Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1872-06-11
Stlftt Storp.
Prom Harper. Weekly
IN \ STAGE COACH.

1t was cold spring day. nearly ten
years AGO. The SHOWS were melting,
aud the frost just beginning to come Out
OF the ground; consequently the hillY
roads of Naine were in parlous state
desp mud.holes alternating with old
sno~-driiIs, and treacherous spots which
seemed frozen, but were msrsy " crust
cGVerins the porous mass below. IL WAS
niue o'clock in the morning when the
sta.e-coach which connects the little vii
lage Of B, on the kennebec Rivct,
with The railway terminus some twenty
Eve miles below, drew 0p before the
door OF the public house, where Harvey
Middleton stood waiting. That gentle
man watched its approach with snne
doubts concerning his own chances Of a
s.at. 1t WAS not coach, but thing
called mud cart kind OF wide open
wagon set on strong elastic springs, and
haVIn. several low backed seats, which
extended over the wheels TO afford more
room. Every seat was full except one
ON the elevated perch of the driver. and
thilher Middleton clambered with same
difiicully, aud wrapped himself as we'll
az lie could from the cold. lie was just
recovering from rather severe illnos.,
which had detained him fortnight in
that out-of the way place. a busy BoS
ton law lcr, with an office iali OF eases
callju. him home, he had no; borne the
confinement very patienllyi and nut
feeling reilly we'll enough = -, to hs.r =
''''s0''i' o. - q ridc, was just Ia tha, stale
I oi rel ous jrritabli,y 10 he annoyed nj
4 every Thing. A. he mounted lu hi, place
I hi, Gers were gIcoisu Oy Il Woman =
lsugh--a hearty. rins NJ laugh. too
loud to be exactly iady like. but With a
/ pleasant sound in ii Tor all that. Al
least hc might have thought so in a
/ mOte amla6le moment; now, however.
ho turned. u little diSsuSled at the bols-
ferrous outbreak, and, while settling him
sell in The iur robes. took rapid survey
I Of his fellow. travellers.
They were none of them OF class
likely 10 please his iastidious taste. On
the back seat were u sharp-yisaged Sh-'
ker. who had peslered him 10 buy =
washing. machine at the public house thai
morning. sleepY-looking elderly farm
er, aud his wife The latter was n uer.
rous, restless woman. who had in chan 9t
three baskets. bundle. shawl, Al
umbrella, and her husband. and seemed
equally anxious about them all. -Four
red shifted log-driyels, Oh their Nay
down the river 10 start Il big Jam" "A
Carratunk Falls. filled the front seat
They were decent men, though rough
and rather disposed to treat the othel
passengers TO good deal of chaff. Or
the middle seat were three persons. The
first was a country youth of the hobbiede
hoy ace, but with a pleasant, inlelii
gent lace, interesting in spite OF immatu
rity and ireckles. Next him sat L pale
tired looking woman, with II sad, girlisl
face, who carried in her arms an enoi
mously tat and Incredibly lively baby
The other occupant of the seat was Il
Young woman OF certainly striking ap
pearance. She seemed about twenty
tour or five, had tall showy figure anC
a handsome face-.yery handsome, Mid
dlelon admitted 10 himself, after severa
surveys. A brilliant complexion, al
abundance of black hair in shining, satiny
bands-iL was before the advent OF "lriz
2ies = clear. strong gray eyes, we'll
cut nose, aud handsome though some
what large mouth filed with dazzlin:
white teeth. Plainly it was that moull
from which hail issued the ringing
Ooisterous laugh which had SO offende'
Middleton's fastidiOuSnesS. Her attir,
was remarkable. She wore handsom
blue silk dress, a velvet cloak richl,
lringed aud braided, light silk ha
with feathers, and lace collar fastened
with u snowy brooch. Gold bracelets OIL