The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, July 15, 1900, Page 14, Image 14

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14 When Peggy Traveled Incog. By AXSIE niMILTOR DONVELL. (Copyright, 1900, by Annie Hamilton Don * nett.) In the intervals of trad*— and the in tervals came often and lineered. when the thermometer registered 92 degrees—the clerks at Bruces drifted together in •pars© groups, to talk. It was all there was to do. The notion counter elbowed the stocking counter and Old Adam— everybody at Bruce's called him Old Adam—conversed sociably with Gregory Knox. They were the oldest clerks in the store and were getting gray in the service. "My! hot, ain’t it? Stockin'* ain’t run nin’ real spry to-day?” Old Adam said, with a cheerful laugh. He leaned over the counter and fanned his round, red face with a "Notion" palm leaf. ••Well, I guess not! All the swells are out of town and poor folks can go bare foot this weather. What’s the matter with you, old man? You don'4 look peart.” “I guess I look as I feel,” Gregory Knox answered. ”You’re played out, sonny. What you need's a we*k or two off. You tackle the boss to-night and see what you can do.” A smile curved the other man’s lips. It would have been a bitter smile if there had been time enough before the patient lines settled back Into place. The whole pallid, weary face was pa tient. “I’ve born gettin' my courage screwed. O I’ll tackle him. but what’s the use?” He shrugged his spare shoulder* under the rusty seersucker coat. ”You goin’ to try if. Adam?” “Me? O I’m all right. I get aboard "Eh?- A Week Off? Man, Alive. Are You Dafty?” He Cried, Sharply. my wheel at close-up, and sklte out Into the country a ways. Nothin' like it—not In this world! That's all the country I need. Get a wheel, man, get a wheel.” Again the bitter smile that lost Itself In patience. Gregory Knox was think ing of the wheel he was trying to get for Peggy. Both the other girls had them. He had one of his whimsical fancies that perhaps his chance might eome when he got to the streets of gold The slow afternoon crawled toward close-up. Instantly, at the stroke of 6, the clerks hurried toward the great doors that swung between them and freedom But Gregory Knox took an other way. "Wish you luck, old man.” called Old Adam after him. But good luck looked doubtful. The boss—in Bruce's dialect— was out of temper. The heat and con finement rasped him. “Eh? A week off? Man alive, are you daft?” he cried sharply. ''Don't you know we're short-handed now? The young (Albs have to go—can’t hold 'em in. But you oid chape are our standbys. You've had your fling.” "Yes—yes.” murmured Gregory Knox absently. When had he had his fling? He was watching the boss fold up a trout pole. Joint on Joint Then his pal” blue eyes roamed to the lifter of flies and lines and einkera on the desk He hod been thinking of a trout pole all day long— queer! But his had been a slender sap ling, fre.'h cut. Would this complicated bamboo affair catch a fuller string of fish than he had used to catch with his sap ling? What beauties they had been! How the sun had silvered their wei harks! Qeer, how all day long he had been think ing of trout and a little thread of shad owy water, rippling under willow trees. He gaged away out of the window, and Instead of listless moving crowds a bare foot boy with a string of trout crossed his retinas "There, sir, that's the swellest troutlng "But It's Thin, Paddy; I Believe to My Soul You're Growing Old." outfit there'll be in the Adlrondacks this summer! You can't beat that," the boss said. In better spirits. “No, sir—O, no.” Gregory Knox said. "But then, it’s pretty surprisin' what a string of fish you can haul In with a sap lln' fresh cut. You get one Jest sappy enough and Jest the right bigness—l tell you!” When he turned away a moment later the boss tlalled him back. "O, I say, Knox!” he called. “I take It we can let you off for a day—say, to-mor row. We'll manage earn' how Not at all —not at all—no thanks, man! Wish you good luck.” But Gregory Knox had not thanked him. There seemed -no occasion. The thread of dark water ran under willows a hundred and fifty miles away. The boss had relented suddenly. The blood of Izaak Walton, running In both their veins, had forged a link of good fel lowship beiween him and the little old clerk. Such a slender link! What would a day off—one day—avail over a hundred and fifty miles? But. In the morning Gregory Knox followed a sudden impulse and sllptfcd down to the sea to catch a glimpse of rna and the girla. He had not meant to go until the last minute, and he went in his shabby store suit and forgot to change his shirt. On the train remorse assal.ed him sharply. What would ma say? No, certainly not, mo must not see him In that dubious guise—ma, who was making her one-monlh-longer struggle for gentility In a great hotel by the sen. It