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

GIL be hanged II ne looks on nlmselI III
that light" and seeing that he had hurt and
offended Grace, he tried to make friends
only, however, to render his cause more hope
less than ever.
He tried to sound Jack as to when he was
going to end his engagement, but received a
short answer.
"It was no time for man to think Of
marrying, when he didn't know as he'd have
cent of property to live on, and no profes'
sion or means Of earning even the bread
he ate"
"You're a fine fellow to talk of having no
property" retorted Arthur, who had always
felt little sore chat his step-father's will had
not left his property at the disposal of his wife,
for Arthur's benefit, and so Jacks portion
was the largest.
"I shan't be the only one to talk it, if ne
groes really are free, as is probable"
"What do you call thousands of acres Of
land, bank stock, railroad stock, and dozen
other kinds of stock?" said Arthur, angrily.
II call the land all the real property l
own. The stock uncle Elliott disposed Of in
such way it is doubtful if it's worth plea
yune. With our habits and way Of living, 1
don't think we are on the high road to wealth" ;"
"Hang it!-don't begin to croak. The
idea of such fortunes as ours being gone is
preposterous. We're all upset just now, but
things will straighten out before long, and
then I reckon I'll pay myself off for some of
the good things I missed during the war;"
"Don't be too sure of it, Arthur. Things
don't settle down into their old channels after
a civil war, and the negro question may cause
trouble yet. We may be entering upon more
gloomy times than any we've passed"
"Why don't you turn preacher, Jack
You'd beat uncle Ellison. He's been ding
donging in that same strain-'negroes gone
deprecated currency always distressing times
in every country after war-young men
should be doing something'-and a dozen
things still more disagreeable. He even
threw Tom Wright up to Russell and me.
If it had been any one else, he'd have heard
from US; but we all take any thing from
him."
"Well, he couldn't have thrown up better
fellow, I'm sure. I wonder never thought
of taking him for a model" and Jack picked
up his hat and was off down the road, without
single whistle, shout, or merry song, as was
his usual custom.
"Well, Jack may 60 crazy and believe in
poverty, hard work and living by rules OF
duty as be calls it; but he'll not put bis low
notions into my head, I'll be bound" muttered
Arthur. "Our property all lost but the land !;
I shall have to see it to believe it." And he
lighted fresh cigar and stretched himself
lazily in one of the large easy-chairs.
Mr.. Elliott had sent two or three letters to
his overseer, requesting him to write what he
was doing, how the crops were, with other
particulars, and to forward his replies by
certain negroes named, that he wanted to
come down Immediately for house servants.
After a long silence, he wrote again and
again but no answers came, and he concluded
to 20 up and see how things were getting
along-a proceeding some men would have
carried into execution weeks before-but Mr..
Elliott did not like travelling, unless he could
20 with every convenience and luxury at his
elbow. Riding horseback or in a carriage
and stopping at night in strange places, was
great hardship, and the railroads were re-
paired only part of the way on his route.
He returned from his trip gloomy and
depressed.
His overseer had done the best he could !;
but crops were late, some Of the negroes were
gone, some worked badly, and affairs generally
were not going on so smoothly as was to be
desired One letter only had been received ;
but the negroes sent with reply had not
thought best to obey orders, and had stopped
to idle and half starve on the road, till they
could make their way to Charleston. The
city had such attractions that many negroes
thought it greater happiness to live there in
want, than on farm in comfort.
A new set was selected to 60 down as
house-servants, and four of them arrived in
due time, to the relief Of the ladies of the
house, though they were far from being as
efficient as the well.trained ones Of other days.
Some of the relatives Mr.. Elliott visited
were getting along very we'll. Some had
received a call from Sherman's army and lost
a great deal; while others had been in Co.
lumbia and shared the hard misfortunes OF
the burned and devastated portions Of that
beautiful but unfortunate city. How they
lived was mystery, and yet their complaints
were not so loud as those of the families who
had only lost part of their provisions and a
few of their household conveniences. They
sighed to 60 back to their old homes, many
of which were burned or in the hands of
negroes and yankees on the islands; or they
wished to leave the country and live under a
different government. No one was settled
and contented and taking the whole bear
ing of matters, public and private, into con-
sideration, Mr.. Elliott was not the only one
who had cause for low-spirited apprehensons.
Winter came, and the negroes were brought
down and engaged for the following year.
The crops made had not paid plantation and
family expenses; but credit was good, and
Charleston merchants were glad to advance
supplies on the promise of payment during
the coming fall. That some men did make
good crops and cleared themselves, by using
great economy, is known; but many, alas
with the best intentions, fell behind thou
| .onds of do1lors The nooroes did not work