The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1891-05-21
l STOPPED THE HORSES.

effort to avoid being pulled over the
precipice. the lines still in the grasp
of the driver below. the man clinging
to the ribbons with the clutch of death;
and the rough stone edges of the
lower wall of the roadway having
broken the speed, since the axle had to
be dragged forcibly over the uneven
surface. With swift decision of mind
/ saw what must be done to stay the
tragedy, SO 1 jumped to the front,
seized the leader by the bridle-rein,
and at once pulled his face square to
the upper bank. / thus stopped the
horses and kept the stage still on the
road.
But where was the driver? This was
the narrowing thought now in my
mind, for the mans cries were hrshed.
1 cried aloud for him, but no answering
voice came in reply, no sound was
heard save the echo from the opposite
wall of the canyon beyond and the
frightful painting of the trembling
horses now well in my hands. Again
and again I cried-louder and wilder
and deeper in my distress. But heard
nothing in response save the mocking
echos and the heaving sound of the
restless horses. It was the most terri
BILE moment of my life-terrible beyond
expression! Alone in the dismal Sier-
ras-themselves the picture and inspi-
ration of glooml alone in the deadness
of the night, with frightened team l
knew not how to manage, a broken
stage out of its pathway, and sup
posed dead companion to find and guard
till help, or the morn, or the grizzly
bear should come. No pen can ever
adequately portray the sensations of a
soul in such crisis.
! Again / cried with wall of misery
and despair. / knew not how long,
how loud, nor to whom the wailing
note went; but my cry was answered
by low moan, the groan of man
seemingly in the agonies of death My
driver was not yet dead! and SO thank
fulness again sprang into my soul.
It was some consolation even to hear
the sound of the mans agony, for with
it came the hope that the poor fellow,
after all, would surgive.
Hope grew stronger, for the next mo-
ment came another and still another
groan, this time from man evidently
with vital energy and a rallying strug-
| gle. Soon the driver crawled, half
dead, up the bank, but the only thing
he seemed to be thankful for, and the
only fact he appeared to appreciate, was
his courage in holding on to the lines
while he was being dashed and dragged
about on the rocks below. In the dark
ness the first thing he wanted seen was
the manner in which he had performed
the fearful feat of--holding the reins!
/, still trembling, held the frightened
horses against the upper bank, doing
all I could to quiet the fears of the
painting beasts.
By the aid of matches we soon had q
good light. and the situation was fully
revealed. The poor driver was fright
fully mangled and torn, one ear being
well nigh severed from the head as he
struck the sharp edge of the rocks be
low.
tied up the man as best could, we
mended the broken stage and got il
back into the road, and then came the
slow and cautious and painful descent
to the next station at the foot of the
range.
But poor Henry was never again able
to go upon the road behind his team In
the long months during which
remained in correspondence with
friends over his fate.-M. v. Moore, in
Detroit Free Press.
Damaged Goods. Blu zbuz-"Yo
can get typewriter for dollar now.
J Fuzfuz-"Myl How homely she mus