Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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HORSE-SHOE ROBINSON A TALE OF THE TORY ASCENDENCY BY JOHN P. KENNEDY A moment only elapsed when the Aoor was abruptly thrown open, and due tall and swarthv figure of Wat Adair strode into the room. The Alare of the blazing fagge*- of pine which had been thrown on the fire to light up the apartment, fell broad- if oTer his person, and flung a blp"k ajd tmomith shadow across the floor Ad upon the opposite wall: thus magnifying his proportions and im- ’«artiiig a picturesque eharaxter to als outward man. A thin, dark, weath-1 «r beaten countenance, animated by a bright and restless eye. expressed i ermning rather than hardihood, and ! H»<inu d habitually to alternate be- j tween the manifestations of waggish ] yiyacity and distrust. The person I of this indivldua] might be said, from , ite want of sympathy and fn)in a cer-1 rein slovenly and ungraceful stoop j r» the h^ad and shoulders, to have been protracted rathe*- than tall It better deserved the description of 5#newv than muscular, and communi- mted the id* 1 ® of toughness in a greater degree than strength. His tr-'is and legs were long: and the habit of k“oping the knee bent as he walked, suggested a remote resemb lance in bis gait to that of a panther ; and other animals of the same spo-1 ales; it seemed to l*e adapted to a ' •addon lean or spring. His dress was a coarse and ,short, ig-shirt of dingy green, trimmed | w<ith a profusion of frii)g<-. and sufli- •ient.lr open at the collar to disclose his long and gaunt neck: a black leather belt supported a hunting irnife and wallet: whilst a pair of wdo deerskin moccasins and a cap manufactured from the skin of some wi ; d animal, and now deprived of iis hair i> Y long use. supplied the indis- •ensa’-de gear to either extremity of ads person Adair’s first care was to b*stow in Itieir ruorter places his rifle and nowder-horn; then to disburden liim- st-lf of n number of squirrels which were strung carelessly over his per- 1 aon. and. finally, lo throw himself in m a chair that, occupied one side of ' She fireplace. The light for a mo-1 went blinded him. and it was not un- f HI he shaded his brow with his hand «uul Iwked across the hearth that In beoann aware of the presence of the ' lit rangers. His first gaze was direct | M to Butler, to whom he addressed j rte common interrogatory, “Travel- ; ling in these parts, sir?” and. before | lime was afforded for a replv to this j accosl. his eye recognized the serge ant. upon which, starting from his j seat he made up to our sturdy friend, and slapped him familiarly on We back, uttered a chucking laugh, as %e exclaimed: "Why. Galbraith, is it you. man 9 To be sure it is! What wind has Wown you up here? Have vou been wanning from red coats, or are you hunting of Tories, or are you looking Inr be- ves? Who have you got with vou here?” "Wat. it don’t concern you to know what brought us here—it is only i wvir business to do the best you can •or us whilst we are here.” replied file sergeant. “This here gentleman i« Mr Butler, a friend of mine that wants to get across into Georgia: and trouble enough we’ve had ro • nd our w-ay this far. Wat Adair. You’ve got such an uproarious coun- ■rv. and such a cursed set of quar relsome devils in it. that a peaceable man is cVan out of fashion amongst you. We are as wet as muskrats in Awi'r.ming the river, and as hungry m vVves in winter.” “>nd happy.” said Butler, “to be l<-"st under the roof of a friend.’ “Weil I am glad to see you hoth.” replied Wat. “What put. it in my head. Galbraith. 1 am sure I can’t tell, but ! was thinking about vou this very day: said I to myself, I should *’'sf like to see Horse Shoe Robinson. th6 onconceivable. superfluous, roar ing devil! Haw. haw. haw!” “You were ashamed of your own company. Wat, and wanted to see a decent man once more.” replied Horse Shoe, echoing the laugh. “Mary Musgrove, hustle, girl,” said the woodman, as the maiden enter- el the room with her arms loaded with oars of Indian corn “bustle, mink! heme are. two runaways with stomach* like mill stones to grind your corn. Horse Shoe’ get tip from that chist. man; I can give you a lit tie drop of liquor, if you will let me rummage there for it. Marcus, boy, go bring us in a jug of cool water. Wife. I’m ’stonished you didn’t, think of giving our