Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, January 04, 1866, Image 1
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Y0LUME H. ~ ? ----; yORKVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA, THURSDAY MORNING, JANUARY A, 1866. ~. MriBEs J
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Written for foe Yorkvtilc Enquirer.
BLUE WD ?;
. . OB,
- THE FORTUNES OF FAR
BY CLAUDE FOBBE8TEH.
CH APTER I.
"A pretty time of night, to be sure I"
.* said Duncan Rogers, robbing his old hand*
together and restlessly peeing the sombrebaed
carpet of his large, dark and cold
droving room. "Up at five this morning,
busy all day; and now, after a thousand
bosiness and political Taxations, enough to
tire the patience of a saint, find so little
oheer and comfort at home. Here!?Arisfig.
totle P and the old man gave a poll at the
bell-rope, whioh set a very unmusical bell
p in a most ungovernable motion.
"How is it, sir," oootinued the old man,
I .a 1 . L'_ ' T
( as toe servant maae ois appearance, ??nai i
find oo fire made ani} no eandlee lighted ?"
" ^ "Missus no lef de key to de wood boose,
sofa," replied Aristotle, bowing aod looking
vacantly into the cheerless fire place.
"And pray, how long sinoe, have you
been in die habit of getting candles from
the wood-bouse?" v
"Didn't mean dat, sab," said Aristotle,
feeling in his poeket for a match, with whieh
he soon lighted the two candles upon the
mantel. "I mean foh 'say, when Missus
been gwirre out, she no tell me so, and de
fa* ting I know, when I come in fnh de
key of de 'ood-honse, I no sham-"
"Very explicit and satisfactory, 'pon my
word I" said the old man, olasping his hands
behind him, and baoking np to the smoking
ashes' in the fire-plsee. Then, taking a
j * watch from his pocket, and looking long and
intently apon its conspicuous dial, as if io
Jeep thought, he heaved a deep sigh, and
oootinned: "When
did your Mistress go out, and
how long before her return V
"Can't say,-sub."
' tk. m.n
--JJLU UAVIftlUICU VUV V1U UM??| AlVAlUg
the kitten from the tug, which was parting
aboot hie feet and rubbing itself against
bislegtv "I forgot that yqu have already
told me that she left witboat yonrknowledge.
Ellen gone, too 7"
"Yes, sah."
"Well, Aristotle," said the old man, ma-,
singly filling bis pipe, "we most do the best
we ean nnder the oi reams tan oes. Go oat
and knock down the ?de of the' house, or
poll off a few planks from the fence; and be
qniok about it, for I want a fire ; and what
1 want, I will have ! Do yon understand
that?"
"Yes, sub," replied the servant, "hot if
you say so, maybe I oonld ont down a sapling,
and sabe de.boose an fence." .
"Do as I bid yon, sir," said the old man
with unusual emphasis." Do you not see
that I am freezing to death, while yon stand
there making suggestions aboot saplings !"
Aristotle disappeared, and Duncan Rogers
threw himself into an easy ohair, wrapped
bis eloak closely aboot his portiy person;
- and after repeated "Zounds !" resumed bis
pipe in silenoe. His faithfol servant soon
re-entered the room, bearing an arngfol of
wood, and speedily, yet not without occasional
glances at his master, began preparations
for kindling a fire, whioh Was soon
* eraokliog, biasing and roaring np the spa(dons
ohimney, much to the delight of the
kitten, whioh robbed itaelf against the
-hrasen fender, and rolled oyer upon the
rogv\? vv>..r
"Maybe, sah," said Aristotle, after looking
anxiously npon his master's troubled
countenance for some moments, "you would
like me to heat a little water for you."
No reply.
^ ? - Ml bio gwine to say," continued Aristotle,
E in a louder tone of voioe, "data little warm
water
"Tea, so I see, Aristotle," said the old
man, as the pipe fell from bis mootbr and
the terrified kitten scampered over his feet
"Yes, I am warmer now?a capital fire 'pon
honor I" And so saying, he arose qniokly
from hiaohair and began walking to and fro,
in itonoh agitation of spirits.
Aristotle pioked np the pipe whioh had
fallen npon the floor, and said :
"I bin gwine to obsarve
"Yes, yes," arid his master, impatiently,
aAMkMtfiM aknvt kafrtva tkj Ava ?4Vraw kaon
9UVIV vytutv JUV mv? ?X VU UU?V
(old me that a thousand times already.?
Blew your foolish old soul 1 I am not blind.
I know tbat you have made a fire."
"But do water, 8ah."
"Witer! what about the water? . Who
asked you for water?
"To make a hot toddy, sub."
"Ah ! a hot toddy, eh I" said the old
mas, re seating himself before the blazing
fire. "In the name of common sense, why
^ did yon not say ao at onoe. Make me np
r one, by all means, Aristotle. It was kind
of you to think of that?eery kind !"
