The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-06-24
IN THE MOUNTAINS,

Iue mountains. My 1ellOW-travelerS were
two gentlemen and lady. The Oldest
gentleman appearance interested me ex-
ceedlngly. In years he seemed to be
about fifty; in air and manner, he was
calm, dignified, and polished, and the
contour OF his features were singularly
intellectual. lie conversed freely on diff
ferent topics, until the road became more
abrupt and precipitous; but, on directing
preclplce, on the verge of which our
coachwheels were leisurely rolling, there
came marked change on his counte
nance. His eyes, lately filed with the
light OF intelligence, became wild, restless
and anxious, the mouth twitched snas
medically, and the forehead was beaded
with a cold perspiration. With a sharp.
convulslve shudder, he turned his gaze
from the giddy height, and clutching my
arm tightly with both hands, he chung to
me like drowning man.
Use this cologne, y said the lady, hand
ing me bottle, with the instructive good
ness of her sex
sprlnkled little on his face, and he
became more composed; but it was not
until we had entirely traversed the noun
talns, and descended into the country be-
meath, that his fine features relaxed from
their pertnrbed look, and assumed the
noticed 1870 " ~ 9
Il owe an apology to the lady," said
he. with bland smile and gentle jncli-
nation of the head to our fair companion,
and some explanation, and to nv fellow
traveller also; and perhaps I cannot bet
ter aeGuit myself of the double debt. than
by recruiting the cause of my recent agi
tation."
1T may pain your feelings" deEcately
urged the lady.
"On the contrary, it will relieve
Them, was the respectful reply.
Having signifed our several desires to
hear more, the traveller thus proceeded:
AT the age of eighteen [ was high. of
foot, and | fear Che smiledl light of head.
"A tine property on the banks of the Ohio,
acknowledged me sole owner. / was has
tenIng home to enjoy it, and delighted to
get free from college life The month
was October. the air bracing, and the
mode OF conveyance, a stage like this,
only more cumbrous. The other passen-
gers we're tew-only three in all-one old
gray headed planter of Louisiaua, his
Daughter, a joyous, bewitching creature,
about seventeen, and his son about ten
years of age.
They were returning from France, of
which country the young lady discoursed
In terms SO eloquent as to absorb my en-
tire attention
The father was taciturn, but the daueh-
ter was vlyacious by nature, and we soon
became so mutually pleased with each
other, that 1t was not until sudden flash
OF lightning and heavy dash of rain
against the windows elected an exclama-
ton from my charmil companion, that
knew how the night had passed. Pres
emily there came low, rumbling sound,
and then several tremendous 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.
i looked from the window of our yehi
Gle. The night was dark as ebony, but
the lightning showed the danger of our
road. We were on the edge of fright
ful preciplce. l could see at intervals
huge, jutting rocks, tar away down its
side, and the sight made me solictous
for my fair companion. thought ofthe
mere halr-breadths that were between us
and eternity; single little roek in the
track of our coach wheels, tinny billet
OF wood, stray root Of tempest-torn
tree, FESTIVE horses, or careless driver
any OF these might hurl US from our sub
lunary existence with the speed of
thought.
lis perfect tempest" observed
the lady as | withdrew my head from the
window. How love a sudden STORM
There Is something grand about the winds
when fairly loose among the hills. [ never
encountered a night like this, but Byron s
magnificent description of a thunder
storm IN Jura recurs to my mind. But
are we on the mountains yet?''
Yes; we have begun the ascent
rs it not said to be dangerous?''
by no means, : | replied, in as easy
tone as / could assume.
1 only wish it was daylight, so that
we might enjoy the mountain scenery.
But what's that And she covered her
eyes from sheet of lightning that illus
trated the rugged mountains with bril-
liant intensity.
Peal after peal of thunder instantly
succeeded, there was a very volume OF
rain coming down at each thunder burst
and with the deeper moaning of an ami
NAL in dreadful agony, breaking upon our
ears, l found that the coach had come to
dead halt.
Louise, my beautiful fellow trayeler,
became pale as-ashes She fixed her eyes
On mine with a look of anxious dread,
and. turning to her father, she hurriedly
remarked.
we are on the mountains
Il reckon we are, was the unconcern-
ed reply.
With instructive activity, L put my head
through the window and called to the
driver, but the only answer was the
moaning of an animal, borne past me by
the swift winds of the tempest. I seized
the handle Of the door and strained in
vain, it would not yield At that instant
felt a cold hand in mine, and heard
Louise artlculate in my ear the following
appalling words:
The coach is moving backwards"
Never shall forget the fierce agony
With which | tugged at the coach-door.
and called on the driver 10 tones that ri.
vailed the fierce blast of the tempest
whilst the conviction was burning in nv
brain that the coach was being slowly
moved backward!
What followed was OF such swift occur
renee, that it seemed like frightful
dream.
l rushed against the door with all nv
force, but it withstood my utmost efforts
One side Of our vehicle was sepsiblv 90.
ing down, down, down. The moaning Of