Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-10-17
cor. sRw.sRD .svD THE STAGE
DRIVER.

In the days Of stage coaches, he was trav-
eling in Western New York, and was
obliged 10 lay over at Genesee. The next
day, on applying to the stage-driver for a
passage he was told that every available
seat was occupied, and mainly by men,
bers of the Legislature on their way 10 AL
bany.
az also am on my way 10 Albany" said
Mr.. Seward, "and my business there is
quite as important as that of the members
of the Legislature. 1 insist upon having
conveyance"
"But tell You it is impossible" reared
tho driver" 1--WE always accommodate
the members of the Legislature in prefer
ence to other passengers"
"But," urged Mr.. Seward, ~ am the
Governor of New York. Will you not ac-
commodate the GovernorY'
"You the Governor of New York r. said
the driver, with peculiar expression of
sarcasm. "You the Governor of New
York That dodge won't do. 1 can't take
you sir"
"But," demonstrated Mr.. Seward, "I am
in earnest. 1 am really the Governor of
New York and, TO convince you Of that
fact, here is ten dollars in addition 10 my
fare. If do not prove to you, when we
reach Albany, that am Governor of New
York, the money is yours; if do, you
will return it.
agreed" shouted the driver, as he fin
gered the money. "Sit little closer, gen.
tlemen. We will make room for the gov
ernor' up here. He won't take Up much
space, anyway
The Governor was sandwiched in be-
tween the burly driver and an aldermanic
member of the Legislature, making slight
dent in each of them. 1t was nice, cosey
seat for nights ride in the crisp Deem
ber air. The driver was in a jublant mood,
with the jingle of the extra ten dollars in
his pocket; and the member was agree
ably excited by the new honors into which
he was about TO enter. Mr.. Seward was
disposed TO encourage the idea of the driv-
er, that his pretensions were mere joke
to obtain seat.
After jovial ride Of twenty -four hours,
the shrll, clarion sound of the stageman's
horn announced to the citizens of Albany
generally, and to the landlord of the Met
ropolitan Hotel in particular, the arrival of
the Western stage. Spurred on by the
harp, rapid cracks of the drivers whip,
the "coach-and-four" swept swiftly and
proudly up the semi-circular driveway,
and halted directly in front Of the broad
piazza, which was alive with The assembled
Legislators and politicians of the great State
of New York.
As they stepped on the piazza, several
gentlemen approached, and greeted Mr..
T Seward with marked cordialty, and the
crestfalen driver began to doubt about the
ten dollars, and commenced lingering them
) deep down in his pocket as If TO assure
himself they were really there. Pretty
soon he noticed an elegantly clad gentle
man, adorned with a profuson of gold
chains and ponderous seals, evidently from
the great city, and man of consequence,
) approach Mr.. Seward with great cordialty,
t with the salutaton,-
) Good Governor; welcome to
Albany; your arrival relieves us from
: some anxiety. But how does it happen
) that you were perched up with the driver?''
! "Why, my friend the driver here wouldn't
| believe 1 was Governor, or even a member
4, of the Legislature, so 1 had to bribe him tc
: give me seat at ALL"
e The driver grasped the gold firmly in
i his huge paw, drew it suddenly from the
$ depths of his capacious pocket, and was
: about 10 hand it over without further par.
o ley, when Mr.. Seward addressed him: -
e "Mr. Driver, this is Mr.. Peter Cagger, o
: New York. Shall we submit our question
g TO him?'
$ GAN right" said the driver with a burs
II of desperate courage. '"All right! Here il
e the money, begging your Excellency's par
n dom"
/ "But STOP" said Mr.. Seward. "Tht
1t question is not yet decided. We have only
y agreed upon judge. Will you state III,
= case first or shall I?''
!, "Go ahead" said the driver.
II By this time, some twenty or thirty gent
10 lemen had gathered in circle around tn
II party, listening with intense curiosity t
II the unusual drama before them.
a, Mr. Seward, keeping up the dramatic el
y feet, went ONT
r "Well Mr.. Judge, this man refused m
ID a seat in his coach because l was not
of member of the Legislature, and therefor
Is the State would not suffer by my bein
Is left over until the next day and when
told him 1 was Governor of New Yorl
Is and therefore my presence at the seat {
is government was quite as important as ths
i'd of member of the Legislature, he refuse
ir to credit me without an endorser. 1 az
in cordingly placed In his hands ten dollar
TO which, II prove myself TO be Governor
- New York, he is 10 return 10 me-
" "And here it is" interposed the drive
y holding out the money in his open palm.
's' "One word MORE" said Mr. Seward. :"
~ 1 do not prove to be governor the none
g is his" Turning to the drver) "Mr. DIR
y yer, is the question fairly statedH"
gu "All right" said the driver.
u "Well, Mr.. Cagger, am I governor
81 New York or notf'
,e' "You governor of New York ?" said M
~ Cagger. "No."
uo "No2" said Mr.. Seward, "Who is go
ernor ?'
no "Why, Thurow Weed, TO be sure"
no "Mr Driver, the money is yours" sa
Us Mr.. Seward.
oy A laundering burst of long-suppress
~, laughter exploded from the crowd on t
49, piazza, in which Mr.. Seward and Pei
~. Cagger most heartily joined.-Boston n Co
1,"' mercial Bulletin.