Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-06-08
AN HUMBLE HERO.
Rv THOMAS p. MONTFORT-
Copyright, 1901, by Thomas P. Montfort
CHAPTER XIV.

Pap Sampson was expecting the ar
rival Of Louisa. He had Immediately
after Sims return sent her word In.
forming her of that fact. He had not
asked her to come and had made no
suggestion as to what she should do.
He simply told her that Sim had come
home and was going 70 give himself
up and left the rest to her.
He believed she would come. He
felt confident Of it. but he didn't know.
He said nothing to Sim Of what he
had done for fear Of encouraging false
hopes. II Louisa came, 1t would be
all right. but If she didn't it would be
better for Sim to think she didn't
know.
So it vas that Pap Sampson was all
on edge with expectancy and doubt
and was in a continual fidget. He was
so anxious for Louisa to come and SO
afraid she wouldn't. Then, toor If she
did come he wanted to be the first to
meet her.
OF course Sims old neighbors were
anxious to learn the history Of his
life during the four years Of his abb
sence, and they piled him with eager
questions until he was forced to tell
much more than he wished. His career
as q soldier had been glorious in an
humble way. for he had fought at
the front in many hard contested bat.
ties. and he had performed more than
one deed of uncommon valor. But
Sim was modest. and It was trying to
him to have to speak Of these things.
and even when he was driven to 1t he
passed them over as lightly as posi-
BILE.
Pap Sampson, however, was too
fond and proud Of Sim to allow his
heroism to remain unknown. So, not
withstanding his excited condition, he
took time to tell the full story Of how
Sim had saved Thompson by bravely
rescuing him from the field Of battle
in q rain Of shot and shell. Pap told
it all as Thompson had told it. giving
Sim his full need Of credit. When he
had finished. there was long silence,
during which everybody sat with open
mouth, staring at Sim in astonishment
1t was a full minute before any one
spoke. and even then some one merely
exclaimed:
"Waal. I'll Jest be doggoned"
This broke the spell, and quickly
Sam Morgan added:
"Don't that heat you? Who'd "a
ever thought Of Sim Banks doin any
sich way as that?"
Lord" some one exclaimed. 81 bet
he was skeered. though. Want you,
Sim?'
81 don't know" Sim replied wearily.
81 don't mind much bout It."
Pap Sampson brought his cane down
with thump.
"Of co'se Sim want skeered," he
said. "a man that'll do like he done
amt a-gwine to git skeered at nothin.
Sim Banks skeered! Lord, you make
me plumb tired"
"My land, Pap, you're plumb right
bout that. \ feller fixed like Sim was
thar don't have no time to think bout
gittin skeered. l know jest how it are.
cause I've been in lots CT jest sicll
scrapes myself. l mind doin putt!
nigh jest that same thing once on a
awful bloody battlefield. an | want 10
more skeered than l am this minute
WAS that the time you fit Hicks
taters down thar in the cellar, Ebene.
zer?"
Ebenezer Sparks tossed his head
with an air of fine scorn.
Il reckon" he said. you think you're
pow'ful smart, allus draggin that old
cellar in ever time dast to open my
mouth. But l guess you'll keep on
a-draggin it in till you've wore il
plumb out"
Pap Sampson, who had been out on
the street, came hurriedly in and whis'
pered something to Sim. No one heard
what he said, but whatever it was il
had magical effect, for Sim was
transformed in an instant from state
of liStlesS apathy to one Of eager and
excited interest. His face beamed. and
his eyes glistencd. and he trembled
from head to foot He sprang up and
started out. but sam Morgan laid his
hand gently on his arm to dctain him.
The next moment woman appeared
in the open door. Everybody looked
up and saw it was Louisa. Then 81
lence as still as death fell over the
scene.
She paused for an instant and glanc
ed around. Her eyes wandered unit!
they rested on Sim. Then with CRY
full of joy and pathos she tottcred to
ward him. His arms opened to receive
her, and the next moment she was
folded to his breast, and in silence they
were weeping together
Nobody spoke. 1t was q scene toe
impressive, too sacred. to be disturbed
Many stood with their heads bent
their hearts full and their eyes moist
with tears. Sam Morgan drew his
handkerchief from his pocket and has
tilv turned his face away. While Eb@
nezer Sparks stood smiling idioticallT
making heroic efforts to appear unaf
fected.
No one moved but Pap Sampson. He
stood humping the floor with his cane