American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-01
THE END !
For the American Telegraph.
THE WITCH OF GOLDING GORGE.
A TALE OF THE POTOMAC.
IN SIX CHAPTERS.
BY JOEL AUSTIN
CHAPTER VI.-THE RESULT.

CHAPTER VL-THE RESULT.
[Concluded.l
! presently loud shout from the whole party
announced his safe arrival on the opposite bank,
ana restored degree of color to the cheek Of
Annie Bell, who had not dared to look till now.
1t was the wish of the party that he should not
attempt to return, and this they advised him of
by shouts and gestures; but the struggling
waters drowned their voices, and he did not OBJ
serve, or, If he did, would not heed, the signs
Already he had commenced his return; slowly
and cautiously, and steadily, he advanced and
this time the water only came to his ankle, save
once, when his horse stepped into hole, and
Immersed the rider to the knee. In moment
more he had grasped the hands of his friends,
and heard his loved Annie exclaim, "Thank
Godo as he resumed his place at her side.
Now he explained to them how, the first time,
he had mistaken the right path across, and
struck it again accidentally; and insisted upon
remaining the very last one, in order to direct
the crossing of the rest.
First Harry Lee went over with very little
difficulty. Efie Bradley followed, with dread
ful apprehensions, but, nevertheless, arrived
safely, to Harry's great relief. All the COM
pany on horseback had gone over, and the exact
course became so apparent that those last to 90
felt surprising assurance of their safety. Even
Old John had crossed over, chuckling, and
beating the donkeys to his hearts content, ex-
claiming, "Now, yer long -eared brutes, yer
now I've got you! You dare'sent kick up here,
an you knows it!' The buggies next passed,
amid variety of " screeches;' and, at length,
Edwin Berry alone remained, who commenced
to button his coat and settle himself firmly in
his saddle. Anxiously the party observed him
start to cross, and every one thought, with a
vague presentiment, of the prediction of the
Witch of Golding Gorge. Gaily he rode; and,
when about halfway, he kissed his hand smil-
ingly to Annie Bell, who gazed on him with
breathless interest All the party turned to
rally Annie upon her gallant knight when such
shrek of the widest anguish arose as appalled,
every ear, and Annie fell senseless to the earth
No one thought of her for the moment, for they
knew too well what tat despairing cry i'm
ported. They turIed instantaneously, and it
was too true ais horse had stumbled, thrown
his rider, and the unhappy man was struggling
in the widest rapids below, whittier he had
been swept in n moment.
Twas useless to attempt to save him. Only
once he reappeared, with his arms stretched out
vainly for succor, and then sunk suddenly and
entirely from view. A groan escaped from
many manly breast and tears streamed from
bright eyes, when this appalling result was seen.
Poor Annie. poor Annie Bell when they
raised her from the sod she was still insensible;
and more like funeral procession it seemed
| Na"a StS ANeuAh VI N plcdSurS phEtys WHtu
Moorheld was reached at ten o'clock that night,
and Annie was confded to the care of her grief
stricken mother, and the skill of the village
| surgeon. When the disastrous news was i'm
parted, there were tears and lamentations all
that night in Moorfeld Hamlet.
As for Eddy-gallant Eddy noble Eddy -
two days after the fatal occurrence his body ''was
found in a neighboring pool of the South Poto-
mac, standing erect, Wih both arms ezended, as If
in Slpplication." He lies in the village church
yard and on the side next his heart rests all
that remains of pretty Annie Bell She died
Of consumption, t,ceiUe months, TO day, from
the date Of the prediction of the Witch of Gold
ing Gorge. Her illness was induced by violent
grief, and morbid fear Of the ytllfln,ent Of the
prophecy.
Since then, no peasant ever glances towards
the hut that still holds together at the foot of
the rocky ledge, without a silent prayer to be
shielded from The WITCH OF GoLDING GORGE
WASHINGTON Nav %. 1851