The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1892-08-13

"Ah, to bssure. Sorry ! spoke, my
dear follow, [" stammsred my compan-
ION, who had the kindest heart In the
world, and would not have hurt q hy
II he knew II.
/ was about to ask II he knew who
owned st. Runwald's now, In order
to relieve him and show my sang
froid, but Phil, catching sight at
that moment OF q well known de-
pendent OF the place. We were soon
deep In the mysteries OF finding out
all the evils that horsefiesh is heir to.
However, our combined forces
could discover pothing seriously
amiss, and Phil Blake added to his
stud . pair Of exceptionally good
and cheap horses. We celebrated our
revived friendship by a little dinner
at the club, and after an evening at
the play we parted, ! promising to
make the journey down to Barrack-
VILE with Phil some day soon.
Imagine then my surprise when q
few days later received note by a
mounted messenger 1T was Sunday,
and consequently no postal service)
from Phil Blake, and the contents
still more surprised me.
TRE SILVER FLAGoS, vicroRIA PLACE.
Saturday Night.
DEAR LAURisroN-As III luck will have II,
here am overtaken by q bad attack Of In
fusnza, and misfortuues never coming
singly, my head man, who usually takes the
ribbons when am otherwise engaged, has
vSxtA l. III L. TX -..IS T.
capacitatss him. II 10 oil awfully annoying,
especially as every seat on the coach Il
booked for Monday. and our friends, tho new
chestnuts. are to take their places In the
team, and the Inst stage into Barrackville.
Now. my dear fellow, I confidently appeal to
you for help. Will you take the coach down
to Barrackville on Monday? and II possible,
j will 20 down on n 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, stoppagss, changes, etc.
Well, the end Of it OF course was
that Monday morning about 1890
found me turning under the archway
OF the Silver Flagon. On inquiry
learned that Phil Blake was decided
ly better, and hoped to be able to
get down to Barrackville by the
evening express. As / smoked the
very excellent cigar offered me by
mine host of the Silver Flagon was
conscious of really pleasurable
feeling OF excitement such as had
often told myself ! should never feel
again.
The yard presented quite lively
scene-passenger OF oil sorts and
conditions hurrying into their va
rious 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 Hollands best
make, and the shining dark green
panels and brass mountings were re-
ceiving the last polishing ut the
hands of the men. The travellers be-
gan to gather. Rugs. coats and UNI
brellas were slowed away, spare
traces and straps, ETC., looked to.
Then the horses are led out-as like
ly looking q team as any man could
wish to drive.
"Take your places, ladies and gen.
tlemen, pleased" shouted the guard
in stentorlan tones.
] threw away the end of my cigar,
buttoued my gloves, rammed my
hat firmly on, said word to the
head hostler as to the biting of the
leaders, glanced comprehensively
over the quartet, then gathered up
the reins nnd swung myself on to the
box.
The guard performed a fine fanta-
STA on the horn.
"Give EN- their heads, William.
Let 'em gol" and with flne dash
and clatter we were of; up Waterloo |
place, Regent street, by Regents |
park, and SO out to the country be-
yond.
Until then / had given no atten-
ton to the lady who occupied the
box seat. l could see that she was
dressed very neatly and quietly; no
feathers or flowers or ribbons to
blow about and appear dishevelled
dHu uuUiuy. FROM tne top OF ner |
aunty little hat to her well fitting
brown gloves all looked thoroughly
flt and workmanlike.
l immagined she must be well-to-
DO, for very neat Victoria had
brought her to the Silver Flagon,
her maid had an inside seat and I
heard the man servant say he would
BIO down In Barrackville In time to
meet the coach on it's arrival there.
Since the day Lena vereker threw me
over had quite eschewed ladies'
society, and felt glad enough that
ny horses gave me quite as much as I
,new to hold them. Their exuber-
lnce Of spirits, the outcome OF the
rest was delightful when one
lad got them properly together, and
felt that II we were horsed for the
ountry stages in the same style
hould not regret having taken up
he role OF stage coachman. / began
o form plans for q partnership with
Phil Blake and extending our opera
ions further afeld when my heart
eemed to stand still, for voice
hose well remembered tones could