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- PARSON HARWOOD’S CORVES. By Bert Estes. (Copyright 1900, by Bert Estes.) Gallia City, like most Ohio river towns, had ;i mixed population full of sharp an i social, political and religious. , Notwithstanding, there was one local in- j wtjtution, about which there was only one mind. The Gallia City Base Ball Club, tne apple of the municipal eye, was felt ho set for the city’s defense against the world in general—and the nine from Cen- | terport in particular. Centerport, a few miles down the river, was a high-headed little town, given to vaunting Ltself unseemly, and challenging other towns to come out and meet their doom. Worse than that, Centerport had h hand a large stock of doom, and was liberal in applying it—over the diamond. The mutual sdorn of Centerport and Gallia Cly had something tragic in its intensity. To beat Centerport was the summit of Gallian achievement; Centerport lived only ro repeat its victories over the hated foe. In both business of all sorts was transacted, as a sort of adjunct to the larger mission in life. Brent Harwood came to Gallia City to supply Dickson’s pulpit, while Dickson, poor man, was away in hospital. Dickson was the Presbyterian minister. Harwood was to live in the vacant parsonage and lake his meals over with the Potters. Dickson had arranged all that. Harwood hoped he had arranged also for someone to meet him. But when he stepped off the loaf from Cincinnati early one Saturday morning and looked about, he found none to welcome him. When the dock had been deserted by all " - 1 1 11 ■ "11 ■■ 1 - ■ --- , - Grand-Stand and Bleachers Joined Hands and Carried Haiwvod on Their Shoulders. but roustabouts and chronic loungers, Harwood made up his mind that there was some hitch—his letter of announcement hal possibly miscarried, so he walked up to an old riverman in the freight house and said: “I believe T am to board with a family here named Potter. Do you know of any such people?” “Know ’em! Why. sonny, they ain’t man, woman ner child—dog gone it, even er onerey yaller purp. ner scusely er flea on that purp—livin’ in these parts that I don't know! You bet I know ’em—hull fambiy, includin’ the cat—ole chap, with biles on his nose—nice ole gal fer his mis sus-son, the golalfernalest cuss in seven teen states, ter sell planners an’ orgins— an’ the son’s wife, Annie, who is jest er great big hunk of the salt o’ the earth. Say, what d’ye want with ’em? Be ye one o’ them drummer chaps tryin’ ter sell Pot some more goods?” Harwcod shot k his head. “I’ve come to spend the summer here,” he said. “I shall take my m als with the Potters, and live at the rarsor.age.” “Why, it’s s.het up! Dickson’* gone ter New York ter have some big doctor cut him open an’ right him up inside,” the river man said. ”1 did hear thar was a—say, young fel low! you ain’t the new preacher that’s c min’?” “I am going to fry and preach,” Har wcod said, modestly. “My name is Har wood ” “Brother Harwood!” faltered the river man. "lemme beg yer pardon the durnd ost worst way! I had no idee—you don’t * jok like a parson, you don't dress like a parson, you didn’t let on ye wus a par son—how in tunket was a f dlow to know .’ 1 hop- ye’ll fergit I called ye sonny—if ye will, by grab, ye can l!ck mo of I don’t come to church—not n xt Sunday— but seme time bef re ye go” “That’s a bargain.” Harwood said shak ing hands before he made his way to breakfast at the hotel. Ppon his second Monday morning in Gallia City Harwood str 1 ed down to Ste venson Potter’s music store. Stevensen he had found a fine fellow, although every body but Ills own family did call him Pot. Pot. on his part, had at first been doubt ful of the young preacher just out of seminary, hut after a little had said of him to a friend: ‘Our par* n is all rDht from the ground up; not one of those whltechokered lellcws, who go around wi h faces as long as a snail-track—as if they had given up the wo id. the fi sh, and the and vil. and "ere almighty sorry they h and to. Har wood is none of that sort. He’s a man first, and a minister afterward.” As Harwood stepped inside the music store a strong vo!ce called across the street: 'Hey. there. Pot!*’ “Coming, Colonel.” Poster answered, picking h 8 way across the newly sprink -1 and street to a biff crockery store oppositf. A muscular young’ fellow leaned against the door Jamb: “Here’s the devil to iav an 1 no pitch hot—and nighty tar to water.” he said. "Centcrp rt has challenge and us to play ’em Saturday—and Tcm Jordan is oil’ on a big. hig hat You kn .w, there ain’t another man in the whole darn town that can 1 Itch a ball wi hin four fe t rf the plate. Oenterport knows it. too —that's just why they've run tills challenge on us,” “Hound up, Tom. He can get in shape,” Potter said, confidently. Colonel snorted: “Hound nothin’! Tom's a holy terror, wdwn he’s on a spree—besides, h ’s gone. Maybe the Lord knows where he is—l don’t, for sure Its the very cussed st luck—l’d rath' r lose a hundred dollars than hare til m f dlow c m and wallop us-and we’ve got to p’ay ’m—if we ro fuse they’ll crow over it forever and the day after.” “Great mud!” said Potter—he never said anyth ng stronger—“that musn’t hap pen. Can’t we imp ri a