North Carolina Newspapers

ft TT-Ttr DEMOCRAT Q E. E. HILLIARD, Editor and Proprietor. WE MUST WORK FOR THE PEOPLE'S WELFARE. uescr:ftic: si 50 per ykar. m .miu:i: m. YOLIMK IV SCOTLAND NECK, N.C., THURSDAY. AUGUST !. . PROFESSIONAL. W. A. DUNN, ATTORNEY AT LAW, SCOTLAND NLK, NT. C. 'i:c'c-;i sh -reviT hi-i .-civics are n-quir. 'I. f 1)1:5-1 y. W. H. KIT CHIN, Attorney and Counselor at Law, SCO I LAM) NLCK, N. C, l-f?" Mho-: Corner M.iin ami Tenth Stre.-ts. 1 "-1 y. T. E. WHITAKtR, Attorney and Counselor at Law SCOTLAND NLCK, N. C, Practi.es wherever his services .'ire required. ('apt W. If. Kilci.in will appear with me in all ca-.-.. 2 I'-ly. DAVID BELL, ATTORNEY AT LAW, LNiTKI.D, N. C. I'rai i i. i s i;, the Courts of Halifax run I a'lj-.iiiinir oiiiities and in tlie Su preme a ad Federal Cowits. Claims col- P t: t of the State, :i vr GAVIN L. HYMAH, ATTORNEY AT LAV, HALIFAX, N. C. ('(Clil's; Halifax and adjoining coun ties Colhcti lis n.a-ic in ail j. it- f the State. :i ly. V. II. lew, A. (.'. Z.. i.i.i. -oi n a, K. Pnsom' II. nd-.on. WVMoii. Day, Zoilicoffer & Ransom, ATTORNEYS AT LAW, W'LLDON, N. c. : ly. S. S. ALSOP, ATTORNEY AT LAW, LNriLLI). N. ('., I 'i -act ic- s in the Courts ..f Halifax and ad joining count ies. Ail business will receive prompt atten tion. :! 1-v. THOMAS N. HILL, ATTORNEY AT LAW, HALIFAX, N. C, Practices in Halifax and rid joining counties, and the F dcral at d Supreme. Courts. I5-S lv. EDWARD T. CLARK, Attorney and Counselor at Law, HALIFAX. X. C, Practices v.h'revcr his services are re quired. Special attention to collection i d' claims. L") i v. . H. LAWRENCi fie DLALLR IN Grain, Mill-Feed, Hay, Clover And Grass Seeds, IMPKOVID FARM IMPLEMENTS A SPECIALTY. Call and examine Disc Harrow and Seeder, and Grass Mower, a model of I'eifection. SCOTLAND NECK, N. C. jano-l y. I. J. MKHCln, i:u iiMoxn, va.. Lumber Commission Merchant, Give personal and prompt attention to all consignments, of Lumber, Shinnies, Laths. Ktc. janl-lv. THUS I". IJAGLKY, ' WILMINGTON, N. C. Coal, SVfoalasses, Salt, Genuine German Kainit and Nova Sco tia Land Plaster. Quota! ions on App.u-.itl'm. febll-lv. NVENTION:; revel'llloiiiecl IbC iM .tun?,.: the lasi half Not least ;imonr the w:i,i'!s .r .nveiiil .e pn'res Is a nietUuJ sinl system of work thu . an b. th-i formed nil over the country wifai.iii s.-p.ira' the woikers fr.iin t ii'-tr . uiies. l'av ;1hm al: r. y one iiti no the v..rk; either sct, yo'ingr or old; no special ati'.lny ri'ipiiri'd. ('api;.il nor needed; ymi ar? fc'art"d free, c ut t liis : u t a n. 1 ret'iru to us an.i We wl'.l -eii.l yr.u fi.-e. youiotliliiLT of treat value ami Import u,, e to you. til t will sia:t y. u la basinrss. w hl.-ii w :.i ! 1 1 f oil In ni"i-e nionv, llfln away, t !i:i anyi'lnj t-.se In tlie wot id. f.rand outtit flee. Ati..re: i due i CO., Au.u-ta, Malllt.'. 3-20-lv. DIOLII are those rho ral nlllli! I ,1'!s:l!"1 i'a-'i thev will tin 1 I I I W I I la i lelliorah'e ftl I ) ,y i;e i; t tlllt Will Iiot take t h. -in iroia lb- I r lidiues ,o,i riiuMie's The pretlts are l iree an : sure for cv,-rv Indus trious person; many have made ai, , '.ire ,,,T tuaklriif several hundred dollars a mor,;!, n- easy for any one to m!:' $ and uawai .is per div, who is willing to work. Kniier sx, you.r' or eld; capital not needed; we start you. ' Kvry tlilrijr new. No spec! d ability re.pjir.-'d;' you reader, can do tt as we'd as any one. Wr'ife to Us ut on.e for full pai ' I'ulus, wol-'a we mall tree. Addtc-sa Stluson & Co.. Portland, Mam -. 0-22-1 v. DEEP! I1. AVo tiller exist In thousands ct iorms. uut are surpass-u dv tiie Mldr. VelS r.f InrnhtlAn T.w. . ... ...... in.' llll'.il A uvr-,. . u' ai ni r.ee,j or protU'ibk; woik that can h none while llvli.t,' tit home should at cnef send th-lr addresj tiHaliett, A; ( a.. I'onian.j, Malua. una re, eive rree, fill !r.formMtlo!i i, ,w elthersex, of all as can earn from j to -x p. rdav cn.l upwurda wherever they live. You are starto1 fre. ( apt lal not r. quired. Some bave made over $50 In a fcUAild iy at tlila work. Ail succeed. 