Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-01-26
Gales aud Skttthts.
From the Pennington Chronicle.
A REMINlSCENCE.
Continued from yesterday
BY pANIEL CoNr.


During the ride from New Sharon on
surroundings had not been such as TO in
spire cheerful conversation. but now, tina
we were on well travelled and familiar
road, only two and half or three miles
from our objective point, our spirits be-
came buoyant, and we began to congrat
ulate each other. in clipper phrase, upon
the prospect of a happy and speedy ter.
mination, of our somewhat eventlul, and
altogether disagreeable days journey
But 1.-The best laid plans of mice and men,
gang aft agley."
About two miles below Pennington,
there is a small stream. Insignificant, and
harmless enough under ordinary clrcum-
stances, but which, on account ct the billy
character of the country, whereln II has
it's source, and OF its PERCEPTIONS banks,
is susceptible OF being transformed into an
impetuous and formidable torrent. At the
point where the road crosses this stream.
there was bridge, whose abutments were
as nearly as | can remember, about ten
feet high. During the previous night, the
water in that stream had been sufficiently
high to carry away tbs bridge bodily,
leaving nothing but the abutments stand
ing. The night was so dark that could
see nothing ten feet in front OF me. |
drove down the hill leading to this bridge
at a brisk trot, when suddenly, as il struck
by cannon ball, my horse stopped short.
Thinking-if indeed, | thought at all
that be saw sons harmless object in the
road, that frightened him, Instantly gave
him cut with the whip. He was a spirited
animals, aud making spring forward, we
were Immediately precipitated to the bot
tom of the stream The carriage landed
in an inverted position with its top up
stream. As we We're being pitched for
ward, heard the rushing OF water, and,
involuntarily put out my arms, in the at
titute of swimming. Fortunately, the
water had fallen as rapidly as it had risen,
and was not more than two aud a hail feet
deep.
was thrown clear from the chaise, but
my sister was underneath it, with Just
enough of her head above, the water to
admit of her breathing. Recovering my
self as quickly rs possible, | went TO her
assistance, and soon succeeded in rescu
ing her from her perilous situation. In
some unaccountabls way, which could
never satisfactorily comprehend, my horse
extricated himself from the chaise, and
deliberately walked to dry land, almost
without an injury. After conducting my
sister to terra firma, the next thing To be
done was to gather up the contents OF the
chaise, which had been thrown heller
skelter into the muddy stream. These
consisted of numerous bundles and pack
ages, among which were the bridegroom :
wedding suit, and sundry bridal equip
ments, including the bridal bonnet, and
the inevitable bandbox. Fortunately, the
wreck formed a sort of boom, which pre-
vented the aforesaid bundles and packa'
ges from drifting seward, but they were
pretty thoroughly soaked, notwithstand
ing. From the moment OF the plunge
until horse, persons aud things were sale.
ly landed, it was probably notHmore thar
five minutes, but they were the most mem
orable five minutes of my life.
As soon as we were able to comprehend
the situation-looking up the bill toward,
Pennington, we deserted friendly light
Completely drenched with icy cold water
chilled to the very marrow ol our bones
and trembling like aspen leaves, we
moved in the direction of the light, with
as gladstone hearts as ever throbbed the
mariners, breast, as he bebeld the light
that guided him to a haven OF safety.
Knocking at the door of the house from
whence came the light, we were admit
ted by its master, who, obserylnL or
wretched plight, and, knowing that the
bridge had been carried away, compre-
hended the situation at a glance, without
further explanation. Our host (whose
name. am ashamed to confess | have
forgotten, will call Mr.. R, as am
almost certain that that is the correct ini.
tial )reeeived us with great poiteness and
cordiality, and with proiuse expressions
of sympathy for our misfortune, accom-
panied with hearty congratulations upon
our fortunate escape. Mrs R also
welcomed us TO the hospitabe ties of her
iireside, with all that motherly tenderness
which is the peculiar attribute OF woman,
and makes her but little lower than the
angels. A cheerful fire was blazing on
the hearth, TO which was speedily added
sufficient fuel to bring 1t to a roaring,
and most hospitable blaze. The first
thing done, after getting a little warm,
was 10 make change ot clothing.
Mrs. R supplied my sister with an
outfit of dry apparel. while her soma lad
about my age rendered me similar SER
vice. Mr.. R, meanwhile attended to
the wants of my tired and bruised beast
and then, proceeding to the wreck at the
brook, brought TO the house such pack
ages as had been left behind. An extra
fire was made in the ample kitchen, when
the clothes horse and sundry chairs were
brought into requisltion, upon which were
disposed dripping apparel of all sorts
bridal and Notwithstanding the scene
resemble a sort OF cross between Lon
don rag fair and Chinese wash-house.
The busy housewife, with that tact So pc
culiarly characteristic Of her sex-for do
ing dozen different things at once and
dong them all well--had, meanwhile.
prepared bountiiul and delicious repast
Tor her hungry guests, that was fit to be
placed before The gods. Somewhere
among the wee sma' hours" the tired
travellers retired to rest; but not so with
their kind and interchangeable hostess. who
spent the liyelong night in assiduous en-.
beavers to restore the bridegroom's and
brides wet and rather dllapidated apparel
to its normal cOmeliness.
The morning dawned bright and xeau.
titnl. A few hours sleep had refreshed u,
and we arose from our beds Sun linz An,
happy. had sustained no injury wha,
ever, and my sister few slight contu
slons. Mr.. r, with the assistance o