friends something to drink afore.” “I am sure 1 don't pretend to know friend from foe.” returned to dame; “and it is a bad way to find that out by giving them liquor.” Whui the boy returned with the water, ajid the host had helped his guests to a part of the contents of a flask which had been extracted from the chest. Butler took acca§ion to commend the alacrity of the young servitor. “This is one of your children. F suppose?” “A sort of a p-v cub," replied the woodman: “just a small specimen of rnv fetching up: trees squirrels like a dog got the nose of a hound—-can track a raccoon in the dacJ:--and the mosi meddlesome imp about fire arms you ey r sec- Here t’other day got mv rifle and shot away half the hair from his sister's head: but I reckon 1 skinned him for it! You can answer for that, Marcus, you shaver, eh?” “I expect you did,” answered the hoy pertly, “but. T don’t mind a whip ping when I've got room to dodge “Do you know. Mr. Butler, how 1 come to cal! that hoy Marcus?” said Adair. "It is on- of your fanvih names, perha ps.” “Not n i»i' There’s nan* another bov nor -man in this whole country round has such a name—nor woman, neither. It’s a totally oncommon name. I called him after that there frenchman that’s come ont here to help General Washington—Marcus Lafayette: and T think it sounds mighty well.” Buter laughed, as he replied. “That was a soldierly thought of yours. I thing you must ca'I your next. Baron, after our old Prussian friend De Kalb.” “Do you hear that, wife ” exclaim ed Wat. “Keep that in your head, if it will hold there a twelvemonth. No occasion to wait longer, haw! haw! haw!” “Wat talks like a natural horn fool.” retorted the wife. “We have r-* friends nor enemies on any side. The boy was eal'ed Marcus because Watty was headstrong, and not b& cause we eared any more for one o'euoral n or another. I dare say there is faults enough on both sides, if the truth was to’d: and I can’t see what ’-■‘o- ’e in the woods have to do with all this jarring about liberty and such nonsense.” “Hold your tongue!” said Wat. “Boil vour kettle, and give us none of your tinkling brass, as the Bible ca’is it. You see. Horse Shoe. th a re’s ueh ridings and burnings, and shoot ing and murder about here, that these women a '» scared ont of the little wits God has grv^n them: and that recount we are obMged -ornetimes to play a little double, hist to keen out of harm 6 way. But I am sure I wish no ill to the Conti nental army.” “If we thought you did. Wat.” re plied Robinson, “we would have slept on the hill tonight, rather than set foot across the sill of vour door. Howsever. ’et’s say nothing about that: I told Mr. Butler that you would give us the best you had. and so you will. I have known Wat Adair' Mr. Butler, a good many ' years. We used to call him Wat with the double hand. Show us your fist here. Wat. Look at that, sir! it’s as broad as a shovel!” “Cutting of trees.” said the wood man. as he spread his large horny- knucbled hand upon the supper table, “and handling of logs, will make any man’s paw- broad, and mine wa’n’t small at first.” “Ha! ha! ha!” ejaculated the serge ant. “you ha’n't forgot Dick Rowlej over here on Con.garee, Wat,—Wai- lopie ■ Dick, as they nicknamed him —and the scrimmage you had. with him when he sot to laughing at you because they accused you for being light-fingered, and your letting him see that, you had a heavy hand, by giving him the full w’eight of it upon Ms ear ^at almost drove him through the window of the bar-room at the Cross Roads? You ha’n't forgot! that—and his drawing his knife on you?” “To be sure I ha’n’t. That, fellow was about as superfluous a piece of wicked flesh as I say—as a man would meet on a summer's day lour ney. But. for all that. Horse Shoe, he wa'n’t going to supererogate me. without getting as good as he sent. When I come across one of your mer- rv fellows that’s for playing carlraps on a man. it’s mv rule to make them Pay the piper: and that’s a pretty good rule. Horse Shoe, all the world through. But come, here is supper: draw up. Mr. Butler.” Mary Musgrove having completed the arrangements of the hoard whilst this conversation was in progress, the family now sat. down to their ro past ft was observable, during the meal, that Marv was very attentive in (• discharge of the offices of the table, and especially when they were i , ’iiired by Butler. There w r as a