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An Old Bachelor’s Valentine.
(The author of this poem, which originally
appeared in Harper’s Magazine , mysterious¬
ly disappeared in 1885, and has never been
heard from. At the time of his disappear¬
ance Mr. Conant was editor of Harper's
Weekly .]
Were I not fn the faded and sere
Yellow leaf of my fiftieth year,
Katie dear,
Or could I recall the sunshine
Of youth to this dull heart of mine,
I would pen thee a gay valentine,
Katie mine.
In the morning of life, when the clear
Vistas show us no prospect to fear,
Katie dear,
Ere yet we have learned to repine,
We joyously bend at the shrine
Of the lover’s good saint, Valentine,
Katie mine.
When we know that our sunset is near,
And our sky is o’erelouded and drear,
Katie dear,
It’s a strife to feel jaunty and fine,
And our fancy can hardly incline
Us to homage to St. Valentine,
Katie mine.
And yet, if I had thee right near,
I would whisper a word in thy ear,
Katie dear,
And bog thee to open thy shrine
Of thy heart t»> this poor one of mine,
Instead of a gay valentine,
Katie mine.
— S. It!. Conant.
KATE’S STRATEGEM.
In a cosy breakfast room three per¬
sons were seated around the cheerful
table. Mr. Morton, a tine looking man
of 40, wealthy and a bachelor, and’ his
two young and jiretty nieces, Lillie and
Kate Dale.
“Uncle Bert, you out to get married,”
said Kate, suddenly breaking a silence
which had lasted some minutes.
“Wliat for, miss?” asked her uncle, as
he laid aside the paper he was reading.
“Well,” replied Kate, “you see Lillie
is going to marry Frank Hill and go to
Chicago to live, and I,” with a pretty
blush, “will marry Walter Field at the
same time and go to Detroit’; so, don’t
you sec, }-ou will be alone, for you will
not go with either of us.” ’
“yell, what of that, Miss Puss?”
asked her uncle smiling.
“1 should like to know who is going
to look after your comfort and give you
a good scolding when you come home
late at night,” demanded Kate in a voice
of authority.
“Well, 1 can do very well without the
scolding, and I expect that Aunt Mollie
can take care of the rest,” ho answered
lightly, amused at Miss Kate’s air.
“Aunt Mollie, indeed! Yes, she will
do very well with the cooking, but you
sec she will not take care of the other
things as she would if you were married
and there was some one to give orders
about the housework,” answered lvate,
shaking her head.
“Well, I did not get married when I
was a young man, and I don’t think I
will now; and besides, there is no one
whom I know or care to marry,” he
added, sipping his coffee.
“There is little Miss Bell,” retorted
Kate, darting a quick, sly glance at her
uncle from under her dark lashes.
“Bosh!” he said nervously, while a
faint, flush rose to his forehead.
“Well, then, there is the Widow Day
ton, and I know that she admires you
and would willingly become Mrs. Mor¬
ton.’’
Air. Morton had a wholesome horror of
the Widow Dayton, who had on several
occasions tried to capture the wealthy
bachelor, but bad failed sadly; and of
this Kate was well aware, and at times
teased her uncle unmercifully.
“Heaven protect me from ever marry¬
ing herb She has two red-headed,
freckle-faced boys, and has badgered
one man to death already,” replied Mr.
Morton hurriedly, as he pushed back liis
chair from the table.
“But, uncle,” continued Kate, “the
willow has set her cap for you an l you
had better be careful or you will be a
married man before you know what you
are about.”
“Yes; lint you see, mire, she cannot
marry me unless 1 ask her to, and that I
don't intend to do," he returned, as he
hastily rose from the table and prepared
to start for his place of business.
“Uncle." Kate called after him as lvc
left the room, “this is leap year, and if
you don’t propose to her she can to you,
and it would not surprise me one bit if
shc did.*”
“Oh, Kate, how can you tease uncle
so?” asked Liiiie, after Mr. Alorton had
passed out of hearing., “You know he
will hardly ever speak to a lady if he can
help it.”
