Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-05-29


his deliverer.
From the time that Will Smith was re-
ceived in the Judges family, he was treated
as one of its members. Through strange
coincidence, the very first case met with by
the Judge, on setting out for the Circuit,
was that of the commonwealth vs. Samuel
Saunders, for unlawfully making away with
the indentured child known as Will Smith. "
Campbell, delighted with the idea of retri-
button on the prosecutors of his, prOteSe,
whom he loved as a son, gave it his imme-
diate attention, and compelled minute inves-
tigation of every particular ofthe affair. The
trial was singular and terrible scene
Campbell, severe and implacable, sat like
another Brutus, resolved for the sentence.
Matte, too, the timid Matte, was present,
pale, heart sick, and agonized by conflicting
feelings. The novelty of her situation, and
its publicity, were sufficient alone to over
whelm her gentle nature, in addition to
which she had the misery to witness her
parents disgrace, and was distracted with
the conviction that Will, her sole hope and
only friend, was lost to her forever
Saunders, trembling and conscious, await,
ed the verdict, which came as death-knell
on his ears; as in solemn tone of dcnuncia,
tion "guilty' sounded through the unbroken
hush of the court. At that instant the sound
of carriage wheels told an arrival, and sent
a murmuring agitation through the crowd
The excitement was told by the eager curiosi
/ ty of the peoples gaze, to learn the cause
Even Matte was reused from the stupor Of
despair into which she had sunk. \ strange
vague hope awoke in her breast, and scarce
| ly could she conceive the marvellous reality
as she beheld enter one whom she could not
mistake, but so pale, attenuated, as to seem
indeed rathera spectre, than living being.
But it was the lost one, her we'll remember.
ed companion, whose sudden appearance
created sensation impossible to describe
His prosecutor, Mortified at the sight of what
he conceived to be an apparition, swooned,
| anu WAS luheu iTUNl COURT
The result was, that the conditions of the
boys indentures were declared by the jury
to be forfeited, and-the sorest sting of all
to the miser-he was compelled to aid in the
support and education of the boy, until he
attained his majority. A new light thus
broke on the horizon, hitherto so dark and
troubled, for Will Smith. Diligcnt in i'm
proving the advantages afforded him, before
long he enjoyed the honorable position of a
a successful young barrister, and the old
Judge, on his retirement, had the satisfac-
tion of seeing his own career renewed in that
of his adopted son, as he listened often in an
ecstacy of admiration to his brilliant, vigor-
Gus oratory. But the most delighting tri-
umph of all to Will was, that he could now
claim his blue-eyed love, Matte, as his own.
In defiance of opposition, he took her for his
bride.
Years Of unalloyed happiness were the re-
ward of his trials and his tolls. Care, sor.
row, endurance, were forgotten, even ambi-
ton slumbered, while he basked in his new
found joy. But changes awaited him. The
noble contest for freedom and independence
arose, and then all that was elevated and un-
selfish in his nature awoke. Wealth, ease,
were relinquished with the ready consent of
Matte, joyful if her beloved remained at
her side. Willis services in his country S
cause were unremitting and effectual. His
sincerity was proved by the sacrifice Of his
entire fortune; for the conclusion of peace
saw him beggar, the result of his hardly
earned possessions flown. Energy and en-
terprise he knew must open fresh path of
progress for him. The glorious lands be-
yond the Alleghanies offered the best re-
source; and thither he resolved, if Matte
would accompany him, to repair. He met
with no remonstrance from his sweet wife.
Her whitening check told the one pang Of
consent.
The journey was long and arduous, but
the travellers found compensation in the stim-
ulus of novelty, as well as in the charms of
the lovely scenes presented by the new found
lands, already bearing semblance of civili-
zation from the numerous forts and settle
ments which appeared. Will, having arri-
we'd on the borders of the Licking river, de-
posted there his family, with powerful
guard in camp as their defence, while he,
careful to secure further supplies, pressed on
to meet his friend Boone at given spot
Six days only he was absent, six eventful,
memorable days. Doubly long seemed the
separation to Wills loving heart, for it was
the first since his marriage. He hurriedly
sought the spot where all that was precious
on earth to him remained-consecrated as
home by one blessed presence. He perceiv-
ed with astonishment the camp broken up
and the few remaining emigrants retreating.
Fastening after them, he sternly demand
ed his wife and children of those whom he
had constituted their guardians.
"You will find them where you left them;
ask the Shawnees, they can tell you the rest"
was the reply.
"Traitors," exclaimed Smith, "you have
neglected your trust; they are murdered"
Then with sudden spring at the throat
of the hunter who had spoken, he hurled
him to the ground, and without turning to
see the result, the wretched man turned to
the camp. He was found there stretched
on the floor beside the lifeless remains of
his Matte and his children, whom he alter
nately embraced. He then rose, and silent
ly and with an awful solemnity proceeded