The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1872-09-10


curiosity gratifed may have augmented
his accustomed embarrassment. Certain
it is Sam Rice had driven six horses on
ticklish mountain for four years, without
missing a trip; and had more than once en-
countered the "road agents" without ever
yet delivering them an express box; he had
old and young ladies, plain and beautiful
ones, to sit beside him hundreds of times;
yet this was the first time he had consulted
the way-bill on his own account to find the
lady's name. This one time too, had a
Mrs. before it, which prefix gave him
pang which he was very unwilling to own.
On the other hand Mrs. Dolly Page was
dressed in extreme deep black. Could
she be in mourning for Mr.. Page? If De-
mon had an unusual number of starting fits
that afternoon, his driver was not altogeth-
or guilt ess in the matter; for what horse
so sensitive as he, would not have felt the
magnetism of something behind him?
But as the mocking eyes kept behind the
veil and the rich, musical voice uttered not
word through whole half hour which
seemed an age to Sam, he finally recover
ed himself SO far as to say he believed he
could not smoke, after all, and thereupon
returned his cigar, still unlighted to his
pocket.
"I hope you do not deprive yourself Of
luxury on my account" murmured the
soft voice.
81 guess this dust and sunshine is
enough for a lady to stand, without smok-
ing in her. face" returned Sam politely,
and glancing at the VEIL
"Still, / beg you will smoke ifyou are
accustomed" persisted the cooling voice be-
hind it. But Sam, to his praise be it spok-
on, refused to add anything to the dis
comforts of summer days ride across the
mountain. His chivalry had its reward;
for the lady thus favored, feeling constrain-
ed to make some return for such consider
alton, began to talk, in vein that delight
ed her auditor, about horses-their points
and their traits-and lastly about their
drivers.
"I have always fancied," said Mrs.
Dolly Page, "that if were a man l should
take to stage driving for profession. 1t
seems to me free and manly calling, one
that develops some of the best qualities Of
man. OF course it has its drawbacks
One cannot always choose ones society on
a stage, and there are temptations to bad
habits. Besides there are storms, and
upsets, and all that sort of thing. I've
often thought" continued Mrs. Dolly,
/" that we don't consider enough the hard
ships Of drivers, nor what we owe them"
81 shall like my profession better after
what you have said of it," answered Sam,
giving the whip curl to make it touch
the off leaders, right ear. "Ive done my
duty mostly, and not complained of the
hardships, though once or twice I've been
too beat out to get off my box at the end
of the drive; but that was in long spell of
bad weather, when the roads were just
awful, and the rain as cold as sno W.
"Would you let me hold the lines
awhile ?" asked the cooling voice, at last.
I've driven six in hand before.
Though decidedly startled, and averse to
trusting his team to such pair of hands,
Sam was compelled, by the physic force OF
the little woman, to yield up the reins. 1t
was with fear and tembling that he watch
ed her handling of them for the first mile;
but, as If she seemed to knew what she was
about, his confidence increased and he watch
de her with admiration. Her veil was now
up, her eyes sparkling and her cheeks
glowing. She did not speak often, but
when she did, it was always something
piquant and graceful that she uttered. AT
last, just as the station was in sight, she
yielded up the lines with deep drawn
sigh of satisfaction, apologizing for II by
saying, that her hands not being used to
it, were tired. "I'm not sure" she added,
but / shall take to the box at last as q
steady thing"
"If you do" responded Sam, gallantly,
~ hope you viii run on my line."
"Thanks. Ishall ask you for refer
ence, when l apply for a situation"
There was a halt, q supply of fresh
horses, and prompt lively start. But
the afternoon was intensely hot and the
team soon sobered down. Mrs. Page did
not offer again to take the lines. She was
oyerwarm and weary, Mr.. Rice was quiet
too, and thoughtful. The passengers in
side were asleep. The coach ratified along
at a steady pace, with the dust so deer
under the wheels as to still the rumbling