Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-03-29

dianship, TO him the young girl owed all
she knew of family life. What would be-
come of her after his death? She had moth
ing to expect from his fortune, for he had
a cousin, Stephen Tricot, "a well-to-do farmer,
living not far off, with whom he had always
been on good terms. Tricot, (who had been
in the habit of visiting his relatives occa-
sionally, in order to ascertain the distance
between him and his inheritance,) arrived
with his wife in the middle of the old mans
sickness. He was one Of those hard heart
ed, time-serving men, of the peasant class,
who act like Doors when they wish to be
frank, and raise the voice when they desire
to make themselves believed.
At the sight of his dying kinsman he
poured forth stream of lamentation, which
the latter cut short by declaring that 1t was
nothing, that he should be well in a few
days.
Tricot gave him side-glance Of anxious
doubt.
"Indeed," he cried loudly, 'that's good
news. You are really better then."
"Much, much BETTER" faltered Duret
"That's WELL" went on the peasant, still
regarding the invalid with an uncertain
look. "Good people like you shouldn't be
sick. You have had doctor, suppose ?"
"He comes every day." answered the
old sheriff.
"And what does he say?"
"That thereis nothing to do,-that shall
get along all right"
"Uh, of course" replied Tricot, with
rather subdued air. "You always had
good constitution, Cousin. Probably you
have taken cold, but your voice sounds
we'll"
eyes, yes" said Duret, who endeavored
to pursuade others of the ightness OF the
attack, so as to be the more convinced OF 1t
himself; "there's no trouble but lack Of
strength, and that will come back"
"And we have brought you something to
hasten it along" interrupted Perrine Tri-
cot drawing from basket on her arm fine
goose, ready picked and three full bottles.
ssHere is fowl, raised expressly for you,
with sample of our this years vintage;
YOU must taste it. twill make your appe-
tite come back, if Pm not mistaken"
Duret looked at the bottle and the bird.
Fascinated by the idea of feast that would
cost him nothing, be summoned Rose, dis
played the provisions and announced that
he wished to sup with the farmer and Per-
rine. The young girl accustomed to an ab-
solute obedience and emboldened, more
over, by the entire liberty given by Four
nier, made no objections but at once set
about fulfilling his request.
The appetizing odor Of the roasted goose
| $1,000. c,1olI ~, ,bo ~, bor of tho invalid uhOSp
stomach, weakened by long privation, be-
came excited by the nourishing smell.
Strengthened by the thought of a free treat,
he had the table laid near his bed, and
found remains enough of the appetites OF
hunger and thirst to enjoy this unexpected
good cheer. Tricot filled his glass which
he raised with trembling hands and had
filled anew.
The wine and the fool, instead of injur-
ing him, seemed to restore his worn-out
forces. He sat upright, a semi-intoXicatlon
sparkled in his eyes. He began to talk
loudly of his plans, to press the hands of
his guests, repeating that they were true
friends, and advised them as to the use
they should make of his "poor legacy"
Tricot and his wife shed tears Of emotion.
Finally when they left the Sheriff for some
necessary errand in town, it was with the
promise of coming back to take leave OF
him before they should start for home.
Fournier arrived just as they were going.
He saw the old man follow them to the
door with jeering look, then drain his
glass and set it down with scornful laugh.
"Well, neighbour you seem BETTER" he
cried in surprise.
"Better!" stammered Duret, half tipsy,
"a hundred per cent better, thanks to their
dinner. All, ah they make love to my in
heritance with goose and with new wine.
I accept everything, 1 do. One ought al
ways to accept what is offered-it's more
polite"
"You think then that their generosity
springs from self-interest?" asked Four
nier smiling.
"An investment, neighbor, a mere bust
ness investment. They believe me their
dupe because l drink the wine and eat the
bird -fattened for me, the wife said. All,
ah, ah, we shall see who will laugh last"
"Have you an idea, then, of disappoint-
ing their hopes?"
| w lly llOl :. lllc lllGlc OWl USloit9o w
me suppose can dispose of it as like,
and if choose to favor a young girl"
"Mademoiselle Rose ~ interrupted Four
nier, eagerly "ah, sir, if you do that, you
will have all good people on your side"
The Sheriff shrugged his shoulders
"Bah!" he cried, "all good people-what do
I care what amuses me is to think how 1
am cheating the old fellow and his wife"
AT this idea Duret burst into laugh, but
this convulsive laugh was stif1ed by sud-
den suffOcation which made him fall over
backwards. Fournier hastened to give him
those attentions which such an accident de-
manded. He recovered his senses, began
to speak again, and then fell back in anoth-
er spasm more alarming than the first. The
excitement to which he had exposed him.
self had worn out the last Springs OF life
and had, consequently, fastened the crisis.
The young doctor saw with alarm that
these choking fits, coming more and more
rapidly, were changing into the death-ago-
ny. Duret sobered by the mysterious pre-
sentiment of coming dissolution lost all his
levity.
"Ah, Monsieur Fournier, am sick-very
sick !" he cried, in an unsteadyvo cam
l in danger, do you think let me know if I
am in danger-I have a secret-to tell-be-
fore 1 die"
"Tell it now," urged the young man.
ic fr,,o tban - coiG l)nrnf in tDrr0r