was her one chance for the year—hers and the girls. They dreamed of It, and pa worked for It the year round. “I'd ought to have fixed up for ma's sake, and the girls’," thought Gregory Knox, guiltily, and In • minute the boll day's zest had vanished. Ho settled bark duiiy on the hoc velvet cushions and made his plans wearily. He would keep out of •ighr—that would be easy enough in such crowds—and roa and the girls ncod never know he had been there at all. It would be nice jest to see ’em enjoyin’ them*elves, he sad. “I'll keep no the outskirts, out o’ their sight—my okl clothes won’t do ’em any harm that way.” Poor littie Ftockinv-counter clerk! IT© had always been on the outskirts, and he was 50 years old! But whon he had settled himself on the great, hot teach, hidden in the De of a mighty bowlder, whom should h© pee dancing down rhe beach toward his hkling place, but Peggy, in her dainty bathing suit. She was all alor*©. and she made a pretty picture to pi's admiring eve*. Peggy was the baby and his favorite. In his quiet, secret way, he worshiped at lit tle Madcap Peggy's res .less feet. The other girls called l.m pa, but she called him dady. How pretty she looked in ‘hat little blue and white Her! The littl* oil-silk cap perched on her brown head had a saucy, witching air. But Gregory Knox shrank back in the lee of hi* rock. A minute too late, dad dy! For Peggy had seen him. “Daddy!—of all things, great and small things! Daddy Knox’" “Yes. it’s me, Peggy,” he answered meekly. It i3, as sure as I live’ Put wh*re’d you drop out o?—a balloon? Dll you com* 1 on the wing of the—but there isn’t any, not a breath! Well, tell rne about it, dad dy.” She thr*w herself In the sand be?He him and dug the toes of her bathing shoes deep in. Her long black k.ngs stretch ed out before her. and daddy's experienced eyes fell on them at once. He was so Well acquainted with stockings! He notice in stantly that they were rusty and looso flbred. Then he saw' the little "gobbled” darns in them. Peggy was not renowned for needle word. “Poor dye, ivlazy weave.” he thought. "Couldn’t have come from Bruce’s. Mine are fast black and you can’t see daylight through ’em, either.” "Fir© away, daddy. Don’t you see the lady’s waiting?” Peggy's clear, laughing voice interrupt ed his thoughts and brought him back from the stocking counter at Bruce’s to the great, hot beach with the sea at his feet. "Er— why, you, Peggy, yes. What was I soyin’ ?” "That’s the trouble—you weren’t saying a solitary word. Daddy Knox! Just mooning— or selling Blockings.” “Sellln’ stockings— you’ve hit the nail, Peggy! That’s what I was doin’, sure Tt kinder comes second nature to me. That’ what I expected to be doin’ this minute, but the boss gave me a day off. So I am down here—l hankered to see a little harum-scarum girl o’ mine. But, you see (he lowered his voice confiden tially) I never thought to fix up, so I’m keepin’ dark. I wouldn’t have your ma see me this way for the be.-t pair of silk stockin'* at Bruce’s!” Peggy eyed the crumpled shirt bosom with palpable disfavor. Her even traveled over the shabby little figure, taking in the shiny seams and the frayed edges dis approvingly. How little and seedy daddy was! “Y”es, ma’d have a fit—two fits,” ahe He Felt an Irresistible Impulse to Vault Over the Counter and Take Peggy Into His Arms. said, promptly. "You 11 have to remain incog, daddy. Now, I don't mind—l'm not In full dress myself! So I’m willing to fellowship with you. I'll run up aero a lots to our room, and tell them I'm not going down to dinner, and then I'll trouble you for a silver half dollar, kind sir, and buy our lunch at a restaurant. And we’ll eat It right here, out of a paper bag! Larks!” Her eyes were still on Daddy. She was seeing many new things—the ho lows in his timptes, the patient droop of his lips, the whitening hotr around his bald spot. She was seeing how "stoop-shouldered” daddy was getting to be, and how ilred — tired—tired—he looked. It seemed to l eggy, lying there in the warm sand be side daddy, as if she was just being in troduced to him. She reached out a lit tle sea-brown hand and slowly threaded the scant gray hair between her fingers. The softness nnd sllklness of It surprised her. She had never known i efore that daddy’s hair was so soft and silky. ' But it's thin, daddy. I believe to my soul you're growing old. Aren't you ashamed of yourself, sir? Tile idea!" "No o.der than some other folks this side o’ the sea, puss,” retorted daddy, with a boyish laugh. He did not feel old just then. He felt joing. It was so pleasant to have le. gy all to hlmsrlf, and to lie, resting, with the gentle boom of the breakers in Ids tar. "You’re glowin' old. too. ma'am. Bless my soul, wasn’t It day lx foie vesterday you had the colic, and i toie.l you up and down the nursery flo c! lip and down up and down—dal you ever say enough? Not you!” He prodded