Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-10-06

neratlOn.
At twenty-one I married Susan Russell,
the daughter of my employer. | am thus
brief in recording this, because by no alche.
my whatever could I convert oldfashioned
and matter.ot.fact liking for each other, and
subsequent union, into anything like romance.
The whole might be compressed into single
sentence. I liked her, and married her when
found that she also liked me.
Nv description of our new home would be
quite as brief We took two rooms, furnish
ed them comfortably, and Susan kept them
shining like silver the whole year round.
If ever enjoyed true, real, unmerited hap
piness, without care or anxiety, or fear for
the future, it was in those days. Whatpeace
we enjoyed Our two eldest children were
born here, and then our limits seemed too
small but it was real pain to both of US to
move from the snug abode which had been
the scene of so many calm and peaceful hours.
We removed to cottage in the suburbs
of Boston not those miniature cities which
now rise up beside the venerable Tri noun
tain, but smsll and obscure village, since
risen to the size and importance it deserves
About the time that we removed, and were
quietly settled, very important law case was
on the docket, and when it came on, we were
very busy printing the reports of the trial as
it progressed. became intensely absorbed
in it not so nuch from sympathy with the
parties concerned, as from feeling that, were
I acquainted with the technicalities of the
law, could seize upon very many points of
Importance wl.ch | believed the prisoners
counsel had overlooked altogether. This idea
grew stronger and stronger upon my mind.
had access to law books which were in my
employers sanctum, and | pored over them
sometimes all night long.
Mr. Russell had been bred to the law, but
had relinquished his profession for that of
an editor some years before the birth of my
wife. I frankly stated to him my wishes in
regard to fitting myself for the bar.
He at first laughed, then seriously tried to
dissuade me from attempting it. Opposition
only strengthened my purpose, and | enter
ed the Office Of an eminent lawyer, who over
looked my Deficiencies in some respects, in
consideration, as he was pleased to term it,
of the talent and acumen which my replies
to his questions displayed.
now wrote for the journal which | had
been accustomed to print, and with such Sc
crecy that Mr. Russell did not find out who
bis new contributor was. He would often
wonder in my presence, who it could be, and
ascribed to him degree of talent bril-
liancy of expression such as 1 had hardly
hoped to deserve. He oftenss too, imputed my
articles to -- and - then the two lead.
ing writers of the dav, and expressed his
opinion that they would not remain incog.
great while. This Aattery pleased me, but l
did not allow my vanity to lead me into be.
traying myself. Through third party,
received larger compensation for my labor,
certainly, than | should have done had my
wise father-in-lsw mistrusted who was his cor
respondent.
studied hard, and at length had the in
expressible satisfaction of being admitted to
the Suffolk bar. l took an Office with an
other young lawyer in order to reduce our
expenses, and waited anxiously for the first
brief that should be offered.
Poor Susan My heart aches at the re-
membrance of certain privations to which,
with angel sweetness she submitted at this
period, in order that might appear respect
able. My contributions to various literary
journals barely gave us the means Of susie
nance end l had so nearly offended Mr.. Rus
sell by sighting his advice, that [ dared not
apply to him for assistance.
One day, in passing from our suburban
residence to the city, met my old landlady.
Mrs. Jones. She looked at me hard, and |
returned it, There was no mistaking that
good honest countenance and expressive form
even when dressed in the deepest mourning.
A widows ample veil hung on the back of her
head and nearly swept the street. The recog.
milton was mutual, and the old lady's rap
lures at finding me were almost too strong for
outdoor exhibition. She told me of poor
Jones' death, and of her removing to the
country when the old house in Howard street
was torn down.
"And now" she said, plaintively, Il am
alone in the world"
"Come and live with me" were my first
words. "You gave me home when was
lone child"
1 stopped, for the thought pressed back
upon me that i was poor, and unable to sup.
port my own family. A strange smile fitted
over the face of my friend, while she inquired
my situation. l told her, and described my
wife and children. She said:
81 will 60 to you. l can help your wife
enough to pay my board"
was almost dismayed at what had done,
when l considered the immense appetite
which had inconsderately offered to supply,
and which l well remembered of old. But |
clung to my bargain, and begged her to come
Immediately.
"You will find US in rather close quarters"
I said "but you shall come and be welcome"
We agreed that she should be there the
following Monday, and went home to Su:
san whom l IN with rather an embarrassed
air. She look d at the matter more philo-
sophcally thar had expected, and prepared
her best chan r for Mrs. Jones reception,
heroically carr ing in many little convenien-
ces of which W. had no duplicates.
NV relation of Mrs. Jones former kind
ness to me, and my description of her present
lonely and widowed state, made Susan shed
tears. She promised to do everything in her
power for the forlorn whom she thought would
now be thrown upon me for maintenance
and upon herself for panionship.
Mrs. Jones arrived on Monday morning,
carpet.bag in hand, and followed by hand
cart, bearing her old and somewhat dlapida.
ted hair trunk. We received her kindly, and
she seemed pleased and happy when she
sat down to Susan's simple and excellent
dinner. The children were attentive, and
kept passing food near the new guest.
A fortnig ght passed away, and we began to
feel that we could scarcely do without Mrs