Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1879-02-27

yet not think it worth while to leave single
word to keep me from feeling 80 dreadfully
anxious and worried as l do-as he must
have kno,sn that l would feel?"
"Perhaps-I thought.-poor child, it was
of little consequence to him how she telt.
But only said
"Oh! well, my dear, wouldn't worry
about it too much if were you. Your hus-
band will be back in few days, safe and
sound, and give you all the explanations be
had not time to put on paper. Take my ad-
vice and dismiss all anxiety from your mind"
81 cannot" she sadly replied. ~ may be
foolishly nervous, but I can't help fancying
all sorts of terrible things. 1t is not only"
she hesitated.
"Not only what, my dear?"
"Not only bis sudden, mysterious depart
ure which weighs on my mind-I have
thought-have felt"
Again che stopped, while a painful blush
overspread her face, her features working
with strong emotion. I know not what reve'
lation it was on her lips to make, for at that
instant an approaching football startled her,
and she returned hastily to her seat. The
door opened, and directly afterward Mrs.
Tracy entered. She looked, l thought, sus
piciously at us both F.; but Fanny, with de-
gree of selfpossession which surprised me,
had resumed her work and her former tran
quill expression. I confess I am not accus
toned to concealrnent Of any sort, and l dare
say my countenance betrayed the uneasines
which had been awakened by the brief con-
versation between my niece and myself
Luncheon is ready" said Mrs. Tracy, "and
if DR.. Franklin will join US"
$50 early " exclaimed. chad no idea
really, l must beg you to excuse me. 1t was
not my intention 10 remain so long"
"We lunch early on account Of an engage
ment in the afternoon" explained the hostess
"We shall be happy to have you stay"
Her civility did not count for much she
could not well avoid giving the invitation
and was not greatly disposed to accept it,
But Fanny, thought, gave me beseeching
glance, and for this reason, and this alone,
agreed to remain. 1t was barely twelve
o'clock, and as they usually lunched at one, l
had expected to get away easily beforehand.
But 1 thought it probable that Fanny was
anxious to have some farther communication
with me in private and did not wish to frus
trate her, if such was her plan.
No opportunity, however, was allowed US
for second interview, for Immediately after
luncheon, Mrs. Tracy remarked to her daugh-
ter that it was time for them to get ready to
20 out; and on this hint I arose to take nv
leave.
I had made my adieux, and was advancing
toward the door, when servant entered in
great haste. "Master master!" was all he
could manage to utter, and saw immediate
ly, by his face, that something alarming had
occurred. Before could question him, his
mistress imperiously demanded an explana-
ton. With many CALCULATIONS, such as the
African race are fond of indulging in, the boy
went on to relate that his master (my half:
brother) had been accidentally shot by q
discharge from his own gun, and was, as he
expressed it, "done killed all to pieces" This
statement seemed too horrible one to cred
it; but rushed out to investigate the case,
and discover bow much Of the account was
true.
On arriving at the scene of the accident,
found that it was, indeed, most serious
one, though not yet absolutely fatal in its
results. In carelessly handling his fowling'
piece, Philip had received the entire load in
his left side, and was bleeding profusely. A
number of excited negroes were grouped
about him, talking and gesticulating, but
doing nothing for his relief:
"Good God! are you all such fools as to
let him lie here in this condition." ex-
claimed. "Couldn't you stop the blood with
his handkerchief, or something? Where's
Mr.. Dutton2"
"Don' know, Doctor spec he done gone
home. I nebber seen nobody but Massa
hisself
"Get me home," groaned the injured man,
in suAocated voice; "dont let me die here
in the field. Don't you see I'm dying%
feared, indeed, that such was the case; and
I lost no time in using such means as could
most quickly avail myself Of, to effect his
removal. A. shutter, hastily torn down from
the overseer's house, was brought, and the
overseer himself, who now came running from
distant part of the plantation, assisted me
in lifting him upon it. Four of the strongest
negroes were instructed to carry him on the
extemporized litter, in such manner as not
to jar him more than could possibly be
helped; and leaving the overseer to walk be.
side him, I hurried back to the house, as l
thought it my duty to prepare his family and
have proper arrangements made to receive
him.
found Mrs. Tracy, though somewhat paler
than usual, with her wits all about her. She
had already got couch ready in one Of the
lower rooms, and was now sorting linen rags.
Fanny was crying and wringing her hands,
apparently too agitated to be capable Of rem
dering any assistance, though her mother was
ordering her about and scolding her for her
ineh6ciency.
"Oh uncle Perry, is he really killed? she
exclaimed, running to meet me, as entered.
"No, my dear, no. not killed" replied.
"But dangerously wounded? Please, do
.1..,o toll mn %