Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-05
spectal 10 ,as R,nws-.

sBsciaI 10 tas R'7iws-.
ASHLAND, KY, July Truth is al
ways stranger than fiction, and to no
spot n the entire universe is this more
peculiarly applicable to Kentucky, es-
peclally the eastern portion.
The numberless feuds OF that section
have made its reputation worldwide,
and many a romance has found its
foundation in incidents OF the Big
Sandy Valley. Possibly no stranger
case exists than that which came 10
light some time ago in one Of the rough
est parts Of that rough section.
II was at the Falls Of Rough, on the
Tug Fork OF the Big sandy, the divid-
ing line between this State and West
Virginia. The place is the toughest on
all the upper river. With not 20 eI-
coed a score OF log and clapboard hntS
il stands a sort OF way station 10 the
deeper country and wild enough for
the most adventurous. Ii was here
that circumstances by no means pleas
Ing willed that I should pass the night.
To add 10 the discomfort Of the Situa'
tion a storm came
ROWLING OVER THE MOUNTAIN TOPS.
The wind was terrific and the light
ming appalling. From the sheltern2
aad dropping branches OF a SOughing
pine tree I watched, in company with
my aged host, the play Of the lightning
upon the rapids In the river that had
given the place It's name.
On the Kentucky side Of the stream
rises abruptly a hundred feet, one of
the grandest cliffs in all that section.
AS the brightest o. the flashes lighted
uD this ragged table land, saw q weird
ghostly female figure silhOuetted
against the darkened sky. the long hair
loosely waving in the wind and her
hands apparently shading her eyes as
she peered of through the darkness
down the river. An exclamation drew
my companions attention aud he, as
sHr!ng me that il was no freak OF mag
ination,
RELATED Me TIE STORY.
as strange and full Of pathOs as any
have ever heard.
Years ago, there had been a young
man there, the pride Of all that cOun-
try A perfect athlete, he led 10 Sal the
contests, was the best rifle shot 10 the
mountains, the most expert with the
banjo aud the violin, and had gained an
un6isputed leadership. He was en-
gagged 10 marry the belle Of the border.
and the date was set. His aged and
widowed mother was already preparing
for the event, for she was 10 live with
them.
Then came a timber run, and the
wouru lovar aft in hirh ulaa unOn n
raft for Catiettsburg. It was uneX-
cted luck, and promised additional
lands for the honeymoon.
~ But he never came back. One Of The
Ys,Jrms peculiar TO that region wrecked
his raft and be was drowned. The
sudden and terrible blow shattered
both minds and the two women forth
with took up an abode together, hoping
against hope for the absent ones re-
turn. That was half score Of years
. ago, but their patience and trust is yet
" ndimmed, aud upon stormy nights
when the aged mother builds her FIRE
high upon the hearthStone the now
haggard and graY-hared sweetheart
climbs out
UPON THE ROCKY PROMONTORY
where / saw her and watches through
wind and rain ia vain hope that she
may be able % help him when be comes
Up on the bosom of the raging waters.
Their untiring and unremitting vigil
is pathetic in the extreme, and through
a. they have always received the con-
slant care of the natives, who under
stand their delusion aud have never
failed in their support.