A good-natured grin of satisfaction illuminated
the sable oountenanoe of the faith?
ful negro, upon observing his success in
arousing his old master from bis moody silence,
and apparently melanoholy reflections;
and placing a small kettle of water upon the
fire, be said; "Maybe, sub, after you drinkda
warm toddy and tek a good smoke, you
will feel better; and Missus and Miss Ellen
will 00me home."
"Perhaps so, Aristotle," replied the old
man, again consulting bis watch; "out wott
in the world can keep them ont so long this
cold, rainy night. I feel very uneasy about
them; far they, would oertainly hare left
word with you or Susan, if they bad any
intention of remaining out during the
evening."
"De rain keep dem from oomin back,
sub," suggested Aristotle, stirring the
toddy.
L "IUin 1 True enough j but did they not
W frke carriage," aaked the old man, getf
'"-"'.'Z
?-? - *
ting tip and looking ont of the window.
"No, massa."
"Then what in the devil's name is to
become of them, in such weather as this ?
Where is Susan ? Zounds 1 a pretty state
of affairs, I do declare*! And here I sit
like an old fool, drinking toddy and smoking
my pipe, while my wife and-dangbter
are exposed to the fary of this storm of mod
, and rain. Aristotle, get my hat and cane."
"Why, de Lord sabe as, massa I" exclaimed
Aristotle, "taint no nse for yon to
.go oat in dis wedder."
"Do yon take me for a brute, yon old
, rascal!" said Doncan Rogers. "How can
van exnent me tn remain anietlv here. while
my wife and bhild are oat in?Zounds!
just listen to the rain I"
"But massa," persisted Aristotle, "yon
dunno my you gwine anyhow. Missus
ain't in de rain, suh; fuh wen de storm
rise, you may be sho she stop in sum fren
bouse, fab sartin."
"You think so, Aristotle ?" asked the
old man uneasily, again consulting his
watob.
"Sartinly, massa," replied Aristotle,
handing him the smoking toddy. Drink
thie, sub. You is oofd and tired, too, and
it will do yon good. Wen dat's done I oail
de coachman, and tell him to drive round
to all Missus frens, and fine out sumting
boutnm."
"Very well," said the old man, growing
more nervous and fretful-every moment, "I
am glad you thought of that?very glad." <
Then seeing bis servant about to leave the
room he oontinued: "But you do not think i
anything has happened to them, Aristotle, '
do you?"
"Why, de good Lord bless you, massa!
you worry yourself too much, fuh true I i
aiot feel 'larmed 'bout de folks at all. Da I
will come home presently, sartin." 1
"Qod grant it, Aristotle I" said the old
man, with much fervor," but whose voice c
is that ?"
"Miss Susan, sob. i
"Susan ! what, Bbe home all this time j
and not with me ! Then going to the foot .
of the staircase, he called aloud: "Gome (
down here, you little witch, and oiheer me E
up. I
'Why,' Mr. Rogers!?what! you here J
all alone V exclaimed a silvery voioe; and t
a moment after, a beautiful young girl j
bounded into the room, and threw her white 1
arms around the old man's neok. g
'There, there,' said Duncan Rogers, play- '
folly pushing the fair girl from him, 'be- f
fore I return your caresses, solve this mys- 8
tery to my satisfaction, and tell me what
has beoome of Alice sod Ellen. Alice did ti
not inform me of any ioteotioo on her part ii
of spending the evening out; and I was h
quite unprepared to find this apartment
dark and cold at my return.' ' h
'But why did yon not call for me, when a
yon came in ?' asked Susan. a
'Why, my dear girl,' replied the old man,
I inferred from all I oonld gather from '
Aristotle, that the house was quite deserted;
but ?ow comes it to pass that you are not ti
with Ellen f I am feeling quite uneasy s
about this matter.' *
'Well, sit down here, like a dear, good h
old manias you are, and I will tell you all n
about it,' said Susan, pushing the easy
chair nearer to the fire, and seating herself ^
upon a low stool beside it. *
'This is very oool and business-like,' said <1
be, passing his band through Susan's soft e
curls, as she laid her head upon bis knee, f
'There is some mystery in all this?some
information to be imparted of sueb a char- si
aoter that jou deem it necessary to prepare 'I
me for its reception, by this unusual manifestation
of feeling and affection.' b
<1 am afraid, sir,' said the beautiful girl,
pressing the old man's band, 'that what I
have to communicate, will grieve and sad- t<
den you.' q
'Out with it, girl !' said he, in a tone of i<
impatienoe, 'and remember to whom and of b
whom you are about to speak. I am in no d
mood to be trifled with.' * n
'Can you not gues9 where your wife and
daughter weDt this afternoon ?' she asked. i<
'Guess!' exclaimed the old man, rising ^
from bis Beat, and looking aneril v down into
' o a
the up turned countenance of the lovely
girl. As well might I guess your motive
iu trying my patience, and working upon ?
