Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-04-06

ing much appetite and all, even little Daisy,
being oppressed by the unwonted gloom that
hung over them. 1t can scarcely be said that
any very acute grief was felt by them for the
loss of their uncle, between whom and them
selves no close tie had existed but natural
melancholy could not but result from such an
event; and this was heightened by the absence
of their father and mother from their midst,
when they felt particular need of their pres
ence. Their father, indeed, had been so
changed of late that they had ceased to rely
very much upon him. but they found it es-
pecially hard to be debarred from their
mothers society just on her return home, after
a separation which had appeared much lon.
ger than it really was.
Lily went to the study.door to ask if she
should bring them some breakfast; and
was distressed at the traces of emotion visible
in Mrs. Lyndon's face, when she came to an
swer the question.
81 never saw any one look as sad in my
life IS mama does," she announced, on her
return to the breakfast-room. 81 did not
think she could feel uncle Georges death 80
deeply"
"What was she doing" asked Edith.
II do not know. l only knocked, and she
opened the door little way-I didn't like to
60 in."
"You didn't see papa, then?"
81 caught glimpse Of him, sitting by the
table with his head leaning on his hand"
"He must have loved uncle George very
much, said Daisy, "for be cried so last night,
when went to tell him goodnight, and mann
ma told me uncle was going to die Lily,
what will they do with uncle?"
"Bury him, of course" said Edgar.
II never saw anybody buried" said the
child with an awe-struck look. "Did you ?"
eyes, of course old Mr.. Wilson, and 9th
er people tool forgot now who; but I've
been to lots of funerals, haven't I, Lily%
II don't know, Edgar-don't talk 80 loud,
please"
"What will they do with uncle's big iron
box ?" was Daisy's next inquiry.
"Why that's our box now," said Alfred ;
"at least, it's papa's. 1t will have to be open
ed, and we'll see what's in it, won't we,
LilyY
'iOh, my dear children, please don't talk
about things you don't understand" said
Lily, who felt rather distracted just then.
"You make me nervous with your questions.
Pray eat your breakfast and be quiet"
"But tell me-" persisted Daisy, "does the
box really belong to papa now :"
81 do not know anything whatever about
it. There, Daisy, run of now like good
child, if you have finished your breakfast
only remember, you must keep very quiet.
Oh, dear! How I wish there was no such
thing as trouble in the world" sighed Lily.
Neither she, nor any of her brothers and SIS
ters, had ever known real sorrow-their lives
had been all sunshine hitherto.
The funeral was appointed for the follow
ing morning. Mr.. Lyndon felt that he must
brace all his nerves to the effort of reading
the service, since there was no other clergy
man within reach to take this duty off Of his
hands. His wife's gentle counsel and COM
tortipg words had somewhat sooLhed him. He
still felt bitter grief and deep penitence for
rIrv Wv. -vs----
mility of soul with which he now prostrated
himself before God were mingled with faith
in His pardoning mercy, and the gloom of
despair was lightened by hope. Like his
wife, he now felt that the enemy of souls had
been permitted for time to have dominion
over him, to show him more clearly his weak
ness, and make him cling more closely to the
Divine support, without which che who
standeth" must "take heed lest he fall" 1t
was fearful lesson he had learned, of the in
speiciency of his own strength in the hour of
temptation !; but it was one whose salutary ef-
fects would have purifying influence upon
the whole remainder of his life.
The good Captain was buried very quietly
in the peaceful churchyard adjoining the
parish church Only few friends were pres
ent beside the family, for the population was
scattered, aud he had not been widely known.
Those who were present wondered at the deep
lines in the rector's face, and thought him
looking older and more worn than they had
ever seen him. He managed to get through
the service with tolerable composure; and
when it was over, returned with chastened
heart to bis home.
His brother had left no will, and all his ef-
fects, consequently, reverted to the nearest Of
kin. These we're not, for the most part, of
much value. A few shares in railroad COM
pany's stock, small sum of money in leath-
ern pocket-book, carefully locked away in a
drawer, large gold watch, and some old
fashioned books. comprised the bulk of his
personal property, over and above the memor-
able iron chest As to the latter. Mr.. Lyn-
don now cordially hated the sight of it. 1t
was necessary, however, that it should bee open.
ed and he resolved to do this as quietly and
unostentatiously as possible with no one pres
ent but his wife to share the first knowledge of
its contents. Whatever curiosity their chill
| co1 vi 70 - 1oooponoIu
pressed for all them, even the youngest, could
perceive from their fathers manner that it
was not subject which he cared to have too
freely discussed.
Upon one pretext or another the rector put
off fulfilling what had now become to him a
really painful duty. He shuddered at coming
into contact with the object which had caused
him so much wretchedness, as if it had been
the very embodiment of evil. At last, how
ever, one night, when the rest of the family
were gone to bed, he proposed to Mrs. Lyn-
don to accompany him to the little spare
room, where together, they might investigate
the nature of the property of which they had
come into possession. Mrs. Lyndon held a
light, while her husband, kneeing on the
floor, proceeded with shaking hand to break
the seal, and then undo the ponderous fasten'
ing. The large key, which had been sent with
the chest, turned groaniDgly in the rusty lock.
1t was with difficulty that it could be made to
accomplish its task and even when the lock
had yielded to the pressure, the lid, appa.
rently firmly fixed in its groove, resisted for a
time all efforts to lift it up. At last, by dint
of much pushing, pulling, and shaking from
side to sde its obstinacy was overcome; the
creaking hinges slowly turned, and the mys-
terious box. at last, stood open before them.