Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-07-13

all such fears, and embark unhesitatingly on
the enterprise, trusting to Providence to bring
US safely through" .'.
"The expense would not be very great, &C.
cording to the figures put down in that piece ;
and the writer seems to have calculated very
carefully the probable outlay Of the expedi'
tion". .. ...
"A few hundreds are easy to write about,
but often difficult enough to obtain" said
poor Graham, to whom stern experience had
made this truth patent. "And every one
joining in the plan must, Of course, bear bis
own share of the expense"
certainly. Each individual contributes
to the common fund and then each one must
have some surplus money retained, for his
own support, for reasonable time, after
reaching the journeys end. Now do you
think that thousand dollars or say fifteen
hundred be an adequate sum to start
WITH" ..
II should imagine that to be AMPLE" re-
piled Graham.
every we'll. "Now, air, I have PROPOSE
tion to make to you. If, on careful delibera-
tion-careful deliberation, I repeat, because
it's too important matter to be lightly or un-
advisedly taken in hand-you arrive at the
conclusion that you are ready and willing to
take part in the risks and profits of this en-
terprise, desire to advance to you the sum
of fifteen hundred dollars, as loan, for the
purpose of defraying all necessary expenses
attendant upon it, to be returned at your own
convenience; that is to say, when you have
built up your fortune in the glorious West,
and not day earlier"
The color rushed into Graham's face, then
ebbed as suddenly, leaving him deadly pale.
A proposal of this sort, coming from COM
parative stranger, and one on whom he had
not the slightest personal claim, was sufi-
ciently startling to make him doubt, for a
moment, whether it was made in jest or not.
But Mr.. Sandfords shrewd, kindly face bore
the impress of perfectly sincerity; and Gra-
ham, deeply moved, struggled for some time
with his agitation before he could put his
feelings into words.
"Take time-take time-don't hurry your
self to answer" said Mr.. Sanford, cheerful
ly, and affecting not to remark his emotion.
II am quite aware that it's not point to be
settled rashl y-give yourself chance to con-
slider it." He was turning away to allow
Graham an opportunity of rejecting at bis
leisure, when the latter stopped him by hur-
riedly laying bis hand upon his arm.
"Stop, sir, STOP" he exclaimed, in tremulous
tones. II don't know how to express my graf
itude-it is so overpowering, it takes away
my breath almost-but first tell me, in Gods
name, are you in earnest?
"In earnest! Never more so-do you sup
pose I'd be guilty of trifing with you? p re-
sponded his companion, with assumed testiness
Of manner. ITO tell you the truth, I've some
odd hundreds of dollars lying around loose,
that I am anxious to invest; and 1 don't see
a better way of investing than placing it in
your hands,
"Oh! sir, it would be rash investment
please consider. What if am not able to
return the money to you? What if, after &C.
cepting your generous, more than generous
offer, I fail Of success. as ! may do, in spite
Of all my efforts ?' . ...
"Pshaw! I'm not afraid Of that, Mr.. Ora
ham. As far as I can judge, you're the very
man to succeed. And besides, you need not
fear that shall press you-you can take as
long about it as it suits you to do. l am
pretty we'll of, thank God; and even if the
money never returns to me-though I haven't
doubt that it will. assure you / should
not regard the loss"
II don't know what to make of such kind.
ness" said Graham. "I have never met with
its equal before"
"The world has gone hard with you, eh !?
Never mind, you know the old saying-1t's q
long lane that has no turning Perhaps this
is the turning point, and you'll find your path
tolerably smooth in future. How do you sup.
pose your wife will like the idea of going on
this expedition? Will she take to it kindly,
do you think2'
"She will make no objection, am sure"
said Graham, "but will join me-, in gratitude
to you for"
"Now look here, my friend" interrupted
Mr.. Sanford, touching his arm, 81 have one
weak point, and that is, an unbounded dis
like to being thanked. It's crotchet of mine,
and | dare say an unreasonable one, as most
crotchets are; but if anything in this world
puts me out of patience, it is having fuss
made over any good I am able to do. There.
fore, your best mode of thanking me will be-
simply to act upon my suggestion, and say as
few words on the subject as possible"
"Then I can only say" rejoined Graham,
with emotion, "that I appreciate your offer
from the depth of my heart; and shall en-
deavor to prove this by my actions, since you
object to my expressing it in words"
"You accept, then. I'm satisfied you will
not regret your decision. Why, sir, if were
ten years younger, I would take part in the
enterprise myself there's nothing I would
like better. But for a man of my age there
is not much inducement to make such
move. / am getting indolent, now;> ;>and wag-
on.traveling over the plains wouldn't suit me
as we'll as comfortable armchair in my
room at home. I've only put up temporarily
at Browns, you know. I have my eye on a
snug little cottage, over in Jersey, that shall
probably purchase and settle down in for
good. Lord wouldn't live in boarding
house especially one like his-on any con-
sideration. Yet I'm glad, now, that chance
led me there, since it made me acquainted
with you. As to that wife of yours, Mr..
Graham, it doesn't need a very long acquain-
tance to discover that she is pearl among
women. You have treasure in her, I feel
convinced"
II have, indeed" was Graham's waruore-
ply. "She is the most patient devoted, self
sacrificing"
"Of course-of course. I see it all. For
her sake, my dear sir, you should be willing
to undergo much as indeed know you are.
But is she strong, now9 Is she fit to cope
with the hardships you may encounter on the
way?"
II think she is. She has wonderful a.
mount of endurance; and although she looks
L. Ennltl l. 10