modest and natural courtesy in her demeanor that attracted the notice of our soldier, and enhanced the kind ly impression which the artless girl had made upon him; and it was. ac cordinly. with a feeling composed, in one degree, of curiosity to learn more of her character, and. in another, of that sort of tenderness which an open-hearted man is apt to entertain tow \rds an ingenuous and pretty fe male. that he took occasion after supper, when Mary had seated her self on the threshold of the porch, to fall into conversation with her. “You do not live her''. I think I have gathered, but are onlv on a visit?” was the remark addressed to the maiden. “No. sir; it is thirty good long miles by the shortest road, from this to mv father’s house. Mistress Adair is my mother’s sister, and that makes her mv aunt, you know, sir.” “And your father's name?” “Allen Musgrove. He has a mill, sir. on the Ennoree.” “You are the miller’s daughter, then. Well, that’s a pretty title. I suppose the call you so?” “The men sometimes call me." re plied Mary, rising to her feet and 'eaning carelessly against one of the upright timbers that support°d the noureh. “the miller’s nrettv daughter, but the women call me plain Mary Musgrove.” "Faith, mv dear, the men come near r to the truth than the wmmen.” “They sav not.” replied the maid en “I have heard, and sometimes I have read in r ond books—at least. *’ >v ca 1 1 d them good books—that vou mustn’t believe the men.” “And vhv should vou not 9 ” “T don’t wep know* why not ” re turned tPo girl doubMng'v "hut T aui This man bought a supply of tobacco with out acquainting himself with the distinctive taste of SCHNAPPS Tobacco, which has the cheering qualities that gratify his desire to chew, and at less expense than cheap tobacco. SCHNAPPS has been advertised in this paper so that every chewer has had an opportunity to get acquainted with the facts and know that drugs are not used to produce the cheering quality found in the famous Piedmont country flue-cured tobaccos, and that SCHNAPPS is what he ought to chew. Still there are chewers who accept other and cheaper tobaccos that do not give the same pleasure. Some day they’ll get a taste of the real Schnapps—they’ll realize what enjoyment they ’ve missed by not getting SCHNAPPS long ago—then they’ll feel like kicking themselves. SCHNAPPS is sold everywhere in 5 cent cuts, and 10 and 15 cent plugs. Be sure you get the genuine. young, and maybe I shall find it out by and by.” “God forbid,” said Butler, "that you should ever gain that experience! But there are many tx>ils spread for the feet of innocence in this world, i ml it it well to have a disere t eye and good friends.” “I am seventeen, sir,” replied Mary, “come next month; and though ! I have travel! d backwards and for wards from here to Ennoree. and For oii@ Yoars liLrWl O TRADE mark REGISTERED have been the standard because they are made from honest materials. See that the trade mark is on every bag. None genuine without it. F. S. ROYSTER GUANO CO., Norfolk, Va, For Sale By Carroll & Byers. once to Camden, which, you know, sir. is a good deal of thi~ world to see. I never knew anybody that thought harm of me. But I don’t d'spute there are men to be afraid of. and some that nobody cou.d like. And vet I think a good man can be told by his face.” “Are you sure of that?” “Yes. My father is a good man, and every one savs you may see it in his looks.” “I should like to know your fath er.” said Butler. “I am sure he would bo glad Vo know you. sir.” “Now. ray pretty miller's daughter, wk do you think so?” “Because you are a gentleman.” re- olied the girl, courtesying. “for all your homespun clothes.” “Ha! pray how have you found that out?” “You talk differently from our peo nle. sir. Your words or your voice. I can t rightly tell which, are softer than l have been used to hear. And | you don’t look, and walk, and be have as if homespun has been all you ever wore” “And is that all ” “You stop to oonsmer. as If you ■ were studying what would please irther people: and you do not step so heavy, sir; and you do not swear; nnd vou do not seem to like to give troub'e. I can’t, think, sir. that you have been always used to such as are hereabouts. And then tin re’s another reason, sir.” added the maid en. almost in a whisper “What is that?” asked Butler, smiling. “Why. sir. when you stooped down | to nick up vour fork, that