Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-04-27


woman, Ellen managed to read as follows
''You are in the power of a villain, but des
pair not-your motions are watched by those
who will save you at every hazard trust in
Heaven, be firm, and you are safe." This
scrap of paper was signed GA. L.. - and: with
emotions which almost overcame her, Ellen
having first flung the woman another piece OF
money, and told her, when she had anything
else to SELL she should be glad to see her, fol:
lowed the attendant to the house. She found
Clifford within, who requested a few minutes
conversation with her. Ellen seated herself
in silence.
1T has fallen to my lot to be the bearer OF
unpleasant tidings at this time," said he, as
he seated himself near her. You have not, l
presume, seen your brother to day."
No; he told me, yesterday, that he was to
appear before court-martial as matter OF
form, preparatory to his discharge from con-
fnement and l have been hourly expecting
to be called to him.
''You remember that your brother was one of
the garrison of Charleston, and made prison.
er at the surrender of that city?'
eyes, perfectly well.'
''You may also remember, that, after re-
manning in the royal camp for some time, and
gaining all the information possible, he for
feited his parole of honor, and, by bribing the
| sentry, uldQe Ills escape.
81 remember no such thing, nor do believe
Charles would have been guilty of so dishon-
Orable an act" replied Ellen, with spirit.
Clifford was unmoved. "You have not, my
dear Ellen, made sufficient allowance for the
pressure of circumstances. Much as I respect
your brothers bravery and honor, am COM
pelled by the decision of the court-martial,
to believe the charge was correct"
''CharleS will defend his honor with his
life,'' said Ellen.
''In the field, he undoubtedly would, but I
am obliged to say there is little chance OF his
ever again joining his rebel countrymen."
'What am I to understand by these words ?"
said Ellen, turning pale.
''Ths is subject on which 1 would willing
ly avoid explanation, but''-he hesitated.
'keep me not in suspense, I can bear the
worst" eagerly interrupted Ellen.
''You must be sensible, my dear girl" he
proceeded, that such violation of the laws of
war could not be overlooked. The fortune of
war threw your brother into our hands, as
we'll as several others, equally culpable. 1t
was deemed necessary to make an example !;
lots were cast, and it fell upon your brother. ="
''And the penalty is death ~ said Ellen, in
voice which emotion rendered scarcely audi
ble.''
cit is"
''Oh, my mother ~ was all that the Distress
ed girl could utter for some minutes. Atlast,
she collected strength to inquire whether there
was no hope for him.
81 fear not,' was the reply. "The case is
clear and it is the opinion of the court that
an example is indispensable, though all regret
that it should have fallen on so young and gal-
liant an officer as Lieutenant Hazlewood."
"You can save hinl-you will save him-yOu
will not see him die for such a tritle-remem-
Der, he saved your life.''
II am sorry to say,'' replied Clifford, coldly,
''that all my influence has already been exert
ed in his favor, but in vain."
'Do not despair-plead for his sake-for my
mother's-for my own-they cannot refuse to
hear you.'
''Though l fear it will be useless, I shall
comply with your wishes but it must be on
the condition that, if am successful, you will
| grant me one faVOr-ODe request"
"Ask any thing-any thing consistent with
honorary thing a sisters 4ove, sisters
gratitude can perform-and it shall be DONE"
exclaimed the fair girl in breathless eager
nesS.'
''It is said in few words you must consent
| to be mine -
Ellen, in the earnestness of her entreaty,
had drawn towards him-her graceful neck
was bent forward-her dark eyes, in which
were tears trembling, were fXed-fxed anX-
iously upon Clifford. to catch the least words
of hope he might utter but, when she heard
his reply, she recoiled as though she had sud-
denly trod upon a rattlesnake, and, with a
shudder exclaimed -''Never, neverr'
"Ellen, - said Clifford, in a tone of assumed
indifference, Gin this affair shall not attempt
to influence your feelngs-you will see your
BROTHER and it will be for you to say whether
he lives or dies" So saying, he left her, and
| she was soon summoned to the chamber in
which Charles was confined.
The sentinel who was stationed at the door,
had, it was evident, received his instructions,
| for he allowed Ellen to pass without ques-
tion--and. while the door was bolted behind
her, she found herself in the arms of Charles
and pressed to his bosom.
"Ellen," said he, "I must die. The influ-
ence of few cowardly tories has been too
much for innocence and though I would will
| lingly have lived for the sake of my mother,
my sisters, my country, yet, thank Heaven,
| fear not DEATH"
Ellen's heart sank within her ;she couldnot
see brother so young, so full of bright hopes
| and high expectations, 90 down to the grave
when, by sacrificing herself, she could save
him to her family and her country. Her reso-
luton was instantly taken :-"No, Charles,
you must not, you shall not die-another VIC
tim will be found.'
Charles looked her wildly in the face, for a
moment, as if he would read her inmost soul ::
"Accursed wretch - he exclaimed, 81 see the
whole. That villain, Clifford, has procured my
condemnation, and thinks by playing with my
love of life, to obtain you on his own terms
but would sooner be drawn in quarters than
live to see you the save-the wife-of that
| vile man.
s"DO not nv dear brother talk so wildly /:
you know not what a sisters love will enable
her to endure; think of your mother''-
''Not another word Ellen, if you love me :;
my mind is made up if they choose to put
me to death, God will avenge my blood, and
my friends I leave to the care of Heaven
That hypocrite dared to hint to me the terms
on which my life might he spared-they
were rejected with disdain; they will ever be
rejected"
The distressed girl was aware that eXpostu-
lation was useless she could only pray that
Heaven would avert the threatened evil and,
the hour having EXPIRED she was summoned
by the sentry to leave the chamber.
! 81 shall see you once more," said Charles,
as he kissed his sister, and led her to the door !;
s'and then, at to-morrow's sunset, 1 shall
show them how a rebel can die
Ellen, at late hour, retired to her room
but not to sleep; and, after passing the night
! in framing thousand resolutions to save her
brother, she rose early in the morning, to re-
fresh her wearied spirits by walk in her
favorite garden. The sun was rising clear
and bright; all the various and confused
sounds of large encampment-the rattle of
drums, the neighing Of chargers, the hasty
galloping of horses, and the march of guards
! to relieve the outposts-all mingled at once,
i o;r nf iuit fp