Year: 1860




them IN little wooden boxes put up on
posts at the meeting of crossroads. =
Father, we knew, would send us letter
by this post. He had been gone week;
a friend living in the neighborhood of
Lake Mahopac, not then the fashionable
resort of the present day, having induced
him to go and try the air of his quiet
mountain home.


When we read the letter which the
dripping postman had sent in by Lois,
we were greatly troubled 1t was writ
ten not by father himself, but by his
friend. It stated that father had not
been benefited by his change of air and
was sinking rapidly. Unable to return
home himself, one or both of US must
come at once to him; the critical state of
his health admitted no delay on our part.
He advised US, however, by no means to
undertake the jaunt alone, but to pro-
vide ourselves with proper escort.


We decided to send at once and take
our places in to-morrow's stage, but
upon communicating our news to Lois,
she fell to weeping and groaning, and
passed into such state of nervous ex-
citement that it became imperative for
one of us to remain with her. This, it
was decided, should be Marie


[ had never travelled alone, but this
time there was 10 alternative. The road
between Mahopac and Fishkill was then
but little travelled, and at this season of
| the year was almost impossible. In fact,
it was rare thing for stage to be run
there, there being no regular line estab-
lished upon that route. It was only
when passengers enough arrived at
Poughkeepsie who wished to go on to
Mahopac, that there was any inducement
to put on an ''extra. So it was an Eek
ira, with yellow body and block wheels,
that drew up at our door next morning,
and kissing Marie as shook the hand
of Lois, [ went out to take my place.


A man sat on the box with the driver,
and as [ approached, looked down at me
very earnestly; but he was muffled to
the very eyes, so that [ did not believe
him to be any of my acquaintances. |
was engaged to Mr.. Mercer at this time,
and our marriage was only being de-
ferred in hopes of fathers restoration to
health. | wrote to him before leaving,
telling him of my proposed jaunt, and
that would be glad, if possible, to have
him come up from New York and meet
me at Mahopac


think it was the widest day I ever
saw on. which [ left home; the wind
4 blew boisterously, and the only inter
TO ho
and then a snow squall, SO binding and
benum bing, that the driver was obliged
to stop when it occurred, turn the car
riage partially around so as not to face
the gust, and wait until it passed. There
was but one person inside the stage be-
side myself, an old gentleman, who,
though hale and hearty, looked as
though he had seen his three score years
and ten.


He told me, as we ploughed our way
through the miry road, over slippery
mountains and valleys overfowed, that
he was in search of lunatic grand
son, whom he had been most devotedly
attached to since the young mans boy
hood. He had become, of late, from
causes known only to the family, hope
lessly deranged; and though placed un-
der constant guard, had managed to
elude the vigilance Of his keepers and
defy, pursuit.


II am the only member of the family
that can do anything with him, contin-
ued the old gentleman, ''and for whole
week l have been trying to get on his
track. Yesterday was told at Rough
keepsie that a young man, answering his
description, had left there on foot, de-
claring it to be his intention to visit
Lake Mahopac; but, every one said, 'he
could not have been your grandson, in
asmuch as he was perfectly sane 4
! drank with him. said one, 'and know it
to be so;' i smoked with him an hour OF
more, and never talked with more ra=
tional man. said second;' Il roomed
with him at the hotel, and would as soon
doubt my own sanity as his, cried a
third; but their very refutations were
proofs conclusive to me, for 1 knew
Guys ways too we'll" !"


[ started at the name Of Guy; still ]
: thought it mere coincidence that this
old gentleman should have crazed
grandson Guy, and Marie should have
crazed lover Of the same name.
While we talked, night had been
swiftly coming on, and the driver
stopped his horses to tell us that it
would be tempting fate to proceed any
further on our journey to-day; that the
mountain roads were infested by bands
Of desperate men; that he would not be
r able to see his way: that his horses were
tired out, and our only alternative was
to put up for the night at the Pine Tav
, ern, about two miles further on. There
7 was no alternative, and the old gentle
men and myself said, what the driver
: knew we would have to say, every we'll
e let it be so.'


7 just as our Jehu cracked his whip al
signal to the jaded beasts to go aheat
a there burst such frightful yell from th
S lips of our outside passenger, that tn
t blood chilled in our veins The mex
7 instant he had leaped from the box, ant
y thrusting his head through the earring
t window, gave US a look Of cunning wick
$ edness | never shall forget, then darte'
n like squirrel down the mountain sid
and disappeared. The old gentleman
J leaned wildly out in the vain hope o
}, giving chase; I leaned back in the car
+ riage and shivered from head to foot
S The old gentleman recognized his GRAZ
d grandson-I had seen Marie's demente


lover. 1t would have been absurd an
g useless for my fellow passenger to hav
;; stopped in that Wild mountain pass, t
d pursue a cunning lunatic, that dar
It and stormy night. He felt it to be SC
y covered his face with his hands, an
e groaned aloud.


|, It was candlelight when we reache
1t the Pine Tavern, and the gloomy tree
=. from which It. derived ito noma nodda