8-22-ly. The Same Forever. ; The Cress stands firm ; no Lla.,t of time, : No hurricane of earth's ru le clime, ! Can shake its heavenly steadfastness, 1 Or lessen its hiU power to bless. I look and lira! i j The ti lings from that tree of lovj i Are still (iA' ims-aps from alcove, : Telling, each hour, of cleansing blood Ami j.oiiUin to tho upward road. 1 Lear and livu! ; Still docs the Christ His face reveal, H.s well if living joy unseal, Still telling of His love and liht, His me kuess, maj-s'y ami nii-.;ht. I come and live! Still waves life's tree its jl jrious wealth, j Laden with evet lasting health; I With fruit and leaf I). vinery fair, And immortaiity stiil then. I eat and live I i Still from the reck the waters burst j To quench tbi weary splr.t'.s thirst; j 'Who drinketh onco will drink a;rain, j Who drinketh shall not drink in vain. I drink and live! Donar. THE CHANGED HEART. "I'ut how can I lulp being neglected and miserable, Xcd ? You scarcely look at me vvlicn Mij3 Lovel is near, and she ii your prcforru I jmrtner in all thinqjs now. You walk with her, you sirj.r with her, ycu drive with her, you dance with her, and it makes mo very wretch ;d !" 'Now, Mollie, if you're going to be Jealous ! ' "I'm not jcalcus, Xed. If I thought you didn't care moit for me; if I fancied you cared p.t nil for any one else, I don't think I'd remonstrate with you at all. I would just take oil this" touch ing thj diamond on her hand, "and hand it lack to you. I'm not jealous, but you are not very kiad to rae, XeJ.'1 "My little p t, you do not see things as 1 see them. One owes something to society, especially when one is at the seaside. If you would only remember that 1 love you too well to find fault with anything you can do, and if you would become- a lhtle more of a society character yourself, I should be perfectly happy. "Why, yon scarcely take the lea-t attention from any one but me, and so many arc willing to oiler atten tions to you. Now, dear, ki-.s me once; I must be oil; I am to drive on the beach with Miss Lovel; not jjaious, my pet?" "Xot jealoti", No 1, no;" and sho turned from him, but without giving the kiss he had asked for. "She is jealous, though!'' the young fellow thought, smiling as he watche l the pretty, straight figure going away from the nook in which he had found her, out to the stretch of sand, against which the waves were rolling, receding, leaving now a mass of seaweed on it, now returning and bearing it away a very coquette of an ocean, now kind and now cold, and always fair in the sunlight. Ned Tremaino hurried over the beach, whistling as ho went, and he presently caught up with his alii meed, who, in her pretty dress of cream and black, with the wiio sun hat ushed a little back on her blondo head, was looking very beautiful and animated and smiling in the face of Lee Stone, the most incorrigible male lhrt at the beach. "Where now, Tremaine?" the latter called out, as with a nod he pursued his way. "For a drive on the b inch; will see you later," and Nod had gone by, re suming his whistle. Mr. Stone smiled a little and spoke a few words to Mollie. She colored slightly, followed the tall form of her lover a moment with her eyes, then gave a rracious answer, and half an hour later, when X.d and Miss Lovel met the pretty light carriage on the beach in which L20 Stoaa took his daily drive, they received a pleasant nod from pretty Millie, who was hh companion, and who looked as though she was thoroughly enjoying his socuty. "She certainly lost no time in follow ing my suggestions," Xed told him-clf half in surprise, ' and she had evident ly found