The Story of the Moor Road | K. and H. Hesketh-Prichard | A Bitesized Audio Production
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 มี.ค. 2022
- Flaxman Low, the Victorian ghost-hunter, is staying with some friends on their Northumberland estate. He is intrigued by reports of a strange figure seen - and heard - on a lonely stretch of road crossing the moor. Could it be a stray tramp... or something more sinister?
A new, original recording of a classic public domain text, read and performed by Simon Stanhope for Bitesized Audio.
If you enjoy this content and would like to help me keep creating, you may like to consider supporting me on Patreon:
/ bitesizedaudio
Or for occasional one-off contributions, you can Buy Me a Coffee here: www.buymeacoffee.com/bitesize...
Major Hesketh Vernon Prichard, later Hesketh-Prichard (1876-1922) led an intrepid life as an adventurer, explorer, hunter, marksman and first-class cricketer, in addition to his work as a journalist and author. He was born in Jhansi, India, the son of a British army officer, although his father died from typhoid just weeks before his birth. His mother, Kate O'Brien Ryall Prichard, brought him back to Britain and raised him alone. At school at Rugby, and later Fettes College, Edinburgh, he excelled at sports, especially cricket. He decided to train as a lawyer after leaving school, although he never practised, deciding instead to travel through southern Europe and north Africa - the prelude to many years of travel and exploration around the world, which led him to places previously unseen by any European.
His fiction writing career began at the age of nineteen when he sold his first story to the Pall Mall Gazette in 1896; his mother helped him to refine the story, and they afterwards wrote together under the pseudonym "E. and H. Heron", contributing numerous stories to journals such as Cornhill Magazine. It was under the "Heron" pseudonyms that they produced the Flaxman Low stories in Pearson's Magazine in 1898. Flaxman Low was a new type of character - the first "psychic detective" investigating ghosts and the occult, preceding Algernon Blackwood's John Silence and William Hope Hodgson's Carnacki by a decade or more. Low's adventures proved hugely popular, although it's reported that Hesketh-Prichard and his mother were unhappy that the stories were promoted by the magazine as being "true" or "real" ghost stories. After 12 adventures, the character of Flaxman Low was retired, and mother and son moved on to other series, including 'The Chronicles of Don Q' (1904), featuring a Spanish Robin Hood-style figure, Don Quebranta Huesos. As a solo author, Hesketh-Prichard also created 'November Joe', a Canadian backwoodsman detective (1913).
Although rejected for active service (due to his age) by the outbreak of the First World War in 1914, Hesketh-Prichard was eventually sent to the front as a war correspondent/press officer for the British War Office. While there he noted poor marksmanship on display, and used his experience as a hunter to initiate sniper training for soldiers in the trenches. This work won him the DSO. He was invalided out of war service in 1917, and remained in poor health for the remainder of his life. He reportedly died of sepsis in June 1922, although it's now speculated that untreated malaria may have been a significant factor. He was survived by his mother, who died in 1935, by his wife Elizabeth (married 1908), who lived until 1975, and their three children.
'The Story of the Moor Road' was first published in Pearson's Magazine in March 1898, under the pseudonym "E. and H. Heron", and later appeared in book form when the stories were collected together as 'Ghosts: Being the Experiences of Flaxman Low' in 1899.
Recording © Bitesized Audio 2022. - บันเทิง
A thought always crosses my mind when I listen to you, Simon, or your contemporaries - Ian Gordon, or Jasper L'Estrange. It's a marvel to me that such entertainment, given in your cultured tones, is free of charge. Being disabled and financially strapped, you are a treasure and I am grateful.
What a lovely comment, thank you Nancy. Best wishes to you
@@BitesizedAudio You're a doll, and we are now members of the mutual admiration society. Thank you for your great work.
I am in very similar situation , I couldn't agree more and am also very grateful.
@@dannyshepherd9375 I don't know how, bit I do hope your situation improves.
Like wise I'm a pensioner can't afford to buy these books these are fantastic
This was literally wonderful! I’m a harpist, professional (stage mostly) actress, award winning radio host and voice over artist. I just adore both your innate voice, and the skill with which you use it; accents, vocal placements and character delineation, and choice of material. I regularly refer people to your “channel”. Such accomplished artistry. Bravo.
