Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-16
CHAPTER XVIII-Continued.


we went by the chimneys."
"Chimneys? What's chimneys got
to do with titles, Mr.. Yancy?" asked
Polly, while her husband appeared
profoundly mystiied.
"A whole lot, ma'am. If man had
two chimneys to his house we always
called him colonel, If there were four
chimneys we called him general"
"La!" cried Polly smiling and show
ing a number of new dimples. Dick
don't mean militia titles, Mr.. Yancy.'
"Them's the only ones 1 know any
thing Of" confessed Yancy.
Ever hear tell of lords?" inquired
Chills and Fever, fitting his head on
one side.
mo. And Yancy was quick to no
tice the look of disappointment on
the faces of his new friends. He felt
that for some reason, which was by
no means clear to him, he had lost
caste.
Are you ever heard Of royalty?'
and Cavendish fixed the invalid's wan
dering glance.
You mean kings?"
Il shore do"
Yancy regarded him reflectively and
made a mighty mental effort.
There's them Bible kings" ne
ventured at length.
Mr.. Cavendish shook his head.
"Them's sacred kings. Are you IA
miliar with any Of the profane kings,
Mr.. Yancy?'
We'll, taking them as they come,
them Bible kings seemed to average
pretty profane." Yancy was disposed
to defend this point.
You must have heard Of the kings
of England. Sho', want any OF yo
folks in the war agin' him?"
I'D plumb forgot, why my daddy
fit all through that war;" exclaimed
Yancy. The Cavendishes were i'm
mensely relieved. Polly beamed on
the invalid, and the children hunched
closer. Six pairs Of eager lips were
trembling on the verge Of speech.
Now you-all keep STILL" said Cav
endish. 81 want Mr.. Yancy should
get the straight Of this here! The
various orders Of royalty are kings,
dukes, earls and lords. Earls is the
third from the top Of the heap, but
lords amt no slouch; it's right neat
little title, and them that has 1t can
turn round in most any company"
Dick had ought to know, TO he's
an earl himself" cried Polly exultantly,
unable to restrain herself any longer,
while a mutter came from the six lit
tie Cavendishes who had been wonder
fully silent for them.
"Sho', Richard Keppel Cavendish
Earl of Lambeth! Sho' that was
what he was! Sho'!" and some trad
sient feeling Of awe stamped itself
upon their small faces as they viewed
the long and timber figure Of their
parent.
rs that mo- than colonel?" Yancy
risked the question hesitatingly, but
he felt that speech was expected from
him.
Yes" said the possessor Of the IT,
tle
"woul a general lay it over you
any?"
No. sir. he wouldn't"
Yancy gazed respectfully but un-
certainly at Chills and Fever.
Then all got to say is that I've
travelled considerably, mostly between
Scratch Hill and Balaam's Cross
Roads, meeting with all kinds Of folks
but never seen an earl afo'. take
it they are some scarce"
They are. don't reckon there's
another one but me in the whole
United States"
Think Of that" gasped Yancy.
We amt nothin' TO- style, it bein
nv opinion that where a mans born
gentleman he's got heap Of reason
fo' to be grateful but none to brag,'
said Cavendish.
Dicks kind of titles are like having
red hair and squint eyes. Once they
get into a family they stick" ex-
planned Polly.
i've noticed that, specially about
squint eyes" Yancy was glad to plant
his feet on familiar ground.
These here titles go to the eldest
son. He begins by bein' viscount,'
continued Chills and Fever. He wished
Yancy to know the full measure ot
their splendor.
And their wives are ladies-ainr
they Dick?"
Cavendish nodded.
Anybody with half an eye would
know you was a lady, ma'am," saic
Yancy.
Keep here is an honorable. same a:
a senator or q congressman" Caven'
dish went on.
AT his age, too" commented Yam.
cy.
And my daughters the Lady Con.
stance" said Polly.
'Havin such a mother she ain't
no choice" observed Yancy with ar
air Of gentle Difference.
Dicks got the family, Mr.. Yancy
My folks, the Rhetts. were plain peo.
pie"
Some of 'em amt so noticeably
plain, either" said Mr.. Yancy.
"Sho', you've heap Of good sense
Mr.. Yancy!" and Cavendish shool
him warmly by the hand. The frs
time ever seen her. says, I'll MARI!
that lady II it takes an arm! Well, !
did most OF the time while l wa
co'tin' her."
La" cried Polly. blushing furious
ly You shouldn't tell that, Dick
Mr. Yancy amt interested.
Yes, sir, I'd been hearin' about oil
man Rhett's Polly TO considerable o
a SPELL" said Cavendish. looking a
Polly reflectively. He lived up a
the headwaters Of the Elk river. Eel
lows who had been to his place, whel
girls was mentioned would sort o
shake their heads sad-like and say
hut Won ought oil