the society of S;one anything put boring." "What a handsome couple they make," Miss Lovel sai 1, with a certain gleam ia her steady, gray eye. Xed colored suddenly, but didn't quite know why. "Perhaps you didn't know that Miss Annesis my promised wile," ho said, a a trill; coldly. "Oh, but so many engagemocts are broken in a summer at the seaside; one never minds that very much." the lan guid belle said indillerently. Tbtt night there w as a hop at the ho tel, r.nd Xed had made up his mind whila dressing to bo a little moro at tentive to Mollie; but to his surpriso he djdn't lir.d Moilio An-ces shrinking un der her mother's wing as had been her custom. A number of old friends had arrived while they were at dinner, and they were about her, and while she cave him (Xed) a smilo from the dis tance he found it quite difficult to get near her. Then a s'ight tap on his arm informed him that Miss Lovel was ak ing him why he was so preoccupied, and, as Mollie and Stone went circling by, joining the waltzers,he followed them with Miss Lovel. "A rather pronounce 1 flirtation," Lee laughed, later, when he and Mollie stood on the hotel terrace, watching the moonlight on the- sea and ttran J, and one solitary couple pacing slowly along beside the water?. Both knew who they were, for a few minutes b-.-fore they had seen Xed Tremaiae place that pale pink scarf at.out the shoulder cf Miss Laura Lovel is ho led her across the terrace, too much engrossed in his ta-k, it wcu'd seem, to notice Moliio or her companion. "Oh, everybody flirts more or less at a seaside hotel ; or.e has nothing else to do, you know,'' Moilio answered Leo with a little ripp'o of laughter, and ha looked on the pretty face to which tho moonlb'ht was so tender, his voice sink ing almost to a whisper as ho spoke to her. "It is a cowardly pastime for a man," ho said softly, "and for a woman it is a cruel one." A-. aia she laughed, while arranging the bracelet on her arm; a touch of mockery was in the rippling voico. "A nl you is it pleasant to know that you are cruel anel cowardly?" she questioned. "One is tempted to be come personal when such remarks come from one who is said to count his con quests with cruel pride, and to whom tho world gives no higher aim than to fascinate and remain careless. Am I too plain? Forgive me." "I forgive you freely as I would forgive you all things, Mis3 Anness: but neither you nor tho world fully under stands me. I may scam a tritler; but were the woman I lovj to love mo in return no smilo would be to so sweet as hers, no presence half so dear." Mollie had been watching tho couple on the sands going slowly bick and forth, br.ck and forth in the moonlight; now she- lifted her sweet young face anel looked at him with a sort of won dering pity. "Do we all wrong you, then?" she asked, gently. "Ilavo you failed in your wooing? Can you not win where ycu love?" His face flushed a littlo at her words, and she, watching it, was struck by its strength and beauty. How did it chance that sho had never noticed it b:fore? "I am not left tho chanco to woo or win h?r," he said, slowly; "sho is another's promised wdfe." "Ah," she saiel, pityingly; and she gave him her hand in a sweet, womanly sympathy, never for an instant connect ing his words with herself. lie lifted the small hand reverently to his lips, anel drawing it through bi3 arm turned towards the beach. As ho did so ho found himself facing Xed Tremaino and Laura Lovel, who were coming in from the moonlight, and he noticed that tho young man's face was quite white, while there was a half scornful smile on the lips of the fair bolle of tho seaside. But the two couples passed each other in silence, tho one going down to tho stretch of tho glittering sand, tho other going in to the dancers. A week later, and Moilio had just come in from a long hour, peaceful and calm, spent with Lee in a quiet nook among the rocks that overhung the ocean. 