Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-01-16

|
gerous, just hereabouts, to confess
yourself a sodger of King George
let me tell you, that, being against
you, 1 am not the person to moslest
you on that head, by spreading the
news abroad, or setting a few dozen
Wings upon your scent, which Is
thing easily done. If your business
here Is peaceable and lawful, and you
don't let your tongue brawl against
quiet and orderly people, you are free
to come and go for me-"
Thank you, sir; but look you, II
isn't my way to answer questions
about my own business, and 1 scorn
to ask any mans leave to come and
go where and when my occasions call
me-"
"If 1t isn't your way to answer ques-
tions about your own business re-
piled Horse Shoe, at oughtn't to be
your way to ak them about other peo-
ple's; but that don't disturb me; it Is
the rule of the war to question all
corners and goers that we happen to
fall in with, specially now, when
there's a set Of your devils scamper-
ing and raging about in Carolina,
hardly a summer days ride off this
! province, burning houses and killing
cattle, and turning everything topsy-
turvy, with a pack of rascally Tories
to back them. In such times all sorts
Of tricks are played, such as putting
on coats that don't belong to a man,
and deceiving honest people by lies,
and what not"
"You are a stranger to me-" said
the other; but let me tell you, with
out circumlocution or periphrase, l
am a free born subject Of the king,
and 1 see no reason why, because
some of his people have turned rebels,
a true man who travels his highway
should be obliged to give an account
of himself to every inquisitive fellow
who chooses to challenge 1t. Suppose
I tell you that you meddle with mat
ters that don't concern you?"
"Then you mought chance to get
your head in your hand, that's all.
And, bark you, if 1t want that ] am
rather good natured, I mought hap
pen to handle you a little rough for
that nicknaming of the friends Of lib
erty, by calling them rebels. 1t doesn't
suit such sixpence-a-day fellows as
you, who march right or left at the
bidding of your master to rob a church
or root up an honest mans peaceful
hearth. without so much as daring to
have a thought about the righteous
ness of the matter-it doesn't suit
such to be befouling them that fight
for church and fireside both, with your
scurvy, balderdash names"
well, egad! you are a fine bold fell
low who speaks his thoughts, that's
not to be denied" said the stranger,
again suddenly changing his mood,
and resorting to his free and easy ad-
dress. you suit these times devilish
well. l can't find it in my heart to
quarrel with you. We have both been
somewhat rough in speech, and so,
the account is square. But now tell
me, after all, are you sure you have
guessed me right? How do you know
am not one of these very rebels my
self?"
For two good and point-blank
reasons. First, you dar'n't deny that
YOU have pocketed the kings money
and worn his coat-that's one. And,
second. you are now here under the
orders of one of his officers"
mo, no, good friend" said the man,
with a voice of less boldness than
heretofore, you are mistaken for
once in your life. So far what you
say, I don't deny-I am in the service
of a gentleman, who for some private
affairs Of his own, has come on WIS.,
it to this part Of the province, and l
admit I have been in the old country"
II am not mistaken, good friend,
draWled out Robinson, affectedly
You come from the south. IAN
tell mems fortunes without looking
into the palms of their hands"
You are wrong again." said the
other, tartly, as he grew angry at oei-
ing thus badgered by his opponent 81
came from the north
That's true and it's false both,
returned Robinson. From the north
I grant you-to the south with Sill
Henry, and from the south up here
You will find 1 can conjure a little
friend"
THE devil take your conjuring!
exclaimed the other, as he bit his liz
and strobe restlessly backward and
forward; which perplexity being OBJ
served by the sergeant, he did not fai
to aggrevate it by breaking into
hoarse laugh, as he said
TT want worth your while to try
to deceive me. l knowed you by man
fold and simultaneous signs. Him
that sets about scouting after othel
peoples secrets, ought to be wary
enough to larn to keep his own. Bu
don't take it so to heart, neighbor
there's no occasion for oneasiness--
have no mind to harm you
Master bully" said the stranger
planting himself Immediately in from
: of the sergeant "in England, where
: was bred. we play at cudgels, anc
sometimes give broken heads; anc
: some of us are gifted with heavy fists
wherewith we occasionally contrive tt
box a rude fellow who prizes too mucf
into our affairs"
I'm our country" replied Horse Shoe
tive generally like to get share O
, whatever new is stirring, and, though
we don't practice much with cudgels
r vet, to sarve a turn, we do, now an'
: then. break a head or so; and, con
: sarning the fist work you happened Il
touch upon, we have no condesentiou
scruples against fair rap or two owe
i the knowledge fox and the tripping
up of a fractions chaps heels, In tn
g way of a sort of a rough and tumble
D which maybe. you understand. Yo'
have been long enough here, mayhaE
l to find that out"