Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-04-11
nllslellanp.
Horace GreeIey's Ride to Placer
willie.


When Mr.. Greeley was in California, ovations
awaited him at every turn. He had written
powerful leaders in the Tribune in favor of the
Pacific RIiiroad, which mad greatly endeared
nm 10 the citizens of the Golden State. And
therefore they made much of him when ne
went TO them
At one time the enthusiastic populace tore
his celebrated white coat to pieces, and carried
the pieces home to remember him by.
The citizens of PlacervIle prepared 10 tete
the great journalist, and an extra coach, with
reiays Of horses, was chartered OF the Califor
MA Stage Company TO carry him from Folsom
90 Pl4cervlle-a distance Of forty miles. The
extra was in some way delayed, and did not
I've FOl-Om until late IN the afternoon Mr..
Greeley was TO be feted at o'clock that
evening by the citizens of Pacerville, and it
was altogether necessary that he should be there
Jy that hour 80 the Stage Company said TO
Henry Monk, ne driver OF the extra, henry,
-a-- man must be there by o'clock to
t." And he answered, 50 The great man
-lal b. there"
The roads we're in an awful state, and during
he first lew miles out of Folsom slow progress
was made.
"oir,7 said MIR Greeley, are you aware that
must be at Piaceryil.e at seven O'Clock to-
night?"
I've go; my orders" laconicaly returned
Henry Monk.
Stil. the coach dragged slowly forward
ST." said Mr.. Greeley, o this Is not tri-
ling matter l must be there at SEVEN
Again came the answer. "Pve got my or
derz."
But the speed not increased, and Mr..
Greeley chafed away another half hour then
IS ne was again TO demonstrate with the driver,
-.- horses started into furious run, and all
SORTS Of encouraging yelis filled the air from
lie throat Of Henry Monk.
That's right my good felow!" said Mr..
Greeley. "Iil give YOU ten dollars when We
arrive at PlacervIle. Now We going
They were indeed, and at a terrible speed.
Crack Crack went the whip, and again
that voice split the air. " Git upi Hi, yil
longi Yip-yiP!"
And ln they tore, over stones and ruts, up
dill aud down, at rate never before achieved
by stage horses.
Nr. Greeley, who had been bouncing from
one end OF the coach to the other like an India
rubber bail, managed to get his mead out OF the
window, when he said;
= 'Don'S-on' t-on't you think we-e-e shall get
there by II We don't 60 fast ?"
q I've got my orders!' That was ali Henry
Monk said. And on tore the coach.
1t becoming serious. Already the jour
naIIst was severely sore from the terrible JOLT
Ing, and again his head might have been seen
Al tie window.
." ST. ne said, al don't care-care-are if you
don't get there at seven :"
" I've got my ordeIsl' Fresh horses. For
ward again, faster than before. Over rocks
and stumps, On one of which the coach narrow
IL ESCAPED tuTaing summersaut.
See nerei' shrleked Mr.. Greeley, "I
dor't care II We don't get there at all p
I've got my orders / work for the CAL
ave | hats VII
work for; they sad, get this man through
by sewing. And this mans goin' through.
You Oct! Gerlong. Whooep~
Another frIghttul JOLT, and Mr.. Greeley 5
bald head suddenly ound its way through the
roof OF the coach amidst the crash of small
tmbers and the ripping of strong canvass.
stop, 5Ou--msnaci he roared.
= I've got my orders. Keep yotr seat Hor-
nee p
At Mudd Springs, village few miles from
P.zceTvli-e, they met large delegation of the
uIIzeDs OF Placerville, who had come TO meet
ne ceieOr ted editor 10 escort him 10 town.
Ineie was military company, brass band,
SIX horse wagon load of beautiful damsels,
ID milk white dresses representing all the
States IN the Union. Ii nearly dark now
7ut the delegation were amply provided ith
torches, and bonfires along the road TO Placer
vile.
The citizens met the coach in the outskirts
ot Mud Springs, anu Air. Monk reined IN his
ioamIng steeds.
is Mr.. Greeley on bnard,' asked the
Chairman Of the committee.
Sc lie Is a Iew miles back" said MIR. Monk
. Yes be added, looking down through the
hole wncn the fearful jolLng had made in the
coach roof. Yes, | can him He i:
lnerel :"
Mr.. Greeley said the chairman of the
commiltee, presenting himself at the window
p the coach. " MIR. Greeley, sir We have
come 10 most cordially welcome you-why
God bless me, sir, you are bleeding at the
nose "
I've got my orders,' cried MIR Monk
My orders Is as foilors Git him there b,
sewing 1t wants quarter OF sewing STAND
out Of the way"
. But, SIR = exclaimed the committee man
stiAng the OF leader by the rens. L" Mr.
Monk, We are come to escort him 10 town
I-O n at tae procession, sir, and the brass band
-nd the people. and the young women, sir =
I've got my ordfrs,' screamed Mr.. Mouk
My orders don't say nothin' atoui bras
Oands and young women. My ordres say
t'tt him there by sewing Let go the lines
'.e-r The way there, Whooepi Keep y,u
eeat, Horace and the coach dashed ava,
"4''S through the procession, upsetting por