Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-06-27

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was not permitted to spend one dime more, no
matter what happened"
CHAPTER XIII.
THE "RUINED sPENDTHRIFT" WHO HAD LOST
EVERYTHING AND STILL WAS PROUD, CLAIM
ED KINDRED THERE, AND HAD HIS CLAIMS
ALIOwED.-ONE OF THE 81 DON'T SEE
WHY'S"
sThough vlctuas and drink the chief Of ler diet
Yet this old woman could never be quiet"
It seemed as if, with four or five servants,
there would have been little to do; but it
was not the case They neglected so many
things, did others so badly, and were 50 slow
and indolent Conway and Grace still had
many extra duties to perform. Neither could
sit down to sew or read with the house in dis
ORDER and the more they did to keep the
house neat and orderly, the more the servants
thought they ought to do. The house was
always full of company, now. 1t was one
uncle with his family, to spend two or three
months, while he arranged business prepara.
tory to carrying them to the city; and anoth-
er, whose house was not finished when ne
| expected; or, it was some cousins on a few
weeks visit; and when there seemed to be a
little pause in the arrivals, who should appear
but cousin Tim Elliott and his sister, Letitia.
These two were relatives, who had squandered
large patrimony, and then settled down as
hanpers.on to their more wealthy kin.
Always to be supported and waited on,
never by chance doing any thing for them
selves or any one else-boasting Of their for
mer glory, and proud Of their connection with
a great family-they we're no more than tol-
Grated dependants-the fag-end of good
family, without the virtues of their ancestors
or the good qualities of their contemporaries.
They had circulated, as it were, among their
relatives, living most with those who allowed
them the greatest privileges and the most
spending money. Growing more selfish every
year, and more exacting in their claims, it
had been relief that they had chosen to go
up the country, when "cousin Claude" had
decided to remain at his pine-land place.
A few soldiers had passed where they were
refugeeing, and though they destroyed but a
few dollars worth of things, no one was loud
er in complaining of losses than they. With
the first opportunity, they had fastened down
to "cousin Claude's," and, as if comforting
great favor, declared their intention of never
leaving again.
Mrs. Elliott felt it was more than she could
bear to have them always; but as Mr.. Elliott
left it with her to decide whether they should
stay or be pensioned of, she concluded to
bear with them few months, and try and
have their stay productive Of as few disa-
greeable incidents as possible. Even Stuart
and little Alice felt their presence a weight
and restraint.
Cousin Letitia did not have pleasant dis
position, and it required great deal of pa
tience and forbsarance to get along with her
peculiarities and irritability. Some of the
Elliott kin would not let her stay with them,
but Mrs. Claude Elliott had a great deal Of
Christian charity, and felt sorry for the poor
old lady who had no home and so few friends.
Miss Letitia was one Of the IL don't see
why's" It was, II don't see Why" from
morning till night. II don't see why this
chicken vas fried so brown or, "I don't see
why they didn't cook it little more" 81
don't see why the rice was boiled so soft, or
the hominy so stiff" 81 don't see why the
milk has so little cream nowadays" 81
don't see why there are so few eggs" 81 don't
see why every one else can have so many
new clothes, and I have to take up with so
few" "I don't see why brother Tim and
should lose our property, and all the other
Elliotts grow as rich as Crosus." 81 don't
see why that little fy-away, Grace Archie,
must refuse brother Tim, to fall in love with
that poor Ellison boy; and why he should
grow rich and influential, and poor Tim meet
with nothing but bad luck" 81 don't see
why people should say begin to look old
I'm sure it's more for spite than any thing
else" "I don't see why Alice should object
to my feeding her chickens; and l don't see
why Stuart was so rude as to say uncle Ellison
was his teacher, when I wanted to hear his
lesson" 81 don't see why the servants don't
answer me as soon as the Others" etc. She
was old Miss "I-don't-see-why" with great
many people behind her back.
Brother Tim was perfection in her eyes,
and it was tiresome to hear her repeated
praises of his wonderful virtues and graces.
Tim was one who thought money and family
were all man needed to carry him safely
through this world, and as to another one, it
gave him little concern. He had read little,
talked great deal, and come to the conclu-
sion that what he didn't know wasn't worth
knowing. It never entered his head that his
charming company was not full equivalent
for the victuals he ate, liquor he drank, cigars
he smoked, and clothes he wore. Pompous
and conceited, he was no noisy brawler, and
his affection for Letitia was good trait in
his character She worshipped him, and he
looked with lenient eye on her increasing
sourness and irritation.
If we say little of these two ancient hangers
on, it must still be borne in mind they were
settled upon the Elliotts, burden in many
respects, and daily, hourly trial to the pa
tience of one or more of the family.
Tho wear wore on and Mr.. Elliotts plan.