Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-07-18
gu 0riginal grize Storg.
Written for the Yorkville Enquirer.
AN HEIRESS|N HER0WN RIGHT.
BY EMILY ]. ROMEO.
CHAPTER XVIII.

BY EMILY J. ROMEO.
CHAPTER XVIII.
MR.. ELLIOTT IS NOT "REsIGNED TO THE STU
Ar1oN," BUT JACK "PUTs HIS BEST FOOT"
FORWARD"
The sick mind cannot bear anything harsh.-Ov1D.
"It is easier to overcome our faults than give up
our preudices."
"From labor health from health contentment
springs"
Mr.. Elliott could not make himself believe
the war had wrecked property and brought
the changes which cool, sagacious, long'sight-
ed men affirmed. He knew he had lost some
hundreds of negroes; that great tracts Of
land were in the hands Of men who had no
lawful claim to it; that he had not realized
a dollar on the various kinds Of stock IN
which large sums had been invested; and
that his planting had resulted in loss. Yet
he was notreally convinced but that something
must occur to place many things on their old
level. He was borrowing money again, and
going into planting on larger scale than the
year before. He was going to retrieve his
late failures, and be prosperous in spite OF
Fate. He grew impatient Of any views dit:
fering from his own; and as to arguing and
reasoning with him, it was out Of the question.
He could almost have been told as noble
man replied to one of the czars Of Russia
"Sire, it is impossible to reason with man
who uses such strong arguments and wears
such thick boots y for he grew angry enough
to have used his boots, had be been in the
habit of letting his temper vent itself in that
way.
itwas galling-verY galling-to have Jack
give up the position he had secured him, at MS
urgent persuasion, and turn into small far
mer-one who proposed to take hold with his
own hands and work as well as direct; and
for Russell to take, with pleasure, what Jack
would not keep, was doubly trying. He said
he "did not object to a young mans going
into business-he believed in it. Hadn't he
been business man all his life? Hadn't he
been looked to as one of the most successful
planters in the State? He did not object to
their doing something-not at all. But was
not there enough honorable professions to
choose from, without lowering themselves to
menial occupations Was Arthur the only
one who was willing to wait quietly till the
ferment in society had settled, and come out
the unsullied gentleman? Why could they
not be at home, studying under Ellison, pre-
pairing for the day when families Of position
came to their own,' and then take the rank
they ought to claim?"
1t is impossible to give tithe of what Mr..
Elliott felt, thought and said. He was like
thousands who ventured so bravely and 50 con-
fidently in the "Lost Cause" that when dis
appointment, loss and defeat overwhelmed
them, they were not the same men in any re-
spect. They were wounded, soured, embit-
tered; and the political events which follow
ed, were only calculated to increase and In
tensify these feelings.
1t was adding fuel to the flames for the
parties interested to urge upon Mr.. Elliott
their utter incapacity and disinclination to
learned professions, and to try and show there
was nothing menial in the office Russell de-
sired, and that Jack need only do what he
liked on his own place. He was not to be
modified by words. Even Georgias influence
was unheeded for time, when they really
put their plans in practice.
Russell, whose common sense seemed to de-
velop itself with the occasion, declared again
and again that Conway and Grace, who had
read, studied and talked with their mother,
while he and Jack were in the army forget
ting schools and books, were better qualified
to become eminent in literature and science
than they, who might be plain, practical men,
but could never make literary savans, and there
never was an Elliott who did. To be sure,
Jack was not an Elliott, exactly; but if he
had been, brilliancy would have come, as all
he had did, from his mothers side."
Mr.. Elliott's moodiness lasted till Russell
and Jack were fairly settled in their employ
ments The long contradictions ended, and
his feelings no longer excited by hearing and
combating arguments which bruised and
irritated, his convictions and preudices had
time to become calm and less unreasonable.
Stuart and Alice resumed their studies;
Mr.. Ellison his round of visits, which had be-
come more and more extended as families
had come back to their old homes. Many
could not be induced to attend his preaching.
They "were afraid to 60 among the quality"
but they priced his visits and received much
good from them. He had the happy art OF
talking with all classes without offending;
and his zeal for Christianity was greater than
his desire to add members to his own partic-
ular church.
Arthur and cousin Tim rode, slept, ate
smoked and took their daily drinks with as
much nonchalance as if the world were rolling
on creased axles for their express accommo-
dation.
Eugene had the faculty of being friends
with all, without decided partisanship, when
they were having their heated discussions.
He informed Mr.. Ellison that if Russell did
we'll during the year, and showed talent for
business, he would endeavor to make good
opening for him in his or his brother Louis
firm but they had tried two or three of the
SONS of men once rich, and they had been so
inefficient, no inducement would persuade
them to take another into responsible posi-
tion, unless his fitness for it was first proved.
Georgia was very sunbeam in the house,
and all were sorry the time was drawing near
for her return to her own home. 1t was hard
70 tall which would he most missed. Georpia