The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-08-06
Blake, and the contents still more sur

':THE SILVER FLAGoN, VIC
| ToRIA PLACE,
| Saturday Night
"DEAR LAUR1sToN--As i'll luck will have
it, here I am overtaken by bad attack OF
| influenza, and misfortunes never coming
singly, my head man, who usually takes the
ribbons when an otherwise engaged, has
got an ugly kick on the knee which quite in
capacitates him. 1t is awfully annoying,
especially as every seat on the coach is
| booked for Monday, and our friends, the new
chestnuts, are to take their places in the
team, and the last stage into Barrackville.
Now, my dear fellow, confidently appeal to
YOU for help. Will you take the coach down
| to Barrackvil,e on Monday? and if possible
/ will 60 down by late train and meet you
there in order to do the return journey on
Tuesday. know of old your skill with the
ribbons, and would rather put you in charge
than any other man on such short notice.
Kibble, the guard, will show you the line OF
march,
Then followed directions as to time,
stoppages, changes, etc.
Well, the end of it, of course, was that
Monday morning, about half-past ten,
found me turning under the archway of
the Silver Flagon. On inquiry learned
that Phil Blake was decidedly better,
and hoped to be able to get down to
Barrackville by the evening express. AS
1 smoked the very excellent cigar offered
me by mine host of the Silver Flagon I
was conscious of q really pleasurable
feeling of excitement such as had often
told myself I should never feel again.
The yard presented quite lively scene,
passengers of all sorts and conditions
hurrying into their various coaches-for
the Silver Flagon is favorite coaching
rendezvous. The Barrackville coach
"The Lightning" by name-was being
rapidly got ready. 1t was one of Hol-
lands best make, and the shining dark
green panels and brass mounting were
receiving the last polishing at the hands
of the men. The travellers began to
gather. Rugs, coats and umbrellas were
slowed away, spare traces and straps, etc.,
looked to. Then the horses are led out
as lively looking team as any man
could wish to drive.
"Take your places, ladies and gentle
men, please" shouted the guard in stem
torian tones.
threw away the end of my cigar, but
toned my gloves, rammed my hat firmly
on, said a word to the head hostler as to
the biting of the leaders, glanced COM
prehensively over the quartet, then gath
cred up the reins and swung myself on to
the box.
The guard performed fine fantasia on
the horn.
"Give 'em their heads, William. Let
'em gol" and with fine dash and clatter
we were off; up Waterloo place, Regent
street, by Regents Park, and so out to
the country beyond.
Until then 1 had given no attention to
the lady who occupied the box seat. I
could see that she was dressed very neat
ly and quietly; no feathers or ribbons to
blow about and appear disheveled and
untidy. From the top of her jaunty lit
tie hat to her we'll fitting brown leather
gloves, all look thoroughly fit and work
manlike. I imagined she must be we'll
to-do, for q very neat Victoria had
broug hit her to the Silver Flagon, her
maid had an inside seat, and I heard the
man servant say he would be down in
Barrackville in time to meet the coach
on its arrival there. Since the day Lena
Vcrckcr threw me over I had quite es-
chewed ladies' society, and felt glad
enough that my horses gave me quite as
much as I knew to hold them.
Their cxuberance of spirits, the outcome
of the Sunday rest, was delightful when
one had them properly together, and l
felt that if we we're horscd for the coun-
tay stages in the same style should not
regret having taken up the role of stage
coachman. began to form plans for a
partnership with Phil Blake and extend
ing our operations further atield when
nv heart seemed to stand still, for q
voice, whose we'll remembered tones l
could have sworn to anywhere, said:
"Iam so glad coachman, that we have
such lovely day for our drive"
1t was a simple sentence enough, but
the blood rushed up to my head, and I
don't know what I should have done if
my attention had not been diverted by
the near leader shying violently at a
gypsy van by the roadside, necesitating
some slight punishment. What in the
world should I do, for of all cmbarrass-
ing positions Here was I for the
few hours bound to sit beside the woman
whom had once hoped tc marry, and
who was the wife of the man by whom I
was ruined. could not sit speeches.
for six hours. I must say something oc-
casionally. Evidently she did not rec
ognize me, as how, indeed, should she,
after nearly ten years interval, and as
we had come together under such differ
ent circumstances Growing more ac-
customed to the position when next she
spoke I was so far master of the situa-
tion that I began to take an interest in
talking to her, and noticed with pleas
ure how little changed she was.
For the last stage my friends the
new chestnuts, were put on as leaders.
Our route now lay close past dear old
St. Runwald's, and sadness that I could
not shake off made me silent and indis-
posed for talking. What memories did
! the sight of the we'll remembered scenes
recall2 There was the exact spot under
the scared elm where took my first fence
on my little 'hog-maned poncy, and there
was the bend in the avenue where I last
saw my dear old uncle standing as he
waved bis hand to me in farewell. I
wonder whether the man who owns il