Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1885-09-12
THE sUwANEE GHOST.
BY HAMILTON JAY.
Philadelphia Times.

his cigar, glanced regretfully at the
few drops of wine remaining in his
glass, and half arose from his chair.
81 supposeit's about time toretire,"
he said, peering at the quaint old
clock above the mantel. "Youknow
the old adage, EARLY to bed and ear
ly to rise makes a man healthy ETC.,
although / don't believe my esteemed
friend Franklin ever sat down to
bottle of sparkling Italian, tapered
offwith a genuine old-fashioned roll of
tobacco"
looked at the clock myself, for /
admire anything that goes on tick.
The hands were fast becoming socia-
bic and drawing together as lovers
often do under the pale glimpses of
the moon.
A quarter of a moment more, and
an impossible cuckoo stepped out
from little alcOve at the top of the
timepiece, bowed gravely to ustwelve
times, and with melodious voice
told off the hours.
stepped to the ice box and drew
from its refreshing depths another
bottle dewy and fascinating. The
Doctor resumed his seat. Deity
drawing the cork l filled his waiting
glass, and casually remarked, as if |
were totally uninterested
"Doctor, is there no romance con-
nected with this beautiful sheet of
no tragedy to curdle the blood,
quicken beat of pulse and drive dull
care away?
Lighting fresh cigar he replied:
'Did | ever tell you about the
Ghost Of the Suwanee" No? Well,
it is worth relating, and is said to be
absolutely true.
"FOrty years ago Nell Bryant was
the lOveliest girl in the country, tall
and lissome as young fawn; her
golden waves of hair framed a pair of
blue, innocent eyes, as pure as the
dainty soul mirrored therein. An
only child, she was wOrshipped by
her parents, and was allowed every
advantage that wealth could bring.
Educated at Northern school,
and after graduation receiving allthe
advantages of cultured and refined
home, she was splendid type of the
Southern girl ofolden days. Although
an acknowledged belle, and subject
to the tiattery and alteration of the
young gentlemen of the neighbor-
hood, who were her willing subjects,
she yet remained heart-whole and
fancy free, and seemed to find her
greatest pleasure in the romantic
scenes about her, the tireless gallop OF
her horse, and the coquettish dancing
of her little boat. Hour after hour
she would spend upon the beautiful
river, sometimes idly floating through
a land of dreams, at others trimming
her dresses with beautiful flowers
or watching the fitting forms Of
strange wild birds, whose joyous
Warbling hardly rivaled her own.
''The negroes fairly worshippeC
her, and there was not one but what
would have died to save her from
harm. To all proposals Of marriage
she turned a deaf ear, but so kindly
was she in refusal that no one coulC
take Offense. At the time of which
speak, she was about nineteen years
old, in the full glory Of womanhood
But at length she met her fate.
Lieutenant Rodman King, of thu
United States Army, came dowl
there to spend the summer with som,
friends. He was a splendid looking
young fellow knew him we'll
about six feet in height, sinewy anC
well proportional, with jet black eye
and hair, long dropping mustache
courtly and polished from travel il
other countries, he was well calcula
ted to inspire wOman's love. H
soon became Miss Nell's constan
companion. A perfect rider, a love
Of song, poetry and flowers, thei
tastes seemed all in common, and bu
one result could follow. The Who'll
heart of the young girl went out t
him, and henceforth he became sol
master of her Utmost thoughts
Young, handsome, brilliant man G
the world, he facinated her as tn
snake charms the bird; and his ere
dentials being of the highest order
both parents smiled upon the suit.
"The young men of the neighbol
hood accepted the situation with tru
Southern chivalry and gave him a
open field. Their reverence and 10y
oltxy 70 Misc Non fOrho6a tbopn 4