The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1840-12-29
TIEEl LAsT "a ma ID sTAGIl COACIItrE,N.

THE LAST OF THE STAGE COACHETEN.
"All IN" cried the stage agent, as he turned
the handle Of the door. The coachman, or
driver" as he is denominated in the parlance
Oi New England, till this announcement had
been listlessly seated upon his box with half
smoked long nine projecting from his lips. He
now gathered up the ribands ia the palm of his
LETT hand, shook them slightly, and with an air
professional, settling himself the while with
forward inclination of his body more firmly on
his seat. Drawing them through his fingers,
till he ascertained to his satisfaction that they
pulled upon the bits of his four in hand equally
and uniformly, he took his long whip, construct
ed of an oaken staff, some FIVE feet in length
TO which appertained lash nearly twice as
long, flouTshed this ''baton'' of his station
scientifically, and, with the grace of a profess
sor, three or four times around his head, wind
ing up with loud report OF the snapper close
to the ear Of the leaders.
a"T-t-t! cant" accompanied this startling
salutation of his iavsrite barbs, and away they
sprung, tossing their slender heads in the air,
aud fllnglng out their fore legs wide, the hools
Gathering upon the round payements of the
streets Of Providence The rattling of the
wheels, the loud crack eff the lash, which with
repeated reports, still played sllillfully about
their heads and TANKS, and encouraging inter-
jections of the coachman, momentIy influencing
additional fire into the spirited animals In a
few minutes we had left town, and were flying
over the smooth turnpike, which was the only
line Of communication either for the mail or
travellers between that place and Boston. I
had taken my seat by the side of the driver, to
obtain the prospect of the finely cultivated
country through which our route lay, and draw
upon him for information respecting objects we
passed
/ My companion, the coachman, was finely
formed, athletic man, about five and twenty,
with handsome, good humored and benevolent
countenance.
Invited by his good natured physiognolay,
entered INTO conversation with him. He was
intelligent and communicative, but like all New
Englanders in his station in society, with good
common education. In alluding to the subject
Of tie projected railroad, then in agitation, be-
tween Boston and Providence, he remarked that
it might be beneficial to many, but it would in
evitably ruin all engaged in staging
S:For my part, said he, 81 don't know what
should do If this line should be broke up, have
been eight years come next September, driving
on this route, and this is my only means of sup
porting my family"
s1You are then marriedr'
'eYcs, sir; L have been married five wears and |
little better, and have little curly headed /
rogue that knows almost as much as his father, I
ever laid your eyes on, sir"
smiled at the naivete with which he said /
this. He detected the expression of my eye; !
and colorng, he shook the lines and cracked his /
whip although bis team were doing their best |
over the level roaa--like the report of pistol |
in the cars of his bay leaders, and after mo-
mcntary pause, continued ALPHABETICALLY
,e'Why, | didn't mean to fiattcr myselfwhen
said it was pretty, sir; although the neighbours
do say it favors lis father"
81 have no doubt that il is as lovely as you re-
present,n replied, Sand that, nevertheless, it
resembles yourself" s.it
The shades of evening were falling around
Ms and we had Just commenced the ascent OF a
lone hill clothed with the forest trees, which
oyerhnng the road, enveloping it in gloom. The
spell of twilight had fallen upon my companion;
and in imagination he was beside his young
wife with his f'litile rogue" and lovely babe up
on his knee! Suddenly he turned, and looking
me full in the face, said respectfully, and with
interest . OF. ts Es4s r5.1
care you married, sir, if | may be SO bold"
Poor fellow! he sought for sympathy! Alas!
rorlorn biped that was then, | had none to be-
stow! -. 4 -. ie,5s..;...... -.
81 am not,o | answered; t'but can picture
the bliss of nuptal life"
"Allow me to say, sir, that you can never
Judge rightly unless you do so from experience"
he interrupted, with some energy, 81 never
knew what it was to be happy or enjoy life till
then have had MOI real comfort in these hve
wears, than in all my life before. oh sir, il you
could see how nicely live; there's my little
cottage Just hack from The road, almost hid IN
the trees, ifs little flower yard in front, which
Marv--that's my wife'S name, sr-tends her
self: aud the garden behipd, which cultivate
my sell wlen ara not on the road. Oh, sir, II |