The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1888-04-14
TOM
DRYSOI'S CRIME,
BY THE MAJOR. +"
CHAPTER L

August II, 1899, stage coach with a
full complement of both inside and
outside passengers was slowly pro-
ceedlng along the highway toward the
village of Avlesworth, and within
three miles of it.
The day Lad been a most sultry and
uncomfortable one The horses pant
ed and labored heavily along. Every
thing in and about the conveyance told
of suffering and discomfort; it had
been hours since any of the vexed and
wearied passengers had attempted any
thing like conversation. The last eff
fort at social intercourse had been
made by stout, stern-featured man of
middle age, whose iron-gray hair
matched the suit Of mixed Scotch
goods that he wore. During all this
day, as well as the day before, he had
manifested the utmost impatience at
the slowness OF the vehicle, and his
bitter complaints and grumblings had
made him disliked by his fellow-pas-
sengers.
Don't talk to me of horsefesh, or
the heat of the day." he angrily said
to the driver. i engaged my passage
by this route and paid for it, after ex-
aiming the company's printed sched-
ule of time. How has its engagement
been kept, so far? We are at this mo-
ment nine hours behind the advertised
time. Ii this rate of loss is to con-
tinue, | shall lose twenty-four hours
on my Journey, and will be too late for
the business that brings me that way
A large pecuniary loss will be the con-
sequence. Damn you, sir, if you don't
get this old numbering concern along
faster I'll sue the company for dam
ages-I will, sure as my name is Mason
Belmont and | don't care who knows
it."
A few such outbursts as this made
every other passenger feel that the
man IN gray was a coarse, selfish per-
son, whose further acquaintance was
not desirable. But these explosions
also served another purpose, which
afterward became a matter of impor-
lance. They fully advertised the name
of the grumbler.
The accident that now occurred came
without the slightest warming. The
fore axle parted IN the middle, and the
coach lurched forward. For a moment
there was a scene of alright and ex-
element. The horses plunged and
reared madly; the driver jumped for
the leaders heads, and shouted to
soothe and steady the four; the passen-
gers on the outside were promiscu-
ously pitched into the road or forced
to Jump; those on the inside were
thrown into heap together. Women's
screams and EXPLANATIONS from the
men were mingled. The man in gray
rugged at one of the doors, and, being
unable to move it, put his broad
shoulders to it, burst it open, and
jumped into the road. 1t was after
ward remembered that he cried out,
with an oath, that he had torn his
coat.
The furry of fright was soon over.
The driver succeeded IN quoting his
horses, and the outsiders fastened to
help the insiders from their uncomfort-
able position. When all had reached
the roadside, it was discovered that no
one had sustained any serious injury.
There had been rude shaking up :;
there were a few bruises and some torn
garments; but there was no need of
medical help, and general sense of
thankfulness was expressed that it was
no worse.
The driver examined the break
III have to go a quarter CT a mile for
a blacksmith" he said. You folks
II have to make the best of il. Avles-
worth's less'n three miles off now, and
You that feel like it might walk in
fore Lean be ready. Wouldn't advise
you TO. though; there's a storm com
ing up. Better get the ladies into the
coach, some way, for shelter, till it's
nj x~nf1 &c ~, I /.
trees"
rs there no house near? ?" was the
anxious inquiry.
Matter of half mile
The indications Of heavy rain were
now quite evident to all, and the
drivers advice was taken.
We must make an exception.
The man in gray stood sullenly aloof
from the others after the accident,
hearing the report of the driver. He
was too impatient to wait, and too
sulky to inform the others OF his inten-
tons He silently withdrew. unob-
served 10y any one, in the confusion
and excitement aud started afoot and
alone toward the village.
Although about tive o'clock in the
afternoon, the heat seemed greater
than at any previous hour Of the dav.
The atmosphere glowed like furnace.
Huge black clouds were rolling up to-
ward the zenith; there was low and
ominous rumbling. Through the thick
dust the perspiring pedestrian toiled
on. \ hand-sachel was hrs only lug
gage, which he now carried under his
arm. 1t had never once been out of
his possession since the commencement
OF his journey.
He met no person; he passed but one
house, which was remote from the high
way
The storm suddenly burst forth. A
iurld glare of lightning shot from the
great bank of clouds in the west; there
was terrific roll OF thunder. and in
stantly the air was dark with deluge
OF rain. The wind rose and howIed
dIsmally, driving great sheets of falling
water before it.
Wet through, unable to see the road
before him, terrified by the fury and
suddenness Of the storm, Mason Bel
mont struggled on. He was unused to
such adventures; what to most men
would have been merely dsagreeable.
was to him positively alarming.
lie storm seemed to increase in fury.
he distressed wayfarer marked by the
glare OF the lightning leafy oak some
distance ahead He pressed on toward