Thank you Kara, that's very kind of you to say. Yes, probably 80%+ of my acting career has been in theatre, and I'm missing it having not been on stage since 2019, for obvious reasons... but glad to have this channel as a creative outlet. I hope your stage work is picking up again, post pandemic? And a harpist too, how wonderful! Thanks again for your lovely comments, and for "spreading the word", it's much appreciated
@@BitesizedAudio I have a violin...just for fun & an old organ ... my viola still has the frets on it so, I'm not making much progress😠😠😠
Oooh...wow, I never imagined I guess you hear someone mention that how terribly cool.
@mijiyoon5575 I have an old organ. In fact, I have a few. I just wish they worked as well as when I was younger 😕
I have read this and all Flaxman Low stories dozens of times, but there is something very special and unique to listening to a ghostly tale. To paraphrase J.S. Le Fanu: pen and paper are poor vehicles for the marvelous. Thank you for the production.
You're welcome Matthew, thanks for your comment. I do like that Le Fanu quotation!
Great quote!
Another fine Victorian ghost story, with the added bonus of an old English Colonel, decanters of port, and men smoking cigars!
Yes, the crusty colonel holding forth over the port and cigars is always an enjoyable image!
The quality of the narration means everything to me, and you have talent to spare. Not many can bring a story to life like you do, and I hope you will continue these early works. Modern day writers of supernatural or ghost stories do not even come close to matching the classic works done by so many early authors. We all know who they are, and when they are brought to life in the way you read them, the value is certainly apparent to me. Thanks for your artistry with the spoken word!
I do so love being introduced to authors and stories I had no prior knowledge of. I am educated even as I am supremely entertained. Thank 'ee, my hero.❤
Glad to know that Bob, thank you!
Well that was terrifying. Anytime someone in one of these tales meets a sketchy character on a country lane my blood runs cold.
@CW Brooks I know, it's never a good sign! Stick to the high road I'd say... and avoid any unexpected coaches which draw up silently behind you!
@Bitesized Audio Classics Haha. Every time it snows I listen again to your reading of The Phantom Coach. Absolutely thrilling.
@@BitesizedAudio This reminds me of the animated version, and the live version of Sherlock Holmes tv series, episodes the Hound of the Baskervilles. Love SACD.
Always delighted when I see a new story, thanks Simon! 👍😃👻
Always when I need it the most you come through!!!
Glad to be of service...
Always a joy to have a story of Flaxman Low and his not altogether triumphant cases!
Thanks Andrew. Yes, I have more of his adventures I'd like to read in the coming months...
If this is Maj. H. Hesketh-Prichard then he is a true hero. The Father of modern British Sniping. See the book 'Sniping in France.'
Thanks for the information 👍🏻
It is indeed, the very man. I've put some information about him and a brief biography/background in the video description. Thanks for listening
@@BitesizedAudio I've listened to all of your presentations. The majority of them time and again. Excellent work. Well done and thank you.
@@janetcw9808 My pleasure.
Another good one. Thank you so much, Simon. Always a treat! 😁
So glad to know you enjoyed it Rosie, thank you
I love this channel and always look forward to a new audiobook reading by you and this is no exception, absolutely fabulous, thank you so much.
You're welcome, thanks D J !
More and Moor! Just what I needed! Thank you, as always! I've been off watching the world go mad again, and this was a lovely relief! I've missed a couple. I'll catch up soon! Best wishes, Daryl : - ) >
Thank you Daryl, nice to see you back. The world is indeed in a sorry state at the moment. I'm glad if these stories help to provide some distraction. All the best to you
Nice addition to your channel Mr. Simon, narrated perfectly. As usual.
Interesting story and excellent narration by Mr. Stanhope. The narration largely makes it scenic and different. My great appreciation.
Your selection of stories and perfect narration are always a pleasure . Many thanks !
Kind of you to say so, thank you!
This is one of the few ghost stories to terrify me!!
By far the best selection of old stories on U Tube.
Narration is always absolutely excellent!
Tried to listen to this story on libra vox, wouldn’t have believed it was the same story.
Sincerely hope they come to their senses & monetise this channel again? Just unbelievable they’d have the brass neck to criticise it?✊♥️
That's interesting to hear. Can you pinpoint what it is about this one which gives you that reaction?
Wow 🤩! I just saw this and I listened to it immediately! Whenever I see a notification from you....... I cannot explain how excited I get adequately- especially if it talks about the paranormal! My two favourite types of book or stories are mystery’s and older ghost stories! And I think your accent is simply divine! You must be immune to compliments by now but let me say this. This was the first channel I came across that made me realise I even preferred stories from this period! So believe me when I say I have a lot to thank you for!!! It was opening up a whole new world to me! So THANK YOU🕊🤍🕊
Wonderful, so this story combines your two favourite genres. So glad to know you enjoyed it Maria, thanks as always for your lovely comments and support
@@BitesizedAudio Yes... that is what I meant! I wish I had your simple eloquence! Blessings of Continued success and happiness! You, if anyone I know, definitely deserves them! Thanks again!
