Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-10-23
PART l.


worm fence which crawled across acres
of red clay: some struggling dogberry
bushes, shivering in the March wind;
a mere apology for a house. set in a
bare field and some starveling chick
ems the only sign of life-.these objects
came severally into view as Milton
Weir climbed the hill, at the foot OF
which roared and tumbled a mountain
stream.
Horrible. Horrible!" he calculated:
How can human creatures live so!"
He hallooed. There was no reply;
but as his voice broke the cold still
ness, a woman appeared on the thresh-
old of the cabin, and stood there with
out speaking.
Good evening"" Weir cried out loud
and CHEEKY, Il want to see Jim Ross
Is he at home?"
A shake of the tousled head was
the only answer.
Can you tell me when he will be?
I'm bound to see him today"
The woman looked vacantly towards
the dogberry bushes, and shook her
head again.
He mout and he moutn't," she NUT
tered in the tone of a somnambulist.
The visitor was impatient. He made
a sound between a grunt and snort,
and turned to go.
Cant you give me any idea where
1 may find him."
Again the vacant stare fixed itself
on the spot where the scraggy chickens
covered, but she uttered no word.
Just then a child's figure appeared as
by magic. Weir never could tell whence.
She stood before him like a smoke
wreath, slender fragile, tall and al
most as unsubstantial. Pale straw
colored hair fell over her narrow shoul-
ders. and the wan face scarce showed a
brighter hue Her bare feet and legs
were blue with cold a faded homespun
frock revealed the outline of an unde-
veloped form.
The engineer regarded her with in
terest. We'll child, maybe you can tell
me where your father is
The girl replied by turning as abb
ruptly as she had appeared, and walk
ed down the path. Looking back after
she had advanced few steps, and per-
ceiving that Weir had not followed, she
said, Come on, I'll show you
Down the hill she led the way, as
swiftly over rough stones and wide clay
gullies as a gaZelle on its native
heights. Her companion kept up, his
stalwart stride in ludicrous contrast
to the gliding step beside him. To his
questions she returned only monosylla-
bles from which he could gather little,
and not till they reached the broad
country road which ran parallel to the
rapid river, where his prospecting tour
for a factory site had ended, did Weir
surmise their destination. He had
passed "the store" only a short time
before, and thro the broken window
heard high pitched voices in excited
argument.
Jim Ross was considered the best
pioneer in the county, and 1t was to
engage his services in further investi-
CATION of water courses that the en-
gineer sought him. Now with the in
tuition of a man of the world, he saw
where the difficulty would lie.
AS the tiny figure fitted before
him, thro the rapidly falling dusk, her
thin patched skirt futtering in the
wind coming keen as a knife-e edge from
the distant ridge of blue to the north
west, Weir felt an unaccustomed thrill
of pity.
Amt you cold?" he asked.
The child turned about suddenly and
looked him full in the face. The pupils
of her eyes were distended till only a
rim of dark violet was visible, and an
expression of intense feeling lightened
the thin, drawn features. NO." she
replied, her lips folding tightly over the
small teeth, Pm hot"
A scarlet spot burnt on her cheek,
and Weir could scarcely follow fast
enough as she bounded forward and
fairly fled up the dilapidated steps of
the store.
It's sign creaked in the gate, whereon
was the faded legend: Groceries and
Dry Goods" A door opening upon the
narrow porch, stood ajar, and an abom-
Unable odor of cheap tobacco and the
vilest whisky poisoned the air. The
high pitched voices were arguing still.
A listener might hear war in their
words before he entered the dark, foul
room fire in the rusty stove was
almost out but it was kept warm by
propinquity and profanity.
A short, coarse looking man, evil
IDENTIFY the proprietor, leant upon the
counter and threw in soothing word
occasionally. The unusual sight Of a
stranger reused his business instincts.
Move round, boys, and make room
for the gentleman" he called out, COM
ing forward with a broken chair.
Have a seat, sir. Cold evening, amt
it, Take something to drink"
The engineer replied in a sharp neg
ative, and turned to the group,
where's Jim Ross? 1 want to speak
to him.
A long, lean body, dropping nearly
double upon an empty goods box, shook
itself, and rose with that innate cour-
tesy, which seems to characterize a
true sOutherner. He held out an un-
steady tand and smiled in a maudlin
way.
DO me proud, sir" he hiccoughed;
"Jeems Ross, esquire. at your service,
sir. Take sOme'n to drink"
Weir moved his hand in d gesture of
impatience. mingled with disgust.
I'm not a drinking man." he said.
shortly. for the benefit Of the crowd.
I'm here on business. Come outside,
Mr. Ross. and let's talk"
His abrupt mastery manner had its
effect. The man made a great effort,
and slOuched toward the door, the
others making way for him respectful
ly Suddenly this atmosphere had
grown peaceful as a May dawn. Each