Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-11-02
The Sturp Teller.
HAUNTED BY A HORSE.

3
ly YOU will not believe it-but there was time
in my life when was haunted by horse, just
as truly and irresistibly as ever wretched
sinner was haunted by remorse and that, to
my mind, means good deal more than II
said haunted by ghost for don't believe in
ghosts, and do believe in remorse, for have
felt it and been haunted by it myself, and that
not for any great Gins either.
Ny father was merchant IN one OF our
great western cities, good, honorable man,
but withal, stern and harsh to his children III
his endeavors to guide them Alright.
The result of this unWise rule was such as
might have been anticipated one of my broth
ers ran off to sea and was drowned on his hrst
VOYAGE another enlisted in the army, and l,
after violent quarrel with my father, turned
my back on my home, as believed, forever.
/ was the youngest son, and, after our moth
er's death had met with more indulgence than
nv brothers; but there were times when the
flint of my fathers disposition and the steel
in mine came into violent contact.
And so it came that Ia hot headed youth
of twenty, just home from college, the proud
winner of hard won priZes-went out into the
world to seek my fortune.
l chanced to have fifty dollars in my pocket,
and this sum sufficed to carry me the greater
part of the way to the point had fixed upon
as the scene of the first act in the drama OF
my future fortunes.
There were no railroads in those days across
the great western prairies they had to be
crossed on horseback or in wagons, and to 40
either required money-more money IMAM L
possessed, by far.
And so my march came to sudden halt on
the verge of the great plains, and was forced
to look on. while caravan after caravan Of
eager seekers after gold rolled out of the little
town, where my last dollar had stranded me.
Gold-seekers, for the California fever was at
it's height, and hundreds and thousands OF men,
reckless and desperate as was myself, were
rushing to the gold fields with all possible haste
Weary and heartsick, with aching head and
dragging limbs, I wandered out beyond the
town. 1t was cloudy day, with cold blus-
tering wind that told of snowflakes near at
hand but paid no heed to the weather-the
inner storm eclipsed the outer.
''Hollo ~ thought, 'here comes some one
in a tearing hurry. Clear the road, my boy :;
or look out for knock-down argument!' ~
stepped to one side, as horse at full speed
came dashing by. had only time for brief
glance at the rider and steed, but that one
glance was enough.
Such horse and such rider !
Coal black with shining coat, arched neck,
sleek, flowing name and tail, and slender limos,
with long gentle spring that could scarcely
have stirred a child in the saddle. ! had al
ways been fond of horses and had prided my
self on owning fine animals, but never before
had seen horse that so took my heart by
storm.
And it's rider, too "a beautiful girl of not
more than eighteen summers, with flowing
ringlets, rosy cheeks, and bright eyes, that
seemed to read me through and through, as
she turned them on me, in passing.
Involuntarily removed my hat and stood
gazing after the we'll matched pair as tle
horse made sudden turn and halted with his
rider at the door of house close by.
The latter leaped to the ground and entered
the dwelling while the horse walked quietly
to neat stable, opening on the road.
stood motionless till both had disappeared,
then drew long breath like one awakening
from a dream and returned to town where
few quiet inquiries furnished me with the in
formation that the animal 1 so much admired
belonged to the chief magistrate Of the little
town, it's rider being his only child.
All through the rest of the day the figure OF
that beautiful horse haunted me. could not
throw it off. lay down to sleepand dream
ed that was mounted on its back, speeding
across the wide plains, no longer spread as an
impossible barrier, between me and every nope
of fortune.
awoke and the same idea clung to me.
All day long demon whispered in my ear
how easy it would be, in the dead of night, to
enter the stable had seen, lead out the covet-
ed horse. mount him and away, away
Urged by an irresistible impulse, l left the
town at once, and inspected the magistrates
premises, entering the stable, on pretext OF
inquiring my way of boy who was at work
within.
The horse. the glorious black, was there, and
my heart beat high as closer inspection con-
G,,,& >,,>sn Of
long | might have fingered, feasting my eyes
on that noble piece of horse-hesh who can say?
was infatuated, and could, verify believe,
have gazed Oh it for hours, had not the sudden
apparition of May Morris, the magistrates
daughter, impelled me to a hasty flight
And then-not till then-as glanced at the
proud face that had so interested me the day
before, did realize in all its blackness the
true import of the thought that had taken
possession of me.
A horse thief I to become horse thief II
pressed my hand to my head. bewildered. Had
indeed fallen 50 low as this, that | should
seriously contemplate the stealing OF another
mans horse, and even take pleasure in the
idea
MY brain reeled with horror at the dark pit,
yawning beneath my feet, and yet still l felt
the temptation strong upon me to follow to
the end the plan I had almost uncOnsciously
mapped out for seizng the coveted animal.
And so went back to the town, at one mo-
ment shrinking from the thought of the depth
to which had fallen, at another filled with
delight at the ease with which | could seize
upon him, and speed on his back across the
plains.
lay down to sleep, and sleep fed from me-
The beautiful girl and the beautiful horse she
rode the horse and the girl, the girl and the
horse-these two ideas, and the all paramount
one that sprang from them, kept surging to
and fro in my brain until at last sprang up,
resolved to 60 out into the stormy night tor
it was showing hard,) and cool my teverlsh
blood.
seemed to myself to be two persons-nay,
three-in one body. One was wicked and
urged the theft of the horse; another was
honorable and recoiled at the very idea and
these two held hot argument together, while
the third looked quietly on, saying "Look
here, what's all this nonsense about ! Iou
are getting brain fever, my boy, that's what
it means, neither more nor less. Better go
home to your father while you can, that's my
advice"
Every one in the little tavern had settled
down for the night, but found no difficulty
in letting myself out, and then [ set forth to
walk as rapidly as the deep snow would per-
mit-whither
As live, my sole object and intention was
to walk in the cool air until | felt tired enough
to 20 back to my bed and gain the sleep SO
much needed yet, without my own volition,
nv steps led me direct to the stable where
nv coveted beauty was tethered; not only to
the stable but into it, for the door was lnse-