“Yes, I know, and if he hadn't been
•o bashful he could have been married
long ago to Miss Bell,” retorted Kate.
“Mrs. Jones told me all about it; uncle
was too timid to propose and Miss Bell
is single yet, I do wish the widow
would propose to him,” she added.
“Why Kate, you surely wouldn’t want
uncle to marry such a vixen as Mrs. Day
ton?” laughed Lillie.
“No, I don’t want him to marry her,
for she would hare hitn badgered to
death in a month’s time; but it would be
such fun if she only would propose to
him, and maybe that would scare him
into marrying some one else.”
Silence reigned for a few minutes after
this speech of Kate’s; each was busy
with her own thoughts. All at once
Kate sprang to her feet, with mischief in
her eyes, and clapping her hands ex¬
claimed:
“I have it, Lilli”
“Have what?”
*‘A joke on Uncle Bert. I am going
to make Mrs. Dayton propose to him.”
“IIow?” asked Lillie.
‘•‘This is leap year, and Juncle will get
a proposal from Mrs. Dayton; if he
doesn’t, my name is not Katharine Dale,”
answered Kate, nSddiug her head sagely,
while her dark eyes spoke volumes of
mischief.
“Jvatc, what do you mean? IIow
can you make her propose?’’
“Just wait and you will see. I can
manage that part perfectly well,” re¬
torted Kate, as she danced gayly out of
the room and ran up stairs, where she
was soon busily engaged in some mys¬
terious scheme.
Meanwhile Mr. Morton had not spent
a very enviable forenoon, for the words
Kate had spoken, in the morning kept
ringing in his ears, spite of all efforts to
forget.
“Bosh! ” he exclaimed at last, throw¬
ing down his pen for the twentieth time,
and glancing at his watch. “One
o’clock, and I have done nothing today.
What a fool I am! Of course Kate was
only joking. Mrs. Dayton would not
dare to propose. Well, Tom, what is
it?” he asked, as an errand boy en¬
tered.
“A letter, sir,” said the lad, as he
handed Mr. Morton a large yellow mis¬
sive, and then darted quickly out of the
door with a broad grin upon his face.
Mr. Morton tore open the envelope and
drew forth the letter. His hand slfook,
and great drops*of perspiration broke out
on his brow while he read the following
lines:
Mr. Morton:
Deah Sir,—I take the advantage which
this year affords to my sex to inform you of
tho tender feel ng I have long felt for y u,
and I believe that my sentiments are re¬
turned. I understand that your nieces are
to bo married yxm, and I know that you will
want some lady to care for your hou e, end
greet you • with soothing words of cheer,
when you return home weary with tho busi¬
ness cares of the day. Therefore I conquer
my modesty and plainly ask you to marry
me. Hoping to receive a f ivorable reply
soon, I remain, Yours truly,
Nancy Dayton.
“Heaven and earth!” gasped Air.
Morton, letting the letter drop from his
trembling hands, and starting to his
feet. “Kate was right. She intends to
marry me whether or no. What on earth
am I to do?” he groaned, sinking back
into his chair and dropping his throbbing
head upon his hands despairingly. •
It is an old adage that “it never rains
but it pours,” and so thought Air. Alor
ton, for the next moment a clerk put liis
head in at the door and said:
“If you please, sir, Aire. Dayton is in
the store and wishes to see you at once
upon important business.”
“Eh! What?” almost shrieked Air.
Alorton. “Airs. Dayton in there? what
shall I do?” he cried, starting up wildly
and darting behind the door.
“Yes, sir. What shall I tell her?” said
the clerk, looking as if lie thought that
Air. Alorton had gone crazy.
“Oh, for mercy’s sake don’t lot her
come in here!” he exclaimed in a sliak
voice, “Dou’t, Brcfwn, there’s a
good fellow. Tell her anything that I
am ilk or not in—tell her to come in
some ether time, Get rid of her quick,
some way or other; but for Heaven's
sake don’t let her come in hero. 1 won’t
see her on any terms whatever.”
