Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-01-01

tant to her ears. Edward, however, adhered
to the decision he had himself rendered, and
seemed to fall, without difficulty, into the
habit Of addressing his protectors by these
new titles ; and, if occasionally, the old IA
milar ones escaped his lips, he Immediately
corrected the mistake, thus proving that ne
considered it matter of no light or triaing
import.
Perhaps, deep down in his baby heart, there
lurked unconsciously feeling of pride, a
feeling which he was too young to define, but
strong enough, nevertheless, to withhold him
from making any attempt to put himself on
more familiar footing in the household than
was offered to him or, rather, than he be-.
lieved himself entitled to occupy. Already
his mind had begun to work in regard to this
subject, which naturally contained much OF
mystery, as we'll as of interest, for him, but of
which, as yet, he said not a word to any one
around him.
Within short time after the conversation
with Farmer Thorndale, which have record.
ed, Edward began his career as school-boy'
rushing into his new occupation with the ar
dor which characterized most Of his perform
ances, and soon winning encomiums tor his
cleverness as we'll as his industry. He was
delighted with his teacher, his lessons, and his
companions, and everything went on satisfac-
torily for several weeks, until one day big
boy, whose ill-will he had incurred for some
triAing offence, chose to take revenge by &c.
lecting him as mark Of comment and ridl-
cule for the school.
"Come here, you Hail." he called out to
him as he was crossing the playground 81
want to ask you question" "
Edward, suspecting no-unfair design, obey
ed the summons, and ran over to where the
other, surrounded by a number of the older
pupils, sat lounging under tree.
"Now see here" continued the latter, whose
name was Smithson, and whose reputation
was that Of a decided bully, as the small boys
knew to their cost. II want you to tell me,
plain and honest, what's your real, true
name"
"My nameT rejoined Edward; "you know
it yourself, as we'll as do"
"As we'll as you do! Well, may be so,
but that amt saying much," retorted Smith
son, with a vulgar leer that fired the child's
blood, though he but dimly comprehended the
nature of the intended insult:
"My names Edward Hall, Joe Smithson,
and you know it. / don't see what you are
asking me such questions for" he cried, with
crimsoning cheeks, looking from one to anoth-
er of the faces around him. '''
"Who told you so ?"
"Mr. Thorndale told me so and Mrs.
Thorndale told me so; and everybody else
knows it's so. If that's all you've got to talk
about, I shan't stay" was Edwards indignant
rejoinder, as he turned to 60. But his perse-
cutor did not mean that he should escape so
easily.
"You stop here till Iget through talking to
you," he exclaimed, catching the little boys
arm and pulling him back. "How does Mr..
Thorndale, and Missis Thorndale, and every
body else" (mimickingly) "know that your
name is Edward Hall Who told 'em so ?"
"How do 1 know who told 'em so? Let
me go, will you," said Edward, struggling
angrily to free himself. "You're real mean,
bad boy, Joe Smithson, and I'll tell teacher
on you, so I will"
"Oh you'll tell teacher on me, will you?
Just you try it, my fine young bird! I'll
have such hue and cry raised in your ears
as'll make you glad to learn, good manners
and obey your betters. I'll have you called
"Ned Nameless," and the whole school shall
point their fingers at you whenever you pass
BY" ii.
"Let the child 60, Smithson," said another
big boy, compassionating the impotent wrath
and distress of poor little Edward, who fought
valiantly to release himself, while his tor
mentor only laughed at his efforts, and held
him the faster. "It's shame to bother him
so much" ....l s-... ......
"Shall let you go, Ned Nameless ?" asked
Smithson, tauntingly. "Ask me please, and
may be will" "aa.,a...- .s d. -. 8. ..a..
81 won't ask you please! I won't do any
thing you want me to!" painted Edward. II
hate and despise you, and your fathers only
butcher, and your mother takes in washing,
and I'm more of gentleman than yoa are,
whatever my name may be-.
This outbreak, awakening in return the an
ger of his prosecutor, might have resulted
somewhat seriously for its author, had not the
head master at that instant made his appear
ance on the playground; and Smitbson, after
one violent shake, relinquished his hold upon
Edward, who rushed off quivering all over,
to cry his fill in secret in a distant corner,
from which he did not emerge until the school
bell summoned him to join his class for the
afternoons exercises. On his return home,
Mrs. Thorndale, observing his red eyes, and
also that his lunch of biscuit and cold pie
was untouched, questioned him anxiously,
fearing some trouble; but he gave her only
evasive answers, and would tell her nothing
of what had happened. Fortunately for him,
Smithson was day or two after called of
from the school by the illness of one Of his
family, and from some cause did not return ;
but not so easily were the results Of his un-
kind action dispelled. The happy freedom
of Edwards intercourse with his playmates
was efectually marred. He could not forget
that he had been made an object Of ridicule
in their eyes, and though many of them
speedily forgot the circumstance, and few