I absolutely agree, and have said as much before, but I'm going to say it again, at the risk of making Simon blush 😊
Once again, you gave me a wonderful fright! In the chase towards the end, you had my heart pounding. Bravo!
I always enjoy your readings. Thank you Simon!
Glad to know that, thanks Nancy
Thank you, Simon. I haven't read anything by these authors. A lovely reading, thank you!
You're most welcome, thanks Celia
I keep an eye open for a new reading. I will look on the Internet Archive and Project Gutenberg for titles by these authors. 🤸😃
I absolutely love classic literature!!! I love how people wrote books over 100 years ago. Language was so beautiful back then, it was so classy and intelligent ❤️
I absolutely loved this story, had to listen to it twice, the elemental was deliciously creepy with his little head and long limbs, he reminded me a bit of the Whistle and I’ll Come figure racing along the beach, bending and leaping. The description of being chased by it up that road was so terrifying and brilliantly told as usual, thank you Simon!!!! 😃💕👍
@The Last Sausage That's lovely to know, thank you! Best wishes
I always look forward to one of your readings and this was no exception! Thank you, Simon! Your voice is a very nice one ;)
Thank you! 😊
Thank you so much, Simon, for your most excellent readings of these works. For those of us who have difficulty, in our later years, in acquiring and reading books for ourselves, it is a rare privilege to be able to listen to you.
What a lovely comment, thank you so much
Just what l needed 👏👏👏
Wonderful, thanks Barbara!
Thank you for sending me the story sir! i was actually waiting for a video from your channel i m finding old coins and old books these days because i m extremely busy these days although I m being with a critical situation i will innovate my time to listen to your audio stories so my opinion is by listening to your stories i could eradicate my stress away
Glad to help, thank you Sir
Always the gold standard in audiobooks.
No, make that platinum.
You're very kind Chris, thank you!
I’m just being factual.
:)
Such a wonderful story! Its deeper than it seems actually. It might be a superstition or false belief that people believe to sometimes, but they too have their roots in actual facts. So, a thing is often neither all false or all true. Great story and great reading by you sir. Thank you.
You're most welcome! Thank you for your comments Nisa
@@BitesizedAudio😇👍
Thank you Simon for making my weekend.. always look forward to one of your excellent readings 🛌
You're most welcome! Thanks for your kind comment
Always wonderful listening. Thank you, Simon.
Thank you so much for introducing another great detective, had not heard of Flaxman Low before,enjoyed this very much,hope your planning to post more from him?✊♥️
Thanks Julie - yes I certainly have more stories I'd like to do from this series, glad to know you enjoyed it
Ditto!
Marvelous, as always-thanks for these wonderful readings!
Intriguing story with a different view from the normal ghost story.
Thanks Space Hound. Yes, I chose this one partly because it goes in an unusual and unexpected direction from the "traditional" ghost story of the era...
I am always so excited to see a new post on Bitesized Audio Classics. Always just first rate in every way. Wonderful stories, AMAZING readings and wonderful audio quality. You have made wonderful contributions to our lives. Bravo!!!
What a lovely comment, thank you so much!
Thank you 🙏 for this new story . God Bless you for all your hard work . I was so Thrilled to see there was a new tale !!
Always ready for some Flaxman Low, which also sounds like the name of a blues singer.
Thanks for another banger, Simon!!
Another good story time.
Thanks Barbara!
I love the Flaxman Low stories
An interesting tale. One doesn’t often encounter elementals! It reminds me of Dion Fortune’s Dr. Taverner stories only much better written. Thank you as always for your excellent presentation.
You're most welcome, as ever. Yes, I've been meaning to get around to Flaxman Low for a while, and I thought the elemental aspect made this story an interesting one to start with (I'll definitely be returning to him).
A pleasure, as always 😊
Very nice, I was very happy to see a new video uploaded. And this was an interesting one too. Thank you kindly for sharing it.
Absolutely thrilling story, thank you.
Simon, I saw you had recently posted this and was looking forward to it. Flaxman Low is new to me and discovered a new occult detective. But I must give you a special thanks because shortly before bedtime I developed symptoms of what could only be food poisoning. It wasn't violent but kept me up all night. After your new story I just went down the whole playlist. You made a miserable night bearable. I go so absorbed in your great readings I was able to forget my symptoms a bit. Your stories are much healthier than medications but they are also quite addictive.
So sorry to hear you've been unwell Angela, I hope you're fully recovered now? Glad to know the stories helped to provide you with some distraction.
@@BitesizedAudio Yes better. I followed my gut instinct (pun intended) and only had a few bites of the suspect food so it passed quickly. Thank you.
Thankyou for reading and uploading this. I have enjoyed many of your stories - you are an excellent reader. I am sorry to hear of the difficulties you are having with your TH-cam site at the moment. I sincerely hope it gets sorted out as soon as possible so that you can continue what you do so well.
Excellent, per usual, Simon
I do enjoy this channel & your wonderful narration Simon. Thank You.
Glad to know that Robert, thank you!
Seriously a pleasure, excellent story really well read... superb. Thanks for this and I'll be sure to have a good look at the channel for past and future stories...again, very much obliged.
Kind of you to say so, thank you Edward! I hope you enjoy some of the other stories (and more to come)
@@BitesizedAudio I've absolutely no doubt that I will sir✌️🏴
Excellent audio story
Im glad I found this channel. Victorian horror grabs me by the boo boo. The fizz, for real tho.
I'm glad you found your way here too, thanks for listening
Yet another beautifully read story.
I listen just before bed, and your voice is so soothing, I find that after listening I am ready to settle down for sleep. Thank you this is of great service for me
Thank you Josephine, glad to help. And I see you've recently joined as a channel member, thanks so much for your support. I hope you enjoy the bonus stories (links on the membership tab)
Wonderful Simon as always.😊
Thanks Shannon
The material, while noteworthy on its own merits, provides fertile territory for Mr. Stanhope's vocal talents, not least of which is gifting a character with articulate expressiveness, some of which must needs be imagined and shared by the reader. (I tried to type that line not with my own writing "voice" but with the type of voice that makes Mr. Stanhope want to read it aloud.)
Extremely kind of you to say so, thank you!
Are we on a detective ghost binge I wonder? Excellent. Though the straight ghost story has it’s own equally distinctly appealing nature. Or did I miss one and only hear the detective ghost hunters? *Edit: I remember now, Basil Netherby. That said I took it as a bit of a detective style even though it wasn’t just cuz his friend was trying to find then help him etc.
Great stuff as always !
How fun was that?? So very interesting. Thank you once again for a lovely mysterious paranormal story.
Glad you enjoyed it, thanks Christie C
Ok, this was scary! Especially the bicycle chase.
Yes indeed. I think I'd have cycled the long way round....
Bravo 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thanks Tony!
@@BitesizedAudio …..Thank you Simon for the endless hours of high quality work you have furnished us with
*'sounded like a sick cow'* Ha! Luv it *THX Simon Stanhope*
Narration truly sparks the imagination!!
Thank you. I enjoy your audio books.
Awesome stories, thank you 😊
Wow, listening to this after I felt an earthquake early this morning, lol.
Great story, thankyou.
Hmm, keep your eyes out for any mysterious and very tall strangers.... but do stay safe! Thanks Catherine
@@BitesizedAudio yeah,I'll pass on playing with that thing, lol
Excellently read, as always. The scientific, rationalist, common-sensical outlook is superbly blended with its opposite in this story. As Ukraine is pulverised by enemies using cave-man logic, we hear the story with new appreciation of what slim protection science, rationality and common-sense offer. All it takes is an earthquake....
Quite so. Thank you Peter, appreciated
Thank you very much.
Thank you!
You're most welcome! Thanks Marisa
Genius. Loved it.
Excellent, thanks so much for your work.
Well, I am late!!! I am sorry, Simon, but life happens
It was wonderful as always.
I had forgotten about elementals .
I really really love your ghost story readings and your accent. Always so beautifully read, thank you.
Wow I cannot compete with any of this I actually just love this and I listen to you almost every single night sir ❤️
Thank you Gina, appreciated!
@@BitesizedAudio whoever you are I absolutely adore you
Love the story, and your narration is perfect.
Thank you kindly!
Another great story, Simon
Wonderful listening to this whilst recuperating from a hip replacement (afternoon nap essential!). Only problem is that my husband is fed up with me going to bed with another man. Keep up the good work, love the stories
I left the UK as a child and I revel in hearing the great variety of British accents. I chortled with glee at the glottal stop abounding in a commercial reading. :-)
More from this author please! Proper creepy 😱
I have more from this writing partnership on my to-do list for the months ahead
Thanks!