her whimsically with his Unger, but ehe was not l.stening to his banter. "You're tired, Daddy, that's what,” she. cried abruptly. "You need a lark—a long one, pot Just a mean little 24-hour one like this. See, there are crows feet round your eyes, and you're not old enough for crow's feet. One, two, three, four. Who ever heard of a crow with four feet?. Daddy, do you hear? Y r ou must have a good, long holiday. You shall stay right down here with us. I guess we can find clean shirts enough. You shall not go home a step till we go." Gregory Knox shook his head slowly. ’’And lose my Job, little one? Then who'd get the bread and butter? No, no; I'm leaving my lark to-day with you. I'm satisfied. We old feilows at the store have to stand by the ship while the young bloods are having their outings. It's the law. Resides, a place like this, my dear, wouldn't do for me. Think of your ma. No, no, I'd rather go to the trout brook at home and lie on the banks and llsh.” "Yes, Daddy, yes-go on," Her eyes were on his kindled old face, and bin were on a fleck of while sail in the offing. He began to speak dreamily, as It to him self. “I’d like to see Simeon again, too. We always went troutin' together—he and me> —but I could haul in the most llsh. Every time—Sim warn't much of an angler. He’d lay with his eyes shut nnd say poems to me. Poor Sim—that’s about all the poetry ha ever had or mo, either. - It would be like reviewin' a poem, though, Jest to go back and lay under the willows at home. Shady? Well, 1 guess. And cool? There ain't a cooler place anywhere In the heat o' summer, than on tire bank o' that old troutin stream was -no, sir. And you could hear the Middy song o' the water —lt never slopped—and smell the pine nee. dies he't up wit.i ... ~un In the middle o’ the day. Brnell good, did it? I get to THEMOBNING NEWS. SUNDAY, JULY 15. 1900. MUNYON’S GUARANTEE. Itroßf Assertion* a* to J WkM the Remedies Will 1 • t Many© a fnanetee* tbit bis Rhcwsunita Cvre will r* mrl; • U raae* etf rbewx.a* tiam 'a * few hours; tbit hli DycpepeU Cere will euro iAdigeetien and all otomieb trouble*; that bio K daoy Cure will euro *0 per evn*. of all caaoo of kidney tioublo; that hlo Ca tarrh Cure will err* catarrh bo mattar how 1 iff ataadlnf; that hi* B*>darho CUro win can •LX aiad of haodacho ia a frw irJneto*; that Ma Cold Cure will quickly break op aoy (torn of cold anl oo on tbro*:ffh th# on tiro lint of reaodiao. At all dn:(fflata. 2d eenta o rial. If you neod medical a<i*o writ# Prof, hfonyoc. l*t* Arcb •* T "*' it lo aheoTutolj froe. hankerin’ aft*r that smell, hot days be i hind my counter, among the stockin’*. Yes, sir, when the good Lord give© rn© it whole week off I’m goin’ homo to go treutin* wiih my brother Sim.” He wok* out of his day dream a min ute later, in time to see Peggy skimming over th* beach toward one of the looming hotels in the background of the sea. She had forgotten ali about her dip in the surf. She came back again, by and by, with the paper bag of lunch, and they ote it together in the lee of the big boul der. Daddy was very gay and scarcely noticed Peggy's preoccupation. She said goodby to him in mWafternoon and h waited alone for train time. "Ma.” Peggy eld, coming upon her suddenly, with her novel, on the broad hotel veranda. "Ma, it’s played out. Ijn going up home. I’m going home to-night -.-this very to-night that ever is. I guess daddy’ll be glad to see me, and I’ve got enough of this place. I’m too young to fiin around with the girls, and I’m too old to dig in the sand with the babies. That’s what I’d like—to have a little red pail and shovel and dig. That’s living. Hut as long as I can’t, I guess I’ll go home. I’m going upstairs now and pack up.” Ma folded down the comer of a leaf to keep her plac-e. She was used to Peggy's whims, and was unastonished. "But, Peggy, it’s only half through the monah—there’s two whole weeks left,” she said, slowly. In her heart, ina was re lieved. Peggy’s ways were apt to be dis concerting. and she would be safe and w ell . with pa. She’d be company for him, too— poor pa! Without any objection Peggy was allow ed to put her things together and go. When the train was well under way she went ahead to daddy’s car to surprise Ipm. He was sitting by himself in the front of the car. The paper bag of lunch remnants was In his hand, and he was absently twisting and untwisting it. Peggy saw the tragedy coming. She got there just in time to see daddy regarding the torn bag in dismay, while fragments of ham sandwiches oozed out and dropped to the floor. "PH pick ’em up—don’t stoop, daddy,” she said, quietly. "Peggy Knox!” cried daddy. "Don't mention It—Sh! I’m traveling In cog,” whispered Peggy. Then they both laughed and settled comfortably for the trip home. Peggy explained rather am biguously that she thought she'd run up home for a day. “Take my day off, you know, daddy,” she