The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-26
The Phantom Rider.

~ was OH Il cO'd, clustering, December
night, that my Uncle Jolly Longshorc and
were seated before blazing wood fire,
in the best room of his most comfortable
farmhouse, in the valley of the Wissahic-
kon The snow will out was falling fast,
and anon driftcd in masses against the
window pancs, while the wind sighed and
moaned through the trees, and the old oaks
shorn of their foliage, bent their gnarlcd
limbs, and crcakcd and groancd before the
power of the wintry blast.
cit Is OH just such night as this" nv
uncle began, "that the Phantom IIorseman n
rides"
"Fhc Phantom Horscman?" rejoincd
1, my curiosity becoming excited, for
knew that my uncle, who was gifted in
ghostly lore, could give me some wild tale
or legendary story.
eyes," he replied, 'tand if you would
like to hear the legend, shall be pleased
TO give you an account of It,"
'It would afford me much pleasure"
My Uncle Jolly put his pipe Oh the ta-
bic, drew his chair closer to the fire, but
toned his coat over his fine form, coughtd d
slightly once or twice, MS though to collect
hs thoughts, and began:
"You may remember, that shortly after
the Battle of Germantown, a portion of the
American army retrcatcd into the adioin-
ing county Of Montgomery, and cncamped
near the site of the farm Of The Ccdars. ;
On the march they had taken one prisoner,
whom, overcome by fatigue and the loss of
blood (for he had been wounded in the
aotion), they found in an insensiblc condi-
ton along the roadside. lie was treated
with great attention during the march, and
when the troops halted he was conveyed to
'Dryburn, whose noble and patriotic
inmates were widely known, as well for
their hospitality as for their devotion to
the cause of American liberty.
Treated with great Kindness and re-
ceivlng the particular care of Miss Alice
Wayland, the lovely daughter of his host,
need say that i'll short time he recovered
entirely from Ills wounds. But, perhaps,
you would like for me TO give you more
extended description of Miss Alice, as she
1s destined to be prominent character In
my story"
~ suppose she was ar---" began I.
angel" he replied, with enthusi-
asm. "Ay, an angel; fair as lily; her
beautiful, light brown hair cuvled in soft
ringlets around her chcrub face, while be-
meath her penciled brows lurkcd eyes of
exquisite beauty--cycs of the deepest and
lovclicst hue eyes that beamcd upon you
with holy, pure radiance, which never
saw surpassed"
"bly dear uncle" said I, s'onc would
have supposed you loved her yourself"
mo, no., lie replied, ''but the des-
cription have given Is of one whom
once knew and loved ohl so well. God
bless herl Though no matter now--it IS
over, it is over"
A large tear gathered in tho old mans
eye, and trlcklcd slowly down his furrowed
check; he wiped aside this symptom Of
weakness, but it was some moments before
he began again.
'Marston Trcv0rc was Hcssian of no
bic birth, who had enlisted in the British
army a short time before, from mistaken
idea OF the cause he was about to war
against. Ills first engagement, you have
scen was disastrous to him, and now,
having recovered from It's effects, he re-
solved to enter the ranks of the American
army, In common with many others of his
countrymcn; and after this resolution, lie
entered tho camp, explaining his situation
and feelings, and was rewarded by rcceiv.
ing commission of licutclfancy.
''At the request Of Major Wayland, the
proprietor Of Dryburn,' he consented to
take up his quarters with him, while the
party cncamped in the neighborhood. 1t
was not long before the artcss simplicity
and lovely manners of his hosts daughter
were evidently making great impression
upon his heart. The charms of Alice
Wayland could not fail to create feelings of
admiration and love in heart much less
susceptible to tomale attractions than that
OF Marston Trcvore. But he soon found
that, In his case, loves course was not
destined TO run smooth, as rival was