the feelings of an old man like myself.
and so saying, he gave a quick nervous '
twitch to his neck- tie, and walked away from Q
the side of the girl. 7
<Come back now, Mr. Rogers,' said Susan, 11
taking a small envelope from her bosom,
'and let me show you this. Wait a moment ?
and I wilt read it to you. Are you listen. a
ing to me, sir V
'The devil's* in the girl!' said be, stop- li
ping suddenly before her, and folding his s
arms across his breast. 'Read.away, Susan !' a
'Before doing so, I might as well inform d
you that this envelope oontains an invitation h
from Edwin Williams to the launch of tbe b
gunboat, Palmetto State.' c
?Wbat!!! almost screamed the old man, a
with en emphasis that oan scarcely be ex- ?
pressed by three exclamation points. 'And
did Alice and Ellen go, after all I saidjast r
week.' f
'They did, sir; and, what is worse, have e
not returned,' replied Snsan.
.'But, explain, Snsan?explain. Yon t
certainly do not mean that Alice could pos- t
sibly have inteptionally acted contrary to f
my expressed wishes, and taught Ellen an<
other lesson in disobedience to ber father.' i
'I have nothing to explain, sir,'said Su- e
san; 'but I must in simple justice to dear
Ellen, remark that she went quite unwil- t
lingly. Her mother insisted that she should t
accompany her; and as she was stepping
into the carriage whioh Mr. Williams *
brought, she turned, and whispered, with x
tears io ber eyes, 'Mind Susan 1 I am not t
responsible for thja act of disobedience; so i
you must not blame her for going." t
'And who is this Edwin Williams, that I c
beat so muoh about lately ? The devil fly ]
away with.the brainless, impudent fop!' t
1 -*r .
You do him great injustice, dear Sir, in
deed yon do,' said Susan, earnestly. ?Tb<
young gentleman is from Providence, Bhodi
Island; has letters of introduction, to som<
of the best families in the city. He ia b;
no means a fop, bnt quite a well-bebaver
and intelligent yonng gentleman/
. .(What business has he to invite my wifi
and daughter to a gunboat launoh without
consulting me ? I, at least have not beet
favored /with a letter of .introduction; anc
vet. thin ntfln of hiR looks to mo like a mosi
impertinent appearance of intimacy, totally
unwarrantable. Zounda 1 I shall boon put
a stop to snoh prooeedings 1'
'It ill beootnes me, sir,' said Susan, <U
defend Mr. Williams, or any other yonng
gentleman ; and even if I felt disposed to
do so, the present is by no means an anspioiona
season. What most oonoerns us now
is the oause of their protracted stay. The
weather alone is not a sufficient .oaase fox
their de'tention, for that ' could not affed
them in a close carriage. I hope noaccrdent
has occurred daring the launch/ and,
as Mr. Rogers looked into Susan's face it
had grown pale as death.
'Accident/ repeated Dancan Rogers, <did
you say accident 1' Come, Susan 1?-toll me
what you know of this affair; for I feel
persuaded that you are in possession of some
information, wbioh you wish, to keep baok
from me?ont with it, my dear girl.'
'My dear, sir,' she replied, without lifting
her eyes from the fire, 'I have nothing
to hide from you. from whenoe csuld I
bare derived information f I have been in
my room all the afternoon and evening I
wish 1 bad oonsented to aoeompany dear
Ellen.'
'Strange that yon did not/ said be* walking
to the window and looking out upon
the increasing storm. 'JDid not Mr. Williama
honor you with an invitation, alBO V
'And I honored*you by not aoeepting it,
ur; for I knew you did dot wish us to go.'
'Good girl I' said the old man) affectionitely
patting her on the bead. 'But, Susan,
vbat is to be done ??how ought we to?to
?to?. There goes the bell!' Thank
}od ! thoj are here at last 1 I shall aniwer
the sammons myself/ And the old
nan hastened to open the door, followed by
Susan. 'Wait a moment,' he condoned, as
he bell was again palled violently from
rithout, (where, in the devil's name, is the
cey-hole !? hold the candle a little closer,
Susan,?so 1 Now, walk in qnick or the
rind will blow ont oar candle,' and be
tartly opened the door to admit the out*
idera.
?Yonr most obedient, sir !' said a well-atired
voong gentleman, stepping quickly
a to the hall and coolly olosing tbe door beiiod
him.
(The devil 1' exclaimed the old man,
tolding the osndle high above his head,
nd eyeing the new-comer from head to foot
rith unfeigned disappointment and surprise.
?jnot toe devil, sir, replied tne stranger,
but Edwin Williams, at you? service.'
The dense !' exclaimed the old man, leting
fall the candle stick. <1 am informed,
it, that, contrary to my known wishes, my
rife and daughter accompanied yon to the
lunch thie afternoon. Where are they
ow ? What have yon done with them ?'
