Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1895-10-18

CHAPTER VIII.
John Randolph devoted himself,
with manly vigor, to his Students du-
ties, applying himself to his studies
and giving strict adherence to college
rules. He was very reserved and sad,
but won friends nevertheless; for his
manners were engaging, his mien
graceful, and his general demeanor at
tractive. ...
1t was but few months after he
, entered college that he was introduced
to Ainsley Hall, the merchant prince
of Columbia. Mr.. Hall had the story
of his birth. and his generous heart
went out in one of its best impulses to
the pleasing young man. He now
sought his acquaintance, invited him
warmly to visit his house, and added,
|if he wanted supplies of dress beyond
his means, he would find unlimited
credit for any article his store might
contain. This courtesy from stranger,
and he, too, man of Mr.. Halls repu-
taton for every good quality, was nat
urally very gratifying TO John Ran
dolph; but his humility sought another
cause beyond his own attractions, to
have gained this distinguished notice.
His mind, ever dwelling on one idea,
quickly conceived the belief that Mr..
Hall knew something of his parents.
OF course, with this thought, came the
resolve to accept the kind hospitality of
the merchant and he speedily became
quite a favorite with the household.
Mr.. and Mrs. Hall were childless, but
Mrs. Halls younger sisters, with
friends Of their own age, were frequent
visitors; so the spacious mansion was
not devoid of the life and brightness
youth and spirits give to dwelling.
Among the young girls who came to
the Halls, the most attractive to
John Randolph was Maria Haughton,
She was, perhaps, a year his junior,
very intelligent, and of a pensive
cast-very fascinating to his own
mood-for his sad heart was often op-
pressed by gayer ones, calling for an
echo to their mirth. He understood
that she was an orphan-that before
her earliest recollections, the cruel sea
had engulfed her parents, and she had
been the care of an aged relative, re-
Gently dead. Her lonely position,
something like his own, awakened his
sympathy, and he sought her side, the
evenings he spent at Mr.. Halls, more
frequently than any other.
Year on year went by, and as his
collegiate course drew near its close,
he felt the hope had been fallacious
that, through Mr.. Hall, he was to gain
any knowledge of his parentage. In
truth, the object which at first had
drawn him into the circle of MIR. Halls
freside was lost sight of in the growing
pleasure he found in Maria Haugh-
toms society. He took the second
honor of his class, and from the beam
ing eyes of Maria Haughton-radiant
with pride and pleasure-he drew
courage and spoke so beautifully, he
gained plaudits from the crowd. OF
course, the oration was prepared be-
fore, and much in the routine of the
beaten track but it was the graceful
oratory and elegance of the young
speaker, which so delighted the throng
of hearers.
When the time had come for John
Randolph to pay his parting call on his
friends, (the Halls) he drew back in
dismay at the poignant pain his heart
announced at the idea of parting with
Maria Haughton. He had not, before,
analyzed his feelings toward her; but
happy in the present, forgot the future,
and enjoyed her society in the most
eminent degree. The thought OF d
separation revealed to him the truth.
With true lovers difidence, he did
not deem it possible he had awakened
a response in her heart. He felt that
he must put the thought far from him,
of indulging this affection. Even were
he not distasteful, how could he dare
to aspire TO ask any honorable woman
to marry man without position-a
creature without name-a being who
was, indeed, unknown!
A deeper gloom than when he went
from them to college, the McColloughs
saw, rested on their adopted child
when be came back to the old roof
tree. Taking Mr.. McCollough's ad-
vice, he studied law. Ample means
were sent to him still, but no accom-
panying line longer directed his
course. He located himself, after his
admission to the bar, at Chester court
house. Although always addressing
Mr.. and Mrs. Mccullough as father
and mother, and truly revering them
as such, he now dropped the patro-
nymic they had taught him to use, and
retained only the name given by the
farmer-but confirmed by his mothers
kisses and tears-and the gilded sign
above his Office door, was merely
......................N
JOHN RANDOLPH,
| ATTORNEY AT Law