Newspapers / The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, … / April 15, 1908, edition 1 / Page 7
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THE CHARLOTTE i!EWS, APRIL 15, 190S m .Fhe Girdle A ft --- Copyright 1908 AM Rights Reserved. CHAPTER XVII. The Silent Struggle. "Major Graves' letter came duly to "Air. MacDonaWs hands for the reason 'hat all Maxine's letters passed through that icy channel, the banker esteeming it an essential part and pre rogative of guardianship to exercise this espionage upon his ward's corre isjitindence. For some reason perhaps because it hore the railway postmark Mr. Mac Donald carefully (he regretted that ha conhl not do it coldly) heated a small thin paper-knife and iiserted it be sieath the sealed side of the envelope. Then he removed the letter, softlv drew down his window-shades, and lighting a tiny brass lamp, slowly read the Major's message. Um-ah." he exclaimed at length, pressing his long white fangs upoif his Tower lip, "I thought so. I'm not much tU a believer in miracles. I knew that girl had a hand in it. In love with ihat lanky, bankrupt Watkins boy, eh? I must look into that matter. With us .MacDonalds money must marrv mon- " he chuckled and clenched "his fist " when it marries at all." Then he carefully replaced the letter, aim leseaiea the envelope so perfectly i hat only an expert could have told fliat it had been tampered with. Mr. MacDonald had long studied the art of covering up his tracks, and prided him self upon his cunning. Suddenly the clink of silver reached his ear, and he smiled gloatingly. It was the voice of his sheep. He lcved to hear them ccme tink ling home from the pastures. He loved to see the pale cashier herd them in shining heaps. Ha arose, opened his private- door, mid went into the bank-enclosure. Sinking into a chair, he sat studying the cashier's face while he bent over a book. It was an honest face, clear cut, conscientious. The mouth was firm. There was no shifty light in the deep set eyes; it gleamed steady and clear upon the ledger, revealing only what was right and fair. It dawned upon Mr. MacDonald, as he sat watch ing the cashier, that he was not the 'man for his future necessity. "I must discharge that incompetent," thought the banker, seeking to compro mise with his conscience, "and install Gabriel Allen. It is a part of my pro gram" he smacked his lips as if he had just eaten a broiled squab "an es sential part of my program." Next day, being tne last of the month and the end of the year, the cashier was discharged on the ground of incompetency. The poor fellow had a large family dependent upon him and was reduced almost to the point of despair, but Mr. MacDonald had .iairi "Business was Business," and he was forced to go. Gabriel, who had given up his course at college, was duly installed as cash ier. Despite the constant miscarriage of his plans, he entered the bank with a decided thrill of triumph. With the shrewd banker on his side, he would ultimately win Maxine. Having made that conquest, his hap piness would be complete. Net the least enjoyable of victories, however great, would be the defeat of his hated rival, Jerome Watkins. The doctor's heart, too, was athrob with newborn hope. He would tighten his clutches upon the banker and slow ly draw him in. A little bait was all that, remained needful. The doctor, therefore, soon made an unusually large deposit, at which the banker smiled broadly, benignly. One morning, shortly after Gabriel bad taken charge, Mr. MacDonald called Maxine into his study, and in dicated a chair near his side. ; "Sit down a moment, Maxy, dear," he said, cordially, "I have something to say to you." She silently obeyed. "You must be quite lonely here," he ran on rsuavely, "and company good com pany would be very desirable, very delightful. ( I should not be willing, however, for certain young men to call. For instance, I should very seriously object to urn at Jerome Watkins. "But I have learned that my cashier, Gabriel Allen, has most admirable traits. He has the most decided talent for money mak" "But, uncle, you surely don't mean to suggest that I should encourage Ga briel Allen?" She raised her gold penciled Jjrows in utter astonishment. "That is precisely what I mean," he snapped. ' "Then L cannot comply with your re quest," she said firmly. "Why?" "Because I do not fancy him." "Fancy fiddlesticks!" cried the bank er in a . decided, tone of displeasure. "What is a woman's fancy? A wo man's sentiment. 