Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-11-14

more oI her miles than another.
Judge Morton. the o:her executor OF
the will of Adam Bennett, had a son,
who was sent To college at just about the
period OF the old mans death, and al.
though he was at home occasionally
during his four Years at Princeton. he
nel er saw Annie Bennett. Immediately
after graduating he was sent to travel in
Eur pc, and becoming euamored of lie
in one of the universities, he had re
manned there for several winters and
great was the wonder expressed in the
village at mis- quiet and cumical letters
describing the raw beefSleaks, and as
raw brandy, which, ii he were serious.
formed the msin support Of life in Hell
deinerg.
The brother Of Adam Bennett also had
a son. whom he had educated with the
u,mos' care and expense, and who was
now a student at-law in the neigh orin@
ciiy, and one Of The mo devoted >uiJur>
for Annie's favor For some reason she
would not explain, perhaps she coulJ
not. she had il great dislike, amount NJ
even 20 aversion for her cousin John |,
was not his personal appearance, for he
was remarkably elegant and manly in
firm and feature. But tn re was doubt
les. an intuiiive knowledge of his real
character, and an involuntary dislike to
the bad heart which he concealed under
smiling and alfable manner.
y pleasant party was gotten up one
summer morning for a picnic IN the
mountain, and the day PASSED off with
the accu ,tomed amount of mcrriment and
saie,y. Towards evenin- a mutlerins
OF lis ant thunder warned them homt
ward, and there was a swift gathering to
t.: carriages and hor. *, and the party
fastened away aS rapidly us they could
procuic seats in the conveyances. Annie
Bennett was on horseback, and, accept
Ing prnifered hand, she sprang into the
saddle AMI hqSlenrI lown the road qt
long g..llpp not waiting for the gentlemen
to moant, who were ?er guardians for
the time u leaving them 10 follow as
they migl t.
She reached place where the road
for m!le or more ran along the creek.
flowing swiftly and dep under high
banks, and was considerably in advance
o john Bennett, who led the young men
tina, were following her on Ia ir horses,
when a sudden, binding flash of light
uiug start ed her horse int, fury, and al
second flash no les ivid, he sprang
over the bank in the rushing stream.
4 cry of horror broke from The crowl
Of pursuers VINO came up on the instant
but no one of them ven ured inJo The
flood to save the girl, whose horse was
seen bre sting the curren: while she was
nowhere visible
WnIle the stupcfed men were gazing
at ome another and into the stream, they
suddenly perceived m IN urging splen-
did Nurse at furious pace down the
road which ran alcng the opposite bank
of the stream. When he res sched point
near ' o posite to them he rode down the
bank, and plunged into the W" er. All
this had passed in moment, and the
mex, instant they s1w the stranger quit
his horse, and strike Ou. boldly for a
pom, in the stream where mass OF
clOJhing indicated that he would find the
object OF his search and in a few min
u.es he stood on the bank bearing the
senSeleSS form OF the most beautiful girl
his eyes had ever seen. ReSighing h,r
TO the care of her acquainlances, and
wighou u:Iering an auiibl word. he
eau hJ hi> horse which had crossed the
steam with him->piang on him, and
was cut of sight in few moments, riding
fu ouSly down the road. Those who
saN him, soaked, IN ddy, and haIless-
his long hair over his ewes and matted
on his lace--would hardly recognize him
"a 2ain il they met him in decent dress.
Great was the astonishmcnt of III
family OF Judge Morton when William,
who had arrived at home only the day
previous; returned from lis afternoon
ride IN such condition, and greater sill
when he imposed strict secrt cy ON all on
cernins his advenlur-. Ii was not diff
cult 20 ascertain who was the lady he had
rescued, for Ih whole village and coun-
try rang with the story OF the unknown
rescutr, and nothing complimentary to
John Bennett or his companions were ad
ded to the account. On The contrary, it |
was frankly stated, much to their discred |
it, that Annie Bennett would have
drowned but fol the boldness of the |
Stranger. who was described as COM
mon looking, gaunt llvisaged fellow,
whose sudden appearance and departure
were not to his credit.
Ii i, not possible within the limits of
this story to describe the growth of love
bet cen William Morton and Annie Ben
nett. He was such a man as she never
before Seen-far above the herd by whom
she was surrounded accomplished,
learne'i, dignjfied, while he was at the
same Time the soul of kindness and gen
deness.