Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-03-18

nights and of many maids in far off
lands and of countless journeys IN
which he, too, had mad fair and gentle
company-short journeys. yes, but not
to be forgotten.
He lighted the stub Of a tallow cam
die. All, how envied this great, sleep
ing wayfarer! How beautiful his mis-
tress. How fortunate the lover! They
slept. How tired they were! Whence
had they come?
Why should he stay here to spoil
their waking hour? No. He would
surrender his apartment to them.
Softly he tiptoed to his own corner
of the car He gathered up his be-
longings-an ancient violin case, q
stout walking stick, a goodly sized
pack done up in gaudy cloth, well
worn pair of sandals with long, frayed
lacings. As gently he stole back to
the door. He tossed kiss to the
sleeping girl, his dark gypsy face
aglow with admiration and mischief,
and was about to blow out the light
of mis- candle. Then he changed his
mind.
With determined shake of his head
and a new flash of the eye he calmly
seated himself and began to open his
ragged pack.
At last his small store Of food lay
exposed. Without hesitation he divid-
ed the pieces of smoked venison, CIV
ing one part to himself, two to the
sleepers, then the miller's bread and
the cheese and the bag of dates he had
bought the day before.
Again he blew kiss to the prettiest
girl he had even seen. Shutting his
candle. he dropped to the ground and
closed the door against all spying, un-
civil eyes.
Daybreak found him at the wharf
gates.
Coming to an empty fiat car direct
from the quarries, he resolutcly seated
himself upon its edge and, with amia =
bic resignation, set about devouring
his early meal, all tine while casting
longing, almost appealing. glances to-
ward the next car but one. Busy lit
tie switch engines began chusginS
about the yards. The railroad at last
was exhibiting some signs of life.
Down through the maze Of side
tracks whisked the little train, out upon
the main line with thin shrek OF
greeting, past the freight houses. 1t
was then that Sir VagabOnd sat up
very straight, look of mild Interest
in his eyes. Interest gave way to per-
pleXity. pcrpleXity to concern. WHAT'S
this-lraving the city? He wasted no
time. Clutching his belongings to his
side, he vauted from one hand. nm-
bly, landing safely on his feet at the
roadside.
He thought of the luckless pair in
the empty box
Suddenly he stopped, his cnin up,
his hands To his sides. A hearty peal
of laughter scared from his lips. The
joke was on them. 1t was rich. The
more he thought of their astonishment
on awakening the more he laughed.
His immense levity attracted atten-
tion. -Four or five men approached
him from the shadows of the freight
houses. ugly. unSmiling fellows. They
demanded of him the cause of his un-
seemly mirth. With tears in his mer-
rs black eyes hc related the plight of
| the pretty slumberS. They piled him
with questions. He described the c0u-
pie. even glowingly. Then the sinis-
| ter fellows smiled More than that,
| they clappcd each other on the back
and swore splendidly.
And so it was that the news spread
| over town at o'clock that TruXton
King was where he could do no harm
1t was well known that the train
| would make forty miles an hour down
| the steep grade into tn" lower valley.
When TruXton King first awOke to
| ing motiunlcSS in the dreary yards ne
| lcaped To his feet with Il startled
shout Of alarm. With frantic energy
he pulled open the door. For min
ute he started at the scudding walls OF
stone 50 close at hand. Incompetence
| ingly. Then tn" truth burst upon him
with the force of Il mighty blow He
staggered back, his jaw dropping. mis-
! eyes glarinS.