Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-04-10


weighed in the scale wherein the
seemly and decorous observances of
female propriety are ordinarily bal
anced. The times, the occasion, and
the peculiar position Of Mildred, take
her case out Of the pale Of common
events, and are entitled to another
standard. She will be judged by the
purity of her heart, the fervor Of her
attachment, and her sense Of the i'm
portance Of the service she was about
to confer. And with the knowledge OF
these, I must leave her vindication to
the generosity Of my reader.
When the morning came and break
fast was over, the horses were brought
to the door. Henry was active In all
the preliminary arrangements for the
journey, and now bestirred himself
with an increased air Of personal i'm
portance. Isaac, a gray-haired negro
Of a sedate, and like all his tribe, OF
an abundantly thoughtful length OF
visage, appeared in suit Of livery,
ready booted and spurred for his jour
ney. A large portmanteau. containing
supply Of baggage for his mistress,
was duly strapped behind his saddle,
whilst a pair of pistols were buckied
upon the pommel. Henry's horse also
had all the furniture necessary to a
campaign and the young martialist
himself, Notwithstanding his sisters
disapproval, was begirt with sword :
belt, from which depended a light sa-
bre, with which he was in the habit OF
exhibiting himself in the corps Of the
Rangers. His bugle hung gracefully by
his side, and his carbine was already
provided with a strap to sling it across
his back. Stephen Foster was lost In
wonder at these sudden preparations,
of the import Of which he could gain no
more intelligence from Henry than
that a movement towards the army
was intended, of portentous charac-
ter.
Horse Shoe sat quietly in the porch
looking on with a professional uncon5
Germ, whilst his trusty Captain Peter,
bearing a pair of saddle-bags. now
stuffed with a plethora Of provisions,
slouched his head, In patient fixedness,
waiting the order to move. A bevy
of domestics hung around the scene of
lost In conjectures as to
fAa t,oor Of fro
an inquiry to satisfy them-
selves, with fruitless perseverance.
When Mildred appeared at the door
she was habited for her journey. The
an aged dame, stood near
her, -
my travel, Mistress Morrison" she
said, addressing the matron, and at
the same time putting letter into her
hand, Il trust will not keep me long
from home. If my father should re-
turn before I do, be careful to give
him that Mr.. Foster, you will not
forget your promise" she added, as she
delivered the second letter, which, noty
her own expedition. she
had prepared for Butler, In the hope
that opportunity might favor its transfl
mission by Stephen. IN
"The gold" said Stephen, putting his
hand I'm his pocket; "you will want e
yeusse,f, Miss Mildred. land I-cansdG
1t" e.
Never mind that" interrupted NH
dred. Keep your promise, and hope
to be able to reward you more accord
ing to your deserts"
Heaven and the saints protect you,
Miss Mildredl" said the housekeeper,
as the lady bade her farewell. you
leave us on some heavy errand. God
grant that you come back with gay
er face than you take away" Then
turning up her eyes, and raising her
hands, she calculated, This Is an aw-
full thing, and past my understanding"
Mildred took leave Of the rest Of the
group around the door and was soon
in her saddle. This was signal for
the rest to mount, and as Stephen Fos-
ter delivered Henrys rifle. the latter
took occasion to whisper in the hum
ter's ear
1T is not unlikely, Steve, that we
may meet each other again over here
in Carolina: so remember to make in
quiries for us as you go along, and
tell the men I hope to join them be-
fore they fire one shot in spite. But
mum, Steve, not a word about our
route"
Stephen shook hands with his young
and Henry, seeing that the
rest Of the party had already left the
door and were some distance down the
hill. called out with an elated tone OF
good d-humor-"Farewell, Mrs. Morrl-
son. and all the rest Of you!" and put
ting spurs to his horse galloped off to
join. his sister.
The route pursued by the travellers
lay due south, and during the first three
or four days of their journey they were
still within the confines Of Virginia
To travel on horseback was a custom
ary feat. even for ladies, in those days
of rough roads and scant means OF
and such a cavalcade as
we have described was calculated 10
excite no particular inquiry from the
passer-by, beyond that which would
now be made on the appearance of any
party of pleasure upon the high-roads'
in the course of a summer excursion.
Mildred experienced severe fatigue IN
the first stages Of her journey; but py
degrees this wore off and she was soon
enabled to endure the long days ride
with scarcely less Inconvenience than
her fellow travellers.
At that period there were but few
inns in these thinly peopled districts,
and such as were already established
were small and but meagrely provided.
This deficiency was. In some degree,
compensated by the goodwill with
which the owners of private establish
ments in the country received the bet
ter class of travellers, and the ready
with which they entertained
them. Henry took upon himself to OBJ
tain information of the gentlemens S
seats that lay near the route OF MS
journey, and to conduct the party 10