'Tis nonsense a fragile rose a pretty, puny flower that fades and leaver a thorn of temper. "You've got good property," he con tinued, "but you need more. Why old Doctor Allen's one of the richest landholders in the county. Marry Ga briel, and your fortune is assured. "A dollar, little girl, a dollar (and the banker affectionately tightened his fingers on a silver piece in his pocket) is always one's best friend. It neves goes back on you. Your folks may deny you, but a dollar never. Money is the principal thing, therefore get money." The banker was silent a mo ment as if tasting the delightful relish of his paraphrase. "I wouldn't advise you to take a false step, Maxy," he continued. ."You're my only brother's only child. More over, you are my nearest living rela tionmy natural heir. And I am not a poor man, Maxy. "I would regret exceedingly to disin herit vou. Jerome Watkins ( I might as well speak plainly) is so repulsive it tee iireat STORY OF THE NEW SOUTH By John Jordan Douglass ---ft i to me that he shall not visit my house. But be careful to show Gabriel Allen the utmost courtesy. Try to love him for money's sake. A slight to him shall be considered a slight to me. Am I quite clear?" "Quite clear, uncle," she replied. "I shall try to treat all your guests with courtesy and respect 'till they forfeit the righ to such treatment. But as for my affections even though they be fragile as roses why, they arc my own to give and refuse." A bright red spot a torch of battle burned either of her fair cheeks into flaming color. And suddenly recalling that her mother had been, when fully aroused, a matchless mistress of tongue play, the banker wisely dismissed Maxine from his presence. "Oh, well, just treat Gabriel respect fully for my sake, Maxy," he called conciliatingly as she closed the doer. "Alright, sir, for your sake," she. re plied. Maine went immediately to tier room. The interview with her uncle had really impressed her more forcibly that she dared to betray. All her property was in the banker's hands, and there were always legal loop-holes through which the cunning financial fox might i-ap when hard pressed. She was neither purse-proud nor penurious, but she could no more help being her father's daughter than he could help being his father's son. The thought of being disinherited by the man who held all of her property was decidedly unpleasant. The elder MacDonald her father would have found it so. Money seemed a useless encumbrance till it was on the point of taking its leace. Then it seemed at least a necessary evil. None of the MacDonalds had ever bade a shining, ground-faced dollar good-bye without the sharpest sting of regret. But, on the other hand, rose the her itage of the Edinburgh Scholar, and the learning of her forebears towards aestheticism. Somehow in the conflict, which ,rose spontaneously in her soul, these latter stood together allied against the avarice with which neither of them possessed in common. On rushed the hostile forces, the cannon-wheels of Commercialism grinding into the soft soil of senti ment; the recruits of Aestheticism led by the burning light of the Ancient Scholar. There in her heart they grip ped and clung and fought hand in hand. Now the shining lances of Com mercialism poised and pierced and drove back the allies. But ever, when the battle seemed lost by the allies, the light of the an cient scholar would burst through the blinding blackness a beam too bright to be withstood, burning success from the grip of Defeat. Again and again the mailed host of the Money-King rushed to the front. Again and again they were repulsed. The battle ground reeled and rocked beneath their silvery feet. Like Magic they recovered their strength and re turned to attack. Here gleamed the golden shield of Penuriousness; there a diamond-hilted dagger of shrewd dealing. The victory seemed theirs. They were strong with the greed of the generations. From miserly old Malcolm MacDonald, clutching his sor did siller on the Scottish highland, down to the girl's father, they were a host to be reckoned with. In one point only was the line bro ken; the Ancient Scholar, who