The Opelousas courier., 1886-09-18
A HERMIT's STORY,

A recent Newberne IN. CO. letter to
the Philadelphia Times gives the SUBJ
joined interesting story of ahermit's life
In 1916, just II years ago, John Arm
strong was born near Wilmington, in this
State. He was the only son of a well-to-
do farmer, and received an ordinary
common school education. At 90 years
Of age he became cnamored of q young
woman named Carrie Scott, daughter of
|. q farmer who came from Virginia and
who purchased the land adj lining the
farmof Armstrong; father. Johns love
seemed to have been reciprocated, and
he lived on in blissful anticipation of q
happy future.
For two years he was assiduous in his
attention, and the wedding day was
finally decided upon. There was no
happier man in the State Of North Carolina
than John Armstrong. The cventful day
arrived; John arose early, arrayed him
self in his wedding suit, and, in company
with q few invited guests, set out for the
home of his expected bride. On the way
he was met by q colored servant, who, in
afew words told him that Miss Carrie had
been married at Z O'clock that morning
to q Northern gentleman by the name of
Samuel Opdyke, and had started on 4
wedding journey North in q carriage.
For amoment Armstrong was paralyzed
with establishment, but presently recov-
erfng his 4 -possession, he looked about
him upon his wondering group of sym
pathetic spectators. Then, without
uttering . word, he put spurs to his horse
and leaving his guests still In the road,
soon disappeared In the distance. He
was eve seen again in the neighbor-
hood, 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
Years passed away and the circum-
stance was forgotten. His father and
mother 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 o
Federal officer, to escape capture by q
scouting party Of Confederate cavalry,
took refuge in q swamp. IA wandering
about he became b~ewildered and pence
ttated still deeper into the gloomy
~reccsses of the great forest He suddenly
came face to face with q laan armed with
an ordinary shotgun.
nHuIloy strangerl who be your
"a soldier who has lost his way
replied the office, seeing that conceal
ment Of his position was impossible.
mot one o US, | gucssa' queried the
man.
mo. I'm an officer in the Federal
army
"AVaIl, stranger, I'm no killer, though
I'm mighty strong agin thar Yankees.
What might yer name bean
samuel opdyke.a
The man started back and cooked his
gun. ssopdyke-opdyke-tho scoun-
drel who married Carrie Scott and de-
stroycd my happiness
81 did marry Carrie Scott-married her
because / loved her. But who are you,
that you should get SO excited over the
matterga
tsMe-me-why, I'm John Armstrong,
who courted that ar gal, and she vowed
she Loved me better than anything else IN
the world; but she deceived me; her
heart was hollow; she was false to me
and I hare my revenge Aud he raised
his gun and pulled the trigger, and Cap
tain Samuel 0pdyke fell dead at his feet.
In relating this the old man-for he
himself told the story-became terribly
agitated, and rubbed bis handsin appar-
emf fendiah exulsation. tAhln said he,
THAT were q molnent Of sweet revenge
For nearly fifty yearshe has lived alone
ii the North Carolinaforests. He deter
mined, when the servant On that fatal
morning brought him the startling and
bitter Intelligence that bis would-be.
bride had violated her promise toforever
turn his back on humanity. The cabin