The National tribune., 1888-07-19

which ] had purchased, and as the road leading
70 e WAS absolutely impossible FOR vehicles Of
any kind, my tri-weekly visit for the mail was
on horseback.
il was one Of those delightful May mornings
when nature seems at her best. The air was
fragrant with the perfume Of myriads of wild
flowers. which, refreshed by the abundant dews
Of 3 Southern night, glistened with diamond
ike brilliamcy IN the morning sun The birds
poured forth their waFbling notes Of song from
almost every bush. The night notes Of the
whip-poor- buried IN the deep shade Of the
foliage. called out an answering song from the
beautiful rn0ckiBg-biFds fitting from their
nights resting place TO greet with joyful notes
the welcome rays Of the king Of day.
Ny horse. Rolo, champed the bit and nodded
his head. as If begging the rein. 70 prove that
he possessed speed and endurance as well as
symmetry and grace. But the awakening
beauties Of nature, so prolific on every hand,
s0fbeHed my usual enthusiasm at the prospect
Of a morning canter, and ! determined TO try
his speed at some other time. / had recently
purchased the horse from a noted Kentucky
breeder and paid the price which assured great
speed and endurance Nearing a creek that
had once been spanned by bridge. / entered
the bride path which led 10 the ford below.
TIE decayed stringers had fallen beneath the
weight Of the pine logs which formed its floor,
and had been carried away By the rushing
hatEEe OF AltG WINTER AEtENEkc. leaving a GEEu
cbasm nearly u feet wide. Ny reyerie was
suddenly broken by the approach Of horse
behind me. "A lively rider, thought as the
sound drew rapidly nearer. " It's lady. How
furiousr she rides. Good heavens sheshould
approach this place more cautiously. Is she
mad Nerciiul heavens She has lost control Of
her borsei She VIII be dashed into the creek I"
II was too. late 10 return 10 the road and at
tempt assistance. / remained spell bound
"a Al TartrT
lady, rushed past and on toward the chasm.
The BIT was broken and the bride useless.
Mortified ~ her danger, / shouted. She
raised her hand with q salute Of recognition,
and smiled family
10 horse can clear that gap; she viii be
killed ] thought Yes he leaps; but they
must 30 down. No, he clears the gapi"
Horse and rider are safe across. The young
lady was no stranger 10 me. She was the
daughter Of my nearest neighb0r planter and
highiy-BOnored citizen according 10 the stand
AID before the war. Her horse, too. had been
recently nurchasei and was as yet, untried.
Suddenly il occurred 20 me that the next
bridge was badly broken and more dangerous
20 approach 40 that mad pace than the one lust
now So miraculously passed.
Good heavens, ! thought. A" her position is
peri.ous Less than two miles by the straight
road the greater danger is 10 be metz There
too, the strugcrs had given out and the bridge
logs fallen down, leaving some standing on end
forming deep and Jagged chasm which nc
horse could leap.
Not maay seconds passed before ali the ter
Tors Of the situation were presented to ms
mind aud "A GeteTus nation reached for an at
tempt 70 rescue her. To ford the ream and
gain the road beyond WIS the work Of the mex
lew seconds then pressing my spur 10 the no
bic creature under me. the quick snort and
lightning Ike dash encouraged the belief thai
the plan would be successful. Experience a
wei as training ia the service had taught IN,
- guard AGAINST mishaps on the road and
confirmed - Keep neat compact pair OF bag
attached 10 my saddle, furnished with dupli
Gates Of those parts Of my harness likely 10 b,
needed, and could hardly suppress q shou
when ] found therein a small but strong rope
similar 70 q troopers lariat.
Gaining the top o. the slope which led to tn,
rolling baud beyond, ] caught sight Of the lead
ing horse nearly half mile ahead, still speed
lng along "a the same msddened pace. Tn
glimpse which j had Of the horse as he swep
past me, and the wonderful feat in leaping Cd
creek, left 30 room 10 doubt its power ant
speed.
] had lived near neighbor to Col Ashton
for more than year, yet lew IL any neighbor
acts had been shown by either Of Us III
had.fought for the dissolution Of the Union
while ] had performed q soldiers duty in on
posing him. had met the daughter frequentl
while on my morning rides aud was charme
with her exquisite Workmanship as well as wit
her quiet grace aud simple manner, in whic
she warned me that her father forbade her I
recognize me, though she was a miss of II an
] bachelor of -. At that time the ba
feelings engendered by the war were dee,
seated IN the hearts Of the adherents Of I'll
C0nlederacy, and no ex-Union soldier felt n
clined 10 apologize for what bad occurred. an
thus there was little or no socability betWee
Col. Ashton or his family and myself Br
nov all the spitefnlness which ! confess som,
times to have felt toward my neighbors var
lshed, and would give my right arm to rescu
the rebels daughter from the danger ] cor
tinRed 70 urge 10y horse 10 greater speed.
shouted, vainly hoping TO induce the lady
Jump from the saddle before reaching Ii
creek. Then / coaxed the brute. Taste