The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-02-07
SELECT TALES.
From Bentty's Miscellany.
THE MIDNIGHT DRIVE.

L was sitting one night IN the genera
coach-office in the town Of, rejecting
upon the mutability of human affairs, and
taking retrospective glance at those
times when held very different posi-
ton in tho world, when one Of tie por.
ters of the establishment entered the Of
Gee, aud informed the clerk that the coac!
which had long been expected, was in
sight, and would be at the inn in few
minutes. believe it was the old High.
flyer, but at this distance of time cannot
speak with sufficient Ger ainty. The
strange story am about to relate, occur
red when stage coaches were the usual
mode Of conveyance, anl long before any
more expeditions system of travelling had
engaged the attention Of mankind.
continued to sit 10y the fire ill the
coach arrived, and then walked into the
street to count the number Of the passen
gers, and observe their appearance.
was peculiarly struck Sith the appearance
OF one gentleman, who had ri'llcn as an
outside passenger. lie wore large black
cloak, deeply trimm ii with Grape; his
head was covered With black travelling
cap, surInountel with two or three Grape
rosetteS, and from which depon tel long
BLACK tassel. The cap WAS drawa so Ear
over his eyes that he had some difficult y
10 see his way. A black scarf was wrap.
ped round the lo.'er part OF his face, SO
that his countenance was completely con.
eealed from my view. He appeared anx.
i.us to avoid observation, and hurried in
TO the inn as fast as he couli. 1 return.
ed to the office and mentioned 10 the
clerk the strange appearance Of the gen
tleinan in question, but he was TOO Lnsy
TO pay any attention u what had said.
Presently afterwards portur brought
small carpct-bag into tho office, and
placed it upon the table.
"Whose bag is that, Tinms :" inquired
the cserk.
81 don't wish to be PERSONAL" replied
tho man, "but think it belongs To-"
and the fellow pointed at the floor.
you do no. mean him sureIyw said
the clerk.
"fes, do though 4; ut any rate it he is
not the gentleman take him for, he myL>
be u second cousin of his. for he is the
most unaccountable individual that ever
edapped my eyes on. There is not much
good in him, I'll be bound"
listened with breathless anxiety to
these words. Wien the man had finished
said IN him
"How was the gentleman dressed :"
''In black"
-'Had .ie cloak on?"
-Yes."
ats the man | saw descend from the
COACH" | said To the CLERK.
"Ehcre is he !" inquired the gentle
man.
"ln the Inn," replied the porter.
us he going to stay all njghti' iu-
qaireG.
Il dou't know
"lts very odd" observed the clerk, and
he put is pen behind his ear, and placed
himself in front Of tho FIRE; 'scFy odd, )" lie
sepeated.
at don't look wcll," said the porter /;
@:not at all"
Some further conversation ensued upon
tho subject, but rs il did not tend to throw
ANY light upon the parsonage in question
Ut is unnecessary for me to relate il.
A while afterward, tho clerk went into
the hotel to learn, If possible, something
more relative to this singular visitor. He
was not absent more than few minutes,
and when he returned his countenance, I
fanciej, was more se,late than usual.
asked him il he had gathered any further
Information.
There is nobody knows anything con-
corning him. he replied; "fsr when the
servants enter the room, he always turns
his oack towards them. He has not
spoken to a single individual since he ar
rived. There is man who came by the
same coach, who attcn,ls upon him, but
he does not look like q servant
"There is somcthig extraordinary in his
history, or am much deceived"
ri am quite Of your opinion" observed
the clerk.
While We were conyersing some persons
entered the Office to a,e places by the
mail, which was to leave early on the fol :
lowing morning. herenpon departet,
and entered the inn with the view of sat
isfying my curiosity, ifpossible, which was
now raised 10 tho utmost pitch. The
servanis, remsTked, moved about more
silently than usual, aud sometimes saw
two or three Of ihea convefsing together,
softo voce, rs though they did not wish
their conversation TO be overheard by those
aroupd them. knew the room that the
gentleman occupied, and steaIthiIy and
nnobsefyed stole Up 10 il, hoping to hoar
or see soune,hiHg that might throw some
light upon his character. / was not how
ever. gratifci IN either respect.
! hasiencd bsck 10 the olfise anil re-
sumel my seat by the fire. The clerk
anh were still conversing upon the sub-
j,cI, when one Of the girls came in, aud
,nfpr.aei mo that was 20 get horse
And gig ready Immediately. TO drive q