pitcher? What's the matt- r with Steven * of the lUver sidfg? He’s a bird-no misake.” Colonel shook his head "Never do in the world.” he said. ” ’Twouldn’t he a square deal, for one thing: for another, they’d bo sure to get on. to i— and then • Well, we’ve yo‘ to accept the chal lenge. ’• l ot or km and. “Do i' right away— and throw in a big bluff. T 11 ’em we’ve cot anew pitcher that wi 1 tak° all the kink* out or ’em. Then we must rustle for a pitcher—w v * got tc—that’s all.” ”Ix)rd, P t. it makes me sick abed, flunkin' of in. luvk of IhoiC Oenterport scrub?,” Colonel said “They've beat us and beat us, on tlukes tins way—we’ve not had a fair show In the longest time. Ard now, just as Tom Jordan was pitch ing in such great simp . off he goes and gets fu 1 again. \\ ,sh the old man Jordan would p teh him in the river, neck and ctop—it’s less than lie deserves.” ’’Well, whining nor cussing don’! help I 118 - as 1 fee- I'm going back to talk with | the preacher," Potter said. "Preacher, be damned,” Colonel said, ir ! recently. ”\ou don’t think he can get coJ Almighty to rain down a pitcher, do you? Or aae you going to set him praying I against the Centerports?” | Potter did n. r answer—the last word I caught him half wny across the street: i "Who is your military friend?” Har ; wood asked, smiling. Potter * xplaiued briefly that Colonel was i:ot a military man—he had been baptized that way. and was the -‘son” of Roodscll & Son. -Moved by an impulse he did not understand, he told also of the challenge, and of Gallia City’s predicament. Har wood listened, thrumm.ng softly on the strings of a line guitar. At the end he said: • I'm feeling p:e,‘tv dull and blue this morning. Do you think your friend Colo nel would let me toss ball to him long enough to set my blood circulating?” “Great mud! parson, do you play ball?” Potter asked. I ”1 did—at college, also at the seminary— whenever I had the chance-.” Harwood ! answered. Potter whistled. "Dickson al ! uio.-i had fits if you named baseball to j him.” he said. “Why, he preached i against it—and came near losing his job. j He did lose half the congregation. But, 1 come on. 1 want Colonel to see you.” •Colonel stared a little at Harwood’s re quest. but invited his two .visitors out into the alley back of the store, where they might toss balls to their heart's con tent, and not <i soul be the wiser. But to Harwood’s suggestion of gloves, he only said: "If it gets too hot I’ll put ’em on— but r re. kon there won’t be any long whiskers on the balls you pitch.” Harwood’s eye twinkled wickedly, In -aid nothing, only stripped off vest and collar, and began to toss. He played lightly, but easily. Colonel caught with an air of condescension, and returned the bail with a great show of consideration for the minister’s soft hands. After a little Harwood asked if Colonel would mind catching a bit while he tried his hand at pitching. “Blaze nwnv, parson,” grinned Colonel. In a minute or two a square box cover was in place as a “home plate,” and CoJ o!;*l behind it. caricaturing the man at the bat. Harwood pretended not to see the implied satire. H© stepped into the pitcher’s place, which he had marked at the proper distance. A ball or two went over the plate, true as an arrow. “Good enough parson.!” Colonel laugh ed. still patronizingly. “You’ve got th* bo!l under bully control, sure.” Harwood said over his shoulder to Pot ter: “Open your eyes and get right be hind me. You’ll see something. So will Colonel.” Then in a louder voice: “Do you mind if I pitch a few stiller ones? I want ;o see if I have lost the hang of it.” “Lei ’em come, parson!” Colonel shout ed back, almost convulsed that a little man, whom he could flifig over his shoul der, should l>e so considerate. Harwood nodded* saying: “Lei ’em come, i*ir?on!” Colonel shout ed back, almost convulsed that a little man, whom he could fiing over his should er. should be so considerate. Harwood no* l ied, saying: “Thank you. Of course I would not put twist in them unless I knew you did n< object. I wish you'd put on gloves, though. I hate to pitch hard to a man in bare hands.” “Gloves, nothin’.” colonel said, almost nettled. “Maybe I don’t look contagious, but you ean bet your last nick you’ll find me? catching.” “Very well, my Christian friend!” Har wood eaHed back. “Catching as you may be. you are not entirely immune. Mini out! Here goes!” Biff! slzz! the hall went out of the parson’s right hand like a rifle shot. flij*. ping off the ends of his fingers with a crack iike a whip lash, li started to the right of Colonel so fast the eye could scarcely follow* it. Colonel darted to get behind It. when suddenly it changed iis mind, plunged to the left, passed him entirely, and hissing, far down th<- alley. •‘Sufferin’, Jimmy! What was that?” gasped Cc lonel. “Oh, only one of the things you didn’t catch—not expos, and < nough, I fancy,” Harwood grinned. “Now 1U me give you annthr r.” Whizz! A great out-shoot went whist ling through the air. Colonel did his lit tle dance again—crlv this time he re vt r.