Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-07-06

hend. General Washington, from un
due respect for the complaints Of lin
officers, has adopted rule not to Civ
appointments to staff officers that ma!
interfere with their claims to rank.
fear he is immovable, but something
may be done"
Yes! anything-everything may b.
done by man who works pertina
ciously and intelligently. At presen
lyour best place Is exactly where yo,
are. When your plans are ripe, seve
the knot which binds you to Washing
ton, if you cannot unite 1t, and talk
your destiny in your own keeping"
Such is my purpose, though 1 fore
see many difficulties in the way o
its accomplishments"
There are difficulties between us anc
every earthly prize which is worth th'
winning. Conquer them as they ris'
and do not tremble at their anticipated
coming"
| 1
either at shadows or realities; yet me-
thinks it is good soldiership to antici'
pate and prepare for all that may hap.
pen. There is nothing lost by erecting
bulwarks to keep out a danger which
VIC know must come some day, and
may come early"
"Granted,-if 1t brings no despon.
dency, no cessation Of effort. But what
difficulties do you anticipate Other
than the jelousies you have named? 2
II may have to leave General Wash
ington In such a way as to forfeit his
friendship"
Trust to a stray bullet to carry him
off before that time comes or, at least
before you become a sufferer from the
loss of his regard. If fortune should
fail you in that respect, trust to me.
have neither scruples nor remorse, and
this hand has seldom stricken blow
which needed repetition. 1t may prove
your best reliance at last"
Colonel Hamilton was startled by the
tone and manner, as much as by the
words, Of his fiend like confederate
The blood forsook his cheek, his hand
trembled, and his hair stood erect, at
the bare thought Of the dark and terri
BILE deed to which his companion so dis
tinctly pointed. His voice had a
strange hoarseness as he asked
What do you-what can you mean?
You are nervous, my dear colonel;
take a glass Of wine, and I will an
swer your inquiry"
His own glass was filled to the brim
Draining it slowly like a man who en-
joys what he is drinking, he replaced
1t on the table and continued
Il mean, that if General Washing
ton was today, the only obstacle to the
success of your plans, and his removal
would crown you king of this fair do
main, it should be my care to remove
that obstacle. What I would do to-
day 1t Is tolerably certain that I shall
have the will to do tomorrow or any
succeeding today. If he lives, the time
will come, in all probability, when II
must be done, though l believe that
time Is yet afar off. According to my
calculation, John Bulls obstinacy will
prolong this war for ten years to come
The last two years of hostilities will
be the proper period for the accom-
plishment of your ends, and mine. Let
him go on until an empire is just ready
to fall into his grasp, and then"-he
paused and drew his breath hard be-
fore he concluded-"my last service
will be performed"
Astonished, shocked, almost terror
stricken at the dreadful villainy so re-
morselessly contemplated, and so dar-
| ingly avowed, Hamilton walked to the
door and threw 1t open to let the
freezing night air blow upon his burn
ing brow. His throat was parched
his lips dry and hard; and, returning
again to his seat, he swallowed two
glasses of generous wine in quick sue
cession.
For Gods sake, Billings" he gasp
eu, never diluue " IiiS SupJoS'
again!"
II do not intend to do So" was the
cool rejoiner. 1T is enough to talk
of such a matter once"
TOO much!" almost groaned Ham,
ilton in reply.
James Billings took no notice of the
agitated manner of his companion, but
refilled his glass and drank it off de-
liberately. occasionally holding it be-
fore the light to admire it's color.
Il find," at length he said, that
Colonel Burr is highly esteemed as
military man, and that he is rapidly
growing into favor alike with officers
and soldiers. Would it not be we'll to
turn your attention to that point, and
cripple him before he obtains toe
strong a hold on the affections Of the
army?"
MY attention has been directed to
it, and l have done what l could to
keep him back without seeming to de-
sire it. But somehow he has the fac
ulty TO make or the good fortune to
find, opportunities for distinction
where no one else could. Even now
he is applying for permission to lead
an expedition against Staten Island
which will be almost sure to add
greatly to his reputation as soldier
"Thwart him. You can surely fino
means enough. The men are destitute
of shoes and blankets. The weather
is terrible: and two days exposure
you might plausibly argue, would cu
off more than a battle"
II thought of that; but he proposed
to take only two hundred Of his owr
best appointed men, and rely upor
raising the people of the country ir
sufficient numbers for his purpose
Besides l really think the expedition
will do great good to the republican
cause"
1T will do you no good; and the
cause is progressing toward a trium'
phant conclusion quite as fast as youi
interest or mine demands. If l could
have my will, Burgoyne's army would
now be comfortably quartered in New
| York"