Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-10-13
A Night Ride.
BY CLARA AUGUSTA.

ger III lne Uall-slaBe Wnlch runs between
B--and Ain the extreme north
ern part of New Hampshire, Some wild
chimera had seized me to pay visit tc
an old aunt of mothers who resided al
A.; and as ! had will of my own
and little to fetter my inclinations, sci
forth, one fine October morning. on my
somewhat eccentric journey.
1t was my first essay at travelling
alone and before The close OF the Sec
ond day, | had grown quite nervous from
contact with bullying hackmen and bag
gage>masters, and inquiring of porters
and conductors after the welfare of my
trunk and valse.
But, at the end of the fourth day, ]
felt like congratulating myself. | had
left railways and steamboats,, and, with
my luggage in hand, was bestowed in an
old,fashioned stagecoach, which would
take me past the very doorstep of my
aunt. ....
enjoyed the ride exceedingly. The
scenery was delightful, the weather fine,
and the passengers, for the most part,
just the sort of people one can take COM
fort with.
Then there was a novelty in this man
ner Of travelling perfectly charming to
me. A stagecoach is Cosmopolitan and
one is not bound 20 keep his mouth shut,
and bis thoughts to himself, for fear Of
making breach in the walls of etiquette.
The day passed pleasantly. We dined
at primitive tavern, took on fresh
horses, and pursued our way. As night
approached, however, the passengers be-
gan, one by one, to drop off, until only
myself and two gentlemen remained.
One of these | fell unconsciously to
watching. His expression was fendish
He had dark, bearded face, ami caver-
nous gray eyes, over lung with masses
of black eyebrows and his short, tgis-
ting hair reminded me of porcnpines
qcills. .s
The more looked at him, the more
timid / grew. / made up my mind, that,
if he did not alight at the next stopping
place, should go no further until morn.
ing.
The other gentleman | could not see
much Of He was slightly built, and of
medium height; but bis face was SO close
y mufllsd up in the shawl he wore, that
nothing was visible beyond pair of dark,
strangely brilliant eyes.
The stage came to halt before A,
which was the terminus.
The older man got off, and took his
portnanteau with him. felt glad enough
to have shouted aloud for now | could
GO on to my aunt's that night; and, to
confess the truth, ] had read So many ro
mances, that | had sort of horror Of
country inns. The sight of one always
suggested mysterious trap.doors, and slid
ing panels, and greedy landlords.
The driver, good natured fellow, but
deaf as post, looked in.
'Will you stop, miss, or go on ?
4 will 60 on j shouted at the top OF
my voice.
Hey p cried she.
She says she will go on said the
young man with the black eyes, kindly
coming TO my assistance.
We'll, just as she likes said the dri-
yer, buttoning his coat. Its a good
fifteen miles to A., and over the
roughest road in the state, and most of
the way through the wood. Pears as if
1Cu ~ DC ipbtSVhC' o.. H5a."
And then he slammed the door, and
fastened it with the consequential air
habiiual to stagedrivers the world over.
We had taken fresh pair uf horses.
and were off at round pace down the
stoniest road | have ever seen, the old
vehicle twisting and bouncing about in
manner wholly indescri5able, and any
thing but agreeable. a ..l
A dim starlight began TO reign. The
last gleam of red faded from the west
just as we entered the level plain Of pine.
forest which extended unbroken f o r
miles and, in spite of myself, vague
foreboding of something fearful crept
over me.
Iielt the need of human companion
ship. ] wished my fellow-trayeller would
say something. That dull monotony was
Even the driver had ceased
to his horses, and the crack Of
bis whip was totally silent. --
The silence became uncomfortable. I'll
opened my lips to speak to my compan.
ion, bat closed them again, restrained BY
The suggestion that he might think me
forward and immodest.