Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-09

den! The sacrifice that you have
made-its ever present and unmitiga-
ted weight, silently and sleeplessly in
fiicting its slow pains upon your free
and generous spirit; that Mildred, Is
the chief and most CALLING Of my
cares"
"This weary war, this weary war;"
breathed Mildred, in pensive under
key when will 1t be done!"
1.-The longest troubles have their
end" replied Butler, "and men, at
last, spent with the vexations Of their
own mischief. fly, by selfish instinct,
into the bosom Of peace. God will
prosper our enterprise, and bring our
battered ship into fortunate haven"
How little like 1t seems 1t now!"
returned Mildred. "The general sor-
row, alone, might we'll weigh down
the stoutest heart. That cause which
you have made mine, Arthur. to which
you have bestowed your life, and
which, for your sake" she added
proudly, should have this feeble arm
Of mine, could 1t avail, is 1t not even
now trembling on the verge Of ruin :?
Have not your letters, one after an
other told me Of the sad train In
which misfortunes have thickened up
on the whole people? Of defeat, both
north and south, and, at this very
time, Of disgraceful mutiny Of whole
regiments under the very eye Of
Washington-that Washington who
loves his country and her soldiers as
a husband loves his bride, and father
his children. Have not those, to whom
we all looked for champions, turned
into mere laggards in the war for
freedom? Oh, Arthur, do you not re-
member that these are the thoughts.
the very words, which were penned by
your own hand, for my especial medi-
tation? How can but fear that the
good erl is still far Off? How can I
but feel soure weight upon my hearth"
"You have grown overwise, Mil
dred. in these ruminations. I am to
blame for this, that in my peevish hu-
NOR, vexed with the crosses Of the
day, I should have written on such
topics to one so sensitive as yourself"
"Still 1t is true, Arthur, all report
confirms It."
"These things do not become your
entertainment, Mildred. Leave the
public care to US. There are bold
hearts, love, and strong arms yet to
spare for this quarrel. We have not
yet so exhausted our mines Of strength
but that much rough ore still lies un-
turned to the sun, and many an un-
couth lump Of metal remains to be
fashioned for serviceable use. His
tory tells of many rebound from des-
pondency, so sudden and inreckoned,
that the wisest men could see In 1t no
other spring than the decree Of God.
He will fight the battle Of the weak,
and set the right upon sure founda-
tion."
"The country rings" said Mildred,
again taking the more cheerful hue
of her lovers hopes, and following out
with an affectionate sympathy, his
tone Of thought, with anticipation Of
victory from Gates's southern march"
THAT may turn out to be broken
reed interrupted Butler as ! if think
ing aloud. and struck by Mildred's ref
erence to a subject that had already
engrossed his thoughts; "they may be
deceived. Washington would have put
a different man upon that service. I
would have a leader in such a war,
wary, watchful, humble-difident as
we'll as brave. fear Gates Is not so"
"Then, trust, ARTHUR" exclaimed
Mildred, with anxious alacrity, that
your present expedition does not con-
meet you with his fortunes!"
II neither follow his colors nor par
take Of his counsels," replied Butler.
"Still my motions may not be exempt
from the influence Of his failure or
success. The enemy, you are aware,
has possessed himself OF every post OF
value in South Carolina and Georgia.
I 60 commissioned to advise with dis
Greet and prudent men upon the
means to shake off this odious domi-
nation. So far only, and remotely,
too, am a fellow-laborer with Gates.
There are gallant spirits now afoot,
Mildred, to strip these masters Of their
power. My office is to aid their en-
terprise."
TO BE CONTINUED.