one to do business with. I supposed the.v had thousands of dollars on hand all the time."?Detroit Free Press. Outlawed. ' IIow about paying me for that suit I made for you two years ago?" asked the tailor. "You surely enn't expect me to pay for that suit," said the impecunious young man. "Why, It's all out of style."?St. Louts Post-Dispatch. Somewhere Around. "I never see her with her husband, lias she lost him?" "I don't know. Some people seem to think she has merely misplaced him."?Louisville Courior-JournaL Worked the Wrong Way. "IIow did the accident happen?" "He got run over when he stopped to read a 'Safety First' sign."?Houston Post. 3 In the HOME~ i or on the, FARM I n^%( n. ) v#sW }MV-.. ? MM Illki:fe] ii:..Njo ; ig|MM The many needs for ? good clearscr nnd disinfectant vf: best and most ecc- . noir.ically filled by MENDLESOiV'S LYE Its full strength cuts grease in a jiffy frcm sinks mid punsand makes it ideal for disinfecting pcultiy houses and curing cholera in hogs. Its purity and strength make it the best Lye to use, while the extra quantity your money will buy, makes it the cheapest. I \% enty ounces of Solid Lye for a Dime instead of Sixteen. One ten cert can enough to eaponify eight pounds of creese- making more ccap than any other 10c can of iyc en the market will make. The pound can makes fifteen pounds of soap. Three Forms?solid, granulated and ball. W-g" - =grr^- , * Iosisl upon Scs* Lye |j [ union county wholesale dealers The Union Grocery Co., Union, S. C. , The W. D. Arthur Co., Union, S. C. Eagle Grocery Co., Union, S. C. RETAIL DEALERS J. W. I'ollard, Union, S. C. J. F. Almon & Co.,Jonesville, S.C. H. J. Hames, Jonesville, S. C. J. F. Cheek, Union, S. C. S. G. Gault, Jonesville, S. C. F. A. Johnson, Union, S. C. L. B. Jeter, Santuck, S. C. C. G. West, Jonesville, S. C. W. G. Gregory, Union, S. C. James Harmon, Jonesville, S. C. B. L. Fowler, Union, S. C. B. G. Gregory, Carlisle, S. C. I R. J. Fowler, Union, S. C. D. B. Free, Jonsville, S. C. TEN DAY RATES StBUAKU A1K LINE RAILWAY "THE PROGRESSIVE RAILWAY OF THE SOUTH" To Wilmington and To Wilmington and From Wrightsville, N.C. From Wrightsville, N.C. Abbeville, S. C __ $ 7.50 Greer, S. C _. $ 8.0" Anderson, S. C __ 8.00 Hodges, S. C,._ __ __ .. 8.00 Athens, Ga 10.00 Lawrenceville, Ga._. _ .. 10.00 Atlanta, Ga... __ 10.00 Pelzer, S. C.__ __ __ .. 8.00 Helton, S. C.__ __ __ __ __ __ 8.0C Piedmont, S. C _. ? 8.0(t Birmingham, Ala 15.00 Rockmart, Ga __ ... 11.20 Cedartown, Ga.__ __ __ .1 11.Of) Shoals .Jet., S. (' -? 8.Oo Donalds, S. C 8.00 Spartanburg, S. C.__ _. 8.00 Elberton, Ga __ __ 8.50 Union, S. (' .. 7.50 Greenville, S. C __ 8.00 Williamston. S. .. . S.00 Greenwood, S. C 7.50 Winder, Ga .. .. 10.00 Tickets on sale each Thursday up to and including September 2, 1015. bearing final limit to reach original starting point, returning prior to midnight of second Monday following date of sale. Extension of final return limit may be had upon payment of difference between the ten day and season rates. Call on nearest Ticket Agent for Pullman reservations, information or C. S. Compton, T. P. A., Fred Geissler, Ass't G. P. A., Atlanta, Ga. Atlanta. Ga. ! RAIIFV IINnrDTAKIMC OA - n < a 1 ^ B-f JLJA.% JL JtiVI W^? Funeral Directors and Emlbalmers Phone call answered anywhere in the County. Phone Office 10(> Phones Residence K8 and 131 T. E. BAILEY, S. L. HARRIS, Pres. and Treas. L. E. and F. D. j Experienced lady asssistant when desired. A F.ong Winded Clock. On arriving in this country Pat was D. AMBROSE HUGHES met at the pier by bis brother Mike, who had been in America some years, Public Auto Service and was taken to his home. Early ?. on the following morning the new arrival was awakened by an alarm Calls Promptly Answered clock, an invention that was entirely ^^^? ? new to him. "Shure and Oi say, Mike," ho exclaimed, springing out of bed, "the i noights here in America must he the IVI. C. F^yXIVISEAK [ longest av any place in the worruld." _ . , _ "Waik. At A~n>i Painter ? 1 i4/ii iiilv,T - ?..?w | - m|#wi naivyci that," was the sleepy rejoinder of and Decorator Brother Mike, "That, makes you think so?" Estimates Cneerfiill> Furnished "Didn't yez hear thai clock?" re- Phone 33 I nion, S. ( . turned I'at, pointing toward the l>u- i reau. "It must have struck at laste a thousand."?Kansas City Star. Dr. Virgil R. Hawkins dentist IremedyfSrmen. Union, S. C. J fr AT YOUR DRUGGIST. J _______