title: An Independent Spirit: The Tale of Betsy Dowdy and Black Bess
author: Donna Campbell Smith
description: Donna Campbell Smith, named 2011 Artist of the Year by Franklin County Arts Council, is a published author of childrens books and frequently visits schools to conduct writing workshops and talk to students about the subject matter of her books. She has an AAS degree in equine technology from Martin Community College where she also took extended classes in art and composition. She enjoys writing, photography, and art. She lives in a house on a 200-acre farm in central North Carolina. Donna worked in the horse industry for over 30 years and volunteered in the NC 4-H Horse program for many years. Donna also enjoys writing about North Carolina, travel, history, arts and crafts. Published young reader books by Donna Campbell Smith are Pale as the Moon, An Independent Spirit, and Bear Song. She also has published three adult non-fiction books: The Book of Miniature Horses, The Book of Draft Horses, and The Book of Mules.
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  At Pinney's Ranch  
  
  
    
  
  
  
  
  
  # At Pinney's Ranch
  
  
  ### Edward Bellamy
  
  
  This page formatted 2007 Blackmask Online.
  
  http://www.blackmask.com  
    
  
  
  Produced by David Widger
  
  
  
  
  
  AT PINNEY'S RANCH
  
  By Edward Bellamy
  
  1898
  
  John Lansing first met Mary Hollister at the house of his friend Pinney, whose
  wife was her sister. She had soft gray eyes, a pretty color in her cheeks,
  rosy lips, and a charming figure. In the course of the evening somebody
  suggested mind-reading as a pastime, and Lansing, who had some powers, or
  supposed powers, in that direction, although he laughed at them himself,
  experimented in turn with the ladies. He failed with nearly every subject
  until it came Mary Hollister's turn. As she placed her soft palm in his,
  closed her eyes, and gave herself up to his influence, he knew that he should
  succeed with her, and so he did. She proved a remarkably sympathetic subject,
  and Lansing was himself surprised, and the spectators fairly thril