-ed. As he brought up standing, emp ty-handed, be : a il* in awestruck tpnes: “For the love o’ God! pirson, nobody but a crossly and man could catch thoso diim things. Get one right at me—right hen*!” foil ing Ids ha ds in front of his stomach. “That's right when they would go If you diun’t get cut of the way. Stand s id and k'M'p your eyes open,” Harwood c mmanded. “Now! ' Biff! Ai oth r s zzling in-shoot! Crack! Colonel was In the air lancing like a wild Indian, trying to I>l w* o.i h s hands, and rub 1 dbcwsat the s imp time. The ball had gone as Harwood said. The con cussion of It. had Jarred C lonel from fin ger ti; s to shoulder blad s. “If you’d or.ly put cn the mitts,” Har wcQd said, with a tantalizing grin, “I’d like to throw yen a few speedy ones—oth erwise I’m really afraid I might hurt you.” •Hurt me!" C Icnel’r. ton. was abject. “And th m laws f odog lik" a full crock ery crate had smashed ’tnt. I’m no glut ton, parson. I kiiow when I’ve had enough. But, say, you’re the decelvingest pir k go ever I struck.” “Mr Harwood,” sad Potter, “if you don't mind I’ll go get Bill Reed to come and ra eh f r you.” “I should like it rf all th ngs,” said Harwood. “The Utile I have done makes mi; f i.l anew man.” THE MORNING NEWS: SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 1000. “Me. too—and a dam poor one.” Colo nel" added—but he plucked up spirit to grin heartily wVn Potter came back with Bill Reed, catcher to the Gallias. two or three other members, and several “fans” bfsides. When Harwood suggested gloves Bill sn ffed ev,n more disdainfully than Colo nel had done. Harwood smiled as he took position in the box, said softly: "Say where you want the balls. Mr. Reed. I’ll try to put them over the plate about ris:ht.” Bill squatted back of the plate, spat tobacco juice cn his hands and said: “Give us a low ball.” Harwood gripped the leathern sphere, leaped the length of the box, gave a twist of the wrist, and let drive a straight drop over the middle of the plate. Reed put up his hands, but. to his amazement, the thing ducked under his fingers and went skipping down the alley. He was cha grined, of course, but when Harwood again named gloves he said almost rough ly: “Don’t you lay awake nights thinkin* o' Bill Reed. lie don’t need no gloves to ‘catch no preacher's pitchin’.” Harwood nodded and pitched the same inshoot he had sent to Colonel. Bill leaped to this side and that, in a vain attempt to gel behind the boll. As it passed him and went hustling through the dust, he cried. “Fellows, did you see that thing! If I hadn’t quit drinkin* I’d swear I had ’em again!” Potter lined up his forces behind the Parson. Harwood winked at Potter, then | with a motion like the uncoiling of a steel spring, he sent another in-shoot to Reed, so swift that Reed had no time to , dovige It. Bill managed to get his hands up in the instinctive movement of self defense—he caught and hung to the pig skin cannon ball, though his fingers did ! not feel it, they w-ere so jarred and numb. [ "Heliety-Whoop!” roared Bill, sitting down suddenly and staring wild-eyed at the pardon. “Boys,” he went on solemnly, “that wus a close shave—if I hadn’t caught the damn thing ’twould a-gone plumb through my innards. Say,” hx>k ing ruefully at his hands, "No more ball to-day, thank you. I’ve got to see Doc Johnson about them things.” “I’m very sorry,” Harwood said demure ly, “but you wouldn’t put on gloves for parson’s pitching, you know. Soak your hands in very hot water—it will set them all right. Now, Is there any other gen tleman who cares to play ball?” In the soft. Warm twilight of that eventful day Harwood sat coatless and comfortable in the parsonage study. He was smoking and trying hard to keep cool. He was also very lonely, and it must be confessed, blue, from staying alone in the deserted house. So he was genuinely glad to* hear heavy steps upon fhe gravel, and a little la<er to welcome Potter, Colonel, Reed and some more men ho did not know*. ‘This isn’t exactly a social call,” Pot ter began, “yet we can’t exactly call if business—and the fact is, we’re all afraid to begin.” “O Ho! somebody going to commit matrimony! Who is it? Colonel or my friend Reed?” Harwood asked, his eyes twinkling. Reed grinned broadly. The day before he would have thrashed the man who had named him friend to a par son. But a man who could play such bull —that w'as another matter altogether. “You’re dead wrong, parson. That sort of thing comes right in your line—and ours is way off it,” Potter said. “We are in a hble; we warn your help—but we don’t know how you’ll take our proposi tion.” “But you do know*, at least you ought to, that if I can legitimately help you or any one in this town, I shall be both proud and happy to do it,” said Har wood. "But this is clean outside ministerial duty,” Potter began. Harwood smiled. “I am a man as w*ell as a minister,” he said. Bill Reed broke in: “Now’, looky here, ’Aint no use chawin’ longer on that rag. Parson has give out fair an’ square he wants to be took on the dead level—a man same as we are, only a damn-sight—ex cuse my French, parson—it gics the best o’ my United States before I know* it. The case is this—we want you to help us lick them da—er, them meazly Centerport chaps. We can do it if you plfch fer us. Nothin* in this county ’aint in the game with you. If you’ll do it every man Jack o’ us ’ll stick to you like a lean tick to a hog. That’s whin's the matter