Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-11-21
CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.
At an early hour the next morning, Captain
Player alighted at the gate Of his neighbor,
in pursuance of his mission, to find out, in as
delicate manner as possible, the truth Of the
rumor that had reached him, in regard to the
disappearance of Mrs. Galloway; and, in case
the fact should prove to be as he had heard it,
to employ his friendly offices-in quiet and
unobtrusive manner of course-to restore har-
mony to the broken family circle.
The house was plain, substantial up-coun-
try residence, rather pretentious compared
with the majority of the dwelling houses in
the neighborhood, and seemed to tell Of the
opulence of the owner, who was planter
in independent circumstances.
Captain Player entered the gate, and,
mounting the steps of the piazza, knocked at
the front door with a countenance that took
it's expression from the troubled condition of
his mind
His knock was answered by negro SER
want, who stared at him in some trepidation.
She was serving woman of near the captains
own age, and her features were not altogether
unfamiliar to him.
"Why this is Prissy?" enquired the captain,
looking somewhat relieved -"isn't it?
The woman acknowledged the captains
greeting by low courtesy and an affirmative
answer.
"Well Prissy, is Tom-that is Mr.. Gallo
way, mean-at home this morning."
"Him out in the blacksmith shop, sir" re-
piled Prissy court-sying low again.
"Well, just called to see him for mo-
ment" rejoined the captain after brief hesita-
ton, "but your mistress will do as we'll"
"Miss Matilda, you mean, 2"
eyes, Prissy I wish to see her moment
just a message from my wife" added the cap
tain, parenthetically.
"She amt in dis morning, sir, I believe"
answered Prissy, glancing to the right and
left, and back over her shoulder, as though
looking for the person enquired after.
"Why, she is out early!' observed the cap
tain jocosely, but with more dismal visage.
You are smart people over here to 60 visiting
so early. When did she leave Prissy?"
II don't know when she left SIR" replied
Prissy in a very dubious manner as she again
went through the form of looking all around
her.
81 thought saw carriage turn out of the
avenue as I came in sight," continued the cap
tain, venturing upon fb of the most diminu-
tive class. 81 suppose that was your mistress
riding out?"
"No carriage left here to-day" answered
Prissy, quite automatically.
"Well Prissy," asked the captain, after an
awkward pause, "Where is your mistress?"
"Lord in Heaven only knows massa," eac-
ulated Prissy, surprised into direct answer,
as she threw up her hands and rolled up the
whites of her eyes. "We all been talk about
it among ourself, but we don't know nothin
Missy was. here yesterday mornin' bout dis
time, but we amt lay eyes on her sence, and
we don't know when she left, or where she
went. She warn't here last night, and all we
know is, dat she is gone widout anybody know
anything about it. She sperited away some
where"
"Well, Prissy, this is strange news and bad
news" rejoined the captain, looking very
grave and perplexed.
"Massa, don't say one word about what I
tell you," pleaded the woman, appealingly.
mo, Prissy, not one word-not word"
answered the captain, in kindly tone; "but
I must see Tom Galloway and learn what he
has to say"
"He's at the blacksmith shop, massa."
"Thank you, Prissy, won't mention your
name; )" and, bidding her good morning, the
captain took his way to the blacksmith shop,
which lay somewhat over hundred yards to
the right of the house, and little to the rear
of it, just on the edge of thicket of woods,
through which a path wound down to the
spring and dairy house, scarce rifle shot be.
yond the shop.
The individual with whom the captain was
seeking an interview was so preoccupied and
busted, that he was not aware of his approach
until he was within a few feet of the spot
where he stood. A fire had been built Of pine
knots, a few rods from the shop, and Galloway,
assisted by negro man, was industriously
engaged in adding pine knots to the burning
pile, which was already of considerable size,