Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1860-08-08
A STAGE DRIVERS ADVENTURE.

Fourteen years ago drove stage from Dan
bury TO Littleton, a distance of forty two
miles, and as had to wait for the arrival of
two other coaches, did not start till after
dinner; so | very often had a good distance
TO drive after dark. 1t was in the dead of
winter, and the season had been a tough one.
A great deal of snow had fallen and the drifts
were plenty and deep. The mail that carried
was due at Littleton until one O'Clock in the
morning; bnt that winter the postmaster was
very often obliged to sit up a little later than
lhatfOr me-.
One day in January when / drove up for my
mail at Danbury, the postmaster called me
into his office.
sssPete,: said he, with an important, serious
look; s'there's some pretty heavy money pack
ages in that bag" and he pointed to the mail
bag as he spoke. He said the money was from
Boston to some land agents up near the Cana
da line. Then he asked me if I'd got any
passengers who were going through to Little
ton. j told him did not know, s'but suppose
/ havn't'' says I.
Way said he. ssthe agent OF the lower
route came in to- day, and he says that there
have been two suspicious characters on the
stage that came up last night, and he suspects
that they have an eye upon this mail, so that
1t will stand you in hand to be a little CAREFUL"
He said the agent had described one of
them as short, thick set fellow, about forty
y
clump beard under his chin, but none on the
side of his face. He didn' know anything
about the other. told the old fellow guess
ed there wasn't much danger.
''Oh no; not il you have got passengers for
the whole trip; but / only told OF this so that
you might look out for your mail, and look
out for it when you stop to change horses"
answered that should do so, and then
took the bag nnder my arm and lett the office.
slowed the bag away under the seat little
more careful than usual, placing it so that
could keep my feet against it i; but beyond this
L did not feel any concern. 1t was half past
one when started, and had four passengers,
two of whom rode only to my stopping place.
| reached Gowans mills at dark when we stop
ped for supper, and where my other two pas
sengers concluded to stop for the night.
At about six O'Clock in the evening left
Gowan's Mills alone, having two horses and
an open pung. | had seventeen miles to GO
and hard seventeen it was too. The night
was quite clear, but the wind was sharp and
cold, the loose snow flying in all directions,
while the drifts We're deep and closely packed.
IL was slow. tedious work, and my horses soon
became leg weary and restive. At the distance
OF six miles came to little settlement call
ed Bulls Corner, where took fresh horses.
mad been two hours going that distance.
JuSt as was going TO start man came up
and asked me if 1 was going through to Lit
Teton told bim l should go through if the
thing could possible be done. He said he
was very anxious to go and as he had no bag
gage told him to jump on and make HIM
self as comfortable as possible. l was gather
ing up the reius when the ostler came out and
asked me if knew that one of my horses had
cut himself badly. jumped out and went
WIN him and found that one of the animals
mad got deep cork cut on the off fore foot.
gave such directions as L thought were ne
cessary, when the ostler remarked that he
thought came alone. told him did.
said he.
"he Just got in,'' answered.
Iot IN from where 90
81 don't know''
eii,now," said the ostlei, ssthat's kind of
curious. There amt no such man been at the
mouse, and know there haint been none at
the neighbours,
''Let,s have look at his faces said /. ssDo
Sou go PACK with me, and as get in the pung,
just mold yonr lantern SO that the light will
shine in his face.
:. lie did as l wished, and as | stepped into
me pung, got a fair view of such portions of
my passengers face as were not nluffied up.
saw a snort thick frame, full, hard features,
Hu couid also see that there was heavy
, ueaiu under the chin. thought of the man
h.. oIi me postmaster had described to me-
,aS as dio not think seriously until had star
~ 5erhaps bad gone halt mile, when
,,I.iceo ,,,ao That the mail bag was not in its old
pace under my feet. a9sa
,t,,a nalo' mo- - says 1, holding up my horses
Ne, where's my mail 10
10 passenger sat on the seat behind me ,and
spoke turned towards him.
mere haO rf. =.