The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1860-06-06


there is something SO grand among the
hills. | never encounter night like this,
but Byron's magnificent description Of a
thunder storm in the Jura recurs to my
mind. But are we on the mountain yet ~
Yes, We have begun the ascent"
"Is it not said to be dangerous ?"
by no means" replied, in as easy a
tone as could assume.
Il only wish it was daylight, that We
might enjoy the mountain scenery But
what's that ,' and she covered her eyes
from the glare of sheet Of lightning that
illuminated the rugged mountain with bril-
liant intensity. Peal after peal Of crashing
thunder instantly succeeded there was a
very volume Of rain coming down at each
thunder burst, and with the deep moaning
of an animal breaking upon our ears. l
found the coach had come to dead halt.
Louisie, my beautiful fellow traveller,
became as pale as ashes. She fixed her
searching eyes on mine with look of anx.
ious dread, and turning to her father. hur-
riedly remarked
Il reckon We are, was the unconcerned
reply.
With instructive activity l put my head
through the window, and called to the dri-
yer out the only answer was the moan.
ing of an animal, borne past me by the
swift wing Of the tempest. l seized the
handle Of the door, and strained in vain
it would not yield jot. AT that instant |
felt cold hand on mine, and | heard Lou
ise's voice family articulating in my ear the
following appalling words:
The coach as being moued back.
acard"
Never shall l forget the fierce agony
with which tugged at the door. and called
on the driver in tone that rivalled the
force of the blast, whilst the dreadful con.
viction was burning on my brain that the
coach aCas being mored backward.'
What followed was of such swift occur
renee that it seems to me like frightful
dream.
rushed against the door with all my
force. but it withstood my utmost efforts.
One side of the vehicle was sensibly going
down, down, down. The moaning of the
agonized animal became deeper. and
knew from his desperate plunges against
the traces that it was one of our horses
Crash upon crash of course thunder rolled
over the mountain, and vivid sheets Of light
ming played around our devoted carriage
as if in glee at our misery. By its light
could see for monent-only for moment
the old planter standing erect, with bis
hands On his son and daughter. his eye:
raised to Heaven, and his lips moving like
those Of one in prayer. l could see Lou
ise turn her ashy cheeks toward me as il
lmploring protection and | could see the
bold glance of the young boy flashing de-
6ance at the descending carriage, the wal
of elements, and the awful danger thai
awaited him. There was roll-desperatt
plunge. as if an animal in the last throe.
Of dissolution "a harsh, grating jar;
sharp, piercing scream Of mortal terror
and l had but time to grasp Louise firmly
with one hand around the waist and seizt
the leather fastenings attached to the coacl
roof with the other when we were precipi
tated over the precipice.
can distinctly recollect preserving con
sciousness for few seconds of time, hoy
rapidly my breadth was being exhausted
but of that tremendous descent / soon los
all further knowledge by conclusion g
violent that l was instantly deprived Q
sense and motion"
The traveller paused His feature
worked for minute or two as they di'
when We we're On the mountain he presse
his hand across his forehead, as if in pain
and then resumed his interesting narrative
"On low couch in humble rOom G
small country house l next opened m
eyes in this world of light and shade, jo
+ and sorrow, of mirth and madness Ger
tie hands smoothed my pillow, gentle fee
glided across my chamber. and geptl
voice hushed for a time all my question:
1 was carefully attended by fair youn
girl, about fifteen. who refused. for a lengt
Of time, to hold any discourse with m'
At length, one morning. finding lnyse
sufficiently recovered to sit up. insisted O
E learning the result Of the accident.
"You were discovered said she. " 81
.. ting on ledge of rocks, amidst the brancl
, es of shattered tree. clinging to the ro'
Of your broken coach with one hand. and
= the insersible form Of lady with the othe
"And the lady ~ 1 gapsed, scannin
, the girls face with an earnestness th
, caused her to draw back and blush.
"She was saved, sir, by the means th
$ saved you-a friendly tree"
"And her father and brother !' imp
q tiently demanded.
1--WE found them both crushed to piece
J, at the bottom of the preciplce. great ";
d below where my father and uncle Joe four
Q you and the lady. We buried their bo
dies both in one grave, close by the clov
!. patch. down in Our medow land"
= Poor Louisie, poor. orphan O.
: pity vou" l mu.tered in broken tone
it utterly unconscious l had listener
Q God pity her indeed. sir" said L
j. young girl. with a gush Of heart felt syl
y pa,by. Would you like to see her." S
Ie added
a Il found the orphan bathed in tears.
E. the grave of her buried kindred. She ,
y ceived me with sorrowful sweetness of ma
IN ner. I need not detain your attention
ID detailing the efforts made to win her fro