said, gayly. "You won't mind having me keep house for you a day, will you? I can boll tea lo perfection, and I’ll make .you fritter for breakfast. Then 1 can do some shopping between times. If you're a very good old daddy Indeed, I'll buy my stockings of you!” On ihe next mo.nii g but one Daddy wem down to Bruce's with long face. It was the morning Peggy was going back to ma and the girls. He had taken it for granted, and it filled him with homesick misery. It had been so pleasant to have the child at heme. She had taken his lonely heart by storm. lie hung up his hat and began mechan ically to straighten some of the boxes In one of the tiers, behind the counter. He had not thought to say good morning to ohl Adam, as usual. It was Peggy—gay, 111 tie, harum-scarum Peggy—Daddy was thinking of. "O, 1 say, Mr. Knox, good day to you, sir!” someone out In the aisle was say ing. It was the boss. He leaned over the counter and pulled his sleeve. "I jay, Knox, you don't look pulled together yet. You need anoder day off. Why not take say, a fortnight, and go somewhere trout ft-l ing—Adiv tda k way, you know? Can ns well as not—don't say a word! Fact is. I've made arrangements with somebody to take your place and you’ve got to go Can’t help yourself. Stay' two weeks, and—er—you needn’t trouble about your pay That’ll go right on, you know. Might as well go to-day—why not?” He was gone before the astonished lit he man behind the stocking counter had recovered h.m elf. Old Adam was re garding him wish a grin. "Got your walkin’-tlcket. eh?” he drawl ed. "Well, you deserve It! You won't he half a man till you gee out into the woods somewheres and holler. Put In for all you're wonh—you need It! Let your self go, old man, for once. I'd go with you If I hadn't got an engaement with my wheel. I say, man, I'm powerful glad the boss has come round. He ain't half bad. Now put on your hat and start —shoo!” It was half-past eight—there •was time to get the 10 o'clock train that went straight toward the little dark brook un der the willows! There waa time!—time! —time! If Peggy had only stayed long enough to know! It would please Peggy. On the 10 o’clock train, George Knox sat back In his seat and wished again that Peggy could know. He had half a mind lo telegraph her. but on second thought, decided to wait and write from Sim's. He could tell Peggy so many things that would bp interesting, then how her Uncle Simeon looked, and how ihe old place had stood the wear and tear of thiriy years—and whether the tall tree apples tasted as good as they used to —nnd If the trout were blt4!ng well. He would write Peggy a long letter—the first letter he had ever written to one of the girls. He was glad th# first one would be to Peggy. Two week* later. Gregory Knox, brown and nappy, got off the train In the crowd ed dty station. He walked away with a springy stride that tilted his little stooped figure oddly. People turned to look again at his happy face. The whim seized him to walk by Bruce’s and see how It looked from nn outsider's standpoint—to stand and look Idly in the big windows, as outsiders did Then another whim, to go in at the great swinging doors and loiter through the aisles—ail hut the. stocking counter aisle. So: that—that would break the spell. •'l'll buy a little mite of a present for Peggy—that's what.” Peggy always said "that's what,” and he smiled at the thought. His heart was hungry to see I Peggy, and he had reokoned that she and ma and the girl* would be home, now. In a day or two. Their mon h was over. "Now. what'H I get?” he mused, idling along lazily and refusing to look at the familiar faces of the clerks. "What do Peggies, like? Fancy notions of some sort —I may have to go to old Adam's coun ter now! Not if I can help it. It’s too near my old stand, and I’m not a stock in' tender yet—not till to-morrow." He cou!d not decide on what to get. He distrusted his own wisdom. In any thing hut stockings. Ah, yea, stockings —why not? Peggies all wore stockings, and suddenly he remembered the rusty black. gobble-darned stocking* his Peg gy had worn that day at the beach. He would have to go down the stocking ! counter aisle after all. "Stockin's it is. then,” he said, tramp ing away in that direction. But Just at the turn, he looked down ; the aisl£ and uttered a iow murmur of astonishment. H* could scarcely credit his eyes. He was getting old. and they might be failing him. But nearer yet the vision was the same. He knew it was Peggy behind the stocking counter. Teggy! lie stood and watched her. She was waiting on a customer, and did not see him. Her face was a little pale and weary, but she smiled Ingratiatingly, and twirled the stockings about with an air of long acquaintance with their kind. Peggy! In an instant it was all clear to him. He knew it was to Peggy he owed his beautiful two weeks of rest. It was Peggy’s doings! He felt an irresistible Impulse to vault over the counter like a boy and take Peggy Into his arms. The sly, lit tle, harum-scarum girl!