Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-02-15
Written for the Yorkvllle Enquirer.
BLUE and GRBY;
THE FORTUNES OF WAR.
BY CLAUDE FORESTER.
CHAPTER XI.-CONTINUED.
OR,

CHAPTER XI.-CONTINUED.
sAnd do you think that there is any dan.
ger in remaining here" asked Mrs. Rogers,
as Captain Faulkener, Ellen and herself sat
beside the blazing fire in the snug little
parlor some weeks after.
sGod only knows said the captain, look.
ing despondently into the fire. Sherman
may possibly strike the railroad between
this place and Columbia, or he may do so
about Brauchville. If be does the first, this
village may escape, but if he decides upon
the latter course, which seems more proba-
bic, his line of march will be directly
through this section of country
Goodness alive ? exclaimed Mrs. Rogers,
with uplifted hands, 'snd where in the
world are we poor women to 60 TOP
sRemain where you are, of course, said
the captain.
sBut they will cut out our tongues, burn
our house and take everything from US,
said Ellen.
sYcs, and tie US up by the thumbs and
hang canuon.balls to our toes, said Mrs
Rogers.
sand make US dance on hot Goals with
bare feet, and.
Enough enough = exclaimed the cap
tain, starting from his chair in well.feigued
terror. Then, quietly resuming his seat,
he said in a more serious tone of voice
sAnd is it possible, ladies, that you have
been brought to believe all these absurd re.
ports about yankee cruelty and barbarism !?
What would I not give to get hold of some
of these lords Of creation, these tea-table
heroes, that take so much pleasure 10 tor
menting the ladies, by the circulation of
such ridiculous sensation stories
But some of these reports are true,
Captain Faulkener,' said Mrs. Rogers, with
an air of one that knew what she was speak
ing about
Possibly SO, replied the captain. There
may have been a few isolated cases of out
rage perpetrated by unprincipled men; but
as general thing, you will find the yankees
no worse than any other invading army. 1
presume that anything like watches, jewel
ry, plate and coin will be in danger, unless
put out of the way; but nobody is going
to harm you, madam, unless provoked to
anger by uncivil and insulting language on
your part
mo danger of any them receiving uuciv-
il or insulting language from me, sir, said
Mrs. Rogers
Il am we'll aware of that said the cap
tain, 'and, therefore, do advise you to a.
bandon all idea of removal, and to remain
just where You are. Should Sherman in
deed pay this village visit, endeavor to
get an officer to take up quarters in this
house while the army remaiDsin the village,
and I promise you, that all will be right
Il have observed, said Ellen, 'as an al
most general thing, that soldiers are very
apt to defend each other against charges
imputed to them. Now thisssis something
I cannot understand at ALL While the men
not in service are continually circulating
stories of yankee atrocity, I have yet to
meet Confederate soldier, officer or pri-
vste, who does not pronounce these very
stories utterly false, or considerably ex-
aggerated. Now, how do you account for
this?'
Il am sure that I do not know, Miss Ell
len,' said the captain, show it comes to pass,
unless it be because We poor Confeds have
no time to manufacture falsehoods, and no
inclination to frigbten the poor women
There may be other reasons, for aught |
know, but these two are sufficient
The last reason is the best, because the
nearest to the TRUTH said Mrs. Rogers, smi-
ling. mo inclination to frighteu the poor
women, eh? Rather than acknowledge the
existence of danger-which does exist,
nevertheless-you will deny facts, rather
than frighten u.s.
There may be some truth in that re-
mark said the captain; 'but, be that as it
may, I do honestly assure you that do
not believe half of these reported cases of
yankee cruelty to non.coubatants Now,
Mrs. Rogers, you will do me the justice to
take my word for it, that this is not said as
an antidote for your fears, but as my honest
and conscientious convictions Then con-
sulting his watch and turning to Ellen, be
asked, in an under tone of voice, docs
Miss Susan really intend to allow me tc
leave her apain. without even q good bye p
Il will see,' Ellen replied, getting up and
leaving the room.
Say to Captain Faulkener for me- said
Susan, as Ellen was about to leave her, after
vainly endeavoring to prevail upon her to
20 down into the parlor, shat wish him
we'll, wherever the fortunes of war may
lead him; that I entertain no i'll will to-
ward him, but will not, and dare not allow
myself an interview with him again under
any circumstances whatever Say to him
for me, that if he continues his visits, with
the hope of renewing our former intimacy
and relationship, he is certain to meet with
no encouragement on my part. l an
heuceforth nothing to him; and be, tt
me, as though he did not exist. Tell hlm,a al
this
'But, dear Susan, you may never see hiu
again, if Sherman should succeed in tap
ping the road between this place ane
Charleston
BE it so, then,' she replied firmly.