Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-03

anu udIllllHS lie COuiu reveal Sop'ai'
Hamilton, bold as he was felt his heart
sink within him, and his good resolu-
tions took to themselves wings and
flew away.
Oh, it is a bitter, bitter draught,
when the naughty son of genius finds
that by one misstep, one plunge into
crime, thing to which he had ascrib-
ed no more than a reptiles consequence
has obtained the mastery over his ac-
tions, and whenever his better nature
turns in horror from the crimes to
which he is urged. there stands the re-
entless demon beckoning forward with
one hand, while the other points to an
abyss of infamy behind! Whenever,
too, his guardian angel whispers Re
turn-repent," it's low tone Is drowned
by a louder voice, which says "One
step more, and you are safe: one more
deed Of shame is all that Is needed.
There beyond that one deed, lie power,
and wealth, and honor. Courage, and
they are yours! To turn back Is
"
self-destruction! You cannot recall
the past, and you have done so much,
that the little more required will
scarcely add feathers weight to your
guilt" And so he. goes on from Crime
to crime, under the delusive belief that
each one is the last; that each one is
all that intervenes between him and
the prize he is losing his soul to win.
Hamilton reasoned as thousands had
done before him, and fell, as they did,
into a moral hell, which is robbed Of
none Of its tortures by the gliding of
worldly success. His reply was an in
dex to the thoughts that oppressed
him.
Il have no alternative, suppose, but
to yield to your wishes, or to blow out
your brains
"And the last alternative is one tnat
l trust Captain Hamilton instantly
dismissed, since these same brains may
be serviceably employed in the promo
ton of his interests"
II did dismiss it, Why or wherefore
is immaterial. My resolution is takenI
to go on as we agreed at our last in
terview in the city. AS I understand
that you have nothing particular to
communicate in reference to that mat
ter 1t is best to drop the subject"
II had no idea when I broached it,
that it would lead to so much CONVEX
sation between us; still, 1 do not like
to leave anything unfinished; and
confess to some curiosity to know
what pleasant vision you were indulg-
ing a short time since, in connection
with my sudden decease."
Mr.. Billings you spared me the
modification of listening to a threat
from you, and l would willingly have
exercised a like forbearance. If any
thing should sound unpleasant in what
am going to say remens, ,er that your
inquiry extracted it. The vision / was
indulging is one that will remain near
me hereafter. The day that l resolve
to break off our connection, will be the
last of your life. You have the power
to injure me deeply, and whenever l
suspect that you are about to use 1t,
(and / shall suspect it the moment we
quarrelD 1 will slay you as certain as
there is a God in heaven!"
The words were hissed through his
closed teeth, and the bloodless lips
scarcely moved when the sound escap-
ed them. The superhuman self-con-
troll of Billings failed him for once,
and his eye quailed before the glance
of fire that was fixed upon him. 1t
required a strong effort to recover from
his confusion, and reply in his usual
voice.
That is a bond between us 1 had
not thought of. BY the Lord, there are
few friendships so we'll cemented as
Well, do not lament the little wrang-
ling that has brought us to so clear an
understanding, and 1 predict that our
work will be better and more harmo-
failure on either side will be followed
by consequences so serious. We will,
if you please, consider this long epi-
sode at an end. I sought you to say
that l am going tonight to the city
of New York, and from there / must
take a journey southwark. 1t will
probably be two months or more before
you see me again. In the meantime
it will be best to let the little seed
have planted grow INTENDED. Indeed,
if General Howe is a soldier of as
much capacity as he is represented he
will leave you no leisure to attend to
private matters. At the head of his
force, he ought to drive General Wash
ington from the state of New York in
two days. The Americans can make
no efficient stand until he is drawn in
land, beyond the reach of aid from his
shipping, and is weakened by the gar
risons he must leave behind. l may
have occasion to write TO you, and If
so, take it for granted that there is not
one word of truth i'm the visible con-
tents. When you are alone, hold it
over not IlTe, ana Whatever lileIl dp-
pears upon the third page you may re-
ly on"
Going to the city did you say?
That is impossible; the enemy's lines
extend from river to river
Nevertheless l must make the at
tempt; and l have accomplished more
difficult feats before now. Take this
glass;" he continued, land examine
that skirt of timber to the left. l
thought | detected the glitter of scarlet
uniforms among the autumn leaves"
Hamilton took the glass, and, after
brief survey of the ground, closed it
again, saying
1T is nothing but a post of videttes." :"
Il know it," replied Billings; but
look again. There is a lot of officers
coming this way, and there is no oc-
casion for letting them know that our
conversation has had reference TO any
thing else than the perfection. or i'm
perfection of General Howe's disposi-
tions. Give me the glass"
Taking the instrument, he adjusted
il to his eye. and ran it along the whole