Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-08-02
CHE Sturp Teller.
AN AWAKENED LOVE.


Abiel Grimes was an old bachelor.
Some people called him an old curmudg.
con, and some people called him an old
hunks. and these were really more truthful
than fattering.
The fact is, as the world goes (and the
world goes hard enough with some), Ablel
Grimes was a pretty hard man-hard and
cold, selfish to the core, cruel when his in
terests were at stake; apparently had no
more feeling than a lamp-post, no more
charity than tobacco sign; seemed ever
grasping for everything, never yielding up
anything; living only for Abel Grimes,
and caring for nothing beyond himself.
When he was twenty, Abiel Grimes went
to see young lady-a very sweet young
lady, everybody called her-and it was at
last rumored that they were going to be
married.
But one day, being caught out in the rain,
she allowed another young man to hold an
umbrella over her while she walked home
by his side.
Abiel Grimes chanced to witness the
transaction, and became furious-storming,
raving, and tearing passions to tatters.
He did more, He LETT Mary Alorlgnt
with a curse, and never visited her again.
She Wept and sobbed, and was very dis
consulate for time; and then she married
the kind young man who had held the UNI
brella over her.
From that time forward nobody ever
heard Abiel Grimes laugh.
In fact it is doubtful if he could laugh:
He drew into himself, like turtle into
his shell, and to the world he presented an
exterior as hard as that shell.
He bent his whole energies to making
money. And he made it.
He owned houses and lands, Which ne
rop@oJ 4o tba r;nb ao6 tho NOR
But woe to the luckless who came up
short on payday. .. ~
He loaned money on mortgages, but he
never missed an opportunity to foreclose.
He seemed devoid of pity, and never
showed mercy.
Into the street went sick father, mother
or starving children, if he failed to get his
lawful due.
He was no hypocrite, however; he was
consistent with himself.
He gave nothing to churches, because, as
he averred, religion was sham.
He gave nothing to hospitals, because
people had no business to be sick.
He gave nothing to charitable societies,
because the poor ought to work for their
bread.
In short, he gave nothing to anybody, ex-
cept Abiel Grimes.
And Abiel Grimes he pampered. There
was nothing too good for Abiel Grimes.
He bought splendid mansion, surround
ed himself with luxuries, and kept servants
who were no better than so many slaves in
his regard.
His sister kept house for him, being a
poor, quiet, timid childish widow, with no
other home, nor any means to live without
labor.
OF all days in the year, Abiel Grimes
hated SUNDAYS and HOLIDAYS
Why?
Because he could not vex people in his
business transactions on those days, and
because poor people were idle and seeming
ly happy, and he hated to see people happy.
If he could have shut them all up in black
pits, and kept them to work there all their
lives for his gain and comfort, he would
have done so.
And of all holidays Abiel Grimes hated
Christmas, and its rejoicings and festivities.
And in this state of mind without ever
having had a days illness-going on pros
perously in worldly gain, and amassing
riches-Abiel Grimes reached the age OF
forty-five, hale and hearty, with sharp
face, iron frame, cold grey eyes, thin hair,
and bald head.
Now it so happened that one hated Christ
mas night Abel Grimes returned to his
elegant mansion at the hour Of eleven.
1t was showing fast and the streets were
mostly deserted.
The mansion looked grim, and dark and
cold, for there had been no rejoicing there
that day, and the servants had all gone tc
bed
Only the poor housekeeper was sitting W
for her brother, to keep the fire brightand M
slippers warm, and his water hot for his
punch, and to be ready to act as his slave
and minister to his every Whlm.,
L. II InI hn IOh
steps in no pleasant frame OF mind.
It had been long disagreeable day t(
him, because every body had been too hap
py to feel the venom of hate with Whlcf
he regarded them.
On the upper step he paused in astonlsh
ment which soon merged into rage.
Somebody had left a basket on that step
a basket with handle to it; basket tilleC
with something which the fast-falling snow
had already covered with thin pure man
tie of white.
"The internal carelessness or impudenct
of some servant or beggar," muttered Ape
Grimes through his shut teeth, as he RAISED
his foot and gave that basket vigorous KICK
He intended to kick it clear from his cold
hard marble Step-nOt colder and harde
than his own marble heart-intO the mid
die of the street. But this design miscar
ried.
The basket struck against the iron rail
bounded back, fell over and a small bun
die rolled out.
Then from the small bundle came fee
BILE wail-a human wail-a cry of Innocence
appealing to Heaven against the cruel neg
lect and abuse of mankind.
"a living child ~ exclaimed the astound
ed and somewhat Mortified Abiel Grimes
"And if have killed it there will be th'
deuce to pay"
Yes, Abiel Grimes, and the Lord to set
tie with besides.
For a few moments an almost parayzin!
terror had taken possession of this man o
iron, while another pltliull w wall tnd+ came III
What should he do?
Leave the little thing to perish and hav
murder on his conscience and the coroner
his door?
Call a policeman and have II removed
and a report reach the press in such
ro rhlad way ac TO mix him I'D in 4 rlulcu