Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-02-05

to accomplish her end.
1t appeared that there were stopping at
the hotel in Cannonvile, two Englishmen,
"reg'lar sWells," as Benson described them,
who were supposed to be immensely rich,
and therefore attracted much attention.
One of them was lord-he couldn't rec
ollect his name. He wasn't sure whether
he had heard it, and it made no difference
whether he had or not. Either he or the
parts of the country around; and they
were both interested in the mines, and very
curious to learn all about them.
"You recollect that worthless old claim
on the other side of Bear Creek, that Mil
Ter anu some Of his crowd located couple
of years ago? Well, he made up his mind
he was going to sell that to one of these
fellows. He managed to get in with them
somehow, with those tine-gentleman airs
of his, he knows how to put on once in
while, and did them some sort of a favor,
showing them round, and telling them ev-
erything they wanted to know. Oh, this
was month back or more-he never went
near 'em when he was drunk, and they
didn't guess the sort he was. He let it out
to me by accident, once, what he was after,
and l tell you | have watched him mighty
close ever since. When heard he was 60
ing to town yesterday had my suspicious,
and that's why 1 followed him. Sure
enough, yesterday towards evening he got
with those fellows, and they was all talk
ing earnest-like in the corner of the gallery
that runs 'round NiXon's hotel. was in
side the house, by a window, and l could
hear every word. Well, if ne didn't blow
about that old hole of his on t'other side the
creek, and tell the most audacious lies you
ever heard! I just laughed to myself, but
I wanted to hear what was coming next.
Pretty soon, one of the John Bulls-the
lord, believe says out, quite free and
hearty, well, you know, Mr.. Miller, 1 told
you the other day my mind was about
made up; and if you will swear to this
thing, why, Pm willing to put up the
cash at once, it's worth a venture, l sup
pose.' So Miller swears, and with that I
runs out tells them its all lie."
"And then?" cried Mrs. Benson, with
breathless interest.
"And then, of course, he pitched into me,
shots flying all about. And then we were
separated, and went off to find the doctor,
for my arm hung down just like a rag, and
I was all bloody. But had the satisfaction
of knowing that I'd spoilt Miller's little
game, for everybody got hold of it, and he
was glad to leave, after he had filled himself
up with gallon or two of NiXOnS whisky.
Why, those EnglisherS must be fools to go
and take fellows word for thing like
thatw
This story-related in worse English than
the above, and interlarded with many choice
oaths-was, in the main, correct. Miller
had really been playing a deep game, and
had so far succeeded in imposing on the
credulity of the two visitors, as to bring
matters very near desirable issue-desira-
BILE, that is to say, according to his view of
the case. Had he reached this end, he
would have become the possessor of sum
which, to him, would have been almost a
fortune, while his dupe would have learned,
by sad experience, the folly of trusting him
self to such scheme.
Enraged at the untimely interruption
managed by his enemy, he had attempted
to take the life of the latter, but was frus-
trated in the effort. And it was with VEN
inhamed by potations deep and long, that
he set out, at dusk, on his homeward way.
Soon hewas encompassed by the darkness,
and growing bewildered, lost the familiar
road. Left to himself, his horse might have
conducted him safely, but the riders waver-
ing hand turned him now this way, now
that. With oaths and blows he urged the
perplexed animal, which finally got restive
and refused to obey; until, in the conflict
between tlleul, tlle uoISe, 9lulIuliuS oii viz
very verge Of the chasm where the thun-
dering waters fell, pitched the unfortunate
man clear over his head, right into the
mouth Of the abyss.
When breakfast was over at NlXon's the
next morning, the two English gentlemen
who had lately made it their abode, paid
their bills and took leave. They had had
enough of such quarters for the present
81 wish," said the elder of the two, re-
gretfully, as they rode along, "that could
have finished my sketch of Bald Peak, be-
fore we left. 1t would make magnificent
picture"
"We might come back here in the Spring,
and camp out" suggested his companion.
$50 we might unless am obliged to re-
turn home before then. l have taken al
most too long holiday as it is"
"Well, we haye learned good deal of
American life in it's most remarkable
phases" rejoned the other. upon my
soul, think it is the most curious country
in the world"
"And one of the most beautiful! I never
saw anything in Switzerland finer than
thatw
Both rened up their horses, as the speaker
pointed to wild gorge just in advance OF
them. On either side, magnificent masses
of rock were piled, and through its centre
a foaming torrent dashed; beyond, stretch
ed an open plain, of which rage of snow
capped mountains formed the boundary line.
''Isn't it grand? Suppose we go down
and explore the ravine. We have never
been along here before. There seems to be
a road all through"
"Some one has been through lately, for l
see fresh horse-tracks."
They descended into the canon, and had
proceeded some distance, when the younger
gentleman, who was riding in advance
along the narrow path that wound on the
edge of the cliff, stopped short with an en-
clamaton Of horror.
"Good heavens, Dartmoor, look there"
"Where, what's the matter:"
"There's Il mans body lying on ledge
of the rock. He must have tumbled over
here"
els he dead, or aliveo"
"Dead-with his face horribly cut. Just
see! he must have bounded from rock to
rock in his fall, until he struck that ledge"
"Poor wretch! Why" cried DartmOor
as he drew nearer, and bent over. ITS
Miller-dOn't you see?" He must have
been thrown from his horse here last night,
in the dark"
$50 it is, believe-I did not recognize
him at first. What shall we do:"
"Ride back and give the alarm-Or ride
forward and find his home, whichever you
think best.'
Suppose we 60 on by following these
tracks. We shall be able to make our way,
| suppose"
They rode on rapidly, and were soon in
sight of the camp.
1t was easy to find some one to whom
they might impart their news, for there
were always some iders about. a knot OF
10 tal n rod and Whi lO thew