The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-08-06
A School Girl who Drove a
Stage.
A TRUE STORY.

No happier school girls couj be found
than our company Of ten, fresh from the
vacation, and ready for the active duties
of another term. We found the stage
awaiting us at Hamilton, but were too
weary TO be conscious of our tedious ride
TO the Western Seminary. Soon it was
growing dark, and looking out we observ-
ed we were travelling a new road. Our
hearts sunk within us when We rcmcm-
bercd the bloated face of our driver -
Could it be that he had fallen asleep, and
left us TO the mercy and wisdom Of the
unguided horses
1t was even so, our now clumsy vehi
Gle jolted hithcr and thither over the
rough stones. Above there was signs of
a heavy shower. We were in gloomy
forest. lis topmost branches seem bend.
ing over US. as if inquiring into our sad
condition When could we emerge from
its impenetrable depth What new dan.
yer was before us On one side was IL
deep ravinc, the road narrow; and the
horses seemed TO have already lost all
presence Of mind. | was the youngest,
but largest of the company. Should |
see danger and, not be their protector
Heaven forbid | hurried to the horses,
and led them by our immediate danger.
The driver was stretched across his seat
in a state Of sound intoxication. and the
rens were on the ground. After several
attempts, | succeeded in climbing up TO
the seat. With great effort removed
him to one side; but this awoko linn.
The rain now poured down.
"Who are you ? he inquired.
The protector of these horses, this
stage, yourself and these young ladies'"
| answered.
" Who called you to lis Office p he
halfvacanly asked.
"Stcrn necessity" ! replied "Y1ur-
self asleep, the rcins on the ground, and
the stage on the verge of deep descent,
impcllcd me TO be the driver"
"lll drive myself" lie sal J.
What should answer My feelings
were aroused to the reality OF our sitna
ton, n,-an incorporate driver, now half
recovered from the effects of his dream
Never before hal | discovered the merit
Of that beautiful verse, - A soft answer
turneth away wrath" | told lin that
rum made II king incapable. Before !
wa, aware he was sound asleep. The
rain was falling fast bnt my sister hand
ed me an umbrella. With the rcins in
ono hand, nnd the umbrella in tho other
! drove rs best | could.
The restless driver soon awokc, arl
called for ''his bottle" Having found it
he was about to drink when stayed his
hand and said, ''do not drink it. 1t is
destroying your body and if persisted IN
will destroy your soul"
"Who made you Judge ?" he aekcd
" You must either drink yourself or va
cate this seat
A new difficulty was before mel Was
it not enough that had taken the drivers
seat Could be influenced by fear. by
a drunkard, to taste of the poison ,
There is in all things a right and wrong.
My heart beat convulsivcly. But one
alternative was before me. Either vacate
the seat and suffer the half conscious man
to drive over that dangerous road. drive
myself and drink his rum. "A'eer!"
my heart answered; "I can never tatse
it," - Nerer!' my mouth muttercd.
I" Do you persist p he sal !, fixing his
fiery eyes upon me.
- persist" ] replied.
lie gazcd at me for one half minate {;
and then one CLEAN of reason lit up hls
face, as he said, ''Whocver you are.
honor your decision | know | am una
bic to hold the reins; but, oh, this burn
ins thirst !"
"Drinl water" | said, "from Gods
gushing fountain"
While he WAS talking, contrivel to
reach the bottle with one hand and bid
ding him look at the gathering clouds,
tossed it out.
He dill not notice it, but proceeded to
tell me his story. He said he had grad
uated at one of our Western colleges ;
and it was there that he had contracted
the fearful habit
6 Break off at once" l replied. You
will never regret it,"
"Do you think can ?" he inquired.
81 am certain you can" replied.
" Look at me-" he said
! looked and beheld fearful face, yet
a well developed head and finely chiseled
forehead.
''ls your judgment now the same?" he
inquired.
at is" | replied
" Where did put my bottle ?" he said.
81 must have rum. There is nothing
that can satisfy me.
As he went hunting for it beheld over
the hill the glitteriDg dome of our semi
nary. Was it not providential, that, amid
additional dscouragements, the place of
my destination was in view
81 must have my rum," he continued,
"Could it have fallen out!'
told him that undoubtedly, If he
could not lind it, it must haye got out;
and if so was probably beyond recovery.
'But must have it" said he.
''Do not trouble me about what / can
not give yon," Iroplied When reach
the seminary l will give you something
better than rnm."
,'What i, il!' he eagerly asked,
"Iou shall know in time" | said.
''Proyoking !" saId he, THAT you will
] mt toll ma" and ba n,uttaraJ sOn,a Ia