<1 knew nothing of your wishes/ replied
Villiams, 'or I certainly would not have
oted oontrary to tbem. Your wife and
laughteraocepted my invitation, and I had
very reason to suppose that they bad yonr
all oonsent.'
"'Very true,*sir/ replied the old man,
omewhat more composed and self-oollected;
but where are they now ?'
'At Mrs. Johnston's?their friend, I
elieve.'
<Bnt why there V
'Mr. Rogers,' said Williams, <1 am here
> give you all the information yott may reuire
and have a right to demand; bnt if
; is your intention to keep me standing
ere in the dark, I fear that I will fail to
lscharge the task committed to me. If
ot disposed to entertain me as a visitor, at
jast grant me the ooid formalities of a busjess
interview. Ask me to take off my
at?offer me a seat?order a candle, and
ben ask me, 'Well, sir!?your business!
-and I will prooeed.'
'A thousand pardons 1' said the old man,
ervously opening the door wbiob led into
be drawiog room. 'Walk in,' Mr. Wilams,
and take a seat by the fire. 'It was
lere thoughtlessness on my part, I assure
ou, that I did not ask you in before. I
Qtended no offence.'
'Mr. Rogers is so worried and anxious,'
leaded Susan* 'that he did not think of the
n pleasantness of your position.'
'I understand you both,' replied Wil
:ams, bowing and seating nxmselt, 'and l
hould have allayed yoar fears at onee, by
searing yoa that Mrs. Rogers and her
aughter are both safe and sound. I should
iave delivered this before. 'And so saying
id banded Mr. Rogers an envelope, which
ie hastily tore open, and, taking therefrom
half-sheet of paper, banded it over to
InSan, saying;
'Your eyes are younger than mine. Do
ead, and let me hear all about this affair;
or, I must oonfess that I cannot make heads
r tails out of it.'
Susan received the paper from the old
nan's hands, and, standing up, with her 1
>aok to the oandle on the mantel, read vis
bllows :
'Dear Husband :?What a glorious adrenture!
Quite a fruitful theme for a novilist!?'
*
'Pshaw !?nonsense !.' exolaimed the old
nan, impatiently. 'Just like 4-lioe, for all
be world.'
'Mr. Williams,' Susan went on to read,
persuaded the driver to drive as far out
ipon the wharf as possible, so as to afford
i good view of the launch from the carriage
rindows, but, finding, after all our trouble,
hat we oould not obtain anything like an
inlarged view, if we remained seated, we
irepared to alight, and bad all got out upon
;he wharf but Ellen, who was just in the
V. A<
t * . ,
* -!
act of stepping from the carriage, when? '
3 <The Lord help qb !' exclaimed Mr.
t Rogers, starting sod gasing intently upon
3 Susan.
1 'The horses took fright/ Susan oontinued,
1 -at the discharge of the signal gun ; and,
before the driver could prevent it, plunged
j madly forward over the wharf and into the
( river, dragging the carriage after them, with
i Ellen dinging to the door.'
I 'What then V asked the old man very
l much excited.
' Susan continued: 'The launch jof the
1 gunboat, at the same moment, diverted the
attention of all, save thou in the immedi>
ate vicinity, from the perilous situation of
> Ellen. It was a fearful .moment. JPb+
1 heavily plated gunboat shot direotly from
har faatonincra inti\ hnilincr wntprfl with
' a giddy velocity j then, quick as thought,
1 her bow turned in the direction of tbe
' floating carriage and struggling horses,
1 slowly, hat sorely, bearing down direotly
upon them. The screams of Ellen, who
still held fast to tbe carriage, were most
heartrending, as she discovered her almost
hopeless sitaation. Nearer and nearer,
came the gunboat. A vast multitude, at-,
tracted by the commotion on her deoks and
the tnrbulencte of the water near her bows,
rushed to the head of the wharves and made
confusion doubly more confused, by a thousand
impracticable suggestions and fruitless
efforts. At that moment, when all hope of
rescuing the poor girl had utterly deserted
me, a noble yoqng gentleman poshed his
way through the orowd and plunged into
the river. By an afmoet Superhuman effort
he bore poor Ellen out of the traok of the
gunboat, whiob, a moment after, bore down
npon, and ornsbed to atoms, the carriage,
and mangled the terrified horses in the most
shocking manner. A suppressed scream of
.horror broke from the lips of the excited
multitude, as the gnnboat went crashing
through the carriage; but when she eleared
the wreck, and the noble yoang fellow was
discovered battling with the foaming waters
and straggling to bold Ellen above the
waves, a loud, long shout Of joy and admiration
rent the air, and several sailors plunged
into the river, and soon bore them both
safely to land/ *
' >But who is the man f Read on, Snaan,
and let me hear the name of the gallant
fellow. Zounds ! whoever he be, he shall
be rCwarde*haodsomely, and placed the
highest in my heart's affections and gratitude,'
said the old man, hastily brushing a
tear from his eyes, and walking exoitedly
abont tbe room. 'Go on, Snaan.'
