Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-06-18
An 0riginal Aunrelette.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
IsOLETTE, THE FEMALE SPY,
A STORY OF CHARLESTON AND THE WAR.
BYJ. WITHERsPOoN Erwin.
CHAPTER IV-CoNTrNuED.

and that functlonary having glanced over the pa
pers, he took Victor into back room Of his othct
and again perused them carefully.
"Colonel Giles has sent you over, observed ne
after he had rc-perused the papers, ITO attempt
business in which several persons, far more expe
rienced than you are, have signally failed. have
in custody, prisoner who is suspected to be an
agent, through whom parties in the city commu'
nicate with the enemy on the islands and In the
fleet I am directed to release him, and you are
to attempt to find out what parties, in the CITY,
appear to be connected with him. You are di'
rected to remain here on detached service, and to
report daily at this office, drawing your rations
from the Commissary of the Provost Guard. The
Colonel might have taken file or two Of the guard
to put on this duty, but he has, presume special
reasons for assigning it to you. Are you well ac-
quainted with the city ?"
Victor could only reply, that he was alike unac-
quainted with the people and the localities.
''Well it is certainly strange whlm OF Colonel
Giles" continued the officer, in amazement, TO
put on such duty, one who can scarcely find the
streets without guide. Do you know where
Broad street is, or the Battery?
Indeed, do not" replied. Victor, promptly,
but reddening with embarrassment
swell, never mind that, replied the officer,
with good.natured laugh that set Victor at ease.
'The localities will become familiar to- you in
few days. The Colonel directs me to pay you one
hundred dollars, for unforeseen expenses that may
occur; and here is'a cheque for the amount Now,
Twill have the party, whom we suspect, brought in,
and you will observe him closely, that you may not
fail to recognize him when you encounter him a.
gain. What! Anderson Anderson! and the
Lieutenant called aloud, when Sergeant who had
been waiting orders, in an adjoining apartment,
appeared at the door.
'sAnderson, ouwil have Michael Walsh brought
in" said the officer.
Victor started at the name.
SIS Walsh the man whom am to watch p
asked he.
"He is; do you know him?" asked the Provost
officer.
II know him quite well," replied Victor, land,
unfortunately, he knows me so well, fear he will
watch me quite as closely as can watch him"
"He is quite desperate character, is he not ?
asked the lieutenant
"No one more 50" replied Victor. "He vii
hesitate at 40 crime. A couple Of years since he
was guilty of most atrocious murder"
"Of his wife, was told this morning, replied
the lieutenant. 'He, no doubt, ought to be sho
as deserter, since he escaped the penalty due tt
murderer; but we will makea good thing Of it
if we can, by his means, trace out the parties II
the city, who are corresponding with the enemy. y
81 do not wish him to observe me. Had l no
better leave the Office before he is brought in 2
suggested Victor.
"Just as you please" replied the lieutenant
"You can withdraw, if you like, into the adjoining
ROOM"
Victor had scarcely retired into the adjoining
room when Michael Walsh was brought before the
Provost Marshal He had sulky and dogged ap
pearance, like a cat that, being often tormented
was always ready to scratch and bite. From the
corner of the adjoining apartment, into which ht
had retired, Victor could get full view of the
heartless murderer without being, himself, seen
Although Michael Walsh had learned, by pas
experience, that conflict with those in authority
must, of necessity be an unequal struggle yet the
irritabiity of his temper was such, that he coulc
not forbear a rough and churlish reply; and, il
the present instance, spirit of bitterness and il
humor lurked in his dull blue eye, and his com
pressed lip, lowering brow, and angry cheek, be
trayed his sullen and vindictive temper, and hi
readiness to give an insolent and angry reply II
every word that was addressed him by the Proves
Officer. Standing with the weight of his bod!
thrown upon one leg, and the other relaxed ant
bent, he placed his arms akimbo and stood ready
like a teased dog, to snarl and snap at friend o.
foe.
sMichael Walsh p interrogated the Proves
officer looking up at the face of the prisoner.
''That amt my name, and whoever told you so
told burned, blasted lie" said the prisoner in al
excited tone, shifting the weight of his body to tht
other leg.
keep cool, my good fellow" replied the Pro
vost, composedly. IF not Michael Walsh, wha
is your name?
sd like to know what right you We got to m.
name ?" asked the prisoner, with dogged sullen
ness.
Sergeant" said the officer, turning to an at
tendant who stood near the elbow of the prisoner
'tyou will carry this fellow back and place him ii
solitary confinement, heavily ironed."
The prisoner started and his countenance fell.
''Stop, one momentp' cried he, as the Sergean
stepped forward to execute the order of the Pro
yost. "I'll tell everything"
every well" said the Provost, in business-ik
Tone "Your name?'
s'It is Henry Thomas" snarled the prisoner
recovering from his alarm, and eyeins the Office
with as much ferceness as he dared to exhibit t
one in authority. The officer, who had part t
play, seemed not to notice the insolence of tn
prisoner, but proceeded, with business-like compc
sure with his interrogations.
''What is your regiment ?" asked he, taking u
his pen and fixing his eye on the prisoner, VIII
began to grow quite restive.
II don't belong to any regiment" replied he
curtly; ''I've got no niggers to fight for"
eve are not fighting for negroes" rejoined tn
lieutenant, in stern and measured tones. wv
are fighting for our birthrght of independence
What is your age?"
''Tm over forty-fve," replied the prisoner, wit
an exultant toss Of the head and smirk of sati.
faction.
SIN what year were you born?" asked the ier
tenant.
81 don't know. We never kept any Bible,
replied the prisoner.
"How do you know you are over forty-hVe,
you don't know in what year you were born! asl
ed the officer.
81 reckon you will take my oath-wont tyou
responded the prisoner.