Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-12-08
has he done? No, I'm going to a city
north, | think"

sprig of a doctor asked me If would
ride his horse around by the road, said
that he wanted to walk across the
meadow with Guinea. How l should
have enjoyed knocking him on the
head, but l thought that Guinea sup
plemented his request with look, and
1 consented.
There were many horses tied at the
generals fence, and there was laughter
within, when 1 rode up, and l was re-
minded Of the night when l had stood
with my hot hand melting the frost on
the fence. But l thought of what the
men had said on the railway platform,
CT the woman whom had seen on the
general met me with a warm grasp,
and was asking me If l had seen his
son, when in walked the young fellow
himself, with Guinea beside him. The
parlor and the library, opening one into
the other, were we'll filled with good
humored young folk, and among them
were old people, none the less good
humored. l was surprised to find my
self so much in demand, for every one
asked for an introduction, but with Bit
terness l knew that 1t was because l
had come near being burned up in an
old house. They played games, but
If this they soon tired; they sang and
me Of the ladies plucked a sparkling
fandango, and then Chydister Lunds-
ford was called upon for a speech.
He was not at all embarrassed and he
talked fairly we'll; and when he was
done, they call upon me. l got up
with one hand resting on the piano,
md stood there, nervous at first, but
strangely steady later on. l told them
that I could not make a speech, but
that with their permission I would tell
them a story, one Of my own. They
oried out that they would rather have
4 story than a speech, and gave them
a half humorous, half pathetic SKETCH
something that had long been running
in my head and which I intended to
write What strong confidence came
upon me as I noted the effect of my
words. l was drawing a picture and
they were eager to see it; was play
ng on a strange, rude instrument and
how they bent to catch every vibration.
was astonished at myself, thrilled
with myself And when the climax
came, chairs were tipped over as If
in a scramble, and a wild applause
broke out. Every hand was stretched
out toward me, every eye was bright
with tear The old general grabbed
me and, throwing back his great head,
almost beloved a compliment; and
through it all l saw Guinea sweetly
smiling. They urged me to give them
another story, were almost frantic in
their entreaty; they had heard the
heart beat Of their own life and they
must hear it again. I told another
story, one over which l had fondly
nused, and again the hands came
out toward me, and again the general
beloved a compliment. I can scarcely
recall anything else that passed that
evening. Yes, l remember that as
was taking my leave, to walk across
the meadows with Guinea and Chyd,
twice l thought that she had some
thing that she would tell me- for her
lips moved, but she said nothing ex-
cept to bid me goodnight.
And where was Alf all this time?
No one had spoken his name; Millie
had not asked me about him. I walk
cd briskly in advance, half happy, but
Of course, with my mind on Guinea,
whose low voice reached my ears
through the quiet that lay on the
grass-l land.
why don't you wait for us?" she
cried. l turned about and waited, and
as she came up, holding Chyd's arm,
she said: Il hope your success tonight
nasn turned your head"
And l hope that l don't deserve such
suspicion" l answered, not with bit
terness, but with joy to think that she
had felt my apparent Indifference.
"Oh, l don't see anything to cause
a spat," said Chyd, straining himself
to take long steps. Good stuff, of
course, but nothing to turn a mans
head-a mere bit of fancy paint. But
you ought to write it. Good many
people like nonsense. l mean some
thing light, you know. Two-thirds Of
the human family make 1t their bus
mess to dodge the truth. But 1t is
good thing for a school teacher to
make himself felt in that way"
Perhaps Mr. Hawes doesn't intend
to be a teacher all his life," Guinea re-
Piled speaking in kindness, but with
no interest, as to whether or not 1 was
to remain a pedagogue.
God forbid" l replied And the
young doctor gave me a sarcastic
cough. Man ought to do what he's
best fitted for" said he. Trouble is
that man generally thinks that he's
fitted for something that he isn't
hates the thing that he can do best"
Your knowledge of the practical for
titles you against any advance that
might make" replied. Il don't pre-
tend to be practical"
Hum, l should think not" he re-
joined. Good deal of dreamer, l
take it. And you are in the right place
Everything dreams here, the farmers
and even the cattle. Going to pull
down the fence, eh? Guineall be over
by the time you get it down. What did
l tell you? Regular fawn, eh?
We had passed out of the meadow.
They waited in the road until replaced
the rails which l had let down. The
road ran along the ravine and home
was in sight. l looked across toward
the smooth cid rock and saw n dark
object upon It. We went down into
the ravine and as we were coming out
voice cried: rs that you, Bill"'
And instantly Guinea answered for me-
Yes. Alf. And here's Chyd.'
How are you, Chyd?" he shouted,
and then ha added. "Rill | want tC