11c had been reaeling to her there some of tho sweetest poems given to the world by genius. ller heart had thrilled as he read, and new. strange feelings had stirred it. "When ho closetl the book he had lookcei up and found her eyes filled with tears. And now in her own room sho was asking herself how it was that wdiat sho hael com menced but for the purpose of annoy ing Xed hail in one brief week slain all her oi l resentment against Miss Lovel and made her thoughts turn constantly, not to Ned Tremaine, who was her affi anced husband, but to Leo Stone, who was termed tho greatest flirt at the beach. What was changing ia her life? When sho now met Ned and Laura it did not pain her as it used. Wns it be cause a hanelsomer face, a stronger and a nobler face than Xed's was constantly near, ready to turn to her with devo tion, realy to light if sho smiled? A servant broke her ponderings by bringing her two messages one a boqu.'t of white fljwers with a few feathery sprays of fern among their whiteness and one crimson rose gleam ing red from their centre, and in it was a note from Lee asking her to go for a drive with him by moonlight; the other wa3 a few angry lines from Xed, asking if she remembered that t-he was be trothed to him while she allowed every gossip at the hotel to chatter of her flirtation with Lee Stone. "I have been patient, waiting an op portunity of speaking to you," ho wrote, "but you will not give mo one, so I write to ask you if you wish our en gagement broken; to all it would seem so." She trembled a littlo as slia read, and her sweet face changed color; but sh3 went to her elesk, drew from it every letter he had ever sent her. forrujd them and his ring i i a package, and wrote him the following note: It was I who first taught patience while my existence was forgotten for one who was what you bade 1113 biC'iin "a society char acter." Why should I fancy that you wish an interview w.th m cf late? It is not o long since you couM not spare a moment for me from M. Lovel. Lj I wi-L our c-najn-mer.t broken Perhaps wo both -vruh it. Xed: at least Lt us break it, sinee I to displease you. I send y.u your letters anJ ring. Then, although a choking sensation was in her throat, the pemed a brief note to Lee: "I shall be please 1 to go with you," that was all; and in the starlight tho moon rose late sho went with him out over tho beach and far along the coun try. Wa3 it strange that ho noticed sho no longer wore Xed's ring? Was it strango that he told her of his love, and that sho listened silently, behevingly, with a strange flutter at her hoart? Was it strange that when they drove back, lingering beside the sobbing ocean, another ring should deck her finger and another bond should lie upon her life? Well, two others walked upon tho strand, two whom the gossips callel lovers; and yet when it was told that Moilio Annes was to plac; her happi ness in the keeping of the "flirt of the beach," one man who heard it turned as white a3 death and shrank from tho sight of tii3 beautiful woman bedde him, although men called her fair, and many a aid she had won him from his faith; yet Mollie was too happy to re gret, although she sometimes remem bers. Toledo Blade. Pot Problems to the Ancients. Among tho problems with which it pleased tho ancijuts to perplex them selves wa3 ono which bears in an in structive manner on tho doctrine of limits. It may be thus stated; The swift footed Achilles f-tarted in pursuit of a tortoiio which was 10,000 yards from h'rn, Achilles running 100 times faster than tho tortoise. Xow, when Achilles had traversed tho 10,000 yards, tho tortoise had traveled 100 yards; when Achilles had traveled these 100 yards the tortoise had traveled ono yard ; when Achilles had traversed this