Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-12-18
The Stury Teller.
THE HUNDRED POUND NOTE.
BY AN ENGLISH CLERGYMAN.
CHAPTER I.
SUMMONED TO A DEATH BED.
From Cassell's London MagaZir

The curate of quiet country parish has
neither to work so hard as his brethren IN
great cities, nor, as rule, does he meet with
those strange and startling experiences, which
is often their lot to witness. Still, at times,
singular events cross the path Of the rural
clergyman, and they are afterwards all the
more vividly remembered by him, because OF
the calm and equitable monotony OF his ordl-
nary life Such an adventure once betell my.
SELF and as, although it happened several
years ago, retain remarkably distinct re-
collection of it, I think the reader may be
glad to see it in print.
was seated in my study one sultry Satur-
day afternoon in July, putting the finishing
touches to the sermon which I had been re-
auested to preach the next day at Foxtord
Church, in behalf of the Foxford Dispensary,
when my landlady's daughter tapped gently
at the door, saying
IF you please, sir, David Dymond has
come to say that his fathers deal worse, and
would you be kind enough to step down and
see him?"
As have always made it rule never to
allow any other clerical work to interfere with
such solemn summons as these, l replied
that would come Immediately, and at once
took my hat. On going out, found David
standing on the porch, conversing in low,
earnest tones with Maria Worth, the daughter
of my landlady. I could not help remarking
to myself what pretty picture the youthf!ull
pair would have afforded to an artists pencil
David was tall, broad-chested, handsome
young fellow, whose originally fair complexion
was bronzed nut-brown by perpetual exposure
to the weather. His hair was light and curl
ing, his eyes deep blue, and serious in their
expression, while the wide. brimmed straw hat
and open shrt-collar added to the unstudied
picturesqueness of his appearance. He was
an excellent type of that noble Saxon breed
which is apt to degenerate in great towns, and
is only to be seen in perfection in the rural
districts Maria was, in her way, equally at
tractive, being of slender, graceful figure,
with glossy black hair, which made the dell
cate coloring of her face seem all the talrer
by the force of contrast. AS soon as drew
near, the young man hastily dropped hand
which he had been holding in his own. and
conscious blush overspread both the lovers
faces. I say "lovers,", for it was currently re-
ported in Headingley that mutual affection
existed between these two young people, and
it was affirmed, with equal confidence, that
old Worth, the wheelwright, would never per-
nit them to marry if he could prevent the
match. The Dymonds were beneath the
Worths in social position. Mr. Worth was
master mechanic; owner of several cottages
in the village, and with vast sum Of money,
nearly two hundred pounds it was asserted,
invested in the bank at Foxford while David
Dymond was the son of a humble day-labor-
er, who, except during harvest time, had never
in the course of long and industrious lite,
earned more than ten shillingsa week: Its
true that David had been emancipated from
the serflike thraldom which had bound his
father, for he had served his time to the wheel
wright business, and was now in receipt OF
good weekly wages. Still, this did not re-
move the inequality which, in Mr.. Worth's
eyes, existed between the two families In
addition to this obstacle, David had half
brother named Reuben, and Mr. Worth was
10th that his daughter should ever call such a
man as Reuben Dymond her brother-in-law
So the young people sighed for each other in
secret, and exchanged mutual vows of affec-
ton whenever they happened, as in the pres
ent instance, to be for a few moments alone
together.
II beg your pardon, sir" said David, touch
ing his hat respectfully, "but | think you had
better take your umbrella. There's storm
coming up over yonder."
David was quite right. I had been so en-
crossed by my sermon that | had taken no
note of the threatening aspect of the weather.
now perceived that huge bank of copper
colored clouds had arisen in the northeast,
and was slowly drifting in our direction against
the lower current of wind. So I accepted the
wheelwrights advice and took my umbrella.
We then walked briskly away together, fol-
lowed by tender glance from Maria's eyes,
which was more eloquent than score of spo-
ken farewells.
On the road I questioned David concerning
his fathers condition, and learned that he was
rapidly sinking. Some months before, while
engaged in his usual field d.labor, he had been
smitten with paralysis The stroke was very
slight, and after an intermission of a week or
two, he had been able to resume work; but
since then, one shock had succeeded another
with increasing violence, until it became evi-
dent that his earthly career was drawing to
speedy close. -.
"Father's very anxious to see you, sir, said
David, "because he's afraid that before many
days he may lose the use of his limbs. He's
got little enough to leave, poor sou Heaven
knows; but he wants that little fairly divided
betwixt Reuben and me. You know that
Reuben stemper, sir, isn't always of the best p
"Indeed, 1 do, David" 1 answered. "It
would be we'll that your father should put his
wishes in writing, if possible
"That's what was thinking, sir; and now's
the best time to do it. left DR.. Webb in
the cottage, and Reuben and his wife will be
there by the time we get back. should like
the will to be made in the presence Of every
body who has anything to gain by it, with
YOU, sir, and Dr. Webb for witnesses, and
then there can't be any disputes afterwards. ."
"Perhaps, David" said, it will save time
and time in the present case may be especially
precious-ifI ask what sort of property your
father has to leave"
"Oh nothing, sir, that gentlefolks would
think it worth while to make any stir about
The furniture's the principal thing, and some
of that, such as the chest of drawers and the
clock, T value chiefly because they've been IN
the Dymond family time out of mind. Reu
ben and his wife will only think of the price
they'll fetch And there's a shelf of books
though mostly all religious books"
"I'm afraid" said 1, smiling, "that poor
Reuben won't dispute with you about the
books"
"No, sir, don't think he will. He's
better scholar than I am, bat fathers books
amt much to his fancy"
By the time we had reached the door o
John Dymond's cottage, the sky had grow1