Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-08-14

He found him stretched upon a low
bedstead, with a table drawn near,
on which a tallow candle was burn
ing dimly, and some phials Of medi-
cine were so placed as to be in reach
of his hand The invalid beckoned
his visitor to approach, and said, in
feeble voice.
Take away the table and draw a
chair close to my side, for my voice
is very feeble. and have much to
say"
Burr did as he was directed.
do you know me?"
mo. I do not remember that we
ever met. If we did, 1t must have
been casually"
Ear from it. I am James Bill
ings."
A sudden flush passed over the
face of Burr, and he felt something
like a pang shoot through his heart;
but his voice was steady and unal-
tered.
"I remember such a man in the
camp at Valley Forge-a friend of
Alexander Hamilton; but you are
greatly altered since then?"
His confederate, not his friend.
In such bosoms as his and mine,
friendship never dwells."
He pressed his hand to his brow
for a moment, and continued
Listen, and do not interrupt me.
The shadows Of death are gathering
fast around me, and have no time
to waste. When am through, If I
have the strength, I will answer any
questions you may desire to ask"
Then, in a low but distinct voice,
he commenced his narrative. He
went over the whole story Of Ade-
laide Clifton's insanity and death.
He revealed the source Of the vile
ISLANDERS which had blackened the
fame of Margaret Moncrieffe. He
told of the INSCRIPTIONS and too
successful efforts that had been made
to prejudice the mind of the cam
mander-in-chief against his listener;
of the jealous vigilance with which
every step of his military progress
had been watched; of Hamilton's g
daring hopes, and his final frustra-
ton by the treaty Of peace. The
whole dark story was revealed with
distinctness and clearness which
left no doubt upon the mind Of Burr
that every word he uttered was true
to the letter. At first he tried to call
up facts and circumstances within
his recollection which would confirm
or shake the statements Of the dying
man; but this soon ceased, and his
whole attention was given to the
narrative as 1t progressed. Imper-
turbable as he generally was-accus-
toned as he had been to suppress
every sign Of emotion, this was too
much for his iron will. 1t recalled
all the memories of the long gone
past-whatever was dark and bitter
in his early career rose up before
him, and stung him into madness.
Leaning both elbows upon the bed,
he buried his face in his hands,
while his whole frame shook with
the mingled emotions which were
struggling in his bosom. That passed
away, and raising his head slowly,
ne inquired
May 1 ask, Mr.. Billings. what has
induced you to make these revela-
tions now? Is it in remorse, or In
the hope Of making some atonement
to me?"
Neither, Colonel Burr-neither.
1 am not one Of those weak things
who shrink and tremble in presence
Of the shadows their own actions
have called about them; and to you
know atonement Is impossible. If
it be in my nature to feel contrition,
the thirst Of vengeance has driven 1t
away. would have Alexander
Hamilton disgraced and degraded.
In that table drawer you will find
packet containing evidence enough
to damn him forever in the minds Of
his fellow men. To you I confide 1t,
as the man he has most injured, and
now most cordially hates"
The hard breathing Of the sick
man told that he was terribly agitated,
and Colonel Burr paused some minutes
before he said,-
Vengeance! Why, what has he
done to you?"
"Stung my pride. Refused to rec
ognize me in public as an acquaint-
ance, and insulted me by the offer of
pecuniary assistance in private. But
ask me no questions. Let me tell the
story without interruption. After
that fatal peace, / saw that Amer
lea was no theater for me, and
embarked for France. 1t is un-
necessary to dwell upon the part I
played in the bloody drama which
was soon after enacted in the land
of olives and Of vines. 1t suited me,
or rather il suited the fierce devil
who reigned supreme within me, and
| few hands were redder than mine,
in a country where all were red. At
| leHBlIl
tered constitution, together with the
loss of nearly all my fortune, COM
PEELED me to seek repose. I returned
to America, not doubling the friend
ship of Hamilton, who, 1 was aware,
had risen high in the state, and the
service 1 had rendered the American
army, or at least was believed to
have rendered 1t during the Revolu-
ton, would insure me respect, and a
certain amount of consideration dur
ing the few years that would inter-
vene before l was consigned to the
grave that was open before me.
sought him out and told him the
story of my expectations. He
promptly declared that he could not
receive me as an associate, or even
recognize me as an acquaintance In
public; that l was a stranger; my
services during the Revolution for
gotten; and, If he was seen with me
it would lead to inquiry, and subject
him to questions painful to him and
difficult TO answer; but, he added, II
T had need of necuniary relief he