yard tho tortoise was still 100th part of ifyard in alvance; when Achilles had traversed this 100th part of a yard the tortoiso was tho 10 000th part of a yard in advance, and so on forever the tortoiso being at each stage in advance of Achilles by ono hundredth part of tho distance Achilles had traversed in the prece ling stage. Tho tortoise then remains always in ad vance of Achilles by scmo distance however minute; and therefore Achilles can never overtake the toitcise. But wo know that Achilles traveling faster than tho tortoise will overtake it. Therefore, Achilles will and will not overtake tho tortoise; which is absurd. Tho ancients wero strangely fond of problems of this sort. Thus thero was the famous problem about tho as3 be tween two exactly equal bunellcs of hay, at exactly equal distanc . "This ass," says the sophist, "will attempt to eat neither bundle; for, by whatever line of reasoning it could bo shown that ho wrould turn first to ono bundle, by a line of reason precisely similar it may be shown that ho would turn first to the other. But ho cannot turn first to both. Therefore, ho will turn to neither." Another of theso problems was thus worded; "Bpimenides, tho Cretan, says that tho Cretans aro liars. Now Epimenides is himself a Cretan, therefore Epimenides is a liar. There fore tho Cretans are not liars. There fore Epimenides is not a liar. There fore the Cretans aro liars. Therefore Epimenides i3 a liar. Therefore," etc., ad infinitum. Others statel the prob lem in a moro simple form, thus: "When a man says I lie, decs he lie or does ho not lie? If he lies ho speaks tho truth, if he speaks the truth ho lies.'' Com mcrcial Advertiser. (iood and Bad News. Bad new3 weakens th? action of tho heart, oppresses tho lung, destroys tho appetite, stops tho digestion, and par tially suspends tho functions of the sys tem. An emotion of shame flushes the face; fear blanches, py illuminates it, and an instant thrill electrifies a mil lion of nerves. Surprise spurs tho pulse into a gallop. Delirium infu303 great energy. Volition commands, and hundreds of muscles spring o excite. Powerful emotions often kill the body at a stroke. Clulo, Liagoras and So phocles died of joy at the Grecian games. Tho news of defeat killed Philip V. Ono of the popes died of in emotion of the ludicrous on seeing his pet monkey robed in pontificals, occu pying tho chair of state. The door keeper of Congress expired on hearing of tho surrender of Cornwaliis. Em inent public speakers havo often di. d in the midst of an impas-ioned burst of eloquence, or when tho deep emotion that produced it had subsided. L -grave, the young Parisian, died when he heard that the mu-icil prize for which he had competed was adjudged to another. In an Old Boston House. Mr. Phlatterly (trying to make him self solid) -What a remarkaoly strong, manly face your grandfather hal, Miss j Phillips. ! Miss Phiilips---Pardon me, Mr. Phlatterly, but that's grandma, Judge. HOMES! GOOD HOMES At Low Prices! Ml Farms For Sala HALIFAX COUNTY! The Best Place In EASTERN CAROLINA. All Situated In the Divide Between The ROANOKE AND TAR RIVER. NEAR THE TOWN OF SCOTLAND NECK, -IN The Most P oral Com munity in the State. AND IX m Most HoalthTol Section East of the Mountains. FARM NO. 1. Four bund red :ir s, two and one half miles from the beautiful town of Scot land Neck. About two hundred u' res in o.Livation. One goud Dwelling Ilou-e, one good (tin Uoum", and other out houses. Good on-hard and good water. Location desirable. PRICE $4,500. FARM NO. 2. Two hundred and sevent v tive acr s, two ar.d onedialf miles from Scot'and Neck. One hundred and t w enty-tive acies in cultivation. Good Dwelling House and good writer. PRICE $2,750. FARM NO. ::. Two hundred acres, two n.ii'-s froni Scotland Ncelv. Kighty mro I'linh Land. Good Dwelling, some out houseg and Mix-hard, and good water. PRICE $2 500. ALSO, Two Stonvhoti-rs an 1 no I) we House in the tj-.Miof S-otl ind Neck. The firm- describe 1 alove u'.