had harked back somewhere (mayhap to some studious monk with whom the bonds of marriage had been stronger than the bans of church) left that glaring gap. He, too, was to be reck oned with. And the man who has burned out his life for an ideal, how ever humble, leaves no easily erasible trace in his blood. For bours Maxine paced her floor as restless as ever a lioness walked the narrow bonier of her cage. Jerome was her ideal. Must she give him up? Must she sell her heart for a price? There were things above the price of rubies honor, self-respect, culture, re finement. No, she would be free; she would have these at any sacrifice. She loved the beautiful in live she loved knowl edge and these should be her masters. In the strength of victory she paused suddenly before the window and gazed down the narrow, niggardly street to where stood the bank solemn, strong and sour an apotheosis of the bank er's ideal. The light in her eyes was clear, splendid, bright as the shafts of mid day; it was the light of the Ancient Scholar. Meantime the banker had said to Ga briel "Everything will come around all right, Gabriel. You've got to break 'em in. Of course I don't know how to do it. But a young fellow like you oughtn't to have much trouble. There is one thing certain: you're going to have the right of way; I've forbidden her to admit Jerome Watkins in my house. And come what may, my will is law law, sir, even in love affairs." A twinkle of hope shone in Gabriel's eves. "Old MacDonald's a fool, after all," he thought, "a,wise old fool. He knows where his books are buttered." -mi Riverwood and Rocky Heights was ex quisitely beautiful. On a hillside overlooking the river, Jerome and old Sam were plowing. Fired by the fever cf education, Ben, old Sinn's second son, had bundled ui and hustled off to a negro industrial school. Thus a double burden came to Je rome's .shoulders. The rami work bad to be done, and in bis straightened circumstancoo the Colonel was unable to employ extra labor. But to stoop continually .to. this tire some toil, Jerome, too, had passed through a silent struggle, not with Commercialism, but with passionate pride which had been in the blood of the Watkim.es since the days of Wil liam the Conqueror. A firm believer in the ideals and as pirations of the New South, loving the soil of his native state, thrilled by its traditions and touched by the deep pathos of its dark illiteracy, he was nevertheless appalled by the menial labor to which he a representative of the-New South had been reduced. Yet he recognized that this was the cru cible, indeed, through which he him- . ; v i i. 1 1 v ....... v . i . i . . . . . . . . i . - . . ' strong his determination, and however P clearly he might forsee his reward in the ultimate issue, there was still in his constitution the latent, germ of chivalry, which could scarcely sec the prancing charger of the sixteenth cen tury, and the shining coach cf the old regime, supplanted by a trace-worn plow-horse, without a pang of woundc I pride. Was the result worth the effort? Did the mountains appear grander be cause one had climbed too slowly to conceive their height? Was it neces sary for the young eaglet to live in a little barnyard with vaunting fowls in order to require strength of wing? Jerome could no more have accepted his laborer's lot without a struggle than one of his forebears could have ridden a mule at tourney without swearing. The love of the soil the feudal baron's love he had indeed. That was deeply implanted in his nature; it was a part of his heritage. He loved the virgin beauty of the land: with childlike' joy be watched it blossom into harvest: he was awed by the profound mystery of the sea sons which shrouded it into snow or smiled it into warmth and beauty. But hitherto he had loved and watch ed and been awed as one apart, like the traveler who gazes wonder-eyed upon the stupendous structure cf Cheops, or he geysers hung silver-, spangled between earth and' sky mira cles of stone and steam; henceforth he was to be vitally akin to the soil, its son in the highest,, even when his feet pressed the lowest strata of honest la bor. There would he find his strength: there vould he come to see that the highest type of citizenship is to be found, not in mental monstrosity, nor in pertection ci nruie suengin, mu