“All right, sir,” said Brown,- as he
backed out of the office, almost choking
with laughter, as the situation of affairs
and the cause of Air. Morton's frantic ac
tions flashed through his mind.
“Oh inv stars!” groand Air, Alorton,
as the door closed behind Brown.
“What on earth am I to do? Kate was
right, What a fool I was that I did not
ask Bessie Bell to marry me years ago!
i Then I would have been safe from the
clutches of that brazen-faced widow.”
He stepped from his place of retreat
and, sinking into the nearest chair,
bowed his head upon his hands in per¬
plexed thought. Suddenly a bright idea
struck him, and he exclaimed:
“I’ll do it yet—right away, too, and
be done with it 1”
Springing to his feet, he seized his
hat and gloves and put them on hurried¬
ly. Then he went to the door, and in a
nervous whisper called out to the clerk;
“Brown, has she gone yet?”
“Yes, sir,” replied Brown, while a
broad smile spread over his face.
“Well, I am going home; I am ill;
you will attend to locking up the store.”
‘‘Certainly, ” -returned Brown.
Air. Alorton hurried out and walked
rapidly up the street until he arrived at
a tiny white cottage. Here he stopped
and rang the bell. The door was opened
by a pretty, dark-haired, brown-haired
woman of 35 or 40, who, wdien she
caught sight of her visitor's flushed face,
and noticed his excited manner, ex¬
claimed';
“Air. Alorton, are you not well? What
has happened?”
“Nothing, Bessie. Y'es, • I mean I
have come to—to—” * he stammered,
and then stopped confused and crimson.
“Come in,” said Miss Bell, calmly,
leading the way into a cosy sitting room.
She placed a chair for her visitor and
waited for him to speak.
Air. Alorton did not take the offered
chair, but remained standing toying
nervously with the buttons ou his gloves.
For several moments neither spoke, then
a voice that would tremble, in spite of
bis efforts to be calm, he said:
‘ ‘Bessie, I have come to ask you a
question. Will you marry me?”
“Mr. Morton, surely you don’t mean
it!” faltered Aliss Bell, while a rosy
blush mounted to her smooth white brow.
“Yes, Bessie, I mean every word of it.
I have never seen any woman that I
loved but you; do you think you could
care enough for me to be my wife?”
“It’s so sudden,” stammered Aliss
Bell.
“I know it is, Bessie; but say yes—
please do,” he coaxed, gaining courage
to plead his cause, now that the ice was
broken.
What her answer was the reader can
judge; for three weeks later he led her
into his own home, and introduced her
as “Aly wife, Alt' 8 - Bessie Alorton.”
Imagine the surprise and delight of
Kate and Lillie at this sudden announce¬
ment.
“Oh, Lill, didn’t I tell you how it
would end? And I am glad of it!” cried
Kate, after she had kissed her new aunt
and nearly smothered Air. Alorton with a
“bear hug” in her delight at the turn
affairs had taken. “But uncle, what
about the widow?” she quizzed, after the
surprise and excitement had somewhat
subsided.
Air. Alorton looked searchingly into
her face for a moment, and catching the
gleam of mischief that sparkled in her
eye, he exclaimed:
“So, miss, it was'you was it? I might
have known it was one of 3-0ur tricks;
but then, all is well that ends well,” he
added, with a loving glance at the sweet
face at tho other side of the room.—
1 Vaverley.
A Stupendous Mystery.
Proctor declared that few even among
scientific men appreciate the amazing
mystery of the force we call gravity.
Wonderful as is the familiar attraction of
bodies to the earth, gravitation is al¬
together a greater mystery when consid¬
ered as a property possessed by matter.
The universality of the property which
belongs not merely to this or that sub¬
stance, hut to every substance, solid,
liquid or gaseous, and not to such aggre¬
gations of matter, but .to the ultimate
molecules and atoms is an amazing, if
not an appalling mystery, Here is mat
tor. which men call inert, not merely
possessing inherent force, but with its
whole texture insiinct with inherent,
unexplained, probably inexplicable pow¬
er. But if the universality of gravi¬
tation, and the infinite range of the
force thus exerted by all matter are won¬
derful, infinitely more wonderful is the
instantaneous nature of its operation.
