Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-12-08

had put on his full uniform Of Con-
federate colonel in honor Of Marion and
the poem her father had written OF one
of his gallant charges. He had not
worn it since he fell that day in PhiPs
arms.
No one in the room had ever seen
him in this coloners uniform. It's yell
low sash with the gold fringe and tas-
sells was faded and there were two bull
let holes in the coat. A murmur of ap-
plause from the boys, sighs and excla-
nations from the girls swept the room
as he took Marion's hand, bowed and
kissed it. Her blue eyes danced and
smiled on him with frank admiration.
ben, you're the handsomest thing
I've ever seen!" she said, softly.
Thanks. I thought you had mir
ror I'll send you one" he answered,
slipping his arm around her and glid-
ing away to the strains of a waltz. The
girls hand trembled as she placed 1t
on his shoulder, her cheeks were flush
ed, and her eyes had wistful dreamy
look in their depths.
| When Ben rejoined Elsie and they
strolled on the lawn, the military COM
mandant suddenly confronted them
with a squad Of soldiers.
"Pll trouble you for those buttons
and shoulder-straps," said the captain.
Elsie's amber eyes began to spit fire.
Pep otood still and smiled
What do you mean?" she asked.
"That I will not be insulted by the
wearing of this uniform today"
II dare you to touch 1t, coward, pol
troon!" cried the girl, her plump little
figure bristling in front Of her lover.
Ben laid his hand on her arm and
gently drew her back to his side: HE
has the power to do this. 1t Is tech
nical violation Of law to wear them. I
have surrendered. am a gentleman
have his tribute. I've promised my
father to offer no violence to the mil
itary authority Of the United States"
He stepped forward, and the officer
CuI tuC bultoiio IL SAS So1s oaiN Atf
ped the straps from his shoulders.
While the performance was going
on, Ben quietly said 10
| General Grant at Appomatox, with
the instincts of great soldier, gave our
men his spare horses and ordered that
Confederate officers retain their side
arms. The general Is evidently not In
touch with this force"
NO; I'm in command in this coun-
ty" seid the captain.
Evidently" ..
When he had gone, Elsie's eyes were
dim They strolled under the shadow
Of the great oak and stood In silence,
listening to the music within and the
distant murmur Of the falls.
"Why Is it, sweetheart, that girl
will persist in admiring brass but
tons?" Ben asked, softly.
She raised her lips to his for a kiss
and answered:
Because a soldiers business Is to
die for his country"
AS Ben led her back into the ball
room and surrendered her to a friend
for a dance, the first gun pealed Its
note Of victory from the square In the
celebration of the triumph of the Afri-
can slave over his white master.
Ben strolled out in the street to hear
the news.
The Constitution had been ratified
by an enormous majority, and legis-
lature elected composed Of 101 negroes
and 2S white men. Silas Lynch had
been elected lieutenant governor
negro secretary Of state. negro treas
urer, and a negro justice Of the su-
preme court.
When Bizzel, the wizZen-faced agent
of the Freedman's Bureau. made this
announcement from the court house
steps, pandemonium broke loose. An
incessant rattle Of musketry began In
which ball cartridges were used the
missiles whistling over the town in ev-
cry direction. Yet within half an hour
the square was deserted and a strange
quiet followed the storm.
| Old Aleck staggered by the hotel, his
Drunkenness having reached the reli-
gious stage.
Behold. a curiosity, gentleme"," cried
Ben to a group Of boys who had gath
cred, "a voter is come among us-in
fact he is the people. the king, our
representative elect, the Honorable
Alexander Lenoir, of the county Of
Ulster!"
Gemmens. de Lawd's bin good ter
me-" said Aleck. weeping copiously.
"They say the rat labels were in a
majority in this precinct-how was
that?" asked Ben.
"Yessah-dat what de scornful, but
de Lawd er Hosts He fetch EN- low.
Mistah Bissel de Buro man count all
dem rat votes right, sah-dey couldn't
fool him-he know what dey mean-he
count 'em all for me an de ratifica-
tion."
Sure pop" said Ben: IF you can't
ratify with a rat, I'd like to know
why?"
Oats what 1 tells 'em, sah."
| "Of course" said Ben, good -humor-
edly. 1.-THE voice of the people is the
voice Of God-rats or no rats-if you
know how to count"
AS old Aleck staggered away. the sud-
den crash Of a volley Of musketry ech-
oed in the distance.
Whats that?" asked Ben, listening
intently The sound was unmistakable
to a soldiers ear-that volley from a
hundred rifles at single word Of
command 1t was followed by a shot
on a hill in the distance, and then by
faint echo, farther still. Ben listened
a few moments and turned into the
lawn Of the hotel. The music suddenly
stopped. the tramp Of feet echoed on
the porch. woman screamed, and from
the rear Of the house came the cry:
Fire! FIRE."
Almost at the same moment an i'm
mense sheet Of flame shot skyward
from the big barn.