Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-03-14
gu 0rigiual Auarelette.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
EIINOR WESTVELT;
OR,
The Tory's Niece.
ASTORY0F THE REVOLUTION OF l77l
BY CAROLINE F. PRESTON.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE EMoN OF GOLD,

's.sNss.s Ir'' ------s--'
- .~:a CHAPTER XXI.
THE DEMON OF GOLD.
Dick Gregson was dissatisfied man. He felt
though he could scarcely have told how, that socie
sty had wronged him, and it was this feeling which
made him an Ishmaelite and foe to his kind
Unhappy is that man who has no friend. Per
haps even more unhappy is he who Is friend to
no one. This was the case with Dick. Even for
bis brother he had no warm feeling, and the only
tie which bound them to each other was that OF
common interest. For his wife he had feeling Of
toleration he needed some one to cook his food
and keep his clothes in repair. 1t was convenient
to have such q person in the house. But as to
the existence of any feeling, such as might be ex-
pected to exist between husband and wife, it would
be quite idle to look 70, it Mrs Gregson had
long since accustomed herself to open neglect and
the most contemptuous disregard. 1t was strange
that she should have felt any remnant Of affection
for such man, but who ever sounded the depths
.ofa womans affection? .-4..
The disposition of Dick Gregson, to which refer
ence has been made inclined him to be enVlous
of those whose advantages were greater than MS
OWN. Especially Was this the case when that su-
periority consisted in wealth. Education, cuidVa-
ion, refnement-these his very destitution OF
them. disqualified him from estimating at their
uroper, value. But any nature, however coarse
can appreciate the advantages of wealth can see
what power it is in the world, and as the mind,
alike of the educated and the uneducated, is desl-
rous of power, so wealth becomes subject OF uni
versal quest 80
Dick would ike to have lived in more comfort
able house-to live on richer food-to dress In
better style. He would ike the consequence that
wealth gives but not the labor that Is requisite to
eain it. He could 60 out and hunt or steal, but
this he did not regard as labor. 1t was pastime
and broueht excitement, but to him nothing was
more tiresome or monotonous than daily labor.
What is true. of the elder brother may also be
said Of the younger. Robert Gregson was mild
er copy of his brother He possessed the same
qualities, though not 50 distinctly marked Dick
Had always assumed superiority which the other
passively yielded. 1t was for Dick to lead and
Robert TO follow. When the two had both fallen
IN love with the same girl - and Mrs. Gregson
though faded now, had once been young and bloom
inp-it was the younger yielded to the others
force of will: Nay more, in spite Of this circum-
stance, the two had continued to live together,
hard as the trial may be supposed to have been to
the rejected lover. Time, however, had reconclled
him. and it is doubtful whether at this time he
ever thought of the old rivalry.
The sight Of Major Amory's gold had suggested
to Dick Gregson new and dangerous thoughts
This suggestion was constantly gaining more and
more definite form, until at length he resolved to
impart it to his brother.
They were out hunting and met with but i'll sue
cess and this cllafed Dick more than it other
wise would, on account of his increasing discomfort
At length he threw down his gun and sank, him
SELF at the foot of tree, saying sullenly, Il don't
mean to stand this much longer" ..--
ssWhat do you mean, Dick p inquired his young
er brother in astonishment, at this unexpected out
burst. ~ ....s..... .....
IT mean that I'm tired of living as am doing
now" -.
"Has any thing happened lately, Dick, that
makes you speak in this wayT
SThere may, or may not, " said Dick, evaslvely.
sBut how do you feel Robert? Are you satisfied
with your lotT
'I may as wei be, for I know of no way of bet
tsring it"
s.There may be way" said Dick, pointedly.
seWhat do you mean, Dick?" said Robert Greg
son. eff you've got any plan in view, just let me
know of it. I'm willing to join you. We've al
ways acted together so far, and We might as well
do SO in future.
sDo you think it is right, Robert, that some
should roll in wealth, while others have to live
from hand to mouth This Major Amory, for in
stance, what an easy time he has, compared with
usp'
'Is he rich, Dick?'
"Of course he is, or how should he be able to pay
us as he has done for taking care of Captain Peter
son?''
~ 'EHe hasn't paid US yet
eyes he has in part. He paid me something
this morning. 1t was while you was away. He
called and wanted to be conducted to the place
where we kept the prisoner"
1 ssAnd you went with him ?''
"Yes, to show him the way. He had never been
there you know Well, when we parted, he took
out his purse, and handed me four guineas, halt
of the money that we are to receive. Here are
yours" and Dick drew out two Of the coins and
passed them to bis brother.
''They're pretty, amt they Dick? 1don't know
as ever had any before, that l could call my
own. It makes me feel rich Gold, somehow,
seems to have something more real about it than
paper You feel as if you'd got the ginewlne
thing" .,.
" The two brothers looked with glances Of avidity
at the pieces of gold in their hands, and while
they gazed, it seemed to exert baleful influence
upon them, exciting greed and envy, and all kin
dred feelings. 1t was not the first, nor will it be
the last of the fascination of gold. Well has the
poet apostrophised it in the following lines
"Gold! Gold! Gold! Gold!
Bright and yellow, hard and cold
Molten, craven, hammered and rolled;
Heavy to get, and light tohold;
Hoarded, bartered, bought and sold,
Stolen borrowed, squandered, doed; .
Spurned by the young, but hugged by the old
To the very verge of the church-yard mould;
Price of many crime untold!
Gold Gold I! Gold Gold!
Good or bad, thousand fold!
How widely its agencies vary
To save-to ruin-to curse-to bless
Aseyen It's mined coins express,
Gold, Gold, Gold, Gold,
Good or bad thousand fold!
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