The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1871-04-30

"ssmetimes they do, Sometimes every other
day." he replied, bnt dead-heads must wait
until there's plenty of room W hen Pm around"
Don't you sometimes ask favors of this
roadp she said, again showing the conductors
"Well, suppose we do T. replied the man.
"The next time You. do SO, will you wait o
week or two to get an answer"
The man looked at her for few minutes,
surprised at her sharp reasoning, and then
laughingly said "Wsll, you're cute one. If
yon were boy, you would make bright ad.
ditiOn to Congress, or some other assembly of
the kind, when you grow up"
Il am only asking,@ replied Cecilia, what
my friend Mr.. jones said would be readily
granted. and if it wasn't, that should report
to him."
SIT is all right" answered the man, these
little favors are usual from one route to an
other. Ill send you over tomorrow or by
Monday, and in the meantime you can stay
ut my house, SO there will be no bills to pay"
@ Let her come in here" said an elderly gem
tletnan, leaning out of the coach window, I'VE
can crowd little. Let her come, she will not
take much room and will be warmer for
sitting close together"
eff there is no objection" said the agent.
approaching the stage, 81 would he very glad
to have her CO." y
"There was no objection, and so Cecilia was
placed in the coach beside the gentleman who
bad spGken is hsss The driver cracked ha i,i
good horses, which, being fresh, travelled the
first few miles at good pace In those days
trip across the mountains to Pittsburg was
quite tedious journey, and consumed from
three to ten days, according to the state OF
the roads. 1t was through bleak and cheer.
less country, where there were few marks OF
the progress of civilization. The road ran
through valleys overshadowed with gigantic
trees, or lined with deep, impenetrable forests,
of vines, briars and brush-wOod, interspersed
with groves of young trees; now it toiled up
steep, noun tainous pass, ran along the edge of
some high precipice, and descended into the
valley again with an abruptness that rendered
for the driver to lock the wheels secure enough
to keep the stage from running down the team.
AS they were driving up the valley, Cecilia,
who had been raised amidst the din and hustle
of great city, regarded everything with in
| terest. There had been q very light fall of
| snow, and the branches of the trees which
overhung the road almost forming o canopy,
as far as tho eye could SEQ in all directions,
was covered with it like a pure and spotless
mantle, and as tho sun fell on this shining sur
face, or here and there broke through the
openings, casting fancIful shadows on the
| ground, the road now running along the banks
| of little stream, the frozen surface of which
| shone like FURNISHED silver, OF where, covered
by the snow, like beds of fieecy down, the
| road then turning off into the deep forest, and
| again back to the margin of the stream, the
! girl was lost in silent admiration of the
scenery aud her face glowed with the pleasure
produced by the novelty of her position and
the ever changing panorama before her.
"a beautiful and romantic scene," said the old
gentleman, chow prettily the river winds
|
as that a riverf :" said Cecilia. al thought
little streams like that were called brooks
See, it is 80 shallow that the rocks stick NJ
| through the ice, and am sure if there was Nc
ice could wade across it without wetting thi
tops of my CATERS"
| Nevertheless, it is river" replied hel
companion, and nearer the sea is q nobi,
one, too. It is one of the most famous in ou
country and holds a bright place in our earl!
history"
"Yes-does it Z" said Cecilia, not caring t.
show her ignorance of history by venturing t.
name the stream.
"Yes, this is the Potomac, famous in song ant
story" he replied, con the banks of which
stands the capital of our country, and aroun'
which romance has thrown some of her mos
enchanting legends"
times in conversation and at others in silen
meditation. At night it was extremel
cold, and the stage tossed about SO tba
none of the party could sleep much. Tb
next day the mountains became more abrup
aud the horses toled aud struggled up thei
sides, making but little progress. At regula
stations the horses were changed and tn
) travellers were allowed time for meals, and o
, such occasions Cecelias little pocket none
. enabled her to purchase what she wanted, an
+ procure refreshments with the rest. On th
road the passengers frequently got out, an
D walked, both for the purpose of reducing th
: load, and to keep themselves warm. Progress
to the poor horses was so difficult that the
had no trouble in keeping up with the coacl
and in fact were often far in advance of
Night came on again, and they all kept the
/. places in the stage most OF the time, but it W;
p 80 bitter cold that they suffered very muc
although we'll muffied up in heavy clot
l., shawls aud blankets.
Ito be continued.)