Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-03-25

"On her way here, was she? And how
about this child who's taking care OF hel
now?'
"These people, Mr.. Shaw and his wife, al
whose house Alice stayed. They want me tc
send for her right away, as it's inconvenient
for them to have her on their hands"
"And you mean to do so?'
eve were just speaking about that, sir
when you came in
"Hum," said uncle Brainerd. "What does
! Caroline say?'
Mrs. Fielding colored at this address, and
answered, not without an unusual degree o1
| hesitation
"I was saying, Uncle, that with such q
large family as ours, don't see how we can
undertake to provide for stranger"
The old man smiled lightly, and putting the
tips of all his fingers together, looked con-
tempatively at the fire. His smile was not a
pleasant one, and, somehow, it made Mrs.
Fielding's color deepen.
"a fatherless and motherless child" he
murmured, presently. "Hum-hum! sup.
pose she can find somebody to take care OF
her, can't she, nephy?
"I'm afraid not, sir" said Mr.. Fielding
"she appears to be quite friendless; poor little
thing"
"Very unfortunate" said uncle Brainerd
"But she can 60 to the poor-house, or the or
phan asylum, should suppose"
81 must say, sir" said Mr.. Fielding, clear
ing his throat, ''that such view of the case
is not at all an agreeable one to me. Caro-
line, my dear-wont you say anything?
"No, Mr.. Fielding" said his wife, in some
excitement ave said my say, already, and
believe I'll let you decide on this matter
without me. Don't consult me any more, if
you please" :.
"But, really, my DEAR am always desi-
rous of consulting your wishes, as you know
and, especially in this case, which concerns
you as nearly as it does me. think, myself,
it's plain and easy to see where our duty lies
but I'm peaceable man, and don't want to
make it the occasion of any falling out be-
tween us. So do wish, my dear, you'd think
the matter over reasonably, and try and come
to my way of thinking" .,
"Im very unreasonable, don't doubt, "
said Mrs. Fielding, plying her darning-needle
with trembling hands. 81 suppose [ don't
toll and slave, and walk after the children
from morning till night, and sew my fingers
to the bone to keep them decent-Oh, no
And it's very unreasonable in me, no doubt,
not to want another one to work for, and she
none of my flesh and blood neither"
"Well, we'll, Caroline don't fire" said un-
Gle Brainerd, whose countenance had assumed
a most peculiar expression during this out
break. "Make yourself easy about this child;
she shan't be brought here to worry you.
Nephy Simon, I've thought of a good plan ;
III move down to Columby and take little
lodging of some sort there and take this lit
tie girl to live with me; and we'll manage
very we'll together, dare say"
So saying, the old gentleman rose up and
hobbled out of the room. If thunderbolt
had fallen among the group he quilted, it
could scarcely have given them a greater
shock than did this unlooked-for announce
ment. On Mrs. Fielding, especially, it ap-
peared to have most subduing effect.
81 don't believe he can be in earnest" she
murmured, at length.
81 don't know" said Mr.. Fielding, with a
grave face, but in his usual calm tone. "What
uncle Brainerd says he's going to do, he's
pretty apt to do, l think"
"Pa," said little Fanny in a wondering
tone, ''is uncle Brainerd going away to live p
"Hold your tongue said Mrs. Fielding.
You young ones may as well 60 to bed at
once; 'tain't far from the usual time"
There was chorus Of expostulation but
their mother, apparently desiring vent for
her disturbed feelings, bore down upon the
lesser ones of the group and swept them out
of the room like whirlwind. Two remained
behind; Carry, a gentle-looking girl Of twelve,
and Charley, lad of ten. The two elder
boys, Maurice and Joe, were at present away
at school.
Father" asked Carry, coming to Mr.
Fieldings side, "is the little girl coming here
to stay with u.s."
"May-be so, my dear. Nothing's settled
yet. Maybe we'd better not talk about it
just at present." said Mr.. Fielding, gently
The good man was sorely troubled in his
heart. Conscience clearly pointed out to him
the path he ought to pursue; while, on the
other hand, a natural repugnance to irritating
his wife, or imposing additional work upon
her, made him hesitate in his decision. But
when she reGntered the parlor, few minutes
later, he found, to his great relief, that the
tide had unexpectedly turned
81 suppose" she said, abruptly, as she re-
sumed her seat and her work, without look.
ing up, "you may as well write that letter at
once, and be done with it. We may as well
agree to take the child, first as last"
"Thank you, my DEAR" said Mr. Fielding
his honest countenance beaming with pleas
ure. 81 am truly gratifed at your compliance
with my wish. felt sure that on considera'
ton"
"Oh! fddlesticks," said his wife, impa.
tiently. 81 don't want to be thanked;
! have my reasons for what do, and that's
enough Write your letter at once, and you
can go over to the store and mail it, before
you go to bed"
Surprised at her anxiety to have the matter
settled without delay, Mr. Fielding, never.
theless, asked no explanation of it, but obe
diently proceeded to fulfill her behest; and
before bedtime, had written and despatched
the letter, which opened to his orphan niece
the prospect Of Il new homc and friends and
protectors, in her torlorn and indigcnt stu
alton.
! Mrs Fielding took care, also, that uncle
! Brainerd should be informed Of the fact at al
early hour, the next morning; prcferring
however, for reasons of her own, that the task
of informing him should devolve upon he
husband, instead of herself
/ 1t may not be out of place here, to give TIM
| reader some idea of the cause Of her anXiet,
to act in conformity with the old gentleman
! wishes, which was, in fact the true reason o
her acquiesccnce in her husbands plan.
ILL.,,
had no near relatives but herself and he
; family; and there was a current tradition
that he was Every rich;'' though, even th