This quality of universal gravitation is
indeed so wonderful that few who hear
of it for the first time can even admit
that it is possible. Yet the astronomer
has been able to demonstrate that the
interval of time required for gravity to
extend its action from one body iu space
to any other body, even if separated by a
distance so great that light at 187.000
miles per second takes thousands of years
to cross it, is less than any interval which
can be measured.— Trenton (A. J.)
American*
NOW! IN THE SPRING OF THE
YEAR.
During Winter, Nature wisely arranges that we
should live on fools containing much tat, or, as
they are known, hydrocarbons, for the chemical the purpose
of supplying heat to the boly; op¬
eration necessary to transform fat into heat is
:he exclusive work of the hver, and so during
the time stated it is constancy congested.
With the approach of warm weather our diet
changes to muscle-producing food, and the
work of the liver is much lessened. In the ma¬
jority of cases, however, it is ttiTTinable to com¬
pletely throw off the excess - f bile, tired but remains feeling
congested, causing that £5Tl<izy,
which many have in the Spring months, when
the weather becomes warm.
ifc^“Tliis is evidence of an unhealthy condi¬
tion, arfi though people appreciate the neces¬
sity of an alterative at this period, tho com¬
mon idea is to take drastic pills and produce a
cathartic effect, only to make matters worse.
Tho liver must be unloaded, and its proper ac¬
tion restored before hot weather, if you wish to
&ST preserve health, and if this distinct call of
nature is unheeded, serious results will occur.
tfcjrThe bio >d will become loaded with bile
and lithic acid, and as every drop of vital
fiui l passes through the kidneys unable to be purified,
ttiev soon break down and are to carry
ontt-he deadly poison. Warner’s Safe Cure and
Warner’s Safe Fills have not only a fcSS"' specific also.
action on the kidn ?ys, but on the (tiTliver
gjj'“They thin the thickened bile so that it
will pass out through its due ts, enable the glands
to unload themselves, act cs a solvent on all
biliary acids, and in a word, £a>“ fit these great
organs for tho season’s work, t&T preventing and all
blood poisoning, inflammation, abscess,
affections to which they are so liable.
e*TAs you value the blessings of health, do
not allow the summer to approach without giv¬
ing your system a “general house-cleaning,” in
the manner we have indicated.
i&i5““To forewarned is to bo forearmed.”
Icy Facts.
If we had plenty of wheat the coming
crop, xve may be able to teach Russia a
mild lesson as to our Supremacy as a mer¬
cantile nation when we have goods to
market, and we hope we will. Alean
while. we can furnish her with the mo¬
tive power to perfect her methods of
marketing her vast surplus, and if we
can’t buy her slaves, can furnish them
with clothin", as does our mother coun¬
try iu a world nearer the sun. Our corn
trade is not dead nor yet sleeping, and
demonstrates possibilities of plenty, well
handled. Railroad companies are not
always blessings, and foreign stockhold¬
ers are frequently the better off. East¬
ern ^apital built our roads; Eastern edu¬
cation supplies the craftsmen who run
their shops and direct their management, the
but the West continues to make
rates which has placed wheat, still places place
flour, and may next threaten to than
corn m foreign ports a less tariff
covers its transportation to the seaboard.
We will either wind up in Eastern Eu¬
rope or Western Africa, with a wide
waste between.— Baltimore, Md., Jour¬
nal of Commerce.
Cotton Burnings on Shipboard.
The report of the special committee of
the Charleston, S. C., Exchange, shows
plainly that there is no evidence of the
existence of a ring for the purpose of
purchasing cotton from burnt steam¬
ships, at improper prices; that there is
no evidence that the cotton fires at that
port were due to incendiarism; that no
ring exists whose iuterest it is to cause
cotton tires, because its members obtain
a share of the plunder; and, finally, that
there is no proof that insurance com¬
panies are defrauded at that port, or that
the charges there are greater than the
charges elsewhere. The committee show
plainly that the existing laws permit the
collusion of shipmasters with outside
persons, in case of fire or disaster. The
master of a burning steamship has sole
and complete control of the cargo, and
in him the power is vested of making
contracts for handling it as he may elect.
