Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-03-23
Butler Finds a Clean Of Sunshine In
His Distress.
CHAPTER XXI.

Butler Finds a Clean Of Sunshine In
His Distress.
Allen Musgrove had heard enough
of Buffers history from his daughter
and from Galbraith Robinson. to feel
a warm interest in that officers safety,
and now his personal acquaintance
with the prisoner still further corrob-
brated his first prepossessions. The
old man took the earliest opportunity
to indicate to Butler the concern he
felt In his welfare. From the moderate
and kindly tone of his own character,
he was enabled to do this without
drawing upon himself the distrust Of
the officer Of the guard. His express
sions Of sympathy were regarded, by
Macdonald, as the natural sentiments
Of a religious mind imbued with an
habitual compassion to discharge the
duties of a peacemaker. His visits
were looked upon as those of a spirit
ual counsellor, whose peculiar right 1t
was to administer consolation to the
afflicted, in whatever condition; he
was therefore permitted freely to COM
mune, with the prisoner, and, as 1t
sometimes happened, alone with him
in his chamber.
This privilege was now particularly
useful for Mary having on the morn
ing, after her midnight interview with
John Ramsay and Robinson, commu-
nicated to her father the incidents Of
that meeting, and put in his possess
sion the letter which the sergeant had
given <her, and having also repeated
her message to him accurately as she
had received 1t, Musgrove took occa-
sion. during the following day, to de-
liver the letter to Butler, and to make
known to him all that he had heard
from his daughter. This disclosure
produced the most cheering effect upon
Buffers spirits. It,Afor the first time
since the commencement of his suffer-
erings,. opened to his mind distinct
view of his chance of eventual liberia
tion. The expectation of having his
case represented to CORVALLIS inspired
him with strong confidence that JUS
tice would be done to him and the
covert malice of his enemies be dis
armed. In this hope, 1t occurred to
him to take some instant measures
to satisfy the British commanderin
chief Of the groundless character Of
the principal accusation brought
against him by the court-martia!-
that which related to the pretended de-
sign to deliver up Philip Lindsay to
the wrath of the Republican govern
ment. For this purpose he resolved
to make an appeal to Lindsay himself,
by letter, and frankly to call upon him
to put at rest this most unjust and
wicked accusation. He knew that
however strong Lindsays antipathy to
him might be, the high sense of honor
which distinguished the father of
Mildred might be confidently and sue
cessfully invoked to furnish such a
statement as should entirely satisfy his
accusers of the gross injustice of the
charge. II will write to him." he
said, "and throw myself upon his pro-
lection. | will require of him to detail
the whole history of my intercourse
probable even he must deem it, that
/ could be so base as to plot against
his peace. And 1 will appeal to Mil
dred to fortify her fathers statement,
to show that this wicked accusation
rests upon a story which 1t is impos-
sible could be true"
Whilst Buffers thoughts were still
occupied with this resolve, Mary Mus
grove entered his apartment, bearing
in her hand a napkin and plate which
she had come to spread for his dinner,
and as the maiden employed herself in
arranging a small table in the middle
OF the room she cast a few distrustful
glances towards the sentinel who
paced to and fro opposite the door, and
then, seizing on a moment when the
soldier had disappeared from view, she
whispered to Butler
You have seen my father sir?"
Butler nodded his head.
He has told you all?"
Butler again signified a silent as
sent.
The tramp of the sentinel showed
that he was again approaching the
door; and when Mary turned her eyes
in that direction. she beheld the watch
full soldier halting in such a position
as to enable him both to see and hear
what was passing in the room. With
out showing the least perturbation, or
even appearing to notice the guard,
she said in a gay and careless voice.
MY father and Lieutenant Macdonald,
who is a good gentleman-think it
belongs to Christian people to do all
the good we can for them that provi-
dence has put under us; and so, sir,
have been to gather you some black
berries, which I thought. maybe, you
would like sir
The sentinel walked away, and Mary
smiled as she saw her little stratagem
succeed.
Bring me some paper" said Butler
cautiously You are a consderate
girl" he continued. in a louder voice.
"and l thank you for this good will
Then finding that the sentinel did not
Immediately return, he whispered-"I
wish to write to Robinson-you shall
take the letter and read it to him."
Il will do my best" replied the maid
en-; and again the sentinel interrupted
the conference.
Mary. having arranged the table. left
the room. In a few moments she re-
turned. bringing with her the family
Bible.
IF you would like to read, sir" she
said, here is a book that body may
look at a long time without getting
tired of 1t. We have only got this. and
the Pilgrims Progress and the hymn
book in the house; but my father says
this is worth all the others that ever
were printed, put together. and espe-
cially, sir, when ones in distress, and
away from their friends"