Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-04-26
CHAPTER vi.

| 'Iuo.--ItTC '-flhE
! Nellie and her husband were seated a
the breakfast table the next morning, wher
such startling cry reached their ears,
moment after, the alarm bells pealed ou
upon the morning air, and scores of fire
engines, rolled, ratified and rumbled along
the stony streets.
Mr.. Benson had just taken up his ha
and was about 10 leave the house, when VIII
should rush into the room but Mr.. johnson
his senior partner, covered with dust ant
mud.
Benson said johnson, wiping the hug
drops of perspiration from his brow, 'th
store is a6re !--every part of it t!-lost N.
keysv
Store afre ? exclaimed Benson and tn
next moment he rushed from the hous
and fled rapidly towards the fire, closel
followed by his distracted partner. On
glance at the blazing, cracking, roaring
building convinced Benson of the ute
uselessness of making any attempt to saw
the stock in the store. One glance upon it
falling rafters; the leaping flames, hissins
defiance, as the water poured upon them
told him, with an almost overwhelming
emphasis that he was a ruined man and
turning away with an oath that startled th'
bystanders, be placed his hand upon hi
partners shoulder, and almost screamed il
his ears 'How did this occur, sirp
'How should know, Mr.. Benson p ask
ked johnson, endeavoring to disengag'
himself from the grasp of the excited man
Il left you at the store last evening saic
Benson, and it is evident that the fire ha
been burning many hours. What, in hea
ven's name have you been about-do yo1
wish to ruin me, sir?'
Here several friends to both parties in
terposed, and the gentlemen were quietl.
conducted to neighboring counting-room
The store and entire building was utterl,
consumed in all hours time, and all tina
remained to mark the spot of the neat ant
tasty edifce, were two tall chimneys, black
ened and SCARED rafters and smoking heap
of ashes and Goals.
The origin of the fire may be thus &C
counted for. Mr.. johnson, the senior part
ner, had, after supper, gone to the store t
look over the books and accounts of th
firm, which, circumstances led him to fear
had not been properly kept by the delin
quent book-keeper. The evening beinl
cold, he lighted fire in the back room
where very many light and inhamable good
had been deposited to make room for th
winter stock which bad been but few day
before, received and placed in store. 1t
probable that spark of fire, somehow o
other, fell among these light goods, or int
the half empty boxes of straw, cotton o
other packing materials about the room
This, at anyrate seems to be the most plau
sible cause of the origin of the disaster
though Benson could notbe made to believ
that the fire wss merely an accident
During the day he received telegraph
dispatch from New York, informing him
in few words, that James had been trace
as far as Brooklyn; that he spent none
lavishly, and had probably started West, a
nothing had been heard of him for som
days. To add to his misfortune, he, upo
Inquiry at the bank learned that James ha
not deposited one third of the money en-
trusted to him.
Nellie was sitting by the door as Benson
came towards the house. Of course sh
had heard of the destruction of the stor
by FIRE; and her warm, afectionate youn,
heart longed to have her husband pillo7
his head upon her bosom.
Mr.. Benson, with downcast countenance
opened the little gate and walked slowly VI
the she'll walk. Nellie met him half way
took his hand in hers, and led him into tn
house as passive as child. They sat dow
upon the sofa in silence-he looking sadl.
into the face Of Lily, Nellie's arms arount
his neck and her soft blue eyes beaminl
unutterable love upon him.
dear Joev How soft and sweet sh
spoke; how eloquent was the pressure o
her little hand, as it glded around his!
sNellie-I am His lips quivered
the head sank down upon Nellie's bosom a
he spoke, and his whole frame shook ant
trembled under the influence of tempestuou
emotion.
what, dearp asked Nellie, running he
fingers through his hair and smoothing hi
cheek.
sOh, Nellie it is so hard =
i know it, Joe,' sobbed Nellie; 'bu
God will help us, dear, if we put our trus
in him.
But I am ruined, Nellie
Not ruined, Joe.'
20, yes, Nellie-I have lost everything
in the world, almost
'Eeerything: Joe ?-where is Nellie ant
the baby?'
Benson was silent few moments; then
raising his head from his wife's bosom, ant
looking sadly and affectionately into he
face, he said, sAh Nellie my own preciou
wife it is because of you and little Lii,
that I am so miserable
why, dear%
TO think how sparingly and economical
ly we must live hereafter; of the man.
comforts you and Lily will be obliged tt
dispense with
Never mind about that, Joe,' said Mel
lie.
But it does matter ? said Benson, i'm