Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1869-01-21
The sturg Tener.

The stprg Tener.
THE GHOST RoBBER.
On fine evening, in the spring of 1880, stran-
ger, mounted on noble-looking horse, passed
slowly over the snow-white limestone road leading
through the Black Forest.
Just as the sun was going to rest for the day,
when the gloomy shadows were beginning to stalk,
be drew rein, as be said:
ssThis must be near the spot surely. I'll stop
here, anyhow, for while, and see what can
learn"
he thereupop dismounted, and entered the par
lor in the inn, where he sat down beside a small
table.
"How can I serve you, Meinheer?" said the
~''See to my horse, outside" replied the guest,
carelessy, but at the same time cycling the land.
lord from head to foot land let me have some
wine-Rhine will do"
The landlord was turning to withdraw from the
strangers presence, when he stopped and said:
'sWhich way, Meinheer, do you travel?"
'To Nanstadt," replied the guest.
''You will rest here, tonight, I suppose p con-
tinued the landlord.
II will stay here for two or three hours, but l
must then be of, so as to reach my destination in
the morning. am going to purchase lumber for
the market"
Sand you have considerable money with you,
no doubt ?' asked the landlord, innocently.
'Yes, considerable" replied the guest slipping
at his wine disnterestedly.
'Then, if you'll take my advice, " said the land
lord, you'll stay here till morning"
"Why?' replied the stranger, looking up Gu
riously
Because" whispered the landlord, looking
around, as if he were disclosing great secret and
was afraid of being heard by somebody else, "eve-
~ man that passes over the road between this and
Nanstadt for the last ten years, has been robbed
or murdered, under very singular circumstances. y
'What were the circumstance? asked the
stranger, putting down his glass empty, and pre-
pairing to eli it again.
'.Why, you see," the landlord went on, while he
approached his guests table and took seat, II
have spoken with several who have been robbed.
All I could learn frorfthem is that they remem-
Der meeting, In the lonesome part Of the wood,
something that looked white and ghastly, and that
frightened their horses 50 that they neither ran
away or threw their riders. They felt choking
sensation and smothering, and finally died, as
they thought, but awoke in an hour or SO to find
themselves lying by the roadside, robbed Of every
thing
.sIpdeed!' calculated the stranger, looking abb
stractedg at the rafters in the ceiling, as though
he was more intent upon counting them than ne
was interested in the landlords story.
The inn-keeper looked at him in astonishment.
Such perfect GOODNESS he had not witnessed for a
long time.
"You will remain, then ?" suggested the land
lord, after waiting sometime for his guest to speak.
''I2" cried the stranger, starting from his fit Of
abstraction, as though he was not sure that he
was the person addressed ''Oh most certainly
not I'm going straight ahead, ghost or no ghost,
tonight"
Half an hour later, the stranger and a guide,
called Wilhelm, we're out on the road, going at a
pretty round pace towards Nanstadt-
During fash ofightning the stranger observed
that his guide looked very uneasy about something,
and was slackeniug his horses pace, as though he
intended to drop behind.
''Lead on" cried the stranger ''don't be
afraid"
I'm afraid cannot" replied the person ad
dressed, continuing to hold his horse in until he
was now at least length behind his companion
s'My horse is cowardy and unmanageabe in 8
thunder storm. Ifyou will go on, though, think
I can make him follow close enough to point out
the road"
The stranger pulled up instantly. A strange
light cleaned in his eyes, while his hand sought
his breast pocket, from which be drew something
The guide saw the movement, and stopped
"Guides should lead, not follow" said the
stranger, quietly, but with frmness which seem
ed to be exceedingly unpleasant to the person ad
dressed.
"But," faltered the guide, ''my horse won't go. y
sWon't hep queried the stranger, with mock
simplicity in his tone. ~z,
The guide heard sharp click, and saw some
thing CLEAN in his companions right hand. lie
seemed to understand perfectly, for he immediate
ly drove his spurs into his horses anks, and shot
ahead of his companion, without another word.
He no sooner reached his old position, however,
than the stranger saw him give sharp turn to the
right and then disappear, as though he had van
ished through the foliage of the trees that skrted
the road.
He heard the catter Of his horse as he galoped
off, Without waiting another instant, he touched
his horse lightly with the rein, gave him prick
with the rowels, and of the noble animal started
like the wind in the wake of the flying guide
The strangers horse being much superior to th'
other, the race was short one, and terminated BY
the guide being thrown nearly from his saddle b!
heavy hand which was laid upon his bride
stopping him. ,
He turned in his seat, beheld the stranger s tac'
dark and frowning, and trembled violently as III
felt the smooth, cold barrel Of pistol pressed
against his cheek.
''This cursed beast almost run away with me-