Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-10-24
The Sturp Teller.
THE MISER AND THE DIAMONDS.

THE MISER AND THE DIAMONDS
Hiram Watson was miser-not in the
common acceptation of the term, perhaps, fol
he had no heaps of gold to gloat over, but he
had well stocked farm, a substantial house
and few hundred pounds in the bank. That
these, as far as they could, served similar
purpose is true, for he kept his animals as
cheaply as possible, and evaded the law, and
sat up nights to mend his tools, that he might
save the paltry sums which would otherwise
have gone to the village blacksmith.
In his domestic affairs he was even more pc.
nurious, and people wondered how he managed
to work so hard without eating meat, for it
was a we'll known fact that butcher rarely
stopped at his house indeed, the grocer as
serted that he never had, and gave it as his
opinion that he never would while stingy old
Hiram lived. Many agreed with him, for
Hiram Watson was not liked among his neigh
bors.
Curious as the men were concerning Hiram,
the women were even more so regarding his
daughter Emma, who was bright-eyed come
" maiden, with round, red cheeks, and the
whitest and plumpest of arms. Nature had
been lavish in its gifts, and art supplied the
most delicate touch in elegance of apparel.
Where Emma Watson got those fine clothes
was the mystery which any girl In Lynde
would have worked four days out Of six to
have found out. The suggestion that Hiram
Watson had one soft spot in his heart was
met and treated with infinite scorn:
1t was evening. Emma, in light dress,
with white collar, cuffs and apron, and her
long brown hair flowing over her shoulders,
stood at the cottage door awaiting her father.
Presently he came, a tall, thin, broad-shoul-
dered man, with crisp hair and beard, and
avarice and obduracy painted on every fea-
ture.
"Tired, papa?" said the maiden, pleasantly.
"No; what put that idea into your head p
he growled, standing his rake against the
house "I'm never 81. Dressed up, amt
your Humph! Well, it don't come out of
my pocket. What have you got to eat p
"Brown bread and picked artichokes."
"Good enough for anybody. amt very
hungry tonight, though. Suppose you've
had your supper, amt your"
eyes," said Emma, with much doclity.
"What did you have?' he queried, half in
anger, half in fear.
"Plumb-cake, apple-pie and tea" rejoined
Emma, with quiet smile.
"Waste-waste you'll be i'll mex" he NUT
tered, as he entered the house. "Ugh! what
idiots people are. My stomach is never out
of order"
"Pm glad of it, papa," she said mildly, yet
with provoking sarcasm.
Hold your tongue, girl !" he commanded,
scowling. II don't want to hear your useless
talk. Sim broke rake this afternoon, the
stupid fellow, and as I haven't the tools to
mend with, must send it to the blacksmith
That'll cost tenpence or a shilling, but LII
make it up-I'll make it up"
He struck his fist against the table by way
of emphasis, and shut his teeth, as if seeking
to control some great grief Then, with a
long-drawn sigh, and shake Of his head, he
began his meal. Emma, evidently disgusted
and not little panied, took down her hat
from its nail and moved silently from the
room. Once in the open air look Of eager
expectation animated her fair features, and
she hurried down the little lawn at the side Of
the house with joyous steps. Suddenly she
paused and blushed, for there, leaning on the
bars that served as an entrance from the field
to the lawn, stood young man, and she found
that he had noted her haste. For the pur.
pose of counteracting this idea she walked
very slowly, looking to the left and right, as
if seeking an object on which to fix her at,
tention, but never glancing ahead.
"You darling little rogue! Why don't you
look at me p and, coming hastily forward, he
clasped her hands and gazed tenderly into her
face
"You here, Williew she exclaimed, with q
little scream of surprise, "Oh! you almost
frightened me. Look at you, indeed before
I dreamt of the presence ofany human being !!
"But you knew ought to be here"
"Yes," she responded with that air Of girl
ish innocence which is so charming at times.
"And you would have been sorry if 1 had
been missing?" he queried, wistfully.
81 shouldn't WONDER" partially dropping
her eyes and tossing her head just carelessly
enough to make her manner perplexing.
For few moments they conversed in low
tones, then they took seats on large stone al
the other side of the bars.
Emma" he said hesitatingly, "there is 6
question which l have neglected to ask you
one, which in itself, is singular, if not really
impertinent, but feel that I have right tt
know the truth. Does your father pay fol
your nice clothes!"
"No, indeed" she replied, laughing. "My
aunt sends them to me ready made. She alst
sends me money. I believe should starve i
she did moi" and flush of modification swep
over her face and tears started to her eyes.
"Forgive me, dearest; 1 did not mean tt
pain you" he murmured regretfully.
II know you did no" she sobbed, "and
tried to laug h it off at first, but II couldn't
Oh dear, it hurts me so to think how-hov
close father is, and how miserable he make
HIMSELF but what can I do? l have begged
him to be even natural, and prayed him t.
use the comforts of life which Heaven has 81
kindly given us, but he won't. 1 feel tina
people dislike us, and I know they wonde
about me, but can't 60 to them and say: M,
aunt loves me more than my father does; m,
aunt loved my mother when she was aliv
more than my father did'-indeed, l cannot
So must bear it all as best I can. try tt
be cheerful, because 1 know that repining vii
only increase my grief, but at times | &c
weary, then I don't care much for anything
Another burst of tears followed her conclu
ding words, and she rested her head upon he
lovers shoulder and wept.
"My Emma, my OVID, do not give way t.