The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-08-17
W I L D r | D E
4 stage Coach Narrative.

In the fail Of 1856, WIS travclin!
eastward in a stage coach from Pitts
burgh over the mountains. My fellow
travellers were two gentlemen and lady
The oldest gentleman's appearance in
terested me exceedingly. In years HI
seemed about fifty; in air and manner
he was calm, dignifed and polished, ant
the contour of his features was singu
larly intellectual. He convcrsed freel!
on different topics, until the road becam
more abrupt and precipitous; but on IN
directing his attention to the altitude o
a great precipice, on the verge of whicl
our coach wheels were leisurely rolling
there came a marked change on hi
countenance. His eyes lately filled will
the light of intelligence, became wild
restless, and anxious--the mouth twitch
ed spasmodically, and the forehead wa
beaded with cold perspiration. Witt
sharp, convulsive shudder he turned
his gaze from the giddy height, anc
clutching my arm tightly with boil
hands, he clung to me like drowning
man.
use this cologne" said the lady
handing me bottle, with the instructive
goodness of her sex.
I sprinkled little on his face, and h
became more composed; but it was no
until we had entirely traversed the noun
tain, and descended into the countr,
beneath, that his fine features relaXe,
from their perturbed look, and assumed
the placid, quiet dignity that l had a
| first noticed.
Il owe an apology to the lady," sale
he, with a bland smile and gentle incli
nation of the head to our fair compan
ion, "and some explanation to my fel
low-travelers, also and perhaps | canno
better acquit myself of the double deb
than by recounting the cause of my re
cent agitation"
ut may pain your feelings" delicatel,
urged the lady.
"On the contrary, it will relieve them,
was the reply.
Having signlded our several desires tx
hear more, the traveller thus proceeded:
cat the age of eighteen, was ligh
of foot, and fear Che smiled light o
head A fine property on the banks O.
the Ohio acknowledged me sole owner
1 was fastening home to enjoy it, anC
delighted to get free from college life
The month was October, the air bracing
and the mode of conveyance q stag,
like this, only more cumbrous. Th'
other passengers were few--only thre'
in all-one old gray-haired planter o
louisiana, his daughter--a joyous, be
witching creature, about seventeen-ant
his son, about ten years of age,
They were just returning from France
Of which country the young lady dis
coursed in terms so eloquent as to alb
sorb my entire attention. The fathe
was tacituln, but the daughter was viva
cious by nature and we soon became 81
mutually pleased with each other that i
was not until a sudden flash of lightning
and heavy dash of rain against th
window elected an exclamation from N,
charming companion, that knew how
the night passed. Presently there cam
q low, rumbling sound, and then severa
tremendous peals of thunder, accompa
MED by successive flashes Of lightning
The rain descended in torrents, and al
angry wind began to howl and moal
through the forest trees.
II looked from the window of our ve
hicle. The night was dark as ebony, bu
the lightning showed the danger of ou
road. We were on the edge>of q fright
full precipice l could see at intervals
hinge, jutting rocks far away down it
side, and the sight made me solicitor
for my fair companion. I thought Q
the mere hair breadths that were betwee
us and eternity; single little rock i
the track of our coach-wheels, tin
billet of wood, stray root Of 4 tempes
torn tree, restiye horses, or careles
driver, any of these might hurl US fror
our sublunary existence with the spec
of thought
cts perfect tempest" observed tll
lady. as 1 withdrew my head from th
window. "How l love sudden storm
There is something grand about tn
winds when fairly loose among the hill
I never encounter a night like this, br
Byron's magnificent description of
thunder storm in Jura recurs to- N
mind. But are we on the mountai
yet ?"
"Yes, we have begun the ascent"
''Is it not said to be dangerous ?"
"By no MEANS" l replied, in as easy
tone as I could assume.
81 only wish it was daylight so th:
we might enjoy the mountain scencr.
But what's that p and she covered he
eyes from sheet of lightning that illus
trated the rugged mountain with bri
liant intensity.
Peal after peal of thunder Instant
succeeded; there. was very volume
rain coming down at each thunder burs
and with the deeper moaning of an an
NAL in dreadful agony, breaking upo
our ears, / found that the coach ha
come to dead halt. Louise, my beal
tiful fellow traveller, became pale as ashe
She fixed her eyes on mine with loo
of anxious dread, and turning to her Fl
ther she hurriedly remarked:
1--WE are on the mountains ?"
~ reckon we are," was the unConcerl
ed reply.
With instructive activity, 1 put IL
head through the window and called ol
to the driver, but the only answer W;
the moaning of the animal, borne pa
me by the swift winds of the tempest
| seized the handle Of the door al
strained it in, vain-it would not yiel
At that instant felt q cold hand
mine, and heard Louisa family articula
in my ear the appalling words:
"The coach is running backwards"
Never shall 1 forget the fierce agor
with which | tugged at the coach doc
and called on the driver in tones tn
r rivaled the fierce blast of the tempes
+ whilst The conviction was burning in II
brain that the coach was being slow
moved backward! What followed W
of such swift occurrence that it seems
: me like frightful dream.
!. Irushed against the door with all n
forca Int If Withstood nv utmost