Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-02-09
CHAPTER VII.
BY HERBERT JOHNSON.

CHAPTER VII.
One dull, rainy afternoon, old Tom Hardy
might have been seen returning from the vii
lage post Office, with batch of papers in nj:
hand. His downcast, melancholy air, seemed
to betoken that he had heard bad tidings.
When nearly home he encountered Harper
and another man, who stopped him and eager
ly inquired for news.
ssBad news-bad news enough!" said Hardy
dolefully. 'If it proves true, it'll go nigh to
breakin' two peoples hearts and that's Cap'en
Russell's and little Sophy Mays"
els the ship lost ?'' asked the others i'll
breath for rumors of some disaster having
befallen the ''Southern Star,' were already
rife in the village, though, as yet, they had re-
ceiyed no confirmation from any reliable source.
"Ay-so folks believe, In fact, there's lit
tie doubt of it. She ran foul of reef, nea1
the Farce Islands, in heavy storm, and it's
not known if any man on board got to shore.
Well hear, for certain, by the next mail,
though"
The papers were produced, and the para.
graphs referring to the supposed unfortunate
occurrence, eagerly read There was still a
bare chance that it might be some other ship
which had been wrecked in the locality men
toned for news came tardily to this secluded
port, and though weeks had elapsed since the
event, this was the first intimation received
here, that the fears, long secretly INDUCED, of
it's inhabitants, were likely to prove correct.
'Poor Harry-poor lad! !" sighed Harper.
ga Drawer, better heart than his never beat.
But maybe he'll turn up yet, safe and sound.
We won't despair as long as a. chance remains. y
II can't muster up the pluck to show these
papers to the cap'en," said old Hardy. 81
guess III wait and let him find out for him.
SELF"
1t was not long, however, before the melan-
choly report found it's way to the Captains
ears, in spite of the kind endeavor of his hum.
BILE friends to keep it from him as long as pos.
sible. Soon it was current throughout the
neighborhood. But Sophy, who was so en-.
crossed with her mother as rarely to 60 out of
doors, was among the last to hear it. Indeed,
it was not until after fresh dispatches had ar
rived, too surely confirming the news Of the
wreck, that she became aware of it, and then
only by chance.
She had gone to the village, to carry a trife
of nourishment to poor woman, who was i'll
and had sent to her for assistance, and
while there, had read in the whispers and com
passionate glances directed towards her, that
for some special reason she was the object Of
their notice and comment. One old crOne, as
with her customary sweet and gentle manner
she asked after her health, lifted up hands and
voice in a feeble, pathetic wall of mingled
blessing and lamentation.
THE Lord love and shelter you, my young
lamb The Lord lift up his countenance upoI
you and give you comfort Oh, Miss Sophy
but it's darksome days that's come upon you
and upon us ALL The Lord send that this evi
news may be all a lie, and your poor lost lad b.
brought up from the deep again into you
arms"
Sophy, trembling, turned from her with
frightened, appealing glance to those around
''What does she mean 20 she asked
A woman stepped forward. ''Granny, VIII,
couldn't you hold your tongue - she asked
roughly. s'Never mind her, Miss Sophy, dear
you know she's bit childish now"
'sBut she means something. She has hear'
something, am sure" said Sophy, tremblin,
more and more. ''Tell me, Mrs. johnson, i
there any news? Have any fresh paper
come in 90
'No, no, my dear, no fresh papers-nothin
new since last week. Isn't it Sorrowful W
all are this many week, and looking for il
news? The Lord grant our fears may 500
be lifted from u.s.
Sophy asked no more. She went blindl
out of the cottage and hurried home. Sudden
ly, near her own gate, she saw Mr.. Erskin
coming towards her. She ran to him an
caught his hand.
''Mr. Erskne, is it true lis it true?' sh
cried.
''Is what true, my child ?"
'That Harry is lost. They said something
1 guessed what they meant. Oh tell me pit
me-