Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-01-29


he also well knew that there is NJ
sympathy between good and bad for
tune, except as the one Is apt to de-
sire that survey Of the other which
will best enable 1t to comprehend tht
superior benefits Of its own position
But that old woman had no such SEN
sibilities, and her poverty was no
greater--not so great. indeed, as tha'
OF many whom he knew besides, who
yet chung to, and sought to share some
OF the ties and regards Of society
though unblessed by the worlds
goods. and entirely out Of the hope OF
q redeeming fortune. Did he not also
know that she exulted in the thought
that she was feared by those around
her and studiously inculcated the be-
lief among the vulgar, that she pos.
sessed attributes which were danger
Gus and unholy? Her very pride was
an abomination to humanity, as hei
chief source of satisfaction seemed tc
lie In the exercise Of powers unwhole-
some and annoying to man. No Won
der the blood grew cold and curdled
in the veins of the blunt countrymar
as he thought upon these matters. Nc
wonder that he moved away to his
horse, with rapidity he would moi
his enemy should see. from a spo'
over which. as his mind dwelt upon
the subject, such an Internal atmos-
phere seemed to brood and gather
The bark Of the dog as the hoofs OF
his charger beat upon the ground
while he hurried along his path, star
tied more completely the old hag. who
half rose from her seat, threw up heI
head to listen, then, pushing the dis
membered brands Of her fire together
composed herself once more In heI
chair to sleep.
The evening of the day upon the
history OF which we have been en-
gagged, had been rather remarkable In
the annals of the Royal George
There had been much to disturb the
waters. and. we may add. the spirits
in that important domain. There had
been a partial sundering Of ancient
ties-a violation Of sometime sacred
pledges. an awkward collision Of va
rious interests.
On the ensuing Monday, Sergeant
Hastings. of whom we have already
seen either too much or too little, was
TO take his departure with the noto-
rious Captain Huck to join Tarleton on
the eatawba. The interval of time be-
tween the present and that fixed for
this, so important, remove. was ex-
ceedingly brief: but a day. and that
a holiday, intervened-and then fare
well to the rum punch, the fair CO.
quette. and the pleasant company OF
the Royal George"
The subject was a melancholy one
to all parties. The sergeant preferred
the easy life. the good company, the
cheering liquor Of the tavern. and
there were other and less honorable
objects yet in his mind, unsatisfied'
and as far from realization as ever.
Bella Humphries had too little regard
for him really to become his victim,
though he had spared no effort to that
end. On the contrary, the girl had
latterly grown peevish in some res
poets, and he could clearly perceive
though the cause remained unknown
that his influence over her was declin-
ing. His assumption Of authority, his
violence, and perhaps 'his too great
familiarity, had wonderfully lessened
him in her regard; and, If the truth
must be known, John Davis was In
reality more potent in her esteem than
she had been willing to acknowledge
either to that parsonage or to herself
While Davis kept about the tavern
a cringing and peevish lover, contrl-
buting to her conceit while acknowl-
edging her power, she was not unwill-
ing, with all the thOughtlessness Of a
weak girl, to t,ifie with his affections;
but now that he had absented himself
as it seemed for ever, she began tc
comprehend her own loss and to la
ment ii. Such a consciousness led hel
to a more close examination Of Hast
ing's pretensions. and the result OF
her analysis was quite unfavorable tc
that worthy. His many defects OF
disposition and character. his vulgar
ity. his impudence. all grew remark
ably prominent in her eyes. and he
could now see that, when he woulc
say, in q manner meant to be allur-
ing
"Hark'ee. Bell. my beauty-get us Q
swig. pretty particular. and not toe
strong o. the lemon. and not too weak
o. the Jamaica, and not too scant con-
sidering the quantity"-there was NJ
sweet elasticity in the utterance Of
Yes. sergeant. certainly,-yOu shal
have it to your liking" coupled witt
gracious smile and a quickness Of
movement that left the time between
the order and it's instant execution 6
space not perceptible even to thai
most impatient person, himself. HI
could feel the change now, and as the
time allowed him was brief, and op'
pOrtunities few, he hurried himself II
deviSing plans for the better success:
of design upon her. long entertain
ed. of a character the most vile ant
nefarious.
But his bill remained unpaid; ant
this was the worst feature in the sigh
of our landlord. That evening (Sat
urday). the worthy publican had ven
tured to suggest the fact to the disre
garding memory of the sergeant, wh'
had, with the utmost promptness
evaded the demand. Some words hat
passed between them-old Humphrie
had been rather more spirited, ant
Hastings rather more insolent thai
usual: and the latter in search o
consolation. made his way into th
inner room where Bella officiated. tt
crown his discomfort his approach
was utterly unnOticed by that capri
ciOuS damsel He dashed away il
dudgeOn from the house at an earl!
hour. certainly less regretted by tn
maid than by the master Of the inn