The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1881-06-30
MISTAKEN FOR 4 HlenWAY-

A stAlwart, out tlrcd-l0OklnQ. nOrSc-
man was riding toward the village Of
Messy Brook, at the close IF q sultry
afternoon last summer, a. fast ~ the
jaded hay mare he bestrode could lessen
the distance. His face was handsome,
but he wore an anxious expression. and
he stared about the country, rs he rode
on, with the air Of stranger in those
parts. His dusty feet, his pale yisage
and the foreign cut of his apparel. with
the watchfulness OF his manner. would
have led any observer to consider him
one who had travelled fur that day, and
who WAS not only from foreign conn-
try, but laboring under some deep dis
tress Of mind, sorrow or fear-perhaps
remorse.
As he climbed the hill! which looked
down upon the village, his face bright
ened somewhat.
"Thank heaven there shall find a
few hours rest ami refreshment for NV
self and this exhausted beast" he mutt
tered. And the mare pricked up her
ears as abe saw the village and heard his
voice, and fastened her pace, a. II sho
knew her riders intention.
"Care for her we'll, said the stranger
to the hostler, rs he alightei II am
10 sup and sleep few hours. and 1t 10
tonight have her ready saddled at tho
door; for ! am in great haste 10 CON-
tinue my journey. and must then de-
part"
The hostler promised, and tho stran-
ger, after eating hearty supper. retired
to rest.
Having well bestowed the marc, tho
hoetler flung himself down before the
stable door, and, considering that he
had as much right to rest - any other
man or beast in free country, went 10
sleep himself.
Whether he had worked or drank too
much that day, certain il was that he
oversight his time; and when he started
up and hastily saddled the mare upon
which the stranger was to continue his
way it was IL o'clock and pitch-dark.
As the stranger, also, had overslept
his nonr, he did not SO much blame the
hostler, but paid his hill, mounted
quickly and rode of. making no answer
to the remark of the man that there
would he heavy storm before morning,
AS the clouds were already black and
threatening.
valuable information /" sneered the
traveller, - the mare made nnnsnally
quick time over the road. "CoNldnt l
see for myself? Had not been IN haste
to get at the end Of my journey, |
should not, Of course, have gone on be-
under summer sun. The deuce is IN
my luck. to be roasted by day and half
drowned by night, rs this approaching
go 49, ~~H
vivid FASH Thctempest is coming SOON
er than expected. How fast the mare
goes /! A few hours have worked wonders
with her; or. perhaps. instinct bids her
speed to escape the tempest, il possible. y
4 heavy crash Of thunder, Just then,
startled both horse and horseman---th.
tic which was soon to sweep furiously
around them.
"She has been oyer-fed, or she is yer,
skittish. thought the horscman. rs h,
felt the tremor Of the frightened animals
limbs. and her gait for short distance
became irregular. "Our road lies
through . wood for few miles, N l an
told and, when the shower is on US in
full force, what with the lightning, the
thunder, the rain and tho darkness,
she may become nnmanageahle. Per
haps / had better STAYED after all
The moro haste the worst speed some
times"
Flash after fash. peal after peal nov
followed rapidly. with binding and deaf
ening effect upon man and beast, ani
soon the wind and rain combined with
fearful power and volume, as II TO dis,
tract and discomfort the benighted horse
and rider. Here and there, over theil
rough road, the torn branches Of tree.
incumbersd it, as il to dispute thei,
passage. Twice, rs the scared beast gal
loped frantically on, abe stumbled anu
nearly threw the cavalier, requiring al
his efforts 10 recover her and keep In,
saddle: and once dazzling bolt and !
fearful simultaneous clap of thunder
caused the poor beast 10 swerve mall,
aside, rear, and then turn back in hel
track for . short distance while ,
tall tree. cleft by the lightning, scat
tered half its mighty bulk over I'll.
spot from which the mare had shranl
back.
But, with steady hand and ooaxins
voice, the horseman finally caused hei
20 return again and. vaulting over the