The phantoms of the foot-bridge / 1895

Name: The phantoms of the foot-bridge / 1895
Author: Charles Egbert Craddock

By Charles Egbert Craddock

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American Literature Mythology, Legends & Folklore Novels

About This Book

The story depicts two riders who pause at a narrow foot-bridge spanning a mountain gorge and exchange local legends about spectral figures that appear there. One mountaineer recounts sightings: a young mother who drowned with her child yet is seen carrying the infant across the bridge at night, wartime dead, and a peddler, while the stranger reacts with restrained fear. Vivid descriptions of the stream, firs, and shifting light create a haunting rural atmosphere as the conversation weaves folklore, memory, and quiet reflection on loss and mortality.

About the Author

Charles Egbert Craddock

Charles Egbert Craddock was the pen name of Mary Noailles Murfree, an American author known for her vivid depictions of life in the Southern Appalachian region. Active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, she contributed significantly to the literary heritage of the American South through her short stories and novels. Her works often explore themes of nature, local culture, and the complexities of rural life. Notable titles include 'way down in Lonesome Cove, which showcases her skill in capturing the essence of the Tennessee mountains, and A Chilhowee Lily, reflecting her deep connection to the landscape and its people.