Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-06-13

after the soldiers had gone to the island,
they could not tell where I wen. out, and
Abe, or whoever led them, took them down
to Screens bay instead of the way l had gone.
1 followed them till saw where they tul ned
off to go back to the main army. KEPT be-
hind them, even then, for few hours; fed
my horse on what they had left where they
halted at noon-for foraging party must
have Joined them-and think some of the
potatoes and ham bone they left, made
the sweetest meal I ever ate. Late this
evening I got back to where Mr.. Wright
was, and we brought the horses over this side,
gave them the last kernel of corn We had, and
then left them to take care of themselves while
we came home. I think we shall be undis-
turbed now, for the army is at least fifteen
miles above, and the company left at Potter's
Bridge will not be very apt to molest u.s."
Grace was down stairs the first one the next
morning. She had slept 80 we'll and her heart
was so light, she was as blooming as usual.
Conway was 80 silent and constrained, she had
not felt like waiting for her, so she had gone
down early. She was arranging the table
and singing when her mother entered, put her
arms around her, and with tears and kisses
said, my brave darling"! In saving your
fathers life you have save mine, too. Why
didn't you tell ME about it yesterday"
"I was afraid you would be uneasy for fear
they would pursue and overtake father. And
the more I thought of what I had done, the
less I wished any one to know it."
"But you will let me tell Conway"
"I'd rather not or, at least, not at present.
She will blame herselft too severely in regard
to what passed yesterday morning"
"She cannot do that She needs lesson
to teach her to check her hot temper; but
perhaps to let her gradually regain her usual
kindness and then find how unjust she has
been, will be more eAectual than putting her
right at once"
Conway don't mean to be cruel; she only
thinks I have too little pride"
"She is too much like some of the Elliotts,
who can neithersee from more than one stand
point nor believe there are too sides to any
thing; but I'm glad she has many good quail
tiles to counterbalance it."
In the evening came Mr.. Wright with sum
dry packages and bag of rice. Great was
bis surprise to find how eAectually the place
had been guarded and spared from pillage
"I understood the guard was not put here
till after every thing was torn up" said he;
but I'd rather bring "coals to Newcastle" than
see you in the situation my place is. You
have reason to be thankful for your good for
tune"
"Did they destroy much at your housep
asked Mrs. Elliott.
lit is easier to tell what they left than what
they destroyed. There's table, five chairs,
couple of bedsteads, some bedding, few Of
our common clothes, one oven, and large
wash pot Part of the things We buried were
saved but nothing in comparison to what
was lost. If the children hadn't found bro
ken comb, and battered tin pan, we'd have
been badly off for toilet arrangement"
"You take it very cody to laugh about il"
said Mr.. Elliott.
"And you are actually deprived of every
comfort and convenience, and left without the
necessaries of life7 Its dreadful; its shock
ing!'
eyes, ma'am, its pretty hard; but l
shouldn't have minded it much if the scoun-
drels had not found my box of choice books,
and torn them to shreds. I've had the chill
dren gathering up the fragments, to see if l
could put the leaves together and save some
of them but it is useless job, and I feel as
if had lost one of the family. Provisions,
clothes and furniture will come after awhile;
but don't know when can regain my IL
brary."
Mrs. Elliott and Grace, who knew how Mr..
Wright priced his books, what care he took
of them, and what valuable works they really
were, expressed their warmest sympathy.
"Did they take all your provisions" asked
Mr.. Elliott.
"Everything, and then broke the locks to
every door on the place. My wagon, cart,
carriage, ploughs, and every farming utensil
they could find, they put together and burned
so they are useless"
"And what have you to eat then ?" inquired
Mrs. Elliott.
"Nothing except the few things we buried,
and some rough rice left in one Of the out
houses"
"And you have brought US part Of that p
said Mrs. Elliott, in astonishment.
"Why, yes. We thought if you had Jared
as we did, you were without anything at all.
Albert and Ellen beat the rice in an old hand
mortar they foundat one ofthe negro houses;
I dug up our little box Of groceries; and my
wife sent share over here. The tea is for
you when you have headache she knew you
would have shared with her, and she was glad
she had even this for you"
ri do not know how to thank you and your
wife. am grateful; but feel unworthy of
your generosity. We, who had Jared so well,
had scarcely thought Of our neighbors; and
you, who lost all, are caring for u.s."
Tears stood in Mrs. Elliott's eyes, and Mr..
Wright had to look out of the window to hide
the mist in his q. Mr.. Elliott gave him
warm grasp of the hand, and said
"After this expression of kindness, Joined
with what you did for me while we were
hiding out, if you ever need favor and don't
come to me, shall be ofended-very much