Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-07-10

dnal efort ana exclaimed:
"Holy geer'
At which he whirled about and dash
ed among the trees, as if fearful Of more
punishment for his offense.
Meanwhile the others had disappear
ed, and I saw nothing more Of any ot
them.
The stone house which was my des-
tination was somewhere in the vicinity,
and began a search for it. I recalled
that the path was we'll marked from the
highway, but the position Of the moon
in the sky threw that side of the road In
shadow, and could see nothing in the
nature of clew.
Not forgetting that shadowy pursuer
scanned the road to the westward, but
he was not in sight.
Finally struck match and held it
close to the ground. There the path was
exactly in front of me. By the tiny
fame was able to follow it with my
eye for rod or more. The house was
barely 30 feet distant.
Neither eye nor ear could detect any
thing unusual, and picked my way
along the path, with just trihe Of mis-
giving. for be it known that that region
is afflicted with venomous copperheads
and the warm spring weather must have
brought many Of them from their win
ter quarters.
Only part OF, the distance was passed.
when a light twinkled among the trees.
Some one was at the stone house.
"Discoe and Huke have become impa-
tient, though I cannot be much behind
time"
Somehow the knowledge that human
beings were near at hand drove away
all fear of the deadly reptiles. I moved
more resolutely, and minute later
paused in front of the old stone struc-
ture, which stood in the middle Of q
small clearing.
Still it was prudent to make a recon
noissance before entering the building,
which was to be the scene Of an event
full meeting.
The thought had never come to me
that the house was occupied. When OBJ
served on the previous Sunday, there
were no signs Of life about it, and Tom
Discoe' references had not removed hat
impression.
But it was an error. Some one lived
there, though the lower story consisted
Of but single room, while sloping
ladder led to the rooms above. I saw
through the open door the scanty furni-
ture, with large table in the middle OF
the apartment, and upon it stood a good.
ly sized lamp, which shed bright illu-
mination through the interior.
But none of the three or four chairs
was occupied. 1t looked as if the owner,
after lighting the lamp, had departed
and given over the place to the parties
that had engaged it for the evening.
Perhaps I had mistaken the building,
and yet that could hardly be.
While I stood in doubt and perplexity,
hesitating whether to advance or to wait
for further developments, caught the
odor Of tobacco smoke. 1t was not cigar
that some one was smoking, but the
weed was cheap. strong and rank.
Then tiny glow showed in the door
way, and it was explained. The owner
or occupant of the house was seated
there smoking his clay pipe.
"Good ebenin, boss.
The negro had heard me as shifted
my position and spoke without any mis-.
giving. I walked forward, and as the
short, heavily built African rose to his
feet to receive me wondered how had
failed to see him from the first.
"Good evening"" called in return,
going forward to where the lamplight
fell full on me- He scrutinized me close
ly as approached and was disappointed.
"Yo' amt de gemman dat I was
lookin fur, but I guess yo's de gemmau
what was disumspected by de oder folks.
Walk in, boss. and makes yo'self at
home"
ToBE CONTINUED.