The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-06-15
Vol. XVIII.

''~ 'HS E"'' ~ oCl'I0 tio Jouu
people thought Of returning home.
Pn:tlug aside ali solicitation 20
romain over night, they prepared
to DEF art.
Relying on the trottiug quail
ties Of their horse, they hoped to
reach home before their mother
should grow uneasy at their
absence
1t was nearly pine O'Clock before
they finally got off; but, once
started, they rolled easily and
swiftly along until the brow OF
the hill overlooking the ravine
was reached.
Here the horse suddenly stop
| ped still, no amount of encourage.
ment would induce him to 20
down the bill.
George alighted and bidding
Matte hold the relns to prevent
their falling about the horses
heels, took him by the bit and by
dint of patting and coaxing started
him down the hill, trem bling and
shivering with mortal fear.
AS soon as her brother left her
side, Matte slid down from her
seat. and croucbed down upon the
floor of the carriage, holding on
to the dash board too frightened
to speak.
The horse was slowly led to the
bottom Of the bill ; but IS be
neared the bridge his terror in=
creased, and with q snort and g
bound be shook off Georges re-
straining hand, and in moment
had thundered over the bridge,
and was tearing up the other side
of the bill, still snorting with the
most extreme fear.
At the first plunge of the mad
dened animal, Matte was jerked
out of the carriage, and went
over the bridge into the brambles
and bushes and, although George
groped around in the darkness,
and called her name repeatedly,
not Q sign Of Matte rewarded his
search and although suffering the
direct apprehenions be felt that he
woald be compelled TO leave her
there and hurry home for assist
ance.
The thought ot leaving his sister
in such a place for time even
was almost TOO painful TO be en-
tertained ; and be began feeling
along in the dead leaves be-
side the bridge, with last hope
Of finding her before ne left the
spot to procure help.
While thus employed, lying fat
on the bridge, be touched some
thing that felt like a baud, but
larger and heavier than his sisters
would be.
He instinctively drew back, and
casting bis eyes up the bill to.
wards home, saw the welcome
light cast from pine torches and
heard the familiar voices of his
faithful negroes, and knew that
they were searching for him.
TO call them to hasten onward
was the work of a moment; aud
with glad shouts and merry laugh
ter, as was the wont Of happy
negres under any little excite
mens, four or Ave Of them, under
the lead of the plantation driver
crowded around him inquiring,
Where is Miss Mattie?'
In g few moments George ex'
planned to them what had hap
pened, suppressiDg the fact that
he had felt 8 strange cold hand
under the bridge.
Had he told them in spite OF all
their devotion to him and their
young mistress they would have
turned and fed away as fast as
their legs would carry them.
Then began rapid and vigllant
search, and poor Matte was soon
brought to light, tumb'ed all in a
heap close beside the bridge.
Partly under her, and partly
under tho bridge was another OBJ
iect upon which the red glare OF
the torches fell with terrible dis
tinctness.
A man in the full bloom Of early
manhood, lay mute and cold, the
| crushed skull showing too well
that the mnrderers were at their
dread work again.
Some of the negores started to
fee at the sight Of the gbastly
object; but the voice of then
master, aided by their driver, re-