Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-12-24
Gales ano Skettbes.
A MOUNTAIN RIDE.
Confined from Yesterday. J

But alas for Co var and alack for Alex
ander. Ii was terrible piece of work
you came near doing that day. though we
girls never feel that you were much 10
blame.
You see this was what happened. We
were all tucked into the wagon as tight as
figs in a box. that afternoon. ready to
start for home, when Lou called out that
she had left her parasol. She must get
out and run up TO the tower and get IL.
''Youjust keep y'r sittin," said Obed,
III fetch yer umbrill;'' and he started
for the tower.
II was about ten rods Off The tower
and stable are built in II small cleared
space at the top of the mountain All
around and below are thick woods and
great rocks
Obed had Just gone out of sight when
Queenie gave n little scream, and put her
hand to her eye
Something has stung me-" she said,
and then. that instant. while we were
looking at her il happened
The horses both reared and then gave n
plunge. the omnibus seemed 10 rise from
the ground with IL great leap. and.
sooner than can tell it, we were all be-
ing borne at an awful speed down that mar
row rocky road.
Iglanced toward Caesar and Alexander.
and saw n terrible pair OF wild animals.
looked toward the girls and saw two
rows of white, frightened faces.
The reins were dragging on the ground
Some of us were shrieking, Whoa P" A
few of us were getting ready to jump. All
this in an instant. and then suddenly.
above the noise of the wheels and every
thing else. we heard voice ring out clear
''Sit still. girls. think ] can stop the
horses,''
1t was Ray Tinkham. of all people in
the world She stood up with a steady
look in her eyes.
Imust explain here that the road from
the tower runs down gentle slope for
halt mile. and then comes a sharp turn,
Beyond that is a long hill. the steepest.
most dangerous part of the way. Kate
seized my hand, and whispered:
IF the horses are not stopped before
they get to the turn. we shall all be
killed.
Ray was climbing over the drivers
seat She always could climb anywhere
like cat She didn't pause an instant.
but she called back to me:
"Natty Brock, put on the brakes. The
rest of you sit still, only pray ms hard as
you can"
sprang to the drivers seat, and Jam
med down the handle Of the brakes. !
PRAYED too ! believed I should never
pray again.
saw and thought Of hundred things
at once. saw the great tree trunks and
the huge black rocks close upon us.
remembered the clcmatis over the front
door at home, and wondered who would
tell nv father that was dead.
Meanwhile Ray was over the dash
board, and down with her feet over the
wbiffletree.
How she did it. shall never know, but
the next .e saw o. her, she was creeping
along the pole between the horses, steady
| ing herself with her hands on their backs.
| The horses went tearing on like wild
horses. their names flying, and their great
bodies quivering all over.
Every instant the girls were becoming
more excited.
! Queenie was holding Mrs. BANDS
cousin with both hands, 10 prevent her
leaping out. Kate cried:
ave are almost to the turn. What il
Ray doing? She will frighten the horses
worse than ever,'' and she covered her
eyes.
/ The brow Of the hill was not forty feet
| of. Far i,ehind we could hear Obed's
voice screaming to the horses to stop. The
keeper of the tower was flying toward
rs.
But they were too far away to do any
good. There seemed not one chance in a
thousand for us. But that very instant
when we all believed we were lost, we
looked at Ray.
We saw her reach forward with one
hand, and grasp the reins which joined
the heads Of the horses together. Just
where the connecting straps crossed one
another her fingers clutched them.
i One sharp, fierce jerk Of those great
heads backward, and the horses slackened
CONTINUED on fourth page.