Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-02


Smelling of beans, I s'pose, Is tanta-
mount to dragging sheep out OF g
pond, as the preachers allow on the
Sabbath-ha, ha!-Where's Davy?"
He's gone over to the Westinghouse
on Ennoree, hoping to hear something
of the army at Camden, perhaps you
can tell us the news from that quar-
ter"
Faith, that's a mistake, Mistress
Ramsay. Though / don't doubt thai
they are hard upon the scratches, by
this time. But, at this present speak
ing, 1 command the flying artillery
We have but one man in the corps
and that's myself; and all the guns we
have got Is this piece Of ordnance, that
hangs in this old belt by my side
(pointing to his sword)-and that
captured from the enemy at Black
stocks. I was hoping I mought find
John Ramsay at home-I have need OF
him as a recruit"
"Ah, Mr. Robinson, John has heavy
boy is often without his natural rest,
or a meals victuals: and the general
thinks so much of him, that he can't
spare him to come home. II haven't
the heart to complain as long as Johns
service Is of any use, but 1t does seem,
Mr.. Robinson, like needless tempting
of the mercies Of providence. We
thought that he might have been here
today; yet I am glad he didn't come
for he would have been certain to get
into trouble. Who should come In this
morning, just after my husband had
cleverly got away on his horse, but a
young cock-a- -whoop ensign, that be-
longs to Ninety-Six, and four great
Scotchmen with him, all in red coats;
they had been out thieving, warrant,
and were now going home again. And
who but they! Here they were, swag-
gering all about my house-and calling
for this-and calling for that as II they
owned the feesimple Of everything on
the plantation. And 1t made my blood
rise, Mr. Robinson, to see them run out
in the yard, and catch up my chickens
and ducks. and kill as many as they
could string about them-and I not
daring to say a word; though I did
give them a piece Of my mind, too"
who is at home with you?" inquired
the sergeant eagerly.
Nobody but my youngest boy, An
drew" answered the dame. "And
then. the filthy. topping rioters" she
continued, exalting her voice.
What arms have you in the house?'
asked Robinson without needing the
DANES rising anger.
I'VE have rife, and a horseman's
pistol that belongs to John. They must
call for drink, too, and turn my house,
Of Sunday morning, into a tavern"
"They took the route towards Nine
ty-Six, you said, Mistress Ramsay"
"Yes,-they went straight forward
upon the road. But look you, Mr..
Horse Shoe, you're not thinking Of go
ing after them?"
isn't there an. old field, about a mile
from this, on that 'road:'' inquired the
sergeant, still intent upon his own
thoughts.
There is," replied the dame; with
the old schoolhouse upon it."
"A lop- sided, rickety log cabin in the
middle of the field. Am right, good
woman"
YES"
And nobody lives in it? 1t has no
door to it?"
There ha'n't been anybody in it
these seven years"
Il know the place very WELL" said
the sergeant, thoughtfully; There is
woods just on this side of it."
That's true" replied the dame; "but
what is 1t you are thinking about, Mr..
Robinson"
How long before this rain began
was it that they quilted this house?"
Not above fifteen minutes"
Mistress Ramsay. bring me the rifle
and pistol both-and the powder horn
and bullets"
"As you say, Mr.. Horse Shoe" an
swered the dame, as she turned round
to leave the room; "but l am sure
can't suspicion what you mean to do"
In a few moments the woman re-
turned with the weapons, and gave
them to the sergeant.
Where is Andy?" asked Horse Shoe.
The hostess went to the door and
called her son, and almost immediate
ly afterwards, a sturdy boy Of about
twelve or fourteen years of age en-
tered the apartment, his clothes drip
ping with rain. He modestly and shyly
seated himself on chair near the
door, with his soaked hat Tapping down
over a face full Of freckles, and not
less rife with the expression OF an
open, dauntless hardihood Of charac-
ter.
How would you like a scrummage
Andy with them Scotchmen that stole
your mothers chickens this morning."
asked Horse Shoe.
I'm agreed replied the boy, "if you
will tell me what to do"
You are not going to take the boy
out on any Of your desperate projects
Mr. Horse Shoe?" said the mother
with the tears starting instantly into
her eyes. you wouldn't take such a
child as that into danger?"
BLESS your soul, Mrs. Ramsay
there ar'n't no danger about it! Don't
take on so. It's thing that IS either
done at blow, or not done-and
there's an end of it. l want the lad
only to bring home the prisoners fol
me, after 1 have took them"
"Ah, Mr.. Robinson, l have one sor
already in these wars-God protec,
him!-and you men don't know how q
mothers heart yearns for her children
in these times. l cannot give anoth-
err" she added, as she threw her arms
over the shoulders of the youth ano
drew him to her bosom.
"Oh! it amt nothing" said Andrew
in a sprightly tone. ITS only snap
ping of a pistol, mother,-pooh! If
am not afraid, you oughtn't to be-"
Il give you my honor, Mistress Ram