The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-01-28

her first visit letters werc received from
q fienr relative who resided in Maryland
Atntlng that this queer creature had app
peared In their home. Her coming WIS
also tho result OF good fortune TO that
branch OF tho family. Thereafter the
Tho Little Old Woman In Black" was
always welcome Mt tho Virginia home
stead. but no ono but members OF tho
family could see her, although others
were present and would have her pointed
out to thert the direction she waa taking
and what she was doing.
Mad Horseman Reappears.
But the Little old Woman In Black"
was superseded by tho now unwol-
come ancestor who persisted once NOR. in
bringing himself to their view In another
mad gallop down tho lane. Again death
entered the house. Tho head OF the
FAMILY succnmbed to pneumonia From
the first day OF his illness. while phys-
clans brought all their skill to bear,
there was no hope of recovery felt Ivy his
VIE ana children. They were firmly i'm
pued with tho belief that his death was
caused by tho temperance OF the APP
partition.
Tho eldest son, now tho head Of tho
place. sought to put an end to the wild
rides OF his grandfather. Calling a force
OF slaves. he had the lane ploughed from
the barn to the main road, and across tho
4eld through which 1t ran he placed
fences. thinking to effectually stop the
old soldier and tho iii fortune that in
variabiy followed his ghostly move mcnts.
The plan appeared to havo been sue
cessful for years. There was no more
trouble. and then tho civil war broke out.
The then head Of the family entered the
service OF the Confederacy as a lieutenant.
and, after four years hard service, sur
rendered at Appomattox as commander
OF Virginia cavalry regiment, which
made an illustrious name for itself on
many historic battle-flclds 3
Returning TO his home, now almost
desoiated by the ravages OF the civil con-
ilsct. he set about building up his fallen
fortunes.
SPIRIT SURVIVES THE WAR.
During the excitement OF tho war and
the trying times which followed. "the
banshee' was forgotten, but several years
later While sons Of the Confederate soldier
we're filling the soil near the site of the
old lane. they started back In alright.
Down the path Of tho old lano Numbered
the revolutionary soldier mounted upon
an animal OF large proportions. taking
fence after fence through fields and out
the main road. disappearing behind
clump Of trees on the road to town near
by.
The sons returned to the house and told
OF having seen the ghostiy rider. Before
night the Conferedate colonel received i
telegram from Frederick, Md. informing
him OF the sudden death OF married
daughter.
In the early 'so's the colonel and his
wife were sitting one summer afternoon
upon the broad vcranda. when both
started from their chairs at once and
pointed toward the route OF the old lane.
Both had seen the specter which brought
calamity to the family. Turning to his
wife the colonel asked
Which one will 1t be this timer His
wife did not reply but went into the
house. A second daughter died and be-
fore another return of the dreded ap-
partition the mother followed her to the
grave this visit having proved fatal.
The soanish-American war broke out
and with true military and patriotic
instinct. the only son at home enlisted
for service in a company commanded
by brother-in-law, leaving at home
of the company commander referred to-
LAST VISIT OF SPECTER.
While the regiment was showed in In
winter camp In one of the far Southern
states, this son one night aroused his
tent mates with the startling intelligence
tnal messenger boy had awakened
him and handed him telegram stat
ing that his father, the confederate
colonel. had dropped dead suddenly while
looking out the front window at his
home. The young soldier was irnrnedi-
ately granted furlough and left for
his Virginia home. Upon his return he
gave the particulars OF his fathers I'M
expected demise. He said that about
dusk the old veteran, who was enjoying
good health. was awaiting supper. He
conversed with his daughter who was
In an adjoining room and then went
to the window looking toward the big
road. Instantly he threw up his hands,
one pointing toward old lane, toppled
over and was dead before his daughter
reached his side. He had seen the spec
ter OF revolutionary days and was the
last to gaze upon the apparition.
The fate which followed this family
with such persistency since the last of
the 18th century and the appalling death
disasters coming closely after the ghost
iy riders appearance, again became the
subject OF discussion among the remain
ing membars and It was decided TO
abandon the place. For a time it was
let to tenant and later was sold to
man of great wealth wha. had the place
rehabilitated and now uses 1t as a sum
mer residence. Neither he nor the ten
ant before him have seen the supernat-
ural rider OF the revolution and since
establishing residences in nearby town
none OF the members of the family
have peen frouble with the spectral
visitor. nor do they ever refer to him.