Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-06-21

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The Sturp Teller.
HOW GEN. MARION GOT HIS RIFLES.
Charley Hampton, the hero of this story,
was an ancestor of Gen. Wade Hampton,
Governor of the State of South Carolina:
The close of the year 1880 was sad period
for America. The British held the country
from Charleston to the upper Santee, and, in
order to complete their conquest, had estab-
lished chain of posts throug ghout the State,
each of which was strongly fortified and de-
Tended by good garrison. Organized resist
ance to the British there was none. On the
American side the principal actors in the
struggle were the men who composed the ia.
NOUS "Light Brigade" Of General Marion.
The favorite rendezvous of Marion was at
Snow Island. This is piece of high river
swamp as it is called in the Carolinas, and
was surrounded on three sides by water, so as
to make italmost impregnable. Here Marion
had his camp. From this fastness he issued
forth at pleasure to range the enemy's Crane
ries or capture struggling party of bis troops.
Secure in his retreat, he had no fear of pur-
suit.
In the city of Charleston, the despotism of
the British was at its height; the proud-spiri-
ted people of the capital were held down by
q grinding tyranny. Many of them were still
open and uucompromising in their hostility
to the British, while others, thinking they
could best serve the cause in that way, affect.
ed hearty submission to the conquerors, and
were seemingly the most loyal of all King
Georges subjects. Yet, while the English
saw this and congratulated Themselves upon
the good it would have on the colonists, these
very "loyalists" kept the American COM
mander constantly informed of all that passed
within the British lines, and many disaster
of the British was in this way directly attrib-
uted to them.
One of these persons was lady Of fine 80.
cial position and great wealth. Indeed, there
were few persons in all Charleston, over whose
submission to the crown, the British were
more elated, than they we're over that of Mrs.
Annie Garden. She was young and beau
tiful widow, just twenty-five, and for several
years had been the standing toast of the beaux
of the Carolinas. When the British took the
city she was one of the first to submit to the
king, and since then her house had been the
favorite gathering place of the red.coat gen.
try. Many of Mrs. Gardens friends, who
were staunch patriots to the last, quietly cut
her acquaintance, and shook their heads in
silent indignation when her name was men
toned, and when they dared to speak at all, it
was only to condemn the widows treachery.
In the camp of Marion, however, there was
one cheek that kindled with pride and not
with shame when the lady's name was men.
toned and as for Gen. Marion, he could have
told tales that would have startled the widows
Charleston friends, had it been safe to do so
While Marion was creating so great an ex-
ctement beyond the gates of Charleston, Mrs.
Garden resolved to give ball. Preparations
we're made on an extensive scale, and the 10y
al element of the city was in high feather.
The splendid mansion of the youRg widow
was dressed with flowers from cellar to gar
ret. and bazed with light on the evening aP.
pointed for the assembly, and the band Of
the garrison discoursed sweet music to the as
sembled crowds. The entertainment was at
its height, when the crowd near the door sud,
denly parted, and young man came forward
hurriedly. He was tall and splendidly form
ed, and carried himself erect, with a proud,
martial air. He was dressed in the uniform
of an officer of the tory legion, and his gener-
al appearance was that of man who had
ridden far and hard during the day. As the
widow saw him her face flushed and then
grew deadly pale, and she sprang forward
with cry Of alarm.
What are you doing here2" she asked
hurriedly.
"You will see," be answered, quickly, in a
low tone. "Only, for Heavens sake, swear
black and blue to what | may say| Then
he added, calmly, and in louder tone: "You
see, cousin, l have come back to my alle-
glance"
II am delighted to hear it," she replied,
warmly, taking the hint at once. 81 never
thought your heart would cling to the rebel
cause"
"Faith," he said, laughing, eff my heart
had clung to it my stomach would have driven
me from it. Pm not fond of starving, my
fair cousin, and King George lives we'll, you
know. Hereafter, Thomas Wilson lives and
dies loyal man."
Colonel Watson had been standing by dur
ing this conversation, watching The couple
closely. Now he stepped forward to the Ia
dy's side.
"Who is this gentleman ?" he asked, some
what sharply. HE seems wonderfully ia
miiar."
ooh p replied the lady, laughing. he is my
cousin, Lieutenant Thomas Wilson and, as
you will perceive, he is in his Majestys ser
vice."
"You seem rather careless Of your DRESS
considering the occasion, SIR" said the colo
mel, tartly. He was annoyed at the great in
terest which the lady had shown the new
comer.
"My business must be my excuse, colonel"
said the young man, respectfully. 81 am the
bearer of letter from Major Gainey, and my
orders were to lose no time in delivering it.
have ridden hard all day, sir, and upon
reaching your headquarters learned of your
presence here. This lady being my cousin, I
had no hesitation in coming here at once,
trusting for pardon to the urgency of my
mission
As he spoke he handed to the colonel q
sealed letter. Watson took it hastily and
broke the seal. As he read it a smile of sat-
isfaction overspread his features.
"This is very good" he said, gleefully.
"Gainey is picking up recruits by the hun.
dreds. He wants 400 rifles, so sabres, and
some ammunition at once Will Isend them
To be sure will. Have you wagons, lieu
tenant"
mo, sir" replied the young man. "Major
Gainey was afraid to send them down. There's
phora n a