Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-02-19
tops till they bow to the earth. Everything
presages terrible storm.

presages terrible storm.
The man watches the advance Of the CO.
horts of cirri for some time; then rising. gazes
wonderingly around him. He is evidently
uncertain which path, amongst the several
that present themselves, he ought to pursue.
The place in which he has been resting for
hours, is very solitary. Not habitation of
high or low degree can be seen, except that
lofty stone mansion crowning the cliffs, and
not human being is near. The wayfarer
stands puzzled, and half afraid. At last, as
if despairng of the approach of any one who
may direct his course, he turns about to fol-
low the BEATEN dusty highway, along which
he has hitherto been trampiDg.
Suddenly, the sound ola female voice, sing
ing clearly and musically, arrests the stran-
gers attention. He pauses and awaits the
singers approach. The whole valley echoes
her roundeay and reechoes it as she advances.
At length girl, with huckster's basket
filled with vegetables swinging to the pommel
other saddle, mounted on shaggy gray pony,
is apparent, coming down the main road.
She ceased singing when she saw the gentle
man, and gazed in open-eyed astonishment at
him, as if he had been an apparition.
"My good GIRL" began the traveller, "will
YOU be so kind as to tell me which one of all
these paths leads to the Bluffs ?"
"What, that house up yonder-where the
rich Gadburys live?"
"Yes; but perhaps you don't know? You
may be stranger, like myself?"
20, yes but do, sir. I've lived in these
parts all my born days. could tell if want
ed to-"
"If you wanted to-"
eyes if 1 wanted to ~ added the girl, sly
ly; "but never take the trouble to show the
way to persons that is lost less they take the
trouble to" She paused and laughed know
ingly.
"Ah! yes; understand now?" said the
traveller, smiling, and at the same time taking
out well-6lled purse; "well here is silver
quarter of dollar. 1t is yours if you tell J"
The girls eyes sparkled with delight, as her
brown fingers closed over it. "You follow
that narrow path up the hill," said she, indi-
eating the way with her finger, till you come
to broad road follow it until it brings you
to the Bluffs gate that leads into the grounds" "
Thanks, my pretty one" And with this
salutation, the stranger commenced the steep
ascent
The girl reined her pony in for few seconds
longer-while with one hand, she held back
her tawny hair, and gazed with enchanted
eyes on the silver coin in the other, which, in
her estimation, was source of inexhaustible
wealth. Then chiruping to the faithful pony,
she trotted away. singing as she went. her
rustic ballad to the echoing hills.
The traveller walked with stead dy strides
along the well-beaten track, curving in and
out through the ravines, like bow; now and
then strding across the ripping, gurgling
stream that wound its silvery length from the
utmost height of the cliffs, occasionally leap
ing and dashing itself into small cascade; !;
but oftenest stretching like bright ribbon,
among the sedge grasses At last he met the
broad road, and soon found himself confront
ing the facade of the the Bluffs mansion.
He eyed it with visible and decided interest.
The building was of gray stone, in the
most ancient style, with small easement and
peaked doors and round towers, dotted with
loopholes, and with swinging balconies, over
looking the exqusitely arranged grounds, and
offering view of the magnificent prospect Of
the whole country.
The rain commenced to fall in heavy
shower, but the man stood there at the lodge
gate, looking down the long line of the ave-
nue. trees, disregardful of everything, and
deeply absorbed in his own thoughts.
Suddenly, voice near, accosted him in a
sharp, abrupt fashion care you going to
stay here and get drenched to the skin? An
awful storm is coming on
The traveller turned and saw tall majestic
looking mulatto woman, habited in gay
plaid cotton dress, with bandana wound
gracefully around her head, as only these
people know how to wear them.
II can hardly tell whatto do. There seems
to be shelter near at hand but I am stran-
ger in this part of the world, and 1 don't know
that it will be extended to me, even if solicit
it. Do you know the family living in yonder
mansion?"
"Know them? Humph! Ishould say so.
I've lived with them nearly all my life The
mistress of that house is the meanest woman
aliveW
"You don't like her, then?"
Like her !' repeated the woman, drawing
herself up to her fullest height and assuming
menacing attitude, "does chicken love
swk? Well, she is rich and grand, and I'm
oily poor mulatto but no matter for that,
III make her eat her fingers off with rage be-
fore I'm done"
"What has she ever done to your asked
the traveller, with irrepressibe curiosity.
"To me? But hold on, sir it may be you
are friend of the family. So being, I will
have nothing to say to you"
II have already told you I am stranger"
answered the traveller, quietly, while he smiled
in the perturbed countenance confronting him.
"Leastways you're gentleman ?" answered
the woman, eyng his beautiful hands and
faultless linen.
The traveller appeared annoyed at her scru-
tiny. "You have lived at The Bluffs; why
did you leave it? he asked, deftly turning
the conversation.