The Republican journal., 1869-06-10
t. MAINE. THURSDAY, JUNE 10. 1869

and | could see the bold glance of the boy
flashing indignant defiance at the war Of ele-
ments. and the awful danger that awaited
him. There was roll, a desperate plunge
a harsh, grating jar, a sharp piercing scream
OF mortal terror and had but to clasp Louise
firmly with one hand around her waist, and
seize the fastenings attached to tile coach roof
with the other, when we were precipitated
over the precipice.
| can distinctly recollect preserving con-
sciousness for few seconds Of time. how
rapidly my breath was being exhausted, but
of that tremendous descent | soon lost all
further know ledge by a conclusion 50 violent
that | was instantly deprived Of all sense and
motion.
The traveller paused. His features worked
for a minute or two as they did when we were
on the mountain; he passed his hands across
his forehead as if in pain, and then resumed
his thrilling narrative.
''On a low couch in an humble room of !,
small country house, | next opened my eyes
in this world of light and shade. Joy and sor-
row, mirth and madness. Gentle hands sooth-
ed my pillow, gentle feet glided across my
chamber, and gentle voice for a time hush
ed all my questonings. | was kindly tended
by fair young girl of about sixteen, who re-
fused for while to hold any discourse with
lIlt. AAt oie Ilnulll2 lllSScIt
sufficiently recovered TO sit up, insisted ON
knowing the result of the accident.
''You We're discovered" said she, ''Sittng
on ledge of rocks, amidst the branches of Il
shattered tree, clinging to the roof of your
broken coach with one hand aud the msensi-
BILE form of q lady with the other"
"And the lady = | gasped scanning the
girls face with an carnesness that made her
draw back and blush
'And her father and brothers. impatient
ly demanded.
''We found both crushed to death ut the
bottom OF the precipice and we buried them
in one grave by the clover patch down in our
meadow
'Poor Louise! poor orphan God pity you.' y
L muttered IN broken tones, utterly uncOn-
scious that had listener
''God pity her indeed, SIR said She with a
gush of heartfelt sympathy "Would you
like to see hcr?" she added
found her bathed in tears for her kindred.
and she received me with sorrowtul sweet
ness of manner. | need not detain YOU by
describing the efforts | made to soothc her
grief but briefly acquaint You tl-at at last |
succeeded and twelve months after the dread
full occurrence which | have related we stood
at the altar as man and wife. She still lives
to bless me with her smiles. but on the ami
yersary of that terrible night she secludes her
self in her room, and devotcs the hours of
darkness to solitary prayer
Gas for me- added the traveller, while a
faint blush tinged his noble brow, 'as forme,
that accident has reduced me to the condition
of physical coward at the sight Of q noun
tain precipice.'
''But the driver" asked the lady passenger,
who had listened to the story with much at
tention, ''what became Of the driver, and did
you ever learn the reason of his deserving his
post?'
''His body was found on the road, within a
few steps of the place where the coach went
over He had been struck dead by the same
flash Of lightning that blinded the rcstive
horses"
And thus ended this thrilling and remark
able story of life