Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-02-22

first come into our parts, and made
acquaintance with our people. Bells
was a little girl at that time; but from
that time took to her, and she sorts
took to me. The more we know'd, TIT
more we liked one another. I can sa!
for myself, I never liked anybody hal
so we'll as I liked her. Well, every
body said it was match, and Bella
seemed willing enough till the wa
broke out, and you came into our parts
with your red-coats, and fiashy but
tons. and topknots; and then every
lthing was at odds and ends, and there
was no living with the gal at all. He
head got turned with your fiummery
and a plain lad like myself stood NJ
chance"
"Wen. but, Mister Davis. that wa:
no fault Of mine, If the girl was fool
ish.'
Look you-no iii words about the
gal: becase, dang 1t. I don't stand 1t
She may be foolish, but you haven't any
right yet. that can see, to call her so;
and it's more shame II you do, seeing
that it's all on your account that she
is so."
81 mean no harm-no offense. Mister
Davis"
We'll, we'll. l ain't taking any harm
and any offence at that l only want
to mind you to keep a civil tongue In
your head when you talk Of Bella: for
though she SHES away from me. and
stand no chance with her. and the
games all clear done atween us.
won't hear anything said to her dis
arrangement: and II will be mighty RI
dicuious for you II you say 1t. I'm
trying to speak to you civilly, and
without getting in a passion-and It's
not so eaSy-for you're my prisoner
YOU see: and it's not the part Of gen.
tleman to say ugly things to a man
that can't help himself: but it's in the
way of what I've got to tell you, and
you'll be good -natured and excuse IT
II / sometimes Craze upon a part OIL
you that's sore. and say sich words In
your hearing. as makes you feel like
a rascal, and II I don't stop to pick
what words l shall say 1t in. But that's
neither here nor there; and I may as
well go on with what l was saying
Bella took a liking to you, and to
your coat. and buttons-monstrous
little else, Sergeant Hastings, now.
tell you. for the gal has sense enough
to see that you're not the properest
looking chap, nor the finest, nor the
best -natured. that comes into these
parts But it was the snowy buttons
and the red clothes-the big feather
and-I don't want to say it. Sergeant
Hastings. becase. as l said before
you're my prisoner, and It's not genteel
to say ugly things to ones prisoner;
but my mother always trained me to
have an ambition for truth. and
mans not a gentleman If he doesn't
speak II: so that's the reason. you see
rart because you were so fiashy, and
so impudent, and had such big way
about you. that took in the-pe"r gal al
first. and that takes in so many that
ought to know better. 1t was your
| impudence. you see. sergeant-tha'
was it, and, as sure as there's snakes
she'll get tired of you, you can't reck-
on how fast. II she once gets you for
husband"
But that she'll never do, Mister
Davis-Oh. no, leave me alone for that
I'm no fool, l can tell you. It's the
Young bird only that's to be caught by
the chaff."
| "Chaff!-well. you can't mean to say
that Bella Humphries is chaff; but dc
you mean that you won't marry her
and the gal so loves you too?" The as
tonishment of Davis was conspicuous
in his emphasis.
| Marry her. indeed! No. thank ye!
never thought Of such a thing!" was
the contemptuous reply Of the prisoner
Nov. dang it. Sergeant Hastings
but do despise you more than pole
cat. You're a poor. mean skunk, and
a dirty varmint, that's only fit for kill
ing: and I've the heart to do it now
on the spot, tell you; but won't, for
you're my prisoner"
The Indignation of Davis was kept
| down with difficulty; and Hastings
lacking entirely that delicacy which
should have taught him that the con-
siderations of his rival. in what he had
said had been singularly unselfish
only made the matter worse by under
taking to assure him that his determi-
nation had been made. the better tc
open the way for himself in the renew
al of his addresses. This assurance
neither deceived nor satisfied the lieu
tenant: and his words, though cool
were very bitter and solemnly urged.
You're a shoat, a mean shoat, Ser
geant Hastings: and If l had nothing
else tn hate you for, 1 should hate you
mighty long and heartily for that
But it's no use talking: and the sooner
we stop the better. Now, can you
guess what come to you for tonight?'
Il cannOt-nO-what?"
"To set you free: to cut your ropes;
put you on a clear track. and mount
YOU on a nag that'll take you into
Dorchester in a short hour and half
free riding l told you I would do 1t
| will keep my word"
Indeed! Do hear you, Mister Da-
Wis? my dear friend"
mo friend, thank you-no friend
but a bitter inimy. that won't do moth
ing for you without the pay. l will
do all this for you, as 1 have said, bu,
there's something l ak for it in return
What! speak! aye! What price:
name your reward, sir, and"
Il will-only be quiet and keep CIV
il tongue in your head while tell you
You've put the fiat of your sword tc
my shoulder Sergeant Hastings, wher
had none to lift up agin you: that's
to be paid for. You've come between
me and the gal had liking for, evel
since was boy: that's to be paic
for. You tried to git her to like you