Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-07-01
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And he reflled his glass. I did not
reply.
you saw Caroline he continued, slight
shadow passing over his face. sPoor thing
she's not in good health. Some people would
say that made them drink, but you see, I'm
more candid, my boy. I drink because it's
good for me-my youth comes back to me.
Hurrah for youth! Confusion to old age,
with its cares and its wrinkles Eat, drink,
and be merry is my motto, mon garcon, even
if tomorrow we die. And that reminds me
you're going to-morroNAand haven't seen
my little Aurora. Jugurtha.'
The confidential servant glided from the
shadow of the doorway, in which he had
been lost, so noiselessly that I almost start
ed.
Tell nurse to bring Miss Aurora
I demonstrated strongly against taking
the child from her bed, and declared that it
was most unreasonable. But Jugurtha was
gone, as he came, like shadow, and Mar
qnis greeted my remonstrace with gay
laugh. A strong look, like that Of a sleep
walker, began to appear in his eyes as he
continued to drink; and gazed in painful
absorption at the curious spectacle. It
seemed as if no amount of drink could in
toxicate this iron man-he dreamed while
awake, that was all.
In few moments the nurse, who had
hurriedly dressed herself, appeared, leading
in the girl of seven, who wore only a little
figured gown over her night-drcss, her
small, white feet having been hastily thrust
into embroidered slippers. She was child
of rare, almost angelic beauty, with chesnut
hair profusely curling, violet eyes, and lips
of a sad sweetness.
At sight of her saw pass over Marquis's
face an expression of the deepest love; and
when he held out his arm and spoke to her,
his strident voice melted into music. But
the child for moment shrank from him
yielding at last to his caresses with a cold
respect, and even it seemed, some fear. The
quick and jealous eyes of the father discern
ed it, and shadow of acute wretchedness
made his brow gloomy. There was no an
ger, however and releasing her with grave
tenderness he kissed her brow, and bade the
nurse re-conduct her up stairs. She disap-
peared as she came, bestowing upon me as
she went look so filled with strange pathos
and settled sorrow that it haunted me for
years.
AS the door closed Marquis let his power
full hands fall upon the delicate stand con-
tanning the wine-carried away, it seemed,
by rush of feeling. The table yielded,
and its contents were hurled to the floor
Then rising, the unhappy man for some mo.
ments paced the apartment with rapid and
unsteady steps, passing his hand more than
once across his eyes. When he again fell
into his seat, I saw that there were fiery
tears in them.
you have seen,' be murmured, hoarsely,
smy own child is afraid of mep-my Auro-
ra, my little flower, whose slightest happi.
ness I would purchase with my life They
have told her that cause her mothers sick
ness, and her heart is already gone from me
-wretched me =
And I saw two scalding tears escape
through the fingers covering his eyes.
Il, who love my child more than life-1
can not gain her heart She fears me,
shrinks from me, shudders when caress her,
and love her more than my own soul 7
Never have Iheard cry of such profound
wretchedness wrung more despairingly from
the depths of the human heart. 1t was a
spectacle of agony unspeakable to listen to
the unhappy man thus mourning the cold
ness of his own child
Twill not repeat what I said to him. I
spoke as should have spoken to one whom
Iloved and regarded with inexpressible sym
pathy and compassion. I dare not attempt
to detail our passionate interview.
All my words fell unheeded. No human
voice ever seemed to affect this strange char
acter. He even appeared to regain his Gus
tomary carelessness as spoke, and once or
twice he laughed when painted the wretch
ed effects of his deplorable habit.
you are right, WILL he.said, at last in
husky voice. dts killingme. Pm-'lost'
you remember the word. But there is no
help for it. You see, my boy, the devils
got hold of me-but he has not conquered.
You see my hands are steady yet!
And catching the decanter by the neck,
he hurled it full in the centre Of a magnif-
cent mirror; which burst into thousand
pieces, and fell to the floor with a tremendu-
Gus crash. Irose sorrowfully, and held out
my hand.
sAhp cried Marquis, laughing, don't
mind my little jokes! You are going so
soon, Ell? Well, take care Of yourself, old
fellow! AS for me, I'm not going to bed
yet I haven't commenced drinking. Ju-
gurtha
The servant appeared, silent and respect
full, like an attendant imp.
'Jugurtha, the whisky?
YI.-THE END OF THE DRAMA
My sad narrative approaches its termina-
tion. After the scenes which I have just
related, Marquis Cotesbury and myself did
not meet again for seven years.
They had been seven years of such ex-
cesses as We only read of in the strange an
nails of the Roman emperors. But the long
delayed retribution came on surely. One
day I was summoned by hurried letter from