The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-08


frequently in the air he commenced song
only to end it with burst of profanity at
his team and when they finally reached the
long grade that led to the forks, instead of
putting on his brake, as was customary, he
struck his horses again and started them
down unchecked, much to his own gratlh-
cation as well as to the fear OF the passen-
gers cooped up inside and expecting an ac-
cident with every plunge of the coach.
Aroused by the rough jolting from pleas
ant and rather personal conversation
with his fair seat-mate the Rev. Gordon,
thrust his head and shoulders out of the win
dow nearest him to see what was the matter,
and was decidedly startled at the prospect
for a wrecked coach On one side was wall
of rocks and on the other drop to the river,
and down the steep grade the team was go
ing at a gallop, with the drunken driver
swaying back and forth and shouting at his
horses. The reverend gentleman face grew
a little white as he looked ahead. Under
him and within reach was the foot-rest of the
heavy brake, and, leaning out as far as posi-
Bile, he hurled it forward and pushed with
all his strength. The wheels began to grate,
and exerting himself even more, every
muscle brought into play, the strain told,
and slowly the speed of their descent slack
ened. But now, unnoticed came new dan
ger. The driver swaying so unsafely IN the
seat above, Just drunk enough to feel his i'm
portance and be ugly, noticing the
change in the coach's motion, looked down
from his perch for the cause.
Let go that brake" he cried savagely.
Gordon, leaning far out the window, his
hands hard down on the brake and his eyes
fastened on the steep, rocky road ahead,
paid no attention to the rough command,
possibly never even heard it, Skaggs yelled
again
who's a-runnin' this coach? Let go that
brake, or I'll make yei'
Again there was no response to the threat
from the divine, whose whole thought was
given to stopping the wheels. The driver,
with one terrible oath, grasped the hand-rail
to steady himself and swinging his heavy
whip in the air, brought it down on the par
sons broad back with a sharp crack, Once
more did the lash fall with full force upon
the bowed figure; then the heavy brake
swung back suddenly, the hands which had
held it grasped the rail on top, and Gordon
swung himself up until his feet rested on the
lower sash. Then he Strengthened up. Twice
Skaggs struck him, and then the next instant
that individual was grasped by hand like
iron and flung backward over the wheel into
the road. To climb up into the empty seat,
grasp the relns and halt the plunging team,
was but the work of a moment. As it
stopped, those inside only half understand
ing what had occurred, sprang hastily out.
Can you driver Gordon asked calmly OF
the salow party who had occupied the mid
die seat.
wal, yes, kinder middlin'< stranger" and
he calmly began to climb over the wheel.
do you know the road?' relinquishing
the lines.
81 reckon dew. Anyhow, I've bin over
it enough" Then, glancing about as If just
discovering something wrong, he leaned over
and whispered, "Whar's Jim?'
The parson pointed back up the long hill,
where in the distance the former driver was
staggering along and wildly gesticulating tor
the stage to wait
"Drve on" he said shortly. cit will do
Jim's system lots of good to walk"
81 reckon yer right, pardner," SAID thenew
recruit, starring up the team. Jim be
powerful walker at times"
On the ample porch of the Three Forks
House motley crowd was gathered as they
alighted-a crowd that jeered at the poor
volunteer driver that smiled with generous
recognition as it greeted the girl and glanced
at the black frock of the parson with look
savoring of disdain. Belle Cheswick allowed
her eyes to range along the row of faces with
a growing feeling of disappointment. The
face she wished for was absent
Are any of our folks here, Mr.. MOTIF" she
finally asked of a man who was leaning care
lessly up against the front door
faint seen none of 'em, Miss Belle. l
reckon they're mighty busy on the farm
bout now" he replied slowly, with sly
wink at the man next him. "Shall hitch
up old Ned fer yer?'
"Oh, no indeed. I'd much rather walk"
she replied quickly, and, turning to her COM
panion of the afternoon, added Il will say
goodbye to you; for presume you will stop
here"
''If you will permit" he answered, after
taking the proffered hand, II will walk at
least part way with you. 1t will make a
pleasant ending to the ride" and, as she
bowed an answer they turned and strolled
away together, out on the narrow, rocky
road that in winding way, led up toward
the blue-capped summit far above them.
The road was pleasant one; lying yellow in
the sunlight, shaded here and there by trees,
which seemed to find roots in the very
stones
''How fresh all things look up here" he
ventured, finally, TO break the silence II
wonder do the people dwelling here enjoy
them, or is that blessing reserved for stran-
gers?"
Indeed they do enjoy them always in
their way" was the reply. "Do you not
know that mountaineeers, more perhaps
than any other people, are attached to their
homes? Have you so soon forgotten how
hard they fought for them during the war?
Why, this very mountain itself was a con-
tinual battle-ground for years"
Perhaps the fight is not over even yet"
he said carelessly.
You come nearer the truth than you
think" with frown. "It is not over You
do not believe me? Then look up, a little to
the right, just under the stump of that old
broken tree. Do you see anything?'
Gordon shaded his eyes from the binding
sun and looked earnestly in the direction
she had pointed out.
II certainly do see something" he an
swered, finally; "but what, 1 can scarcely
distinguish. 1 looks like man leaning
upon something"
1T is a man." she cried, little proudly,
standing where he can see twenty miles
down the valley, and that thing he seems
leaning upon is a gum one shot from which
would put all of Bald mountain under arms
What do you think of us now?"
There was nothing but pride and defiance
in the girls words but in her eyes Gordon
read world of pleading for his judgment
and he answered thoughtfully: