The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-01-04
From " "Artemus Ward His Travels. y
Horace Greely's Ride to Placersilie.


citizens of the Golden State. And there
fore they made much Of him when he
, wentt to see them
At one town the enthusiastic populace
tore his celebrated white coat to pieces
and carried the pieces home to remem-
Der him by
The citizens of rlacerville prepared to
fete the great journalist, and extra
coach, with extra relays of horses, was
chartered of the California Stage Com
pany to carry him from Folsom to Pla-
cerville-distance. forty miles. The ex
ira was on some account delayed, and
did not leave Folsom until late in the af
ternoon. Mr.. Greely was to be feted at
o'clock that evening by the citizens Of
Placerville. and it was altogether neces
| sary that he should be there by that
| hour So the Stage Company said to
Henry Monk, the driver Of the extra,
Henry this great man must be there
by o'clock to- night And Henry an
swered, The great man shall be there.
The roads were IN an awful state, and
| during the first few miles out of Folsom
slow progress was made.
Sir" said Mr. Greely, are you aware
that l must be at Placerville at o'clock
to night2'
I've got my ordersn laconically re
turned Henry Monk.
Still the coach dragged slowly for
ward
Sir, said Mr. Greedy, this is not
trifing matter, l must be there at
sevenn
Again came the answer, I've got my
orders y
But the speed was not increased, and
Mr. Greely chafed away another half
hour. when, as he was again about to re-
monstrate with the driver, the horses
suddenly started into furious run, and
all sorts of encouraging yells filing the
air from the throat of Henry Monk.
That is right my good fellow -
said Mr.. Greedy. "lil give YOU ten
dollars when we get to Placerviiie, Now
we are GOING
They were indeed, and at terrible
speed
Crack, Crack, vent the whip, and
~ j., =. that voice split the air. ''Git
up, II, vi. G'I"ng! Yip-yip"
And on they tore, over ruts and stones
up hill and down. at 4 rate of speed
never achieved by stage horses.
Mr. Greely. who had been bouncing
from one end of the stage TO the other,
like an India rubber ball, managed to
said
"D-on't-ont-on't you-u-u-u
think we-e-e-e shall get there by
seven if we do-on't-ont 90 so fast?'
I've got my oriersr That was all
that Henry Monk said. And on tore the
coach.
1t was becoming serious. Already the
journalist was becoming extremely sore
from the terrible joltine, and again his
head =" might have been seen At the win
dow"
Sir ne said, Il don't care-care-
are, if we don't get there at seven"
Il have got my orders"
Fresh horses. Forward again, faster
than before Over rocks and stunps.
on one which the coach narrowly es
capped turning a summerset
"See here,'' shrieked Mr.. Greedy, a
don't care it we dent get there at all ~
I've got my orders | work for the
California Stage Company, | do That's
wot work for They said git this man
through by sewing. An this mans
goin' through. Yo bet. Gerlong'
Whoo-epn
Another frightful jolt, and Mr.. Gree
Tvs bald head suddenly found its way
through the roof of the coach, amidst
the crash of small timhers and the rip
ping of strong canvas
Stop. vou-maniac " he roared.
Again answered Henry Monk:
I've got my orders Keep yoar seat
Horace
At Mud Springs, village few miles
from Placerville, they met a large delega-
ton of citizens of PIacerville, who had
come out TO meet the celebrated editor,
and escort him into town. There was =
military company, a brass band, and a
six horse wagon load Of beautiful dam
sells in milk white dresses. representing
all the States in the Union 1t was
nearly dark now, but the delegation was
simply provided with torches, and bon
fires all along the road TO PlaccrSille
Tie citizens met the coach in the out
skirts of Mud Springs, and Mr.. Monk
reined in his foaming steeds.
is Mr. Greely on board 2" asked the
Chairman OF the Committee.
HE was few miles back /" said Mr..
Monk. ives he added, looking down
through the hole the fearful joiting had
made in the coach roof-''ycs. l can see
him He is there
Mr.. Greedy said the chairman of
! the committee. presenting himself at
/ the window of the coach. MIR Greely
SIR We are come to most cordially
welcome YOU, sir--why, God bless
me, sir. You are bleeding at the nose"
I i've got my oriers.' cried Mr.. Monk.
MY orders sre as follows:
i s.Git him there by sewing. Stand out
of the way
But, sir exclaimed the com mittee-
mau, seizing the OFF leader by the reins-
Mr. Monk, we are 10 escort him into
/ town, Look at the procession, sir, and
brass band, and the people, and the
young women, sir.
I've got my orders screamed Mr.
Monk. NV orders don't say pothin
about no brass bands and Young women
Nv orders says get him here by sewing.
Let 90 them line, clear the way there
Whoo-ep. Keep your seat Horace :!
| and the coach dashed wildly through the