Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-09-08
glass is private property, and not pro bono
publico, except as I give the ship news"

The assembly groaned, and one alluded to
C.p as an "Old Turk"
'She's lady, said the captain. "Style
quiet and genteel. Broad brim straw hat,
veil No loud trimmings Nothing Bowery.
Cabin passenger Boys, tuck in your
shirtsl"
For convenience and comfort the miner
of that period generally wore his red or
gray shirt as blouse, emitting the fornality
Of slowing its extremity under the trousers
waistband.
The captains order was obeyed. Mr..
Rankin made his appearance having been
employed in buttoning himself into starched
linen. A "boarder" reminded him that he
had forgotten his kids, and another, hastily
cutting q gigantic collar from a sheet Of
white paper, arrayed himself therein, re-
marking as he did so that ''his tailor was al
ways delinquent with his dress suit when it
was most wanted" adding refectively:
''However, If a mans head was only well
dressed no sensible woman would look any
further"
,"Swipes" produced the tin horn used to
call the boarders to their meals, and asked
the captain if he should "hail her."
"Oh, you're all lot of smartys now, amt
you?" said Rankin '.How do you know who
that lady may bes She may be some of you
fools mother or sister or wife, come to hunt
you to your holes. At all events, whoever
she is, spose we'll all act as near like gentle
men as we know how. Those who can't
better trot off to work."
Mr.. Rankin's sentiments made speedy
change in the humor of this before reckless
crowd. As the lady drew nearer the faces Of
all present assumed a more serious express
sion. They were recalled to themselves and
drawn to their old eastern homes by the
sight Of that one female figure long ere she
reached the store
All present knew that she was all eastern
woman" and the city bred boys declared her
city woman. She sat her horse easily. Her
face was partly concealed by her broad
brimmed straw hat
To the store, of course, she must come.
Everything coming to Bull Bar must first
come to the store The road down the hill
ended at the store door. The store was. in
effect, the entrance and exit gate of Bull
Bar. Mr.. Rankin kept the gate. Anyone
visiting Bull Bar on business, or any one
there coming to make inquiry would be
naturally directed to Rankin. In such con-
nection he figuratively kept the keys OF the
Bar. He knew where every miner lived
within radius Of three miles He knew
how they "were doing" He banked their
dust for them in his safe, and in many cases
their confidence and social secrets in his
breast.
The lady was riding toward staring, gap
ing, curious crowd, of which I suddenly re-
called to myself I was one. As she came
T INV ol and in
not desiring to play the lout Many Others
Of the "boys" seemed influenced by similar
feeling, and stole off to work, still, however,
keeping so much as possible one eye over
their shoulders Nor did they walk very fast.
It was hard conflict between curiosity and
respect. A few lounged about the store door,
seating themselves on the bench.
She had stopped in front of the door. l
saw only the extremity of riding habit and
the tip of small foot in the stirrup. heard
then a clear, well-toned voice asking Mr..
Rankin if "anyone knew Mr.. Jedediah
Pratt in the neighborhood. heard Blanche
Sefton's voice, and, walking out, saw Blanche!
Rankin was giving her directions to Pratts.
He turned toward me.
"This man will show you where he lives"
were his concluding words, as I made my
appearance. THAT is, he's generally able to
tell, when he's woke up"
Her eyes met mine. There was no friendly
recognition in them I said: "Why,
Blanche!"-she maintained the same look
'Miss Sefton-what! you herer' What else
I said I know not-a tumble of unmeaning
words, tumbling over each other, for her
look made me sick at heart.
She turned to Rankin, who, with the
others, had been startled and interested in
this unlocked for recognition. Still more
startled were they as they saw Blanche, bend
ing low in the saddle, say something to me
in a tone too low for them to hear, but at
which recoiled.
Those words were: "No! not you, John
Holder! Not my uncle's murderer! do not
wish your assistancew
Perhaps I can find my way to my uncie's
house alone if some of you gentlemen will
direct me-" she said aloud to the wondering