The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-06-17
A MIDNIGHT DRIVE.

Couch Once IN bhe Town OF -, relccClng
upon the mutabiffty of human affairs and
taking retrospective glance at those times
when held a very different position in the
world, when one of the porters of the es-
tablishment entered the Office and IL
formed the clerk that the coach, which had
long been expected, was in sight, and
would be at the inn in few minutes.
believe it was the old Highfyer, but at this
distance of time | cannot speak with suffi-
Gent certainty The strange story l am
about to relate occurred when stage
coaches were the usual mode of convey
ance and long before any more expeditions
system of travelling had engaged the 3tten-
tion of mankind
l continued to sit by the fire till the
coach arrived, and then walked into the
street TO count the number of the passen-
gers and observe their appearance. was
peculiarly struck with the appearance of
one gentleman, who had ridden as an out
side passenger. He wore large black
cloak, deeply trimmed with Grape; his
head was covered with a black travelling
cap, surmounted with two or three Grape
rosettes and from which depended long
black tasseL. The cap was drawn SO far
over his eyes that be had some difficulty
to see his way. A black scarf was wrapped
around the lower part of his face, so that
his countenance was completely concealed
from my view. He appeared anxious to
avoid observation, and hurried into the
inn as fast as he could. / returned to the
office and mentioned to the clerk the
strange appearance of the gentleman in
question, but he was too busy to pay any
attention to what had said.
Presently a porter brought small car
pet bag into the Office and placed it upon
the table
Whose bag is that, Timms?" inquired
the clerk.
Il don't wish to be personal" replied the
man, but / think it belongs to -" and
the fellow pointed at the floor.
"You do not mean him surely?" said the
clerk
Eyes, ! do, though at any rate if he is
not the gentleman l take him for, he must
be a second cousin Of his, for he is the most
unaccountable individual that ever clap
ped my eyes on. There is not much good
in him, FL be bound"
l listened with breathless anxiety to
these words. When the man had finished
said to him:
Glow was the gentleman dressed?"
"In black"
Glad he a cloak on?"
eyes"
ga travelling cap drawn over his eyess"
eyes"
cts the man I saw descend from the
coach" said to the clerk.
Whore is he?" inquired the clerk.
In the inn, replied the porter.
as he going to stay all night?" in
quired.
81 don't know"
cts very odd, 4" observed the clerk, and
he put his pen behind his ear and placed
himself in front of the fire; very odd," he
repeated.
1T don't look well, " said the porter, mot
at all"
Some further conversation ensued upon
the subject, but as it did not tend to throw
any light upon the parsonage in question,
1t is unnecessary for me to relate it.
Awhile afterward the clerk went into
the. hotel to learn if possible something
more relative to this singular visitor. He
was not absent more than a few minutes,
and when be returned his countenance, l
fancied, was more sedate than usual. l
asked him if he had gathered any further
''There is nobody knows anything con-
corning him." he replied: 'for when the
enter the room he always turns
his back toward them. He has not spoken
ia a single individual since he arrived.
There is a man who came by the same
coach who attends upon him, but he does
not look like a servant"
There is something extraordinary in
his history or I am much deceived"
Il am quite of your opinion" observed
the clerk.
While we were conversing, some persons
entered the office to take places by the
mail, which was to leave early on the fol-
lowing morning. l hereupon departed
and entered the inn with the view of salts
flying my curiosity, If possible, which was
now raised to the utmost pitch. The serv-
ants, | remarked, moved about more 81
lently than usual, and sometimes | saw
two or three of them conversing together,
sette voce, as though they did not wish
their conversation TO be overheard by those
around them. knew the room that the
gentleman occupied, and stealthily and
stole up to it, hoping to hear
or see something that might throw some
light upon his character. was not, how
ever, gratiied in either respect.
/ hastened back to the office and resumed
my seat by the fire. The clerk and were
still conversing upon the subject Swhen
one of the girls came in and informed me
that was to get a horse and gig ready
to drive gentleman a dis
lance of fifteen or twenty miles
'Tonightr' | said III surprise.
Immediately"
why, it's already 10 o'clock"
Its the masters orders; l cannot alter
them" tartly replied the girl.
This unwelcome intelligence caused me
TO commit great deal of sin, for ! made
use of a number of imprecations and ex-
presSions which We're quite superfuous
and perfectly unavailing. 1t was not long
before was ready to commence the jour
ney. / chose the fastest and strongest ami
NAL in the establishment. and one that had
never failed IN an emergency. | lit the
lamps, for the night was intensely dark,
and | felt convinced that we should re-
luire them. Tie proprietor of the hotel
gave me paper, but told me not to read
& till we had proceeded few miles on the
road, and informed me at the same time in
What direction to drive. The paper, he
added, would give me further instructions.
| was seated in the vehicle. busily en-
gagged in fastening the leathern apron on
-he side on which | sat, in order to protect
my limbs from the cold. when somebody
seated himself beside me- | heard the
landlord cry Drive on" and without
looking around | dashed the mare into Il
very fast trot Even now, while | write,
feel in some degree the trepidation which
stole over me when / discovered who my
was. had not gone far before
was acquainted with the astounding fact.