The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-07-13
MY TRAVELLING COMPANION.
4 STAGE COACH INCIDENT.
BY ANNIE ELTON.

Some years since pressing invitation from
an old friend required me 10 visit small town
in the interior of Indiana. Not being locat
ed upon any of the lines of railroad, the last
torty miles had to be performed in stage
coach-a mode of travelling to which l am
not very partial, especially as Western roads
are not particularly good. ..~ ..
When | entered the coach there were only
three passengers inside, therefore anticipated
quite comfortable ride. But was doomed
so disappointment, as one person after another
dropped in, till the coach was quite full. We
rode on for some time without interruption
until we were all startled by loud, shrlll
voice, caIng-.Drver, driver!'
All eyes were directed towards small cot.
tage by the roadside, ont of which an i'm
mensely fat old lady, weighing not less than
Two hundred and fifty pounds, and loaded with
carpet bags bundles and bandhoxes, was seem
fianticly rushing towards the coach, scream
ing to the driver all the while.
By this tune. as | have said, the coach was
uncomfortably crowded, and all looked at one
another in CONSERVATION. The old lady reach
ed the coach, putting with her exertons.
Lordy, massy!' exclaimed she, as, standing
upon the upper step, she gazed on the crowd
driver?' e.
oh, you'll ride well enough ma'am-plenty
of R>em-take that seat in the corner
In that cornerG-why, there isn't room
enough there for one of my bundles
Don't trouble yourself about your bundles
ma'am said the driver, IN take care of them.
Let me take your bandbox.'
Oh no! ] wouldn't have that out of my
sight for anything. My best bunnit is in it
and it would be sure to roll off in the mud
and get all jammed aid dirty
The driver, without waiting to hear more
and growing impatient at the long delay, clos
ed the door, and leaped upon his box. AS
the horses sprang forward, the old lady was
precipitated, bundles and all, into the lap of a
very nervous gentleman who sat just behind
her.
i think madam said be, in voice which
sounded as if be was near suffocating. that
will sit outside with the driver, if you will per
nit me to rlse'
oh, lor no. said the old lady, who, finding
her seat very comfortable. commenced dis
posing her bundles around her, 4 set very well
now-I won't trouble you to move | sat il
the corner much amused, while the old lad,
proceeded-I haint got fur to go, and
thought I'd have all my baggage where
could lay my hands on it at minit's notice
For I'm dreadful 'fraid of thieves and have
been ever since Lzy Ann-that's my dar,e
lost her bandbox. cause she was too PROUD
to take it into the stage with her. But Lily
Ann don't take after me-not bit
AS she said this she looked around to fine
place to set a large carpet bag, which thu'
far had hung on her arm. Seeing no room
for it on the bottom of the coach, she sudden
| lv turned towards me, sayin:
Here, young woman, let this lay in your
lap can't yer Taint very heavy
! Seeing III uOlu tOWuiuo lufOluubdiiil
reached out my hand to receive it. MOI
heavy, indeed! Why. my hand fell at oncs
when she loosed her hold of the bag. How
ever. managed, by using both hands, to gel
it into my lap For two years afterwards
was afflicted with lalneness, which | have al
ways thought was caused by holding the Ole
/ adys carpet. bag so long. And this wasn't
ALL as the sequel will show.
We rode on-not very comfortably, being
40 crowded-for several miles. The old lad,
was very communicative, informing us who
she was, where she lived. and how she happen
ed to get married She told us she was go
in to visit Lizy Ann, who married city chap
and boarded at tavern in L., abour
twelve miles distant M
Does she expect your asked gentleman
who sat on the same seat, and who, as we'll al