fell from | the table. I saw a blue ribbon round iear neck, and a beautiful gold picture | hanging to it. None but gentlemen of quality carrv suen things about 'them: and as there is so much con triving and bloody doings going on about here. I was sure you wasn't what you semed.” “For hevaven’s sake, my dear.” ex claimed Butler, startled by the dis closure of tile maida’s suspicion, which was so naturally accounted for “ke-p this to yourself, and the time may come when I shall be able to reward your fidelity. If you have ianv good will towards me, as I hope vou hav“, te l nobody what you have seen.” “Never fear me. sir.” returned the maid “I wouldn’t let on to any one in the house for the world. I am for General Washington and the Cong ress. which is more than I think the peonlr here are.” “Indeed!” muttered Butler, thought fully. and scarce above his breath. “What side does your father take, Mary?” “Mv father is an old man. sir. And lie reads his Bible, and every night, before we go to bed. he pravs aloud before us all. I mean all that belong to his hous". for quiet once more and peace. His petition Is that there may be an end of strife, and that j the sword and spear may be turned into the pruning-hook and plough share—you know the words, sir. per haps. for they are in the good book, and so he doesn’t take any side. But then, the English officers are not far off. and they take his house and use it as they please, so that he has no mind of his own. And almost all the people round us are Tories. ; nd we are afraid .of our lives if we do not sav whatever they say.” “Alas! that’s the misfortune of many more than your father’s house hold. But how comes it that you are a friend of General Washington?” “Oh. sir. I think he is our friend; and then he is a good man. And I have a better reason still to be on his side.” added the maiden tremu lously, wt.h her head averted. “What reason, my good girl?” “John Ramsey, sir.” “Indeed! a very cogent reason. 1 doubt not, mv pretty maid of the mill. And how does this reason operate ” “We have a liking, sir.” she re plied bashfully, but with innocent frankness: “he is for Washington, and we are to be married when the was is over.” “Truly, that is a most excellent reason! Who is John Ramsey ” “He is a trooper, sir. and out with General Sumpter. We don’t see him often now. for he is afraid to come home, excepting when the Tories a 1 ’- away.” “These Tories are very trouble some. Mary.” said Butler laughing; “they annoy us all. on our side of the question But love John Ram say. my dear and don’t be ashamed of it. for I’ll warrant he is a brave fellow, and deserves a pretty girl with a true heart, for his love to his country." “That he does!” replied Mary, “for his greatest fault is that he ventures too much. If you should see him, sir. T would like you just to dron him a hint that he ought to take more care of himself He would mind it from you, but he puts me off with a laugh when I r.Ml him so.” “If I have the schooling of him. he •-ha'l he more cautious, for your sake. But the current of true love m-ver did run smooth. Mary; remember that.” “1 must rro into the house, my aunt Pevev calls me.’ - Interrupted the maiden, “f will keep the secret, sir.” she added, as she retired from 'he porch to the household servee where her pr sence was demanded. “Simple, innocent, and confiding vir’.” ejaculated Butler, as he now trolled forth under th« starlit, cano- ov of night’ “how are you contrasted with the rough and savage natures around you! I wear but a thin dis r nise when this unpractised country girl is abh. so soon to penetrate it. 'nd this miniature, too! Oh. Mildred! that the very talisman 1 bear about g'o to guard me from evil, sbou’d be tray me! Well, this discovery ad monishes me that T should wear that image nearer to my heart. There.” v continued, as he buttoned his waistcoat across his breast: “He closer and more concealed T doubt this double-faced woodman, and al most believe in t.hc seeming frivolous Votings of the crone at his flrside. Now. God defend ns from teachery and ambuscade!” Robinson, at this moment, being op his wav to the stable, was met by Butler, who half whispered. “Good sergeant, keen your eye** about you. and. mark me do nor omit to take our weanons to our chamber. I have reasons for this caution. I would not trust, these neonle too far.” “Wat dare not n'ay us a trick, ma- ior ” remled tbfe sergeant. “He knows T would shake the life out of bis carcase if T saw him tab" one step of a traitor. Besides, in this here war time, it’s a Part of mv dls- ciniline to he always readv for stolen marches. As you sav. malor. we will stack arms where we s’een. There ! s no trust In this dubious country that isn’t something the surer with nowder and ball to back It." With this intimation the sergeant continued bis walk and Butler, re tiring to the family group, seated himself near the fire, Wat Adair and his cronv. Michael T/vnch, had each lighted a pine, and were now in c 1 ose conference under cover of their own smoke, amidst the combined din of romping child ren and of the noisy spinning-wheel of the wife, which rave life and oc- cunaton to the apartment. “How far do you expect to travel tomorrow?” asked the host, as But ler drew a chair near him. “That will depend very much." re plied But’er. “upon the advice you may give us.” “You wish to get across here Into Georgia?” continued Wat “B, the route least liable to lestation.” added the major. “Let me see. Michael, GrindaM’s Ford is the best point to make: the* there’s t’hristie’s. about throe mile# beyont” “Just so.” replied Lynch; “tlsat will make about twenty-seven sa4 three are thirty miles: an easv dag's journey.” “In that case,” said Adair, “if rsn know the road—doesn’t Horse Shaw know* it. sir?” “I rather think not,” answered Bwt- “Well, it’s a litt'e tangled, to sure; but if you will wait in morning until I look at my wotf trap, which is only a step off. I wal go with you part of the way, just to se » you through one or two crom paths: after that all is clear enomto. You will have a long day before y«m. and with good horses, not much to do.” “Are we likely to meet parties the road?” asked Butler. “Oh, Lord, sir. no chance of it,” replied the woodman; “everything^ drawing so to a head down below at Camden ’twlxt Cornwallis and Gates, that we have hardly anything but eW women left to keep the country fnaa of Indians.” “And how have you escaped tise levy? inquired the major. “He. he. he!” chuck ed our host; “there’s a trick in that They oaH me a man of double principles. aa4 neither side are willing to owr m«" he added, with a tone that, seemed to indicate a sense of his own clever ness “But, bless you. s:r. If T choac to speak out. there wou dn’t be muck doubt in the case. Would ther®. Michael?” “Not if you was to be plain in de claring your sentiments,” answered Lynch, seflately puffing out a luupa cloud of smoke. “Betwixt you and me. sir,” contiM- ed Wat. putting his hand Tip to baa mouth, and winking an eye at Butler, “the thing’s clear enough. Butthea* are tick ish times. Mr. Butler, and the wise man k°eneth his own con*- sel. as the Scrint.ure savs. You aa- derstand me. I dare sav.” “Perhaps. I do.” returned BuUsr. A"d here the convei-sation drooped. Wat and his companion gravely pouring forth volume-3 of tobaco*- funies in silence, until the sergea»t. having made his visit to the stable, now re-entered the room. “Wat,” said Robinson, “show u« where wp are to s’eep Mr. Butler, to my thinking, it’s time to be tutw- ing in.” Then throwing his rifle upon one arm. and Butler’s holsters over th» ottmr. the sergeant waited In tlv© middle of the floor until Mary Mu#- grove, at the order of Adair, took a candle in her hand and beckoned ou*- travellers to fo'low her out alt the door. The maiden conducted her charge along the porch to the oppo site end of the cabin, w’here she points ed out their chamber. After biddinc their prettv conductress “good night,” n’ir travellers prepared themselvea to- that renose which their wearied frames did not long seek in vain. (CONTINUED NEXT FRIDAY.) Modern Progress in New York. Office buildings 20 stories bi^s, containing a thousand offices: hotel# covering a city block, containng 1.4## rooms: many, very many, painted with the L. & M. Machinery produces L. & M. Paiafc at 50 times toss cost for labor tha» if made by hand. 4 gallons L. & M. mixed with t gallons Linseed Oil. bought fredk from the barrel at anout 60 cents per gal on. makes ? gallons of paint at • cost of less than $1.20 per galkm. If any defect exists in L- & M. Paint, will repaint house for nothin*. Donations of L. & M. made to churches. Sold by Smith Hardware Oompanr. Gaffney. Don’t fall to raise plenty «f and hay and beep animals to consume what you raise.