—to cheat her old Daddy; He wanted to squeeze her pale little face between his palms and kiss it a hundred times. He wanted to scold her. and thank her, and get her away from that place. The stocking counter at Bruce’s was no place for blithe littie Peggy. The customer was turning away, and Peggy was putting back the boxes. Even from that distance Daddy could see that she put one in the wrong place! In the moment of starting down the aisle, he changed his mind. An instinc tive delicacy restrained him, and he hurried round the comer out of sight. No, he would not spoil Peggy's little scheme. She would like it betetr to have it go on, uninterrupted. Peggy was "trav eling incog” now—he w ould wait. But he told himself that hy and by he would have it out with Peggy. There was a reckoning day ahead, somewhere. He went home and waited. Close up at Bruco’s was at 6 sharp, but it was late twilight when Peggy came home. She knew Daddy would he there, and she had lingered on the way. He heard her com ing in, and called out brusquely; “Who's there? Hold up your hands!” "Can't do it. daddy, they’re plum full. Why don’t you have a light?” She spoke with nervous hilarity, mum bling something Indistinct about trains rfiat lost time and herdic men that went round Robin Hood’s barn to unload their passengers. "I’m the advance guard, you know, daddy,” she cried. "Ma and the girls are coming to-morrow. I had a let—mm, that is, the month's up. No more putting on airs for the Knoxes’ Where ere you. daddy—on the couch? It's dark as a pocket.’ ”A man gets all-powerful fagged out. tendin' stockins. The couch oughter he ttv place for him,” he groaned dismally. She feit her way to him, across the room. At the couch she knelt beside him and felt for his face. "If I find the crow’s feet. I’ll know lt'a you and not a counterfeit daddy. Here we are! Daddy Knox, where are the othei two?” “tinder the willows, beside a trout stream, Peggy. How many feet would you have a crow have?—aren't two enough ?’’ Taken off her guard. Peggy put her tps to his ear and whispered: “Did—did the fish hite, daddy?” The day of reckoning was at hand. The Casting Vote. * It Was Decided by Superior Brands of Chocolate Creams, Pungent I’eppeermlnt nnd Deliei onsly Flavored Wafers. The table was set for supper In Miss ‘ucker's kitchen. A shadekss kerosene 1 mp threw ache r.'ul ight over a meal orved as daintily as though distlngu sh ei guests were exp c ed. for Roxana Tucker believ and herself Wurihy the sam. consld -ati n she would sl ow her n.igh hors and friends. But the hot ' iscui.s an l steaming t ap t were filling the room with i eli fr .grance in an; uin e pretier.e and fru.t c k were not aura Hons strong enough to get the attention they deserv ed. Miss Roxana had arranged the table and then forgotten that anything further was reauired of her. bhe sat In a low rocker b. tw an the table ;nl the s ove, In either hand a letter as if he were bal ancing one against the oth r. She was not reading them, she air ady kn w thdr exact cont nts. At ~at twenty times she had read both letteis through from date to signature.Kach cm ained an offer made In answer to a suggestion of her own, and s e could no decide uh h t . ac •> pt Kvery v, liter Mss 11 tuna's klteh-n win owe w.r for ted b a screen of s;< w, a rift so hgh aid so widely ex tended that ii s ut off every glimpse of 'he out Ids w rid But t r hat and Ift, he ft n and clared s e h* ukl certainly live a one through the winter m n hs ass e did ihrrugh the s mmer The dl.-a, f.etr arce of the diifi was a signal for t ,1k of ous ceanlrg, and then old Aid ail Hcbbs her companion thiough lh‘e winter inon hs, understood that It was lime for h r to park t p her pro; er y ar.d go ha' k to the town farm to h. Ip the micron of that Institution through the summer'eam pa gn. Miss Pmxana found the necessity for a hous. matr during h If the yrar a ncv. r f filing subject for self-commiseration, tut until this autumn her grumbl ng had Cures Dandruff, Falling Hair. Brittle Hair and all Scalp Troubles, such as Itching, Eczema Eruptions,etc. Purely Vegetable, harmless and reliable. CURE GUfISmfJTEED even after all other remedies have failed, or money refunded. A BANKtR WRITES] J?mk| Col urn Mi* Tx.. Feb * IK. t t L* < UI rIM T,r P*t preparation to T Kindly m*nd mo two full slsd battle* by •xpruM. R. ADKINS GREEN. For Sl bjr nil Dnwi*t.s nnd Barbers. Trea tise on hnir n<l Bc.ilp Trembles freo on request. A. H. nilK,llrut < 0„ - Chicago. Beware of lmltatlono. Tba only hair preparation admitted to (be Paris Exposition. For sale by I.lppman Broa., Columbia Drug Cos. and Knight’* Pharmacy, Savan nah, On. teen mere breath, now there was real ftelirg tn her voice when she said, as she and and cr<r ard over again every day. "It's dreadful to