Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-05-04

home. He took my arm, and L accompanied
him to his lodgings. Our conversation was OF
different topics the persons we had met--th
current news of the day {; and there were long
pauseS each one appeared to be absorbed II
his own meditations. Once we engaged OF
the subject of youthful hopes and attachments
but as perceived it occasioned some painful
emotion on his part, began to chat about tn
beauty of the evening, and the pretty lady Wht
had listened to his honeyed batteries, nothing
10th.
AN acquaintance was formed, and we fire
quently met. Sometimes he was gay, ant
would give loose rein to his powers of wit ant
playful satire; sometimes he was reserved
moody, sad. On all occasions he was unequal
and restless, and fitful in his mirth. His vi
vacity would be crossed by that continually re
turning depth of gloom and his laugh woulc
subside into an indescribable expression of in
ternal suffering. There was a sadness that
could not be removed and there was clearly
remorse in it. I could perceive this in his
start his secret shudder, almost impercepti
BILE in his troubled eye; and the slight perSpi
ration on his fine manly brow. The vulture
might be scared away for a moment, but was
sure to return with keener glance and Whet:
ted beak. Still he was anxious to amuse, and
would open his portfolio of engravings, some
of which were very beautifully executed. tie
would describe such of the scenes as he had
himself visited, and would now and then for:
get his griefs over some wild and beautiful
landscape of Switzerland or Italy. He pos.
sessed a talent for drawing, and showed me a
number of sketches he had made of our own
scenery two of which recognized, as they
were views Of scenery in my native State with
which was familiar. One of them was TO-
mantle view on the Hudson, near Catskill, the
mountains in the distance. The other, love
ly, picturesque landscape, near the MohaWk,
with an extensive prospect of the river grace
fully meandering through fertile and varied
country He had a true feeling for the beau
ties of nature, and it was delightful to listen
to the remarks that fell from him.
One winter evening, about a month after onr
acquaintance had commenced, we were sitting
together in his room before low fire. Candles
had not yet been called and we sat for some
time in silence, gazing upon the fire, that would
kindle up into bright flame, and then subslde,
in playful wantonness, as it were. N was
in one of his gloomiest reveries; and did not
feel inclined to disturb him. He turned alb
served strange inconsistency of conduct
about me 20 1 knew not what to reply, and
hesitated s'You must-you must, " he added,
in a mournful tone, ''you must have remarked
it but you want to spare my feelings. Alas
it is not worth while.'' He passed his hand
over his brow. s'Where is the medicine that
can minister to mind diseased-pluck from
the heart rooted sorrow p His voice was
tremulous, and his eye was filling.
''S-, you have no doubt wondered at the
cause of my depression. Listen to me. 1t is,
this day, a year and six months since Edward
C. and myself crossed the Atlantic togeth-
er.'' He stopped moment. "We were
-fellows--class-m -mates--companion in
the same sports-as fond and intimate as boys
can be-Oh those days of joy and diSinterest-
ed kindness! Gone, gone, forever gone J
Well, sir, our destinations in life were differ
ent, but our intimacy continued. Edward
went into mercantile life, and I to the studies
of profession. He was high spirited and
rather irascible; but generous noble-hearted
fellow. Our affection was ardent, and L be-
lieve natural" n paused, and then went
on. "He called OIL me one morning, and told
me that he had an excellent offer to 60 to
America, as an agent, for a, very respectable
house. and, if | would accompany him, he
would accept Of it. had frequently express
ed desire of visiting America and we both
thought the opportunity good one. We babe
adieu to our relatives and friends, and set sail ;
we shared the same bed; we nurSed each other;
poor Ned was uncommonly sea-sick; we were
as brothers, His voice trembled, and there
was convulsive motion of his lips. "But l
must Get over this" Hebrew his chair closer
toward the fire. II will get OH with my story
with more tirmneSS-I am almost ashamed OF
myself, s.. Wearrived safelyin Baltimore,
the place of our destination /; and, like most
other young men in theheyday of life, mingled
occasionally in scenes of dissipation. Edward
had often spoken of his skill in Il difficult and
somewhat antiquated game of cards, and 1
thought with something of boasting and ella
tion. 1 knew nothing of the game but for
the purpose of tormeuting him a little for his
vanity, and from love of mischief, l resolved
to apply myself secretly to it, and obtained a
pretty good insight into the game without his
knowing anything of the matter. One even
ing we were sitting together with some ac-
quaintances we had picked up, and to Edwards
surprise, 1 defied him with his favOrite game
at cards.
"'Edward, said l, 'youare always boasting
of your skill / know but little about the
game, yet 1 will lay you a wager I'll beat
you.'"
edward smiled with conscious superiority
1T my badinage, and produced the cards We
played-Edward was skillful. 1 eXerted my
self to the utmost, and succeeded. Edward
was surprised and chagrined. did not bear
my victory meekly; OH the contrary, l openly
eXulted, and gave free scope to my banterng
humor Edward demanded another game
he again lost He became flushed and drank
several glasses of wine. He still persisted in
the contest; cursed his cards and was still
unsuccessful / was too deeply occupied in
the game to observe his countenance ; and in
my merriment at an uncommon turn Of good
In. 7 of 11nfnrt pp9tp WiftipiSn--i if
was the drop in the full cup. Edward rose in
passion, dashed the cards from him, struck
his clenched hand upon the table, and with
eyes flashing fire, accused me of dealing un-
fairly. / was astonished ; and replied in what
l thought a concliating tone But it was on
ly adding fuel to the flame. He repeated his
charges with vehement rapidity; and my tenn
per began to rise. told him he behaved like
a child-that he was heated with wine, and
that. in the morning, when he had slept of
the effects of it, he would be ashamed of his
present conduct. He rushed across the table,
almost overthrowing it, and aimed a blow at
my face. l received it on my arm. The gen.
tlemen present rose, and insisted on his leav-
ing the room. He did SO, breathing threats
and vengeance against me. AS expected, a
challenge was handed me that night and, |
must confess. that, feeling indignant at his be-
havior, received it without reluctance. /
arranged my papers, disposed of the little
property had, and wrote a letter to my pa
rents. If the duel took place, l considered
that the chances were against me ; and 1 en-
deavored to prepare my mind fora fatal result.
had no experience with the pistol; having
only fired few times in my life, at mark in
sport. requested friend to act as my sec
ond, and appeared on the grounda little before
the appointed time. Edward was not yet
there. He shortly arrived, accompanied by a
second. When beheldmy old school-fellow-
the friend Of my youth-and considered the
purpose of our meeting, felt pang at my