Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-16

THANK you, good friends" said In
mis-; you have performed your duty
handsomely. Go to your comrades;
they have news for you, and an extra
allowance today. Faith, Ker, this Is
a day for settling old accounts" he
continued as he turned and addressed
an officer by his side. "Gates beaten,
Sumpter beaten and Ensign st. Jer-
myn delivered from captivity! That
looks well! And now have another
account, which shall be settled on the
nail. Stirring times, Captain st. Jer-
myn. l congratulate you, my friend,
on your brothers safety, and mean to
signalize the event as it deserves. Ma
jor Frazer, bring out your prisoner,
and let him die the death punctually
at sundown-at sundown, to the min
ute, major. We must get that job on
our hands. Tomorrow, my friends, we
shall move towards Catawba, and
thence to Hanging Rock. Meantime
we must sweep up our rubbish. So,
major, look to your duty! 1t might
as well have been done at first" he
added. speaking to himself, as he
walked away from the group Of officers
Ito look after other affairs.
| The execution Of Butler was now re-
garded as a mere matter Of business
and to be despatched as one item OF
duty amongst the thousands Of others
THAT were to be looked after In the
hurry Of breaking up the post. The
interest of the trial had faded away by
the lapse of time, and in the more pre-
Nominating excitements which the abb
sorbing character Of the late events
thad afforded. The preparations for
Ithis ceremony were, therefore, attend
led with no display, and scarcely SEEM
ed to arouse inquiry amongst the SOL
diers of the camp. 1t was treated In
all respects as subordinate point of
police. Ten files were detailed,
one drum and file put in requisition;
and this party attended by Frazer and
Etwo or three officers who happened to
tbe near at the moment, marched with
Ia careless step to headquarters.
| The first announcement of this
sudden resolve was made to the pris-
oner by a suoaltern; who, without
prelude or apology, or the least effort
to mitigate the harshness of the order
he bore, walked abruptly into the
chamber and delivered the message
Of his superior.
ut Is a sudden proceeding" said
Butler, calmly; "but your pleasure
must be obeyed."
"You have had two days to think
Of It," replied the officer; ut Is not
often so much time Is allowed. Ensign
ST. Jermyn, sir, Is safe, and that Is all
We waited for. We march tomorrow,
and therefore have no time to lose.
You are waited for below"
Butler stood a moment with his hand
pressed upon his brow, and then NUT
| tered
TT is even so; our unhappy country
is lost, and the reign Of blood Is but
begun. l would ask the poor favor OF
moments delay, and the privilege of
pen, ink and paper, whilst I write but
a line to friend"
Impossible, SIR said the man.
Time is precious, and our orders are
positive"
| This Is like the rest" answered
Butler; 81 submit" Then buttoning
his coat across his breast, he left the
room with a firm and composed step.
When he reached the door the first
person who met his eye was Captain
st. Jermyn. There was an expression
of formal gravity in the manner OF
this officer, as he accosted the prison.
er, and lamented the rigor Of the fate
that awaited him. And 1t was some
what with a cold and polite civility
that he communicated his readiness to
attend to any request which Butler, In
his last moments, might wish to have
performed.
Butler thanked him for his solici-
tude, and then said, Il asked permis-
sion to write to friend; that has been
denied l feel reluctant to expose my
self to another refusal. You have TAX
en- slight interest in my sufferings,
and l will, therefore, confide to you
simple wish, which it will not cost my
prosecutors much to crafty. 1t Is that
I may be be taken to my grave, dress
ed as you see me now. 1 would not
have my person stripped or plundered.
IF you have valuables about you
sir, trust them to my keeping; l prom
ise you they shall be faithfully deliv-
cred according to your wish.'
| What money there is about my
person." replied Butler, may be given
to the soldiers who are compelled to
execute this harsh and unjust sentence
on my person; but 1 have trinket,'
he said, drawing from his bosom a
miniature, which was suspended by
ribbon, 1T is of one" here for
the first time a tear started into But
ler's eye, and his power Of utterance
failed him.
81 understand, sir" said st. Jermyn,
eagerly reaching out his hand to take
the picture. Il will seek the lady, at
whatever hazard
mo-" answered the unfortunate off,
Ger, ut must be buried with me. 1t
has dwelt here" he added with emo
ton, as he placed his hand upon his
heart, "and here it must sleep In
death"
"On the honor of a soldier said st.
Jermyn, II promise you its rest shall
not be violated"
You will attend me?"
II will"
Lead on" said the prisoner, step
ping to the place assigned him In the
ranks. II seek no further delay"
March down the river, half a mile
below the camp" said Innis, who now
came up, as the escort had begun Its
progress towards the place of eXecu-
ton. And the soldiers moved slowly
with the customary funeral obser-
vances, in a direction that led across
the whole extent OF the plain.
| Whom this little detachment had