The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-07-28
A SOUTHERN HERMIT.
TIE ROMANTIC STORY OF A NORTH
CAROLINA RECLUSE.

In 1915, just sevcnty-ono years ago,
John Armstrong was born near Whining
ton, North Carolina He was the only
son of IL wcll-to-do farmer and received
an ordinary common school education.
At twenty years of age he became enam-
orcd OF a 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-
ciprocatcd and he lived on in blissful
anticipation of II happy future.
For two years he was assiduous in his
attention, AID the wedding day was
finally decided upon. There was no
happier man i'll the State of North Caro-
lima than John Armstrong. The event
ful day arrived. John arose early,
arraycd himself in his wedding suit, and,
in company with few invited guests,
set out for the home of his expected
bride. On the way he was met by a
colorcd servant, who, in few words, told
him that Miss Carrie had been married
at seven o'clock that morning to a North
cm gentleman by the name of Samuel
OpdyEe and had started OH wedding
journey North in carriage.
For moment Armstrong was para
lyzcd with astonishment, but presently
recovering his possession, he looked
about him upon his wondering group of
sympathetic spectators. Then, without
uttcring Il word, he put spurs to his
horse, and, leaving his guests still in the
road, soon disappeared i'll the distance.
lie was never seen again in the neigh
borhood, and although every effort was
made to discover his whereabouts, they
Invariably proved futile, and finally the
community settled down to the belief
that he had committed suicide.
a MURDERoUs 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 Federal officer, to escape capture
by Il scouting party OF Confederate caval-
fN, took refuge III swamp. In wander
ing about he became bcwildercd and
penetrated still deeper into the gloomy
rcccsscS OF the great forest. He sudden
" came face to face with man armed
with an ordinary shotgun.
"Hullo, stranger, who be you?"
~ soldier who has lost his way" re-
piled the officer, seeing that conceal
ment of his position was impossible.
"Not one o us, [ gucss?" quericd the
man.
army"
"Wall, stranger, I'm no killer, though
I'm mighty strong aein thar Yankees.
What might yer name bc?"
Samuel Opdykc."
The man started back and cooked his
gun. "Opdykc Opdyke-the scoundrel
who married Carrie Scott and DESTROYED
my happiness.
II did marry Carrie Scott-maricd
her because / loved her. But who are
YOU, that You should get so excited over
the mattcr?"
"Mc-mc why, I'm John Armstrong,
who cOurtcd that ar gal, and she vowed
She loved me better than ANYTHING else
i'll tho world. But she deceived me: her
heart was hollow; she was false to me
and | have my revenge" And he raised
his gun and pulled the trigger. Captain
Samuel Opdyke fell dead at his feet.
In relating this the old man-for he
himself told the story--bccame terribly
a8itatcd and rubbed his hands in appar-
cnt ticndish cXultation. "Ahw said he,
''that were Il mOmont of sweet revenge" {"
LIVING TIE LIFE OF A HERMIT.
For nearly fifty years he has lived
alone in the North Carolina forests. He
determined, when the servant on that
fatal morning brought him the startling
and bitter intelligence that his would-be
bride 'nd violated her promise, to for
ever tur. has back on humanity. The
cabin in which he lives he built himself.
II is in the gloCmieSt and rcmotest soil
tudc of the forest, ard were it not for
the little garden he cutiYAtes thus evil
dcnclng the existence of civilization,
would be dismal abode indeed, He
cndcaToIs to avoid the society of men as
much as possible and is exceedingly an
noyed that his hiding place has become
known, lie was accidentally discovered
by party of hunters, He is still vigor-
ous for his age and although his hair and
long flowing beard are white as snow,
he walks erect and with on elastic, buoy-
ant step. When he does condescend to
talk he is cheerful and entertaining in
his conversation, but studiously avoids
any reference to the female sex. He
AYERS that he has not seen or spoken to
a woman for the past thirty years, and
has never seen a railroad car or steam
boat. lie knows comparatively little of
the incidents Of every day life going on
in the outside world, He is constant
rcGdor of religious and scientific works
and an ardent student of natural history.
He has magnificent collection of spcci
mems i'll tho chronological world, ON
brpcing bugs, beetles and butterflies.
lie can tell correctly the name and habits
OF every insect native to the neighbor-
hood. He is also an expert with the
pon-knife. Since his abode has become
known the boys bring him tobacco,
nick-knacks, etc, in exchange for
which he gives them crosses, hearts,
whistles, etc, which he makes from beef
bones. These he carves with an ordina-