Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1869-11-04
Stleeteo mistella,ty.
TN THE MOUNTAINS.

our coach wheels were leisurely rolling,
there came marked change in his count
enance. His eyes, lately filled with the
ight of intelligence, became wild, restless
and anxious-the mouth twitched spasm.
otllcally, and the forehead was beaded With.
II cold Precipitation. With sharp, convul-
sive shudder, he turned his gaze from the
giddy height, and clutching my armstight-
ly with both hands, he chung to me like q
drowning man.
use the cologne" said the lady, hand.
ing me q bottle, with the instructive good
ness Of her sex
Isprinkled a. little on his face, and he
became more composed; but it was not un-
ii, wo had entirely traversed the mountain,
and descended into the country beneath,
that his fine features relaxed from their
ptrturbed look, and assumed the placid,
qniet dignity that had at first noticed.
II owe an apology to the lady" said he,
OF the head to our fair companion, ''and
some explanation, and to my 'fellow-travel-
or also; and perhaps cannot better acquit
myself Of the double debt than by recount
ing the cause OF my recent agitation"
at may pain your feelings" delicately
nrEed the lady. --..4is st!..'x
''On the contrary, it will relievs;them, I"
was the respectful answer.
Having signifed our several desires to
hear more, the traveller proceeded:
sat the age OF eighteen was light of
heart and fear (he smiled.) light Of head.
A fine property on the banks Of, the Ohio
acknowledged me sole owner. i was hast
euing home to enjoy it. and delighted td
get free from college life. The month was
October, the mir bracing, and the mode Of
conveyance, O stage like this only more
cumbrous. The other passengers were few
only three in all-ono. old, grey-headed
planter of Louisiana, his daughter, q joy.
Gus, bewitching creature, about seventeen,
aud his son, about ten Years of age.
''They had just returned from France, of
which country the young lady discoursed
In terms 50 eloquent as TO absorb my entire
attention. = 49,. - .a,- = -,
''The father was taciturn, but the daugh.:
ter was vivacious by nature, and we soon
became SO mutually pleased With each other
that it was not until a sudden aash;ot light
ming and heavy dash of rain against the
windows ELECTED an exclamation from my
charming companion, that know how the
night passed Presently there came q low.
ruulbling sound, and then several peals OF
thunder, accompanied by successive fash
es of lightning. The rain descended in
torrents, and an angry wind began to howl
and moan through the forest trees.
II looked from the window Of our vehi-
lightning showed the danger of our road.
We we're on the edge ola fearful precipice.
Icould see at intervals huge, jutting rocks
far away down its side, and the sight made
me solicitous for my fair companion.
thought of the mere hair-breadths that
were between US and eternity; . single lit
tie rock in the track of our coach Wheels, .
tiny billet Of wood, stray root OF . tenn
pest-torn trees, FESTIVE horses, or careless
driver-any Of these might hurl us from
our sublunary existence with tho speed Of
thought. i T. go. III; 80
"'Iis perfect tempest" observed tho
lady as l withdrew my head from the win
dow. ''How I do love sudden storm -
There is something grand about the winds
when fairly loose among the hills. I never
coenuntered night like this, but Byron's
magnificent description of q thunderstorm
in the Jura recurs to my mind. But we are
OH the mountain YETI" ~
Eyes, we have begun the ascent"
as it not said to be dangerous?"
t.By no means. u replied in as easy tone
as could assume. :
Il only wish, that it was daylight 80 that
we might enjoy the. mountain scenery
But what's that" and then covered her eyes
from sheetof lightning that illuminated
the rugged mountain with brilliant intens-
ity.
Peal after peal of thunder instantly sue
ceeded; there was very volume of rain
coming down at each other thunder burst,
and with the deeper moaning of an animal
ID dreadful agony breaking upon our ears
] found that the coach had come to q dead
halt.
"Louise. my beautiful fellow traveller,
became rs pale as ashes. She fixed her
eyes on mine with look Of anxious dread,
and, turning to her father, she hurriedly re-
marked:
1--WE are on the mountains"
II reckon we are," was the the uncon-
cerncd reply.
"With instructive activity put my head
through the window and called to the dri-
II, but the only answer was the moaning
of an animal, borne. past me by the swift
winds OF the tempest. seized the handle
of the door and strained in vain-t would
not yield. At that instant ! felt cold
hand in mine, and heard Louise family
nttic,late in my ear the following appalling
words:
1.-The coach is moving backward"
t'Never shall forget the fierce agony
with which tugged at the coach door, and
called on the driver in tones that rivalled
the blast OF the tempest, while the con-
yi@'ion was burning in my brain that the
con'l, was being slowly moved backward.
''Wi.nt followed was of such swift occur
Tcuce that it seemed to me like a frightful
dream.
81 rushed against the door with all my
force, but it withstood my utmost efforts.
One hide Of our vehicle was sensib)y going
down, down, down. The moaning Of the
aGanizcd animal became deeper, and knew
trohl his desperate plunges that il was one
OF our horses. Crash upon crash of thun.
der rolled over the mountain. and vivid
Fishes OF lightning played over our heads
b It's could see for u moment the old hunt
81 stand erect, with his hands on his son
and daughter, bis eyes raised to heaven,
and his lips moving as ifin prayer. could
see Louise turn hen ashy cheek toward me
the bold glance Of the boy flashing defiance
gcY that awaited him. There was u roll, q
.eepelnte plunge, a harsh, grating jar, o
sharp, piercing scream OF mortal terror,
ara had but time to clasp Lousie firmly
with one hand round her waist, and seized
the fsstcnings attached to the reof with the
ot'.'r, when We were precipitated over the
preeipice. ~.
IL can distinctly recollect preserving con-
Scimsncss for o few seconds Of time, how
r,,;.;1iy my breath was being exhausted,
J. q. Of that tremendous descent I soon lost
oil h,,ther knowledge by o concut sion so
VI ut that was Instantly deprived of all
tcrs, and motion.
Tie traveller paused, His features work
ed for a minute or two, as they did when
we were on the mountain; he passed his
bands across his forehead, as if in pain, and
then resumed his thrilling narrative.