Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-09-12


You see yourself they are not free from
the insults Of these lawless men, and
am as safe here with you as am any
where. l cannot go. Do not grieve me
by asking, dear father" said little Bes-
sic, in her coaxing way.
las you like lassie. Dear knows
Gamma find it in my heart to send you
from me now"
Bessie now busted herself about her
usual household duties, and though In
terrupted frequently by rude guests,
still the day promised to pass without
other danger than the terror these
coarse visitors inspired. Late In the
evening, Andrew gathered, from the
remarks of the passers, that the Amer
leans were in hot pursuit, and would
likely come up with the enemy on the
following day.
1T is positive Madness" said one,
ito attempt forcing Ferguson from
that position. He commands the whole
hill, and each column Of the Wings,
guns till not a man remains. He's got
a body of regulars there, too, that
would face a thousand devils II they
were commanded to do 1t. 1 tell you,
there's small chance for those hunting
shirt fellows below. Why Ferguson
could crush them by only rolling the
stones down."
Such conversations, and the like,
were not calculated to quiet Andrews
mind; yet just as little did they intim-
idate hopeful little Bessie. With a
quiet smile and many an inward pray
er, for we'll she knew Ellfck was there,
did she pursue her duties. AS even
ing advanced the confusion became
greater, and the ribald oaths and OBJ
scene songs of the brutal rabble, more
than once startled and shocked Bessie's
ears. Still she bravely kept up her
courage, and setting the table for the
evening meal, prepared it SHtb the
usual tidy despatch.
II am afraid you are no better
father" said Bessie. who had twice
called the old man before he had an
swered.
Yes. lassie dear, better and more
comfortable since the morn," replied
the old man. IF l get a nights rest,
with Gods blessing, / will be the same
as ever. and may He bless and keep
u.s." said he, as he reverently bowed his
head, asking the customary blessings
on the food provided They had
scarcely sat down ere he door was
rudely thrown open anu a party of
troopers, headed by Ferris, entered.
Just In time," said he, with a coarse
oath. Come Bessie" said he. famil-
iarly laying his hand on ner shoulders,
Give us some supper, girl; the best
the house will afford"
Now Bessie was neither patient nor
prudent, and quick to resent such con-
duct and language from the man whom
she hated above all others in the world,
she replied
I'll never wait on you, Reuben Fer
ris, nor any like you: but I know you'll
take what you want. There are the
keys: wait on yourself" and throwing
them on the table, she entered her
own room and closed the door.
"A spicy jade" said one Of the men.
Let her alone" said Ferris. "I'll deal
with her presently"
81 trust, sirs," said Andrew in pale
alarm at Bessie's imprudent words and
the staggering impudence Of the par
ty. that you will think nothing Of the
hasty speech of silly lassie. You are
welcome to whatever my poor house af-
fords, and will wait upon you better
than a foolish girl"
"Pll swear II II amt the deaf Scotch
man, Tom! You can hear we'll enough
now. you grey headed hypocrite," said
a trooper, with an oath.
"Ha! what Is that Tom?" asked Fer
ris In surprise, at the indignant aston
ishment of his companions.
I'VE came here, the night Of your big
expedition against Major Davie up at
the Mansion House" laughed Tom
with whom and his companions. Fer
ris' bungling business was a standing
joke-"and found the old sinner so deaf
and Psalm singing, as not to be able
to hear anything we said to him. You
have recovered wonderfully since that
time. friend"
Yes. and I'll be sworn he was the
very man that carried the news to the
Whig camp" said Ferris, In gathering
wrath.
IF thought so. I'd make him dance
on nothing. pretty soon." said the
trooper a reckless and cruel bully, who
was a match for Ferris in every crime
But no, 1t could not have been, fol
there was no one here but himself"
mo one but himself! Where was
Bessie?" said Ferris, with his keer
grey eyes fixed on the man.
His child? Oh! she had gone te
see a friend" said the trooper, who
could not understand the gathering
cloud on Ferris brow.
| She had, had she?' thundered Fer
ris. Now" said Ferris. with a ter
rible oath. "she will pay dearly for thai
visit Tell me where she went" crie6
he. starting up and grasping the throat
of Andrew, "or I'll choke every droI
of blood out Of you"
There was low gurgllng sound, ant
Ferris, not aware himself. in his fury
of the giant grip that was suffocatine
the old man, was startled by piercing
shrek, and Bessie, who had been al
anxious listener to the foregoing con-
versation. rushed from the adjoining
room and threw her arms around hei
father. With a furious curse. th'
wretch dashed the old man from hi:
hand. and dragging the girl from th'
now insensible body, thundered out
$50 1t was you. my little Miss, tina
done Bowen the good deed of carrying
tales to him. was it?"
MY father. my dear father" criet
the girl, wrenching herself from TIT
ruffians grasp; and. kneeling by th'
side of the still PROSTATE form, callec
on him in piercing tones to speak t.
her. He was not dead, but PARTIAL!
strangled and stunned. He slowly
opened his eyes, and with difficult!