The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-06-04
$I,5o per Year in Advance.
An Incident At
Beaver Lake.

in the United States, but OF the num-
Der there is but one which has its head
at a cIty-a city which sets like q bow
of ribbon with its ends hanging rag
gedly on either side. This particular
city has a mayor whose name is Cad
gers, and whose a~vOirdupois is tremen.
dous. 1t also has q city hall which
might be placed entire IN a New Eng
land woodshed and still leave room for
q winters supply OF wood. And it
has a corporate heart which Is out OF
ali proportion to its corporate body,
and o moral standard which is subject
to suspicion.
One November day, when the first
gale of the new season was sweeping
across the lake from the ice regions
not many miles away, a woman alight-
ed from the stage at the door of the
p~ostoflice III this city and inquired OF
the postmaster, who came in person to
receive the mail, whether or not he
could direct her TO the hotel or board
ing place whore James Clifford was
staying. Whereupon the officials
mouth dropped open, and he stared at
her for SO long a time that pink spots
appeared on the woman's thin checks,
md the soft expression IN her brown
gave place to the hard expression
niger.
Why, yes, madam" he said at last,
noting these signals and recognizing
there import, 81 heard there was n
man of that name here a while ago,
but he never called for his mail, and l
never saw him, and L couldn't say
where he might be stopping now, and
and l reckon you'd better make in
quiries at the mayors office"
He pointed the way to the city hall
watched the woman draw her thread
bare shawl more closely about her
shoulders, and re-entered his place OF
business, dragging the leathern pouch
behind him. Curiously enough his
forehead was damp with sweat.
"That was nothing short of an in
spiration of minc that sending her
down to Cadger's," he told himself
drawing a long breath Cadg ers III
know how to handle her, but me
Lordl I'd rather tight a regiment of
drunk Indians than braek bad news to
a woman"
Meanwhile the woman was entering
the mayors Office, and the ponderous
Cadgors was turning slowly about to
greet her. Cadgers never displayed pre-
%..Ypltation in any of his mayoral func'
tons, partially for the reason that il
was physically announcement for him
to do so, and partially because he had
a high and fitting regard for the dignity
of his position. He waved the woman
gracefully to a box by the stove, ant
listened attentively to her question
Where are you from, madam3' he
asked bluntly.
"From Blue River Falls" she re
piled.
"And the postmaster, you say, sen
you to meP"
eyes, sir"
"Then he 10 a COMPOUNDED coward
and Pm sorry L signed his petition
What, may l ask, is this James Gif
ford's relation to you? Maybe now he''
owing you money for board or some
thing like that?"
"No," said the woman after a mo
ment of hesitation, he weir
promised to each other.'
"OhI" The light of hope that ha,
spread over the mayors countenanc
WINS AIebSuioIiCu WltllOuU q hiChCl. IL
drummed deliberately with his fat lin
gers upon his knees, positive evidence
that his nerves were vibrating. Ill
cleared his throat. Madam, Their,
was a gang of men here some lIttl
time ago engaged in erecting an oflic
for the DogstaI Lumber Company
which building you may have observe,
near the wharf. While here thei
number was constantly being increase,
and reduced as the exigencies of tn
company's various other enterprise
permitted. The company's men,
L have been informed are under annu
al contract"
"Yes," interrupted the woman
Jim's contract was for a year, but i
expired last week, and he was not in
tending to renew it. He thought h,
could pick up odd jobs to keep him go
ing till spring, when he'll have a gooc
.ce down at st. Mark. It's strang,
.e isn't here"
The mayor drummed more vigorous
ly. "This IS a very uncertain world
madam" he observed; cit IS, to tel
the truth, ( ALFRED uncertain. Som,
of the strangest things in it are not 81
strange when the adjoining and abut
ting circumstance are known-mheml'
Some quality in his tone or in TIT
expression of his eyes caused the wo
man to lean forward and catch he
breath sharply.
go, sir, what is it2 Don't be afrait
to tell me. What has happened t.
Jim 2"
"Madam, to hesitate longer would
be unjust and cruel. Be brave
madam, L will tell you. Your love.
fell into the lake last Wednesday, tn,
day of his arrival here. No one saw
him when he fell. But his jacket ant
vest were found on the wharf, arc
were<dentifed by the other workmen
The gang left here the following day
since which time we have spared M
effort to o the remains of the un
fortunate man. In fact, we are nov
awaiting the arrival of a professional
bOdy.finder from Blue River Falls, t.
obtain whose services we have sub
scrIbed a fund. You will admit,
think, that we are eldeav oring to d,
our full duty as Christians in the prem
ises. Bear up, madam, bear upi"
The woman rose to her feet, evident
ly to seek the open air. Half way Il
the door she staggered and fell pros
trate. An hour later she was In bee
at the mayors home, and Mrs. Cadgers
was ministering to her deeds,