Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-02-06
HORSE SHOE
ROBINSON
A Tale of the Revolutionary Struggle In
Upper Carolina.
By JOHN P. KENNEDY.

every one says you may see IL IN nix
looks"
T should like to know your father
said Butler.
81 am sure he would be glad to know
you, sir"
Now. my pretty miller's daughter
why do you think SOP
Because you are gentleman" re-
piled the girl, courtesying. for all
your homespun Clothes
"Ha! pray how have you found that
out?"
You talk differently from our peo-
pie, sir. Your words or your voice,
can't rightly tell which, are softer than
1 have been used to hear. And you
don't look, and walk, and behave as II
homespun had been all you ever WORE u
And is that all?"
You stop to consider. as If you
were studying what would please 9TH
er people; and you do not step so
heavy, sir: and you do not swear; and
you do not seem to like to give trou-
BILE. I can't think sir, that you have
been always used to such as are here
abouts. And then there's another rea-
son, sir" added the maiden, almost in
a whisper.
What It that?" asked Butler smil-
ing.
why, sir. when you stopped down
to pick up your fork, that fell from the
table, I saw a blue ribbon round your
neck, and a beautiful gold picture
hanging to 1t. None but gentlemen of
quality carry such things about them;
and as there Is so much contrivlng and
bloody doings going on about here, /
was sure you wasn't what you SEEM
ed"
For heavens sake, my dear" ex-
claimed Butler. startled by the dis
closure of the maiden's suspicion,
which was so naturally accounted for,
keep this to yourself, and the time
may come when shall be able to re-
ward your fidelity. II you have any
goodwill towards me, as I hope you
have, tell nobody what you have
seen."
Never fear me, SIR" returned the
maid. II wouldn't let on to any one in
the house for the world. am for Gen.
eral Washington and the congress,
which Is more than / think the people
here are"
Indeed" muttered Butler, thought
fully, and scarce above his breath.
What side does your father take,
Mary?"
MY father is an old man, sir. And
he reads his Bible, and every night, be-
fore we go to bed he prays aloud be-
fore us all, 1 mean all that belongs to
his house, for quiet once more and
peace. His petition is that there may
be an end Of strife, and that the sword
and spear may be turned into the
pruning hook and ploughshare-you
knows the words, sir, perhaps, for they
are in the good book, and so he doesn't
take any side. But then, the English
officers are not far off and they take
his house and use 1t as they please, so
that he has no mind Of his own. And
almost all the people round us are
Tories, and we are afraid of our lives
If we do not say whatever they say"
Alas! that's the misfortune Of many
more than your fathers household.
But how comes It that you are friend
Of General Washington"
"Oh, SIR think he is our friend;
and then he is a good man. And I
have a better reason still to be on his
side," added the maiden tremulously
with her head averted
What reason, my good girl?"
John Ramsay. sir"
Indeed! q very cogent reason, /
doubt not, my pretty maid Of the mill.
And how does this reason operator"
We have liking, sir" she replied
bashfully. but with innocent frank
ness; "he Is for Washington, and we
are to be married when the war is
over"
Truly, that Is a most excellent rea-
son! Who is John Ramsay"
He is a trooper, sir, and out with
General Sumpter. We don't see him
often now, for he is afraid to come
excepting when the Tories are away -
These Tories are very troublesome
Mary" said Butler, laughing; they
annoy us all, on our side Of the ques-
ton. But love John Ramsay, my dear
and don't be ashamed of It, for I'll
warrant he is a brave fellow, and de-
serves a pretty girl with true heart
for his love for his country"
That he does!" replied Mary, 'for
his greatest fault is that he ventures
too much. If you should see him, sir
1 would like you just to drop him a
hint that he ought to take more care
of himself. He would mind it from
you. but put me off with a laugh wher
tell him So"
shall be more cautious for your sake
But the current of true love never die
run smooth, Mary: remember that"
Il must go into the house, my Aunt
Peggy calls me-" interrupted the mai
den. Il will keep the secret, sir" she
added. as she retired from the porch
to the household service where hel
pre- sence was demanded.
Simple, innocent and confidinG
girl" calculated Butler as he now
strollCd forth under the starlit canopy
of night; how are you contrasted witt
the rough and savage natures around
you! l wear but a thin disguise
when this unpractised country girl |!
able so soon to penetrate it. And this
miniature, too! Oh, Mildred! that tht
very talisman l bear about me tC
guard me from evil, should betray me
Well, this discovery admonishes M
that l should wear that image neare
| to my heart. There" he continued, a!
he buttoned his waistcoat across hi
! breast: "lie closer and more concealed
| l doubt this double-faced woodman
and almost believe in the seeming fri
volous dotings of the crone at his fire
side Now, God defend us from treach
cry and ambuscade!"