Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-11-30
A Thrilling Story.

In the fall Of 1885 was travelling eastward
in a stage coach from Pttsburg, over the noun
talns. My fellow travellers were two gentlemen
and lady. The oldest gen'eman's appearance
interested me exceedingly In years, he seemed
about fifty in air and manner he was calm,
dignifed and polished, aud the contour of his
features was slngularly intellectual. He con-
yersed freely on different topics, until the road
became more abrupt and precipitous; but on
my directing his attention to the great altitude
of precipice, on the verge of which our coach
wheels were lelsurely rolling, there came
marked change in his coHntenance. His eyes,
lately filed with the light OF intelligence, be-
came wild, restless and ;.axious-the mouth
twitched spasmodically, ana the forehead was
beaded with cold perspifa;ien. With sharp,
convulsive shudder, she turned his gaze from
the giddy height, and cluaching my arms tight
ly with both hands he cluug to me like drown
ing man.,
''Use this cologne, said the lady, handing
me bottle with the instructive goodness of her
sex.
I sprinkled little on his face, and he be-
came more composed but it was not until we
had entirely traversed the mountain, and de-
scended into the country beneath, that his fine
features relaxed from their perturbed look, and
assumed the quiet dignity that l had at first
noticed.
Il owe an apology to the lady, said he,
with bland smile and a gentle inclination OF
the head to our fair companion, and some ex-
planation and to my fellow traveller also; and
perhaps cannot better acquit myself of the
double debt than by, recounting the cause OF
my recent agitation. y
1T may pain your feelings, delicately urged
the lady.
''On the contrary, it will relieve them was
the reSpecttul reply
'.At the age OF eighteen was light of heart,
and fear The smiied) light OF head. A fine
property on the banks Of the Ohio acknowl-
edged me sole owner | was Fastening home
to enjoy it and delighted to get free from col
lege lite.
The month was October, the air bracing, and
the mode of conveyance, stage like this, only
more cumbrous. The other passengers were
few-only three In all-one old, gray headed
planter of Louisiana, his daughter, joyous,
bewitching creature, about seventeen, and his
son, about ten years OF age,
.sThey had just returned from France, OF
which country the young lady dlscoursed In
terms so eloquent as to absorb my entire atten-
ton.
sThe father was taciturr,, but the daughter
was vivacious by nature, and we soon became
SO mutually pleased with each other that 1t was
not until sudden flash of lightning and
heavy flash Of rain against the windows elected
an exclamation from my charming companion,
there came low, sound and then
several tremendous pc. OF thunder, accom-
panied by successive flashes Of lightning. The
rain descended In torrents. and an angry wind
began to howl and moan through the forest
trees -
Il looked from the window Of our vehicle
The night was dark as ebony, but the lightning
showed the danger of our road. We were on
the edge of fearful precipioa could see at
intervals, huge, jutting rocks, tar away down
its side, and the sight made me sollcltous tor
my fair companion. thought OF the mere
hair breadths that were between US and eternl-
ty; single little rock in the track OF our coach
wheels, a tiny billet of wood, stray root OF
tempest-torn tree, restive horses, or a careless
driver-apy OF these might hurl US from our
sublunary existence with the speed OF thought.
ss'Ts perfect tempest observed the lady,
as withdrew my head from the window.
',Ho | do love sudden storm There is
something grand about the winds when loose
among the hills. | never encountered night
like this but Byron's magnificent description
of thunder storm 10 the Jura, recaTs TO my
mind. But are we on the mountains yet q
eyes, we have begun the ascent.
SIS it said to be dangerous?'
ssBy no MEANS" I replied, in as easy tone
as could assume.
Il only wish it was daylight, SO that we
might enjoy the mountain scenery. hut what 8
that ?" and she covered her eyes from sheet
of lightning that Illuminated the rugged noun
! tain with brilliant intensity
"Peal after peal of thunder instantly sue
iceeded there was very volume of rain COM
Ing down at each thunder burst, and with a
deep moaning as Of an animal in dreadful ago
nv, breaking upon our ears, found that the
coach had come to dead halt.
Louise, my beautiful fellow traveller, became
as pale as ashes. She liked Der eyes on mine
with q look Of anxious dread, and turning to
her father. she hurriedly remarked
1--WE are on the mountains!'
| IL reckon we are, was the unconcerned re-
with instructive activity, l put my head