Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1865-08-30
HYDE PARK, VERMONT WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 80, 1865

peed rarely fell below eight miles an
lour. and often ran up to twelve. But
10 wisely was all arranged, and so well
that not an animal suffered to
horses and men the ride seemed to be the
work of every day, as indeed it was in
everything but our higher rate of speed.
But the passengers are content that it
should be single experience for them !;
they are glad to have had it, but will
spare their friends repitition--at pres
ent. The alkali dust, dry with seasons
sun, tine with the grinding of seasons
stages and freight trains, was thick and
constant and penetrating beyond expert
ence and comparison. 1t filled the air
it was the air; it covered our bodies-it
penetrated them; it scared to Almighty
attributes. and became omnipresent, and
finding its way into bags and trunks be-
grimed all our clean clothes, and reduced
everything and everybody to common
plane of dirt, with soda, soapy flavor to
all. This alkali element in the soil of
all this region, as of much of the country
on the other side of the Rocky Noun
tains, ] have heard no explanation of. In
some spots it prevails to such degree as
to clean the ground of all, even the most
barren vegetation; and wide, smooth,
bare alkali plains stretch out before the
eye, sometimes for miles, and white in the
distance like snow bank. In some pla-
ces so strong is it that the earth when wet
rises like bread under yeast. 1t taints
the water everywhere, and sometimes 40
strongly that bread mixed with it needs
no other rising. Yet find no evidence
of any general unhealthy effect from its
presence; animals eat the grass and drink
the water favored with it; and though
the dust chokcs all pores and makes tht
nose and lips sore, the inconvenience anc
annoyance seem to be but temporary from
even large doses of it.
Theu the jolts of the rocks and tn
"chuck holes of the road, to which tn
drivers in their rapid progress could Civ
no heed, kept us in somewhat perpetua
and not altogether graceful motion. Their
was certainly small sleep to be enjoyed
during this memorable ride of three day
and nights: and though we made the bes
of it with joke and felicitation at eac|
others discomfort, there was none no
glad when it was over. The drivers al
had the same consolation to administer t
lis for the rough riding, and that was tn
story, memorable all along this route, c
Mr.. Greeley's experience upon it some 81
J years ago. He had met rather dull dr.
; yer, and was behind time, and becam
impatient, as he had lecture engage
ment Just over the mountains in Califol
=, MIA. So when he struck the mountai
J road, and noted driver then and still
; for stage driving is trade that men 70
low through their lives-by name Han
Monk, Mr.. G.. suggested that he woul
t like to get over the road triae fastc
"Yes," said Hank, as he gathered up IL
reins of six half.viid mustangs, then
common use on the road, ,-"keep 20,
Q scat Mr.. Greeley. aud | will get yc
r ! through in time" Crack went his whil
r the mustangs dashed into a fearful pac
h up hill and down, along precipices frigh
ful to look at, over rocks that kept Il
il noted passenger passing frantically b
a tween seat and ceiling of the coach Z
y philosopher soon was getting more than
t. bargaiued for; and at the first soft pla
0 on the road he mildly suggested to I
h driver that half hour more or less wou
IS not make much difference. But Mo-
10 was in for his drive and his joke, and
W piled again, with twinkle in his i
e. eve, after fresh cut at his mustanI
re Just keep your seat, Mr.. Greeley, a
h you shall be through in time" y
= Greeley kept his seat as we'll as
TX could, got through on. time, and better, l
il harmed, though greatly tohis surprise
er view of the dangers and roughness Of
IL drive, and rewarded the driver. who b
ed served bin the rough joke, with a 2
d, suit Of clothes. The story is now clas
er with all the drivers and all travellers
rv Tho road. and Monk wears watch W