Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-08-25
~QNillie GiigBtBtart's' Original Wonbelette,
WRITTEN FOR THE YoRKvTLLE ENQUIRER
WKf
WHO Is THE HEIR ?"
THE DARK MYSTERY OF THE DESERTED HOUSE.
BY WILLIE LIGHTHEART, ~. '~" 20
SUM-" YOUNG HEARTS" &C., &C. ...T-
ABRIDGEMENT.

CHAPTER IA match vender, named Jim, ac-
costs gentleman-George Vandry--to whom he
desires to sell a part of his merchandise Vandry
having but just met with heavy pecuniary loss'
is not in the best of ,humors, and gives the boy
sharp reply. The boy replies in the same STRAIN I;
provoking Vandry so much, that, losing all SELL
control he inficts several cruel and severe blows
upon the boys shoulder with his walking cane.
SURPRISED at the boys power of endurance,
Vandry endeavors to ascertain something OF his
antecedents name, parents, place Of residence
&c. To his surprise, the boy knows nothing OF
his parents refuses to make known his residence;
to accompany him home to accept CT MS prof.
fered friendship or to receive money at his hands
Jim wanders off to the riverside; is so mortl-
fed and saddened by the cruel treatment OF VAN
dry, that he throws himself under the shading
branches of an oak and bursts into :ears. Rosa,
8 beautiful child of about his own age, addresses
the weeping boy. They enter into conversation,
in the midst of which, they are interrupted blythe
appearance of strange old woman, who wishes
to purchase matches from Jim. Rosa Is alarmed
and runs to her mother, who is walking IN an
other part Of the grounds.
The strange woman makes herself known to
Jim as old Loo, the fortune teller and advises him
to stop selling matches; to leave his present place
of abode; to endeavor to obtain an education; 10
be very careful with whom he associates, as he IS
in danger-imine danger. She could, If ne were
not too Young, tell him more Of himself; OF his
parents and birth than he knew or dreamed OF.
After Loo leaves him, he is alarmed by the cry:
ehelp! help !" from another part Of the grounds
He rushes to the spot just in time to save Rosa
from watery grave
Jim is about to leave the grounds, when old
Loo again makes her appearance and, angrily
demands an explanation of his conduct in saving
Rosa. Jim endeavors to justify his conduct by
appealing to the law of instructive beneyotence
and duty Old Loo, in much agitation, assures
him that it would be far better that the girl should
have been drowned in her innocence, than De saved
to the great sorrows that were in the future that
he would be called upon to endure much for Rosa;
but that as he had saved her, he must nerve his
heart for the sorrows and perlls Whlcn Wouid ul-
timately grow out Of the act.
CHAPTER H.-The chapter opens at public
inn, fifty miles rom the town wherein iucidents,
related above, took place The landord-Thomas
Gould-euters into conversation with certain
Jude Sinister, who has but Just returned to Eng
land after an absence of some thirteen years. and
presses him to join him in glass OF wine. jude
denies his identity, and assures the landlord that
he is mistaken in applying that name to him;
but, after finding his denial altogether useless,
and that the landlord has recognized him even IN
his disguise, he acknowledges that such is his
name, and requests the landlord to make it known
to no person, as certain reasons have made 1t ne
cessary for him TO adopt an assumed one. A
stage arrives Two gentlemen enter the inn, one
of whom is at once recognized by Jude as Claude
Milton while the appearance of the other does
not seem altogether unfamiliar to him.
Claude Milton addresses Jude in tone OF
baupbty contempt; and .he latter returns the
compliment in like manner. Milton deems it the
best policy to make friends; and the two persons
bury their spleen in bottle of the landlords wine
Milton's travelling companion, who, since his en-
trance in the inn, had preserved sullen silence,
was then requested to join them in glass. He
haughtily refuses, but insultipgly offers to pay
the gentieman's wine bill. Milton becomes angry
the landlord interferes-and Milton apologies
for intrudng upon the medtations of the stranger.
The stranger, upon hearing Millions apology, re-
grets his rude and uncalled for response, and en-
treats the pardon of Milton; states how the cru
city, injustice and ingratitude Of his fellow men
has soured his disposition; had been absent from
Euglapd for thirteen years, having been driven
from her shores by sorrow too sacred for words
to express had returned altogether changed In
disposition. Was desirous Of knowing where old
Loo could be found, as she was in possession OF
secrets of the utmost Importance to him &c.
Barney, q young Irisbman, then rushesint the
inn apparently much alarmed. Relates his ad-
ventures Had seen an apparition at the "De-
serted House - had heard terrible screams while
passing. The stranger, who had since given his
name as Wentworth, calls for horse, and e1-
presses his intention of Immediately setting out
for the Deserted House." but is finally over per-
suaded to postpone his visit until the morning,
when Milton would accompany him.
Milton and Wentworth then sup together, after
which, the latter expresses his intention Of reti-
ring to his chamber. He finds that the charges
have been withdrawn from his pistols, and de-
mands an explanation from the landlord. The
landlord knows nothing about it; and Wentworth,
after bestowiug lock of suspicion upon Milton,
leaves the room, and repairs to his chamber, fol-
lowed by the landlord.