un well-rounded manhood. He might have studied text books while' he plowed as he did study the great earth-book underscoring it with his plow (noble men the primitive giants had clone that) but somehow he had conscien tious scruples on that point. He held that a man's first duty was to the working hand, however lowly; that the flower of his strength should be given to his avocation, however humble, in his opinion, no man had ever studied astronomy and at the same time run a straight furrow. His idea of labor was an X-Ray; a consuming concentra tion. In other words, he was a firm be liever in the maxim that whatever was worth doing was worth doing well. fie ploughed in the day and studied at night. (To be Continued Tomorrow.) "Night Riders" burned tobacco barns and saltel tobacco beds belonging to Leo Lawrence, in Boyle County, Ky., causing $5000 loss. THE JUMPINC OFF PLACE. "Consumption had me In its grasp; and I had almost reached the jumping off place when I was advised to try Dr. King's New Discovery; and I want to say right now, -it saved my life. Im provement began with the first bottle, and after taking one dozen Pottles I was a well and happy man again," says George Moore, o Griniesland, N. C. As a remedy for coughs and colds and healer of weak, sore lungs and for preventing .pneumonia New Discovery is supreme. 50c and ?1.00 at Woodall & Sheppard's. druggists. Trial bottle free. !la J Price; ON Fin 11 r A V urmtuure It i rot our purrose to give a f ".ill list of the many CASTORS A For Infants and Children. Kind You Have Always Bought 49 Cf C&fiJi Great looey Sav ing Values which this great nale affords for that would be rcxt to impossible, and wc will only attempt to give a few prices in each line of our Parlor Goods department, wonderfully reduced prices. ar:i wii! mention other goods later which we are now selling at Bears Signal.-"; TO INVESTIGATE REFRIGERATORS 3 -Piece Parlor Suits $70.00 Suit Silk Tapestry, for. .$45.( $57.50 Suit Silk Damask for $35.( .$45.00 Suit Silk Damask for $26. $15.00 Suit Leather for $30.( Morris Chairs See Our "STONE-WHITE" "The Chest With In It." the Chill COLDEST AND CLEANEST. J.N.McGausland&Co Stove Dealers Roofing Contractors. 221 S. Try on. $30.00 Suit Cushions. ?2i.50 Suit Cushions Silk Plush Loose .$21.5C 'ilk Plush Loose .$18.75 Turkish Rockers $3S.75 Rocker for $30.00 $37.50 Rocker for $29.00 $35.00 Rocker for $26.75 .$ 4.50 .$ 5.50 $ -;,50 Oak or Imt. Man., Velour Cushions for ? 8.00 Oak Early English, . Imt. Leather Cushions for.... S11.00 Oak or Imt. Mali.. Velour Cushions for $ 8.00 $12.00 Oak Early English, Ve lour Cushions for $ 8.75 $1 4.50 Oak, Velour Cushions, for $10.75 $22.50 Oak, best Leather Cush ions for $16.00 $23.50 Oak, best Leather Cush ions for ;.. $16.75 Davenports $72.50 Mali. Frame, Upholster ed, best Leather, for ...$45.09 $65.00 E. E. Oak Frame, Uphols tered Spanish Leather, l or .... $42.75 ?uC.50 Mahg. Frame, Upholster- Couches cd Verona Velour, for. .$39.G0 $23.50 Early English Oak Frame, Plain Top Leather, for $17.50 $35.00 Imt. Mahg. Frame, extra heavy, Plain Top Leather, for $26.50) $46.75 Golden Oak Frame, best Tufted Leather for .$35.00 $47.50 Golden Oak Frame, best Tufted Leather $35.00 $55.00 Mahg. Frame, Hair Top, best Tufted Leather, for $40.00' $57.50 Mahg. Frame, Hair Top, best Tufted Leather, for $45.00 $11.00 Golden Oak Frame, Plain Top, Velour Cover, for $ 8.50 $16.50 Golden Oak Frame, Plain Top, Roll Edges, Velour Cov er, for $11.00 $21.50 Golden Oak Frame, Plain Top, Roll Edge, Velour Cover, for $15.00 $11.00 Box Couch, with self-lifting spring Denim Cover, for. .$ 7.50 I This by .no means represents our stock cf the above goods, but will furnish an idea of what we are offer ing. To fully appreciate the real worth cf the goods both quality and variety it is necessary for yo-i to cee for 'yourself; and we would be more than pleased to have ycu call. To see these goods and the prices we have I on them, means to be convinced. e mpaoy o (B Bryan Visits Michigan CHAPTER XVIII. 