There is temptation to him, therefore, will to
make bargains with outsiders who
pay him liberally for a preference. partic¬
There is need of improvement in
ular directions, and it is especially re¬
quisite that a change be made in the
powers of shipmasters in case of fire.
A Boomerang.
A wonderful event has occurred in
Utah that will give Alormon leaders
something to talk over and meditate
about. The municipal election occurred
recently at Ogden, a city of some 12,000
inhabitants and next in size to Salt Lake.
The increase of the Gentile population
during the last few years had been a
source of anxiety to the Alormon rulers,
and various artifices were employed the to
render their influence of no effect at
polls, s > finally on election day orders
were issued to the police (all Alormons),
to arrest a number of the Gentiles and
keep them as prisoners until the election
was over. This was frustrated by the
appearance of a company of Federal
troops under the marshal, who said that
cvery voter should be allowed to offer
his ballot. The result was most grati- their
fying to the Gentiles, who elected
entire ticket.
Snip -owner —“Has the Dauphin sailed
for the West coast of Africa, John?"
Cierk—“No, sir.” S. O.—“She hasn’t?
Those confouuded missionaries have de¬
layed her, I suppose?” C.—“No, sir,
the missionaries are all right; they’re
aboard.” S. O—“What’s the trouble,
then?” C.—“There’s a strike at the
distillerv, and the rum hasn't eome down
yet.” *__
Diamond Vera-Cura
FOR DYSPEPSIA.
and all stomach troubles such as
Indigestion, Sour Stomach, Heartburn. Nausea, Oid
din^aa. Constipation. Fullness after •atinjr. Food
Ris.ng in the Mouth and diBajm^abte taste after
tatin*r- Nervousness and Low Spirits.
At Druggists nd Dealers or sent by mail an re¬
ceipt of‘2 5 cts. (5 boxes $1.00) tit stamps. SamjAe sent
on rece pt of 2-cent st amp.
The Charles k. Vcgeler Co., Baltimore, Md
m Lire at home and m»kc motr monrr workir.- for ts, t h«n
l.t.i.rthioycUrmth. rrorK! Elthrr <*i Cooti.r outfit
Irrutit Klh. iddrr.r, Co., Mime.
Adding’ Insult to Injury.
It is like adding insult to injury to administer
a decoction of poison oak to a sufferer
bom Wood poison. Doctors don’t do it. They
know it has no real merit, and is often danger¬
ous, yet, because Indians used it and the stuff
is cheap, it is a common ingredient in remedies
advertised as vegetable cures of blood diseases.
B. B. B. (Botanic Blood Balm) contains no
poison oak, no mercury, no hurtful ingredient
of any kind. It is strictly a professional pre¬
scription with itself iodide the of po'tash as and a safest basis, and
has proven evil quickest blood, also, cure for
for the many effects of bad
strengthening, regulating and benefiting the
whole general system, and as a Spring Tonic, it
gives the greatest satisfaction. Damascus, “I
L. W. Thompson, Ga., writes: made.
believe B. B. B. is the best blood purifier
It has greatly improved from my Miccosukee, general health.” “I
A minister writes Fla.:
received no relief from a severe case B. of indiges¬
tion and dyspepsia, until I used B. B.”
An old gentleman writes: “B. B. B. gives
me new life and new strength. If there is any¬
thing that will make an old man young, it is B.
B. B.” of
M. J. Rossman, a prominent merchant
Greensboro, Ga., writes: “I know of several
cases of blood disease speedily cured by B. B; B.
Two bottles cured a lady of ugly scrofulous skin
sores.”
James W. Lancaster, Hawkinsville,Gi., writes:
“My wife was in bad health for eight years.
Five doctors and as many or more different pat¬
ent medicines has done her no good. Six bot¬
tles of B. B, B. has cured her.”