with us, and there ye be.” Harwood’s face was a siudy. He was amused, pleased. beyond everything touched, by this recognition of common mnnheod. It was the passion of his life to help men realize their own possibilities. He yearned to preach manhood rather than dogma. His heart was warm and he smiled as he said: “I thought you had come for that, and am glad you came. If you had not I should have volunteered—that is, if you had agreed to my conditions—” “We’ll fix all that, parson,*’ two or three began eagerly. Harwood held up his hands. “You don’t understand. I don't want money,” he said, “I do want—ycurselves. If I do some hin-g for you—something on which your hear is are set, you ought to do. something fir me. That is to say if I play ball, you come to church. Is it a bargain?” “You help us everlastingly lick them Centerports,” Bill hurst out, “You can say. ‘Boys come roosi on the church Ft p> from sun-up to sun-down, every Sunday,* anl gamble on our and in’ h—every dam one of us. Hey, boys? O do ©xcu*e m*\ parsoi. I’ve been a tough sort all me life—but be damned if 1 don’t quit swearin* right now.” * “Ah’.” said Harwood, “gentlemen, this brings up something else. You know, aid I know, how ill I can afford to hove it gnid 1 belong to an organization of toughs I want to belong to-*tn organization of gentlemen in th© best sense uf the word. If 1 am to lie a club member you must give me your word that drunkennes- and swearing shall atop. New* w uiKlers'.ind each other. There’s my hand. If you shake it 1 shall know* you take me—condition■. and all.” Ifivery man In the room gove aim a hearty grip, then talk began to buzz about Saturday’s game. All agro and the new pitcher had best he kept dark. Also that Harwood should wear a baseball suit. “I have my own with me—a G. on li? shirt will make it all righ*,” Harwool said, and so the little company went away exultant beyond words. Saturday was fair and hot—the ve*y weather for great ball. But hot as the i aun ahuii© it was mild compared to the baseball enthusiasm of Gallia City. Post ers all abount announced ihe coming con test. The local press under the bigg-.? t. blackest headlines possible to its fonts, hinted darkly at a “phenofenon” in U e pitcher’s box for the home te.im. Placards also warned citizens to do their Satur day buying betimes, as every shop wo li tie shut during the hours of the game. Bocal patriotism had risen to a pass.6n. and swept through it in a tidul wave. Still mystery lay thick anil murk ovrr the pitcher, and some other things. One of them was, why not one of the nine had showed his face at Mike Grogan’s saloon, which theretofore had been baseball headquarters. Beyond that there was in credible rumors of no beer on the grounds —not even the customary two kegs for the team. The Dutchman who had com monly ow ned that profitable privilege i ad been warned off. There was talk also of swearing In extra deputy marshals whose business It should be to suppress swear ing. and all sorts of riotous language. The visiting club was amazed at Us re ception. There were no white-clad players in wait to drag them off to Grogan’s for a social guzzle. Instead Colonel and Bill Reed met tht m and took them to the hottl, while the Gallia City band went al fig, i laying its loudest. The strains came to Harwood as he was slipping into Ms suit. He was not to gj with the pro cession. but to meet the team at the grounds. It was a gnat procession—the band at the head, putiing doggedly through a Sou sa march; next the ’bus bearing Center porters in white with llue caps and hose; after th*m another ’bus full of Gallias, also in white but red on heads and feet; then swarms of buggies, hacks and farm wagons, packed with friends of both nines; last of all a frayed-out drizzle of small boys, intent upon finding cracks of knot-holes in the fence, through which thfey might at least view the promised land. It would be hard to say whether there was more curiosity or anxiety, in the glances which Gallia City folk bent upon their champions. Interest of course cen tered on tty? “phenom.” The strain was not relieved when careful counting show ed in the Gallia ’bus only eight regular players and two substitutes. Gloom deep en? and perceptibly. Those who had given odds on Gallia ft It their coin already as pood as lost. They began to feel also that they had been badly sold—and by their own. Without new blood in home team the game was a gift to Centerport—and so far there was no sign of new blood. About a minute after the appointed hour the umpire sent the Gallias to the field, and the Centerports to the bench. The r short §top spat loyally upon the gleaming new ball, and rolled it in the dirt, so the pitcher might easily grip it. There had bren preliminary practice by both teams. Gallia partisans w'erc amaz ed. and somewhat cheered to see the sub stitute pitcher go to the bench not the box. The points were empty. Almost be fore anybody could remark it. out from the dressing room beneath the grand stand, shot a slight wiry figure in white, with red stocking and r<:d cap. When the figure w’alked briskly into the pitcher’s place a buzz rippled clean around the ground. Centerport’s captain seemed to kick, but at a low word from the um piie dropped