Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1879-09-03


the following appealing words:
"The coach is being moved
backwards y
Never shall l forget the fierce
agony with which tugged at the
coach door, and called on the driv-
err in tones that rivaled the force
of the blast while the terrible con-
viction was burning my brain that
the coach was being moved back
ward!
l rushed against the door with
all my force, but it withstood my
utmost efforts. One side OF our
vehicle was evidently going down.
down. The moaning of the agoniz-
ed animal became deeper, and l
knew by his desperate plunges
against the traces that it was one
of our horses.
Crash upon crash the hoarse
thunder rolled over the mountain,
and vivid sheets of lightning played
round our devoted carriage as if in
glee of our misery, BY its light
could see, for a moment, the old
planter standing erect, with his
hands on his son and daughter, his
ewes raised toward heaven, and his
lips moving like those of one IN
PRAYER. could see Louise, turn
her ashy face toward me, as II I'M
ploring protection, and l could
see the bold glance of the young
boy flashing indignant at the de-
scending carriage, the war OF ele-
ments, and the awful danger that
awaited him.
There was roll-a desperate
plunge, as of an animal in the last
|
throes of dissolution-a harsh,
grating jar-a sharp, piercing
scream of mortal terror-and l had
but time to clasp Louise firmly
with one hand around the waist,
and Selling the leather fastenings
attached to the coach-roof with the
other when we were precipitated
over the precipice.
I can distinctly recollect pre-
serving consciousness for few
seconds of time-how rapidly my
breath was being exhausted; but
of that tremendous descent | soon
lost further knowledge, by q con-
cussion so violent that I was in
stantly deprived of sense and mo-
ton.
On a low couch in an humble
room of small country house
: next opened my eyes in this world
of light and shade, JOY and sorrow
of mirth and sadness. Gentle
D hands smoothed my pillow, gentle
feet glided across my chamber, anC
a geutle voice hushed for time al
I my questioning.
$ Twas kindly treated by a fai
d young girl about 10, who refuse
e for length of time to hold an
= discourse with me. At length, on
morning, finding myself sufficient
t. ly recovered to sit up, / insisted o
e, learning the result of the acc
y dent.
1t "You were discovered" she sai'
E. "sitting on ledge of rock, ami
lie the branches of shattered tree
u clinging to the roof of your brol
a en- coach with one hand, and to th
'e insensible form of lady with Il
" other"
US "And the lady 7" gasped, sea
'h ming the girls face with an earne'
ness that caused her to draw ba'
" and blush.
~ "She was saved, sir, by the san
l means that saved you--the frien
I" ly tree"
ne "And her father and brother
ng I impatiently demanded.
:" ave found both crushed
pieces at the bottom Of the pI
. cipice, a great way below wht
' my father and Uncle Joe fou
you and the lady. We buried
bodies in a grave close by
clover patch in our mead
ground"
"Poor Louise! poor orpht
God pity your uttered in br
en- tones, utterly unconscious t
/ had a listener.
800. 90 "God pity her, indeed, sir J"
ON" the young girl, with a gush
,a . heartfelt sympathy. "Would
' like to see her" she then addet
'''n "Take me to her." Ireplied.
"a A. orohon hath al