Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-08-12

has blinded me entirely" However,
see farther, he could not. and after
straining his eyes tor a considerable
time TO no purpose. he explained with
pure yexation. by the big bridge of
Mallow, it IS 40 head at all he has, -
Look again, Charley Culnane,
ceed from rGder the right arm of the
figure.
Charley did look again, and nov III the
proper place-for he clearly saw, under
the aforesaid right arm, the head from
which thevoice had proceeded, and such
head no mortal ever saw before. 1t
looked like large cream cheese hung
around with black Pudding. No speck
or color, enlivened the ashy paleness of
the depressed features the skin lay
stretched over the unearthiy surface,
almost like the parchment head of a
drum. Two fiery eyes of prcdigious
circumference, with a strange and ir-
regular motion, flashed like meteors
upon Charley, and mouth that reached
from either extremity of two ears, which
peeped forth from under profusion of
matted locks of lusterless blackness.
This head, which the figure had
evidently hitherto concealed from
Caarley's eyes. now burst upon his view
in all its hideousness. Charley, although
lad of proVerbial courage III the
county OF Cork, yet could not but feel
his nerves little shaken by this uuex
pectei visit from the hesiiess horse
man, whom he considered this igure
doubtless must be.
The crop-eared head of the gigantic
horse moved steadily forward, always
keeping from six to eight yards IN
advance. The horseman, unaided by
whip or spur, and disdaining the use of
stirrups, which dangled useless from
the saddle, followed at a trot by
Charley's side, his hideOus head now
lost behind the lappet of his coat, now
starting forth IL all its horror as the
motion of the horse caused his arm to
move to and fro. The ground shook
under The weight of its supernatural
I burden, and the water In the pools was
agitated into waves as he trotted by
them.
On they went-heads without bodies
and bodies without heads. The deadly
silence of night was broken only by the
I fearful clatter of hoofs, and the distant
sound of thunder, which rumbled above
/ the mystic hill of Cecauuo a Mona
Finnea Charley who was naturally
merry hearted, and rather a laxative
( fellow, had hitherto felt tongue-tied 10y
apprehension, but finding his companion
showed no evil disposition toward him,
and having become somewhat more re
conciled to the Patagonian dimensions
of the horseman and his headless s'eed,
plncked mp all his courage, and thus ad-
dressed the stranger
"Why, then. your honor rides mighty
well without stirraps."
"Humph :" growled the head from
under that horseman's right arm
"This is not an over civil answer, &"
thought Charley; but no matter, he
was taught in one of them riding houses
may be and thinks nothing at all about
humping his leather breeches at the
rate of ten miles an hour. I'll try him
on the other tack. 'Ahem y said
Charley, clearing his throat, and feeling
at the same tine rather daunted at this
second attempt to establish converse
ton. 'Ahem that's a mighty neat
coat of your honor's, although it's a
little toolong in the waist for the present
cut"
"Humph J" growled again the head.
This second hump was a terrible
thump in the face to poor Charley,
who was fairly bothered to know what
subject he could start that would prove
more agreeable. "Tis sensible head,
Al. l. s.altIa,.h nr-lxv .
for It's plain enough the man doesn't
like hattery." A third attempt, how
ever, Charley was determined to make,
and having failed in his observations as
TO the riding and the coat of his fellow
traveller, thought he would just drop q
trifing allusion to the wonderful head
less horse that was jogging on so
sociably by the side of his old mare
and as Charley was considered about
Carrick to be very knowing in horses,
besides being private IN the Royal
. Mallow Light Horse Volunteers, which
. were every one of them mounted like
real Hessians, he felt rather sanguine
, as to the result of his third attempt.
"To be sure that's brave horse ycui
h"Eor rides" recommended the per
severing Charley:
lyon may say that, with your OWL
ugly mouth" growled the head.
Charley, though not much fattered
by the compliment, nevertheless
! chuckled at his success in obtaining al
: answer, and thus continued:
May be your honor wouldn't be
after riding him across the country ?
"Will you try me, Chariey?' said the
head, with an inexpressibie look o
ghastly delight.
Faith, and that's what I'll do, re
' sponIed Charley, "only I'm afraid
the night being SO dark, of laming the
: old mare, and I've every halfpenny of 1
, hundred pounds on her heels.
This was true enough. Charley
T courage was nothing dashed at the head
less horseman's s proposition and ther'
never WAS steeple-chase, riding o.
leaping in the country that Charlie.
Cuinane was not az it, and foremost II
It.
.sWIil you take my word ?" said th'
man who carried his head so snugl.
, under his right arm, ''for the safety o
, your mare 2"
, Done" said Charley, and away the.
a started, helter skelter, over everything
| ditch and wall, pop ). the old mar
3 never went in such style. even IN broa'
t daylight, and Charley had just the star
S of his companion, when the hoars
5 voice called out; 'Cnarley Culnane
/, Charley, man, stop for your life; stop
s Charley pulled up hard. cay, SAT-
S he "you may beat me by the head, be
d cause it always goes SO much befor
J, you; but if the bet was neck and neck
I and that's the go between the old mar
and Desdemona, I'd win it hollow J!
t It appeared as if the stranger wa
v we'll aware of what was passing i
!, CharIey's mind, for he suddenly brok
d out quite loquacious.
. "Charley Culnane." says he. "yo
have a stout soul in you, and are ever
:, inch of you a good rider. I've tried yo
, and ought to know; and that's th
sor+ Of man for nv MONEY! A hundre