Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-01-20

fold disappointment! Don't you see, Gener.
al that my wisest policy consists in anticipa.
ting the worst. Why raise my hopes, only to
have them dashed, with violence, to the
ground? ?" ..D. s.. ...
The General started forward an eager ex-
preston lit up his face, and he appeared on
the eve of uttering some convincing remarks
but abruptly restraining himself, though with
evident difficulty; he turned aside, and drum
med impatiently with his fingers upon the
table instead. . ........ .... .....' f.. ....
"Well-well," he said presently, rising from
bis seat" see tits of no use to talk to you
to-day! I shall come again tomorrow, how
ever; and remember, expect to find you in a
less obstinate and contradictory frame of
mind than you have exhibited this morning.
I would not leave you now, but that I have
an appointment at twelve, and it wants but
few minutes of that hour. Tomorrow I
will make a longer visit -.
'Thanks-many thanks" said Manuel,
/ fervently grasping bis hand. II am deeply
sensible of your goodness, believe me; though
I seem i'll to repay it by my ungracious en-
tertainment of you. How long do you con-
template remaining in Valladolid ?" ...
my stay depends upon circumstances.
Probably, however, I shall be here week or
so. My leave Of absence expires in July"
care things tranquil where you come
fromf"
"Tolerably. There have been no recent
difficulties with the Indians, and, when left,
none seemed imminent I am fortunate in
having the goodwill of large number of them.
They come to the White Chief freely in
trouble, and guide themselves by my advice.
And now, Manuel, is there any comfort or
privilege which l can by any means obtain
for you? If so, tell me, and you know I will
spare no pains in procuring it," :.
"Nothing-I really DESIRE" answered the
prisoner. GAS said before, must consider
myself fortunate in many ways. Do not lin
ger now, General, or you will be late for your
appointment. shall live in the hope of see-
ing you again tomorrow, and it will make my
repose tonight the sweeter."
"Good-bye, then. 1 will see you early-say
at ten o'clock"
"Adios," said the Spaniard, with farewell
pressure of the kind hand he held, and the
two friends parted the General to seek anoth-
er quarter Of the town, where lived person
of Influence with whom he had arranged q
meeting-the prisoner to return to his writing,
in which occupation he had been engaged be-
fore the arrival of bis visitor. d. ~..
Mounting his horse, the American officer
rode rapidly of, and ten minutes brought him
to his destination. Alighting at the door of
handsome private residence, he knocked and
was speedily admitted. A tall and digni6ed
individual, richly attired, in whose lofty bear.
ing and aristocratic features there fingered
more of the ancient grandeur of his race than
is apparent now in the degenerated scions Of
its nobility, was occupied with some papers
in a sort of library, or reading-room, into
which he was shown. This gentleman imme-
diately rose, and advanced somewhat ceremo.
niously, though with courtesy, to meet him.
General, you are welcome" he said in Eng
lish 9 LANGUAGE which be smoke GQrrectlz and
gracefully, though With strong native &C.
cent, as he drew forward an easy chair, and
motioned to mis- guest to sit down. "You are, l
presume, just from the prison. Have you
seen our friend ?"
II have; and am concerned to tell you,
that find him looking very badly, and in a
| very uuuColIuy Aa"o VI Liuu3 AOp1loo eA0
General, taking the pro6ered seat
lis that so? 1regret to hear it. But what
can you expect, General? am only aston
ished that he should have held out as he has
done, all these years. I myself would have
succumbed, hopelessly, long since, to the pres
sure of circumstances" ...,..
"Hope has animated him hitherto" rejoin-
ed the General. "But it seems to have failed
him now I cannot doubt that his innocence
will eventually be proved but l am op-
pressed by the fear that he will not live to see
it. His frail frame will be worn out by long
suffering ere that day arrives, unless it come
speedily which may Heaven grant"
"Is he, then, looking so i'll ?"
II perceive a melancholy change in him
since saw him last His eyes are sunken,
he has become much thinner, and bis move.
ments are more feeble. But, most Of all, am
troubled by bis manner, which is alternately
nervous and eager, and dropping and despon-
dent; such contrast to his usual calm, cheer
full, selfcollected bearing"
"Have you had recent advices from Co.'S
tado~
"Within month. He writes hopefully, and
believes that our scheme will prove successful.
1 was on-the point of revealing to Gonzales
to-day the plan of our new enterprise. He
seemed so discouraged, I was anxious to cheer
him with all the good news I could impart i;
but I thought better of it and refrained."
"Yes, you are right; it would be a pity to
create delusive hope"
"a delusive hope" echoed the General
"Do you, then, despair of success ?"
"Not precisely; but I am scarcely as san
gune as you are, my good friend. There are
many difficulties to be encountered"
"We have already met and overcome some
of them-some that appeared most formida-
BILE. Well, l, for one, shall never relinquish
my efforts, nor abandon hope, until it has been
proved that they are in vain"
"Neither shall I, I assure you. But have
some papers here relative to this affair, which
have lately come to hand. Will you look over
them with me 7"
He unlocked an escritoire as be spoke, and
took from thence small packet, carefully
tied and labeled, which be opened and laid
upon the table. The General drew his chair
forward, and the two gentlemen were soon
deeply occupied in perusing the documents
and in discussing, in grave and earnest tones,
the news they contained, all bearing more or
less directly upon the subject which occupied
80 prominent place in their thoug hts-the
circumstances and prospects of Manuel Con
zales, the political prisoner who, for alleged
treason, had been for so many years shut out
from communication with the world in gener-
al; but whose guilt or innocence yet wanted
convincing proof to be made clear, and whose
fate was still enveloped in uncertainty.
ITO be Continued.