back saying to himself: “Fer Gawd's sake!” "Batter up! called the umpire. A mod ern Goliath, big Jim Bunker, stalked up to the plate. “Play ball!” cried the umpire. The ball was passed. Brent faced the mighty slug ger with a little irritating smile. “Say, Jim," bawled the captain, “either this here ‘phenom’ is (young, or It wus picked mighty green. Anyway it 'aim big enough to send n ball across the rubber. It oughter be set playin, marbles. This ’aint no place for children. Now, then, Jim, swat ’er over the fence and break the 'phenom’s heart.” * ‘ You just watch my smoke,” Jim said. “When I hit 'er a lick, she’ll look like a saucer. I’m going to knock the damn thing fiat.” “Excuse me—but thar ’aint to be no sweatin’ this game,” u deputy marshal said, touching the big batsman’s elbow. “All right boss! J didn’t know this was a prayer meetin’,” Jim said, amazement in every line of his face. All eyes were fast on the pitcher, the phenom. He certainly looked 100 slight for :he game he was up*against. Would he fail? Harwood screwed the hall into the palm of his right hand, sprang forw’ard, then lightly, swiftly, as an archer might loose a tense bow-string, loosed his firm, and sent the ball hissing across the plate to raise n puff of sand between the plate and Reed. “One strike!” cried the umpire. “Hell!” shouted Jim, “I didn’t see it!” Harwood silently pitched a writhing rise that wound over the plate to the utter confounding of the batter. “Two strikes! said the umpire. “Thought it was agoin’ to be a low ball,” Jim said apologetically to his captain. The captain glowerd. Bill Reed put on the mask and squatted close up behind th© "bat. Harwood gripped the ball peculiarly, a sign to Bill that the pitch would be a wide out-curve. Th© ball started appar ently for Jim’s stomach. Jim doubted it would agree with him— he jumped very far back from the plate, just ns the ball, twisting like a serpent sailed right over the middle of the rubber. “Three strikes! Striker’s out!” bawled the umpire, “batter up!” The crowd was at first too amazed to applaud. It could hardly believe its eyes. A strippling had struck out the invinci ble Jim Bunker. Jim slunk towards the tench, growling at what he called "the etnpire.” He was promptly silenced by the assertion that the “empire” was all right—it was himself. Jim Bunker, who bad an oyster in h s forehead in place of an eye. When Centerr©rt’s captain had said that he went to the bat himself. Harwood smil * <l. Back at college it had been said that Brent Harwood wen at ball as much by bis grin as by his curves. The grin was slow, insinuating, exasperating, calcufcat el to drive the coolest batter wild. Har wood stood a half minute rubbing the ball and grinning at the captain. 4 Aw, gi: a move on ye, there, kid,” snarled the batter. Harwood grinnod. ‘ Needn’t be 'fraid. I ll bust the durned thing! Gimme or crack at 'er an’ I’ll show ye a trick with a hole in it. Ye ain’t pitchin’ to no blind man this trip,” the captain went on. The rarson kept on grinning. Th batter pot explosively red. Har wood, watching him narrowly, gave the ball a little fliit, and pitched a wabbling “dew-drop” toward the hot captain. Cen terport s man was too disgusted and too mad to see it. The ball went over the plate—a strike was promptly called. Then Harwood iepeted fh ■ pitch. It seemed an ea£ ball. Really it was a hard one. The Centerport lunged at it like a wild bull before it came in six toot of him. All he did was \o tear a big, ragged hole in the air. His ey< s glared as Reed came close behind and crouched in his shadow*. Harwood drew back his arm as if to de liver another “dew-dr* p.” The captain fumed. Suddenly Brent shot his arm porcss his body, and the ball sped over th? plate like a bullet. “Out-t!” yelied the umpire. “Batter up! ’ Gallia City went suddenly insane. It stood up in yelling, howling, cheer ing. The urrp rshrl kirg for silence, was like b cricket piping In face of a stotm. But when, in the midst of the din, a thlid man walked to the plate, whacked the rubber with his bat. and squared him self. the noise hushed as suddenly as it had begun. Harwood deliberated. Should he give this new mart a chance, or clinch things, with the game thus young? He did not quite know how it w*ouid be with the Gal lias at the bat. so derided upon the lat ter course. Three wide out-shoots, sent as fast as he could deliver them, yet give Bill time to come up. bewildered the new bolter, and put Centerport out. It was while the players wire chang ing and p.indemoniyn reigned that the phenom’s identify was made known to tne crowd. At first all GaTfta City gasp ed. as from a cold plunge. A parson. In knee breeches and red stockings, pitching it> a ganv of ball! For a quorter of a minute Gallia City was stricken silent. Then down in the bleachers a whisper began, and swelled and grew, until a bold | man leaped on the rail and called; “Three | cheers for Ihe little parson!” The cheers In some cases tlie external signs of Contagious Blood Poison are so slight that the Make #Jf fig, victim is firmly within the grasp of the monster before the true nature ol the disease ’V, is known. In other cases the blood is quickly filled with this poisonous virus and the PH * JJ , swollen