Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-06-13
gu @rigiual 2rize Sturg,
Written for the Yolkville Enquirer.
AN HEIRESS IN HER own RIGHT
BY EMILY J. ROMEO.

AN HtlRtSSlN HERUWN RlGH
BY EMILY J. ROMEO.
CHAPTER VIII.
VARIETY Is THE SPICE OF LIFE. THE COL
ORED PEOPLE HAVE HEARING. CONWAY
BECOMES EXCITED. THE DAY WEARS ON
"There's nae luck about the house.
There's nae luck ava;
There's little pleasure in the house,
When our gudeman's ava"
Sleep was stranger to Grace for the rest
of the night. She soon heard stir in the
encampment, and in less than an hour, a
dozen or more horsemen rode down the
avenue.
II hope, hope father is far on the other side
of the river" thought she. "They cannot
we'll follow him, for the river is so high father
said it was dangerous for any one who does
not know the ford to attempt crossing; but
maybe that false.hearted negro may lead them
on"
Just then brisk shower began to beat on
the window-panes, and as it poured down her
courage revived.
"Tbey can't track him now till broad day
light, and he will have good start ahead
I wish knew they could not find him."
Grace knew it was useless to be uneasy, but
she could not help it. Her imagination pic
tured scene after scene of danger, all height
ened by the gloom and terror Of her late
ride.
Soon the drums beat and the reueiAe reused
the whole camp. Then several shots were
fired, and her heart was in her mouth till
Stuart's "There goes some of our cows or hogs
for those Yankees breakfast" calmed her
enough to make her remember it would be
impossible to hear firing at the distance her
father was.
When she had told him the soldiers we're
going after Wheeler's cavalry he had replied,
they left the day before and we're far away by
that time.
The family heard men come in and 60 out
of the sitting-room, and there was some talk
ing in the yard; but as no one disturbed them,
they lay quietly till daylight.
Lance turned over, stretched herself and
said
"Miss Grace, is you wake?"
Eyes. What is it?"
81 dreamed dem Yankee mems say dey was
neber goin' to go away any more"
"And do you believe it ?" asked Grace.
"Dunno, Miss Grace. Specs dey would
stay if Mass'r Claude nd let um-longs de
rice last.
Conway laughed.
Lance, like all low-country darkies, was q
great rice eater Rice and fish were the two
things she liked best, and to take her away
from her native rice-felds and fishing grounds,
was the greatest misfortune she could imagine.
Even the few miles which now intervened
seemed an immense distance, though rice was
plentiful and fish no rarity.
When one of the negroes had sounded her
about going off with them and she found they
aimed for the city, she had said decidedly
"Ise been to dat Charleston, and de rice was
brung way from de plantation, and de railroad
mems lost heap of it; and Use bin way by
dat place day calls Clumby, an dere want
no rice widout mass'r buy'd it and pay de
money, an amt gwine to no more city.
sides, mass'r Jack tole me eff didn't take
good care of Miss Grace, he'd pay me well,
an Use gwine to do it."
AS none of the negroes had much influence
over Lance, and all had spite against her,
theJ did not persuade her, and Maud said
20, let her alone. I'd rather stay myself
than have her along" and thus it happened
Lance was the only one of her race left in
the house ; but she did not tell on the others.
"You amt la6n', too, is you Miss Grace p
"No. I'm more afraid should cry if the
army should stay. think you'd better make
a fire now. tits quite light, and we ought to
he dressed in case of any ones coming in."
Lance made up fire and then went down
tor more wood and fresh water. A soldier
was at the wood-pile picking out the best
sticks.
"Halloo! you black beast. Clear" |" was his
salutation, and he brandished small piece OF
lightwood at her. Lance started back, but a
loud laugh from the soldier, as he walked of
with his arms full, kept her from actually run.
ming away.
"Clar out you'self, you scrapin's of de norf,'
retorted she, as soon as she thought he was
too far to hit her, if he did throw stick.
"Pretty good, you fat-nosed beauty spot
Where did you learn that?"
"No matter ware. I knows it doe"
The man walked on smiling.
a:De scrapin's of de norf! That's what a coal
black nigger calls us-pretty good!" and he
laughed outright. "Wouldn't the Colonel
curse if one should call him de scrapin's ot
de norf?" and the man laughed again as if il
was very amusing
"Black beast" muttered Lance. "He's
one of dem Yankees wot Maud thinks is gwine
to do sich great tings. I'd like to know wot
she'll say wen dey calls her black beast!"-for'
getting that Maud was handsome mulattc
and she coal black, thick-lipped negress.
She poured out her complaint to Grace as
soon as she went.in, and was comforted by a
few kind words.
"Did you say anything to the man, first ?"
"No, Miss Grace, never seed him tell he
riz up an said 'Clar out wid ye, yer black
beast"
"Then, what did you say"
ssT zoo COW s(,lor ont varse]f an told hin,