Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1872-05-11
gales 8 skstebes.
A SCHOOL GIRL WHO DROVE A
STAGE.
A TRUE STORY.

No happier schoolgirls could be found
than our company of ten, fresh from their
long vacation, and ready for the active du-
ties Of another term. We found the stage
awaiting us at Hamilton, but were too
weary to De conscious uf our tedious ride to
the Western Seminary. Soon it was grow
ing dark, and, looking out, we observed
that we were travelling new road. Our
hearts sank within us when we remember
ed the baated face OF our driver. Could it
be thai hc had fallen asleep, and left us to
the mercy and wisdom of the unsuided
horses
1t was even so. Our now clumsy vehicle
jolted hither and thither over the rough
stones. There were signs Of heavy
shower. We were in n gloomy forest. Its
topmOst branches seemed bending over us,
as if inquiring into our sad condition.
When should we emerge from its impene-
trable depthsp What new danger was be-
fore us ? On one side was n deep ravine-
the road narrow and the horses seemed
already to have lost all presence of mind.
l was the youngest but largest of our COM
pany. Should 1 see danger and not be
their protector Heaven forbid ! l hur-
ried to the horses, and led them by our i'm
mediate danger. The driver was stretched
across his seat in state of complete intox-
| ication, and the rens were on the ground
After several attempts, / succeeded in
| climbing up to the scat. With great ef-
! fort removed him to one side, but this
awoke him. The rain now poured down.
"Who are you ?'' he inquired.
| 1.-The protector of these horses, this
stage, yourself, and these young ladies'" l
| answered.
"Who called you to this Office ?" he half
vacantly asked.
"Stern necessity" replied. yourself
asleep, the reins on the ground, and the
stage on the verge Of deep descent, i'm
/ PEELED Inc to be driver"
''I'll drive myself" he replied.
1 told him that he was incapable of the
attempt, for he had already taken us on
| the wrong road.
Call me incapable W he said.
| What should l answerp My feelings
were al oused to the reality of our situation
an Incorporate driver--now half recov-
cred from the effects of his dram. Never
! before had discovered the merit of that
| beautiful verse, "a soft answer turneth
away wrath.r | told him that rum made
king incapable. Before was aware he
was sound asleep. The rain was falling
fast, but my sister handed me an umbrella.
| With the reins in one hand and the UNI
brella in the other, drove as best could.
The restless driver soon awoke, and call
ed for his bottle. Having found it, he was
about to drink, when l stayed his hand
and said:
"Do not drink it. 1t is destroying your
body, and if persisted in, will destroy your
soul.n
"Who made you judge ?" he asked.
"You must either drink yourself or yacate
the seat.n
A new difficulty was before me Was
it not enough that l had taken the drivers
seat Could / be influenced by fear, by a
drunkard, to taste the poison There is
in all things a right and a wrong. My
heart beat convulsively. But one alterna-
tive was before me. Either vacate the
seat and suffer the half conscious man to
drive over the dangerous road, or drive
myself, and drink his rum.
''Neper ~ my heart answered 81 can
never taste it," "Neper ~ my mouth nut
tered.
"Do you persist ?" lie said, fixing his
fiery eyes upon me.
81 persist,n replied.
He gazed at me for one half minute and
then one gleam of reason lit up his face, as
he said -..r
whoever yor are, honor you for your
decision. 1 know am unable to hold the
reins but, oh this burning thirst"
"Drink water" l said, Goods gushing
fountain"
While he was talking, contrived &c
reach the bottle with one hand. and bid
ding him look at the gathering clouds,
tossed it out.
He did not notice il, but proceeded to tel
me his history. He said that he had grad
uated st one of our Western colleges, and
It was tbsre ho first yielded to tho invita-