glands, mucus patches in the mouth, sores on scalp, ulcers on tongue, sore J r.M /r throat, eruptions on. skin, copper colored splotches, and falling hair and eyebrow's ™ leave no room for doubt, as these are all unmistakable signs of Contagious Blood Poison. PM/v# f Doctors still prescribe mercury and potash as the only cure for Blood Poison. These poisonous min- MraH t i |[| erals never yet made a complete and permanent cure of Contagious Blood Poison. They drive the disease back into the system, cover it up for a while, but it breaks out again iu worse form. These powerful minerals produce mercurial rheumatism and the most offensive sores and ulcers, causing the joints to stiffen and finger nails to drop off. Mercury and potash mako wrecks, not euros, and those who have been dosed with these drugs an* never after free from aches and pain. S. S. S. acts in an entirely different manner, being a purely vegetable remedy ; it forces the poison out of the system, and instead of tearing down, builds up and invigorates the general health. S. S. S. is the only antidote for this specific virus, and therefore the only cure for Contagious Blood Poison. No matter in what stage or how* hopeless the case may appear, even though pronounced incurable by the doctors, S. S S. can be relied upon to make a rapid, permanent cure. S. S. S. is not a new, untried remedy ; an experience of nearly fifty years lias proven it a sure and unfailing cure for this disease. It is the only purely vegetable blood medicine known. Mr, H. U- ?*tyers. ioo Mulberry St . Newnk . N J., savs “ I was afflicted with n terrible blood d incase which was in spots at firnt, but afterwards •pread all over my body. These soon broke out into sores, and it is easv to imagine the suffering I endured Before I became convinced that the SiV doctors could do me no good I had spent a hundred dollars, which was really thrown away. I then tried various patent medicines, but they did not leach the disease When I had finished my first ‘‘Ttii q bottle of S S S I was greatly improved, and was delighted with the result The large, red splotches Lyy#' ffojC on mv chest began to grow paler and smaller, and before long disappeared entirely I regained my * >St um ‘ slron K er , and my appetite improved, I was soon entirely well, and my skin as W Send for our Home Treatment Book, which contains valuable information about this disease, with complete directions for self treatment. Our medical department i* IsJlpSSr US&gti&jHr in charge- of physicians who have made a life-time study of blood diseases. Dob. ‘‘‘UfiSi.J*"’ hesitate to write for anv information or advice wanted We make no charge what. v*r for this. All correspondence is held in the most sacred confidence. THE SWIFT SPECIFIC COMPANY, ATLANTA, GA, came with a will. From end to end the fair grounds rang- with “Harwood! Har wood! What’s the matter with Hu-ar woo-od? He’s all right!” Nor would the cheering cease until Harwood stood upon a bench and took off his red cap to the crowd. Faith in their unparalleled pitcher made the Gallia all superbly confident. Bill Reed, th< first man up, went to the bat, like a Trojan going to battle. Center pjrt’s pitcher had tremendous speed and 110 curves. Ills third ball met Bill’s ashen stick with a noise like the splitting of n mast. When the fielder recovered it Bill sat at second, fanning himself with Ids can. The next man made a sacrifice hit and advanced Bill to third. Colonel leaned against the ball for a single—and BUI came home, amid the shrieks of the “fans.” “One run! One man out!” said the scorer. Hollis reached first on balls. “Jones to bat, and Harwood on dock!” called the scorer. Jones walked to The plate. Brent se lected his stick. A bad fumble gave Jones his life, and advanced each man a bag. The bases were full—Colonel on third, Hollis on second, Jones on first. Har wood stepped to the pla'e. He was a safe batter, but never a hard hitter—he was too light, besides phenomenal pitchers do not, as a lule, bat well. But this was Harwood’s lucky and iy. The first ball pitch ed came at him like a rifle bullet, exactly where he wanted it, and the. parson rap pod with all his might. It started on a low incline, rising as it sailed, passed over the heads of the fielders, who had edged in. struck the ground far back of them and rolled and rolled as though it couldn’t stoo. • Then Harwood mad* 1 bis first, last, only home run. To this good day he does not know how* h * did it. When he came puf fing and panting across the plate the Gal lias became a cyclone, which filled the air with hats, coats, canes and timbrel las. A locomotive w histle w*c uld have been drowned in the hubbub. The grand stand and the bleachers joined hands and car-* ried Harwood on their shoulders. And Harwood grinned. Asa chronicle of sport the game after ward was quite too one-sided to be inter esting. But Gallia City sat watching it, gorged, almost drunken with joy. No game could be too one-sided for the Gal ibins. They owed Centerport much, you Fee! What did they care for close scores and fine toi*us? Kve r y one of the forty four runs piled up by the red-legged sons of Gallia was to them an increment of unalloyed bliss, and as such hailed with tumult and sh uting. The Centerports! They played like old women, and wore trampled into the earth. Their two poor runs were earned by the rankest erroYs and gave no sort of com fort. Their glory had departed along with their nerve. Their name was “Icha bod"—or worse. And they laid it all on “that damned little‘parson,” as the cap tain said sententiously that night "Gallias! Nothin’. The Centerports can wallop them easy. What we’ve been up against i?