The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1853-08-16

''SAo'S v SPSN ~ ~ ""o AAe' :"
lurking fear that--though the old la
dy assured US it was mot to be
found in any book or newspapcr'--it
might have found its way into
print. However, as twenty years
have elapsed, and I have never yet
met with it in type, l will venture to
give the tho outlines of the narrative.
Major Rupert Stanley, a bold
dragoon' in the service of his majesty
George III, found himself, one
dark and clustering night in autumn,
riding towards London on the old
York road. Hc had suppcd with a
friend, who lived at a village some
distance off the road, and he was un.
familiar with the country. Though
not raining, the air was damp, and
the heavy, surcharged clouds threat
encd every moment to pour down
their contents. But the major, though
young man, was an old campaisncrs
and with o warm cloak wrapped q.
bout him, and 4 good horse un.
der him, would have cared very lit
tie for storm and darkness. had he
felt sure of q good bed for himself,
and comfortable quarters for his
horse when he had ridden far enough
Tor the strength of his faithful AMI.
NAL. a good horscman cares as
much for the comfort Of his stccd as
for his own case. 10 add to the
discomfort Of the evening, there was
some chance Of meeting highwaymcn;
but Majo: Stanley felt no uneasiness
on that score, rs just before leaving
his friends house, he had examined
his holster-plstols. and freshly prined
them.--A brush with a highwayman
would enhance the romance of a
night journey.
So he logged along; but mile af.
ter mile was passed, and no twink.
ling light in the distance gave notice
of the appearance Of the wished for
Jun. The majors horse began to
give unu.istakcablc evidence of dis.
-trcss-- stumbling once or twice, and
recovering himself with difficulty.
At last, a dim light suddenly appear
ed at a turn Of the road. The horse
pricked up his ears, and trottcd
forward with spirit, soon hating be-
side one.story cottage. The major
vas disappointed, but he rode up to
the door and raped loudly Will. the
butt Of his riding-whip. The sum,
mons brought a sleepy cottcr to
the door.
My good FRIEND said the major,
'can you tell me how far it is to the
next imp
'Eh! it be about zcvcn mile. aur,'
was the answer, in the broad York
shire dialect of the district.
Seven miles, exclaimed the ma
.jor, in a tone Of disappointment, 'and
my horse is already blown! My
good fellow can't you put my horse
somewhere, and give me a bed? J.
will pay you literally for your trou
ble.'
Eth! Goodness &akcs." said the
rustic. i be nought but ditchcr!
There be noa plaze to put the nag in,
and thero be only one room and
one bed in the cot,'
'What shall l do?' cried the ma
jor, at his wis end,
I'll tell zee, zur,' said the rustic,
scratched his head violently, as if to
extract his ideas by the roots, 'Thcrc
be a voine large house on the
road, about a moic vurthcr on. It's
noa an inn, but the colonel zees com
pany yor the vun O. the thing
cause he loikes to zee company a.
bout 'un. You must heard ov him
Colonel Rogers "a used to be n
sogcr once
Say no more cried the major.
Il hare heard Of this hospitablo gen.
tlcman; and his having been in the
army gives me a sure claim to his
attention. Here's crown for your
information, my good friend. Come,
Marlborough
Touching his stecd with the spur,
the major rode off, feeling an cx
hilaration of spirit which soon com.
municated itself to the horse. 4
sharp trot Of few minutes brought
him to large mansion, which stood
unfenccd, like huge caravanscry,
by the roadside. He made for the
front door, and, without dismounting.
piled the large brass knockcr till a
servant in livery made his appear
ancc.
IS your master up?' asked the ma
jor.
4 am the occupant of this house,
said a venerable gentleman, making
his appearance at the hall door.
i am a bcnighted traveller, sir,
said the major, touching his that sand