Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-08-05

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safe, particularly if you and your broth
ers married the Doctors daughters, chi?
"No, not that; there are other heirs
''In West virginia."
eyes"
"And they, you think, are the only
heirs in your way?"
"The only ones"
"Tom Bliss, you may be good law
yer and as prime o rascal as myself, but
you are mistaken about the heirs"
"How do you know that? What Cal
you know about it?' asked the amazed
Tom Bliss
when we began to speak just now,
I didn't think I knew anything, but
since 1 have heard you l find know
more than you do. great deal more thar
you do"
"Then l hope you will be equally
candid and tell me all about it, " said
Tom Bliss, who still believed that Bou'
ton was joking him.
"See here, Tom Bliss, how old do ]
look to be?' Bouton Strengthened him
self up and turned his face to the law
yer.
about 80, should say" replied
Tom Bliss after judicial survey.
MANY thanks for the compliment te
my youthful appearance. 1t is the com
pensation for my moderate life. l am
now in my hirty-ninth year, and, like
every man, l am just as old as ! looh
and feel, and never felt better in my
life"
"But what has your age to do with
this question:"
more than you think, Tom. Eight
cen years ago I was a grown man"
"Twenty-one years Of age!"
Eyes, and for four years l had been
guiding parties from Council Bluffs
west to the mountains" "
Indeed.
eyes, indeed. And let me say, Tom,
that I guided many curious parties.
I've known men to leave Council Bluffs
with one name and to have another
when they got to the mountains, and
I've known men to start out with high
hopes and to die before they saw the
mountains
eyes"
"Yes, Tom, Just as sure as you're
sitting there beside me- Oh, I've had
lots and lots of experience with people
from the states. but never met sucn q
curious outfit as the Weldons
1.-THE Weldons!' exclaimed Tom
Bliss.
eyes Valentine Weldon and his wife
and two SONS. with signs Of another
child. didn t guide them to the noun:
tains, but 1 was with the man that
did"
"To what mountains"
II won't say. / dare not say. But
I'll tell you this: know where Valen-
tine Weldon and his family are. "
"You do?'
II do"
"And have they changed their name"
"Yes."
"What name have they nowp"
"That can't tell"
"Why not?'
because haven't got so-low as to
violate an oath. I see you are surprised
at my knowledge"
II am amazed" "
II could amaze you still more II !
wanted to-" And Bouton threw back his
head and shook with dumb laughter.
But" said Tom Bliss, valentine
Weldon is murderer. and he dare not
make himself known-not if he was
heir to a kingdom.
Perhaps not, but the sins Of the IA
ther, if I know anything about it. are
no bar to the children. What's your
opinion?"
IL think you're right, stammered
Tom Bliss And now his jaunty manner
had vanished, and there were dark rings
under his eyes.
"Oh, it's very funny how things do
happen in this wcrld Icften think that
fate is against me, and just as l am
about to give up fortune gives her
wheel whirl, and all is dazzling and
bright She never gave it such whirl
as this"
"No?"
"Never, Tom, for l now see that /
can possess that estate just as easy as
you can-easier indeed. fer l have the
whole game in my own hands.
II don't understand you," gasped
Tom Bliss.
"And don't intend that you shall
Look at me, Tom, and tell me II you
think I'm cursed fool
Tom did look at him and said:
"No, Bouton; you have lots Of sense "
Eyes, Tom, lots and dead loads OF
horse sense, but I amt much on the
fancy kind You could give me points
and beat me out and out on book learn
ing. In city I'd need guide, just as
city men do in the mountains, but IN
in the mountains now. I'm at home
And I'm going to pan out this find just
30 long as there is a show of color IN the
gravel / must have an equal share OF
the plunder I'll let you have charge OF
ssy,r. & ~ K
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