>— Gallias and God.” Thenceforth l’arson Harwood was Gallia City’s idol. There were exceptions, it is true—over-strait people, who were scandal ized by the bar© thought of o minister playing baseball. They made him all the trouble they could, but that is outside the story. He had won the mass of citizens, and could do what he pleased, and have whatever he would take that ley within their gift. The church no longer lacked a congregation. “We went to see the lit tle preacher pitch,” said the people. “Now we must go to hear the little pitcher preach.” Everybody went. All sorts and conditions of men and creeds squeezed into th< pews and even sat upon ihe pulpit steps and overflowed the dhoir loft. Do you ask the sum and resultant of all this enthusiasm? Better ask the mothers of Gallia City—mothers whose sons are good citizens because Brent Harwood came to GaHia and played ball with them. For there has reign od anew era in Gallia City ever sine© the day her nine defeated Centerport. Perhaps it would be more ac turate to say the new era began upon that night when Brent Harwood made the nine promise to he gentlemen. If ever Fate takes you to Gallia City do not for get to ask about the “little preacher who pitched.” You will be qure.to hear that no evangelist has ever converted so many men in that town as did “Parson* Har wood’s curves.” A LUCKY FIND. Will Discovered in a Discarded Bible. The following incident was Related by the attorney engaged in the case. It was in his office on© languid afternoon when he was in a reminiscent mood. While ihe lawyer appreciated the roman tic outcome, the earlier stages of the case presented more of difficulty than romance. A credulous old sailor in a sea-port town had acquired a snug little property, and settled down to end his days in peace and quietness. There lived with him on orphan niece of whom he was fond, and whose kindness and gentleness did much to comfort his declining years. But with the easy temperament oY Jack on shore, the aid man in time fell vlcilm to the wiles V>f a designing housekeeper, whom he married. His life with her was un happy, and ahe tr< ited t nh al h great harshness. The girl rendered the old man every service possible, and nursed him through the long illness which resulted in his death. He had Informed his niece that in return for all her care and service, she should be generously remembered in his will. While the man lived, his wife got everything into her hands that she could; and when he died she claimed everything in sight. Notwithstanding the assurances given to the girl that she should be provided for by the will, no such instrument could t>e found after o!d man’s death. The woman denied the existence of any will, and she probably w;s net aware of such a document. Feeling secure in the pos sesaion of what she claimed. h* deter mined to keep a firm grip on it all. What aggravated the situation was the fact that she was dissolute in character and habits and unfitted for the care or enjoy ments Of anything of value. The question was how could the niece obtain that share In the pr>i>erty which she had been led to expect, and w hich she relt rightfully belong?.d to her. Site sought legal advice, and suit was brought more in the Ik>i>o of effecting some sort of set tlement than ant.vhing else. But the avail able evidence was m. unsubstantial that the lawyer himself regarded the ease as hopeless. The niece had nothing to' show in support of lu r claims. The woman was obstinate, and would not Ibt n to any proposition of settlement. The lawyer finally concluded that he would write a letter to the opposing counsel, to the effect that he would proceed no further with the case which would simply be dropped. Just then a curious thing happened. The girl had. of course.' been inform© 1 that she had nothing to expect; she must simply resign herself to the. inevitable. So she decided to make n personal appeal to die woman to let her have just one thing— Ihe old man's Bible, which- had lain by ills bed within reach. As the Bible was not valued by the widow, the request was granted. It was not a book of any inter est to her. Afterwards, on turning over the pages of the Bible, the girl was sur prised to find paper carefully fo!dxl be tween the leaves. This proved to be nothing less than her uncle’s will, duly ex ecuted. and leaving to her as substantia! a portion of his property as she had ever expected or sought, There is a grim humor In the cunning of the dying man hitting on a hidingfplace within reach of his Isd, where th© paper was safe from loss and the scrutiny of the woman he feared. You may he sure that the niece’s affection for the good book was not diminished. William H. P. Walker. 