_- •
The center of population of the I T . S. is sup¬
posed to be 500 miles west of Cincinnati._
A Perfect
Laxative
should be mild, prompt,
tAji and pleasant, with no
griping or purgative ef¬
fects. It should also in¬
• 9 . cite the liver to action,
aid digestion, and re¬
* lieve the kidneys.
A v Like nothing else,
(E? Paine's Celery
4 S' Compound is a
perfect laxative, and
1 cures constipation
V where all other
remedies fail.
“As a gentle laxative, Paine’s Celery Com¬
pound Is surely without a peer. I think I ought
to know, since I have tried remedy after reme¬
dy for about flve or six years, and have found
nothing that equals It in my case of costiveness."
J. B. Jenkins, Teacher, Cloyd’s Creek, Team
‘•Paine’s Celery compound is prompt and
pleasant. As a laxative it leaves little to be de¬
sired. I have great confidence in Its merits.’’
Albert Leonard, Associate Editor .
Journal of Pedagogy, Athens, Ohio,
"For two or three years I suffered intensely
every night with severe pains In my bowels,
which were habitually constipated. My bowels
are now regular, and I have had no return of
those pains since using one bottle of
Paine’s
Celery Compound
F. G. Sticknky, Druggist, Havana, Ala.
Moral: Use Paine’s Celery Compound and stop
ruining the intestinal tract with harsh purtR
tive pills. $1.00. Six for $5.oo. Druggists.
Wells, Richardson & Co., Burlington, Vt.
DIAMOND DYES Are the simplest Dyes made .
A child can use them .
BABIES Liring u P on d L <* ctat fid F °f arc rIca 'l££
> dl
THE WC2LD OUOHT TO EOT IT.
The world ought to jfT.I know wnat B S. S. has
done for me in the cure If# J of a malignant Cancer,
which was go bad as to Mb he considered incura¬
ble by the physicians in Chicago, where I
went to be treated. One f f J 1 of my neighbors sent
me a copy of an adver- LaJ tiscment in regard I to
Swift’s Specific, and I HMM began taking ft. got
relief from the first few A, doses; the poison and I was
gradually forced out of my system, was
soon cured since sound I quit tak- and ■BBaj well. ing S. S. It S. is and now I have ten
months dreadful disease.
had no sign of return of the
Miss. Ann Botiiwei.l.
An Sable, Mich., Dec. 89, ’S3.
Send for hooks on Blood Diseases and Cancers,
mailed free. v The Swift Specific Co.
Drawer 3, Atlanta, Ga.
ECLIPSE PLANTER
« f\
■EX fif
4 0
[sMaffiMs® mm*. m
m "
-7%. J
■SptW'0 : J
McKixzie, Term., M«r29» 1-^*
Mr. D. C. LYTCH, Laurinburg, N. C.—I havn trav¬
eled for fivo yf»ftr4 in Tennessee. Kentucky, Alabama,
Mississippi and Arkan-IM; saw a great many different
kinds of planter.^, and yours is the only one I ever oesides saw
that I thought a success, I has planted the two planter crops and its
my own and every one that seen A large number
work pronounces it a perfect success.
will be sold in this section next season.
Yours truly, R. E. PATE.
^S?”Save thisior future reference. It will not appear
asain. _.__
DETECTIVES
Wanted in ever* Countv. Shrewd men to act under ics*r»ctiooB
tn our Secret Service. Experience not necessary. Particulars free.
Ur anil an Detective Bureau Co44 Arcade, Ci;:l:Mt:.0.
AO._- BUSINESS EDUCATION!
" half required elsewhere. Students can enter afc
anytime. Address \ORT I GjiOKl.I.l AlIKI
t i l/iT KAI. OULLbCii, Dnhlonejjn. «-a.
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FEE charged. Send 9 one-c -r.t ‘tamps hr instruc¬
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headquarters. Wichita, Kansas.
who hare nsed Piso’3
Cure for Consumption
say it is BEST OF ALL.
Sold everywhere. 25c.
| E.erbv’e Veet-Pocke* Encyclopedia eontaia.* are? 500 ■> ^ fill
go? mwISfwws 'iu
tar.
aTnTlj Eleven,