'Mrs. Johnston being present,* the letter
'went on to any, 'and. hewing of the acci- '
dent, generously came forward and offered
us the use of her carriage, and gave her
driver orders to leave us at her own house,
as it was so muoh nearer, and it being absolutely
neoessary that Ellen's clothes sbonld
be immediately changed. It affords me
muoh* satisfaction to inform you that Ellen
is doing very well at present, being sonnd
asleep while I write. The poor girl has
bad quite an adventure, and was very muoh
frightened,- no dcnbt; but do not feel uneasy
about ber, for I again assure you that
she is doing remarkably well. Send the
carriage fbt us to-morrow morning, should
the weather be fair. Mr. Williams, the
bearer of this letter, will deliver you the
keys of the bouse, whioh I fear you have
muoh needed during toy unexpectedly protracted
absence. Very truly youra,
Alice L. Rogers.'
'Well!' said the old man, clasping his
hands behind him, and lookiog down upon
the carpet, <so this is what Alice terms a
gloribu* adventurer, eh ! Gods 1 has that
woman a heart t' Then, suddenly recollecting
himself, he continued, in an altered
tone, addressing himseff to Susan, whose
head was bowed upon her bosom, with the
soft silken curls veiling hqr sad, but lovely
face, 'Would you have imagined Alice capable
of writing me suoh a letter as that,
upon the Providential esoape of my only,
Unlivad dancrhta* fVnm aniOi ft tnrrihla
as th%t whioh she do ooldly described V
<1 might reply to your question, sir,' sard
Sasao, without lifting her head, 'were it
worded differently. Mrs. Rogers is your
wife but not the mother of your daughter,
sir; and possibly that faot may explain
other strange things besides the oold and *
business-like tone of the letter.'
Mr. Rogers was about to reply, but observing
the agitation of Susan, he coughed,
a quick, uneasy, and impatient cough, and
threw himself into his easy chair without
uttering a word.
(These are very queer people/ thought
Edwin Williams, glanoing first upon the
old man and then upon Susan, both pf ,
whom had been silent for some moments, ,
and were now apparently buried ip deep i
thought. <bo Ellen is not the daughter of ;
that remarkable woman, Airs. Rogers!?
step-child, probably! And who is this
beautiful being, so fair, and yet so sad 7? ,
always sad ! Wonder why she did not ao- j
oept my invitation to the'launch ?' Then
drawing his chair nearer to Susan, he touohed
her upon her hand, and said aloud:
(Rardon me, Aliss, for this liberty { but if
you can give me your attention a moment? ,
just a moment?I will fulfil my allotted task
by delivering over to you these keys which ,
Airs. Rogers requested me to do. And now
if I may venttire to make a rather bold
suggestion, suppose you awake the old geoa*
IAJ ma t-ll
uemsa - over uoic, >uu i?? wo wn juu wui
goodnight, as it is time for all wear; people,
| like myself, ?o retire.' - .
'Mr. Williams,' said Susan, suddenly
looking op sod tossing the carls from her
faite, 'our conduofc thUst lodeed offend yott.
Pardon me for this apparent mot of cobrtesy?all
apparefltonly, I aware yoa. Ellea
is very dear to as, sir; sad these aaezpec
ted tidings of the perils she has been
oalled apon to pass through, and her miraonloos
preservation from so tragic a death,
aft within the space of a , few brief hoars,
cannot bat <fieot as?deeply affect as, sir/
* *
>?'
I
-f
And, so laying, Sasan burst into tear* and
buried her face in bar handkerchief.
'I can understand all this very well, Miss
< Susan/ said Williams; 'and, under the
circumstances, it Is eruel in me $ intrude
upon the prirtey of the old gentleman and
yourself. I am not offended at what has
taken plane?very far from it! And now,
before I bid you good night, will you prom
tse me to persuade nr. tfogers to semi for
Mies Ellen as soon.as possible in the mot'
ning. Do oot let her remain too long among
those heartless fashionables ; for I
feel persuaded that unless she is curefally
nursed, she will be ill from her long-exposure
in the water this afternoon. And now,
goodnight!'
'Mr. Rogers/ said Sosan, laying her
band upon tW old man's shoulder.
'My poor Ellen 1' exclaimed the old man.
Then starting to hi? feet, he said, as if
suddenly aroused from deep slumber, 'Excuse
me?both of you. I have been sitting
here and thinking what would bare become
of a poor old man, like me, if Ellen had
not been so meioifdily preserved. Bat yon
are not abont to leave us so soon !' seeing
Edwin Williams throw .his oloak over his
shoulders.
'It ia after nine o'dloek, sir/ said Williams
'and I have a long walk before me. Yon
will really excuse me for?'
