Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1909-12-23

weather suddenly changed, a violent
snowstorm set In, and our postboys
willfully, ] think, drove us ten miles
out OF the way. neal a tavern where
they hoped. no doubt, we would agree
to stop until the storm should be over
But Sir Peter, putting n of his great
horse pistols to the postboy's head,
forced him to turn back to the high.
road. We lost three hours by this;
and when we got to u next posting
stage, our horses. engaged two days
ahead. had been taken. We got others,
after a frantic effort. but at the end
OF that days journey we saw our mar
gin Of time diminished exactly one.
half.
! shall not attempt to describe the
fierce and gpawing Impotence which
consumed us. nor the awful and I'm.
spoken dread which began to over.
shadow IN. Sir Peter was n man OF
stout heart, and had no more notion
Of giving up at this stage OF the affair
han he dreamed Of s~urrendering
when he saw the incompatible to
windward and the xantlppe to lee.
ward.
The weather, however, grew worse
Instead Of better, and eve four horses
could scarcely drag us through the
mlre made by the snow and rain. In
spite Of all W. could do our progress
diminished, although at no time did II
seem hopeless, until-O, God! 20 miles
from York, at midnight on the Thurs.
day, Sir Peter himself suddenly gave
out; the strain had proved too much
for his brave heart and sturdy frame.
10 came AS The horses were wallOwing
along the road In the darkness, and !,
holding my watch In my hand, was
CHANGING at II every ten minutes, by
the feeble light Of the travelling lamp.
| spoke to Sir Peter as he lay back
In the chaise wrapped in boat.cloak.
and got no answer. He was unCOn.
scious. without stopping the chaise
I got ONE brandy. which I tried TO
pour down his throat. but could not.
! grew much a~larmed-it was not like
Sir Peter to refuse good brandy, and
as We were passing n farmstead. !
stopped the chaise. knocked the people
up. and had Sir Peter carried into tho
house. ! met with kindness. and I re.
paid It with coin OF the realm. Sir
Peter soon revived, and his first words
were:
Push on. my lad. Don't walt to re-
air damages"
found that his seizure was really
trifing. and he assured me he would
be able to resume the journey by day
light, the farmer agreeing to furnish
him horses: 80. in half an hour | had
again taken the road.
And ten miles from York, the chaise
broke down
had the horses taken out. and,
mounting the best beast, made for
York at the top Of his speed. which
was %pOnr-thc creature was already
spent with travelling.
II vas just daylight. and strcaks OF
golden glory were lighting up the pallid
dawn. ! urged the poo beast onward.
Seven miles he went, then he dropped
dead, Just as the sun was gliding the
spires Of York cathedral. Before me,
along the road. jagged an itinerant
tinker or n rather good looking horse,
the tools Of n tinkcr's trade hanging
from 81 %mOth.eatcn saddle. | was young
and strOng-hc was middle aged and
iIl-fcd and feeble. ! ran up to him
holding five guineas In my hand.
Lend me this horse to ride To
York." cried.
The man, astOnished at my abrupt
address. stopped. but gave me no an
swcr. ] made my own answer. though
by dragging him on the beast, dashinp
the five guincas on the ground. and
gathering on. throwing away the tOoli
and kettles AZ I gallOped along.
GRO BE cONTINUEDJ
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