Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-07-01


"Oh! she is well enough informed, for tina
matter-and clever enough too," said tn
doctor, little impatiently, for Virgilia wa
not one of his favorites. "I'm not fond o
blue-stockings, as a general rule. Give M
that saucy little mink, Jennie, instead-she'
worth two of the other. Yonder's the hous
we are going to, professor-see where tina
chimney shows above the slope Of the hill ?"
"Yes-a nice looking place, as far as th'
surroundings 60"
"This turn in the road will bring the cot
tage itself in view. There, you can see i
now"
"a neat little DWELLING" said the professor
with an approving glance. II fear, however
our visit will disturb its inmates-they seen
to be busy in household occupations.
"The old lady is spinning. She won't mine
resting to have a little chat. Here comes
Martha Gibson, the daughter, to meet u!
now"
A fresh.faced, smiling young woman, with
baby in her arms, made her appearance in
the front porch, as they reined up their hor
ses at the gate. On making known their er
rand, the visitors Immediately received an in
vitation to alight and walk in-Mrs. Gibson
singing out in a CHEEKY voice, "Mar, here's
DR.. Curtis brought gentleman to look at the
place. Old Mrs. Perry rose from her bench
and coming forward, seconded her daughters
invitation"
"You are welcome to look all round, gen.
tlemen. always keep the house in good or.
der, and amt ashamed of its being seen by
anybody"
ayes, indeed, can testify to your orderly
habits, Mrs. Perry" said the doctor, approx
ingly. "Your floors are my especial wonder
and admiration would much rather eat of
of them than out of the plates and dishes Of
some people could mention. Suppose you
pilot US, Martha, if it will not be giving you
too much trouble"
"Oh no trouble at all, sir-hold the baby,
mar, till I come back, will you?" and drop.
pring her little charge unceremoniously into
the old ladys arms the smiling Martha pro-
ceeded with alacrity to fulfill the duties of ci'
cerone, ushering them first into all the depart
ments on the lower floor, then to the upper
story, opening every closet door, and driving
into the recesses of every shelf and cupboard
to show how convenient all the arrangements
were.
"There's one queer room here I haven't
showed you yet, she said, as they were about
to re.descend the stairs. "1t's cut of, like,
from the rest of the house-you can't get to it
but through high window, opening on the
passage, unless you take the little back stair.
case under the shed, and stoop your head very
low"
"Why, Martha, how is that ?" asked the
doctor.
81 don't know, sir par thinks there was a
door on the passage that must have been
boarded up, before we came here. We never
had any use for the room it's only small
one, and we don't need it. I reckon the rats
have good time there"
They looked through the window into the
little dark apartment, which certainly did not
present very inviting aspect, for it was cur,
tanned with cobwebs and carpeted with dust,
affording singular contrast to the tidy and
cheerful appearance of the rest Of the house
"They do say it's haunted" pursued Mar,
tina, "but par says the ghosts are nothing more
nor less than the rats, and may be a chimney
bird or two"
THAT is very sensible explanation" said
the doctor. II have no faith in respect to
haunted rooms. Come, professor, suppose we
take a survey of the outdoor arrangements
now we've seen all that is to be seen inside. u
The professor agreed, and having thanked
Mrs. Gibson for her civility, they took leave
of her mother and herself, and mounting their
horses, rode leisurely around the little do
main. Order and comfort ruled supreme ev.
erywhere, and the doctor observed with sat-
isfaction that his companion seemed much
pleased with their survey. As they were ri.
ding off, the professor happened to turn his
head, and caught sight of the figure of a man
entering the enclosure by side gate. Itwas
Hugh Thornton, just returning from ramble
in the woods with his gun. A halfuttered
exclamation ofsurprise escaped the professors
lips, and he abruptly checked his horse, but
in an instant he appeared to change his mind,
aud rode quickly on.
"Did you speak? ?" inquired the doctor, who
was yard or two in advance.
"No, 1 did not speak," was the reply. 81
fancied, for moment, that had forgotten
something; that was ALL"
"Did you wish to return for anything"
"By no means; was mistaken in my sup
position. How charmingly fresh the air is
since the sun has gone down"
AS they cantered homeward, DR.. Curtis
thought his friend pre.occupied and grave
he scarcely spoke but in monosyllables, and
as soon as they arrived at the end of their ex.
pedition he hastened to his own room, where
he remained secluded for the greater portion
of the evening. In answer to an inquiry from
kind Mrs. Curtis he stated that he had sud-
den headache, which he thought would wear
off soon if he remained quiet; but could the
household have seen through his chamber
walls they would have discovered that there
was little quiet in his aspect. Pale and
thoughtful, with gloomy frown on his brow,
he restlessly paced the floor, agitated by
thoughts aroused by one of the simplest events,
but which shook his very soul with their tu.
multi. and turned his TRANQUIL brain into q