Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-23

II was late in the day before thu
wants of Butler were attended to. HI
had thrown aside his coat, from th'
oppressive heat Of the weather, and
placing it under his head for pillow
had fallen into a sleep, from which M
was awakened by a summons from
one Of the sentinels to partake Of food
There was more kindness apparent II
the demeanor Of the soldier than But
Ter had been accustomed to meet from
the persons who held him captive, ant
this circumstance won upon his heart
and induced him to accept with cour'
tesy the proffered attention.
you live in a divided country, ant
witness much to make a good mar
wish this unhappy war was at an end,
said Butler, after he had eaten Of the
provisions placed before him.
Indeed we do. SIR" replied the SOL
dier, "and 1t is enough to make
mans heart bleed to see brothers
fighting against each other, and kin
dred that ought to hold together seek
ing each others lives. Men will have
and ought to have their opinions, sir;
but 1t is hardly good reason for treat
ing one another like savage Indians
because all cannot think alike"
do you live in this neighborhood? o.
inquired Butler.
Not far away" answered the man.
You are married?"
Yes, and have six children"
"They should be young" said Butler
Judging by your own age"
Thank God, sir!" exclaimed the
soldier. with fervor, they are young!
And would pray that they may never
live to be o!d If these wars are to last
No father can count upon his own
child's living in harmony with him.
My boys, II they were grown enough
might be the first should meet in bat
tle."
Your name, friend?" said Butler.
Bruce" replied the other.
"a good and a brave name: a name
once friendly to the liberty of his
country"
stop. sir!" said the sentinel. This
is not the place to talk upon questions
that might make us angry with each
other. 1t Is a name still friendly to
the liberty Of his country; that liberty
that supports the king and laws, and
Furnishes treason"
II cannot debate with you" replied
Butler: II am your prisoner"
II am a man." said the soldier, firm
him that cannot take his own part;
but these questions, sir, are best drop
+ped-they have made all the provinces
mad. However, I do not blame you,
sir; will not deny that there are good
men on your side"
And on yours, doubtless" returned
Butler
I'VE have many bad ones, sir" re-
turned the soldier; land as you have
spoken like a well-tempered gentle
man to me. I will give you friendly
hint" Here the sentinel spoke in a
lowered tone. Have your eyes about
you these men are none Of the best,
and would think but little of taking
from you anything. Of value. AS you
slept, just now, saw a golden trinket
hanging by a ribbon in your bosom.
You are young man sir, and a SOL
dier l hear; this may be some present
from your lady, as 1 guess you have
one. If others had seen it, as I saw
1t, you might have been the loser.
That's all"
Thank you, honest friend! from my
heart, I thank you!" replied Butler
eagerly. "Oh God! that bauble is a
consolation to me that in this hour I
would not part with-no, no! Thank
you, friend, a thousand times!"
Have DONE" said the soldier, land
in future be more careful. The relief
Is coming this way"
And the sentinel taking up his rifle,
repaired to his post. In a few mo-
ments the guard was changed, and
those lately on duty were marched to
the dwelling house.
When night came on the immediate
guard around Buffers person was
doubled. Some few comforts were
added to his forlorn prison by the kind
ness of the soldier Bruce, and he was
left to pass the weary hours Of dark
ness in communion with his own
thoughts or in the enjoyment of
such repose as his unhappy state of
thraldom allowed. If the agitation Of
his spirit had permitted sleep, there
were but few moments Of the night
when it might have been indulged.
The outbursts of revelry. the loud and
boisterous laugh, and still louder oaths
Of the party who occupied the dwelling
house near at hand, showed that they
had plunged into the usual debauch,
and now caroused over their frequent
ly filled cups; and the clamor that
broke upon the night might have baf-
fled the slumbers of a mind less anx-
ious and wakeful than his own.
Inc party vi lIoOpelS anu iiii'io oo'
at the door to take advantage of the
GOODNESS of the night, and as they piled
the busy flagon, and with heavy
draught grew more noisy, scarce
word fell from their lips that was not
distinctly heard by Butler. 1t was
with intense interest, therefore, that he
listened to the conversation when 1t
led to a topic that greatly concerned
himself: and that he might not alarm
the suspicion of the speakers he af-
fected sleep.
"Sumpter has been lowering about
Ninety Six" said the lieutenant; land
If one could believe all the stories that
are told about him, he must be full
cousin at least to certain person that
it wouldn't be right to mention In
respectable company; for by the ac-
counts. he is one day on the Wateree
and the next, whoop and away!-ano
there he is almost over at Augusta
1t seems almost past the power of hu-
man legs for a mortal man to make
such strides as they tell Of him."
WHO says Sumpter Is near Ninety