Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-08-11

dam already aware of that fact replied
the stranger, turning inpatiently away: III
you will allow me, sir, will pay your wine
bill for you
tWhat ? exclaimed Milton, in towering
passion, sdo you mean 10 insult me BY such a
.palpable insinuation 4?
Gentlemen said the landlord, Il think,
that little reflection will convince you, tha!
"a quarrel in this house would be exceeding
ly improper, as such an event would not
only ipjure your own character, but bring
to an end the long standing reputation Of
my house
sYou are quite right, uncle Tom,' said
Milton, quietly walking away, with that COM
plete mastery Of himself, so characteristic Of
the individual.
sJust keep away these fellows, My good
host, and promise to keep my hands from
their rum.proof throats,' said the stranger.
Jude did not hearthe remark; and Milton,
who did, possessed too much wisdom to take
any notice of it. ,
sNow, 'pon my word ? said the landlord,
Il have kept this inn for more than twenty
five years, and entertained all classes Of men
but never saw I gathered together such an
unsociable company as the present. True,
the weather is uufavorable, and you have
travelled far; but, bless your hearts! what
is the use of cutting and slashing at each
other, when we might make ourselves merry
over bottle, and 60 to bed with a good
Conscience .-r
Really; uncle Tom,' said Claude Milton,
'if an apology is due from any gentleman
present, I am the person who should offer it.
T'must confess, that I had no right 10 break
in upon the meditations of my travelling
companion; and, that under the circumstan-
ces, I did very wrong to press him to join
me in bottle of wine.'
The stranger at the window started to his
feet upon hearing these words and delibe-
rately walking up to Milton, said:
81 am rough man, sir, and conform very
little to the usages and refnements Of polite
society; but cannot suffer you to apologize
in this manner, for matters in which you
you have taken no part, and for which am
alone to blame
Indeed, SIR replied Milton, with grace,
full bow, 'you do yourself injustice -
Il beg that you will pardon my rudeness,
sir, in declining, so iusultipgly, glass Of
wine, which was SO generously and politely Of
fered,' said the stranger Il am child Of
misfortune, and my disposition has become
soured by the villiany, inhumanity, and sell
6shness of my race. I have been wanderer
for the last thirteen years from good old En-
gland having been driven from the home
of my birth by sorrow more terrible than
death, and more lasting than the immortal
ity ofthe soul. return to my country, as
the whipped spaniel returns to his kennel ;
as the wounded bird returns to her nestlings,
or the smitten lion crawls to his den. I have
noconfdence in man-none in myself
in God!
Speak not thus, my good SIR replied
Milton, taking the. hand of the stranger.
Il, at least, gladly welcome you back to dear
old England; will be friend to you and
who knows but what all may grow bright
again
sAnd here's an honest mans hand p ex.
claimed the landlord; tand if you ever need
the service, of a poor, but true man, just let
Tom Gould know it, sir
I'm in, too! by the gods exclaimed
Jude, who was fast getting himself outside
ola bottle of brandy.
'Gentlemen,' said the stranger, looking
around upon the company, Il may need your
services sooner than you expect it; but pray
inform me where I can find that singular
woman, Louisa, the old fortune.teller
what! old LOOP replied Milton, starting.
you certainly do not place any confidence
in the rawlings of that demented old hagp
sFor the love of heaven, sirp chimed in
the landlord, keep clear of that singular wo-
man.
Il believe, gentlemen, that old Louisa is
woman of close observation, sharp foresight
and cunning; and possessing most wonder
full knowledge of human nature, and of indi-
vidual character. Of course, Tam, as every
man is, superstitious in some degree but l
have no faith whatever in any of her predic-
tions, or revelations, only so far as they are
based upon natural or acquired knowledge.
But, this woman seems to know, by ac-
tual intuition, what other persons never
could know even by the most diligent search,
and application said Milton.
'Then,' replied the stranger, 'she is the
only being, that can render me very i'm
portant service just at this time-where
does she live?'
sEverywhere, it would seem, SIR said
the landlord, 'but it is more than probable
that you will-6ud her in the neighborhood
of the deserted House. about twenty-five
miles south of this town, on the road to
hometown
But why do you give 80 strange title
to the house I?
The common people have given it that
name for the last twelve years, Or more, re-
piled Milton.
Twelve years, or more tits very
strangev = said the stranger. But tell me,
gentlemen, what is the tradition regarding
the deserted house ?'-there must be seve.
raj tales and traditions about such singu-
larly named dwelling
will you be so good, my dear sir said