The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1877-02-16

had again come. 1t was the counterpart
of its fatal predecessor. The hills had no,
yet cast off their summer verdure: the sun,
although shorn of its heat, had lost none of
its brightness or glory, and looked down up
ON the earth as though participating in its
Gladness; and the clear blue sky was tran
quill as the sea sleeping beneath the moon.
Many visitors again assembled ut Marchlaw.
The sons of Mr.. Elliot, and the young men
of the party, were assembled upon a level
green near the house, amusing themselves
with throwing the hammer aud other Bor-,
der ganles. " Ia .i,;-iese
guests stood BY as Spectators, recounting
the deeds of their youth. johnson, the
sheep farmer, whom we have already men,
toned, now a brawny and gigantic fellow of
two and thirty, bore away in every game
the palm from all competitors. More than
once, as Peter beheld his sons defeated,
he felt the spirit of youth glowing in bis
veins, and, "Oh !" muttercd he, in bitter
ness, "had my Thomas been spared to me,
he would hac thrown his hearts bluid after
the hammer, before he would hae been beat
| by e'er johnson in the country
While he thus soliliquized and with diff
Guilty restrained and impulse to compete with
the victor himself, dark, foreign looking,
strong-built seaman, unceremoniously ap-
preached, and with his arms folded, cast
| look of contempt upon--the- boastins "------
I queror. Every eye was turned with scru-
tinizing glance upon the stranger. In
height he could not exceed FIVE feet nine,
but his whole frame was the model Of mus
cular strength; his features wero open and
manly, but deeply sunburnt aud weather.
beaten his long, glossy, black hair, curled
into rinSlets by the breeze and the billow,
fell thickly over his temples and forehead
and whiskcrs of similar hue, more con-
spicuous for size than elegance, gave
character of fcrccncss to countcnance 9th.
erwise possessing striking impress of man.
ly beauty. Without asking permission, he
stepped forward, lifted the hammer, and
Swinging it around his head hurled it up.
wards of five yards beyond Johnsons most
successful throw. DWELL done shouted
the astonished spectators The heart Of
Peter Elliot warmed within him, and he
was hurryiug forward to grasp the stranger
by the hand, when the words groaned in his
throat, ''it was just the throw as my Thomas
would have made Ny own lost Thomas"
The tears burst into his eyes, and, without
speaking, he turned back, and hurried tow
ards the house, to conceal his emotion.
Successfully, at every game, the stranger
had defeated all who vcnturcd to oppose
him; when a messenger announced that
dinner waited their arrival. Some of the
guests were already seated, others entering;
and, as heretofore, placed beside Mrs Elliot,
was Elizabeth Bell, still in the noontide of
her beauty but sorrow had passed over her.
features, like veil before the countcnance
Of au angel. johnson, crest-fallcn and out
of humor at his defeat, seated himself by
her side. In early life he had regarded
Thomas Elliot as a rival for her affections
and, stimulated by the knowledge that Adam
Bell would be able to bestow several thous-
ands upon his daughter for dowry, he yet
prosecuted his attentions with unabated as
siduity, in despite Of the daughters aver
sion and the coldness of her father. Peter
had taken his place at the table, and still by
his side, unoccupied ard sacred, appeared
the vacant chair, the chair of his frst-born,
wharcon none had sat since his mysterious
death or disappearance.
"Barns," SAID he; "did nane O. ye ask
the sailor 70 come up aud tax : bit O. dinner
wi us e
ave were afraid it might lead to a quar-
the sons. - Johnson" whispered one of
"IIe is come without asking" replied the
stranger, entering "and the wind shall blow
from a new point if 1 destroy the mirth OF.
happiness of the company"
"Ye're a stranger, young man, said Pe-
ter, "or ye would ken this no meeting O
mirth. makers But, assure ye are wei
come, heartily welcome. Haste yc lassies, I"
he added to the servants, "som, o ye get
a chair for the gentleman"
Gentleman, indeed p muttered johnson
between his teeth.
"Never mind about chair, my hearties," "
said the seaman; "this will do And be-
fore Peter could speak to withhold him. he
had thrown himself carelcssly into the hal
lowed, the venerated twelve-years.unoocu-
pied chair The spirit of sacrelige utter,
J ing blaspbemies from pulpit could not
have smitten congregation of pious wor'