Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1855-03-01
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By THOMAS hoop.

tasking one animal with the labor of two
And, in either case, should your horse think
proper to die on the road you have no suryi-
yor to drag your carriage through the rest of
the stage; or to be sent off galloping with the
coachman on his back for a coadjutor. =
That was preciseIr AI;ss N orman' dilemma
IF : Ls~s~ sga1u be supposed TO harfsr saezsd-
u spise against his proprietor, should be-
lieye the one in question chose to vent his an
smosity by brea3hing his last just at the spot
where it would cause most annoyance and in
convenience. ea ~
1t was just at this moment that came up
with my gig, and knowing something of the
lady's character, halted, in expectation of a
scene. Leaving my own bay proceeded to
assist Humphrey the coachman, in extrica-
ting his horse; but the nag of royal line was
stone dead. -r as
- sf YOU please, ma am, ''s said Humphrey,
q Plantyginit be dead" The lody acquiesced
with the smallest nod ever made. -
g I've took off the collar, and the bit out,
and got un out O. harness entirely; but-he be
as unanimate as his own Shoes and the in
formant looked earnestly at the lady to observe
the effect of the communication. But she
never moved muscle; and honest Humph-
rey was just shutting the coach door, to go
and finish the laying out of the corEgc, when
he was recalled. ~
i" Humphrey p s
What's your pleasure, ma'am =
g Remember, another time-" sse -
- Yes ma'am."
s. When horse of mine is deceased
g. II es, ma am
:. Touch your hat.''
The abashed coachman instantly paid up
the salute in arrear Unblest by birthright
with self7possession, he had not even the ad-
vantage of experience in the first families,
where he might have learned little from
good example; he was raw, uncouth coun-
try servant, with the great merit of being
cheap, whom Miss Norman had undertaken to
educate; but he was still SO far from being
proficient, that in the importance of announ-
cling the death to his mistress, he omitted one
of those minor tokens of respect which she al
SO vigorously exacted.
1t was now my own turn to come forward
and as deferentially, as if she had been indeed
the last of the Conqueror's Normandy pippins
rendered seat 10 my chase, which she ta-
city declined, with gracious gesture of head
and hand.
:. If you please, ma am" said Humphrey,
taking care to touch his hat. and shutting his
head into the carriage SO that might not
overhear him, .'be's respectable kind of
gentleman enough and connected with some
of the first houses"
The geDtleman's name?"
ss To be sure. ma'am, the gentleman can't
help his name," answered Humphrey. fully
aware Of the pcesliar preadices o. bis mis-
tress; but it be HuggiHs."
.sShut the door I''
1t appeared, ON explanation with the coach
man, that he had mistaken ne for a person in
the employ of the opalens firm of Naylor 81
Co., whose province it was to travel through
out Britain With SAMPLES of hardware IN the
box-seat of bis gig. / did not take the trou-
ble to undeceive him.
After tole1ably long pause on all Sides.
my expectation was excited By the appearance
of the W coach coming through the Binn
Gate, the only public vehicle that used the
road. At sight of the dead horse the driver
(the noted John Wade) reigned up--alightcd
hat off, as if be knew his customer, made an
offer of his services.
Bat Miss Norman, more digniied than ever,
waved him off with her hand. Jem became
more pressing, and the lady moro rigid. g She
never rode" she condescended to say, I" in
PUBLIC vehicles" Jena entreated again; but
z. she was accustomed to be driven by her OWN
coachman-"
It was In vain that in answer lie praised the
quietness of his team, the safety of his patent
boxes. besides promising the utmost steadiness
and sobriety on his own part. Miss Norman
still looked perseyeringly at the back of the
coach-box; which, on an unlikely assurance
that g he would take as much care of her as
of his own mother, she exchanged for stea-
dy gaze at the side window, opposite to the
coachman, SO long as he remained in the pres
ence
By your leave, ma'am,D said Humphrey,
putting his hand to his hat, and keeping it
there s. Mr. Wade be a very ciyil-spoken,
careful whip. and his coach loads very respec-
table society There's Sir Vincent Bali on
the box
:. If Sir Finccnt chooses to degrade himself,
it Is no rule for Me, retorted the lady, with
out turni ag her head when loi Sir Vincent
appeared himself, and politely endeavored to
persuade her out of her prejudices 1t was
useless. Miss Norman's ancestors had one
and ali expressed very decided opinion
against stage coaches, by never getting into
one and she did not feel disposed to dis
grace line longer than common, by riding
In any carriage but her own.a
or nneent bowed and retreated So did
.em !" ade- The stage ratified away at an
lnelgnant gallop. By way Of passing the time.
three repeated my offers to the obdurate
old maiden, and endured as many rebufgs.sasI
was contemplating fourth trial. when 3 s;e-
nal was made from the carriage window. and
Humphrey. hat IN hand, opened the door.
Procure me poet-chaisc .