West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1889-11-14

tions on the road. Old Sam'cl Boyce
lives here. He's superintendent of the
stage line. A big owner, too. That is
Mr.. BCyce, sab, fiourishing his napkin
toward short, untidy old man, who
stood with his back to the fire peeriny
through his spectaclcs at the passengers.
His bald head rose red and shining above
his little, ferret-like eyes; the snuff
which he took incesSantly drabblcd his
dirty, ruffled shirt-front.
Monsieur, however, paid no attention
TO the old man, but hastily ate his
supper, paid for it, and hurried out to
the coach.
1t was gonel
Another, with a different driver and
guard, drove up with dash and toot OF
the horn into its place.
"This coach for Cumberlandin the
guard shouted.
/ Jean stood stunned and bcwildered.
lie was not practical, ready man.
"Nere is my coachln he asked. at
vas red; zis is green. II vas 10 Eclipse. -
"Got aboard, Frenchyl Can't You ride
in anything but a red coachl" shouted
the driver. sin with youl"
"C'est mon portmantcau Ii Is my
tickets, my money, my papersp cried
Jean, in an agony of fright, running TO
aud fro.
"What ails the old manw demanded
one Of the coachmen.
"EliS luggage was in the Eclipse, it
seems, replied a guard.
''Where is the Eclipse2'
"Gouc back to Wheeling, or on to
Cumberland. don't know which"
Jean heard, and stood dumb and trenib-
ling, while tho men, kindly but ignorant
surrounded him, plying him with ques-
tons. "Whabbut ye took yer port
manly out wild yol" "Takc horse and
ride out the Wheeling Pike, an ven
overtake it," "No, sir. Ride the other
way. It's 10 Cumberland it's gone"
''There was nine Passengers got in.
Small chance but they'll take the port
manly among thomln
Jean, in ali his dismay, had vet some
common sense left He asked TO bo taken
to the Superintendent, and told his story
IN broken English, with many gestures
and tears.
Now, old Mr. Boyce, though he paid
high sum for a front pew in church never
had been known to give a penny IN char,
ity, nor kind word 10 any one in pain
or need lie despised all foreigners.
lie saw instantly, too, that n mistake had
been made which might cost the stage
company or himself some money. lie
did not know which way the Eclipse had
! gone, and to send messenger in both di-
rcctions would cost few dollars,
''Why did YOU not take care OF your
carpetsackI" he snarled, eyina poor Jean
angrily,
20 monsieur haf always leave him
IN ze coach! he American peoples arc
honestl OmOnsieur, it is my papers, my
money-allln
"The more reason you should take care
Of them, then. Here, Joe, 90 out and
see If anybody knows which way the
Eclipse went"
"Oh, I thank you, monsieurp cried
Jean, clasping his hands. He drew back
and waited. Joe soon returned. Il was
late, he reported, there were few men in
the yard, and seven coaches had started
at once. Nobody had noticed at which
gate the Eclipc went out.
"There! You hearl" growled Boyce
20 the old man. lie knew that the com
pany was responsible for the lost bag and
intended to search for il. But the
money which must be spent nc would
have to pay out Of his own pocket. He
laughed savagely, as he saw jeans mis-
cry.
go monsieurl Is zataIl1 Can noting
be doue?"
"Thnt is all. You don't expect me 10
pay you for the bagW
Noting can pay me for IL, II is ail
| have, Jean sobbed He stood a mo-
ment longer, but Boyco was talking TO
the men on other affairs and had appar-
emily wholly forgotten him. He crcpt
out into the night with a wild gesture Of
despair.
The next morning, ORourko, ono OF
the drivers, kind hearted 1rishmsn
venturcd 30 ask Mr.. Boyce, can what
became Of the little Frenchy last night2"
"EIow do ! knowl lie went on in one
OF the coaches to Cumberland, suppose.
He'll be writing back for his bag soon
enough. Filled with rags, most likely,
Judging from his clothes"
a week passed. OnecyeninQ, Just be.
fore sunset O'RourlSe, going into tho inn
stable to look after his horses, heard n
cry like that Of choking animal on the
NOW. lie came out, shouting TO the
other men, "By the powthers Of warl !
dunno what itisl It's no human bcin'.
nor a horse, nor a dog II might be a
Bansheel"
The men ran in, curious aud laughing.
But in moment O'Roufkc came out,
quiet and pale.
"a doctorl" he said. sAIr. Bovce.
yOu have killed him--the Frenchmsn l'
The other men carried ont their bur
den gently and laid him ON tho ground.
dying, rs they thought, and dying OF
starvation The skin chung 10 the bones
Of his checks, his eyes glarcd ont Of their
sockets in the skull Tie could not speak
/ but gave short, inaudiblo cries. IL was
the body, not the soul. that fought against
7 death, While jean Paulot could think.
he had kept silence.
The news spread through the little
town. The kindly people gathered about
! the poor stranger, doctors, and indignant
men and weeping women, all anxious TO
I help and nurse him. Tie was carried TO
I the ministers house Old Docfor Mo-