Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1881-03-30
From the Californian
PENELOPE'S STORY,
By MARY II. FIELD.

WAS young girl, she said, when my
parents, who lived in Frederick, Mary
land, received visit from a cousin,
Madame Fairfield, who lived over the
mountains in Virginia on an estate near
ly hundred miles away. She was a
stately lady of the 0ncie,a regime, and
travelled in her family coach, with her
black coachman in livery on a high seat
in front. An air of immense respecta-
bility lowered about the entire establish
ment, from the housekeeping horses in
their silver mounted harness to the sub
stantial leather trunks and portman-
teaus in the boot behind. We lived in
simpler fashion at our house than our
cousin was accustomed to in her own
domains, but my mother was a lady
born, and my father chivalrous gentle
man, so all deficiencies which Madame
Fairfield might discover were amply
compensated by the fine flower of courte-
sy. She had delightful visit Of several
weeks, receiving much attention socially,
and greatly enjoying all the inequalities
extended to her. Nor did she fail to ap-
prove and avail herself of that which is
ever dear to the heart Of woman-the
shopping privileges of Frederick. Among
other things, she added largely to her
stock Of silver plate, which was duly
packed and securely nailed up in box
by itself.
And now Madam Fairfield began to
urge that be allowed to return with her
for winters visit to her home in Cries.
snnhnrg 7 need not say that joined in
the entreaty, for, although loved home
dearly, like other nestlings, I was eager
to try my wings; and my dear parents,
with may doubts and misgiv1ngs, at last
consented to the arrangement. It was
just the old experience over again:
THE young heart hot and restless,
The old subdued and slow.'
At length the day for our departure
came, and all tears and smiles, [ found
myself esconsed in the soft, cream col
ored cushions and Innings Of the Fair
field carriage. There were now four in
the company, for an older and much
more elegant young lady cousin was also
to be visitor at Cressonburg, and my
dear boy cousin, Oliver Fairfield, who
had been at school near Frederick, was
returning home for vacation. So we
made nice coachful, Madam Fairfield. ,
Miss Cecilia on the back seat, Oliver and
[ facing them. How beautiful the world
looked to me that delightful summer
morning The brisk, inspiring motion,
divers overlooking spirits, even the
delicate odors which escaped from Miss
Cecilias reticule, are all all stamped and
ineffaceable on my memory. We passed
through what I shall always think the
most beautiful country in the world
across noble rivers and picturesque hills,
following the old stage road from Fred
erick over a spur Of the Alleghanies to
onr Virginia destination. Part of the
road over the summit was through an
almost unbroken forest of pines, and
that is where we had our adventure.
We stopped, just before beginning the
ascent, at little way side inn for an
hour for rest and refreshments, and no.
ticed man lounging on the piazza, who
made some inquiries of our black driver.
Pompey, as to where we were going, and
volunteered some advice about shorter
route which we might make at a certain
crossing.
II am goingthe same way" he added,
with good-natured air of comradeship.
But our stately old Pompey knew bet
ter than to trust much to an unfedged
acquaintance, and 80 paid little attention
to his remarks OF suggestions.
Soon we were on our way again, and
as glanced down the winding ascent
which we were just beginning, saw that
we were followed by orr new acquaint-
ance, who kept near us with compare
lively little effort. By and by the forest
darkened about us, and we were stopped
to let our horses breathe, he overlook
us, nodded pleasantly and passed on.
Soon we again caught up with him, and
now he quickened his pace, land he
trudged along besides us again and be-
gan talking OF the more direct route. As
he talked he laid his hand Familiarity on
the open window of the coach, and no.
ticed long, red scar across it's back. A
shudder went over me involuntarily as 1
thought what terrible blow it must
have taken to leave such an ugly and
abiding mark. He now grew even more
loquacious, and began to tell US how in
early days he was drover, and had
brought many big drove of cattle along
the same road, and what wild rough
life it was.
"Why, right about here" said he,
"there's been awful murder done and no
end of robbery. Why, onc't Twas a-goin'
along here with lot of sheep an cattle
for the Frederick market, an it was just
at dark, an I herd the awfulest yell ye
ever herd; an I rode back as fast as I
could quarter Of mile or so whar the
sound seemed to come from, and thar lay
man right on the road, butchered-jest
butchered, an
"Oh, stop, pray cried Madame Fair
field. IT don't wish these youngpeoplc
terrified by such dreadful stories."
But ere she had flushed her sentence
Oliver leaned from the opposite window
OF the coach-to see if we were pursued
by ghost, he afterwards acknowledged
to his amazement, he say a man
cutting the straps which held the trunks.
He uttered sudden cry of alarm.
"Oh, mamma, there's robber behind
us ="
Whip the horses, Pompey-whip.
whip y ordered Madame Fairfield. lean-
ing forward and growing white with
terror. ,-:s.
The horses sprang forward with