The weekly Anglo-African., 1860-06-02
THE MANIAC PASSENGER.

II never looked death in the face but
once" said Aunt Mary, "and that was
some years ago, while riding in stage
coach in one of the Northern States"
40, tell us about it." said Ellen, Chow
did it happen I"
"Get your work, dear, and sit down, and
I'll tell you the story. You may, pur-
chance, learn lesson from it, as 1 did"
II had been spending some time in
Northern State, when / was informed that
dear friend lay at point of death. l
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.
The stage was some hours late A wheel
had been broken, and while it was being
repaired, the driver had spent the time
with some boon 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 | did not know this
at the time, or should never have dared
to start with him.
There was but one passenger beside
himself, gentleman some thirty five years
of age, whose whole demeanor and perso-
nal appearance at once gave me the idea
of great strength of intellect, a well.culti-
waited mind, and heart full of generous
sentiments and Noble impulses. was at
first well pleased with my travelling COM
paniOn. Never have | met an individual
who possessed such wonderful converse
tional power as he displayed during the
first hour of our ride. He not only talked
himself, but he actually made me talk with
him. | was charmed with the surprising
ability with which he drew forth, one af-
ter another, the treasures of his richly fur
nished mind, and astonished at the consum-
mate tact with which he contrived to make
me express my own feelings and thoughts
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 bril-
liant, and in his eye burned brighter
light, | involuntarily wished myself at
home.
Balancing out the window, perceived
that we were just commencing the descent
of what was then called the dug way 1t
was upon the side of a steep hill, where
the road, for some distance, was dug out
Of the hillside, and rising obliquely from
deep river at the bottom, wound upward
amid thick forest, where, at that time,
no human habitation could be found. The
shadows of evening were falling around us,
and soon after we entered the wood, it be-
came so dark that 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 car
riage to keep from falling. He managed
however, to regain his seat; but, Judge of
my feelings, if you can, when / saw him
draw from bis pocket pint bottle
and apply it to his lips.
'Ha, ha, friendP exclaimed my com.
panion, don't be selfish now, pass your
bottle this way, if you please
1.-The driver turned and handed down
the bottle. Just at that moment the hor-
ses started, 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 l strove
to crush it. Failing in this, l caught it.,
and.would have hurled it from the window,
but strong hand arrested the movement
By this time the driver had stopped his
horses, and looking down, demanded his
bottle. Up to this moment the idea of in
sanity had not occurred to me. But the
fendish look upon the mans face, as he re-
fused to give up the brandy, convinced me
that had now to deal with maniac as
well a drunkard.
The driver became angry, and with
oaths and imprecations, demanded an in
slant surrender of his property. With a
frown, BETTING demon, it was again re-
fused.
III just see about that, SIR exclaimed
the driver, now perfectly beside himself
with passion.
Shaking his fist in impotent wrath he
again dismounted, and proceeded with tot
tering steps to open the door, to reclaim
his precious treasure. Meanwhile the
frenzied man quickly placed it in the breast
pocket of his coat, and the moment the
door was opened he sprang upon the driver,
hurled him to the ground, leaped upon his
seat, gathered up the reins, and ere l had
recovered from my surprise we were dash
ing down the hill at fearful rate.