Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-27
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina.
Bv JOHN p. KENNEDY.

vently clasping her hands and lifting
up her eyes, now dim with weeping, a!
she appealed to God in prayer, "wh'
art In heaven-teach us all to say tn!
will be done. Take-take-my deal
John. Oh my heart will burst and
shall die!" she uttered, almost over
whelmed with her emotions, as sh'
again buried her face in Mistress Ram
says lap-"I cannot speak,"
A silence of .inexpresslble agon!
prevailed for some moments. Thi!
was at length interrupted by the up
rising of the full clear. and firm
voice of Allen Musgrove, who now
broke forth from the opposite side o.
room where he had kneeled before
chair, in an earnest and impressive
supplication to the Deity, urged with
all that eloquence which naturally
flows from deeply-eXcited feeling
From the solemnity Of the occasion, as
well as from the habitually religious
temper Of the family assembled in the
little cabin, the words of the prayer
fell upon the hearts Of those present
with a singularly welcome effect, and
for the moment, brought tranquility to
their feelings.
When the prayer was ended, the
grief Of the mourners rolled back in Its
former flood, and burst from Mary
Musgrove in the most heartrendins
bitterness. Paroxysm followed par
oxysm with fearful violence, and these
outbreaks were responded to by the
mother with scarcely less intensity
All attempts at consolation, on the
part of the men, were unavailing; and
it was apparent that nothing remained
but to let the tide of anguish take its
own course.
1t was now some time after night
fall, when Butler and Drummond
beckoned Allen Musgrove to leave the
room They retired into the open air
in front Of the house where they were
Immediately joined by David Ramsay
Here Butler communicated to them the
necessity of making immediate ar
rangements for their return to the
woodman's cottage, and for the burial
of the deceased trooper. His advice
was adopted, and it was resolved that
Musgrove and Ramsay should accom-
pany the other two to the spot. Before
the consultation was closed, Andy had
come into the group, and he was now
directed, with all haste;-to 'throwAa
saddle upon HIS fathers horse. ''.
You, Andrew my son. said David
Ramsay, will stay at home and COM
fort your poor mother, and Mary
Speak to them, boy, and persuade them
to give up their useless lamentations
1t is the will of God, and we ought not
to murmur at It,
THE burning. father" replied the
boy, with a sorrowful earnestness, land
had, was all nothing to this. 1 never
felt before how terrible the war was
Andy had now gone to equip the
horse, and the men returned to the in
profound silence. Butler, at length
arose from the door-sill where he had
taken his seat, and crossing the room
took a position by the bed on which
Mary Musgrove had thrown herself
and where she now lay uttering faint
and half f-smothered means.
Il have a remembrance for you," he
said, STOPPING down and speaking
scarce above a whisper in the maidens
ear; Il promised to deliver it into your
hand. God knows with what pain
perform my office! John enjoined upon
me to give you this" he continued as
the Testament. and to say to you
that his last thoughts were given to
you and his mother He loved you
Mary, better than he loved any living
creature in this world"
He did, he did," sobbed forth the
girl; 'and loved him far above fam
| lily. friends. kinsfolk and ALL wish
were dead by his side"
lHC DOoh' SeiIu iieNi
| ly able to articulate. God forever
bless you" he added, after a pause OF
weeping, land bring you comforti
have promised John Ramsay, that
neither you, nor any of his family, sha!
ever want the service of friend. while
l have life or means to render it. Be-
fore Heaven, that pledge shall be re-
deemed! Farewell, farewell! Goo
bless you"
AS Butler uttered these words ht
grasped the maiden's hand and press
ed it fervent!y to his lips; then turninf
to the mother. he addressed som,
phrase of comfort to her. and hastil!
left the room. Scarcely a sound wa!
heard from any one, except the low
sobbing of the exhausted weepers, anC
the almost convulsive kisses whicl
Mary imprinted upon the little bool
that Butler had put into her hand.
Musgrove Ramsey and the woodman
retired from the apartment at the SAM
] moment: and the horses being read.
at the door. the retrcating beat OF tn
hoofs upon the turf gave notice to tn
indwellers that the four men had So
forward on their journey.