he so dependent on others! I’ve a good mind to get along without any on™ this wlnter.lf U wasn't for that drift!” For old Ablga. had died during the summer and the search for her succes sor had been without success. Many can didates offered themselves; young, middle aged and old women, anxious to secure such snug winter quarters. But all appli cants bad been rejected without hesita tion. their unfitness was so evident. Miss Roxana sitting between the fire and the tea table reviewed this part of the situ ation with frowning face. "It's as good as settled,” she said em phatically, ”tha I'm to spend the winter somewhere tv-sides at home. The ques tion Is, shall it be with Lucretia in Bos ton or with Helen in Westhorough? I've always wanted to see what living In a city was like, but Helen needs the money most and I shall Insist on paying for my board and feeling Independent” A slight cough Interrupted her train of thought. She rose, laid the letters upon the table, walked across the room and took down from its place beside the clock on the mantle-shelf a square bamboo box with a close cover. The box was lined with white tissue paper and was nearly full of candy, flat white peppermint wafers, hoarhound and lemon drops and chocolate creams. Miss Roxana looked ap provingly at the display of good things while she picked out daintily between thumb and forefinger a plump yellow lemon drop. "This last lot of cough drops is par ticularly good.” she soliloquized, "prob ably because It's fresh.” She would have bitten out her tongue sooner than have owned to so childish a weakness as a liking for candy. "My throat feels rough and I shall have a spell of coughing if I don’t take some thing for it.” was her excuse when any one saw her open the bamboo box. This explanation had served her so many years that any misgivings she may have felt in her early use of tt had vanished and she never doubted it was the abso lute truth. When she had replaced the box the tea table caught her attention and she seated herself behind the teapot, no longer steaming. The letters lvtng beside her plate con tained many bits of family news, but the central point of interest in each was a paragraph r ferring 10 her dilemma. Mrs. Laicretia Bennet, the Boston niece, wrote: 'My rroms will re-m very small to you. they are tiny compared to those in votir big house, and the sunshine is cut off from us on all s’des but one. I speak of these things so that you may not bo disappointed when you see my home for yourself. You will be heartily welcome if you decide to come. There Is a warm clamber entirely at your disposal. You “peak of paying your board, that is a matter w can settle after you arrive in Boston, Whatever arrangement prorrd et you the most satisfaction will please me the best.” Mrs. Helen Driscoll, who lived in West brrough, end'd her le'tt rin this way: ' I can hardly hope that with the city and all i's attractions promising you un limited enjoyment you will be satisfied to spend any length of time with me We are verv dull here, but we are comforta ble, and there is a sunny bedroom on the ground floor that you can have If you come. I am not going ro pretend that the money >on propose to j-ay for board would not be mo t welc me. for you know h- w difficu't it is for us to keep Eva at school aid y t make the ends meet, hut vou not let that consideration in fluence your choice. Why not t>ay Lucre tia and myself tn h a f r n'ght's visit o 1 egin with; I am sure you owe us ho h 'hit much sati-factl n. Then when ou have s en Boston and Westborough f>r yourself you can make your selec tion.” Miss Roxana ate her cold supoer and sat down to answer the two letters. The writing mat rials were spread broadcast ver the trble and the bamboo box stood be“ide the inkbo'tlle. "It's too serous a ma'ter to be decided In the da k.” sh said to he self "He’en s plan Is a good ore and I'm gfing to fol -1 w it. Two w eks from to day I shall g to Bcsion, and four weeks from to-day I hall bo in W stborough. Goodness knows what will happen after that!" Until the last day of her visit In West borough Miss Roxanaffl suffered many pangs of indecision. She Injoyed the noise and stir of the city. The electric ars whizzing past a corner visible from Mrs. Bennet's parlor windows were a source of Intercet that never failed. Th hand organs, the elaqging bells of the scis sors grinders, the peddlers who shouted their wares through the streets, and the rag and bottle collectors were all delight ful novelties. There were, however, a few hindrances to perfect enjoyment. Her room was so small (hat when she waked n the early morning according to her evs 'Ofn and lay waiting for the first sounds lhat should show the family were stirring she often had a sense of suffocation, the walls were so close to her on every side. Sometimes, too, she felt as if she were a prisoner in her niece's house, for she