Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-01-23

"Come, Claude" said Lucy quietly; and
without taking any farther notice of Mrs.
Ford she swept with unusual dignity out Of
the front door, and entered the carriage.
The housekeeper watched her with ma
lignant expression, and when she was out of
sight, turned back toward her own room MUIR
muring with a sardonic smile
"I'll be even with you, my lady, yet"
The next morning Stanley said to, his wife
with an afectionate air
"It is lovely morning, my dear; do you
propose driving out to-day?"
"I thought of doing SC" said Lucy. "1s
there anything else you wish me to do, in
stead ?"
"Oh no, my love! You know like you
to be as much as possible in the open air; you
are looking so much better since you have
taken constant exercise. I merely wanted to
assure myself that such was your intention.
am only sorry you have to 60 alone, for it
is impossible for me to accompany you"
"Ohw said Lucy, unsuspectingly, II will
take Claude with me. He went yesterday,
and he seemed to enjoy it so much"
"Claude! By the way, that reminds me, ="
said Stanley, "of what I had nearly forgotten
to say to you. Claude went with you yester.
day, and the result was that in the evening 1
found him very imperfect in his lessons
quite unprepared, in fact. 1t is best, Think
my love, for Claude not to 90 out in the NOR
nings. He can ride with me, in the after
noons."
"But Alfred" said Lucy, timidly, "if you
will let him 60, will promise you to help
him prepare his lessons, when we come home"
"Oh! I could not think of it, my dear
Lucy. You turn school mistress! No, in
deed, I would not subject you to such drudge
ry. Not word," he continued, playfully
tapping her lips with his hand, as she was
about to speak, II thank you for your good
intention, my love, butthe plan does not meet
with my appreciation. Claude will remain
at home"
The tone in which the concluding sentence
was uttered admitted of no opposition to his
decree, and Lucy was, most unwilllngly,
obliged to submit.
Her regret would have been augmented,
and her indignation excited, could she have
seen what transpired after she set out on her
drive that day.
Claude was locked up in his chamber with
his books, and left there, a solitary prisoner,
until the usual hour for his aunt's return,
when he was allowed to come out
No one came near him, or assisted him in
any way with his tasks, though the housekeep'
er had informed Lucy that it was duty re-
quired of her daily to Do so.
She had, in fact, far different occupation
assigned her, and one with which she allowed
nothing else to interfere.
When Mrs. Stanley was absent, and Claude
thus securely confined, she feared no s't've'I-
lance over her actions, and could in safety &C.
complish her duty.
There was one spy over her actions, howev-
er, whom it did not occur to her to mistrust.
This individual, in addition to an unbounded
fund of curiosity, possessed no small share of
cunning, and was, therefore, dangerous ene-
my, especially as she entertained an ardent
hatred and contempt for the housekeeper her.
self.
This person was Melissa, Lucy's maid.
Melissa had her suspicious regarding cer'
tain movements of the housekeeper's, and was
resolved, possible to satisfy herself in respect
to them. She was shrewd enough, however,
to keep out of sight and hearing, knowing
that ifshe was once suspected Of a desire to
pry, she would lose all opportunity of doing
so.
She had so far discovered nothing, but was
as much on the alert as ever.
"Dere's somethin' wrong bout that woman"
she soliloquized. ~ amt got no 'pinion bout
such low, no count white trash anyhow, and
this one is the meanest one 1 seen yet She's
too ceitful and underhanded to suit me- And
didn't she call me niger, the other day? {?
Niger, indeed! A respectable nigger's heap
better than poor buckra, any way. Shed
better not insult me, can tell her, or I'll
show her that Melissa johnson amt goin'
to take none of her sass"
To Claude she was very partial, constantly
offering him presents Of corn-bread and other
delicacies ofher own making, which the boy
duly appreciated as marks of friendship, and
was grateful for accordingly.
Claude stood in dread of the housekeeper,
who by some means had acquired unbounded
influence over him.
In the presence of the family she was kind
enough in her manner to him, but when re-
moved from this restraint was harsh, rude and
overbearing.
He was afraid to complain, since she told
him that if he rebelled against her authority,
or ever uttered word about her conduct, to
his aunt or any of the servants, he would be
visited with some mysterious and terrible pun
ishment. He, therefore, submitted to his daily
incarceration, and many other grievances
without venturing a word Of either remon-
STRANGE or appeal.
His uncle appeared perfectly satisfied with
the general state of affairs in the household,
and Lucy, though her uneasiness and anxiety
were often excited, was obliged to remain
passive, being afraid in any way to interfere.
Claude only appeared happy when permit
ted to be with his aunt, for whom he had con-
ceiyed warm affection. A certain similarity
in their positions drew them closely together,
and had it been allowed them, they could
have been constantly happy in each others