The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-10-20

middle aged man Of meagre habit, and of
no very pleasing appearance, and beautiful
girl, who seemed now to be about twenty,
resplendent in charms; her beautiful ches-
nut hair was crossed over her fine white fore
head, and pair of lively blue eye beneath,
bespoke pure and cultivated mind; the
person we first stmentioned, and who was call
ed Magoffin, seemed much pleased with the
arrival of his visitors, or at least his stern
features seemed to express as much satisfac-
ton and JOY, as was compatible with their
peculiar cast. tr.
"You are welcome, Pattison," said. he,
"and YOU to, Miss Ellen. rejoice to see you
in my lonely valley"
Lonely indeed, sir" was the answer,
though absence of company is sometimes
in advantage" .s.' - .. -.s.
Sometimes" said Magofin, with an an
CRY look, and turned on his heels to address
Mr.. Pattison and assist him to alight for
severe lameness rendered this somewhat diff
ficult. ....... ... ... ..... ...
AS Ellen entered the dwelling, feeling Of
grief to which her young heart was not
stranger, pervaded her bosom :; the only fe.
male she found in the house was its keeper,
an old woman, whose son assisted at the
mill, and these together with the owner con-
stituted the whole family. Ellen desired to
be shown to a room, and when there, deep
sigh escaped her as she seated herself on the
bed; feeling Of dislike towards Magoflin
was one of the most powerful which the
calm breast of the maiden had vet enter.
tanned, and at each of his frequent visits at
her uncle's (for Mr.. Pattison stood in that
ii oil 10 has l.Io g.. "a
what then were her sensations when her un-
Gle gave her to understand that she was the
cause of these visits that she had attracted
the notice Of the man she despiscd, but of
one whom Mr.. Pattison considered as in eve
ry respect suitable partner for her through
life -?
Each day he spoke in favor of Magoffin :;
money was his ruling passion, avarice held
firm sway in his breast, and he dwellt with
complacency on the wealth of the suitor.
whose riches he said were not confined to
his mill and farm. s ........ s. ..r
The hopes of the Americans for the re-
establishment of their independence, were
now at their lowest ebb, by reason of the i'll
success ofthe last campaign; Pattison re-
joiced at it and Magoffin with him, and the
former told Ellen OF vast sums her suitor
would realize on that event but this to her
was worst of all, for she had imbibed large
ly of revolutionary feelings, and nightly put
up her prayers for the safety and success of
Washington and her country's army.
And there was one there who shared her
prayers she had neither father nor mother,
nor knew she Of a single relation except her
uncle, who but lily supplied the place of a
fond parent; i. was not for relation she pc
titioned heaven, twas for lover, soldier in
the army of Independence. She had given
her heart to one whom she thought in every
respect worthy off it. and who increased in
worth when contrasted with Magoffin.
Alfred Clendinning she knew was brave,
noble, generous, possessing mind more cul.
tivated than ordinary, and from a close OBJ
servation of his rival, she thought she detec-
ted want of all the qualities. Alfred was
not poor, but her uncle viewed him in no
friendly light, and forbade him his house.
Ellen descended to supper, and afterwards
was compelled to endure the company of
Magoffin for an hour, wheD her nncle told
her they wished to be alone, and she gladly
availed herself Of the leave thus given, to seek
shelter of her room; the old house keeper
| hSheSu hO1 ahu W ucf sut put SOIne cas-
ual questions concerning Magoffin, for she
felt there was something concealed in his
mode of life-the old woman was talkatiye
and no ways backward in communicating
information, but she had not much to give ;
she said, however, that he was often absent
for whole days and nights together, without
saying whittier he was going, and that sever
al times there had been parties of men in
the valley at night who would carry OF the
-four from the mill-once or twice gentle
man had stopped all night in their house,
and then they were sure to sit talking till
break of day.
Ellen reclined on her bed whilst thou
sand thoughts passed over her mind. In the
meantime, Magoffin and his guest were seat
ed in the room below and were in busy
conference; before them was table covered
with papers and letters, the contents of
which busted them both; from time to time
large silver watch that lay on the table was
often consulted in considerable anxiety.
.The Major delays long" at length Mag
ofiin observed.
/ "lf those cursed rebel horse are out, he
brings an escort suppose r. said Pattison.
"Ay, come dragons to see him SAFE"
Il wish he were here" rejoined the visi.
tor. ~.