1 speils lor liseil. j 480 Court land Ave., Atlanta, Ga., April 26th, 1900 Columbia Drug Company, Savannah, Ga.: Gentlemen—lt gives me pleasure to heartily recommend “Infant-Friend Powder,” and to give to you a singu lar little coincidence connected With it. During the Cotton States and Inter- I national Exposition I was presented I with a little box of this powder, and [was so pleased with it that I was ex- | seeding.y anxious to get more, button I looking at the box I found nothing I but Savannah, Go., no other address. ! | 1 have often wished I knew where I to get it. This morning’s mail brought I your circular with enclosed sample. I I Immediately referred lo my box, and I found i whs the “Infant-Friend Pow der.” It Is without doubt tho best [powder I have ever used. I Respectfully, MRS. Wm. KING. For sale by all Druggists. Manufactured by COLUMBIA DRUG COMPANY, Savannah, Go. CUBAN WATER I MONKEYS. lEDMMI’S IS, JIU BROUGHTON STREET. WEST. COSVIFORT For your stock The rty season is now on us and the time to use Tough on Flies, n lotion when applied will prevent your horses and cattle ficra being pestered. Try It and be convinced. HAY, GRAIN. BRAN, COW FEED, CHICKEN FEED, etc. T. J. DAVIS. Phono 223. U 8 Bay street, west. BRENNAN BROS., WHOLtSALB Fruit, Produce, Grain, Etc. 122 BAY STREET. Wot. Telephone BSS. LEMONS., Black Eye, Pigeon and Cow Peas Potatoes, Onions, Peanuts, and all fmito and vegetables in season. Hay, Grain, Flour, Feed. Rice Straw. Maglo Poultry and Stock Food. Our Own Co w Fead. etc. 213 and 116 BAY, WEST. W, 1). SIM KIN S & CO. J. D. WEED & CO MVANIAU, GA. • Leather Belting, Steam Packing & Hose. Agfnm for NEW YORK RUBBER BELTING AND PACKING COMPANY. LEOPOLD ADLER. C. B. EGLia, President. Vice President. W. F. M’CATJLET. Cashier. THkGHfITHfIMBfINK SAVANNAH. Will be pleaded to receive the account* of Merchants, Finns, Individuals, Banka, and Corporations. IJberal favors extended. Unsurpassed collodion facilltlaa. la*u* !ng prompt return*. Sep irate Savin® Department IXTUIbS l’ CUJMMtUNUKO i) n. n- TEIU.V UK DEPOSITS, fiafety Deposit Box*, anil Vaults fas rent tYirrespondenee solicited. THE GERMANIA BANK' •SAVANNAH, GA. Capital {200,00k Undivided profits 60,000 i tus oank oilers .t services to corpora tions, merchants and Individuals. lias authority to act as executor, ad ministrator, guardian, etc. Issues drafts cn the principal cities la Great Britain and Ireland and on th# Continent. Interest paid or compounded quarterly or l < * p ! , °- s l ta In the Having Department. Hofely Boxen for rent. HENRY BLUN, President. GEO. \V TIEDEMAN, Vice President. JOHN M. HOGAN. Cashier. WALTER F. HOGAN. Ass t Cashier. The Citizens Bank OF SAVANNAH. , lra CAPITAL 5500,000. 11 a ‘* luklag Business. Solicits Accounts of Individuals, Merchants, Bunks and other Corpo rations. Collections handled with safety, economy nnd dispatch. Interest compounded quarterly allowed on deposits In our Sarlnffl Department. Safety Deposit Boxes and Storagt Vaults. BRANTLEY A. DENMARK, President, MILLS 11. LANE, Vice President. GEORGE C. FREEMAN, Cashier. GORDON L. GROOVER. Asst. Cash tea. SOUTHERN BANK of th, Slate of f>orgl. CP ltal UGO.CW Surplus and undivided profit.—!3SS.oQo Ob’ THIS dTATJfi u* GEORGIA. Superior facilities (or transacting a Ueuerai (tanking Hualnsss. Collection, made on all polntis 1 accessible through tranks and bankers. Accounts of banks. Cankers, Merchant, and otheis solicited, bate Deposit Uoxaa for rent. Department of Savings, Interest payable quarterly. Hells Stearltng Exchange on London IS and upwards JOHN FLANNERY. President. HORACE A. CRANE. Vloe President JAMES SULLIVAN. Cashier. DIRECTORS: JNO. FLANNEKI. WM W. GORDON. E. A. WEIL. W. W. GORDON. Jr. H A. CRANE. JOHN M. EGAN. LEE ROY .MYERS. JOSEPH FBRST. H P. SMART. CHARLES ELLIS. EDWARD KELLY. JOHN J. KIRBY. Mill ill CAPITAL f350,000. Accounts of banks, merchants, corpora tions and Individuals solicited. Savings Department, interest paid Quarterly. Safety Boxes and Storage Vault* for rent Collections made on all point* at rea sonable rates. Drafts sold on all tbs chief cities of tbo world. Correspondence Invited! JOSEPH D. WEED, President. JOHN C. ROWLAND. Vice President " " '-**'? . " —— No. KAO, Chartered, INI TUB IM*IS Mil Mt OF SAVANNAH. CAPITAL, fcAJO.OOO. SURPLUS, 100,000i Lfsiu,u JlalES UivCOaiiOKY. J. A. G. CARSON. President, HEIRNE GORDON, Vice k resident. W. M. DAVANT, Cashier. Accounts ol banka and bsnkors, mar* chants and corporations raielvsd upon the most favorable terms coo platent with safe and conservative banking'. Ca*E YttIRSELF! ifiSs^MsSSS! rritatiems ulceratioat >f in ucu u l membrane*. I’ainlMß, and not astrio* , K ut or pod, (mom. Mold by ©rarglat* or feat in |iiaio wrapper. T prepM. 7a# |i on, or 3 tle, _ Circular edit on rogoof* P CHICH ESTER'S CNQII |H ENNYROyAL t'ILLS _ . OrlahiaT and Only pmilnr. #AFE. \lwye rnliNhld I,*<l p*. tilt I>r<i|Ut JMS CIIU’HKSTEK’S KNGLIHH rf iB HKII hold me'Nllr boxes wle4 * ilh blue riti ton. Take? no • (her. Rrfueo fl J Bangamaa bat Hit Hot, l and imlta -1 / W Bu J ® f 7ur i>ru((t Jor *eud 4e.Ta VV* & “<* ‘‘Relief for I.ndlr*," n i#:i#r, by re. 1 I— — fr . turn Mali. 10,000 TeeUf Intake. Hold by i .. ail orofflevt. Cfclchretor* Iteotlenl < * Mention thl* paper. MaAUon Square, 1 UI.A.. FA! I B®W bj L. It. Bruwwif 4 Cos., Wfcele. UruffUtl, Joe OrlMB% 17