The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1882-11-09
HAUNTED BY a HORSE.

likely YOU will not believe it-1ut there
was q time in my life when was haunted
by horse, just as truly and irresistibly
as ever wrctchcd sinner was haunted
by remorse; ; and that, to my mind, means
a good deal more than if 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 sins either.
My father was Il merchant in one OF
our great western cities, good, honora-
be man, but withal, stern and harsh to
his children in his endeavors to guide
them Alright.
The result of this unwisc rule was such
rs might have been anticipated; one Of
my brothers ran off to sea and was
drowned on his first voyage another en-
listed in the army, and !, after 4 violent
quarrel with my father, turned my back
on my home, ~ believed forever.
was the youngest son, and, after our
mothers death. had met with more indul-
gencc than my brothers; but there were
times when the flint of my fathers dis.
position and the steel Of mine came into
violent contact.
And it so 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 for.
tune.
ciauccd 10 have fifty doiiars in my
pocket, and this sum sulliccd 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 III those days
across the great western prairies; they
had to be crossed on horseback or in
wagons, and to do either required money
more money than possessed, by far.
And so my march came tn Il 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.
.:oid.seekeGs, for sbe California fever
was ut it's height. and hundreds and thou
sands of men, reckless and desperate rs
was myself were rushing to tho gold fields
with all possible haste.
Weary and hesrtsick, with aching head
and dragging limbs, wandered out be-
yond the town. 1t was q cloudy day,
with cold clustering wind that told OF
snowflskes near at hand but paid no
heed to the weather-the inner storm
ecipsed the outer.
"liollo" | thought, "here comes some
one in 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 stced
but that glance was enough.
Such q horse and such rider
Coal black, with shining coat, archet
neck, sleek, flowing name and tail, an,
slender limbs, with long gentle spring
that could scarcely have stirred chilt
in the saddle. l had always been font
of horses and had prided myself OH own
ing fine animals, but never before hud
seen horse that SO took my heart by
storm.
And its rider, too Ia beautiful girl 0
not more than eighteen summers, will
flowing ringlets, rosy cheeks, and brigh
eyes. that seemed to read me through, n!
she turned them on me in rassing.
Invountarily l removed my hat an,
stood gazing after the well matched pai
rs the horse made sudden turn ant
halted with his rider ut the door of
house close by.
The latter leapcd to the ground ant
entered the dwelling while the hors
walked quietly TO a neat stable. opening
on the road.
stood motionless till both had dsap
peared, then drew long breath like on,
awakening from dream, and returne,
to town where few quiet inquiries fur
nished mo with the information that tn,
animal so much admired belonged t
the chief magistrate Of the town. its ride
being mis- only child.
All through the rest of the day I'll.
firt nf hot hou fi,l I,o kn,, toI
could not throw it OIL. lay down L
sleep and dreamed that was mounted
on its back, speeding across the wild,
plains, no longer spread as nm impassibl,
barrier, between me and every hope o
fortune.
awoke and the anme idea cung I,
me.
Al! ;!*y !a"s demon whispered IN III,
ear how easy it would be ~ the dead o
night, to enter the stable had seen, lcat
out the coveted horse, mount him ant
away, away
Urged by an irresistible impulse, lef
the town at once, and inspected the mag
istrate's premises, entering the stable, on
pretext of inquiring my way of boy who
was at work within.
The horse, the glorious black, was
.here, and my heart beat high as close.
inspection confirmed my frat opinion OF
his quality. How long l might have
fingered, ieasting my eyes on that noble
piece of horse flesh, who can say?
! was infatuated, and could, verify
believe, have gazed on it for hours, had
not the sudden apparition of May Morris,
the magistrates daughter, ;mpelled me to
hasty flight.
And then-not till thomas glanced
at the proud face that had 80 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 theft to become horse
thief! pressed my hand to my head,
bewildercd. Had indeed fallen so low
as this, that should seriously contem-
plate 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 felt the temptation strong upon
me to follow to the end the plan 1 had
almost unconsciously mapped out for
seizing the coveted animal
And so went back to the town, Mt one
moment shrinking from the thought of
the depth to which had fallen, at an
other 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 beauti.
full horse she rode; the horse and the
girl, the girl and the horse-theso two