The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-04-30

A Thrilling ana Remarkable story

4 IHrtllin0 and Remarkable Story.
In the fall Of 1876 l was travelling
eastward in q stage-coach from Pitts
burg over the mountains. My fellow
travellers were two gentlemen and q
lady. The Oldest gcntleman's ap-
pearance interested mo exceedingly.
In years he seemed about SO; in air
and manner he was calm, dignified
and polished, and the contour of his
features were sipgularly intellectual.
He conyersed freely on different topics,
until the road became more abrupt
and precipitous; but, on my directing
his attention to the great altitude OF
prccipice, on the verge of which our
coach wheels wore leisurely rolling,
thcro cume Il marked change on his
countenance. His eyes, lately filed
with the light OF intelligence, became
wild, restless and anxious-the mouth
twitche d spasmodically, and the fore
head was beaded with cold perspira-
tion. With sharp, convulsive shud-
der, he turned his gaze from the giddy
height, and clutching my arm tightly
with both hands, he clung to me like
o drowning man.
"Use this cologne" said the lady,
tive goodness OF her sex.
sprinkled little on his face, and
he became more composed but 1t Was
not until we had entirely traversed
the mountain, aud descended into the
country beneath, that his fine features
relaxed from their perturbed look,
and assumed the placid, quiet dignity
that had first noticed.
81 owe an apology to the lady," said
he, with bland smile and q gentle
inclination OF tho head to our fair com
paniOn, land some explanation, and
to my traveller also; and perhaps
| cannot better acguit myself of tho
double debt than by recounting tho
cause OF my recent agitation"
ut may pain your feolings," deli
cately urged the lady.
"On tho contrary, 1t will relieve
thcm,' was tho respectful reply.
Having signitied our several desires
to hear more, the traveller proceeded ::
At tho age Of Is | was light Of foot
a fine property on the banks of the
Ohio acknowledged me sole owner.
| was fastening home to onjoy it,
and delighted to get free from college
life. The month was October, the air
braclng, and the mode Of conveyance
stage like this, only moro cumbrous.
The other passengers wore few-only
three in alone old gray-headcd
planter OF Louisiana, his daughter, a
joyous, betwitching creature, about
II years old, and his son, about 10 years
OF age.
They were just returning from
Franco, Of which country the young
lady discoursed in terms 50 eloquent as
to absorb my entire attention.
The father was taciturn; but the
daughter was vlvacious by nature
and we soon became so mutually
pleased with each other, that it was
not until q sudden flash of lightning
and heavy dash OF rain against the
windows elected an exclamation from
my charming companion, that | knew
how the night passed. Presently there
came low rumbling sound, and thel
several trcmedous peals Of thunder
accompanied by successive flashes Q
lightning. The rain descended in tor
rents, and an angry wind began tt
howl and moan through tho fores
trees.
81 looked from the window OF ou
vehicle. The night was as dark a
ebony but the lightning showed tn,
danger of our road. We were on tn,
SoSO VI " illS tlulul pfoClplCc. COul(
see at intervals. huge, jutting rocks
far away down its side, and the sigh
made me solicitious for my fair com
panion. 1 thought Of the nero hair
breadths that were between us an,
eternity; q single little rock in th,
track Of our coach wheels, tiny billie
OF wood, stray root of tempest-torl
tree. restive horses, or q caroles
driver. Any OF these might hurl u
from our sublunary existence with tn
speed of thought.
""Tis q perfect tempest observe
the lady, as l withdrew my head fror
the window. How I love sudde
storm There Is something gran
about the winds when fairly loos
among the hills. never encountere
anight like this, but Byron's magn
ticent description OF a thunderstorm /
Jura rocurs to my mind. But are W
on the mountain yet"
"'Yes wc have begun the ascent.
I" Is it not said to be dangerous p
"'By no means, " replied, in as cas-
q tone as / could assume.
l only wish it was daylight, so tha
we might enjoy tho mountain scenery
But what's that :" and sne covered he
eyes from a shoot of lightning tha
illustrated the rugged mountains wit
brilliant intensity.
"Peal after peal Of thunder instantl
succeeded; there was " very volum
Of rain coming down at each thunder
burst, and with the deeper moanin,
Of an animal In dreadful agony break
ing upon our ears, | found that th
coach had como to a dead halt.
Louise, my beautiful. follow travel
or, became pale Us ashes. Sho ike,
her eyes on mine with q look of anx
ious dread, and, turning to her father
she hurriedly remarked:
"'We are on the mountains"
"I reckon we are, was the uncon
cerned reply.
"With instructive activity, | pu
my head through the window an,
called to tho driver, but the onl,
answer was the moaning Of an animal
borne past me by tho swift winds o
the tempest. / seized the handle o
the door and strained in vain--it woult
not yield. At that instant ] felt
cold hand In mino, and heard Louise
family articulate in my ear the follow
Ing appalling words:
"'The coach Is moving backwards.
it Novrr aha11 T forgot tha forrf