The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1849-05-31
NJ I S 9 e L L A N e U o S
From the Boston Olive Branch.
A Thrilling Story.

IN the fall of 1886, | was travelling
eastward in stage coach from Pittsburg
over the mountains. My fellow passen-
gers were two gentlemen and a lady. The
elderly gentleman's appearance interested
me exceedingly. In years he seemed
about thirty; In air and manner he was
calm, dignifed and polished; and the con-
tour of his features was singularly intel
lectual.
He conversed freely on general topics,
until the road became more abrupt and
precipitous; but on my directin his at
tcntion to the great altitude of precipice,
on the verge of which our coach wheels
were leisurely rolling, there came a mark
ed change over his whole countenance.
The eyes, so lately filled with the light of
mild intelligence, became wild, restless
aud anxious; the mouth twitched spas
medically; and the forehead was heated
with cold perspiration. With sharp
convulsive shudder he turned his gaze
from the giddy height, and clutching my
arm tightly with both hands, he clung to
me like drowning man.
Use this cologne said the lady, hand
ing me bottle with the instructive good
ness of her sex.
| sprinkled a little on his face and he
soon became somewhat more composed,
but it was not until he had entirely travers-
ed the mountain and descended to the level
country beneath, that his fine features re-
laxed from their perturbed look, and assu-
med the placid, quiet dignity had at first
noticed.
81 owe an apology to the lady, said he,
with bland smile and gentle inclination
of his head to our fair companion, 'and
some explanation to my fellow travellers;
also; and perhaps l cannot better acquit
myself of the double debt than by recount
ing the cause of my recent agitation
1T will pain your feelings delicately
urged the lady.
'On the contrary it will relieve them,
was the respectful reply.
Having signified our several desires to
hear more, the traveller thus proceeded.
AT the age of Is was light of heart,
light of foot, and | fear (here he smiled)
Light of head. A fine property on the
right bank of the Ohio, acknowledged me
as sole owner. | was Fastening home to
enjoy 1t, and delighted to getfree from col
lege life. The month was October, the
air bracing, and the mode of conveyance a
stage coach like this, only more cumbrous
The other passengers were few-but three
IN allan old rey-headed planter of Loui-
slana, his daughter a joyous, bewitching
creature about II years of age. They
were just returning from France, of which
country the young lady discussed in terms
so eloquent as to absorb my attention. The
father was taciturn, but the daughter was
Vlvacious by nature; and we soon became
so mutually pleased with each other-she
as talker, | as a listner-that it was not
until sudden flash of lightning and a
heavy dash of rain against the coach win
uow ELECTED an exclamation from my
charming companion, that noticed how
rapidly night had encompassed us. Pre-
sehuy there was low rumbling sound
ana tnen several tremendous peals oi
tnuhoer, 2 accompanied with flashes of light
nihg. fhe rain descended in torrents. and
an angry wind began to howl and moan
by turns through the forest trees. I look
ed out from the window of our vehicle. the
d night was dark as ebony, but the Iiobtn;no
revealed the dangers of the road, We
were on the edge of a frighdul precinice
could see at intervals huge jutting rock
iar away down its side, and the sightmade
me solicitous for the safety of my fan
companion. | thought of the mere hal