New-York tribune., 1901-11-24

hall know nothing Of the legends which shouio
throw halo around the ancient pile OF stone
and they seem to care less. True. many OF tneli
are busy commuters for congested NeW-1ofh
has forced some of its workers that far away
from its boundaries. But there is at least one
old woman in Croton Village. however, to whom
the manor hall is a holy place, and the dead
lords Of the manor almost have a place in her
calendar Of saints.
Isn't it a grand old house, she exclairns
every time she looks upon il And the men
who lived there in the early days. They were
en- indeed,''
When the stranger asked her for stories about
manor she called him into her kitchen and,
ying on steadily with her housework. be
gan TO talk about the Cortlandts with an eager
ness that might have lasted for hours. She did
not start at the beginning, but rather worked
back 70 IL
Did you ever hear of the temptation Of Pierre
Van Cortlandt?'' she demanded. when she
reached his name in the genealogical table which
she had been unfolding. He was lord Of the
manor when the Revolution began"
4 negative answer caused her TO ask another
question and one that seemed somewhat irrel-
egant. Do you know your Bible young MANI"
Tne stranger was not exactly sure nd said so.
Because If you don't she continued, you
vii not be able 10 appreciate the beauty Of his
Iesstance You remember the story about the
cegl leading the Lord TO the top Of a high
mountain and showing him the wonderful things
that would be his for doing one little sin The
British did that to Pierre Van Cortlandt, and
he was strong You see, they needed his help
in their fight against the colonsts, and they
sent Governor Tryon TO tempt him. He came in
big vessel with fine ladies from the city and
officers in brilliant uniforms. They pretended
10 oe paying a visit, and as the Governor was
an old friend and the Cortlandts most hospi-
aahle, the best that the manor afforded was
gfea them.
Toward evening on the second day the Gov
erlor asked his host TO take walk with him,
and led the way to the hill back of the house
Il Is the highest place about here, and the view
k-wen, just go and look for yourself; perhaps
gou viii know the kind Of words that will tell
saout Il. The Governor began to recount the
Eighty fayors which would be showered on Van
gazandt if he would come over TO the British.
e iold him that there would be many tracts
q land al the Kings disposal when the up
Starts were crushed He told Of high commits
s0as II the army which were waiting for Just
tach men as the lord of the manor. He even
Toke OF money
All the while the sturdy Dutchman was rag
as within himself, but he did not forget that
ae vas host. and said nothin- until the Gov
s,aor had exhausted his offers Then he spoke
laus-I remember the words. because his son
Niole them down:
Z have been chosen to represent the people.
Who place confidence in my integrity 10 use all
my ability for their benefit and for the good of
the country
II was a mild speech spoken in mild tone,
-hut il was firm, and the face was the face Of
Patriot. Tryon saw the determined flook, and
turning to one of his officers. said: i find our
BUSINESS must terminate. for nothing can be
enecte6 In this place They returned to the
manor. and shortly afterward went to their ship.
Nah Cortlandt suffered for has decision MS
manor hall was pillaged. his acres were conis.
Gated and his family scattered, but the honor Of
N--s name clean
Near the old manor house. along the road
winch leads TO the landing, is Haunted Hollow,
~ "a Which the shades Of Indians long since de-
parted are thought TO hold absolute sway. Al
sls southern edge Of the hollow traces OF the oid
ougElng ground of the KftchaWaAs are 10 De
seeh Nature has done her best 70 make the
spot so beautiful that wanton hands VIII not
1tsturb the rest of the warriors OF olo oh oar X
aisnts their forms can be seen moving ABOUT
me woods. Their tread is noiseless except IN
the autumn. when the wind and the trees heip
mem to repeat the joyous. thrilling cries OF the
enase In the winter, when the ground is GOV =
ereo with and the river with ice the
spooks in their frayed suits of buckskin shiVer
the Hudson TO fish through mystic holes III lhe
90 these things and they call the spectres the
walking sachems OF Teller's Point
sne one made classic by Irving-of the way IN
which their nearest mountain of prominence
Got its name
happened this way" declared an old resi-
ssii'er Long years ago ship sailed up the
under command Of Captain Anthony