The stage, billowing on
springs, was paneled with glittering pictures, gilded on every part,
and evidently lined with velvet. Travellers inside looked through the
open windows with what aunt Corinne considered an air of opulent
pride. She had always longed to explore the interior of a stage, and
envied any child who had been shut in by the mysterious click and
turn of the door-handle. The top was crowded with gentlemen looking
only less important than the luxurious passengers inside: and behind
on a vast rack was such a mountain of-baggage swaying with the stage,
but corded firmly to place, and topped with bandboxes, that aunt
Corinne believed their moving wagon would not have contained it all.
Yet the stage swept past like a flash. All its details had to be
gathered by a quick eye. The leaders flew over the smooth
thoroughfare, holding up their heads like horse princes; and Bobaday
knew what a bustle Reynoldsburg would be in during the few minutes
that the stage halted.
After viewing this sumptuous pageant the little caravan moved
briskly on toward Columbus. Zene kept some distance ahead, yet always
in sight. And in due time the city began to grow around them.
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