The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1855-01-24
A Thrilling Narrative

gers were two gentlemen and lady
The elder gen,leman's appearance inter-
es,ed me exceedingly. In years he seem
ed about thirty-in air and manner, he
was calm, digniGed and polished. and the
contour of his features was singularly in
tellectual He conversed freely on differ.
ent topics until the road became more ab-
rupt and precipitous on calling attention
to the great altitude of precipice, on the
verge Of which our coach wheels were
leisurely rolling, there came marked
change on his countenancs. His eyes,
lately filled with the light of intelligence,
became wild, restless and anxious-the
mouth twi,ched spasmodicaliy and the
forehead was beaded with cold rerspira-
ton. With a sharp. convulsive shudder,
he turned his gaze from the giddy height,
and clutching my arm tightly with both
my hands, he hung to me like drowning
man.
"Use this cologne" said the lady, hand
ing me a bottle, with the instn ctive good
ness of her sex.
sprinkled little on his face, and he
soon became more composed-hut 1t was
not until we had entiraly traversed the
mountain, IN and descended into the coun.
try beneath that his fine features relaxed
from their per,urbed look, aud assumed
the placid, quiet dignity that had al first
noticed.
81 owe an apology 10 the lady" said
he, with bland smile, and ge..iie incliaa-
ton Of the head to our fair companion,
land some explanation to my fellow trav-
eler, also; and perhaps | cannot better
ecquit myself Of the double debt than by
recounting the cause Of my recent agi,a-
! ton.
sit may pain your feelings dehcateiy
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 eighteen, was light OF
heart, light Of foot, and fear, (he sniled) }
light of head. A fine property on the
banks of the Ohio ackn wledged me the
sole owner was Fastening home to en-
| Joy it, and delighted to get free from a
college life. Tho mouth was October, the
air braoing, and mode Of oonveysnce a
stage coaoh like this, only more cumbrous.
The other passengers were few-only
three in alone al old grey headed plan
ter of Lousians, his daughter, q joyous.
bewltching creature about seventeen, and
his son abont ten years of age.
They were jus, returning from France,
of which country the young lady disooar-
sed in terms SO eloquent as TO absorb my
entire attention.
| The father was tac!turn, but the daugh.
ter vivacious by nature, and we soon be.
came SO mutually pleased with eaoh other
she as the talker, snd as the listener
that it was not until a sudden flash ot
! lightning and heavy dash of rain against
the windows ELECTED an exclamation from
my charming companion that knew how
the night passed us. Presently there came
a low rumbling sound, aud then several
tremendous peals of thunder accompa
MED by successive fashes Of lightning
The rain descended in torrents and ar
angry wind began TO howl and moar
through the forest trees.
| looked from the window of our vehi
Gle. The night was dark as ebony, bu
he lightning showedthe danger Of the road
) We were OH the edge of a irigh,ful preci
pice. lcould see, at intervals, huge jet
|ting rocks, far down its side, the sigh
made me solicltous for the safety OF IN.
8 fair companion. | thought OF the mer
hair bIead,hs that were between US an
Q eternity, single little rook in the track G
c our coach wheels--a tinny billit OF WOO
!. "a stray root Of tempest torn tree
rsstive horses, or careless driver-any
y these might hurl us from our sublunary 9,
). isteace with the speed of thought.
j. "'Tis perfect tempest" observed tn
J. lady, as | withdrew my head from the wiz
:, dow. "How love sudden storm J.
a there is something so grand among ii
!. winds when fairly loose among the hill
J. Inever encountered a night like this, b,
d Byron's magnificent description OF thur
- der storm in Jura occurs TO my mind
n But are we on the mountains yet g
J. Yes, we have begun the ascent"
20 "Is it not said to be dangerous f'
8 "By no msans,'' replied in Is easy
ut tone as could assume. aa.sa7
Of 81 only wish it was daylight, that '
se might enjoy the mountain scenery. b
Of what's that ~ and she covered her ey
ID from the glare Of a sheet OF lightning tn
" illuminated the rugged mountain with
be brilliant intensity. Peal after peal OF cras
re ing thunder instantly succeeded each OF
Sc err; there was very volume Of rain col
AZ ing down at each thunder burst, and> wi
ic the deep moaning Of an animal breaki
,le upon our ears, found the coach had cor
On to q dead halt.
n. Louise, my beautiful fellow traveller, |
u. came as pale as ashes. She fixed
Vi. searching eyes on mine with q look
a anxious dread, and turning to her faith
se hurriedly remarked-
ol,j 1--WE are on the mountains.
,e. 81 reckon we are, ,"was the unconcel
in ed reply.
rs With instructive activity put my he
ty. through the window and called to the
er. YER !; but the only answer was the moi
ey ing of an animal borne past me by
to swift wings of the tempest. ! seized .
re. handle of the door, and strained in VI
chl lit would no, yield a jo,. At that inst
en-. Ifelt cold hand on mine, and he'
null Louise's voice family articulstings Ia
om ear the following appalling words
at "The coach is being moved backyard;