Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-10-19
Horaea GgseIey'S Ride.

Z NCht 10 cNt tAtiu
At one town the enthusiastic populace toro
his celebrated white coat to pieces, and carried
them home to remember him by.
The citizens of Placeryille.prepaTed to .tetc
the great journalist aud an extra coach, with
extra relays of horses, was chartered of the
California State Company, to carry him from
Folsom TO Placeryille, distance forty miles
The extra was on some account delayed and did
not leave Folsom until late in the a(ternoon.-
Mr. Greeley was to be fetei at Z o'clock that
evening by the citizens Of Placervlle, and it
was altogether necessary that lie should be
there by that hour. So tie State Company
said TO Henry Monk, the driver of the extra.
Henry this great man must be there by :
o'clock tonight And Henry answered. 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. Greeley are you aware that l
must be at Placerylilo at Z o'clock tonight?
I've got my orders laconically returned
Henry Monk.
Still the coach went slowly forward.
Sir, said Mr.. Greeley this is not triaing
matter. | must be there at seven.
Bat the speed was not increased, and hr.
Greeley chattel away another half hour when
as be was again about to demonstrate with the
driver, the horses suddenly started in furious
run, and all sorts Of encouraging yells filed the
air from the throat Of Henry Monk.
That's right, my good fellow, said Mr.. Gree
ley, I'll give you ten dollars when we get to
Placeryile Now We are going
They were indeed, aud at a terrible speed.
Crack crack went the whip and again that
voice split the air Get up! hi yil g1ong
yip-yip'
And on they tore, over ruts aud stones, up
aud down at a rate of speed never before
achieved by stage horses.
Mr.. Greeley who had been bouncing from
one end of the coach to the other, like an India
rubber ball, managed to get his head out of
the window and said:
D-on't-ont you--u-think-e-e shall
get there by seyea, If ve do--out 50 s., fast ?
I've got my orders That was all Henry
Monk said Aud on tore the coach.
1t was becoming serious. Already the jour
nalist was becoming extremely sore from the
ioltng aud again lis head might have been
seen at the window.
Sir, he said, don't caro-are-are If wo
don't get there at seven.
I've got my orders.
Fresh borses-forward again faster than be-
fore; over rocks and stumps, on one Of which
the coach narrow y escaped turning summer
sault
See here shreked Mr. Goeley, don't care
If we don't get there at all
I've got my orders, work for the California
State Company. DO; that's wot work for.
They said Git this man through by seven
Au thi. man goin' through, you bet GerlOngI
whoop
Another frshtfal jill, aud Mr. Greeley's
bald head suddenly found it, way through the
roof Of the coach, amid the crash Of small
timbers, and the ripping Of strong canvass.
Stop, you-maniac he roarcd.
Again answered Henry Monk. I've go; my
orders, keep your seat Horace!
At Mud Springs a village few miles from
Placerville, they met large delegation Of citi-
zens Of PIaceryille, who had come cut to meet
the celebrated editor and escort him into tho
town. There was a military company, brass
band aud a six horse load of beautiful damsels
in mik-whito dresses, representing all the
States Of the Uuion 1t was nearly dark now,
but the delegation was amply provided with
torches, aad bondfros along the road to Placer
vile.
The citizens met the coach in the outskirts
of Mud Springs, aud Mr Monk reined in Lis
foaming steeds
Is Mr.. Greeley on board % asked the chair
man Of the committee.
lie was few miles back, said Mr.. Monk.
" Ny orders is as follows: " Git him there by
seven 1t wants quarter to seven. Stand out
Of the way"
" But sir" exclaimed the committeeman,
seziag the of leader by the reins, Mr. Monk,
we are to escort him into town. Look at the
procession, sir, aud the young women, sir"
" I've got my orders" screamed Mr. Moak.
My orders don't say nothing about no brass
bands and young women. BY orders says, git
him there by sewing. l.; 90 them lines
Clear tie way there. Woo-epl Keep your
seat, Horacel and tie coach dashed wildly
through the procession, up.ettiuS poriion of
the brass band aud violently grazing the was-
OF which contained tho beautiful youog wOniea
in white.
Years hence grey haired men, who were in
this procession, will tel their grladsLilIren
how this stage tore through Mud sprinss, aud
how Horace Grseley's bald bead ever and anon
showed itself, Ike wild appariiioD, above tho
coach roof
Mr. Monk was 90 time. There IA traaic-
ton that Mr Greeley WAS iadi yDant for awhile,
then he laughed, and fiaaIly presented Mr.
Monk with brau-new suit Of elothes.
Blr. Monk himself !. siiIl in the employ Of
the California State COMPANY. aud IS rather