Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-27

Imight De. Sne, therefore, saw VIII
great satisfaction, the assiduous
though boyish devotion with which he
set himself to gain a knowledge OF
matters relating to the duties Of SOL
Idier. However little this may fall
within the scope of female perception
| in ordinary times, 1t will not appear sc
much removed from the capabilities OF
even the habits of the sex, when we re-
feet that In the commissions Of this
great national struggle, when every re-
source of the country was drained fol
service, the events of the day were
contemplated with no less interest by
the women than by the men. The fer
vor with which the American women
participated in the cares and sacrifices
of the Revolutionary war, has chal-
lenged the frequent notice and warmest
praises of its chroniclers. Mildred but
reflected, In this instance, the hues OF
the society around the Dove Cote
which consisted Of many families
scattered along the country side
composed Of persons Of elevated char
acter, easy circumstances, and Of the
staunchest Whig politics, with whom
she held an uninterrupted and familiar
intercourse.
Another consideration may serve to
explain the somewhat masculine char
acter Of Mildred's pursuits. Her most
intimate companion, at all times, and
frequently for weeks together her only
one, was her brother. These two had
grown up together In all the confidence
of childhood; and this confidence con-
! tinued still unabated. Their pursuits,
sports, exercises, thoughts, and habits
were alike, with less Of the discrimi-
nation usual between the sexes, than
Is to be found between individuals In
larger associations. They approx
mated each other In temper and dispo-
ton; and Henry might, in this regard,
be said to be. without disparagement
to his manly qualities, girlish boy;
and Mildred on the other hand, with as
little derogation, to be boytsh girl.
This homebred freedom Of nurture pro-
duced, in Its development, some gro
tesque results. which my reader has,
doubtless, heretofore observed with a
smile; and 1t will, likewise, serve to
explain some Of the peculiar forms Of
intercourse which may hereafter be
noticed between the brother and sister.
The news of the battle of Camden
had not. yet reached the neigAborhood
OF the Dove Cote; but the time drew
nigh when all the country stood on tip
toe. anxious to receive tidings Of that
interesting event. A week had elapsed
without bringing letters from Butler;
and Mildred was growing uneasy at
this interval of silence. There was a
struggle In her mind; an unpleasant
foreboding that she was almost asham-
ed to acknowledge, and yet which she
, could not subdue. The country was
full Of reports of the hostile operations,
and a thousand surmises were enter
tained, which varied according to the
more sanguine or desponding tempers
of the persons who made them. Mil
dred was taught by Butler to expect
defeat, yet still she hoped for victory;
but the personal fate Of her lover stole
upon her conjectures and she could not
keep down the misglving which affec-
tion generally exaggerates, and always
renders painful. In this state Of doubt,
1t was observable that her manners oc-
casionally rose to q higher tone of
playfulness than was natural to her;
and by turns they sank to a moody
silence, showing that the equipoise OF
the mind was disturbed, and that the
scales did not hang true; 1t was the
struggle of mental resolution with a
coward heart-a heart intimidated by
its affections.
Such was the state of things when,
in the latter fortnight of August the
morning ushered in a day Of unsur-
passed beauty. The air was electric;
the cool breeze played upon the shrub
berry. and stole the perfume Of thou
sand flowers. The birds sang with un-
wonted vivacity from the neighboring
trees: and the sun lighted up the
mountains with golden splendor. the
fast drifting clouds flinging their shad-
ows upon the forest that clothed the
hills around, and the eagle and the
buzzard sailing in the highest heavens
or eddying around the beetling cliffs
with a glad flight, as If rejoicing In
the luxuries of the cool summer morn
Ing Breakfast was scarcely over
before Henry was seen upon the ter
race, arrayed in his hunting dress
His bugle was daintily suspended by a
green cord across his shoulders: II
was neat and glittering instrument
whose garniture was bedizened with
the coxcombry of silken tassels, and
was displayed as ostentatiously as II
worn by the hero of a melodrama.
Like st. Swithin in the ballad, he
had footed thrice the wold," when he
put the bugle to his mouth and
blew q recheate both loud and long
How now, good master Puff said
Mildred coming up playfully to hel
brother. what means this uproar'
Pray you, have mercy on ones ears
Henry turned towards his sister
without taking the bugle from his lips
and continued the blast for a full
minute then, ceasing only for want OF
breath, he said, with a comic earnest
ness
I'm practising my signals, sister;
can give you to Horse and 'Reveillee,
and Roast Beef like trained trum'
peter"
Truly you are a proper man, mas
ter" replied Mildred. But 1t is hardly
time" she continued. half mutterine
to herself, for you and me, Henry
to wear light hearts in our bosoms.
why. sister" said Henry. with some
Iastonishment in his looks. this seem:
to me to be the very time to practise
nv signals. We are at the very tug
of the war. and every man that has
sword. or bugle either, should be VI
and doing"
How come on your studies, broth