Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-07-28


II am out betimes this morning." said DR..
Shaw, with short glance around the homely
roor1. "But then, Mr.. Strangfield, from your
occupation I naturally conceived you an
early riser. and my duty would not permit
me to delay my visit"
"Had you come two hours ago you would
have found me risen" replied Strangfeld,
who had gathered his forces together for
this unexpected interview, and was now
again wearing his hard face and speaking in
his stern, deep tones.
II am here, MIR. Strangfield, in compliance
with my promise to give you all news ut the
earliest opportunity that should enable you
to uso your own words-to sift this busi-
ness of your daughter to the bottom" began
the doctor, pulling out his snuff-box for no
other motive than to toy with it. Strange
things como to pas, in this world, which
truly is much smaller than we can get to
conceive it by estimate Of geographical men,
suration; and apprehend," said he, with
his suave smile, "that our respected neighbors
will be not a little surprised to hear OF
visits exchanged between DR.. Shaw and MIR.
Strangfeld, whose strong objections to the
schoolmaster's theological opinions are toler-
ably well known"
Straagfeld looked at him keenly under his
frowning eyebrows, and appeared about to
speak, but dismissed his thoughts with
wave of the hand and sank back silent
"Oh, Dr. Shaw" cried the mother, incapa-
BILE of holding her tongue, however awed by
the cold fencing between the men, 81 wish
that difference of religious notions was all
the trouble 'twixt you and Michael, sir.
Your name hath a sorrowful sound in it
to my ears God knows; and this
morning hath made it more bitter
than my heart we'll knows how to
bear" And she hung her pale face to hide
her tears.
"Jane" exclaimed her husband sternly,
1there is no need for thee to put in. DR..
Shaw is here to give us some news; we can
await his leisure. Keep thy tongue quiet.
It's sign of light head to fret over the
past Whom to upbraid we know; but DIR.
Shaw hath no hand in our grief"
Madam" said the DOCTOR haughtily, not
to be mollifel by the deacon's admission-for
the manner was offensive, though the words
were kindly-"betwesn you and me there
should be silence in the matter Of reproach.
If you have to mourn over daughters de-
ceit, have to lament a sons follv. And
there stop; for the world shall judge who
is the greater sufferer"
Neither husband nor wife answered him
"Mr Strungfeld," ha continued, turning
quickly upon the deacon, with the sudden
contrite air of mai who feels that be is
wasting valuable time. IL have left my
home early this morning expressly to bring
you two items of news one Of which should
properly be delivered by me only. First,
as to my sons disappearance:
"There came man to my house late last
night to inquire after me He was a man
belonging to the preventive service, and he
said, being at an ale house in the town not
two hours before, there were persons there
talking over the disappearance of DR.. Shaws
son, and likewise the impre:sment OF three
men out of Greystone on that night or there
abouts as it is concluded, of my sons going.
Now, it is very exactly known that three
men were impressed; for no other man is
missing, unless it be my son. This coast
guard sat considering what he had heard,
and, taking particular note of the conjectures
concerning my son thrown out by the gossips,
he came round to my house (having finished
his glass, and being off duty for the night
and asked me if it were true that had son
who was missing. replied that 1 had, and
wondered he should not know it, for con-
ceived it was every mans talk in this district
However, l was sure the matter was news to
him.
aNow, he said that, having learned that
only three men were kidnapped. and being
satisfied upon this point from what the fel-
lows in the room told him, his reason for
calling upon me was to state that on that
night, when the press gang was ashore, he
was OIL duty with another man at the hut
that stands to the south, upon the cliff near
my house, and at the head of the pass that
leads to the sands. 1t was windy night, he
said, and his mate had gone half a mile
along the cliff to look at that curve Of sand
where some smuggling was done last Christ
mas, as you may remember, sir. There was
moonlight abroad, and, riding clear OF the
breakers, though nightly tossed by the in
shore seas, was O man-of-war's boat, which
my man, about whom I am telling you,
knew to belong to a brig Of war that had
that morning dropped anchor off the town.
"Now, while he stood in the shell ter of his
hut, he saw crowd of the boats crew COM
ing along through the dust, and among them
walked three prisoners, and on the shoulders
Of two of them q fourth man was borne,
bound like the others, but plainly insensible.
The preventive man stood forth, and some OF
the men-of-war's men called a greeting to
him as they passed Indeed, he was as near
to them as yonder window is to me, and
could not, therefore, mistake what he be-
held. Most soemnly does he swear that there
were four men pinioned, and not three, as
the towns gossip would show, and that of
these four, who were clearly kidnapped men,
as he might judge, one was carried, and
though confusion Of shadow was cast upon
them oil by the hurryng of clouds over the
moon and the unequal and swerving steps OF
the men, yet is he positive that the carried
man was young, and such description does
he give me Of him as leaves ME in no doubt
that the figure on the mems shoulders was
my son."
He told the story in an equable voice, and
on pausing extracted pinch Of snuff from
his box; but the quiver Of his nostrils pro-
claimed hard struggle with emotion, and
it was easy to see that his application to his
snuff box was stratagem to drop his eyes,
and oil excuse to hold his peace for a
moment.
Mrs. Strangfeld was about to speak; but,
with an imperious gesture Of the hand, her
husband silenced her.
"This coastsuards tale seems likely one,
sir, and makes the riddle of your sons disap-
pearance easy" he said, with his hard eyes
fixed upon tn, doctor. at is pity there is
but one witness.
"But one witness may rescue man from
damning dishonor, though there be no other
evidence to prove his aspersers liars" e1-
claimed the doctor, lifting his head with q
flashing glance.
Mr.. Strangfeld met his gaze with faint
contemptuous smile.
"These coastguards," he said, "like other
men of their condition, are fond of glass,
and the hope of earning shilling will make
them smart at inventions. One may be sure
the man did not leave tn, school house un-
rewarded"
The skin about the doctors eyes frightened
and an expression Of unspeakable contempt
settled down upon his face.
"This is not the first time, Mr.. Stranefeld,
that have experienced your qualifications
to render yourself offensive. A man so skep-
tical should surely possess judgment above
ali chance of laundering"
"Dr. Shaw, an plain man, with little
knowledge of fine words Your tale may be
truly believed by you, but it doth not satisfy
me. Your son has acted tho part of q vii
lain, sir, and nothing that does not prove
him villain in every step OF the vile wrong
he has done me and mine will I credit. Tell
me rather that. having betrayed my child,
he has meanly fled to escape my vengeance,
and has put any rascal upon lying on his
behalf"