Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-09-18
CHAPTER ".
Have You Quite Forgotten Me?

of Pottstown fiocked to the sale-the
few to buy, the many to see how the
house was furnished, and judge
whether the widow was a good man.
ager.
They say she's got chists full OF
the best linen sheets and piller-cases'
remarked a thrifty old lady as she
laboriously ascended the stairs.
THE little wife Of the inn-keeper
son was busy among the crockery.
She had selected her purchases, and
stood guarding them with the vigil
lance of a small but particularly fierce
dragon, determined to have them, as
she said, if everybody in Pottstown
bid against her.
In one of the smallest rooms up
stairs stood Lucy and the Widow Will
lets, watching the gathering crowd
And a motley assemblage it was of
numbering old carts, family carriages
one-horse chaises, light spring-wag-
ons, gayly painted, horses of every de-
scription, saddles of the most antique
pattern; while the men, women and
children who had come, intending TO
make a day Of it, crowded into the
yard, ran through the pleasant rooms
and up and downstairs, with much
chattering and shrill laughter.
Old Deacon Pitt, who was good
friend to the widow, poked among
the kitchen utensils with his cane.
Several Of us neighbors were going
to buy up things" he said, eyeing a
nest of pans wistfully; but they say
some strangers made bid for the
hull lot, cash down. I'm mighty sor-
~ for the widder-mighty sorry"
"Old Pinchbeck deserves a coat of
tar and feathers, and 1 know some
body who'd like to give it to him,
spoke up twelve-year-old Tom, the
deacon's son.
SILENCE, sir!" said the deacon,
gravely, then added, in an aside to
another old deacon, 1T would be the
best fit he ever had in his life"
Meantime the clamor outside in
creased. 1t was nearing high noon.
Those who had brought lunches were
comfortably seated, regaling them
selves with doughnuts and sandwiches.
The children cried from WEAKNESS,
and some of them were put to sleep
in the shade.
Lucy and her mother watched the
proceedings from their little perch,
themselves unseen
Why don't they begin?" said Lucy,
in a nervous tremor. The auctioneer
is here. Oh, how l dread it,"
At that moment, amid the shouts
Of a crowd of small boys. Peter Pinch
beck mounted his stand-the smooth
ly cut trunk Of tree, which Lucy had
made beautiful with vines, but now
the pretty green tendrils lay prone
and trampled in the dust.
Presently business commenced. Two
anxious old farmers bid against each
other till they were hoarse, when
suddenly a deep, low, masterful voice
exclaimed:
Five thousand dollars for the place
just as it stands-every stick of tim
Der, every rod Of land, every article of
furniture!"
Widow and daughter included?'
queried Peter Pinchbeck, making an
attempt to be facetious; but on sud-
den he recoiled, and in stepping back
for he saw that ominous look in the
strangers face as the latter came vi
ciously forward--down he went amidst
the broken vines and tumbled grass,
and a roar of laughter went up from
the throats of the assembled urchins.
1T will be safer for you if you keep
your tongue within your teeth" was
the low-uttered warning, "or 1 won't
be responsible for what might hap
pen," and the attorney gained his
perch, looking white, scared and
crestfallen.
Meantime the people were talking
in groups. Of course nobody could
compete with a man who bid in that
fashion. The property was not worth
much over three thousand, and who
could this stranger be who felt such
an interest in this out-of-the way
place, and was so rich that he could
afford to throw away his money
The inn-keeper's new daughter
stood tremblingly guarding what she
had made sure was hers. Deacon
Pitt proposed that contribution be
taken for the purpose of setting the
widow up in housekeeping.
Lucy turned to her mother as the
house was knocked down to the high
est bidder, and threw herself in he1
arms as she cried:
1T is all over, and we are beg
gars!"
Not quite, Lucy You forget we
can work God will overrule this
great misfortune for our good"
How can you be so quiet over it
mammal" asked Lucy. 1T was
who was going to be so brave, and
now look at me-"
Did you see the purchaser"
"Yes-a tall man with a heavy
beard. Oh, l hope we need not meet
him! But there. he is coming in. Let
us CO." ..
She flew to the door and opened
it. meditating a retreat. The groups
outside fell back at sight of her white
face.
A heavy step was heard ascending
the stairs AS she stood there, uncer-
tain and expectant, it drew nearer. Il
was the man with the heavy beard. She
could see in her fright and almost
hate, that his face was working with
emotion.
AS if it were his right, he passed
into the little room, shut the door
and as Lucy retreated, planted him
self against it, Then he gazed search
ing from mother to daughter. Ther
he held out both hands beseeching
ly, and with a cry that was almost
wall. exclaimed, piteously:
Have you quite forgotten me-yol
and little Lucy?"
Mother. it is my father" scream
ed Lucy, and ran straight into hi!