Middletown transcript., 1869-12-11
g Gmillino 3larratirt,
IN THE MOUNTAINS.

In the fall of 1886 was travelling east
ward in a stage coach from Pittsburg, over
the mountains. My fellow travellers were
two gentlemen and lady The oldest
gentleman's appearance interested me ex-
ceedingly. In years, he seemed about ff-
ty in air and manner he was calm digni-
fled and polished, and the contour of his
features was singularly intellectual. He
conversed freely on different topics, until
the road became more abrupt and precipt-
GUS; but on my directing his attention to
the great altitude of precipice, ON the
verge of which our coach wheels were lei
surely rolling, there came marked change
in his countenance. His eyes lately filled
with the light of intelligence, became wild
restless and anxious-the mouth twitchcd
spasmodically, and the forehead was bead
ed with cold perspiration. With sharp,
convulsive shudder, he turned his gaze
from the giddy height, and clutching my
arm tightly with both hands he clung to me
like drowning man.
''Use this cologne" said the lady, hand
ing me bottle with the instructive good
ness of her sex.
/ sprinkled little on his face, and he
became more composed; but it was not un-
til we had entirely traversed the mountain,
and descended into the country beneath,
that his fine features relaxed from their
perturbed look, and assumed the dignity
| had at first noticed.
81 owe an apology to the lady," said
he, with bland smile, and gentle incli-
nation of the head, to our fair companion
"and some explanation to my fellow tray
ellers also; and perhaps [ cannot better
acquit myself of the double debt than by
recounting the cause of my recent agita-
| ton"
"It may pain your feelings" delicately
urged the lady.
''On the contrary, it will relieve them,"
was the respectful reply
"At the age of eighteen I was light of
heart, and fear Che smilod) light of head.
A fine property on the banks of the Ohio
acknowledged me sole owner. I was has
tening home to enjoy it, and delighted to
get free from college life.
1.-THE month was October, the air bra
cling, and the mode of conveyance, stage
like this, only more cumbrous. The 9TH
er passengers were few-only three in all
-one old, gray-headed planter of Louisi-
ana, his daughter, a joyous, bewitching
creature, about seventeen, and his son, a.
bout ten years of age.
"They had just returned from France, Of
which country, the young lady discoursed
in terms SO eloquent as to absorb my entire
attention.
The father was taciturn, but the daugh-
ter was yivacious by nature, and We soon
became so mutually pleased with each 9th
er that it was not until sudden flash Of
lightning and heavy dash of rain against
the window elected an exclamation from
my charming companion, that knew how
the night passed. Presently there came
a low, rumbling sound and then several
tremendous peals of thunder, accompanied
! by successive flashes of lightning. The
rain descended in torrents, and an angry
wind began to howl and moan through the
forrest trees.
/ II looked from the window of our ve-
hicle. The night was dark as ebony, but
the lightning showed the danger of our
road. We were on the edge of fearful
precipice. could SEQ at intervals, huge,
jutting rocks, far away down its side, and
the sight made me solipito4s for my fair
companion. l thought of the mere hair
breadtbs that were between us and eterni-
ty; single little rock in the track of our
coach wheels, tiny billet of wood, stray
root of a tempest-torn tree, restive horses,
or careless drivcr-any of these might