Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-08-22

Bessie chield, and tell the minister,
that while We have fingers 20 wark,
and a voice to pray, ye will gle all
We weak hands can do, and all yer
puir sinfu' heart can think. to the holy
cause O. the Lord and liberty
The old man took off his hat rever-
entity as he spoke, and placing his
hand on Bessie's head, with his eyes
raised in holy fervor, seemed indeed
to be devoting his child to the cause.
Mr.. Adams was deeply touched, and
grasping his hand said, mo one doubts
your patriotism, Andrew, and for lit
tie Bessie, here" he continued smiling
l"such saucy little bodies would draw
less loyal hearts than Alexander Bow
ems to the cause. Never blush, child,
he's lad that you may be proud OF.
AS ne spoke, Alexander himself ap-
preached, and with a manner half as
sured and half bashful, greeted the
party. The minister who had spoken
to him before. gave him a kindly
smile; old Andrew, an honest grasp;
while Mr.. Willoughby, as If fearful Of
compromising himself by extending
his hand to a known trooper in Major
Davies corps, hesitated until the hon.
est soldier, ascribing to pride OF sta
ton, what was only timidity Of prin-
ciple, touched his hat with a careless
independence, without noticing the
1tardily offered hand.
But his cheeks glowed as Ellen
Campbell, with a grace peculiarly her
own, and with a warmth Of manner
which made ample amends for her
luncle's coldness, rested her little hand
In his, and in a few words, which a
woman knows so we'll how to use. OBJ
liberated the memory Of the fancied
slight. The glow had not faded from
his sunburned cheek, when he turned
to speak to Bessie; but she was too
busy in her welcome Of a newcomer,
to do more than hastily nod her pref
ty little head; and ne wondered II the
blush which still rested on her cheek,
from the minister's words, was flush
of pleasure or pain.
Here Is Mr.. Ferris, father" said
Bessie, as she warmly shook the hand
of a newcomer: "he Is about to join
Major Davies troopers. so you must
count him one Of rs now"
Better late than never, Reuben.
Though we shrank from the heat and
burthen O. the day. ye may find wark
enough yet to keep leal heart busy.
said Andrew, with some itterness.
Don't be hard on Reuben, Andrew.
If he brings as honest a heart, as he
brings a strong arm. We'll have him
captain yet" said Mr.. Adams. en-
Icouragingly.
Andrew did not speak. although the
minister evidently wished him to
make amends for his somewhat rough
welcome. There u'es a scowl on the
young mans face, which Mr.. Will
loughby's timid greeting and Ellen's
colder one. did not tend to dissipate;
but Bessie's cordia, rlanner seemed at
length to win him to good humor.
The two troopers were young men
in the prime Of life, with all the hard
ihood of the mountaineer; each strong
and athletic: yet so dissimilar as to
need description in order to understand
fully, the character Of the two.
Alexander Bowen stood rather above
six feet, yet so admirably proportioned
as to seem scarcely so tall. A profu-
sion of curling brown hair preserved
the fairness of a high broad brow
though the face was embrowned by
exposure to the sun and air. A chin
closely shaven. unusual to troopers,
still showed evidence Of the abundance
of the hirsute ornament. Eyes OF
dark gray, almost black when spark
ling in merry roguery that was almost
contradicted by the firmly set lips. In
dicating concentrated purpose and In
domitable will And II he might nave
served for a model for Hercules, his
companion might as we'll have stood
for Vulcan.
| He was lower Of stature, but or al
most disproportionate breadth. HIS
limbs were large. but sinewy and mus
=. | CulaT, cot
have often thought there Is as much'
perhaps more character in brow. than
ary other feature. Ferris brow was low,
and from hibitual contraction, scowl-
ling; his small gray eyes were almost
hid beneath the hanging brows; his
nose broad and fiat; mouth large
thick Tipped; his neck thick and short;
the lower part of his face being al
most hid in bushy red whiskers, con-
trasting strongly with his short. stif
black hair. His countenance Indicated
cunning and sensuality.
And when do you expect to join
Major Davies boys?" said Mr.
Adams.
I'VE will meet him at Watauga'
replied Bowen, "if good luck does not
throw us together sooner
And If 1 may be so bold, why are
YOU absent now. young man. asked
Mr.. Willoughby.
The young troopers eyes flashed
at the unceremonious words. and his
lip arched itself to a hasty rejoinder'
but impulsive little Bessie interrupt
ed with. Captain Bowen, If you
please, Mr. Willoughby And do you
not know that it is to raise recruits
for Major Davie that he's here now!
That's what the minister's sermon
was for"
Indeed, Bessie. did not" replied
Mr. Willoughby, good humorediy'
land if must admire the taste which
chooses you for his secretary of state
I cannot so heartily commend its pru-
dence."
Deed. sir Ellicks not ashamed OF
it," replied Bessie, shrinking In blush
r ing embarrassment at her impet-
uosity.
And deed, Bessie, l am not asham-
5 ed of the good plate that's so well
stored away. waiting for peaceful
2 times; but l see no reason why King
I men or Congress men should know It,
replied Mr. Willoughby.