Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-09-23
The Sturp Teller.
THE MAD DRIVER.
AN OLD MERCHANTS STORY


"
Many years ago, when lad of about ten, I
was one of the lowest subordinates in the large
house of Maxwell & Co., of T. The duties
allotted to me in that extensive establishment
we're often of such menial character as to
deeply wound my pride.
IF you say I had no cause for shame so long
as my labor was honest, answer had inher-
tied family pride, and relied, perhaps too much,
ON the traditions of family which had long
before lost influence and greatness, had become
thipned and scattered, and left me unaided to
make my way.
I labored with untiring energy. 1 was
ambitious and struggled for advancement.
Slowly, step by step, sometimes faltering
and losing heart, went on, until, finally, l
reached point which my boyish fancy, in its
widest blight, had not surveyed. At the age
of twenty-one became the junior member OF
the firm.
In those days Maxwell & Co., had an ex-
tended business, and it became necessary, from
time to time, to visit the various places where
the interests of the firm were located.
These journeys, usually made by me, taking
place before the era of the easy and elegant
travel of the present day, we're often tedious
and attended by hardship.
An incident of one of them I am now about
to relate. One of the principal debtors of our
house was man named Braithwaite, living
at D., Kentucky. He had, by uniform hon.
esty, secured an almost unlimited credit
Atlength, however, suspicious arose, and it
was feared that he was about to make fraud
ulent disposition of his property. Consequent
ly it was exceedingly urgent to have repre-.
sentative on the ground to guard our interests.
undertook the journey. Riding on horse.
back day and night, through thinly.settled,
wild country, seldom stopping, even for rest,
I finally reached the little village of P, where
1 was to take stage for my destination.
The only place in P. for the travellers &C.
commodation was little inn standing few
yards from the highway.
It was one ofthose plain, unassuming wood
en- buildings which have of late years given
place to the larger and more pretentious brick
structures now found in even the smallest viii
lagos, in compliance with the modern passion
for travel.
Awaiting, with some impatience, the ap.
pearance Of the stage.coach, l walked up and
down on the porch of the little tavern, occa-
sionally glancing at the persons about me,
speculating as to who would be my compag.
mons de voyage.
should state here that the coach register
contained the names of four persons-two
gentlemen besides myself, and one lady.
Soon I heard the rumbling noise made by
the coach as it approached. 1t was fair
type of the sturdy, rough-and-ready, ponder
Gus, faithful vehicle called stage.coach-a
vehicle of historic associations. An avant
eoureur of the railroad, the horse of flesh has
gallantIy contended with the horse Of iron,
and though outstripped in every race, has not
yet relinquished the contest.
The particular coach in question, standing
in the road before the inn, and to which l was
about to commit my fortunes during my trip
to D., bad no doubt once been of superior
quality, and though time had dimrned its COL
ors and weakened its frame, it was still staunch
and presentable in appearance. The horses
attached to it, four in number, were fine, high
spirited, powerful animals.
The driver was veteran of twenty years
experience; we'll known to all travellers by
that route as "Old Jimmy" If he ever had
a surname, am sure I never heard it.
Every thing was now ready for the depar-
ture. took my place in the coach, and i'm
mediately afterward there followed two gen.
tlemen, and, few seconds later, lady. -
The door was closed with bang, and off
we started. I noticed at once that four seats
were unoccupied. This, thought l, is good
indication ofa rapid, comfortable trip; none
of the crush and jam, wear and tear on body
and mind, resulting from the attempt, so usual
on most routes, to crowd twelve persons into
a space intended for eight only.
Now to my companions. On the front seat
with me was man Of about forty.hve years
of age, stoutly built, medium height, honest,
homey features. One glance at his sun.
Drowned face and large, coarse hands, satisfied
me that he was Injured to toll. No doubt q
farmer. He was quiet and unassuming in de-
meanor, neatly but coarsely clad. We meet
such men every day, and find nothing about
them peculiarly interesting. If remember
right, his name was Simpson.
On the middle seat, directly facing me, was
a man of very different stamp. Had you
met him in q crowd he would at once have at
tracted your special attention and interest.
Exceedingly tall, massive, and broad-shoul-
dered no doubt possessed Of great strength
the head large, covered with abundant hair,
iron gray in color, and so long as to touch his
shoulders. His features were:regular, and by
the casual observer, would have been called
handsome. The impression produced on me
was puzzling. 1t was certainly not agreeable,
but, on the other hand, cannot say that it
was exactly disagreeable.
The controlling feeling was rather curiosity
in one whom l at once perceived was extraor-
dinary. Icannot forget certain contraction
of the muscles of his mouth, producing an
expression alternating between sternness and
pain. His eyes we're very large, cold gray in
color, restless, continually rowing from one
object to another. 1 should add that he was
neatly, almost elegantly dressed. His bearing
suggested man who had seen much of life
one rather given to meditation. His name
was Rufus Reynolds. Behind him, in the re-
motest corner of the back seat, apparently
shrinking from observation, was the lady in
the case. I have deferred a description Of
her, not from any lack of gallantry or defer
ence for the sex, but rather because she avoid
ed description. She was so closely veiled that
only the contour of her features could be dis.
cerned A stray lock of her hair escaping
from confinement was black. Her costume
was travelling suite of fine material and ele.
CANT finish. She wore, on the first finger Of
her right hand, beautiful ring Of rare de-
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