Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1901-01-09

AOuSAuS u Tie uSutS VI luS Sup VIII
dows. But the genial warmth within
was not for me, SO passed on into the
night.
As left the town the rain began to
descend with renewed vigor, but as
was already well saturated 1t did not
affect me in the least. albeit 1t did not
add to the cheerfulness of my sur
roundings. Once wet second or third
deluge mattered nothing, and had no
fear of cold, given the exercise of
pedaling. That was why should
have feared to train to Chichester
even II had had the money, which
was not the case. My father rarely
seemed to think that 1 might like a
shilling or two in my pocket, and as q
consequence he saw no necessity to
burden me with the dross. believe it
is not an uncommon consideration with
parents.
So far had progressed SATISFACTORY
~, II slowly, but about half mile out
side Of Ellsworth / went into rut, A
swishing Of water followed, the ma
chine swerved suddenly, and l was
precipitated with some violence into
the road.
Picking myself up. much shaken, my
first thought was naturally of the bicy-
Gle, and upon examining 1t in the dark,
for my lamp had gone out, discover
ed, to my dismay, that the front wheel
would not bulge. Feeling in full the
horror of the situation, succeeded aft
er several vain attempts In lighting my
lamp, when IN investigation of the
front wheel disclosed the fact that the
fork had been twisted and that the rim
Of the wheel pressed against the side.
There was nothing left now but to
run the thing on its back wheel and
trundle 1t before me, and this did,
feeling my misfortune very keenly.
The rain came down in torrents, and
the road was gradually transformed
into a series Of miniature lakes, into
which splashed with discencerting
regularity. But plodded on sturdily,
and presently the lights of the town
opened up. n glad sight to the eyes of
the weary wayfarer.
Then began the trying search for q
repairer's shop. and after the shop was
found another expedition had to be
formed to go in search of the repairer.
Eventually he was run to earth in
neighboring public house, and with
very bad grace he consented to see
what he could do.
When at length left Ellsworth, i
found that 1t was after II o'clock.
Save for the street lamps the town was
In complete darkness, and a melan-
choly and uninspirlng sight it presented.
But was glad to see the rain had stop
ped, for that had seemed to make the
darkness more profound. It was, how
ever. a melancholy outlook, and set
forth feeling in marked degree the In
fuence of the night.
passed never soul upon that drea-
~ road. Occasionally a belated light
shone dimly from window. The trees
lowered above me like gloomy phan-
toms; the wind whistled In an uncanny
manner through the hedgerows. fan
cied saw men plodding before me in
the dark; even thought could hear
the swish of their boots as they rose
and fell In the mud A thousand
strange thoughts kept me company,
and have vivid recollection Of re-
peating over and over to myself, keep
Ing time, rs 1t were, with the crunch
Of the wheels and the movement of the
pedals snatches of that ballad which
tells how Horatius kept the bridge in
the brave days tof old. my favorite
stanza beginning:
He reeled. and on Herminim
He leant one breathing space
Then. like wildcat mad with wounda
sprang straight at Astur's face.
l suppose most people have expert
enced something akin to this. It was
quite common thing for me to find q
verse of poetry running through my
head while my mind was deeply en-
crossed with other matters.
In this manner carefully pursued
my way, of necessity going slowly, un.
til came within mile and half of
Chichester. Then began to breathe
freely. The way had seemed never end
ing, the miles multiplied by three, but
gradually had reeled them of, and
was beginning to dream Of home and
warm food and clothing. when turn
in the road disclosed the lamps of
carriage. saw by glance that 1t was
coming swiftly and somewhat cratic
ally, and at once took my proper side
Of the road. Fortunately my lamp was
burning brightly, SO that had no fear
of being run downfall is, supposing
that the driver was neither mad nor
drunk.
Presently the clatter of hoofs pro-
claimed that the horses were coming at
gallop, and edged over still nearer
to the gutter, not that had the least
fear of being run down, but the bicy-
Gle, being the weaker vessel, always
goes to the wall. However, the advanc-
ing carriage, much to my dismay. In
stead Of drawing aside. came toward
me, and instantly realized my imme-
date danger. shouted, but my voice
was unheeded or was drowned In the
clatter of hoofs, the noise of the
wheels. Instant humiliation seemed
mine. There was no way Of escaping
that dreadful rush. The great eyes of
the carriage glared into mine. saw
/ Tic h6uh VI q uudA llSG up duu uSdA0
the crack Of the whip as he dashed the
horses onward. Then when 1t seemed
MS though the maddened animals must
bear me down, when almost fancled
could see the hoofs raised to batter out
my brains, l suddenly swerved to the
left. drove hard on the pedals and
found myself flying headforemost into
the ditch.
1t was desperate move. but 1t saved
me. A few moments later the carriage
Numbered over the very spot which ]
had SO precipitately vacated. and as 1t
dashed by caught the momentary
glimpse of a man as he leaned forward
In the glare of the lamp. It was but a
glance, inconceivably rapid, but rapid
as it was 1t enabled me to distinguish
the outline Of the face. 1t was the yell
low man with the strange eyesl
Fortunately for me the occupant or
occupants OF the carriage, which vehi.
Gle was of the phaeton order. did not