Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-08-03
THE CARPETBAGGER
BY OpIE READ AND FRANK PXLEY
coovrghted by Laird Lee PubshersA Rights Reserved
By Permission of the Publishers

4
Governor repeated the word and the
lyoungster seemed to make a mental
note of It; it had evidently struck his
fancy as bit Of learning; bit Of
something that might help to keep
him from digging in the ground, and
he repeated it over and over to him
self. After a time, under the Gov
ernor's kindly inquiry, he became
communicative. He had walked into
the neighborhood, he said, looking
for work, and had engaged himself to
a farmer. He hoped to get enough
money to take him through school
during the coming winter. His main
trouble was that he couldn't get the
books he needed: there were no books
in the farmers house. He had spent
his last penny for worn history Of
the United States, which he found in
shop in the city, and he was afraid
that he had gone beyond his means.
How much does the farmer pay
your" the Governor inquired.
The boy moved about uneasily on
the stone. I'm afraid I didn't make
very good bargain" said he. II
agreed to work a while and then let
him fix the price; but he hasn't said
anything about it, and whenever I
mention it he always says there will
be time enough for that"
Where are you FROM" the Gov
ernor asked.
The boy waved his hand. From
away off yonder."
Have you any relatives living?"
mo, sir; my mother died a long
time ago and my father was killed in
the army"
1t was of little use to ask him
which army. His accent was Of the
South. In what command?" the
Governor inquired.
Second Alabama Cavalry"
The Carpetbagger started. One Of
the sabers that he had taken out in
the moonlight few nights before had
belonged to a member Of that COM
mand. He asked no more questions,
but somehow he fancied that in the
boy there was a resemblance Of a
man whose dead hand had gripped
one of those swords. He looked far
away, at the dusk of evening, gath
ering low down beneath the trees in
the woods IF you had money enough
you could go away and find a better
place, couldn't you?" he asked.
"Yes, sir; but it won't do to think
about that"
'I take you to be honest?"
''Honest?" the boy repeated, and
the Governor knew that his inquiry
was answered. "Yes, sir, I think I
am. Without honesty there wouldn't
be much need for learning or any
thing else. No, sir; 1 don't want any
thing that don't belong to me-"
My boy" said the Governor. II
am going to help you"
"Will you?" he asked, Frightening.
Have you got any work for me to
do?"
NO; but 1 have a little money and
am going to give it to you" He
took some bank notes out Of his
pocket. Here's forty dollars or so.
Take it; you are welcome to it," The
boy got up, staggering, but he did not
reach forth his hand. Take it. /
think 1 knew your father-maybe
not, but something strikes me that l
did. Take it; it's yours" The child
did not move, but stood gazing at
him. Take it and go North where
work is more respected. There is no
hope for a community where work is
looked down upon" The Governor
held out the money again, but still
the boy did not stir. He seemed to be
afraid-afraid, perhaps, that he was
dreaming and would soon awake to
feel the dread ache of disappoint-
ment.
But I don't know you, sir" he fl
nally managed to stammer, land per-
haps it wouldn't be right for me
to"
Nonsense, my child! You needn't
have any fear. It's all right. I am
the Governor of this state"
The boy recoiled as if he had re-
ceived a blow in the face. The glad
light in his eyes died out. Without
word he turned around and walked
rapidly away.