Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-06
CHAPTER XXXVII.
A Domestic Scene at the Dove Cot

A Domestic Scene at the Dove Cote.
On the third morning following
Lindsay's and Tyrrers departure, the
season being now about the commence
ment of September, Henry was seen'
after an unusually early breakfast to
come forth upon the grass plot, In
front of the house bearing In his hand
a short rihe-his customary accompa-
niment Of the bugle being slung across
his shoulders. For some moments lie
was occupied in examining his wea-
pom; then leaning II against tree that
stood upon the lawn, he put the bugle
to his mouth and sounded long and
clearing signal-note. The first effects
of this spell were to bring up Bell,
Blanche and Hy!as, the three flap
cared hounds, who came frisking over
the grass with many antics that might
be said to resemble the bows and curt
sizes of the human species, and which
were accompanied by the houndish
salutation of deep-mouthed howls that
the norm never IdlIS lO "dhS uP ~
these animals.
Soon after these, came striding up
the hill the long gaunt form or Ste
phen Foster, who, mounting the stone
wall on the lower side, with one bound
sprang over the thicket-hedge that be-
girt the terrace. He was now arrayed
In a yellow shirt that reached to the
middle OF his thigh. and which was
decorated with abundance of red fringe
that bound the cape, elbows, wrists,
and extremity of the skirt, and wool
hat encircled with a broad red band,
In one side Of which was set the ma
tional ornament of the bucktatl.
Around his waist was buckled broad
buckskin belt; he was armed besides
with a rifle, a little short of six feet
in length.
Stephen Foster was one of that idle
craft who, having no particular occu-
patton, was from this circumstance,
by a contradiction. in terms, usually
called a man Of all work. He belonged
to that class of beings who are only
to be found in a society where the or
binary menial employment are dis
charged by slaves; and was the ten
ant of a few acres of land, appertain-
ing to the domain Of the Dove Cote,
where he professed to make his liv-
ing by, hnsbandry. But by far the
greater proportion of his revenues was
derived from divers miscellaneous SER
vices-such as driving a team of four
lean horses. of which he was proprie-
i'm the harvest fields: sometimes work.
ing in the garden; and, when required
riding errands-which he preferred to
all other business. But labor was not
Stephens forte: it was constitutional
ly a part of his system to postpone
matters of work for pleasure: and, If
there was anything for which he was
particularly famous, it was in avoid
ing all appearances of punctuality to
irksome engagements. If he can be
said to have had a calling at all, 1t was
that of a hunter, a species of en-
ployment that possessed a wonderful
charm for his fancy. and which was
excellently adapted both to his physi-
cal and moral qualities. He there
fore. gave much of his time to the con-
Germs of vert and veniSon: and his skill
with the rifle was such that he could
make sure of putting a ball through
the brain of a wild pigeon as far as he
was able to draw a sight. He was
skilled in the habits of all the forest
animals common to this part of Vir-
ginia. and accurately drew the line of
distinction between vermin and game.
He hunted wolves, bears, panthers
(painters. in his own pronunciationD.
racoons, foxes, opossums and squirrels;
and trapped otter, beaver and musk
rats; moreover, he was an expert jig
ger and bobber of eelS, and well knew
the trouting streams. For these pur-
suits he was endowed with a patient
nature that could endure a whole day
and night I'm the woods without eating
or sleeping: my authority says moth
ing of his forbearance in the third pri-
mary want of humanity. He was a
man OF fine thews and sinews, stout
and brave; and withal of a generous,
frank and invariable good nature. The
war had furnished occasion for such
talents as he possessed; and Stephen
was now meditating a bold severance
from his wife and children. who had
heretofore exerted such dominion
over his affections, that he had not
the heart to leave them. But the pres
ent difficulties of the nation had made
such a cogent appeal to his patriotism
that he had resolved to take one cam
paign in the field, and thus give scope
to his natural love of adventure. 1t
was now his peculiar glory and one
that wrought with a potent influence
upon his self-love. that he held the post
of lieutenant to the company of Am
herst Rangers. a volunteer corps that
had lately been organized with view
to the state Of affairs in the south.
This worthy. when he had no eXpe-
ulllOll III ldllu N"H S'iiN'SNA'' "
found lounging about the mansion oi
the Dove Cote. in expectation of some
call from Henry, between whom and
himself there existed a mutual and
somewhat exorbitant affection.
On this present appearance there
was a broad, complacent grin on Ste
phen's features as he accosted the young
bugle-man with the interrogatory,-
Whats in the wind now. Mister
Henry? Arter another buck. reckon
and an elegant morning it is for q
drive! Maybe, the winds just little
too fresh, 'cepting you was able tc
steal on the lower side of the game
and then the scent would come dowr
like a rose. Thar's a great advantage
i'm being down the wind, because the
animal can't hear you breaking through
the bushes. for the wind makes natur'
ally such twittering of the leaves
that it deceives him. you see"
81 fancy l know a good hunting day
Lieutenant Foster" said Henry, put