Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1888-05-23

lcal healCn was CnuS IeSIOieu, aho "ohn .
Years ate rward, in the Western wilds,
he was forced to witness the execution
of a couple of horse thieves, condemned by
the stern court of Judge Lynch. And
when he recognized in them his two COM
panions of that terrible night, he felt that
if horse-stealing did not deserve capital
punishment, these two were only at last
getting their just deserts.
THE SINGER MOTHER.
Once, as Death walked the earth in
search of some fair flower upon which ne
could breathe, he met with the graceful
and pleasing spirit who is called Ambition.
"Good-morrow," quoth Death, "let US
Journey short time together. Both of US
are hale fellows; let Us henceforth be trav-
cling companions"
Now Ambition is one of the most easily
cajoled persons in the world. The soft
words of Death flattered him. So Death
and Ambition set out together.
Having come into great city, they
were walking in fine street when they
beheld at the window of certain house
lady who was named Griselda. She was
sitting at the window fondling in her lap
her child, a beautiful little infant.
sWhata beautiful lady," said Ambition,
land what won derful song she is singing
to the child"
T "You may preise the mother as you
WILL" said Deatll, "but it is the child
which engages my attention. l know
way by which we can possess ourselves OF
child"
"Tell me how shall win her." said he
to Death, 'and you shall have the babe"
So Death and Ar abition walked in the
street and talked of Griselda and her child.
She was famous singer. Such voice
had never been heard, and her fame was
only equaled by the riches which her art
had brought her. In the height OF her ca
reer the little babe came to make her life
all the sweeter, and she was indeed very
"Who is at the door ?" inquired Char
lotte, the old nurse.
"Go and see," said Griselda.
So Charlotte went to the door, and 10,
there was messenger from the King, &C,
companied by two persons attired in royal
robes. These compani,)ns were Ambition
and Death.
"Does the lady Griselda abide here? 2"
asked the messenger.
.tShe does" replied old Charlotte.
II have message from the king" SAID
the messenger.
The message hesought Griselda to ap-
pear in the theatre that night before the
king. With the message came royal
gift of costly jewels.
"You cannot refuse" said Ambition, in
seductive vo.ce. 1T is the king before
whom you are to sing"
Griselda hesitated and cast lingering
look at her child.
"Have no fear for the child,' said
Death, "for I will care for him while you
are gone."
So, between the insinuating advice of
Ambition and the fair promises of Death,
Griselda was persuaded and the messenger
bore back to the king word that Griselda
would sing for him that night.
But Ambition and Death remained as
guests in Griselda's household.
She grew restless as the day advanced.
From the moment that Death had entered
the house the little one had seemed very
changed. Death sat grimly in corner of
the room and never took his eyes from the
crib where the little one lay.
"You shall so please the king with your
beautiful face and voice." said Ambition,
"that he will confer wealth and title upon
/ you."
And Griselda smiled, for the picture was
most pleasing.
"The child's hands are hot" said old
Charlotte, the nurse, ''and there seems to
be strange tremor in his little body"
Griselda was momentarily alarmed, but
Ambition only laughed.
Nonsense" quoth Ambition; "only an
old woman's fancy. This envious old
witch would have you disappoint the
king-the king who would load you with
riches and honor"
So the day heightened, and she listened
to the grateful batteries of Ambition.
The candles were brought and Griselda
arrayed herself in her costliest robes.
II must look my BEST" she said, ''for
this is to be the greatest triumph of my
life"
"You are very beautiful; you will capti-
vate the king" said Ambition.
"The child is very ill.," croaked old
Charlotte, the nurse; 'she does not seem
to be awake nor yet asleep, and there is a
strange rattling in his breathing"
"FOr shame" cried Ambition. "See
how the glow of health mantles his cheeks
and how the fire of health burns in his
eyes,"
And Griselda believed the words of
Ambition. She called his pame and
threw him kiss, and fastened to her car
riage.
The theatre was more brilliant that
night than ever before. It had been nois-
ed about that Griselda would sing for the
king, and lords and ladies in their most
imposing raiment filled the great edifice
to Overlooking while in the royal box sat
the king himself, with the queen and the
princes and princessess.
1T will be great triumph" said Am
bition. There was mighty cheering when
she swept before the vast throng, and the
king smiled and bowed when he saw that
Grselda wore about her neck the costly
jewels he had sent her. Bouquets of beau
tiful flowers were heaped about her feet,
and with his own hand from his box the
king threw to her jeweled necklace far
costlier than his previous gift.
AS Griselda turned from her dressing
room to her carriage, she marveled that
Ambition had suddenly and mysterious:
ly quilted her presence. In his place stood
the figure of a woman, all in black, with
large, sad eyes and pale face.
"Who are you?" asked GriseIda.
II am the Spirit of Eternal Sorrow u
said the woman.
And the strange, sad woman went with
Griselda into the carriage and to Griselda's
home.
Old Charlotte, the nurse, met them at
| the door. She WAS very white, and she