The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1861-03-28
sENTENCED---BJT NOT GUILTY.

I was travelling through the mountains
of Pennsylvania, in the latter part OF
February, IS Heavy stage coaches
were used for the purpose Of drawing the
travellers from point to point, and in or
der to make the enterprise pay, enormous
prices were charged and as many persons
hacked into one veliclc as it could pos
sibly accommodate. 1 was one Of those
unfortunate travellers, who are always
annoyed with inconvenionccs and never
satisfied with anything. 1 grumbled and
scolded much at the crowded state OF
our coach, and I don't know but | swore
alittle. / found fault with the agent for
selling $50 many tickets, and more than
could be comfortably accommodated
He answered, with complacent smile
aThere is plenty Of room, sir" This ex-
preston reminds ME, nowadays of our
citv railroad conductors looked at the
man With astern face, as much as to say
uDo YOU think 1 am fool, or do you
intend to lie?" Well, he merely pushed
the tail of my ovclcoat in after me and
closed the door. The whip cracked and
away we went-now-a-days, the whistle
blows and away we fly.
With considerable fuss I nestled myself
down in one corner, and felt as if |
would not speak tc q human being for the
next seventy years. I strictly adhered
to my morose resolution for 3 few hours
by keeping my eyes fixed on small win
dow by my. side, and observing through
it the gloomy aspect Of the weather at
length 1 was startled by q heavy sigh
and suppressed groan issuing from a
bunch of overcoats and blankets at my
side. | turned and looked at it, aad could
inst discern the features of q young man,
Of least he looked so to me- In the course
Of an hour he removed q portion OF his
blankets and sha'vls, and turning a pair
of fearful eyes upon me, asked how far it
was to the stopping place. # tor a mo-
ment / had been affected By the so:row-
ful look of his fare, l now felt my dan
der rise at question SO unreasonable
Did he take me ftran editor,that | should
know everything and evcrybody's busi-
ness, or for coach driver, who knows
by experience al. the land marks Of the
road and can calculate by the supposed
distance, how far and how long he must
drive before he can get his next dram.
..I don't know sir" replied, cmphat-
icallv, as 1 gave him a look black as
thunder cloud.
aAh! I mistoolz you, sir. I thought
YOU was stage driver
aYou impertinent scoundrel T! I" cried
making y hostile demonstration, for nc
other purpose, however, than merely tc
vindicato my honor. When I came sori
onsly to think the matter over, l found
my feelings welo not so deeply wounded
as 1 at first magined. Bat 1 determined
to maintain NY dignifcd position and
therefore continued to look as black as
possible.
The gentleman seemed to take no of
fence at my remark. but by his silence
seemed to acqliesce in the opinion L hac
expressed that he was scoundrel-~Tht
coach rolled Oh through the accumulatin2
snow, until it began to draw towarc
night, and had almost forgotten the in
dividual by my side.
AS we emerged from the mountain
gorge and entered . valley, with farm
houses scattered in every direction, my
spirits seemed to throw off the gloom anc
I fancicd 1 looked a little pleasant
evil you loan me your knife, mo
ment?Y cane, in mumbled sentences
from among The blankets, and at the same
time they opened like the mouth of {
crater, from which came the strong fumes
of brandy and tobacco. Now, I alway:
have been hater of brandy and tobacco
and especially the former when in too
small quantities, and when these fumes
attacked nv smelling apparatus, [ wa
again aroused But the request was 81
oentle could not refuse it, and handct
out nv knife. Tt was q dirk-l5nifs, and
properly used could be made q formidable
weapon of selfdefencc. He drew from
his pocket a huge piece of tobacco, an'
with my knife, and most especially tn
blade 1 always used for pairing apples
cutting cheese, &c. cut off chew of to