Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-09-27


YES, will leave town and 60 where people
show more common sense, that / will" His
reflections we're interrupted by the entrance
of Miss Mehitable (his aged housekeeper'
who had nursed him as child) bringing IN
his breakfast which she spread upon the t.
BILE in tempting fashion and then waited tor
further orders. "What are you waiting for,
want nothing more," growled the Squire, as
he for the first time seemed to notice her pres
ence. She passed out wiping her eyes with
the corner of her apron, and muttering
"poor master Jabez, him has an awful tenn
per, 1 wonder what can trouble him now"
The Squire sat for some time before he re-
allied that his breakfast was waiting; then
LIE found that he had no appetite, bis eggs
we're TOO hard, his bacon tough b, his rye coffee
cold, and his fapjacks sour, 80 the Squire
imagined as he left the table, lamenting
meanwhile his ill.luck in being left alone in
his old age. These slight annoyances did not
improve his temper, for he threw himself in
his easy chair, pitched his Saints Rest
across the room, gave spiteful kick to poor
Tabby, which came to him for her usual ca
ressing (for this mans heart was not entirely
incrusted with the bitterness of an aimless
life and by the cold winds of adversity,) and
gave himself up to his unhappy thoughts.
"Why do other men have home with wife
and children while it is denied to me,
thought he; why should live alone when
others have so much; miserable dogs, they
court me for my money, but not one would
thrust out bis hand to give me q crust II l
were starving" By and by, gentler thoughts
superseded these harsher ones, tender memo
ries came focking in upon him, his home was
again sancti6ed by the presence OF his sanity
mother, his sister Hannah tripped in and out
making each room seem brighter by her mer-
ry ways and loving nature; again he is the
happy young man who has the love OF the
beautiful Pheba Latbrop in bis keeping,
again he is planning to improve his old home.
stead for his coming marriage, he draws plans
for her rooms and selects the colors which he
knows she likes best. The day comes at last
when he leaves it all to seek his bride in her
distant home; how well be remembers that
beautiful morning, as he jumped upon his
horse and heard his mothers "God speed, -
mingled with Hannah's merry bandinage, as
he galloped down the road. How long the
miles seemed as be rapidly sped his way, and
how the distance seemed to lengtben before
he could reach his destination. One week
after, he returned home in the night alone,
there had been some lovers quarrel in which
he was resolute and she was proud; small
matter, indeed, but grave were the conse-
quences, for the betrothed rings were return
ed, and he left her to return no more. he
remembers the long forgotten past; how
could he have given up 80 much happiness
for so trivial cause; he pictured to himself
the happy home that might have been his; /;
he sees quiet, gentle woman presiding over
his hearth and miDistering to his comfort !;
then his thoughts turn to little, sad-faced
lady, who lived in a small cottage near the
church, and whom he had always treated
with the most digni6ed coolness how did she
feel about yesterdays announcement; how
strange that after 80 many years their names
should have been connected together; that
they should have common trouble; what
brute he was not to think Of her before, he
would call Immediately and express his re-
grets, and-here the Squire's meditations
were again interrupted by the entrance of
Miss Mehitable, announcing: "A lady to see
you, with boy. Master Jabez."
"Show her up" replied the Squire, in not
very amiable tones A lady in black entered,
and as she lifted her veil, Squire Hayes saw,
to bis great astonishment, that Widow Sewall
stood before him. "Pardon me, sir," said she,
"for intruding, but have come upon sor-
rowful mission. have sad confession to
make it was my son, my thoughtless Tom,
who did the mischief of yesterday" and rails
ing her handkerchief she wiped her eyes be-
fore proceeding, while the deacon stood speech
less with surprise. "And now, sir, he has
come to make his apology, which l beg of
you to receive, for he is truly repentant," and
she motioned to her son to come to her, who
did so with rather poor grace. esquire Hayes"
said he, Il apologize for my part in the mat.
ter, and will promise not to offend you again."
He held his head down 80 that neither the
Squire nor his mother saw the twinkle in his
eye, for although the young rogue had con.
fessed to his mother, and was panied to see
her take the matter so deeply to heart, he
could not but feel that the Squire would be
severe upon him and then it was such a
good joke.
Squire Hayes stood for some moments with.
out speaking, but his thoughts were not con-
cerning the offence, nor of the boys motive.
Years seemed to have rolled back, and he
stood once more with Phoebe Lathrop. The
sad, careworn woman was transfgured into
the merry, laughing girl whom he so dearly
loved great yearning came over him to
take her to himself; could it not be possible
that she loved him now as then, and looking
up without further hesitation, the impetuous
Squire stepped close to the weeping mother
and said "Phebe on one condition | will
pardon your boy, come to my house, be my
wife, and I will forgive the offence"
Six months after Widow Sewall left the viii
lage never to return, while Mrs. Squire Hayes
began her reign over the home and heart of
her old lover 1t was not long before her in
Auence over him yielded fine results, and in the
kind, genial man whose hospitality was we'll
known throughout the country, few would
recognize the crusty bachelor of former days.
Many years this happy couple lived to enjoy
each other. Tom Sewall realized his highest
expectations in going to college, and after.
wards becoming successful lawyer in one of
the great cities, while his friend Willie Arch.
er, in spite of the village oracles, became a
worthy follower of his grand-parent, good
Parson Bigelow. AS the years rolled on,
from time to time the old homestead was
frightened by the presence of their children,
who often had hearty laugh over the pranks
of their fathers, but no story was told so Of
ten, or pleased SO we'll these young folks as
the "practical joke" which resulted in so
much happiness to the victims of it.