Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-06
WHY A HERMIT.
KILLING HIS RIVAL AND STUNNING
SOCIETY.
A North Carolina Reclass Who Turned
Els Back Upon the world-hur-
derous Revenge.

seventy years ago. Jonn Armstrong
was born near Wilmington, in this
State. lie was the only son OF we'll
TODD farmer, and received an ordinary
common. school education. At twenty
years Of age he became enamored oil
young woman named Carrie Scott,
daughter Of farmer who came from
Virginia, and who purchased the land
adjoining the farm Of Armstrong;
father. Johns love seemed to be re-
ciprocated, and be lived on in blissful
anticipation Of happy future.
Eor two years he was assiduous IN
his attention, and the wedding-day was
finally decided upon. There was no
happier man in the Stale OF North
Carolina than John Armstrong. The
eventful day arrived. John arose early,
arrayed himself in bis wedding-suit,
and, in company with few invited
guests, set out for the home Of his ex-
pected bride. On the way he was met
by a colored servant, who, in few
words, told him that Miss Carrie had
been married at 7 o'clock that morning
TO a northern gentleman by the name
Of Samuel Opdyke, and had started on
a wedding journey north in q carriage.
For a moment Armstrong was para
lived with astonishment, but presently
recovering bis self-possession, he looked
about him upon his wondering group OF
sympathetic spectators. Then, with
out utteripg a word, he put spurs to
his horse and, leaving his guests still
in the road, soon disappeared in the
distance. lie was never seen again IN
The neighborhOOd, and although every
effort " as made to discover his where
sbouts, they invariably proved futile,
and finally the community settled down
to the belief that he had committed
suicide.
A MURDBROUS REVENGE.
Years passed away and the circum-
stance was forgotten. His father and
mother had died, and, although John
was the legitimate heir to the estate, an
uncle took charge of the farm until he
should be found. One day during the
war a Federal officer, to escape capture
by a scouting party Of Confederate
cavalry, took refuge in a swamp. In
wandering about he became bewildered
ard penetrated still deeper into the
gloomy recesses of the great forest
lie suddenly came face to face with
man armed with an ordinary shotgun.
"Hullo, stranger, who be your"
It" A soldier who has lost his way,
replied the officer, seeing that conceal
mert Of his position was impossible.
Not one % US, guess?" qaerie'
the man.
mo, I'm on officer in the Fedora
army"
well, stranger, I'm no killer
though I'm mighty strong asin tina
Yankees. What might yer name be:
"Senuel Opdy ke."
The man started back and cooked hi
gun. "Opdy ke-0pdyAe--t scour
drel who married Carrie Scott and d.
stroyed my happiness"
~ did marry Carrie Scott--mal
ried her because | loved her. But VII
are you, that you should get SO excite
over the matter?"
"Me-mt-why, I'm John Arm
strong. who courted that ar gal, an
she vowed she loved me better tha
anything else in the world. Eut 81
deceived me her hc.rt was hollow
she was false to me and | have my r
yenge.n And he raised his gun al
pulled the trigger. Captain Samu
Opdyke fell dead at his feet.
In relating this the old man-for
himself told the story-became terrib
sritated and rubbed his hands in app
rent fierdish exultation. "Ah !" sa
he. "that were moment of sweet T
ytnge."
. LIVING THE LIFE OF A HERMIT.
For nearly fifty years he has liv'
: alone in the North Carolina forest
= lie determined, when the servant
, that fatal morning brought him t
! startling and bitter intelligence that
J yould-be bride had violated herpromls
4 to forever turn his back on humanit
The cabin in which he lives he Blu
; himself. 1t is in the gloOmiest and
e hottest solitude of the forest, and we
1t not for the little garden he cultivate
thus eyidenciDg the existence OF civil
zation, would be q dismal abode
deed. lie endeayors to avoid the soc
i ~ Of men as much as possible a
is exceedingly annoyed that his hidl
y place has become known. He "
3 accidentally discovered by party
u hunters. He is still vigorous for
n age, and although his hair and 10
flowing beard are white as snow
" walks erect and with an elastic, but
) ant step. When he does condesce
TO talk be is cheerful and entertain
. in his CONVEX sation, but studiou
J. avoids any reference to the female 81
lie AYERS that he has not seen or spot
> TO a woman for the past thirty yea
; and has never seen a railroad car
steamboat. He knows comparativ
J.; little of the incidents Of everyday
s. eoirg on in the outside wor
lie is a constant reader of relgl'
); and scientific works and an ard
S, student Of natural history. He ha
magnificent collection of specimens
s. the chronological world, embrac
r bugs, beetles, and butterflies. He
q tell correctly the name and habits
,; every insect native TO the neighb
IS hood. He is slso an expert with
penknife. Since his abode has beco
known the boys bring him tobaC
knick.knacks, etc., in exchange
which he gives them crosses, hea
o. whistles, etc., which he makes fl
:, beef-bones. These he caryes with
d. ordinary knife and file, though the W
is slow and tedious. He is conteml
Is, ting moving to more secluded quartz
no and it will not be surprising if SC
u' fine morning the boys will search
John AImstons in vain.
I'd. AR NUnur m THE LAKE