The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-09-20
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A RUN FOR LIFE.
Chambers Journal.

A prisoner had escaped from Dartmoor
prison During a dense fog, which had
suddenly enveloped working eonvict-gang,
one of them-a maj. notorious for being
perhaps the most desperate character
among the many desperate ones there-had
contrived to escape, and, for the present at
all events had eluded capture.
1t was not particularly pleasant piece
of news for us to hear, considering that
we had attracted by very tempting ad-
yertisement, taken a small house for the
summer months not very far distant from
the famous prison itself. We were tired
of seaside places it seemed as if we should
enjoy change from our everyday life In
London more if we were in some quiet
secluded spot, far from uncompromlslng
landladies, crowds of over-dressed people,
and bands of music Every day we scann-
ed the papers, with view to discovering
something to suit us; and our patience
was at last rewarded by coming across the
| following advertisement, to which prompt
" replied: ''To be let for the summer
months a charming cottage. beautifully,
situated on the borders of Dartmoor, con-
tanning ample accommodations for small
family, with every convenience; good
garden and tennislawn; also the use of a
pony and trap, if required; and some
choice poultry. Terms, to careful tenant,
most moderate. Apply to A. B., Post
office" ETC.
The answer to my inquiries arrived in
due time; and everything seemed so
thoroughly satisfactory that l induced my
husband to settle upol taking the place for
three months, without personal inspection
of it previously. The terms were two
pounds ten shilings week, and that was
to include the use of the pony trap, the
poultry and several other advantages not
set forth in the advertisement. The only
drawback-rather a serious One-was
that Mr.. Challacombe, whom the place be-
longed, had informed me that it was about
three miles from a station. However,
with the pony trap always at hand, even that
did not seem an insuperable objection. He
expatiated upon the beauty of the scenery,
the perfect air from the heatherclad moors
and lastly, requesting an early decision
from us, as several other applicants for the
cottage were already in the field.
To be brief, we agreed to take it, and on
scorching day of July, our party-con-
sisting of two maid servants, my husband
and myself, and our only olive branch, a
most precious little maiden of three years
old-started from Paddington station en-
route for Exeter, where we were to branch
off for our final destination, Morleigh Cot
tage. The pony-trap was to meet us, and
Mr. Challacombe had promised that we
should find everything as comfortable as
he could possibly arrange; and as sundry
hampers had proceeded us, ! had no fears
as to settling down costly as soon as we
should arrive.
The journey to Exeter by an express
train was by no means tedious; we rather
enioved it. As our branch train slowly
steamed into the wayside station, we seemed
to be the only passengers who wished to
alight and presently we found ourselves,
with the exception of solitary porter, the
sole occupants of the platform, At one
end of it lay goodly pile of our luggage,
which the said porter had in very leisurely
manner extracted from the van.
The pony-trap was to meet us, and as
Mr.. Challacombe had assured us it would
not only hold four grownsqp peoPll lle aRd a
child, but fair amount Of impedamenta,
we were under no anxiety as to how we
were to reach Morleigh Cottage,
HIs there anything here for us ?" my
husband inquired of the porter,
'No, sir not that know Of
"From Morleigh Cottage?" Jack ex-
planned.
"No, sir, he repeated. "But chance it
may come yet.
aChance, indeed / echoed in low
tone, 1T will be too disgraceful, Jack, if
Mr. Ohallacomhe has forgotten to desire
the carriage to be sent
We both proceeded to the other side of
the station, and gazed through the fast
falling twilight up narrow road, down
which the porter informed us the pony-trap
was sure to come, if it was coming at all
which did not seem probable, after dreary
half-hours hopeless waiting for it.
In the meanwhile, we hegpiled the time
bE asking the porter some leading questions
with regard to the surroundings, etc., Of
Morleigh Cottage; all of which he answer
ed with broad grin on his sunburnt,
healthy face.
GLOW far is the Cottage from here p
Jack inquired.
"Better than six miles.
"Six miles p l exclaimed 90 Jack,
Mr.. Challacomhe said it was about three, y
::It's good step more than that, OBJ
served the porter, with a decided nod OF
his head,
sit is a very pretty place?" I said in
terrogatively.
at isn't bad for them as likes it, was
the guarded and somewhat depressing re-
sponse.
[ felt my spirits sink to zero. | had
persuaded Jack to take it he had sug.
gested that we should go to see it first
but the advertisement had been SO tempt
ing, and the idea of the other longing ap-
plicants had made me so keen to secure it,
that felt whatever it was like, must
make the best of it, and contrive that Jack
at least should not repent of having been
beguiled by me into, as he explained it,
taking "a pig in poke.
"The pony carriage is sure to come" |
said in confident way, once more strain
ing my eyes up the deserted road. As !
uttered the word ''pony carriage" | de-
tected distinct grin for the second time
on the mans face, which was presently
fully accounted for by the appearance of
our equipage coming jolting down the
deeply rutted road. Imagine tax-cart of
the shabbiest, dirtiest description, with
bare boards for seats, and the bottom strewn
with straw; the pony, an aged specimen,
shambling along, with harness in which
coarse pieces of rope predominated. 1t
was a ponY-trap, with vengeance.