Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-11-21


Just what mischief that fellow Graice
was meditating puzzled not little the
honest pate of Terry Rorke. For time
the man worked busily, silently, lug.
ging bundles Of greens into the hall and
bare, stripped branches out. Once or
twice, in answer to chatting remarks OF
the other men, he had retaliated Once
again, colliding with Crow Knife at the
door, he had muttered an angry curse
and bade the redskin keep out Of his
way unless he coveted trouble. The In.
dams eyes flashed vengefully, but he
spoke no word.
1t was just after guard mounting that
Graice had offered his services, when,
as supernumerary, he really did not
have to work at all and was not proper
~ detailable for any such fatigue duty
By 10 O'Clock, however, it was apparent
to more than one present that he was
drinking more liquor and had it con-
cealed probably somewhere about the
premises or in his overcoat. Rorke
warned him and got sullen reply. Not
minute after. although strict orders
had been given against smoking, be-
cause of the flimsy nature Of the struc-
ture and the large quantity Of inflam-
mable material scattered about, he pre-
cipitated an excitement. Right in the
entrance of the hall big square box
had just been placed by two of the men,
and Crow Knife was carefully removing
the lid, when Graioe, lurching in from
the dressing room with bundle Of
greens, stumbled against the edge Of
the case, and, dropping his burden with
savage curse, he drew back his heav-
lily booted foot as though to let drive a
furious kick.
Instantly the Indian interposed.
Don't kick!" he said. Hold your
hoof therel'' shouted Rorke, and others
of the men joined in their cry Of warn
ing. Wonderingly he looked about him
on the quickly gathered group, swaying
bit unsteadily even now.
"Why not?" he scowlingly, sullenly,
thickly asked "What harms there
kicking rattlehox that's 8 almost broken
my shin? What's the matter with you
fellows, anyhow"
1T isn't the box, ye goneril, it's
what's inside of it'll That's Colonel Far
rar's picture! Gods praise to him for
the finest soldier that iver rode at the
head Of the Twelfth.
"That Colonel Farrar's picture?"
muttered the man in strange, half
awed, half defiant manner. "Well, l
swear, that's-that's queer. And then,
in some odd, nervous abstraction, he
whipped out cigar, and the next thing
they knew, had lighted it at the stove
and tossed the flaming paper among the
sweepings on the floor. Instantly there
was a rush, a trampling of feet and just
as Rorke wrathfully had collared the
stupefed man Lieutenant Farrar burst
in upon the scene, stamping out the few
remaining sparks, and then turning an
grily upon the group.
"Who dropped that fire? Who, |
say?" he repeated, for, in soldier 81
lence, the men had stood at attention,
but, true to soldier ethics, would tell no
tales Don't let that happen again,
corporal" he went on sternly. "You
know well enough what fire would
mean hereabouts, with the cannon pow
der stored in the tower yoGder. Remem-
ber the orders-the guardhouse for the
first man fooling with fire. Go on with
your work" And then, as the men
turned silently away and Terry stood
there, looking abashed and troubled at
the implied rebuke, Will sought to
soften the effect. "Why, you're doing
great work here, corporal. The old place
is wearing Christmas dress and no mis-
take"
"It is, Masther Will," said Rorke de-
lightedly.
"Masther Will" repeated Farrar in
dignantly. "On my soul, Rorke, you''-
81 beg the ieutenant's pardon, " said
Terry, all contrition and soldierly re-
spect. "But I've known him such
few weeks as lieutenant and so many
and many a long year as Masther
Will"-
"That'll do, corporal. Have the pic
ture in its place as soon as you can.
Mother will be over here to look at it. :"
Eyes, Mas-yes, SOFT. "
And again, as Will turned angrily to
rebuke the poor fellow, there was a
gathering Of the men at the window
looking out upon the parade, and some
thing was said about lady slipping on
the ice. which carried Will away like
a shot. Two strides took him to the
door, and one glance sent him rushing
to the rescue. 1t was Miss Ormsby.
And then, while some of the men
went on with their work, others SEEM
ed to hang about Graice, who was odd
ly fascinated by the box and cast fur
tive glances at it, while Crow Knife,
under Rorke's direction, was quietly un-
packing it. Again had Graice wandered
unsteady over by the stove and stood
there, sullenly kicking at it until one Of
the men bade him quit or he'd start
fire i'll spite of them. "You4l have us
all in blazes before our time" were the
soldier words
mot L Fires my friend, answered
Graice in a surly tone.
And likely to give ye a long and