Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-10-27
CHAPTER XIII.

In an upper room of the Red Lion Inn,' wher
the dead body of Pete Muggins was lying, wer
Bessie, Jim, and some dozen or more old women
Jim and Bessie were the only mourners the wo
men were merely gathered together for the graft
6cation Of morbid curiosity, and the retailing O.
village gossip and scandal. Each and all OF then
had some marvellous story to relate of wonderful
dreams. visions, or presentiments of evil The,
knew that some calamity would soon take place
that old Pete's days had been numbered; for s
dog had howled before the inn every night fo
more than two weeks; they had distinctly seen
ghost sitting on the door-steps the very night be
fore Pete's death. and heaven knows what all the.
had not seen and heard.
In the midst of such wild and superstltious con
versation, footsteps were distinctly heard upo1
the stairs, as If some heavy-footed person wa
slowly ascending. Jim was not sure, but n
thought that the doors had all been locked before
he came up stairs; so the old women hudded to
eether and in terror awaited the entrance Of tht
nocturnal visitor The visitor was none other
than Jude Sinister, though so efectually disguised
that his most intimate acquaintances would have
failed to recognize him. This finished and &C
complshed william had managed, In the smal
space of half an hour from the time he had hao
an interview with Milton, to obtain complete
suit of woman apparel, in which dress we now IN
troduce him TO our readers.
tAnd what do ye want at this time O. the night! !!
ask, one of the women, as Jude entered the room
THAT boy replied Jude, pointing to jim
sYe cannot take the boy from me now sa'o
Bessie putting her arms around Jim's neck
sThe good man has been murdered by DVilton
and am left all alone in the world -,
Now, Bessie said Jim, what makes you tals
so? Didn't tell you that my father never killed
IA p~.o ,nd thot Won will have to work
for you? p
sThe boy tells the truth said Jude: his father
is guiltless of the murder of Pete Muggins.
There nown said Jim. 4 knew it was So
Bessie
who are you, that know my husbands name sc
we'll 2 asked Bessie.
INV name is Mag of the mountains-1 know
everything replied Jude.
sAnd what do ys want with the boyP asked
Bessie. :,
4 want him not-old Loo wants him. said
Jude.
odd Loo p said Jim, starting; is she away of
in the Deserted House p
She is with your father, boy
My fatherp said Jim, tearing himself IRON
Bessie and advancing toward Jude. LII 60 "lto
you Mag-indeed will =
tDon,t 90. Jim said Bessie odd Loo prom
ised to take You to your father, and has not done
90 after all neither can we get you to tell us
what YOU saw or heard at the old house Some
thing must be wrong-don't 60. Jim.'
Jim can tell what be pleases about Loo, or the
deserted house. said Jude.
4 promised lady MRS. Milton, as the reader
will recolect) mot to say anything about 1t; so
can't tell yet said Jim.
what lady 2 asked Jude.
Il amt going to tell; so you nights well not
ask me- said Jim, firmly. Where's father, any
how" =,
Edward D'Vilton is about mile out in the
county, aud is to be brought in tomorrow fol
trial before magistrate replied Jude.
what for? asked Jim.
He is accused of the murder of Pete Muggins,
replied Jude; but as far as can see into the
future, he will be acquitted
Let him stand face to face with me- said Bes'
sie, and I'll soon know whether he amt the very
man that murdered my good man.
He didn't murder Pete = said Jim, stamping
his foot.
The boy speaks true, said Jude; does he not
Pete!'
To the CONSERVATION of all present, the dead
bod,. to all appearances distinctly said The boy
is right Jude being skilled in Ventriloquism,
the reader will very readily understand the nodu'
operandi of the deception practiced upon the su'
perstitious party.
lPete amt deadr exclaimed Jim, rushing tc
the bed upon which the corpse was lying
BE Quiet, boy p said Jude. Pete Muggins will
never breathe again: but even the dead must an.
swer to my CALL
Bessie, who had become perfectly terrified up
on hearing, as she supposed, the corpse of her
husband speak. sat trembling in the corner of the
room, without the power of uttering a word.-
Some of the women rushed out of the room some
ran under the bed while others, like Bessie, were
50 completely overwhelmed by astonishment Hno
supersttious terror as to be temporarily deprived
Of motion or speech.
Shall take Jim to Loo ? asked Jude.
Cannot ye wait until the morning? asked Bes
sic, after few moments silence.
Now, or neverv replied Jude. Loo wants
him only for few hours and will bring him
back safely here before morning. Shall I ask
Pete's consent?'
sFor the Lords sake do not make the dead
speak again. said Bessie, shuddering. If Jim
be willing to 60, and ye promise to bring him
back before the morning, cannot say no to ye;
but o, do not call upon the dead again.
Are you willing to 60, Jim asked Jude.
sWil you take me to father, if 60 with you? :?
asked Jim.
you foolish boy!' said Jude, If ye had mind
ed what old Loo told you about being cautious
how you formed acquaintances, you might have
seen your father several days ago. And let me
say to every one in this house, that if ye mention
Jim's name in connection with D'Viltons, or tel
any one that Loo sent for him. that moment shall
you die.'
.Amen!' said Tor seemed to say the corpse.
in the name of heaven, woman said Bessie
leave the house.
Shall leave it without Jim p asked Jude
Shall return to old Loo and tell her that you
prevented him from coming? Beware how you
triae with such as we are lit will do you no good
and may do you much HARM
Il do not prevent the boy from going with you,
said Bessie. -.
.Tll 20 with you, Mag said Jim, putting on hi
.cap and moving towards the door.
1T is we'll !! said Jude; then, hastily taking thu
boys hand, he walked hurriedly out Of the room
into the street.
1t vas now about an hour after midnight ant
the dark and narrow streets Of hometown wer
altogether deserted. For sometime Jude and Jlu
walked side by side in silence; until, arriving a
the outskirts Of the town, Jude pointed to light
about hundred yards ahead. and said: Yonde
is the carriage which will convey you safely t
your father
How far will we have to go? asked Jim.
about two miles only said Jude; noticing
that the boy hesitated and hung back Let u
hasten on, so as to get back as early as possible,
and, so saying, Jude seized the boys hand an
walked rapidly forward.
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