Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-01-01
81 fear there will be trouble for us

lOulSuO. TdLucI tuluho ohiS 6O'SAh
ment has no right to levy prohibito-
ry tax on the product of distillery,
and the revenue raiders are in the
neighborhood. That light on the
mountain side was the signal of our
| friends"
tried to reassure her, with little
success.
The meal was hurried through with,
and as I returned to the porch the
three men returned in silence, the last
conner going of Immediately in anoth-
er direction, having on his shoulder a
long hunting rifle, which I had not
previously noticed.
~ shan't hide any more, little sis"
he said, as Eva Joined us; "1've done
that twice, and both times had my
effects cut up and destroyed, and this
time I'm going to meet 'em face to
face, an let the best man win"
Eva's pleadings with her father
went straight to my heart, and before
1 had time to reflect, I blurted out:
~ understand it all, Mr.. Wilder
Just say how 1 can be Of service to
YOU"
Eva looked as if she wanted to
throw her arms around my neck, and
l would have fought an army of raid
ers to have had her do 80.
"We've got plenty of guns, and I'm
going to fight 'em if they show up
I'm done runnin'-it's got to come to
this, an jest as well now as later, SC
| if you feel like takin' a hand, Mr.
Morse, you'll find that double-barrel
handy" pointing to an old muzzle'
loader in the corner.
The guns were carefully loaded and
placed just inside the front door. The
young fellow, who still fingered about
the door, was armed and sent off un.
der instructions from the old man.
1t was silent and anxious wait oi
two hours, and l had time to reflect
over what l was doing.
l, julie Morse, son of an honored
sire, partner in a reputable business
in New York, on an errand for my
house, in open rebellion against the
United States government, with arms
in my hands, and loaded ones, too
What would Burbank say? What
would the judge say in the trial, sup
posing 1 wasn't killed in what prison
would I languish?
These were dismal reflections, bul
Eva's face inspired me. l was fight
ing her battles; at least / tried tt
think so.
A shot down the road! Instantly
we grasped our weapons as vehicle
dashed up to the gate.
"Hello !" came from the darknes:
without. Leaving Eva, we went OIL
the porch, and Wilder answered
"Well, what's wanted"
81 want Old Man Wilder, quick I've
got warrant for him from The United
States commissioner" was the hurried
reply.
you'll have to come and take him
then," was The answer, as the gunlock
clicked.
Some one leaped to the ground, and
on the instant blaze shot from Will
der's rifle. There was a groan and 6
fall, and then silence.
In a moment Eva was at the door
her pale face lighted up by the laml
she held above her head.
Neither of US moved, except Wilder
who reached inside the door tor an
other gun, saying, There may bt
more of 'em."
After some dreadful moments O.
silence and suspense, he took the laml
from Eva's trembling hand and walk
ed slowly out in the yard, pauslng a
every step TO listen for other possible
enemies.
Following at his heels, I saw in th'
gloom PROSTATE body. Coming near
er, the old man stopped over the dying
man, and peering in his face, h'
shrieked, in tone l shall never for
get:
"Come, quick, Eva; for Gods sake
be quick it's Bertie! Oh, my pool
boy! God forgive mel"
| cannot undertake to describe tht
scene that ensued (; it will haunt mt
for life. A few minutes later, as hi
lay on the bed waiting for death
which was near at hand, with his
hands spasmodically grasping those o
father and sister, he strove to tell then
as he gasped for breath how be thought
to have bit of fun at his fathers ex
pense, in the JOY Of reaching home
again, thinking his voice would be
recognized. .
The scene was more than l coult
bear, and | left the trio to themselves
as l walked back and forth in the
darkness the remainder of that terri
ble night. Three days later l was OF
my way to New York.
found no diamonds in North Caro-
lima, but of pearls l discovered tht
chiefest, the purest and best, whom
two years later presented to my ole
mother as my bride.