Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-11-17
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parts fifty years ago; that was before
my time, Mr.. .Crenshaw, and I take
it, too, it was before yours; he mar
ried a Beaufort"
80 he did," said Crenshaw, land
there was one child, a daughter; she
married a South. Carolinian by the
name of Tuberville. / remember that,
TO- they were married under the gal
lery in the hall. Great folks, those
Tubervilles, rolling rich. My father
was manager then fo' the general
that was nearly forty years ago.
There was life here then, sir: the place
was alive with niggers and the house
was full of guests from one months
end to another" He drummed on the
desk top. Who'd a thought it want
to last for ever?"
And what became of the daughter
who married Tuberville?"
Died years ago." said Crenshaw.
she was here the last time about
thirty years back. 1t want so easy to
get about in those days, no roads to
speak Of and no stages. and besides,
the old general want much here no.
how; her going away had sort Of
broken up his home, reckon. Then
the place stood empty fo' few years,
most of the slaves were sold off, and
the fields began to grow up. No one
rightly knew, but the general was
supposed to be travelling up yonder In
the moth, sir. AS I say, things ran
along this way quite a while, and then
one morning when l went to my store
my clerk says, There's an old-white-
headed niger been waiting round
here fo' a word with you, Mr.. Cren-
shaw 1t was Joe, the generals body
servant, and when I'd shook hands
with him 1 said, 'When's the master
expected back? You see, l thought
Joe had been sent on ahead to open
the house, but he says, General Quin-
tard's at the Barony now,' and then
he says, The generals compliments,
sir, and will you see that this order is
filed? Well, Mr.. Bladen, 1 and my
father had factored the Barony TO- fif-
teen years and upward, but that was
the first time the supplies TO the gen.
erals table had ever been toted here
in a meal sack!
Il rode out that very afternoon, but
Joe, who was one Of your mannerly
niggers, met me at the door and says,
Mr.. Crenshaw, the general appreciates
this courtesy, but regrets that he is
unable to see you, sir After that 1t
want long in getting about that the
general was a changed man. Other
folks came here to welcome him back
and he refused to see them, but the
reason of it we never learned. Joe,
who probably knew, was one of your
close niggers: there was no getting
anything out of him; you could talk
with that darky by the hour, sir, and
he left you feeling emptier than If he'd
kept his mouth shut"
They were interrupted by knock
at the door.
Come in," said Crenshaw, a trifie
impatiently, and in response to his
bidding the door opened and a small
boy entered the room dragging after
him a long rifle. Suddenly overcome
by q speechless shyness, he paused
on the threshold to stare with round,
wondering eyes at the two men.
Well sonny, what do you want?'
asked Mr.. Crenshaw, indulgently.
The boy opened his mouth, but his
courage failed him, and with his cour-
age went the words he would have
spoken.
who is this?" asked Bladen.
I'll tell you presently" said Cren-
shaw. Come, speak up, sonny, what
do you want?"
Please, sir, 1 want this here old
spo'tin' rifle" said the child. please,
sir, want to keep it," he added.
We'll. you run along on out of here
with your old spo'tin' rife!" said
Crenshaw, good -naturedly.
please, sir, am l to keep it?'
Yes, l reckon you may keep it
least I've no objection" Crenshaw
glanced at Bladen.
"Oh, by all means" said the latter.
Spasms of delight shook the small
figure, and with a murmur that was
meant for thanks he hacked from the
room. closing the door. Bladen glanc-
ed inquiringly at Crenshaw.
You want to know about him, sir?
Well. that's Hannibal Wayne Hazard
Hannibal Wayne Hazard?" repeat
ed Bladen.
Yes, sir: the general was the au-
thority on that point, but who Hannl-
bal Wayne Hazard is and how ne
happens to be at the Barony is an
other mystery-just wait a minute
sir" and quitting his chair Mr.. Cren-
shaw hurried from the room to return
almost Immediately with a tall coun-
tryman. Mr.. Bladen, this is BOD
Yancy. Bob, the gentleman wants to
hear about the woman and the child;
that's your story"
"Howdy, SIR" said Mr.. Yancy. He
appeared to mediate on the mehtai
effort that was required of him, then
he took a long breath. 1T was this
Always" he began with soft drawl,
and then paused. You give me the
dates, Mr.. John, fo' l disremember."
1T was four year ago next Christ
mas" said Crenshaw.
"Old Christmas" corrected Mr.. Yam
cey. Our folks always kept the old
Christmas like it was befO' they done
mussed up the calendar. I'm agin all
changes" added Mr.. Yancy.
He means the fo'teenth of Decem-
ber." explained Mr.. Crenshaw.
Not wishin to dispute your word
Mr. John, mean Christmas" object
ed Yancy.
"Oh. very well, he means Christmas
them" said Crenshaw.
THE evening befO', it was. and ft
gone to Fayetteville to get my Christ
mas fixin's; there was right much
rain and some snow falling" Mr.
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