Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-05-04

a frightened gaze upon the confuse'
scene below, 1t was some moments De-
fore they became aware C; the partici
patton of Henry and Alfred In thi
sudden and angry broil. Mildred wa
the first to discern the two young mel
as they were dragged violently across
the open space in front Of the mansion
by the crowd, and to hear the threat
with which this movement was accom-
panied.
"Merciful Heaven!" she exclaimed
"they have laid hands upon Henry ant
Alfred-they will kill my brother, m!
dear brother!" Almost frantic at tn
danger that threatened Henry and hi
companion, she fled precipitately dow
the staircase, and in q moment stoot
confronted with Colonel Tarleton ant
his soldiers.
"Never fear. sister," cried out Henry
who was already brought into the hall
as he saw Mildred descending TIT
stairs. Don't be alarmed for either
Alfred or me. We are ready to confess
what we did and why we did it-anc
Colonel Tarleton, If he Is true man
will not dare to say we did wrong"
Il charge you, Colonel Tarleton,'
said Mildred with a firm but excited
voice, "as the soldier Of a Christian ma
ton to save the people Of this house
from an inhuman and most wicked
outrage. I implore you as an Officer
who would be esteemed valiant-anc
as a gentleman who would fly from
dishonor-to rescue your name from
the disgrace of this barbarous vio-
lence. For the sake Of mercy-spare
us-spare us!"
AS she uttered this last ejaculation
her spirit yielded to the vehemence OF
her feelings, and she flung herself up
on her knees at the feet Of the COM
mander. "Oh, sir, do not let harm fal
upon my brother. know not what he
has done, but he Is thoughtless and
RASH"
Mildred" said Henry, Immediately
rushing to his sister, and lifting hel
from the floor, "why should you knee
before him, or any man here? This is
no place for you-get back to your
room." Then turning to Tarleton, he
continued, alfred Markham and
tried to shoot down your men because
we saw them breaking the tomb. II
1t was to do over again our hands are
ready"
"They have insulted the memory OF
my father" exclaimed Alfred, tramp
led upon his grave. and broken the
stone that covers him-I aimed to kill
the drunken coward who did it. That
say, sir, to your face"
Tarleton, for a space, seemed to be
bewildered by the scene. He looked
around him. as II hesitating what
course to pursue, and once or twice
made an effort to obtain silence in the
hall; but the tumult Of many voices In
angry contention still continued. Al
last he presented his hand to Mildred
and with a courteous action conducted
her to a chair, then begged her to calm
her fears, as he promised her that no
evil should befall either Of the young
men whose indiscreet +tempers had oe-
casioned the present uproar.
"In Gods name! have they fired the
dwelling?" he exclaimed, as at this
moment volume Of smoke rolled Into
the hall. What no. there! O'Neal
Mcpherson. Look where this smoke
comes from, and instantly extinguish
the fire! Stir yourselves, gentlemen
By my hilt, If any follower of mine
has been so wild as to put a torch to
this house, I will hang him to the
ridgepole of the roof! Look to 1T
every man! Quick, quick-there is
danger that the flames may get ahead
In an instant nearly every soldier
in the hall departed in obedience to
this order
81 beg, madam" Tarleton continued
that you will dismiss your alarm, and
rest upon my pledge that no Inmate oil
this house shall be harmed. l con-
lecture that / have the honor to speak
to Miss Lindsay have been inform
ed that that lady has lately found shell
ter under this roof"
1T Is my name, strand as the
daughter Of a friend to your quarrel
let me conjure you to see that this
house Is safe; l cannot speak with
you until l am assured of that"
At this juncture, Mrs. Markham was
observed at the head Of the first flight
of stairs, pale with alright, wringing
her lie. s, and uttering loud ejacula-
tionse87 terror and grief as she made
her way down to the hail.
"Oh, SIR she said, as she approach
ed the commander, 1--WE are harmless
women, and have done nothing to call
down this vengeance upon us. Take
what you will-but spare my roof and
save my family! God will regard you
even for that act of humanity to a
desolate widow"
Before Tarleton could reply to tine
matron, a party of officers came has
tily into his presence, at the head oil
whom was Captain O'Neal, who re-
ported that the fire was eXtinguished.
lone Of the mess, today" he SAID
heated with drink and reused by the
foolish temper of these hot-headed
boys, threw a blazing billet into a clos
ct. Luckily, we reached the spot be-
fore any great harm was done. the
chaps should be switched and taugh'
better manners. 1t was a silly affair
and might have made mischief"
See that the offender be arrested,
replied Tarleton, II will take meas
ures to curb this license. These med
ding youngsters. too-however, can
blame them, they had provocation,
contestant this war gives an edge &c
all the metal of the country. Instead
of pop-guns now every baby has MS
powder and ball-dismiss the boys
To your post, captain, and order every
man to join his company. Now, ma
dam," he added, in a tone OF concilia :
tion to Mrs. Markham. as soon as the
hall was cleared, II am sure you VII
not accuse me of incivility. My people
n A.