Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-06-22

Ou ttiut eluc OF inc TUnu Wnere inc DrOuk
entered the wood, a group Of oaks and
vines, threw n cavernous gloom over it.
To pass this bridge was the severest trial.
1t was at this identical spot that tho un-
| fortunate Andre was captured, and under
the covert Of those chestnuts and vines
| were the sturdy yeomen concealed who
surprised him. This has ever since been
considered haunted stream. and fearful
are tho feelings Of n schoolboy who has
to pass 1t alone after dark.
As he approached the stream his heart
began to thump; he summoned up, how
ever, oil his resolution, gave his horse
! half score Of kicks in the ribs and ut
| tempted to dash briskly across the bridge;
but instead OF starting forward, the per-
verso old animal made lateral move
mcnt and ran broadside against the
fence lchabod, whose fears increased
with tho delay, jerkcd the reins ON tho
other side and kicked Justify with the
contrary FOOT It was all In vain; his
steed started, II is true, but It WIS only
to plunge to tho opposite side Of the road
into thicket Of brambles and alder
bushes. Tho schoolmaster now bestowed
both whip and heel upon tho starveling
ribs Of old Gunpowder, who dashed for
ward, snufling and snorting. but came
to q stand Just by the bridge, with sud
| denness that had nearly sent his rider
| sprawling over his head. Just at this
moment a plashy tramp by the side of
the bridge caught tho sensitive car of
lchabod. In the dark shadow of the
grove, on the margin Of the brook, he be-
held something huge, misshapen. black
and towering. 1t stirred not, but seemed
gathered up In the gloom, like some
! gigantic monster ready to spring upon
tho traveller.
The hair Of tho affrighted pedagogue
rose upon his head with terror. What
was to DO done? To turn and fly was
now too late, and besides what chance
was there of escaping ghost on
goblin, il such 1t was, which
could ride upon. the wings of
the wind? Summoning up, therefore, u
show Of courage, he demanded in STAN
mering accents, "Who are your Ho re-
mand in q still more .tated voice. Still
there was no answ =. Once moro he
cudgcled the sides Of the inflexible Gun
powder, and, shutting his eyes, broke
forth with involuntary forvor into a
psalm tune. Just then the shadowy OBJ
ject Of alarm put itself in motion, and
with a scramble and bound, stood ut
once in the middle of the road. Though
the night was dark and dismal, yet tho
form 81 the unknown might now In somo
degree DO ascertained. He appeared to
be a horseman Of large dimensions. and
mounted on q black horse of powerful
frame. He made no offer Of molestation
or sociability, but kept aloof on ono side
of the road, jogging along on tho blind
side OF old Gunpowder, who had now
got over his fright and waywardness.
Ichabod, who had no relish for this
strange midnight companion, and be-
thought himself OF the adventure of
Brom Bones with tho galloping Hcssian,
now quickened his steed, In hopes Of
leaving him behind. Tho stranger, how
ever, Quickened his horse to an equal
pace. lchabod pulled up. and fell into
did the same. His heart began to sink
within him; he cndeavored to resume his
psalm tune but his parched tongue Glove
To the roof his mouth, and he could not
utter a stave. There was something In
the moody and dogged silence OF this
pertinacious companion that was mys-
FERROUS and appalling. 1t was soon fear
fully accounted for. On mounting a
rising ground, which brought the figure
of his fellow traveller in relief against the
sky, gigantic In height and mufiied in a
cloak, 1chabod was horror struck, on
pcrceiving that he was headless! but his
horror was still moro increased on OBJ
serving that the head, which should have
rested on his shoulders, was carried be-
fore him on the pommel Of his saddlei
His terror rose to desperation; he rained
q shower OF kicks and blows upon Cum
powder, hoping. by sudden movement.
to give his companion the slip--but tho
spectcr started full jump with him.
Away, then. they dashed through thick
and thin, stones flying and sparks flash
l.. I.l.
garments tluttered I'm tho air, as no
stretched his long, Il - body away over
his horses head, in the eagerness of his
flight.
They had now reached the road which
turns off To Sleepy Hollow; bu' Gunpow-
der, who scemed possessed viii idemop,
instead in Sa;,o Of keeping itx, ,,nndlds made
headlong down hill to the left. This road
leads through sandy hollow, shaded by
trees for about a quarter of mile, where
it crosses tho bridge famous in goblin
story; and just beyond swells the green
knoll on which stands the whitewashej
church.
As yet the panic of the steed had given
his unskillful rider an apparent adyant-
ago in the chase; but just as lac had got
half way through the hollow the girths
Of the saddle gave way, and he felt 1t
slipping from under him. He seized it
1t firm, but i'm vain, and had Just time
to save himself by clasping old Gunpow-
der round the neck when the saddle fell
to the earth, and he heard it trampled
under foot by his pursuer. For n mo
ment the terror of Hans Van Ripper's
wrath passed across his mind-for It was
his Sunday saddle; but this was no time
for petty fears; the goblin was hard on
his launches, and (unskillful rider that
he was) hc had much ado to maintain
his seat, sometimes slipping on one side
sometimes ON another ahd sometimes
jolted on the high ridge Of his horse,
back bone with violence that he verify
feared would cleave him nsunder.
An opening in the trees now cheered
him with the hopes that the church bridge
was at hand. Tho wavering reflection
of silver star in the bosom of the brool;
told him that hc was not mistaken. lie
saw the walls Of the church dimly glar
ing under the trees bcyond. He recol,
lected the place where Brom Bones
ghosily competitor had disappeared. "Ii
/ can but reach that bridge" thought
lchabod, II am safe" Just then lac
heard the black stccd painting and blow,
ing close behind him; ho even fancied
that hc felt his hot breath. Another con
vulsive kick in the ribs, ana old Gun
powder sprang upon the bridge; he thun
dered over the rG6Ounding planks, lt
gained the opposite side and now Icha
bod cast look behind To sec if the pur
suer should vanish, according to rule
in flash of fire and birthstone. Just
then he saw the goblin rising in his stir
rups. and in the very act of hurting hi
head at him. lchabod endeavored Il
dodge the horrible missile, but too late
In encountered his Uranium with a tire