did not dare venture out without a guide; the streets were a labyrinth she would not try to thread alone. Mrs. Bennet walked out with her every day, and in two weeks had ‘liottn her enough of the city to serve for conversational purposes the rest of her life. It was all delightful, but It annoyed her that her movements schould be de pendent on the convenience of another persons. She found Westborough, a little village a few miles out from Boston, very quiet and uninteresting. But she could put on her wraps and walk to the postofflee or go on errands for Mrs. Driscoll as freely as if she were in her own home. On the morning of the last day of her two weeks In Westborough she was out of bed as soon as there was light enough for her to drese. Grim determination was written on her face. "I've been dilly-dallying long enough,” she scolded to herself, “and the thing is going to be settled before breakfast.” Her ilot was made hurriedly and then che sat down before the bureau to argue the matter out with herself. A wrinkled old face glared fiercely at her from the mirror above the bureau, and she shook her head disapprovingly In recognition of the culprit. “You, Roxana Tucker, are old enough to have some idea of what you want and yet you haven't got as much mind as a chicken!" Then she set herself seriously to con sider the case. “So far as the money goes,” she mused, "I guess Lucretlo needs It as much as Helen does, though she wouldn’t own it. My! My! How dreadful expensive It Is to live In the city. Eggs fifty cents a dozen and twenty-five cents a pound for beefsteak! It's downright wicked to ask such prices. I shouldn't suppose it would take a grocer more than a year to make his fortune. My room hi re is bigger and pleasanter than the one I had at Lucre tia's but that doesn't really count for I don't want to make a sitting room of It. There's much to see and learn In a city, nnd I’ve been so shut up all my life that I've had two newspapers to read every week since I can remember, but I haven't even Ihe dimmest idea of what a city Is. Perhaps, though, ihe 'Sharon Tribune’ nnd ‘The Farmer'* Guide’ ar'n't the sort of papers to learn much about cities In. Anyhow, now I've got the chance to see a little of ihe world I believe It is my duty to myself to take It. I’ll write to Luere tla right now and have It off my mind. I'll tell her 40 expect me back Monday nnd that will give me three more days here In Westborough.” ’ Miss Roxana hitched her chair closer to the bureau and without rising reached for her writing desk that stood on the flat top of the old-fashioned chest of drawers. ”My dear Lui retla," she wrote, then stopped and looked meditatively at the word*. ”1 shall he rather sorry to leave Hel en.” she thought, "for lo tell the truth, she's considerable more agreeable com pany than Lucretla, and a better cook But iherel It almost looks as though I Nothing like Bar-Ben has ever been known in the history of modern remedies. It creates solid flesh, muscle and strength, clears the *T AjjfccX brain, makes the blood pure and rich, and ■ Sxch’ causes a general feeling of health, power I Vt? and manly vigor. Within three days after taking the first dose you notice the return of 3 /yi the old vim. snap and energy you have JS/ l < I*s. J counted as lost forever; while a continued, Jfly / \ ! judicious use causes an improvement both satisfactory and lasting. v) f-.‘"A Bar-Ben is not a paten*, melleine. bat Is nre- C pared direct from the formal* of Elmer E Bar- n laruR 1 toa. Cleveland s most eminent aueclallut by H 1* H)almer O. Benson. Ph. !>.. B. 8. For nerroua H | L a prostration, overwork, nervous debility, or th<* ex- ■ \X Y e*siv© n*e of ODlum, tob%Jco or liquor it positively H I cannot beexeelled. On© Dox will work wonder*: if six should perfect a cure. 60 eta. a box boxes for ■ Bar-Ben Is for sale by all live dr icfflats. or DA//' wll. be mailed, sealed, upon reoetnt of price. Ad- m V dress Dr* Barton and Benson. Utu Bar-Ben Block. S*/ ? I Cleveland. O. 1 f ( ( I Get It Today! BLOOBJ f liman la a picture of per* miserable by Shattered iVasting Irregularities, ndeome. She is happy. intains her magnificent !e diseases to which a ’oman would be suacep- Pr> n (LIPPMAN’S GREAT REMEDY) is the ideal medi al cine for women. Its use insures health and the sub- I ■ I I I stantial attractiveness which health alone can be stow. P. P. P. is the greatest Blood Purifier known to t dical science, curing all Scrofulous Affections, Dyspepsia, Rheum** tism, Catarrh, Neuralgia, Malaria and Nervous Derangements. •P. P. P. is sold by all drnggists. $i a bottle ; six bottles, $5. *1 ivannah, Gai was beginning all over to decide It, and my mind Is quite made up.” To write a let er before breakfast Is a grave und rtaking; the mind works clum s ly and the ting rs are stiff. The b tmboo box standing in a table in the middle of he room caught Miss R xana's