Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-01-18
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BY w. GILMORE sIMMS

| tiOning his companion TO keep MS Sau
die, fastened his horse to q bough, and
treading lightly, looked through the
crevices of the logs upon the old
crone within. Though in June, a warm
season at all times in Carolina, the old
woman partook too much Of the habits
of the very poor in that region to be
without a fire: and with the taste OF
the negro she was now bending over
of rude structure and no small dimen-
slons in her mouth, from which the
occasional puff went forth, filling the
apartment with the unpleasant eftiuvia
of the vilest leaf tobacco: while her
body and head swung ever to and FRO
with a regular seesaw motion, that
seemed an habitual exercise. Her
thin, shrivelled, and darkly yellow fea-
lures, were hag-like and jaundiced
The skin was tightly drawn across the
face, and the high cheek bones and
the nose seemed disposed to break
through the slender restraints OF their
covering Her eyes were small and
sunken, of a light grey, and had a VI
cious twinkle, that did not accord
with the wretched and decayed aspect
of her other features. Her forehead
was small. and clustered with grisly
hair of mixed white and black, disor-
dered and unbound.>but still short, and
with the appearance Of having but
lately undergone clipping at the ex-
tremities. These features, repulsive
In themselves, were greatly heightened
in their offensive expression by the Sc
we're mouth and sharp chin below
them. The upper lip was fiat, unde-
veloped entirely, while the lower was
thrust forth in q thick curl, and, close
ly rising and clinging to the other.
somewhat lifted her glance into a sort
of insolent authority, which, some
times accompanying aroused feeling.
or an elevated mood Of mind, might
look like dignified superiority. The
dress which she wore was OF the poor
est sort. the commonest white home
spun Of the country, probably her
own manufacture. and so indifferently
made, that 1t hung about her like a
sack, and gave full view Of the
bronzed and skinny neck and bosom,
which a regard to her appearance
might have prompted her to conceal.
Beside her a couple of cats Of mann
moth size kept up drowsy hum, en-
tirely undisturbed by the yelping OF
the cur, which, from his little kennel
at one end Of the hovel, maintained a
continuous Glamour at the approach OF
Humphries. The old woman simply
turned her head, for a moment, to the
entrance. took the pipe from her
mouth. and discharging the volume OF
smoke which followed 1t, cried harsh
ly to the dog. as If in encouragement.
Her call was answered by Humphries,
who rapping at the door. spoke civilly
to the inmate.
Now open the door. good woman.
We are friends, who would speak with
you. We have been caught in the
storm, and want you to give us house
room till it's over"
Friends ye may be, and ye may not.
Down by the dry branch, and through
the old road to mother Blonay's, Is no
walk that friends often take; and II
We be travellers. go We on. for there's no
accommodation for ye. and but little
here We would eat. It's poor country
y'are in. strangers, and nothing short
Of Dorchester, or 1t may be Rantowle's,
will serve your turn for n tavern"
Now out upon you, mother! would
you keep shut door upon US, and
the rain still pouring?" cried Hum
phries. sharply.
"Ye have been in 1t over long to
mind it now. I'm thinking. and, ye'd
better ride ii out. l have nothing for
ye. If ye would rob. I'm but a lone
woman. and mighty poor; and have no
plate no silver. no fine watch, nor
rings, nor anything that is worth your
taking. Go to The Oaks or Middle
ton Place. or the old hall at Archdale,
or any Of the fine houses; they have
plenty OF good picking there"
Now" said Humphries to his su-
perior-'how pleasantly the old hag
tells us to go and steal, and she look
ing down, as body may say, into the
very throat of the grave that's gaping
after her"
The old woman. meanwhile, as II
satisfied with what she had done, re-
sumed her pipe. and recommended her
motion. To and fro, over the blaze.
Humphries was for smart applica-
ton of the foot to the frail door that
kept him out. but To this his compan-
ion refused assent.
"Confound the old hag. major: she
will play with us after this fashion all
the night. | know her of old, and
that's the only way to serve her
Nothing but kicks for that breed: civ
ility is thrown away upon them"
| mo. no--you are rash; let me speak
| say. my good woman, we are desir-
Gus OF entrance; we have business, and
would speak with you
"Rusiness with me! and it's a gen.
tleman'S voice too, Maybe he would
have love charm, since there are
such fools or he has an enemy, and
would have u bad mouth put upon
him. shall make him shrivel up and
die by inches without any disease.
have worked in this business. and may
do more Well. there's good wages fol
ii. and no danger. Who shall see
when l beg in the rich mans kitchen
that / put the poison leaf in the soup
or stir the crumbs with the parching
coffee or sprinkle the powder with
the corn flour. or knead it up with the
dough? It's a safe business enough
and the pay is good. though it goes
over soon for the way 1t comes"
Come. come. my good woman" crieC
Singleton impatiently, as the old bel
dam thus muttered to herself the va
riouS secrets of her capacity, and strove
to conjecture the nature OF the busi-
ness which her visitors had with her