Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-11-21
z. NOVEMBER 81, 49,

j.. IL " IO0DA L
lings lively enough, like cock-ofthe-walk
but, now the fellow is as solemn as if he was
at funeral"
"A funeral /" echoed Galloway, as he
poured out and swallowed near half pint Of
whisky.
"Yes, Tom; George-I know him we'll
used to be one of the liveliest fellows in the
neighborhood; but now he droops about as il
he might be falling into the typhoid fever
What is the matter with you, George?" asked
the captain, calling out and addressing him.
self to the negro.
"Matter with me, sar p stammered the ne.
gro, with whitened lips, and speaking with
great effort, as though the words were jerked
from him, while his frame shook and he stared
at the speaker with stony eyes-"Im sick,
sah-sick to death, burning these Goals, here p
go on to the house, George-go to the
house" cried Galloway, hastily, and with a
startled look at the captain, as he rose from
the bench and invited him to accompany him
to the dwelling house. Let us 60. l will
send some one else to attend to the coal bed"
The negro took his way to the dwelling
house, and Captain Player and Galloway fol-
lowed on silently, side by side Galloway
ushered Captain Player into one of the front
rooms and, without entering himself, return
ed to the door where the negro was standing,
and beckoning to him, led the way to the rear
of the house. Reaching the back door, he
motioned to the negro to enter and followed
after him. The two were then at the foot of
broad staircase that led to the upper story.
A gesture from Galloway, and the negro, like
an automaton, mounted the steps up-up, up
to the second story. At another gesture, he
mounted another flight and assembled to the
garret. Here, at gesture from his master,
who seemed strangely nervous and troubled,
he entered small chamber to the right. Gal.
loway closed the door, and turning the key,
locked the negro in.
"Let him rest till am ready, and I'll phys
ic him." muttered Galloway to himself.
His hand trembled visibly as he drew the
key from the door and put it into his pocket
but there was no one to see it, and no one to
mark the villa;nous expression that came into
his eyes, as with face full of fear and trou-
BILE, he made his way down to meet his visl-
tor, who sat expecting his reappearance
Galloway entered, seemingly somewhat
more at his ease than he had previously ap-
peared; but, before he entered the chamber
where Captain Player sat, he passed through
side room, and taking decanter from a
closet, filled tumbler near two-thirds full
and swallowed it at draught. His hand
shook until the brandy was spilled; but even
this fiery draught failed to stimulate his sys-
tenn. He ordered decanters and glasses to be
set on table in the chamber where his guest
sat, and then, dismissing the domestics from
thehouse, locked the back door, that no caves
dropper might enter the house unseen. This
done, with the same stupid, uneasy expression
on his face, he entered and took seat near the
chimney corner, facing Captain Player. His
visitor did not fail to remark his nervous and
apprehensive manner. Now he was on his
feet arranging something on the mantle board ;
now he seized upon the poker or tongs and
stirred the Goals, or heaped wood on the fire
all with troubled and preoccupied air, as
though unconscious of what he was doing.
Captain Player made his internal comments,
with his characteristic shrewdness and pene.
tration.
"He takes ithard," said the captain to him.
self, with feeling Of tender compassion for
the unfortunate husband. "You needn't tell
me- after this, that Tom is a hard-hearted and
callous fellow He takes his wife's leaving
him to heart as much as any man could DO,
and I honor and respect him for it. 1t shows
he has feeling heart, and doubt if Matilda
wasn't too hasty. I am bound to find out
how matters stand, and rectify them if l can.
O, deary mel" and the Captain sighed as he
looked about him and puzzled himself in de-
vising how he should open the subject as deli
cately as possible. The captain at last opened
the subject in his own peculiar style.
II was in hopes I would have met Matilda
here, this morning, Tom" remarked the cap
tain, at last, with visible embarrassment in his
manner. "Take some Of that spirits, Tom, it
will do you good; for I know this is an un-
pleasant thing to talk about Take it and be
man, and let US talk over this thing in a
neighborly way"
This advice was dictated by feeling of
compassion for the man before him, whose
face twitched nervously as the captain made
his opening remark, and who appeared too
sorely troubled to speak, except with pain
full effort Captain Player suggested the only
prescription that occurred to him for one in
trouble, and, pouring out glass Of brandy,
he handedit to him, feeling that he was acting
the part of the good Samaritan, and was, fg-
uratively, pouring oil into the wounds of his
neighbor.
Galloway clutched the tumbler nervously,
and swallowed the contents with effort
"There now, Tom !" benevolently remarked
the captain, as he received the glass and re-
turned it to the table-"we will talk over this
matter calmly; and I know you won't take
any offence at an old neighbor and friend of
the family, talking over your trouble with
you in philanthropic spirit, Tom. We've
heard, Tom, that your wife, Matilda, has
gone"
81 don't know, captain, what the neighbors
will say or think"
"Ohi Tom. think we can be PROMPT