West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1884-10-24


evening on Mr.. Fox, toll him that tho
cholera had appeared in Dover md
induce him 10 cot into cab 70 90 over
To Lilyburn, and then to spend half the
night driving Kim 10 his nephew s?n
They could easily, he maintained, when
he had been there two or three DAYS,
write and tell him i was mistake.
and that the cholera had not appeared
The suggestion was no sooner made than
agreed to; and they determined To put
II INTO immediate operation, both chuck
ling over the old gentleman's rago and
Indignation when he found that he had
been made fool of.
Late the next evening, Charley Reck-
less and his friend called AZ Mr.. Fox's
lodgings. When they were shown i'm
ne at once noticed that their faces bore
very serious expression. He anxious
iy inquired as To its cause.
"The fact is, Mr.. Fox" said Charley,
in solemn voice, "the cholera has ep-
peared here"
What" exclaimed Mr.. Fox. turning
pale with alarm. "lol don't Dlean in
Dover?"
Yes, I do" answered Charley.
1.-The authorities are trying TO conceal
IT TO prevent panic; but they can't.
There have been nearly d zen deaths
already; and it's said there are over n
hundred persons attacked. There's n
terrible panic in the town. Every train
that leaves is simply crammed."
my graciousm exclaimed Mr.. Fox.
in helpless tone. "What shall | do
| wonder whether could catch train
tonight for Lilyburn?n
Don't try that" said Bold. VERY
risky business travelling in crowded
carriages. Possibly your next neighbor
has got infection. You should drive"
Yes. yes, | will drive. It's only n
few miles. Could one OF you get me n
cab while l pack up some things? |
thought had everything prepared; but
then did not expect SO sudden an out
break rs this"
Yes, certainly" said Charley.
Harry, you run out and try to get n
cab. They'll hardly all be hired yet !.
I'll help Mr.. Fox to pack"
Bold started off mt once; and Mr.. Fox
and Charley began to hastily pack n
portmanteau. They had just finished
their work when Bold returned with n
stout hack and closed fly, but without
any driver.
.'All that's left" said he TO Mr.. Fox.
Np uIlNcI-all DOlteu.
mo driver" exclaimed the old cen
tleman. "What on earth shall | do?''
Never mind" said Bold; "Charley
or will drive you; in fact. Wen both
drive"
Pm SO much obliged to YOU. Mr..
Bold, answered Mr.. Fox, % little
douDtfnlly. "But l couldn't think of
putting you TO such trouble. l can
ornf
anything"
mo use," said Bold mo one to be
had tor money It's no trouble to us. ="
''Not the least, nv dear sir. inter
posed Charley; mot the least assure
you. just give me your portmanteou
And before Mr.. Fox had time to pro-
test his portmanteau was thrown ON the
top OF tho cab, and he himself was
hustled inside. The young men then
jumped on the box and dashed tie horse
into almost n gallop.
For few minutes Mr. Fox was in
clined 10 accept the situation without
objection, so glad was he to ret out of
Dover; but before long the pace be-
came so great that he felt bound to put
his head out of the window and remon-
strate with the drivers. He might as
wei have demonstrated with the wind:
they never paid him the slightest atten
tlon. 30 after screaming himself hoarse
ne had to set down again, exhausted
ana scared. lie expected every minute
the cab would 60 over, and he was sur
prlsed to lind himself, at the end OF
half an hour, still uniniured.
AS Tor Charley and Bold they were
enjoying the joke immensely. 1t was
true, they had carried it little farther
Than they intended. Instead of the
quiet drive they had decided upon Civ
ing old Mr.. Fox, it had turned out n
wild gallop. But in their excitement
they thought little of this. In fact, in
stead OF wondering whether they had
not gone too far, they began to consid-
er whether they could not 90 a little
farther. "How would it do TO unset
the cahP" suggested Charley. Before
he had well spoken Bold. who held the
reins, turned the horse into the ditch
by the roadside, and i'm q second tho
cab went over, and Charley and Bold
were flung head-over-heeis to the
ground
Charley fell into the ditch. and was
not much hurt. He Immediately snran0
TO Lis feet and caught the horse. which,
not having fallen, and being frightened
4y the shock, was plunging about in a
dangerous manner. Then n glance
round showed him his friend Bold
stretched insensible on the road. and
bleeding from a wound on the head.
The cab. with one shaft broken and ali
the glass smashed, lay against the
hedge. What had happened to Mr.
foX he could not say, but he was clad
10 know by the cries coming from the
inside OF the cab. that at anv rate. he
was alive. The serious state of affairs
brought Charley 90 his senses. He now
saw the folly Of which he had been
guilty in its true light.
As nc was trying TO calm the FRIGHT
ened horse in order to leave it's head 10
assist Mr.. Fox and to see TO Bold a nan
came running up
Upset, STRIP he inquired.
Yes; give as q hand. " answered.
Charley, thankful for the unexpectod
assistance. Help tho gentleman out
Of tho cab.
All right returned the stranger.
setting Immediately to work.
In few minutes Mr.. Fox was on tho
road. lie was considerably shqkeo.
but not otherwise injured. and Charlie
was delighted 90 see that ne seemed ~
nave no idea that the upset was due TO
anything but pure accident Bold was
ncNt attended TO- lie was SUFFERING
from a cut on the forehead. which,