- a'! well ;ida; ted to the pro b.ction of fo-u. cot to:i, wheat, o.it-.. p.-.ii.'it-, field pea-, po tato's, and veg.-t-ddes of all kinds. Three ceo 1 churches in the town of S' ot'aici Neck, Meth 1 1 t . llni.ti-t and Kpi-f op d. and a Primitive PapiSt church mar the town, together with two of the best and Host flourih:fi aead'-mie, ace and fema'c- in th.- -tot--, make lh- : i.e of tl.e 1.10-t ii' -li ib'e s-e:ir. in i'.uth Oaixli 11. Tie- propo- i -.st.ib-; rh::;ent of an oil mill and a canning ; ct rv will s um add mu- h to t ':.: ad 1 jntace of owning property in this cm ! iunity. . Any and all the prop'-rty de-cribed ! ") .vc rnav be b uu:it f r o:.--fo;;rth m-di, ;th a- much :i:a-; as desired on the rc 1 loin ;cr. Ai'1'i.y To NOAH BIGGS, REAL ESTATE BROKER. SCOTLAND NECK, tt. C. IDIDSOISK TO THE FRONT! With the Most Con:p!ete Stock of e Ev r ! f r. O -a :i i 1 : .' L-ht e :. t. We a' !. a ; : . par. d. in .1! 1 nun's ., SUIT THE HOST FASTIDIOUS. 7 V ry Goods, NOTIONS, Clothing,Hats,&c. " e can Plea.-e a!ii;o-t anv . Those Wishing to Purchase Run no Risk in l;;ii-e.; fr m l', a- u . Land h- L. lu-i . lv tie ,.;,, f three ,.f the M,,-r ,.,.iil r 1 and Re!i dee h ., I! .- k now n, e. : le r N . 1 : ii or South, u : Parsons, Miles and Eagle. Such to,, s tliat we are a'-!-- t Won.,:,t them to give f,r-t i 1 i-- W'.ar and Kit i - fa., t inn. OUr a..7., HARDWARE IS THE I5KST IN THL 1 W N ! This is imoo.tant to Form.,, :.::d Me- chanics. When n rding an 1 lcn in this line vmi can be cn-iiv suited s it li u GROCERIES OF THE I1LST P.RAND. Crockery, Glass and Tinware, Wood and Willow Ware, DRUGS, TOB-A.O OO S Of the Choice Prands, siiEicBtt The whole thinir in a nut -h'il: You can find Till, uioiri aki i 1.1. ar.d the itioiiT riiici: at our r-to;e. We arc also Ar'nts for th" L'-eful an 1 well-known Light Running Domestic Sewing Machine Excelsior Cook Stove, Deer Cultivator. Piedmont Wagon and Brown Cotton Gin- Any one contemplating .ur l..-is::i any of the aliovc nam"d ar!: v. 11 tiiid it greatly to lii- advai.t ige to e n suit us before buving. ;-f?' P.KMFMr.Li: All good, 1 to parties in town fire delivered I'RLL. Traveling Troupes will find t r.n.s v.: j rcsMiiable for our LARGE LICENSES And Wei! Fitted HALL With a --ntn.g ( 'ap-n it v FIVE BED And wo f, el f:.:i :--r,t i' p'ea-a-it and proti-o1.'-t't vi-.it our town '.: We thank the j.-opie' kindly f favor, an 1 we f-hriil n ie .v. r to our reputati n by giving th'.-m 1 b-nerit of our in'.'tto: Best Goods, Honest Dealings, Lowest Prices very It spetfuliy, EDM0ND3ON & JOSEY, Main St, Scotland Neck, N. C N. B. D. EJnoa-lr-11'.-i Ori.,t Mid at Greenwood, griodf daily. He ais L well equipped Ccttoa Gia attached. GeDBra MercliaiiQis D SHOES HON 'Ni:u "-ai.: MUs Jul I 1 ,vi! s : Ml l. L':. i;;:..itUiu ( Iis;.ji.i ttlrd mil r in. 1 1:1 1. . 1 : . . N ' L- '.-:. 1'. 17:o n 1 -. : . . tt p . i.t t ,r . 1 r - .! . - : ,s , . H 1 . .1 .-. -, e 1 to 1 I ;,iMl'- : . 1 .:. i i; 1 i 1. . U ' ' .0 e i , , . .! I l'i I. -on .aid , e i . - 1 't '1 i'l I.- N. mi ono 111 II b ill 1 1 iiiiiKii.i:iiiin;i;isTs, 1; l.i ,u- in M . , (V nn, 11,. n'... Prtill S. I . UVCS. (1 S CS. . - 1: - I',. . 1. No. (...v . 1 -11.11- St.. UK IIMOMI. Y.i. RICHMOND ton I! .mi LOCQjIOTITE E1ES 3uMers& Hsay Machinery, . , , Fc ! C U fH O n CI , " " VQ ii 1. ::.! m 1 ( ii 1 1 .' 1 ' ' . x M I- t : i . I TALIAFERRO & CO., ..! m kai. . Cirni-Ah! I'l-rioc, E.rth.iD.s. (,!.! ( i- . :, James O'Bourke. hi Marble Monuments, HEADSTONES, TOBS, riLi;, i-:t-., lit'-. All K' 1 n i - 1 i ALL ORDERS PROMPTLY FILLEI , Sii t ir-l":i"t ion Cm n :i i'si 11 1 y0s. te5 i2 167 f.ist Caiirc1! H'r- : ; orf-', j ' 1' Virginia. I'll , liLL LADD & CO