Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-08-21

A bottle was placed DelOre MIN. ouills
a glass nearly full, Gabe raised it in his hand
held it between the light and his eye, and af
ter gazing at it afectionately for few mo
ments said:
"Here's to we uns, may we all have heap;
of luck and water when the winter breaks"
"We'll all drink to that! exclaimed the
miners, as they raised the glasses to their lips
and poured the liquid fire down their throats
"As remarked, when l first came in, times
are right peart on Rabbit Creek, ain't they ?
"Yes, sorter, kind O pear" responded ono
of the group. "The fact is, times have beel
Internally dull for a long while, and twas
necessary for to do something to burst the
she'll. Things having got a boost, there is Il
right smart chance Of peartness going on.
The speaker was the proprietor OF tar(
game, who, being anxious to cultivate Mr.
Husker's acquaintance, sought to improve the
occasion. He was large-framed, bull.neck'
ed, dark-eyed, scowling-countenanced fellow
known by the name of Chadwick, who, rumol
declared, had, since his advent into CalItor
mia, killed one or two men, and robbed a
great many others but, during his residence
on Rabbit Creek, he had conducted himself
in a manner to give no oAense. His feature;
were marked with several deep scars, which
gave evidence of his having participated IN
many desperate combat, while the bowie
knife and revolver in his belt indicated that
he was prepared for war at any moment.
Bv eleven o'clock between three and four
hundred miners had assembled in the town
and all were more or less under the influence
of liquor. The gamblers after treating all
hands until they began to show symptoms Of
iuebriation, opened their little games and COM
menced winning the money of those who were
foolish enough to play. Around each table
could be seen crowd of hardy fellows betting
their hard.earned dust and indulging in rude
tests and boisterous laughter The harsh
oath that would occasionally escape from the
lips of some of the players gave evidence that
luck could not prevail against scientific at
tainments in the art Of cheating, and that the
gamblers were making hay while the sun
shone.
When the MONDAY meal had been disposed
of, the committee of arrangements to work
to arrange the preliminaries for the snow-shoe
race. Judges, time-keepers, referees, starters,
etc., were appointed, rules established, and ev'
erything fixed in consonance with the ideas
of ma jority of the committee. Then those
who were to take part in the contest were no
tilted to appear at the starting post. The
Judges took their positions those who had
been absorbed in gambling forsook the tables
and sought places from whence good view
of the race could be had.
When the hour for starting arrived, the
signal was given and the contestants bounded
off with the speed of lightning. At the last
moment woman appeared upon the scene
and started with the others. She was evident.
ly an expert in the use of the snow-shoes, and
passed several of the contestants during the
first hundred yards. Those who were watch;
ing the race became tearfully excited, and
whenever the woman could succeed in passing
one of the racers, they would make the welkln
ring with their shouts Of joy and encourage
ment.
"Who is she?" was asked on all sides, but
no one answered the question.
1t is not my intention to give description
of the snow.shoe race, nor to paint picture
of the exciting contest I only allude to it
for the purpose of giving the reader clue to
what is yet to come. The race was soon over
and was won by the mysterious female, who
had been materially aided by the wind catch
ing in the skirts of her dress.
Perhaps her success may partially have
been caused by the gallantry of the other
contestants, who thought it would be ungen-
tlemanly to beat woman. But OF this we
cannot speak knowingly.
There were but two or three females on
Rabbit Creek at the time of which we write,
and consequently great curiosity prevailed to
learn which one had entered the lists and car
ried off the prize, and no sooner had the con:
testants crossed the home mark than the crowd
rushed forward and surrounded them.
"Who is she? cried dozen voices, the
owners of which were pushing with might and
main to get glimpse Of the lady's features:
The victor threw back the bonnet and veil
that covered and concealed her features, and
revealed the face of man bearded like a
pard. :, -,
"Oh pshaw, 'taint no woman, after all j.
exclaimed Hank Seymour, as he elbowed his
way from the centre of the circle
"Then who in thunder is it ?" asked one
who was using his best efforts to get sight OF
the champion.
"Well, I'm DANCED eff that ar woman don't
turn out to be Jim Wilkingham, who lives on
t'other side of the hill," said Gabe Husker,
whose curiosity appeared to have been salts
fed. "Jim has been playing roots on the
boys, and is thousand dollars better off for
havin' dun so. But dog me ef | don't think
the race ought to be run over again. |
wouldn't stand being cheated that way eft l
was one of 'em."
At this moment fierce, angry words were
heard within the circle. Several persons ap'
peared to be taking part in the dispute, and
again the crowd pressed forward to see what
was the matter. Suddenly the sharp report
of pistol rang out and the crowd which had
formed the circle fled pell NELL. Turning
quickly, IIusker saw that murder had been
committed. The winner of the purse was ly-
ing motionless upon the snow, while the blood,
pouring in stream from a hole in his bosom,
was rapidly crimsoning the ground. The
bullet had passed through his heart, and
death had been instantaneous. A few feet
distand stood Chadwick, coolly returning his
revolver to its resting place in the scabbard
which hung over his hip.
"What have yer been a doing" yelled
Husker, as he jumped toward the murderer.
"Bin givn' dern skunk his deserts. Nc
dead beat can ever git any of my money by
such fraud upon the community as this one
I 60 for all such every time, you bet"
81 guess we'll have to 60 fur you," said
Husker, as elaid his hand upon the shoulder
of the murderer.
"Don't you lay your hands on me, or by
the holy st. Peter I'll put daylight through
you," yelled the gambler, as he leaped back
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