Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1868-11-12

was something entirely out OF range OF his expe
riienoe to find man claiming acquaintance Witl
him on the score Of anold school friendship of thr
ty years ago. But Mr.. Crooke was by no mean
devoid Of PERCEPTION and bad considerable power
of adaptability and by the time the Major hat
finished his little harangue, he had arrived at 1
toleraby correct notionof the role it behooved hin
to play in the little drama 10 which he was 80 un
expectedy cast for leading part. -. 3
Greatly honored; I'm sure, Major, to find tha
my name has lived in your memory for 80 many
years" he said in quietsuave accents. Your fame
has preceded you, and the old town has reason tt
be- proud that one of her sons has achieved so bril-
liant reputation. .......' G.,.-.; = :.
please not to talk in that strain, F" saidthe Ma
ljor, laying his hand gently on his companion
sleeve. my fame, as you are pleased to call it.
is. to me thing of very small value. 1, in my
turn, am glad to find that I am not forgotten BY
one who knew me when wasa boy. I have been
unfortunate enough, Mr.. Crooke, to loose every
near relative had since went abroad, and ! am,
perhaps, more strongly disposed in consequence to
cultivate those sighter ties of friendship which
other men, more happily circumstanced than lam,
might care less about At all events l am glad to
have met you and as I have some thoughts oi
settling in these parts, must claim the benefits Of
your professional experience, and ask you to assist
me in my choice of nest where lean fold my
wings and be at peace for the remainder Of my
days" .... ..... rt'.r $3.50
S'sMost happy, I'm sure, Major, # I can be Of
the slightest use in any way. Have you been long
in Derby2" ''Only arrived last evening. Which
reminds me, by the by, that on my road here from
Nottingham I met with the same misfortune that
happened to you, last spring" ... ,S.af
''To what misfortune do you allude?'' asked Mr..
Crooke, with an anxiety in his voice that he could
not disguise. .-... l.s....i.
ITO my being relieved of watch and purse by
the same distinguished practitioner that performed
a similar Office for you. In plain English, was
robbed last night by man mounted on black
mare, with white star in the middle of its fore
head" .. =. .-..... .-r-..ga s,s..-.-.,-
'Ahi now I understand" said MIR. Crooke,
drily Eyes, as you say, was operated on last
spring by the same professor, and deucedly cha
grined I was. "A most audacious william He
seems the set the whole constabulary force Of the
country at defiance" -
s'Tell you what Tom Crooke," said the Major,
With emphasis; 1T would be strange if you and
I couldn't by putting our wits together, devise
some ruse for efecting the capture Of this fellow
What say you, old chum?'
II think your idea most praisewortby one, y
answered Crooke; though whether it could be
successfully carried out, is another matter. The
man who rides the black mare with the white star
is an old fox, and scents trap by instinct. How
ever we can think over the matter for little
while. You can impart your ideas Of it to me,
and will impart mine to you.
$50 be il" said the Major, as he arose and be-
gan to draw on his gloves. Business pretty brisk
with you2"
'Tolerable, answered Crooke. "You see, this
is how I'm fixed" he went on, more confidential.
" than before. @'Ive not much business to do in
the town here-I don't care to cultivate it The
bulk of my work lies in the way Of agencies and
sales among the country families and gentry Of the
neighborhood. One way or another, l make q
tidy thing of it, 90 I've no right to complain. OF
course, it takes me from my home more than
like; and I'm obliged to keep couple Of service
able nags, otherwise, 1 should never get through
my work, as some of it lies long distances away"
'tsAll the better for us, Tom-all the better for
u.s." said the Major. "I'll wager you three dozen
of port that before three months are over you and
I, between US, wilhave effected the capture Of our
redoubtable Derbyshire Turpin." ....
"You are over-sanguine, Major" answered
Crooke, with laugh. But the event will show.
Meanwhile, III book your bet" ."....