'The Meeting In the Orchard." Turpentine Glorious April had come. Every where the buds were bursting, scatter ing snow balls amid the emerald trees. A dreamy, haze blue slept in the arching sky. The woods rang with a pulsing pas sion of bird calls. Incense fit for the altars of the Gods rose from the rich brown earth. From the red browed hills to the jgroat. river running tawny to the sea, the scenery around Detroit, Mich., April 15. William J. Bryan arrived in Michigan today for a two days visit. He is to deliver a series of political speeches and at the same time is expected to pour oil on the troubled, waters of the Michigan democracy. For a long time past a movement ap proaching a revolt nas been hatching for the avowed purpose of ousting Daniel J. Campau from his seat as na tional committeeman. The movement has become so strong as to threaten a serious disaffection among the demo crats throughout the state, and it is believed that it is the chief purpose of Mr. Bryan's present visit to settle the factional differences. After appearing in Grand Rapids, Lansing and Jackson, the Nebraska leader is due to arrive in this city in time to address a mass meeting tomor row night. The meeting, which is to be held in the Light Guam armory, will be pre ceded by a supper and reception at the Hotel Pontchartrain. Northwestern Stockgrowers. Belle Fourche, S. D., April 15 The Northwestern Stockgrowers' Associa tion met in annual session here today with delegations in atendancj from St. Paul, Omaha, Sioux City and other livestock centers. During the three days that the meet ing will be in session a variety of subjects will be discussed and address es will be made by a number of prom inent stockgrowers, shippers and com mission men. Trying to ride over a dam in a row boat to win a bet, Ed. H. Galloway, a New York athlete, was drowned at Sulphur Springs, Ark. Taken as directed, it becomes the greatest curative agent for the relief of suffering humanity ever devised. It's Hollister's Rocky Mountain Tea, the surest remedy. 35 cents, Tea or Tablets. R. H. Jordan & Co. It is about time to put away your Furs and. Winter Clothes and make arrangements to take care of the always pop ular Shirt Waist. We are showing a line from the smallest to the largest am from the cheapest to the best Cloth Covered Box, 27 lucnes ; long, 13 Incnes aeep. inches long, 15 inches deep., inches long, 17 inches deep.. 2 1 inhes long, 13 inches deep . . Cloth Covered Box, 30 Cloth Covered Box, 33 Matting Covered Box, Matting Covered Box, Matting Covered Box, 33 inches long, 17 inches deep. Matting Covered Box, 27 incches long, 9 inches deep. Covered Box, 31 inches inches long, 15 inches deep. ,.$5.50 ..$6.50 T reat Remodeling i.lKCV-' Hi-: T ...... tf - i-tm h ll;?!.!, bers c : "xsqi-i ?. rim m "in aRUV k'm$V on Fur 1UE daily attracting numbers and num- furniture buyers who are prof- by the remarkably low prices niture and Floor Coverings go- during this sale. We have twice the largest stock o' China and Japan Mattings that we have ever had and we are now selling 30c Mattings as low as 20c and 35c and 10c Mattings at 25c and 27 l-2c, f'4 and our patterns cannot be beaten. I If you arc m the market tor Hugs anu "J Art squares you cannot afford to miss ..itms sale, nanusome lapesiry ivus I S- 5-:12 as lyw as $14-25 and 9x12 AxiuiQ- ster Rugs now going for $22.2o. M T JL c to NOTE We pay cash. give 30 days' credit at these prices where not convenient orless era Matting Matting Covered Box,, 40 Matting Covered Box, 45 Matting Covered Box, 45 long, 11 inches deep., inches long, 11 Inches deep . . inches long, 11 inches deep., inches long, 11 inches deep. .$7.50 ..$9.50 .$10.00 Solid Red Cedar Box, 36x15 inches $6.50 Solid Red Cedar Box, 48 inches by 24 inches ....$22.50 Order the size you want. It vdll be shipped on approval anwhers you like. BBSSBSBXEESn iiipany Furniture ! Carpets Pianos Pianolas The ONLY REAL Odorless Refrigerator on the market. No taste and no smell on any kind of eatables, even though you have onions and Sweitzer Cheese along with sweet milk and butter. Everybody knows what Peerless and White Mountain Ice Cream Freezers are. They have NO SUPERIORS AND NO EQUALS. All sizes from one pint to 20 quarts. LAWN MOWERS. We have the cheap variety as well as the ball bearing kind. Can suit you as to quality and size. A complete line. dineton (INCORPORATED) Phona 85. 29 East Trade at. nt s o ' O ','": J O nlle
The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)
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April 15, 1908, edition 1
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