attention, and she Immediately felt the necessity rf fortifying herself for the task b f r? her with a peppermint drop. She sllpp and her fir grs under the. lid, fumb'ed about far an instant and then threw back the cover Impatiently and exposed to view a bit of rumpled tissue paper, nothing more. "Well, I declare!” she gasped. ’Td no no'lrn that Ihe 1 ee of lioarhound I io k to cl ar out my threat last ri ht was the last b t of c ugh medicine I had to my name It's ’uoky I didn't have a scell of CougMng In the night. I certa nly thought ihere wns enough In the box to last tftl I go back to Boston, supposing I decid and to go hack, but I guess those children that were here y< sterday found the box and hel ed 'hemselvrs. Children never can re Ist sweet things,” grumbled the d'sa p tnted old lady. "The candy habit is dreadful harmful, spoils h ir te th and siomarhs.- If I had any chi dren they s o ldn't know what an a'ta k of and s pepsia or torthache meant and they Seoul In’ know a caramel from a piece of molasses candy!” It was imporeihle to flnDh the letter with her mind ao da urbed; she decided to l’t It wait und! at er breakfast. The afternoon mall would take It to Boston so n enough to warn Lucretla of her re turn. Coffee and bacon failed to Booth Miss Roxana's Irritation Into the calmness de manded by the difficulties of correspond ence. A brisk walk through the sharp winter air over the hubby sidewalks of the little suburban town was the tonic she craved; and on the way, so she planned, she would pass the neat looking bakery where Helen sometimes bought buns, for one-half the Jiny shop was a confectionery store, and she had noticed more than once the tempting array of cough drops, commonly called candies, kept there. Half an hour after the necessity of a morning walk occurred to her, Miss Rox ana. well muffled against the fiirce chill of the December breeze, was bending over the little glass show case of the candy store. "Everything Is In fresh this morning, ma'am,” confided the young saleswoman, looking crisp and bright enough to be mistaken for a bit of her wares. Miss Roxana looked at (he smiling face across the counter with as much approval as at the lumps of Inviting sweetness un der the glass. "Wholesome!" was her mental criticism. "We have it right from the factory twice a week,” continued the girl, weigh ing out the mixture of chocolates and va rlous-fiavored wafers that her early cus tomer had ordered. “Mr. Barton owns the factory nnd a big store In Boston besides half a dozen little places like this scat tered through the different towns near the city, but he la more particular what Is sold here (han anywhere else. Y"ou see everybody In. Westborough knows him because his home is here and when his friends buy randy he Intends they shall have ns good as he can make. That big brlok building over there across the field Is the factory.” ' The walk resolved Itself into a rush to the store and back. "It's too cold to stay out long,” she ex plained to her niece, "so I Just bought some cough medicine and came straight home. I always like to think up some errand when I'm going out,” she added In an apologetic tone, ”1 can’t help feel ing I’m wasxing my time when I go out only for an airing.” In the privacy of her own 'room Miss Roxana Investigated the contents of her bundle and echoed the praise* the girl hud lavished on her Mock of trade. She hod never before eaten such delicious creams or such pungent peppermints. The cough drops sh# had bought In Bos ton had been tasteless chips In compari son. U was noon before sh# appeared to tbs family again, and she brought in her hand a letter stamped and sealed ready for mailing. "I’ve been writing to Lucretla,” she an nounced. “I hope she won’t be disap pointed when she finds out that I have decided to stay here. The city is very interesting and I mean to spend anoher fortnight there after I get started for home in April, but things are more home like and natural to me here. Do you suppose your husband will remember to mail this If I hand k to him? I am very anxious to have It reach Lucretla to-mor row morning. I begaYi it before break fast. but I wasn't In the right frame of mind for writing, and so I let It wait. Did you ever see such a shiftless old woman before, Helen?” May Bolton Peck. 1.1. m j si. l? 5 Congress Si.. W. We handle the Yale & Towne Manufactur ing Company’s line of Builders’ Hardware. See these goods and get prices before plac ing your order else where. LIPPMAN BROS.. Proprietors, "■'uml*!*, Llppman’g Block. SAVANNAH. COMFORT For your Mock The fly aon Is now on us and the time to us# Tough on Flies, a lotion when applied will prevent you* horses nnd cattle frcm being pestered Try, It and be convinced. HAY. GRAIN, BRAN, COW FEED. CHICKEN FEED. etc. T. J. DAVIS. Phone 223. 113 Bay street, west OLD NEWSPAPERS. 300 for 23 centa • Bunlnean Office Morning New*.