Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-07-02

want; feeling dagger in every plying or disdain
daughters of fashion or wealth, she was like some
of those senstivey organized creatures of the sea
that some tempest, with its mighty convulsion
has lifted up from its secure resting place on ole
ocean bed, and swept onward to the shore, rock
led, and lashed, and beaten by every tide, on tht
hard and finty beach.
Poor Nellie -,
As she pattered by, in her ragged shoes with
their torn soles, that impeded her walk, but die
not protect her feet from the broken pavement
McGregor thought of the great trial that awaited
her, and his eye grew painfully sad. But was it
trial? Trials form and strengthen and shape the
character; when they wiring the heart with an
guish that cannot be uttered and crush out life
we call it ruin.
He thought of Brack, seated upon the military
pillory, with shame and efrontery struggling tol
the mastery on his face, and dealing out his coarse
witticisms and ribald jests from that bad emf:
nence;" he would not, for his life, that those sad
melancholy eyes should have rested for moment
there.
As Nellie passed by, McGregor rose to follow
her into the shop and hear the issue Of old Mat
ties effort, 10 find out more of the mysterious wo
man whom they were endeavoring to bring to light.
Nellie had scarcely reached the counter when Nc
Gregor stepped into the door.
Old Matte finished supplying two soldiers with
pipes and tobacco, and then came up to where
Nellie was standing. The soldiers left immediate,
ly, and Nellie was the only customer remaining.
Meyer" ''Yas, 1 remember" ;" and with bow
the old man took the basket from Nellie, and
stumping from behind the counter, went to the
window and began counting the eggs from the box
into the basket.
"Who you buy desc eggs for, my little daughter, "
said Matte suspending bis work, and looking back
into Nellie's face
'For Miss Isolette, sir" said Nellie, in q low
tone.
NLet me )" and the old man, for moment,
cooked his eye up to the ceiling, as it lost In
thought, and then again looking at Nellie, said
Miss Esolette? Is dat Miss Esolette Smit, OF
Miss Esolette Gwinar?"
II don't know her by any other name, sir, . said
Nellie respectfully, and in manner and tone that
carried with it conviction that she told the truth:
"Well, she trade right coot deal mid me, and l
would like to know all her name, because she is so
coot customer" said old Matte in his blandest
tones. could you not mine dere little girl, find
out de name and let me know l like her"
II can find out by asking, sir, and l will do so.
I never thought of asking before"
"When will you let me know?' asked Matte. =,
II am going over to camp to carry some cooked
provisions to my father, and will ind (, out from
him and let you know as l come back, answered
Nellie happy to have it in her power to oblige any
oDe . -,
'Dat is coot girl and here, I will put in one
half dozen eggs for yourself, mine little girl, re-
Joined Matte in kind tone. But McGregor
started at the declaration of Nele's intention to
proceed to the camp. 1t would be too humiliating
and too agonizing spectacle for that affectionate
creature to witness the shame Of her father.
"You can save yourself the trouble OF gong to
the camp" said McGregor approaching the girl.
'Your father will have leave Of absence to return
this evening, and, besides, it will be too long
walk for you," added McGregor, looking at her
dilapidated shoes. :,
II don't wish father to be disappointed, Sir,
said Nellie. ''He thought, when he left, that he
could come back this evening; but he sent me
word, little while ago, that he could not come
back to night; and that must cook days ra-
tions for him and carry over about sunset But
must 60 over in time to get back before dusk. :,
"Your father will certainly return this evening,
said McGregor. II can assure you OF that =.
eff could only be sure Of that !" said Nellie,
earnestly II do not like going along the road,
where there are SO many persons to stare at one, e.
But father sent me word he could not come, and to
disappoint him would be so bad Think would
be very wrong not to go' and Neie's face wore
look Of doubt and hesitation >,
II can assure you Of it, very positively, said
| McGregor; "for be is in my command, and IN
tend to give him leave of absence for forty-eight
hours as soon as I return to camp. You may re-
| ly upon that. :"
Nellie glanced at the plain uniform of McGregor,
and seeing that he was an artillery officer, her face
beamed with pleasure. She uttered her artless
thanks, and, in moment, was gone;
She had scarcely left the shop, when Victor re-
turned, and, the Lieutenant joining him. they di.
rected their walk towards the bridge, which was
scarcely more than one hundred and fifty yards dis
tant.
McGregor related to Victor all that had occurred,
and the necessity of his going over to camp and
releasing Brack, with leave to come to the city, be-
fore they could make any further progress in the
business
"You left so suddenly, Victor, had no time to
ask any questions-was it in reference to this busl
'No, Lieutenant; I had bought a gold ring and
left it at the silversmith to have suitablenscrip
ton cut upon it, to send to my mother, and went
to get it to send by to-morrows mail If never
see her again. I wished to leave her something to
recall, often, to her mind, that when earthly friends
are taken away, there is one who will still provide
for her, Here is the ring, with the inscription
within.
Lieutenant McGregor took it and read.
JEHOVAH JIREH." Such was the inscription
which the thoughtful boy-for Victor was scarcely
more--meant to leave as legacy to comfort and
cheer his widowed mother, if he should fall, and
she should be left in her action, to face- without
an earthly PROTECTOR the frghtful shadows OF des;
olation and poverty Jehovah Jireh' Lord
will provide ConsoEng thought for ALL around
whom clouds and shadows fall Strong staff for
the weak and feeble ones of earth to lean upon!
| McGregor understood the meaning of the simple
inscription. Silently, while a softened and chas-
tened expression of emotion stole over his own face
he returned it to the young friend, now more than
ever friend, who walked by his side
Victor put the ring upon his finger, and let fall
the paper in which it had been wrapped.
McGregor casually picked up the scrap, and, as
as he turned it in his hand his glance was arrested
BY the characters written upon it. On the back o.
the paper was written, in pencil, the motto which
Victor had desired the workman to cut upon the
ring; on the other side, was written something
more, which caused the heart of McGregor to Leap
wildly. He halted abruptly in his walk and turn
ed to Victor.
1.-THE game is up Victor" said he, abruptly
There is no need Of Brack, now. l have founo
Isolette?"
"What how, Lieutenant" exclaimed Victor
lin surprise-'what do you mean?"
"Read this note, u rejoined McGregor, handing
him the paper.
/ Victor took the paper, eagerly, and read the