Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-05-13
Ghildren's department.
THE BUNCH OF KEYS.

There was once bunch of keys, large and
small, that had hung for more than twenty
years on one and the same steel ring. Now
you would think that having passed 80 long
time in such close intimacy it would have
made them very fond of each other; but this
was not at all the case. They did not agree
about anything, and whenever they were sure
of not being heard, we're continually dispu'
ting moreover, they did not always stop at
words, but when called on for service by their
mistress, the housewife, and SO interrupted in
their angry debates, often beat each other to
their hearts content. The cause Of this dis.
sension was nothing but pure pride and envy
arising from each of them believing himself
the most important of all, and consequently
expecting to be the first employed whenever
the bunch was taken in hand, 80 that the
chosen one Immediately became the object OF
jealousy to all the others, who thought them
selves neglected and set aside.
One day the entire bunch was missing, and
great was the excitement among its members
for much against their will, they had slipped
down behind big sideboard, and then fallen
into rather large mouse. hole, where they
lay in dust and darkness, totally unable to
move, aud where. although they could not see
their mistress searching for them up above
her lamentations at not being able to find
them were plainly to be heard.
Those of the keys themselves were quite as
bitter, realizing as they did what important
and indispensable personages they were most
sorrowful Of all those Of the one belonging tc
the plate chest. "What misfortune" ex'
claimed he. "To-day there was to be com
pany to dne and here am | in this hole
How is it possible to entertain guests without
the plate? What will they do without forks
and salt.cellars the gold teaspoons, and the
silver jug to hold the cream for coffee? 1t is
distracting"
"You are as usual, making yourself out al
together of too much Importance" said the
one to the linen chest, severely. ''They can
get on we'll enough without the silver. That
is not the first thing called for every day
and the want of it won't destroy the ap.
petites of the guests; but that am missing
is real atfiiction; for yesterday the laundress
was here and carried away all the linen which
had been used, and know very we'll that our
lady hasn't given out any more. What is tt
be done? They can't sit down at bare ta
BILE. Our mistress would 90 to her grave
first. She'll cry her eyes out, know she
will, if I'm not to be found"
"Oh they can manage we'll enough with
out you," cried the key of the pantry, break
ing in upon this waiing. "But that should
be wanting-that is despair indeed Why
they can't get anything to eat! In that room
is everything needful for cooking, and the de
licious dishes that were yesterday prepared
for the feast are there too. Now, there'll be
no getting at any of them, and they've moth
ing, actually nothing, with which to make
more. You see at once which of US must TO-
day be most missed Oh! if were only out
of this dirty hole!'
"Ah indeed {" exclaimed the key of the
writing. table. "1'm sure it would not be much
matter what had become Of any of you if only
/ were not among the missing. Food and
everything else that is needed can be got
easily enough, provided one has the money
But that is just what the folks above can't
get, because I've locked it all up; and for
want Of me they're no better off this minute
than so many beggars. Poor things! If
could only let them know where | am and
help them out of their trouble!"
"Nonsense!" said the key Of the clothes
press; "people so we'll offas ours are can cas-
lily borrow money enough if they'll only set
about it. But there's the pinch They can't
90 anywhere to do that. My lady is still in
morning wrapper and slippers, and without
me can get neither gown nor mantle. If l
could but 90 to her there would be an end of
this trouble"
At these words all the other keys united in
abuse of this last one, which was universally
regarded by them as the most unimportant of
their number, yet now talked more boastfully
than anybody else, and apparently considered
the losing of him the worst part of the whole
affair and then they fell to shrieking out so
loudly and disputing so hotly that they would
have certainly come to blows had not the
place in which they were been quite too small
for that.
But suddenly they all became silent, for
the voice of the housewife was heard above,
and neither of them wanted to miss word of
what she was saying, for each expected her to
break out into lamentations for the loss of
him, and so give him triumph over the
others.
She was not alone. Besides her footsteps
they heard the heavy tread of man. She
spoke again they listened:
"Now, my man." said she, "open my wri-
ting-table for me that is the last and may
rely, may not, upon your punctually keep
ing your promise to let me have the new keys
this evening, or, at the latest, early tomorrow
morning?"
"Surey, madam" was the answer ri shall
keep my word. Nobody likes to have things
left unlocked, I know ;" and the door closed
behind lady and locksmith.
But the keys remained quite speechless.
They were completely confounded. New ones,
the lady had said They were, then, dismiss.
ed and abandoned, in spite of their being so
important and indispensable!
"And is this all the thanks we get for
twenty years of faithful service" said the one
to the writing. table at last very dolefully.
"But shall we indeed lie here to all eterni.
ty?" clinked out that of the pate-chest in a
rage. He had hit the truth; for they were
hidden in that mouse-hole once for all, and
there have they time for still further discus.
sion as to which of them is most indispensa'
ble.- Christian Register.
THE PILGRIM AND THE KNIGHT.-In q
noble castle there once resided very rich
knight. He expended much money in adoln'
ing and beautifying his dwelling, but he gave
very little to the poor. A weary pilgrim
came to the castle and asked for q nights
lodging. The knight haughtily refused him
and said
"This castle is not an inn."
The pilgrim replied: "Permit me to ask
| i