'Bat yon most not leave without answering
me a few questions/ persisted the old
man. \
'When I hear your questions I shall know
better than I now do, whether or not, I '
have time to reply/ said* Williams, reseat- 1
iog himself '
You were present, of course, when the i
seoident occarred?-were you' not ?'
?I war, sir.'- ' 1
'You saw the young gentleman that so i
gallantly rescued my daughter ?' . .. 4
'I did.' i
- 'Would you know him again should you t
see him ?' i
Williams bowed affirmatively, .-v. - i
'Are you personally acquainted with 1
him*?' 4
'lam, sir.' i
'Well/ said the old man, 'make it your {
business to-morrow morning, to bring him 1
here/ t
'If Mr. Williams is so well acquainted 4
with the young gentleman/ aaid Susan, 'be c
is, no doubt, iu possession of bis-name.'
'Zounds !' exclaimed the old man, 'why t
did I not think of that before. Hi* name!
?let as hear it, Mr. Williams.' ]
<1 am not at liberty to divulge his name 0
at present,' said Williams, colonug, <or. L .*
should have done so before this. If you '
reoollect, Mrs. Rogers either did not think c
it worth while to mention the name of El- c
len's preserver; or withheld it for very good e
reasons, wbiob you will, no doubt, know all
about as soon as she returns.'
'Indeed !' said tbe old gentleman in a
tone of surprise, 'Are you quite sure, Susan,
that Alice makes no mention of the _
gallant fellow ip her letter ?'
'Not by name/ replied SasOn, running
her eyes over the letter, 'She writes of him
as a noble young gentleman iu one part of ^
her letter, and then, whiob amounts.to tbe
same thing, I suppose, she termB him a
noble fellow'
'Very strange !' said the old man. * - ^
'Not at all, sir/ said Susan, folding the u
letter and placing it upon tbe mantle-pieoe. Q
<in toe excitement or toe moment, ran. ?
Rogers may bare forgotten to ask bis name. 8
I shoold never have thought of sooh a 8
thing, bad I been placed in the same posi- '
tion. Had she known to whom we are in- f
debted for the life of \ror dear Ellen, I am 1
sore that sbe would have mentioned bis c
name in her letter to yon.* 1
'True, true,' said the old man ; 'I never 0
thought of that. Yon must be right, 8nsan.' c
But what possible objections oan yon
have, sir,' said Susan, <to give as the name ^
of the gentleman ? Did be bind yon to ^
seoreay ?' ^
<Not at all,' replied Williams. r.
<Tben, sir,' said Sasan, 'yon are inexon- ^
nnh'v nninst and nrovnfeinclv nnoennrnnnfn h
all parties concerned. Yoa mast certainly 7
have some idea of oar anxiety to know to 61
whom we are indebted for the rescue of oar *
sweet Ellen from so terrible an end.' ' ^
'And wonld it not be a more enduring *'
evidence of. jostioe and gener^ity, Miss '(
Susan, if the young gentleman yon speak of
found more satisfaction in the quiet appro* Q
val of his own conscience, than all the noisy si
protestatibns of gratitude whioh Miss El- s<
ien's friends could shower upon him ? Mrs. u
Rogers and Miss Ellen know the name and t<
person of the man, whom a good Providence -is
permitted to save your friend from a watery si
grave. For reasons, best known to kirnself,
that gentleman bas bound them to se- u
oresy; and it is my purpose, as soon as I ai
am permitted to leave, to visit every news- ai
paper offioe in the city and suppress the p.
publication of what would no doubt prove si
quite a sensation paragraph to the already a*
too muoh excited people of this very fever- w
ish little city.'
'Nonsense 1' said the old man, pushing a
bis bair up from his forehead and turning p
impatiently away. 'No wonder Alice speaks si
of it as a fit theme for a novelist. This is e<
to be the dark mystery of the story, I pre- tl
*nmo?nnhftw !' Then hastily*.' taking a' p
pinch of etfnff and giving (he fire a most fi
unmerciful rake with Edwin Williaafa' ?
walking cane, which, in the exoitement of tl
the moment, he had mistaken for thejpoker^
he coo tinned: 'Until I hear'it froip the ii
lips of .my own Ellen, t shall doubt the a
whole story?gunboat, demolished o&rritgej n
mangled horses and all. In the meantime, U
I snggeat a capital title for the next story o
in the New York Ledger'The Mysteri- o
ous Diver, or the Eogdlphed Carriage' by
Edwin Williams of. Providence, Rhode Island/
<1 could pardon jesting, even on snoh a
serions snbjeot as that which I have been
peeking of,' said Wiliitnii, ooloriog, tad I
bitiag hit lips} 'were it epokea by toy oth-'
/
er than the father of the young lady, a
whose expense the jest is manufactured ?
