Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-02
CHAPTER XIII.
A Woodman's Family.

CHAPTER XIII.
A Woodman's Family.
The apartment into which the trav-
elers were introduced was one Of large
dimensions, conspicuous for its huge
kitchen-like fireplace and ample CHM
ney. The floor, consisting Of broad
planks, was so much warped as, in
several places, to show the ground
through the chinks. The furniture
was Of the rudest form and most
home!y materials, Three or four rifles
were suspended against the walls. to-
gether with some trapping implements
and various skins Of such wild ami
mails of prey and game as abounded In
the woods of this region; these were
associated with the antlers Of the
buck. powder-horn hunting pouches,
and a few articles of clothing-the
whole array giving to the room that
air Of woodland life which denotes the
habitation Of a hunter, and which so
distinctly characterizes the dwellings
of our frontier population.
Amongst other articles of household
use was a large spinning-wheel that
was placed near the door and beside
it stood the dame who had first chal-
lenged the visitors. She was woman
who could scarcely be said to have
reached the middle period Of life, al
though her wan and somewhat hag-
gard features, and a surly, discomfort
ed expression Of face, might we'll In
duce an observer to attribute more
years to her worldly account than she
had actually seen. The presence Of a
rough and untidy cradle and some five
or six children, the majority Of whom
might be below three feet in stature,
served in some degree to explain the
careworn and joyless countenance OF
the hostess. When Butler and his
companion were ushered by Lynch in
to her presence, she gave them no 9TH
er welcome than a slight nod Of the
head, and continued to ply her task
at the wheel with unremitted as
siduity.
In another corner of the room sat a
smart looking young girl who at this
moment, was employed in carding
wool. She was a sylvan Hebe, just
verging upon womanhood, with a
round. active and graceful figure, which
was adorned with that Jealous atten-
ton to neatness and becoming orna-
ment which, in every station Of life. to
a certain extent, distinguishes those of
the sex who are gifted with beauty.
Her cheek had the rich bloom of high
health: a full round blue eye seemed
habitually to laugh with pleasure: and
the same trick of a happy tempera-
ment had stamped its mark upon the
lines of her mouth Her accost was
altogether different from that of the
mistress Of the house. She arose from
her work Immediately upon the en-
trance of the strangers, courtesied
with modest and silent reserve, and
then proceeded to gather up the rolls
of carded wool at her feet and to dis
pose of them in a chest near at hand.
Having done this, she left the apart
ment, not without casting sundry pry-
ing glances towards the guests.
Another member of the family was
an aged female; she had perhaps seen
her eightieth winter. Her attenuated
frame seemed to be lowering on the
verge of dissolution; a hollow cheek,
sunken, moist eye, and a tremulous
palsied motion Of the head denoted the
melancholy period of dotage; and 1t
was apparent at a glance that the
unfortunate being had far outlived
both her capacity for enjoyment and
the sympathy of her kindred. She
now sat in low elbow-c chair, with her
head almost in contact with her knees,
upon the stone hearth, bending over
small fire Of brushwood which had
been kindled as we'll for the purpose
of preparing the evening meal as for
the comfort of the ancient dame her
self-the chilness of nightfall render
ing this additional warmth by no
means unpleasant. The beldam silent
ly smoked a short pipe, unmoved by
anything that occurred in the apart
ment. and apparently engrossed with
the trivial care of directing the smoke
as she puffed it from her lips. into a
current that should take it up the
chimney.
Michael Lynch, who acted as land
lord i'm the casual absence Of Wat
Adair. had no other connection with
the family than that of being joint
owner, with the lord of this wild do
main of a small! saw-mill in the vi
cinity. the particular superintendent
of which was his especial province
| He was, therefore, at particular sea
sons of the year, an indweller at the
homestead, and sufficiently in author
ity TO assume a partial direction in the
affairs of the house. This man now
replaced his rifle upon the pegs ap-
propriated to receive it, and then Of.
fered Butler and Robinson chairs, a:
he said to the mistress of the family
Here's Horse Shoe Robinson, Mrs
Adair: and this other man l think they
] call Mr.. Butler. They've come for {
nights lodging. believe Wat will b'
right glad to see them"
you are not often visited will
travellers in this part of the country,
said Butler, addressing the matron a.
he drew his chair near to the fire t.
dry his clothes.
I'VE have enough of them, such a!
they are" replied the woman; land it,