I enjoyed this reading very much. Thank you!
Glad to know that, thanks Eliza
“I’ll deal with him this time effectually!” exclaimed the Colonel. “I’ll slip out the back way, and lie in the hedge down the road by the field gate. You two must chivy him out to me, and when he comes along, I’ll have him against the sky-line and give him a charge of No. 4 if he shows fight.”
Loved it!
Thank you!
good tale. thanks, Simon. you always make me feel safe - i have no idea why :) (i get anxiety attacks - so listening to you helps. i don’t know exactly what’s going on in this story as to what the “ghost” is, but it just makes it more mysterious. thanks again. keep safe :) 🌷🌿🌼
I do agree! Excellent narration and voices. I am right there. Intriguing points in this story. Could there be some truth to the notion of "elementals?" And then there is Bigfoot and other strange creatures haunting deep woods and forests. Also, trolls, dwarfs, leprechauns. Remember stories like Rumplestiltskin? I do wonder.
Thank you Suzanne. Yes, plenty to ponder on in this one...
Listening from the ukwales❤
Very creepy but a great story, Many thanks Simon
Very creepy but very old very good thank you so much
This is very interesting - I haven't heard of this character.
Yes, as far as I can tell Flaxman Low is the first example of the paranormal detective, but he's fallen into relative obscurity in comparison to later characters in a similar vein, such as John Silence and Carnacki.
Well now. I live in Sunny Southern California where we have our share of earthquakes and tremors, and I can tell you that we do not have Elementals walking around here bothering the local residents!
Glad to hear it Kimberly!
You Are The Horowitz 🎹 Of Narrators !!!!!!!!!!
Alone at night. Few beers. And this.
If you revisit Sherlock Holmes, sir, I hope you do "The Red-Headed League." One of Holmes' greatest triumphs and such a variety of characters to voice: Holmes, Watson, the red-headed client, the copper, the bank chairman and the criminal aristocrat John Clay, I don't recall if Moriarty appears in the flesh in Conan Doyle's text, (he does in the Thames TV episode) but he is pulling the strings as Holmes is well aware.
Thanks for the suggestion Cryptonite. Actually, The Red-Headed League is one of my personal favourite Sherlock Holmes stories and I'd certainly like to record it at some point. I've not got any more Holmes in the pipeline just at the moment but will certainly bear this one in mind. I don't know if you've heard Greg Wagland's readings of all the currently available stories (there are still a few more stragglers not yet in the public domain) on his Magpie Audio channel? They are excellent, and I thoroughly recommend to all Holmes enthusiasts. Regarding Moriarty, no he doesn't make an appearance in this story - actually because this was one of the very earliest stories I'm not sure that Conan Doyle had even dreamt up Moriarty at that stage - but AFAIK it was the Granada screenwriter's (brilliant) idea to make him the power behind the plot in their adaptation, as a way of introducing him before the next episode, 'The Final Problem'. It worked fantastically well, and I think really elevates the story, which was already a very good one, incorporating the slightly dotty plot idea into something larger and more sinister. It really was a great series/adaptation, especially in those early years.
Right you are. I guess the Jeremy Brett episodes superceded my memory of the original stories. Eric Porter was a fantastically sinister Moriarty. I wonder what the Stanhope treatment would sound like. Perhaps one day we'll find out.
I am so envious of the vintage port.....
Yes indeed, I'm partial to a glass myself occasionally....
Interesting that there were X-Files stories such as this long ago. It makes me wonder what stories such as these were told long before in pre-history and before there were written languages.
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing! New subscribe here 👍
Welcome, and thanks for subscribing!
excellent story, and so wonderfully read. so much appreciation.
does the author look like a human Woody, the cowboy doll of toy story?
gasp at the end being in parts of london...
GASP! spring heeled jack type?!
Could be! I had a similar thought...
I am Addictive to your story telling yours Mohammed Hussein Sheapheards Bush
Sea of adventure
Adrenaline rush 😮❤
Me too!!!
Dear Simon, I hope you see this soon, my membership has been “paused”! What does this mean? All my billing info is update and I made no voluntary changes to my membership. So frustrating! I remember some time ago when YT canceled my membership to your channel without my permission. If you have any ideas or advice on why this is happening please let me know. Thank you
You may have read of Simon's recent troubles with TH-cam. There are several notes, and a video, he has written here as explanation. He is challenging his right to monetize his work.
I wish to know more about elementals.