It is plein. sir, that wg, do not understanc
eaoh other. So fair1 as doubting the whole
story, yetouhr^liberty dose/untflMisi
Ellen can dispel those doubts.' Then ta
king a eard and peoeil from his pocket, be
said, after writing a few Hoes upon it: <Ai
you have chosen a title sir, for the next
story in the New York Ledger, permit me
to suggest a better; and one whioh I trust
will be duly appreciated by the father oi
Miss Elian Rogers.' So tarrimr he threw
the oard upon the lap of Satan, and, before
hi* intentions were imagined, opened
lbs door end was gone.
Mr. Ttogern,' nld Sasan, butMy jump
ing to her feet, 'What does he mean by tbbj
Hear what he has written upon this card
'Ellen Rogers, or The Rescued Daughter,1
by Edwin Williams of Providence, Rhode
Island? Dear Mr. Rogers, depend npoc
it, air, we owe the life of our dearest Eller
to this Mr. Williams'. How shall we eve'i
snjnmon courage to looir upon him agair
after what has passed between him end
yourself! 0 my f shall I ever forgive my
elf for this unfortunate mistake !'
'Aristotle I Aristotle I! , Aristotle I! !'
hooted the old mao as the truth Hashed
npon him. 'Confound the fellow! wbal
his become of him V
'The servants are all in bed, air/ said
Susan. 'What do yon wish V
(What do I wish? Why, Susan,we
most not allow Mr. Williams to leave as la
this way, girl 1?It wiH never do; what will
be think of us ??what will people say of
as ? Goodness alive 1 what an old ass I
?m!' . r
<Oshn yourself,'eaid8oaao, gently taking
the old man Verm, and seating him
in the easy chair. <1 regret the occurrences
)f the evening as muob, tad, perhaps, far
note titan yon do; bat Mr.. Williams has
sertainly acted in the most strange and noloooootable
manner, himself, and is respontible
in some measure for what has taken
)1ec6. Why did he noi relate all the oirramstaneea
of the aorident, and tell os
right out like a mati, that be was the young
gentleman that Mrs. Rogers alluded toy In
ter letter ? Why all this unnecessary mys?
ery, when a few bgnest, plain-spoken
vords would have saved ns all this mortifi-'
lation. i do not admire snob men Y
'Bnt what is to be don* Susan ?' asked'
he old man peevishly.
'Wait until the morning, sir; add when
i!llan Mtona ?(! .11 t.lt. iL.
JUOU iowuoj rr c nill - ?U caift |*UU UiablCf
>ver and remedy the evi!? if possible.?
^p.d .uow, jdaar M>. Bogww^ I ?
r'ory kindly though?that yoo retire at
>nce. Yoo are tired, I kpow ; so think oo
Dore about what has, inadvertently ocour:d.
Good night i'
{"to be continued next week.]
Itetssf tU legislator*.
THE CODE.
*** ' ^ y v
. a
kN ACT Preliminary to the Legislation
indeed by the emancipation
op Slaves.
Whereas, The Convention of this State,
iy the Constitution lately ratified, did reognize
the emancipation of slaves and deiare
(bat "neither slavery nor involuntary
ervitoce, exoept as a punishment for cnmet
ball eirer be reestablished in this State,"
ad did direct that, for eaob District in the
State, (here should be established an In.feior
Court to be styled "the District Court,
rhioh Court shall have jurisdiction of all
livil causes wherein one or both of the par-,
ies are persons of color, and of all orimiaal
auses wherein the aooosed is a person of
olor." Therefore,
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of
Representatives, now met and sitting in
General Assembly, and by the authority of
\e same, That this Aot shall he preliminan
rv it A ?i A a# 4a AaiakKaft ??<] AKa
Jf kV "UU XXUU W vBMUUQU BUU IV^UJBbV bUC
omeatio relations of persons of color, and
) amend the law in relation to paupers,
agranoy and bastard;and an Act to
stablish District Courts, and an "Act to
mend the criminal law/' which Acts bare
e'en indnoed by the Constitntion aforesaid;
od that in reference to these Acts the folding
provisions shall obtain:
Ssc. (I. Words importing the singular
amber only shall be construed to apply to
sveiral persons or things as well as one per)Q
or thing, and every word importing the
laacnline geoder only, shall be. construed
> extend to a female as well as a male,
here the context; does notforbidsaoh coniruetion.
Sec. III. All free negroes, mulattos and
icstisoes, all freedmen and freedwomen,
oil fkvntlrrK nifKon oa* of
LIU tt'l UDOLOUIHWIV OibUQI OvA VI
oy of these persons, shall be known as
erso?s 0/co/or, exoept that every such dejendant,
who have of Caucasian blood,
jven eighths or more, shall be deemed a
bite person.
Sec. IV. The statutes and regulations
anoerning slaves are now inapplicable to
ereons of -oolor; and although auoh pecmo
*m nint; antitlfld to sosiftl or nalitie&l
[jnality with white persons, they shall have
le right to acquire, own and dispose of
roperty; to make contracts; to .enjoy the
nit^of their labor; to soe and be sued y
od to receive protection under the law in
leir person and property.
