Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1860-01-12
CHAPTER VIII.
THE CONSEQUENCES: OF BLOWING OUT THI


CHAPTER VIII.
THE CONSEQUENCES OF BLOWING OUT TIE
That misfortunes never come singly, the
farmers wife was destined to prove, wheth.
er to her satisfaction or not, the reader can
determine. She had fallen into heavy
slumber when she was awakened by Star,
who had nearly pulled her out of bed in
rousing her to consciousness.
The money, the money over nine hun
dred dollars she muttered, as she opened
her eyes. p.
Don't speak of money, mother! such a
horrid, horrid smell! WHAT'S it 2, Where
can it come from? I'm stifed almost to
death
Goodness, mercy, child so ami. What
is 1.-THE plague? I've heard how they
carry dead bodies aboutin great wagons
Oh! dear, we shall all die. For goodness
sake, child, open window; and shegroped
in the dark, uttering sitting CALCULATIONS.
Il can't raise the window, mother, they
amt like ours; there's catch somewhere.
Oh! dear, do fnd the door! I'm smoth-
ering-Im dyingp
To find the door was out of the question.
The half frantic woman groped about, over
turning chairs, breathing heavily, and cry
ing out with what little voice she had left,
we're all dying here-dyingp
Presently there was noise beneath them
around them. Somebody was reused.
The door was dashed open and there came
in acurrent Of air.
sMother, sister for Gods sake speak
where are you? Don't bring light up
yet, Vait;' and cropping, Frederick found
and turned of the gas then quickly gain
ing the window, after moment, he threw
it up. By this time nearly every person
in the house was reused, and frightened en-
quiries were heard below stairs.
"They blew out the gas,' said servant,
snickering
Ignorant fools ! was the response, with
malediction.
Fred heard it, but he was busy lifting
his sister, whom he saw by the street lamps,
now that the blinds were open, lying sense
less beside the bed. His mother had not
lost her consciousness so entirely. She
crept round by the pale Star, whose white
face seemed like sculptured marble, and
busted herself in applying water and air,
so that very soon the lifeless look passed
away, and the breathing became more natu.
raj.
Il meant to have told you that said
Fred, sbut I vas 30 tired I forgot everything.
Good heavens we havn't thought of faith
er. We must have a light-the gas is out
of the room mnow.
Strange to say, tbs old farmer was sleep
ing heavily but quietly, and as they found
it impossible to awaken him, they concluded
that he was uninjured, for his breathing
was regular and his expression natural.
sOh! Fred, my boy!' said his mother,
giving way for the first time to tears, 'I'm
afraid your father has lost all his money
Then rocking herself to and fro, she told
him the dreadful condition in which he
came home
Il sish I had thought ? cried Fred, in
CONSERVATION. 'Oh ! mother, if he has!
There was long silence. The trio we'll
kyew that the money was made up for mer-
dless creditors; that mortgages had been
consequent upon its collection, and there
was no alternative but to lose their farm if
the money was really gone. The boy tried,
however, to cheer up the sad heart of his
mother. He chatted about other things,
told them how to turn off the gas, and en-
deavored to laugh away their fears, though
in reality he was in an agony of apprehen-
sion about the missing sum. He hoped his
father had taken the precaution to place it
away without the knowledge of his family,
but the hope was faint one. Other sour
oes of disquietude he had. He saw the
smiles and scorD of his rich cousins. His
aunt seemed anxious to make his sister and
himself feel at home, but it was plainly ev-
ident that she was extremely annoyed at
their visit, and in misery lest they should
be publicl seen and acknowledged as rela-
tiyes. He knew the voice that had cried
sout-signorant foolsv 1t was that of his
uncle. The epithet had sunk deep and
burning in his heart, and kindled fire that
would not soon 60 out
Zone day, maybe muttered Fred, laying
! his head again on his pillow, you will be
elad to receive favors from the ignorant
ools.' Anyway, if father didn't lose that
Money! be shuddered, 'We won't stay here
log
CHAPTER TX.