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The Phantoms Of The Foot-Bridge 1895   By: (1850-1922)

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The Phantoms Of The Foot-Bridge 1895 by Mary Noailles Murfree is a captivating and haunting tale set in the late 19th century. With a keen eye for detail and an impeccable command of language, Murfree weaves together a gripping story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

The story unfolds in a small, isolated town nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, where the foot-bridge serves as a crucial link between two communities. The bridge, however, carries a dark and mysterious past, shrouded in myth and superstition. The author masterfully builds upon this atmospheric setting, creating an eerie and decidedly gothic atmosphere that envelops the entire narrative.

Central to the plot is Maggie, a young woman with an indomitable spirit, who becomes trapped in a sudden storm while attempting to cross the foot-bridge. As luck would have it, she seeks refuge in an abandoned, dilapidated house nearby. Little does Maggie know that this seemingly deserted house holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the foot-bridge and unearthing the phantoms that haunt it.

The character development in The Phantoms Of The Foot-Bridge 1895 is impeccable. Murfree takes great care in developing each character, endowing them with their own distinct personalities and motivations. From the enigmatic old man who carries the weight of the bridge's history, to the skeptical townsfolk who dismiss the tales of specters and apparitions, the author crafts a cast of characters that feel real and relatable.

Murfree's writing style is a true delight. Her prose flows effortlessly, immersing readers in the richly-detailed world she has created. The author's attention to historical accuracy shines through, providing an authentic backdrop against which the story unfolds. This attention to detail adds depth and credibility to the narrative and adds to the overall enjoyment of the reading experience.

While The Phantoms Of The Foot-Bridge 1895 is undeniably a ghost story, it is also an exploration of the human psyche and the power of belief. Murfree delves into themes of fear, courage, and the importance of community, using the foot-bridge and its supernatural tales as a vehicle to explore these universal human experiences.

In summary, The Phantoms Of The Foot-Bridge 1895 is a compelling and atmospheric tale that will satisfy fans of both gothic literature and historical fiction. Mary Noailles Murfree's exquisite writing, combined with a well-structured plot and strong character development, make this novel a standout in its genre. Prepare to be transported to a world where the line between reality and the supernatural becomes blurred, and the secrets of the foot-bridge are revealed in the most chilling and mesmerizing way possible.

First Page:

THE PHANTOMS OF THE FOOT BRIDGE

By Charles Egbert Craddock

1895

Across the narrow gorge the little foot bridge stretched a brace of logs, the upper surface hewn, and a slight hand rail formed of a cedar pole. A flimsy structure, one might think, looking down at the dark and rocky depths beneath, through which flowed the mountain stream, swift and strong, but it was doubtless substantial enough for all ordinary usage, and certainly sufficient for the imponderable and elusive travellers who by common report frequented it.

"We ain't likely ter meet nobody. Few folks kem this way nowadays, 'thout it air jes' ter ford the creek down along hyar a piece, sence harnts an' sech onlikely critters hev been viewed a crossin' the foot bredge. An' it hev got the name o' bein' toler'ble onlucky, too," said Roxby.

His interlocutor drew back slightly. He had his own reasons to recoil from the subject of death. For him it was invested with a more immediate terror than is usual to many of the living, with that flattering persuasion of immortality in every strong pulsation repudiating all possibility of cessation. Then, lifting his gloomy, long lashed eyes to the bridge far up the stream, he asked, "Whose 'harms?"

His voice had a low, repressed cadence, as of one who speaks seldom, grave, even melancholy, and little indicative of the averse interest that had kindled in his sombre eyes... Continue reading book >>




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