The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1877-10-18
A Thrilling Narrative.

In tho fal! OF 1S45, I was travel.
ing eastward in stage coach from
Pittsburg over the mountains. My
fellow travellers wero two gentlemen
and lady. The older gentleman q
interested me exceeding
ly. In years he appeared fifty, in
airs and manners he was calm, digs
nified and polished. and the contour
of his features was singularly INTEL
lectual.-He conversed freely on diff.
ferent topics until the road become
more abrupt and precipitous but
on my directing his attention TO the
great altitude Of preeipice, on the
verge Of which our coach wheels
were leisurely rolling, there came. a
change on his couutenance
His eyes lately filed with the light
Of intelligence, became wild, restless
and anxious, the mouth twitched
spasmodically, and tho forehead was
beaded with a cold perspiration and
with Q sharp, convulsive shudder,
he turned his gaze from the dizzy
height, and clutched my arm tightly
with both hands he clung to me
like q drowning man.
"Use this cologne said the lady
with the instinctiveness Of her sex.
I sprinkled a little on his face, and
be became more composed but it
was not until he had entirely ira
versed the mountain, and descended
into the country beyond, that his
fine features relaxed from their per-
turbed look, and assumed the quiet,
placid dignity that I had first notic-
ed.
II owe an apology to that lady,
said he, with q bland smile and a
gentle inclination Of the head to our
fair companion, "and some explana-
ton, and to my fellow-traveler also
and perhaps I cannot better acquit
myself Of the double debt than by
recounting the cause Of my recent
agitation.
1T may pain your feelings" de-
licately urged the lady.
"On the contrary it will relieve
them," was the respectful rcply.
Having signified our several de-
sires to hear more, tho traveller thus
proceeded.
"At the age OF eighteen. and I
fear Che smiled) light of head, a fine
property on the banks Of tho Ohio
acknowledged me sole owner. I
was fastening home to enjoy it, and
delighted to get free from college
life. The month was October, tho
air bracing, and the mode Of convey.
ance, q stage like this; only more
cumberous.-The other passengers
were few, only three in all, one gray
headed planter of Louisiana, his
daughter, q bewitching creature a
bout seventeen and his son about
ten years Of age. They were inst
returning from France, Of which
country the young lady discoursed
in terms 80 eloquent as to absorb
my entire attention. The father
was taciturn, but the daughter was
vivacious by nature, and we soon
became 81 mutually pleased with
each other, that it was not until q
sudden fash of lightning, and a
heavy dash Of rain against the win-
dows, excited an exclamation from
my companion, that knew how the
night passed. Presently there came
a low rumbling sound accompani.
ed by successive flashes Of light
ming. The rain descended in tor.
rents and and angry wind began to
howl and moan through the forest
trees. I looked from the window
Of our vehicle. The night was dark
as ebony, but the lightning showed
the danger OF our road. I could
see at intervals, huge jutting rocks
far away down its side, and the
sight made me solicitous for my
fair companion. ] thought Of tho
mere hair breaths that were between
us and eternity single little rock
in the track Of our coach wheels, q
tiny billet Of wood, Q stray root Of
o tempest torn tree, restive hors s
or a careless driver, any Of these
might hurl us from our sublunary
existance with the speed OF thought.
"'Tis q perfect tempest observed
tho lady as I withdrew my head from
the window. How I love sud-
den storm There is something
grand about the winds when fairly
loose among the hills. never en-.
a storm like this but By
ron's magnificent description Of o
thunder sto rn in Jura, recurs to
mind. But are we on the mountain
yeti'
"Yes, We have begun the ascent
ut is not said 10 be dangerous Z
"By no MEANS, I replied in as
easy q tone as I could assume.
~ only wish il was daylight 80
that We could enjoy the scenery.
"But what's that z and she covered
her eyes from q sheet Of lightning
that illustrated the rugged mouu-
tain with brilliant intensity. Peal
after peal Of thunder instantly sue.
ceeded, thero was o heavy volume
Of rain coming down at each thun.
der burst, aud with tho deeper ago,
ny breaking upon our ears, ! found
that the coach had como 10 . dead
halt.
Louise, my fellow traveller became
pale ss ashes. She fixed her eyes
on mine with a look OF anxious