Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1867-02-21
&eadiua fpr the Children.
ROB,S RIFLE.

their many windows upon 1t, From the single
chimney of many low thatched roof, rise clouds
of a peaty smoke, which fill the air with faint,
peculiar odor, and greatly offend certain dainty nos
trils, when the ladies from the Hall, sail BY m
their gaiy painted pleasure boat. But dear me,
how | forget That was years and years ago.
Such proud ladies they were Do you ask
why? It was, because they considered themselves
so far above everybody else in the town and around
it, except, perhaps, Sir Lake Loring and Admiral
Lyon, who had done great things IN many battles
They, with their families, they acknowledged to be
a single step higher in degree. Very foolish, was
it not? And now for the story.
About mile from Squire Sloman's grand An
cestral Hall, on the other side of the river lived
two maiden ladies, named Granger. Very quietly
their lives went on, in the little nest of cottage,
all covered with roses and jessamine, and sheltered
by fine old trees. For many years they dwelt alone,
the town-folk knowing little about them, except
that they eked out their little outcome by making
of fancy work, which a certain tradesman sold tor
them on commission.
Of course they were greatly overlooked by their
neighbors, who for all their pains, found little to
gossip about.
But one day there was quite stir at the cottage
A carriage stopped at the door, and out OF At
stepped gentleman and a little boy. 1t was said
that the gentle sisters met them at the door, and
before it was shut, embraced them both: This cir
cumstanee made more talk than any thing which
had happened in the town for many a day, and
when the gentleman went away, leaving the boy
behind the little folks lettering by the door, heard
the elderly lady addressed as "Aunty," and the
younger as "Aunt Alice" from which they drew
their own conclusion, as people will you know,
We'll, time went on, and the little boy grew into
big one; almost too big for his aunts to manage,
it was easy to see But what fine fellow he was
pare with him, either in point Of scholarship or in
physical strength and daring will not say how
comely he was for it is character not looks, that
ought to be foremost in our estimation
Every body liked Robert Granger but one or two
enyious boys, who grudged him his honors, both
in the school and playground. Also they wished
he had not so many things they could not get for
though his aunts were evidenly in reduced circum-
stances, he had an uncle in London who sent him
money and many presents. Especially they envied
Bob and his rifle, which you may be sure was not
given him by bis gentle, tinid aunts, who trembled
at the sight of it; as well they might, tor it was
scarcely the thing for boy Of thirteen to handle
When he declared his intention to buy gun
with the money his uncle had given him, Miss
Granger, the elder vainly tried to lead his tastes
in another direction "You might buy so many
books with it Rob, and box Of colors; you SAID
you wanted that, you know" .s.
"But I've set my heart on having the gun,
aunty." he said. And have it he did.
From the time when he ceased to sit at their
knees listening to stories, and coming his childish
lessons, they had never felt such concern for the
s'He'n certainly kill himself" said Miss Anna,
pulling at her netting 50 vigorously that the deli
cate thread broke. 'What pity You'll never
sI'm afraid he will" sighed Miss Alice. Dear,
dearl To think that we should have the sole care
of such wilful -"
sAunt AEcel Aunt Alice! |" shouted Rob- COM
ing into the little sitting-room at that moment
"rve shot partridge see here"
"a partridge!" exclaimed Miss Ann.
"a partridge!' echoed Aunt Alice, in tone Of
"Why, what's the matter, aunty?" Rob look,
ed from one to the other in amazement 1T!
make you a capital supper. Brown gravy and
bread-sauce you know. Why Aunty What
"Be silent, Robert, and listen to me, y said Miss
Granger, solemnly. Do you know you have been
poaching = .s
"Poachingp' ,,.,
sTrespassing, then, if you understand that better
you have been shooting game. Where have you
been, Robert?''
"Out in the meadow, by Squire Slowman's. A
bird few by, and I shot it that's all. Why not
aunty? I didn't know it was partridge; but
Tom Trench and Harry White met me, coming
home, and they told me directly they saw it"
"Oh, dearl Ihope no harm will come oft; =
Really Rob, you mast pay more attention to what
we say. shall write to London this evening,
said Miss Granger. "Why you must have got
over the fence which divides the Slowman mead,
ows from the open fields. What could you have
been thinking Of, not to see the sign?"
"What sign, auntyY
"An persons found tresspassing on these
grounds will be prosecuted, to be sure, she an
swered, quite sharply. II shall send you to your
Young say? You will be summoned to appear be-
fore the magistrate, and shall have to pay a fine
I dare say. Then, the disgrace of the thing. Dear
dear! No doubt you will be expelled from the
school"
Roberts countenance fell. He had not under
stood the matter before For his aunts to consider
him poacher seemed dreadful thing, to say no
thing of the whole town. He went into the Atch
en-, laid the bird on the table, put away his gun
and returned to his aunts, very sober and thought
full
'sWhat do they do to tespassers when they
can't pay, Aunt Alice?" he asked, looking anxious
enough.
''Imprison them, sometimes, Robert" Hcra
swer showed she was greatly vexed; else she
would have said ''Rob, or ''Robby."
And so I've no business. to keep the bird,
aunty?"
"Certainly not"
'sWbat must do with it then? Shall l take il
to SQUIRE Slowman, and explain how came to dc
it?" -.
Dear me, no, Rob! Don't think of such q
thing" said she, surprised out Of her anger.
"ff it isn't mine I should think ought to,
auntv. But don t see why all the pheasants and
partridges should belong to the rich folks; and
when I'm man, if | ain squire, L wont be as
cross and stingy as squire Slowman see II am.
WHY aunty. T don't think could 60 to see him,
even if you'd let me- for the boys say he's crusty
old curmudgeon, and just as mean- :,
''Stop, Robert! Never usesuch language again,
;'You NAV tell Jane to lay the cloth.
Jane was faithful old servant, who had grown
up with her mistresses, and who was thoroughly
devoted to their interest. Robert was glad Of the
chance to pour his troubles into her sympathizing
ear so he helped her make the toast, and looked
rehectively into the fire, till all was ready.
After tea. came the evening studies but visions
of Squire Siowman towering above him, in offended
majesty, constantly obscured the page, and vague
ideas Of the law, against which he had transgres-
sed, tormented him continually.
The next day, while his Latin class was reciting,
who should enter the sehoolsoom 100 but Squire SloT
ma9 accompanied BY his y0rte aeoE p0ntssT VINO
The Squire looked all around the room; SO did he
and when Mr.. Young advanced to meet them, he
uttered a short growl, as much as to say-"How
do you do p in his grutf way. :, -,
II understand, Mr.. Young" said Squire Slow