The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-11-06
RAvENNA, O, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 1ss4s

in love myself, but these young people
did. and terrible tragedy followed.
''Old man Norton had never liked
Harry-in factthe old fellow, even in
those days, was rank believer in Sc
cessiOn and hated everything of a
Northern origin. He had tolerated the
young teacher at first out of respect for
Southern hospitality and the opinions
of his old friends, but when he discOv-
cred that Harry had fallen in love with
his daughter and she was guilty of the
same foolishness, he was furious. raved
like devil and swore by all the gods
that he would shoot the id Yankee
if he ever caught him on his place again.
He had a stormy scene with his daugh-
ter, but she clung TO her faith and re-
fused to give her lover up.
''But hencefOrth the lovers were more
careful, and We're obliged TO confine
their lOve-making to stolen interviews
and this pool was selected as the tryst-
ing place. 1t was then a beautiful
spot. The underground was a tangled
mass of flowers, the trees allowed the
moon to drop through their green
branches and bathe in the water that
WA; then as clear as crystal. The stol-
en- interviews of these happy lovers did
not long remain secret. They were
betrayed by a negro and old Morton's
revenge was an awful one.
Belle had been in the habit after all
the house had retired of leaving her
room and spending happy hour with
her young and ardent lover at this
pool.
1T was beautiful night in June; the
moon was at its full and the heavens
were clothed in splendor. A cool
breeze swept over the swaying trees,
and from the shadowy copse the whip
pOor-will kept up his plaintive calling
During the day old Norton had been
unusually grave and silent, seeming alb
sorbed in his own reflections. His man.
ner toward his daughter had filled her
with vague dread. He had only an
swered her questions in mOnosyllables,
and watched her every movement with
furtive scowling. But she attributed it
all to the fact that he had been apply
ing himself very freely to the brandy
bottle, and was manifestly under its po-
tent influence.
''About half-past eight O'Clock he
grunted ont good night and went to
his own room. Belle also retired, but
not to sleep. Tonight she was to meet
her lover to arrange for her flight and
marriage. After waiting half an hour,
until all about the house seemed wrap
ped in slumber, she stole quietly out
and hurried lovingly over the path she
knew so well.
but another one had been there be-
fore her. Her father, after bidding her
good night, had gone to his room, tax
en- down his. heavily loaded gun and
left the house. BY a roundabout way
he reached the pool. Carefully and
softly creeping near and peering through
the bushes he saw young Esterman
standing gazing thoughtfully into the
peaceful depths where the moon had
left path of silver.
Raising his gun to his shoulder, he
took careful aim and fired. The young
lover gave a quick, convulsive start,
and, without groan, fell heavily into
the water. Belle, half way to the place
of meeting, heard the shot and saw
grim form creeping out of the shadows.
She stopped moment and pressed her
hand to her heart in mute and trem-
bling terror,
Another moment and her father
gripped her arm and whispered hoarse-
ly in her ear: 'Wretched girl, go look
for your lover in yonder pool.
with a gasping cry she hurried by
him and soon gained the spot As she
gazed into the waters her lovers face,
all torn and mangled, came to the sur
face. With terrible shrek, that woke
the birds in their leafy covers, she leap
ed into the pool, and, grasping the
form of her murdered lover, both went
down together. The waters rippled
and swelled moment and then all was
peace and calm again.
The next day the old father, recov-
cred from his drunken madness, went
to look for his daughter,
''In the afternoon some negroes found
him, lying flat upon the ground, stone
dead, his eyes wide open, gazing dread
fully into the pool.
"The bodies of the lovers were never
found. 1t was supposed that some I'M
known undercurrent carried them far
away.
'.ln one week a marvellous change
took place in this pool and its surround
ings. The flowers all died, the waters
took on an inky blackness, the trees in
terlaced their branches so that no light
of sun or moon could enter, and all
life fled, whether of insect, beast, bird
or fish.
The place became most desolate and
forlorn, and the negroes avoided it as
they would graveyard. "
He paused and relighted his pipe.
THAT is a very nice yarn l said;
''but you don't expect me to believe it,
80 youP'
''Oh, no." he replied. Il didn't my
self when it was told to me, but as you
wanted to hear it l thought would
spin it out for you. Going, eh? Try a
little of that rye before you saddle up.
A friend sent it to me from New York
City, and think it's a pretty good ar
ticle. You'll find the sugar in that can
on the mantel"
Stranger, tried it and it was good.