Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-07-27
THE CARPETBAGGER
RY OPIE READ AND FRANK PXLEY
,vr;gb,ed by Laird Lee Publshes-Au Rights Reserved
By Permission of the Publishers


contravention Of all usages between
gentlemen, I am here at your re-
quest"
Eyes, I sent for you. We are both
too old to-make fools Of ourselves
Let's talk this thing over"
Sir" replied the Major, with
terrible earnestness, when you ar
rest my father and send him and my
old mother to Jail, the matter has
gone beyond talk and beyond expla'
nation. Nothing but action now!"
But, Major, do you think for a
moment that 1 caused your fathers
ANY man who would be guilty OF
such an outrage would not hesitate
to deny it. In your office I summon
ed you to meet the voters of this
commonwealth at the polls. In this
affair you meet me-you must do it. y
But wait a moment, Major. Dc
you know what my position in this
matter is?"
"I do not care what your position
is. 1 understand my duty as a man
Of honor, and I know that you are
coward as we'll as a scoundrel. You
shall not dodge this issue If have to
horse-whip you publicly through the
streets"
The old Carpetbagger recoiled as If
he had been stung. He drew himself
up to his full height. There was a
light in his eye such as no one ever
had seen there before. "Stop!" he
cried. his long, bony forefnger point
ing like a pistol straight at the Ma
jor's face. Hold on, now! I've got
a bullet here" he said, tapping his
left shoulder. Some Of you fellows
gave 1t to me st Antietam. Maybe
you did it-I don't know. But wasn't
lodging then and I haven't dodg-
ed since then" He stopped for a
moment and then added, with evident
effort to master his feelings: -Four
years of fighting was enough for me.
1t ought to have been enough for you.
Don't be a fool"
The Major stood stern and unmov-
ed. He was not thinking of the war
or its consequences, but Of the fact
that an outrage had been put upon
his father and his mother. The cold
light Of a sneer fell across his grim
countenance. Sir" he said, "even
coward is safe in his own house. But
tomorrow, whenever and wherever
meet you, 1 will shoot you as would
a rabid cur. Take your pistol with
you. will make you use it."
do you mean that I must choose
between a duel and assassination
calmly inquired the Governor.
Call it what you like" hotly re-
Joined the Southerner. you know
what I mean"
"I will fight"
"Ah!" exclaimed the Major, with
Frightening countenance.
Let me tell you," continued the
Carpetbagger, that this business has
no place in modern civilization. 1t be-
longs to the seventeenth century. But
If there be no alternative--if 1t must
come-if we must go back into ro-
mance-let's go way back. Meet me
at NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. seconds-in
the garden out there under the mag
nolias. I'll be there with an extra
saber at your disposal. 1 don't give
that" he added, swapping his fingers,
for your code or your customs; but
I'll meet you-man to man."
The Major smiled. THANK you,'
he said. "I will be there. Until then,
sir, I bid you good night" He bowed
in a stately fashion, stepped to the
door, turned, bowed again and pass
ed out.
The Governor walked up and down
the room. 1T had to come" he mus
ed. And he seemed relieved that
some sort Of settlement had at last
been reached. 1t had been an event.
full evening, an evening Of stern de-
cision and almost Of tenderness, an
evening scented by the sweet odor Of
rose. He touched a bell. Jim" +"
he said, lock up for the night" The
negro began to close the doors and
windows and to draw the curtains
May I come in?" she asked. The
Governor held out his arms toward
her. What was all that loud talk
ing?" she went on, looking with
strange inquiry at her father. II have
been waiting ever so long for my good
night kiss. You weren't going to for
get me tonight, were you?"
The Governor answered with an
emotional note of tenderness in his
voice. mo, little one, could not
forget you-tonight." He kissed her
fondly and, going with her to the
door, kissed her again. "Good-night,
little one"
Mus I put out all de lights, sah?"
said Jim.
Except in the library. 1 have some
writing to do. But don't wait for
me. Go to bed"
"Yas, sah," said the negro. Good
night, suh.''
JIM
"Yas, sah."
Come here"
Drawing a roll of bills from his
pocket, the Carpetbagger pressed it
into the negro's hand. "Jim," he
said. you're good fellow. Keep it
it's yours" The darky looked at him
in surprise. Too much overcome to
say anything he dropped, bowed his
head and went out, taking a lamp
with him. The room was dark. The
Governor went to window and drew
aside the curtains. The full moon,
searchlight, threw a flood
of silvery whiteness upon him as he
looked out toward the magnolias in
the garden. Slowly he bowed his head
and his lips touched the flower upon
his coat.