The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-11-09
The Mail RObbcr.
, STAGl. DRIVERS ADVENTURE.

Fourteen wears ago | drove from Danhurv
to littleton distance Of forty-two miles.
and as h.d to await The arrival of two or
three coaches. did not start unit! after dinner.
so had very often good distance to drive
after dark. Ii was in the dead OF wInier and
the season had been a tough one. n great
deal Of snow had fallen. and the Grltts were
plenty and deep. The mail that | carried
was not due at I.i,tleton, by contract. until
one o'clock in the morning: but that winter
the postmaster was very often Obliged TO sli
up a little later than that ter me-.
One day in January, when drove up tor
nv mail at Danbury, the postmaster called
! me into his office.
Pete" said he. with an important, serious
look there's some pretty heavy money pack
ages in that bag" and he pointed TO Tie bag
as he spoke He said the money was from
Boston TO some lar d agents up near the Can
, ada line. Tnen he asked me if Id got any
passengers who were going through to Ln-
lleton. | told him | didn't know, but sup
] posed had not.
! "Whv." said he. 1.-THE agent of the lower
/ route came in to-day. and he says there have
4
that came up last night. and he suspects that
/ they have an eye upon this mail. 81 that II
will stand YOU i'll hand to be a little care
/ full"
/ lie said the agent had described one of
,hem as a snort. lhich-sct fellow. about forty
wears of age. with long hair. and thick.
heavy cump of beard under the chm. but
none on the side of his face. lie dldn [
know ANYTHING about the other. l told the
old fellow guessed there wasn't much dan
ger.
! 30, no, not if you have got passengers
through: but only tol;! YOU Of this SO that
YOU might look out for your mail. and look
out for it when YOU change horses.
| answered tha, should do SO, aid then
took the bag under my arm and lett the OF
flee. | slowed the mail under my seat hi
tie more careful than usual. placing ii 50 that
| could keep my feet against II: but beyond
this | did not feel any concern. 1t was
past one when started, and | haG four pas
scngers, two of whom rode only to my first
stopping place. l reached Gowans Mills al
dark, when We stopped for supper, aud where
my other passengers concluded to stop foi
the night.
About six o'clock in the evening left
Gowan's Mills alone, having two horses and
ali open pung.
| had seventeen miles to go, and hare
seventeen i; was too. The night was quit,
clear, but the wind was sharp and cold, lhs
! loose snow fying in all directions while tn,
drifts were deep and closely packed. 1t Wa:
: slow, tedious work, and my horses soon be
came leg-weary and restive. At the distanc,
of six miles came to little settlement
called Bulls Corner, where l took fresi
horses. had been two hours going tha
distance. Just as was going to start,
man came up and asked me if was goin!
through to Litt.eton. told him | shoul,
go through if the thing could be done. III
said he was very anxious to 70 and as he hat
no baggage, told him TO jump in and maxi
himself as comfortable as possible. wa
gathering up mylines when the hostler cam
out and asked me if knew that one Of nj,
horses had cut himself badly? | jLmpe'
e out and went with him. and found that on
e of the animals had got deep cork cut OIL
t the off fore foot. gave such directions as
e considered necessary. and was about to tur'
r away. when the hostler remarked that h
r thought | came alone. told him did com
e alone.
e "Then where did you get that passenger ;
e said he
j "He just got in" l replied.
. "Got in from where"
' Il don't know
"Well, now," said the hostler, "that's kin
. o. curious. There amt no such man been a
E the house, and know there amt been non
at any Of the neighbors."