The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1874-01-10
a TALE OF ENGLISH MAIL.
COACH DAYS.

All EDEllSn gentleman OIL True john
Bull proportons-weighlng some eighteen
or twenty stone-had occasion to travel
III summer by stage-coach from Oxford to
London. The stage carried six inside !;
and our hero engaged two places las, in con-
sideration of his size, he usually did) for
himself. The other four seats were taken
by Oxford students.
These youths, being lighter than our
modern Lambert, reached the stage be-
fore he did, and each snusly possessed
himself of a corner seat, leaving centre
seat on each side vacant. The round,
good-naiured face of John Bull soon after
appeared at the carriage door; and peer
ing into the vehicle, and observing the
local arrangements, its owner said, with
smile, "You see | am of pretty COM
Portable size, gentlemen; so | have taken
two seats. It will greatly oblige me if
one of you will kindly move into the OPP
posite seat SO that may be able to en-
ter.o
My good sir" said pert young law
student, possession is nine-tenths of the
law. You engaged two seats. There they
are, one on each side. We engaged one
each, came first, entered regularly into
possession. and our titles to The seats we
occupy are indisputable.
81 do not dispute your titles" sad the
other; "but trustto your politeness, see
ing how the case stands, to enable me to
pursue my Journey"
20, hang polteuess said hopeful
Young scion of some noble house. 81
have horror Of middle seat, and would
not take one to oblige my grandmother !;
it's ungracelul as well as uncomfortable !;
and, besides, one has no chance OF look
ing at the pretty girls along the road
Good old gentleman, arrange your con-
Germs as you please | stick to my cor
ner." And he leaned back. yawned, and
settled himself with hopeless composure in
his place.
Our corpulent friend. though a man not
easily discomposed, was somewhat put out
by this unmannerly obstinacy. lie turned
to smart looking youth, with a shipper
on his face-a clerical student who had
hitherto sat in revery, possibly thinking
over his chances of rich benefce in the
future. "Will you accommodate me 2"
he asked. "This is the last stage that
starts for London to-day, and business OF
urgent Importance calls me to town."
''Some temporal affair, no doubt" said
the graeeless youth, with mock gravity !;
some speculation with filthy lucre for its
object. Good father, at your age your
thoughts should turn heavenward, instead
Of being confined to the dull heavy taber-
nacle of clay that chains us to earth.n And
his companions roared with laughter.
A glow Of indignation just colored the
Strangers cheek but he mastered the
feeling in moment, and said, with much
composure, to the fourth, &c Are you also
determined that | shall lose my place |;
or will you oblige me by taking a centre
seat?"
"Ay, do, Tom" said his lordship to the
person addressed; ''he's something in the
way ofyour profession, quite physiological
curiosity. You ought to accommodate
him.
"May be poisoned if dol, replied
the student of medicine. In dissecting
room he'd make an excellent subject;
but In q coach, and this warm weather,
too! Old gentleman, if you'll put your
self under my care, I'll engage in the
course of six weeks, by judicious course
of depletlyes, to save you hereafter the
expense of double seat. But, really, to
take middle seat in the month of July is
contrary to all the rules of hygiene, and
practice to which | have professional
objection"
And the laugh was renewed at the old
gentleman's expense.
By this time the patience Of coachee,
who had listened to the latter part of the
dialogue, was exhausted. "Harkee, gem.
men," said he, "settle the business as You
like; but it wants just three-quarters of
minute of twelve, and with the first
stroke OF the university clock my horses
must be oil. | would not wait three Sec
onds Longer for the king, God bless him.
,Twould be as much as my place is
WORTH" And with that he mounted his
box, took up the reins, bid the hostler
shut the door, and sat with appraised whip.
listening for the expected stroke.
AS it sounded from the venerable bel
Try, the horses, as if they recognized tie
signal, shot off at gallop with the four
young rogues, to whom their own rude
ness and our fat friends dilemma afforded
prolific theme for merriment during the
whole stage.
Meanwhile the subject of their mirth
hired post-chaise followed and overlook
them at the second change of horses,
where the passengers got out ten minutes
Tor lunch. AS the post-chaise drove no 10 |
the nn-door two young chimney .sweeps |
passed with their bags and brooms and
their well-known cry.
Come hither, my lads,'' said the cor
pnlent gentleman; "what say you to a
ride ?u
The whites Of their eyes enlarged into |
still more striking contrast with the dark
shades of the sooty cheeks. Will YOU
have ride, my boys, in The stage.
eoach2u
ICES, zur," said the elder, scarcely dar-
ing to trust the evidence Of his ears.
We'll, then, hostler, open the stage.
door In with you And, dye hear ? be |
sure to take the two middle seats; so, one |
one each side."
The guards horn sounded, and coach
'e voice was heard: SONY one minute
ana half more, gen lemen come on.
lhey came, bowed laughingly to our |
10 the COACH Ihe rnuno Lord - ~ c. -.