The Placer herald., 1857-07-18
The Garrulous Yankee Widow,

If you have ever met in your travelling,
reader, with a garrulous old woman, whose
tongue it was wholly impossible to keep from
running all the while, you will laugh as we
have laughed, at the annexed sketch of New
England stage coach company. The extract
may seem little long at first, but never mind
that you will think it too short when you
get through with it.
The day was remarkably fine; our road
lay through the pleasantest part of the Hous-
atonic-our cattle were sleek and fine look
ing-the driver was civil and dressed WE'LL
while the coach itself was a miracle of CON-
fort.
In the midst Of this prospective and pres
ent enjoyment an elderly lady, with mon
strous band box; paper-covered trunk, and
little girl, are slowed away in in the coach.
And here began the trouble. Before getting
in however,
Driver said the lady, do you know Dea-
con Hitchcock 2
No ma'am,' replied the driver, I've only
druv on this road fortnight
wonder if neither of them gentlemen
don't know him? she said, putting her head
into the coach.
4 DON'T said one, whom we will call the
wag; but know Deacon lIotchkiss, if that
will answer your purpose
Don't either of them other gentlemen
know him {?
No reply.
well, then, don't know whether to 60 in
or not said the lady because | must see
Deacon Hitchcock before 90 home. | am
from the State of New Hampshire, and the
deacon was particular friend of my husband
this little girls father, who has been dead
two long years, and should like to see him
'mazingly.''
Does he live about here inquired the
driver
We'll, don't know for sartin.' said the
lady, but he lives somewhere in Connecticut.
This is the first time was ever far from
home. live in the State of New lIamp-
shire, and it is dreadful unpleasant. | feel a
little dubersome about riding all alone in a
stage with gentlemen that have never saw
before in all my life
There is no danger, ma'am,' said the dr-
YER, the gentlemen won't hurt vor.
well, perhaps they won't, but it's very I'M
pleasant for lady to be so far from home.
live in the State of New Hampshire, and this
little GIRLS
You had better get in ma'am,' said the
driver, with praiseworthy moderation.
well, | don't know, but may rs WE'LL
she replied and after informing us once
more that she was from the State of New
Hampshire, and that her husband had been
dead two years, she got in and took her seat.
How much is it sir ? asked the lady.
-Four and sixpcnce,' said the driver, for
yourself and little girl
WELL now that's a monstrous sight of mo-
ney for a little girls passage like that; her
father, my husband, has been dead these two
long years, and never was SO far from home
in all my life. | live in the State of New
Hampshire It's very unpleasant for lady;
but dare say neither of these gentlemen
would see me, lone widow, imposed on
I'll take your fare if you please repeated
the driver.
How much did you say it was three and
sixpenoe 2 asked the lady.
-Four and sixpence, if You please, ma'am,'
politely answered the driver.
'Oh four and sixpence.' And after a
good deal of fumbling and shaking of her
pockets, she at last produced half dollar
and York shilling and put them in the dr
ver's hand
That's not enough, ma'am,, said the dri-
yer; Il want ninepence more!"
What amt we in York State y she asked
eagerly.
NO ma'am,' replied the driver, it is six
shilings, York money.
WELL said the lady, Il used to be quite
e,ocJ Of rn.I,nn;ooe ,,bon 7 wac of Lon,a in
New Hampshire but since I've got so far
from home, b'ive I'm beginning to lose my
mental faculties
III take that other nnepence, If you
please said the driver In a voice approach
ing little nearer to impatience. At last
after making aluson three or four times to
her native State, and her deceased husband,
(happy many she handed the driver nine
pence, and we were once more in motion.
DO you think it's dangerous on this roadT
began the lady, as soon as the door was
closed. I'm a very lengthy way from home,
in the State of New Hampshire, and if any
thing should happen don't know what |
should do I'm quite unfamiliar with trav-
cling. Tn a widow lady, My husband,
this little girls father, Las been dead these
two years coming this spring, and I'm going
with her to the Springs; she has got dread
ful bad complaint in her stomach. Are you
going to the Springs" she asked Of an in
valid passenger.
He shook his head feebly in reply.
Are you going, sir 2 said sho addressing
the humOrist.
NO. replied he, am not; and if were
--' but the contingency was inwardly pro-
nounced.
'Ara you! she asked, turning to me.
sNor
'Ah I'm very sorry should like to put
myself under the care of some clever gentle
man, it is so awful unpleasant for lady to be