Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-07-08
5t1isttl1auepns &eaaiag,
THE ESCAPED CONVICT

is so lonely staying here at nights and besloes,
am fearful that some one viii break in and rob the
: house and murder us all. Inever say my prayers
and 90 to bed without trembling for my own life
and that of the children - and the little woman
hung upon the arm of the strong man, and begged
him, with fearful eyes, to give up his wandering
life, THAT of peddler,) and settle down.
GAS soon as I have gathered enough together to
buy me bit of ground, or what would be better
still, to emigrate to America, that blessed land
where, as the song says, There's bread and work
for ALL" and the bright sun is always shining, I'll
gladly give up the pack for it is no easy work at
the best.
''Only think of the money you have in the
house now, husband dear. Surely there is enough
to take US across the sea you and me and the
children; and Bridget, too, if she likes to SO"
Bridget was the servant girl, who helped the
wife of the peddler,> and was her sole companion
when he was away; and her eyes snapped with
apparent delight when she heard the proposition.
But she said nothing, and the master continued
''It is true for you, Kathleen, that have Q
matter of elOO or so, which will leave for you tc
take care of, and, if have good luck this trip,
promise YOU to remain either at home, or 60 tc
America, bless her. It's a good friend she has
been to Ireland and many is the poor soul she has
kept from starving. So take good care Of the gold
and the children, Kathleen, you and Bridget, unit
l come back" and he kissed his wife and bright
eyed, curly headed babies, gave Bridget the good
bye, shouldered his pack, and strode lightly away
whistling merrily.
His heart was light, his form strong, he had
none of the fears of his wife, and was looking for
ward joyfully to the time when he would have 8
little home, "a pig and SOW and patch Of pra
tees" that would belong to himself alone, and
over which no hard-hearted steward or non-res
dent landlord would claim CONTROL although he
would willingly pay his tithes to the church.
Terence O'Brien was peddler by profession
and what was called a forehanded' man. His
family consisted of wife, two children, boy scarce
ly three years, a babe, and the girl Of all work
Bridget. At the start of his married life, he hac
rented little cottage that stood in homely, out
of.the-way place; although he had increased hi
stores, he had retained possession Of it on the scor
of economy.
A brave, athletic man, and one who feared moth
ing human, he could not understand the terrors O
thought Besides, robbery was thing almost un
known among the peasantry, and who would eve
dream of his having large amount Of money II
his wretched cabin? But it was not his custom tt
do so; usually he deposited it in secure place
So he gave the matter no further thoug ght than II
promise himself that this should be his last jour
ney, if he did as well as he anticipated, and tugget
around, hattering the rosy-cheeked girls into pur
chasing finery with which to dazzle the eyes O
their beaux at the next fair.
With Kathleen, however, it was different. Al
the night began to draw rear and the wind II
creep round the corners of the chimney with
mournful sound, she bethought herself Of the SOY
ereigns her husband had left, and taking the bal
in which they were kept from the cupboard owe
the fireplace, she carefully tucked it between tn
beds, remarking at the same time to Bridget
ssthat no one would ever think of looking for i
there
''No," was the reply. ''It would be smar
man, shure, that would be looking under the chill
der to find gould"
The tea over-they were early sleepers, as we
as early risers-the girl requested that she nigh
be allowed to pass the evening with her sister, VIII
resided about mile distant, and the anxlou
wife and mother, although sorely 10th to do so a
length consented insisting upon an early return.
'sBut you will be back early, Bridget"
'sAv coorse I will that same. But don't be at
ter fretting.' And the girl departed
The lone woman busted herself as best shecoul
until late hour, but the girl did not return. Ii
fever Of anxiety, she watched until fully anothe
sixty minutes had passed, although it appeared t
her like half day; and then, considering it use
less to remain any longer, sought her own pillow
after commencing herself to Him who is the pro
tector of the widow and the father of the father
less. But she had not closed hereyes before ther
was loud rap upon the door.
'Is that you, Bridget?' she asked hopefully.
"No," was the answer; and her heart sunk llk
lead within her. "No, l am stranger; have los
nv way you must let me in. "
II cannot I cannot lam poor, lone woman
dare not let you in. -
"You need have no fear. As there is God
Heaven, will not harm you. 1 am an escape
conyict-an innocent one-and as you have mere
in YOUR heart, open the door,"
When was such an appeal made to an Iris
heart in vain? An escaped convict, and wantin