The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-07-11
(oaIGINAL.1
E L / f N E ARL r.
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A Tale OF the late War.
q e. j. D
CHAPTER III.

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CHAPTER II.
One beautiful morning, as Ellen
stood on the veranda of the mansion,
prepared for her usual mornings
ride, an exercise and pleasure to which
she had been accustomed ever since
she had been old enough to indulge
in it, the old waiting man, Bosen,
presented himself with the unwelcome
Intelligence, that her favorite riding
horse was lame, and inquiring whether
he should saddle Toney, a young and
rather wild animal (that had been
standing in the stable for several
weeks) for her Ellen had ridden
Toney before, but always in company
with her father. who was now absent,
having gone to a distant part of the
farm. Thinking only of the enjoy
ment of her ride, she very inconsider-
ately ordered Bosen to bring out the
high-mettled steed, and mounted
him. The old servant knew it was q
great indiscretion, but, like other
servants in higher stations in life, he
didenot wish to tell his pretty mistress
the truth, when it would be unpalat-
able. He had his misgivings, for
before they left the yard, he saw, Us
he afterwards declared. de debble in
Toney's eye. Whatever his fears were,
however, he kept them to himself
until it was too late.
Leading out from the East side of
the yard, there was a road that ran
down the side of the valley, winding
along the base of the hills. It was on
that road that Ellen expected to take
her ride, but Toney suddenly disap-
pointed her expectations, for as soon
as the gate was opened, he bounded
through it, and taking the path that
led across the valley, he went off at a
rapid gallop. His rider tried to
check and turn him, but she piled the
reins i'll vain. Feeling comparatively
free, and rejoicing in the freshness Of
the morning air, he seemed to have
but one object in view, and that was
to go right ahead, and the rule he
had adopted appeared to bo the
greatest distance in the shortest
possible time.
Fortunately, Ellen Early was u
good rider, and was not easily fright
ened, so as to lose her presence of
mind. The present emergency called
for the exercise Of all her tact and
horsem hip. She kept her seat
firmly, mentally resolving, if she
could not control the vicious animal,
to ride him down, or until he became
more manageable. She thought he
would perhaps stop at the brooklet,
to which he was in the habit of going
every day for water; but he cleared it
st single bound, and went on, seem
ing to gather fresh strength and speed
at every jump. It was a grand
and fearful sight-that high-spirited
steed, with flowing name and distend-
ed nostrils, leapiug furiously over the
plain, bearing that brave and beauti-
ful girl upon his back, with the plume
OF her hat and her bright curls stream
ing in the breeze. He was making
now directly for the pickets, and in a
few moments would be upon them.
Frightened and furious as he was.
ellen did not think the foolish horse
would run into that company of
soldiers. She was not left long in
suspense. Ere the sleepy fellows
were aware of it--for they did not
expect TO be charged from the rear
ho dashed through them, scattering
them like q covey of birds, and went
charging on. But q few hundred
yards i'll advance of the main body OF
pickets were two men posted in the
road, and their fixed bayonets and
resolute appearance were too much
tor Toney. He turned, and, making
short circuit, came bounding and
snorung back down the road again.
The soldiers, now fully aroused, were
prepared for him this time. and he
did not go far through them before a
strong hand graspcd the bride and
stopped him In his mad career.
Ellen expressed her thanks to her
deliverer as well as she could onoJo-
gized for the intrusion, and hurriedIv
explained to the curious and gazin .,
group around her, how she came to
9lslt them iii such an unceremonious
manner. Seeing her embarrassment
and appreciating the awkwardness of
her situation, the polite young soldier
offered to conduct her back to the
house. She readily accepted his
proposal, and as he led the horse