The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-04-27
OVER THE AELEGHENFES.

In the fall of 1916 | was travelling
Eastward in a stage-coach from Pitts
burg over the mountains. My fellow
passengers were two gentlemen and q
lady. The elder gentleman's appear
ance interested me exceedingly. In
years he was about sixty, in air and
manner he was calm, dignifed and
polished; and the contour of his fea-
lures was singularly intellectual.-He
c0nversed freely on general topics I'M
til the road became more abrupt and
PERCEPTIONS, but on my directing his at
tenti0n to the great altitude of Il preci-
pice on the verge Of which our coach
wheels were leisurely rolling, there
came marked change over his c0unte-
nance. His eyes so lately filled with
the light of mild intelligence, became
wild, restlesss and anxious; the mouth
twitched spasmodicalIy, and the fore
head beaded with cold perspiration.
With sharp, convulsive shudder, he
turned his gaze from the giddyheight,
and clutching my arm tightly with
both hands heclung to omelikea drown
ing man.
use this cologne" said the lady,
handing me a bottle with the instinct
i've g00dne Of her sex.
sprinkled Iittleon his face, and he
soon became somewhat more compo-
sed; but it was not until we had ira
versed the mountain and descended to
the country beneath, that the fine fea-
lures relaxed from their perturbed look,
and assumed the placid, quiet dignity !
had firstnoticed.
Il owe an apology to the lady" said
ne with bland smile and gentle incli-
nation Of the head to our fair compan-
ion, ''and some explanation to my fel-
low travellers also, and perhaps | can
not better acquit myself of the double
debt than by recounting the cause of
my recent agitation"
at may pain yourfeelings," ," delicate
Iy urged the lady.
"On the contrary, it will relieve
them" :" was the respectful reply.
Having signified our several desires
to hear more, the travelerthen proceed
ed:
"At the age of IS, | was light of foot
and | fear, here he smiled), light of
head.-A fine property on the right
bank of the Ohio, acknowledged me
sole owner. l was fastening home to
enjoy it, and delighted to get free from
college life. The month was Octo-
Der, the air was bracing and the mode
Of conveyance a stage coach like this,
only more cumbrOus. The other pas
sengers were few-but three in allan
old, grey headed planter Of Louisiana,
his son, and his daughter, joyous, be-
witching creature, about fifteen years
of age. They erejust returning from
France, Of which the young lady dis
coursed in terms so eloquent as to alb
sorb my entire attention.
The father was taciturn, but the
daughter vivacious by nature, and we
soon became 50 mutually pleased with
each other, she as a talker, | as listen
er, that it was not until sudden flash
of lightning, and a heavy dash of rain
aginst the coach window elicitedan eX-
clamation from my charming cOmpan-
ion, that | noticed how the night pas
sed on. Presently there was low
rumbling sound, and then several peals
of thunder, accompanied by successive
flashes of lightning. The rain descen-
ded in torrents and an angry wind be-
gan to howl and moan through the for
| est trees.
| looked from the windOwof our We
hicle.-The night was as dark as ebony,
but the lightning revealedthe darkness
of our road. We were on the edge of
a frightful precipice. | could see it at
intervals, huge jutting rocks far down
on the sides, and the sight made meso-
licitous for the fate of my fair compan-
ion.-I thought of the mere hair
breadths that were between us and e.
ternity; a single little rock in the track
of our coach wheels, tiny billet OF
wood, a stray limb of tempest torn
tree, a restive horse, or acareless driver
any of these might hurl US from the
sublunary existence with the speed OF
thought.
"'Tis perfect tempest" said the Ia
dy, as / withdrew my head from the
window. "HowI love sudden storm.
There is something so grand among the
winds when fairly loose among the
hills. | never encountered night
/ I;Ira +hic hIYt pyrnniS YlaaCuifinpnt de-