Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1892-12-28

neither by the United States nor the
Confederacy-witha all silent and peace
full about him. An innocent face, care
less of danger, lay on his breast. The
leaves of the trees hung listlessly above
him.
Then that blue vault above! Its seren-
ity seemed to mock the puny contests
t,pon q world which, with all it's CAM
paigns and battles, was but a grain Of
sand among the heavenly hosts. Its
heaviest artillery could not be heard at
the nearest planet. Its marshaled armies
could not be seen. Save for the reflected
light of the sun it would revolve in
space, unknown by those on even the
nearest planets. And SO musing he fell
asleep.
At the first sign of dawn Mark walked
Jakey, and after they had both thrown
the refreshing water Of the rivulet over
their heads they started in search Of
house, at which they designed to chap
pen in" at breakfast time. Fortunately
they soon found such place. Turning
into the gate at the first farmhouse, a
farmers wife received them kindly and
gave them what for that time and coun-
try was palatable meal.
Refreshed by their breakfast, they
walked on: Various people-country-
men, negroes, Confederate soldiers and
occasionally a squadron of cavalry
passed them on the road, but they were
not questioned or interfered with by
any one. Occasionally they would ask
the road, but upon receiving the neces-
sary information, and after making a
few commonplace remarks, would go
on. At noon they turned aside from
the pike in among the trees and ate
what was left of their snack.
About sunset they reached q large
place set back off to the left Of the road.
The premises were more imposing than
any they had yet passed, and they judged
by it that they were in the environs of
Chattanooga. The house was a large,
square, old fashioned building, with
very high basement. It had two stories,
with peak roof, in which were dormer
windows. A gallery or veranda extend
ed across the front both above and be-
low. Some large trees were scattered
about the yard. In the rear were the
negro quarters and the barn.
Mark determined to ask for food and
shelter for the night here. Turning into
the gate, he followed straight road
leading for perhaps a hundred yards to
the house. A young girl robed in
white muslin dress of very simple
pattern, and pink sash, stood on the
veranda watching them as they came
on. When they reached the steps leading
up to where she stood, Mark saw a pair
of black eyes looking at him, which,
conscious of the deception he was about
to practice, seemed to read him through
and through. Indeed he was sufficient
ly confused to take off his hat to the
girl with all the grace and manner of
polished gentleman.
"If you please, ma'am," he said, as
Stunning the dialect of a countryman,
"me n my leetle brothers goen ter Chat
tenoogy. N.Y. brother, he's walked a
right smart show for sech q younker.
Could y give US some supper and place
ter sleep all nightT'
"You can come up here and sit down,
and I'll see."
"What a musical voice." thought
Mark.
The travellers went up onto the We
randa and sat on some wooden benches
ranged along the rail.
"Have you come far?" asked the girl,
who regarded them with evident curl
osity.
"From our leetle farm on the Sc
Quatchie."
"Your brother does look tired. Are
you hungry, little boyT"
as it a-gitten darkT
"Why, yes," she said, surprised.
"What has that to do with it?"
"I'm hungry jest as sartin, and Jakey's
little eyes glistened at the thought OF a
hot supper.
The young lady laughed and went into
the house.
mamma, there's ayoung countryman
and his little brother out on the gallery.
They want some supper and bed FOR
the night"
An elderly lady, with two white puff
curls on either side Of her face, looked
up from book she was reading. Her
appearance was dignifed and refined.
"The young man looks quite like
gentleman, if he is a counuyman,"
added the daughter.
eve must be very cautious, Laura;
you know how we are situated; your
father and brother away and no man IN
the house, we can't let strangers sleep
here. But they may have something
to eat, and perhaps it might do to let
them sleep in the barn if they look
right"
"Where shall they have their supper
"Have it put on the hall table down
stairs"
The daughter paused moment and
thought.
"Do you know, mamma, can't ex-
actly feel satisfied to put the elder
brother in place given up to the serv-
ants"
"What nonsense, Laural We are TAX
ing a great risk to let them into the
house at all. Heaven grant that the
horses are not all taken before morning.
The man may be in league with band
of guerrillas, for all we know"
The daughter withdrew, for the mo-
lnent quite impressed with her mothers
prudence. AS she stepped out on the
veranda Mark rose respectfully and
stood looking into her black eyes with
his blue ones. Her mothers caution fled
away before that honest countenance.
"You can have some supper, " she said,
"if you care to eat in the lower hall and
you can sleep-you-you can Sleep
Mark was bowling his thanks.
"Would you mind sleeping in She
paused again.
"The barn? Certainly not"
"You know these are troublous times"
she said apologetically, "and we are
alone. mean we haven't many men in
the house." she quickly added, conscious
of having made known the households
weakness to q stranger.
Mark smiled. The young lady was
looking at him as he did SO, and She
thought he had very charming smile.
"Wo will sleep anywhere you choose
to put us. Leastaways we amt pur-
ticular."
The first sentence was spoken in his
natural way; the second i'll dialect.
Marks manner of speaking to her was
singularly mixed.
II suppose your men are fighting our
battles" he remarked to relieve al awk-
ward pause.
"Papa is away"
"Have you no brothers."