The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1864-05-12

4he Two Travellers.
Some years ago two gentleman and al ady
had taken their places in the diligence from
Paris to Havre. One of the gentleman, M.
Mallaqnet, merchant Of the capital, as in
dolent ia mind as ~ body, slept profoundly
from the commencement; the other NJ.
Lussac. commercial traveller, person of a
very animated character, did not allow his
tongue to rest a single instant. Among
other things which he mentioned, he let it
escape that he had on him fifteen thousand
frances IN bank bills, and that the, greater
part of the sum was intended for the pur.
ches os colonial productions, aud the rest as
a present for his wife. ~ a
NJ. Mallaqnet, on the contrary, during
the rare intervals when he was fffciently
awake TO speak. said simply that he was
going to Havfe. IS Sa s,.s
The diligence arrived at Pontoise, where
the horses were changed As the road
from that point ascends, the conductor pro.
posed to the travellers that they should
walk up the hill. Lussac embraced the
proposal with pleasure, and, Mallaauet,
from politeness, affected TO be no less de-
lighted, though. in fact, he had no desire &c
pnt his legs in mo'ement. = l..9s as .7se
They both started up the hill, then, and
the diligence followed them.
! Soon darkness came on. Bnt the trav.
elers continued to hear the diligence rolling
behind them. At the end OF some time
they both remarked that they had wan
dcred from the right road. They wished
| to return thereto, but the sound of the
wheels no longer reached them. fhe in
dolent Mallaquet grew afraid Mutterinc
a few oaths, he began to march at more
rapid vatc. and this sudden change gave
birth in the soul of NJ Lussac TO a sombre
prescntiment. Remembering his in pru
dent avowal about the fifteen thonsand
frances which he had with him, the mos,
luoubrious ideas agitated his mind He
asked himself in terror whether this sus
pected companion had not plotted with Tho
conductor TO rob him in some solitary place
Perhaps, he also thought, another accom-
plice might he lurking in some spot near
ready to pounce on him. In truth, poor
Lussac deemed himself lost man; he de
termned therefore. to be on his guard.
With regard to Mallaquet, when he saw
Lussac become suddenly silent, he at once
conceived similar suspicious to thaee Of his
companion. He bad not, it is true, lik,
Lussac been guilty Of any indiscre,ion en-.
dangerng his own interests, but his pocket,
were filed with important papers, and the
asowal of his companion appeared to bin
now only an adroit trick to inspire hin
with confidence Keeping at as great dis
tance as possible from each other. the two
travellers watched each others movements
At last, a marsh coming in the way, forced
them into immediate contact on a narrow
path. The alarm and distrust went on in
creasing. Mallquet raised his hand to wipe
his brow, bathed with perspration. Lus.
tsac then stopped, thinking that he saw in
his companions hand an instrument o
murfe-. However, to brace his courage alit
tie. he likewise raised his hand to take .
pinch Of snuff Maaquet, seeing this, stoop
ed dowr to the muddy ground to escape ths
expected pis.o, shot.
After some time passed in the. anguish
lofthese mutual suspicions, -Lussac dste-
mined to give utteranoe to his dread in
words a3g as sFayqml
"We must" said he, be thoroughly on
our guard here. 1t Is the demon himself
who, has thrown ns on the high f.ad in the
middle Of the night, Fortunately it, we
meet with any misfortune or attack, there
is nothing to be found on me but empty
pockets" ssdsgs tsf
"Tndeed,n replied Mallaquet. ayou surely
forget the fifteen thousand frances Which
yon have with yeu. $40
"Oh that was all nonsense" cried Lus.
sac: my words on this point were the
merest windi Of course ! was only
|jpking.p r'aa ,sa ii s.sgs. pys sas
This speech did not fal to increase, the
terror Of Mallaauet. 5t. s7afss s1sss s. 'ag
ga swell, whatever happens" ne said. after
"a few moments hesitation. 81 am deter
mined not to yield til have fred my pis
tol as often as can.n - saesia
"Pistol!" exclaimed Lussac; "but do
you not tknow that il Is furhiddcp to carry
arms ?''
+ Forbidden, do you say p' continued
Malaqet, assuming an air OF great courage
there are resslute fellows. however, who
do not much regard--who, in fact, laugh at
such prohibitions" 5 87ag
This conversation was interrupted by the
trot q a horse; the rider was . postillion,
who told our travellers that they had gone
astray. and that they had. at least, a walk
Of two hours.to the nearest posting. station
Both, more alarmed than ever, sought relief
in furious oaths. .s
.Presently.a a carriage passed; MalIaquet