Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1866-02-15
Arthur resumed his former seat beside

Arthur resumed his former seat beside
Susan, and the silent officer watched the
steam arising from his drying boots with
troubled and anxious countenance. Sudden.
ly the rush and hustle in the passage or en-
try, the confused noise of many voices and
the patter of many footsteps upon the floor,
startled the captain from his revery and
brought the entire family hastily to their
feet A moment after, Aristotle rushed
into the room exclaiming, at the top of his
voice, sBress de Lord worrah dis nowp
What is the matterp asked Ellen, in
much alarm.
de yankee ine out Cap'n Faulkener,
fuh tru, an gwine broke the door opin, fuh
sartin.'
sWhat is all this ? asked the captain, has
tily throwing back the door, and stepping
out upon the passage. Every man Of you
leave this house instantlyv
But replied one of the soldiers, touch
ing his hat, 'there is a rebel officer in taat
ROOM And he pointed to the door, at
which Ellen now stood trembling.
But I order you to leave this house, sir !
said the officer sternly.
The soldier looked at Ellen, then at his
comrades, wonderingly, but observing the
determined posture of their officer, sullenly
obeyed the order, and left the house.
sAnd now, Miss said the officer turning
to Ellen, you will please open that door,
'For what?' asked Ellen, bracing herself
against the door and looking defautly upon
him. You would not measure swords with
Q disabled foe 7
Not if he is disabled said the officer;
'but must be the best judge of that. Open
the door ?
'For Gods sake open the door Ellen,'
said voice within. Don't keep me lock-
ed up here, as though were afraid to face
that fellow, outside. If you have any res.
pect for my honor, as soldier, open the
door,
sWhat madness = said Susan, to herself,
growing pale as death; then, whispering
something to her brother, who stood beside
her, she said aloud, The poor fellow is
wounded, SIR
sVery well,' said the officer, with sigh,
which surprised the party. Il hope that 1
know how to treat fallen foe. The gen.
tleman in this room understands these mat
ters more than you do, ladies; and, if you
will but do him justice, and give me an op.
portunity of discharging my duty without
resource to harsh measures, pledge you
my word. that no harm will come of this
affair
open the door, I tell you! shouted
Captain Faulkener from wiehin. what in
the DEVILS name do want with a woman
between me and my foe ? Say you fel-
low out there are you an oficer?'
Captain in the United States army re-
piled the officer.
All right, old fellowp said Faulkener,
through the keyhole. Il am Julius S.
Faulkeuer, Captain in the Army of the
Confederate States Of America, wounded
during the engagement at the bridge yes
terday and your prisoner now
That is decidedly COOL said Arthur,
laughing.
sAnd spoken like man, too,' said the
officer. Then, turning to Ellen, who had
been gazing spell-bouud upon his features
for some moments, with strange, inde6u.
able sensation of heart, be said, to her utter
surprise, sMiss Ellen are you aware, that l
have the power to compel you to surrender
the key of that door? Are you aware that
Just such conduct as this is what gives rise
to the falsehoods circulated about yankee
cruelty to helpless women? Could be
blamed, if, in the discharge of my duty, l
found it necessary to lay violent hands upon
your
Violent hands upon me, sir y repeated
Ellen, quickly drawing repeater from her
bosom, much to the surprise of all parties
and TO the CONSERVATION of the ladies'
i have only to step out upon the piazza
Miss Ellen, and make known this act of
yours said the officer coldly, 'and every
thing around these premises will be in
flames, and your life, and those dearest to
you, be worth about that! !! and he snapped
his fingers. But have reasons, which you
know nothing about, for controlling my
temper and adopting no such measures
Now put up that pistol, and, for Gods
sake do not let any of my men see it in
your hands. Nay insist upon it, By
this time, half of the corps have been in
formed that rebel officer is secreted in this
house; and you may rest assured, that un-
less you allow him quietly to surrender
himself into my hands, the building will
be laid in ashes, sooner than he should es
cape. Now, should another officer come in
just at this juncture and find matters as they
are, l tell you that it will 60 very hard with
the prisoner, as we'll as yourselves. But, [
will make fair proposition Put the key
under the door, and let Captain Faulkeuer
do as he thinks proper
do as be bids you, Ellen said Mr.. Ro-
gers. i shall give no ceuntenance to such
behaviour as this. Who is Captain Faulke.
ner, that the lives Of my household and
the safety Of my property should thus be
risked and triAed with for him? Open the
door !
'say-you lunatics out there = shouted
the captain. sif you don't let me out of this,