Sio.V. AHjights and remedies reapeotlg
persons and property, hod all duties
nd liabilities under laws, civil and crimial,
which apply io white persons, are exmded
to persons of oolor," sobjeot to die
lodifioationa made by this Act and the
ther Acts hereinbefore mentioned. .
In the Senate House, the twentieth day
of Deoeqber, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eightjhundred and sixtyfive.
W. D. PORTER,
President of die Senate.
. 0. H. 8IM0NT0N,
Speaker of the Goose of Bepresentatives.
'
i RiLATioii TO PADPEBS A*D YACH^^
clared^to be hos^a *" M
ij^l and void. . IbL, I
not, without the consent of^ the' awter, ^
aons or turn* away tbe other, way 60 prows- |B|
cuted for a misdemeanor; and upon ?ou? * fl
viotion thereof, before a District Judge,.
may be puniebed by fine and corporeal pan- flfij
stances of aggravation or mkigatioa. A.' MB
husband not disabled, who has been ibos
convicted of having abandoned or j|fi|
taioiog his wife and childreo/tMy beboffBd!^ - Mfl
to service by the District Judge frotaWBh 'fl
to year, and so much- of the profit of Jbis flfl
labor, as may be requisite, be applied to the' H
maintenance of his wi/e and children; the .
diatribtttion between -jShem
cessities. In like manner, * *&&&flfl B
abled, who has been thus convicted, may be Oa
boa nd, and the proceeds of bet labor applied fl
to the maintenance of her children. 1# fl|g
either case, any snrplos profit' shall go to . flffl
die person bound. At the end of any year I
for whieb he was bound, the htoftand shall S|
have the right to return t0, or receive badk, ffagal
his wife, and thereupon shaiyfinjPj^fe fl4l
ed upon condition of his afterwards piaintaiaipg
his wife and obttdren. A like right gH9
a wife shall hare, at the end of a year for jfjBl
which she was bonnd, on oooditiop ofber MH
making future exertions to maintain her
XI. Whenever a husbabd shall S*H?
rioted of haring abandoned or turned away fl
his wife, aba ahal! ha onmnabmft in mifa.V * .fl
contract for semee; and until be slsall re* |jjj|||
have all the rights, and be subject to'ail aBfi
the liabilities, of an unmarried woman, ex- BH
either the husband or irife^hMabandoMd glfi
the other in any District, and that other ?*gH
remains there, if upon the warrant or enter |gaB|
mons against the one charged of .mv |i?&[
meauor under the section pmcedin^j|E^ i&iSB
be a return by a Sheriff or Constable, under |SH
or absconds, so that there cannot be person- B
al eery ice, the prosecution may proceed^"
if the aocnsed had beeU Arrested. and ?*??k BS
J conviction, all the other consequences shall HK
follow, except punishment, and that shall 9
be reserved outil the accused shall be I
shall be given for disapproving the truth, of Imb
the return and setting aside the conviction. |&B3
XII. The^tiowTf and child, I
amongst persons of color, is recognised, con- tSfift
fen all the i rights and remedies, ?vil and BSSBt
criminal, and imposes all the datiee, that Ipffla
are ineident thereto by law, unless the same Jjgfig
are modified by this Act, or some legisla- %mbBB
tioo connected herewith.
taSd^lflshbll^^indBr fift*S^?i^ge, !Sb8
whether they be born of one of his reputed
wives or of any other womaa&^l^^^^. bbMiM
jaHU
aOAEDIi* AHD WAED. MBS
XIV The relation of Guerdien end WfB.
Ward, as it now exists is this SUttgjJ* S8BMK
all the rig&tajsnd duties incident thereto,
MABXKE .AND^APPEXN^X.
XV. A child over the age of two ysjurs, B
boro of a colored parent, may be bound by fflWB
the father, if be be^ living in the Distnct,
or in case of his death or absence front the B
Dirtrict, by the motto, u w .^ireetiw, SBSl
to any respectable white or colored person, |Jngn
who is competent to make a conflict?a jggala
male until he shall attain the age of twenty 9 I
one years, and a female until Ae shall aV jB
tain the age of eighteen yea***. P* 1MB
XVI. Illegitimate children, within the B
mother. * If^Bl
, XTO. OolOted children, between the - gHB|
mother, living in the District is whieh they B^R
are found, or whoae parents are ptmpers, or ?SB|
unable to tfibrd them maintenance, or {BBS!
whose parents are not teaching them hahSts SBHEa
of industry and honesty,' or an persons of B
notoriously bad character, or are vagrants,
or have been cither of them, convicted of gag?*
an infamous offianoe, may bs bound as ?p> ^H|
[OONTUnJID on pocasffl ?Kat} 8SMH
* - M
?3MM?