The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-02-23
Trust i'm God, or the Maniac
Passenger.

"I never looked death in the face but once"
said Aunt Mary, 'and that was some years
ago, while riding in a coach in one of the
Northern States.
80 tell us aboutit," said Eellen, chow did
it happens"
''Get your work, dear, and sit down, and
I'll tell you the story. You may, purchance,
learn lesson from it, as did"
l had been spending some time in North
ern States, when was informed that dear
friend lay at the point Of death. therefore
returned home with all possible speed, that
| might once more listen to that loved voice
before it should be forever lost in DEATH
1t was about two o'clock in the afternoon
when arrived at the hotel where was to
take the stage for home. 1t was the usual
hour for starting, and had feared that /
should be late but no: the coach was not
there. Hour after hour passed, but still it
did not appear. The Landlord said it was
certain some accident had happened, and
such we found to be the fact A wheel had
been, broken, and while it was being repaired,
the driver had spent the time with some born
companions at the tavern. On his arrival at
the hotel, about five o'clock in the afternoon
he again drank of the "maddening cup" and
placed further supply in his pocket. l did
not know this at the time, or | should not
have dared to start with him. As it was
Ientered the carriage without the least ap-
prehension ofcoming evil, or the slightest
presentment of approaching danger.
There was but one passenger beside my
self, a gentleman some thirty years OF
age, whose whole demeanor and personal ap-
pearance at once gave me the idea of great
strength of intellect, well cultivated mind,
and heart full OF generous sentiments and
impulses. was at first well pleased with
my travelling companion. Never have met
an individual who possessed such wonderful
conversational power as he displayed during
the first hour of our ride He not only
talked himself, bnt he actually made me
talk with him. was charmed with the
surprising ability with which he drew forth.
one after another, the treasures of his rich
ly furnished mind, and astonished at the
consumate tact with which he contrived to
make me express my own thoughts and feel
ing Still there was something in the flash
of his dark eye that made me feel i'll at ease.
! was not afraid, for saw nothing to fear.
Yet, as his remarks became still more bri-
liant, | involuntarily wished myself at home.
A vague, undefnable feeling came over me,
and shuddered as gazed at his animated
countenance and listened to Language which
could not but admire. To my excited i'm
agination he seemed something more than
mortal, and the thought Of Satan transform
ed into ian angel ofiight," was more than
once suggested to my mind.
CHANGING out at the window, perceived
that we were just commencing the decent Of
what was then called "the dug way" II
was upon the side Of steep hill, where the
road for some distance, was dug out of the hill
side, and rising obliquely from deep river
at the bottom, wound upward amid thick
forest, where, at that time, no human habi-
tation could be found. The shadows OF
evening were falling around us, and soon
after we entered the wood, it became so dark
the driver was obliged to stop and light his
lamps. To my utter dismay, | saw that his
step was unsteady, and he more than once
caught by the carriage to keep from falling.
He managed, however, to regain his seat
but, Judge Of my feelings, if you can, when
saw him draw from his pocket pint bot
tie and apply it to his lips.
:'Ha-ha, friend!' exclaimed my companion,
.'don't be selfish now, pass your bottle this
way ifyou please"
The driver turned and hande down the
bottle. just at that moment the horses star
ted, and the gentleman, who had risen from
his seat, was suddenly pitched forward
and the bottle fell to the bottom of the coach.
In an instant my foot was upon it, and with
all my strength strove to crush it. Fail.
ing in this, caught it and would have hurl
ed it from the window, but strong hand ar
rested the movement. By this time the dri
yer had stopped his horses, and looking down,