Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-10-20
CHAPTER XII.

At the close Of the last chapter, we left Owl.
ton, julius Johnston and Dulson, and Milton,
Barney, Williams and the sheriff just entering
hometown at eight O'Clock in the evening. 1t be-
ing their purpose to accompany DVilton to the
Office of Justice Of the peace, the party proceed
ed at once to carry out their intentions; but find
ing it impracticable to assemble the witnesses at
that hour, D'Vilton, Johnston, Williams and the
sheriff, together with the boy julius, were furn-
ished with supper and nights lodgings in the
old and comfortable Kings Arms Inn,' kept by
Simon Anderson, a fat, jolly and laughter loving
host Barney, Dulson and Milton, after spend
ing sometime at the inn, were allowed to retire to
their respective abodes, with the understanding
that their presence, as witnesses, at the msgis-
trates Office, would be necessary the next morn
ing at an early hour.
OF course, the arrival of suspected murderer
in hometown, and the fact that he was none other
than the long absent Edward D'Vilton, was quite
an event in the quiet little town. An hour after
his arrival hundreds Of men, and even women and
children, crowded about the doors and windows
of the inn, some prompted by an idle curiosity !;
others, on desperate deeds intent. The sheriff
had obtained the services of q detachment of po-
lcemen, who were drawn up in square around
the inn, preventing any person to enter or leave
the house without an order to that effect from the
chief of police.
MY dear sir, said the sheriff, rushing. breath
lessly into the room, where D'Vilton and his
friends were engaged in conversation, you are
not safe here Follow me around to the back
door, and we will endeavor to convey you safely
to place of security
place chair or small table in the upper piaz-
za,' said D'Vilton, firmly. ...
'For what purpose :? asked the sheriff.
4 shall not answer that question:, said DVil-
ton. Julius, come here, my son. ,-
what can I do for you, father?' asked the boy,
stepping forward.
Take that small table and place it in the piaz-
"a place two lanterns on it, and then return to
me- ..-. -...... .-....a
The boy hesitated, and hung his head in 81
leuce.
Hold up your head, Juliusp said Dyilton,
sternly.
The boy obeyed. ..s.=..
Answer me this one question: Are you afraid
to do what have asked you? Pause, before you
prove yourself to be coward.'
A deep crimson blush started to the cheeks and
brow of the handsome lad then, throwing his
head proudly back, he calmly and deliberately
said:
Il am no coward II am ready to do as you
say And, so saying, the boy left the room; and
after the lapse of few moments, returned with
the intelligence that the order had been obeyed.
Take this pistol and follow me up stairs said
DVilton, handing his pistol to julius, and hastily
leaving the room. . ...-.-
The boy followed, accompanied by several gen
tlemen, who could not imagine what DVilton was
about to do. .l
Since the table and lanterns had been placed
upon the piazza, the excitement among the null
Al L 4 rbot; ad n md md
frequent shouts came upon the moon-illumined
night, such as Bring out the murderer" Let
him dare to come out = and such like expressions.
julius said D'Vilton, mount the tablet
The boy gave one long look into the determined
face of D'Vilton; then, hastily putting aside the
curtains he sprung out upon the piazza; noun
ted the table, and faced the excited multitude
moment later and the tall, manly form of D.
Wilton appeared beside the slender boy, and
deafening shout rent the air, like unto the noise
of many waters. The next moment death like
stiffness reigued supreme; and D'Vilton whisper
ed into the ear of julius: Put your arm around
my neck; point the muzzle of your pistol direct
ly among the multitude, and say, as loud as you
possibly can, will protect my long lost father
No sooner said than done-but what tremen
dous effect did the simple words produce! The
dense crowd slowly fell back-a deathlike silence
prevailed for few moments; then, as II from one
huge throat, there came up from the very midst
of the multitude, loud, thrilling, hoarse, and
deafening shout: Long life to Edward D'Vilton
and his noble boyr Hundreds of tongues res
ponded until the voice of echo caught up the
words, and thundered back: Long life to Ed
ward D'Viton and his noble boyp
There was eloquence-mighty, sweeping, burn
ing eloquence, in the words, as wells as the atti-
tude of the boy. An eloquence which stirred the
hardest heart in that immense concourse of excl
ted creatures; an eloquence that soothed, soften
ed, and quieted the turbulent, wild, and unruly
passions of the soul. 4 will protect my long-lost
father upon what word shall we place an en-
phasis Whose heart does it not stir with an in-
hueuce like unto the potency of death!
Quietly the multitude gradually dispersed un-
til, with the exception of few stragglers, each
individual had retired to their respective homes.
Not until then, did D'Vilton and Julius leave the
piazza. The sheriff breathed free again, as the
two entered the parlor, and received the congratu
lations Of the friends.
DVilton was terribly excited; his brow was
ashy pale; his teeth chartered and his bloodless
lips quivered in the intensity of his emotions. It
had required an iron heart to stand before that
multitude, and expose his son to the tender mer-
ciss of an entrusted mob; and now, that he had