The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1880-01-03
California Drivers.

Vhs c~life--ss4 --@sL..ss. hAss s.s.as.
ful aptitude for driving, aud one sees some
pretty good examples among the hills.
The road down the mountain sides is en-.
tirely unguarded upon the outer edge, and
the descent in most places is precipitous.
A balky horse or fractured wheel, or n
slight carelessness in handling the reins,
might easily send carriage load of people
to destruction-and an awful destruction
too. The path is wide enough for one pair
of wheels only, but, at intervals, in favor
able places, il broadens SO that teams may
pass each other. To drive in such man.
ner as not to meet another traveller mid
way between these places is n special
branch Of the art. The huge lumber
teams which carry wood from the mills in
the mountains to the yards in the valleys,
being unwieldy and very heavy, are espe-
cially hard to manage. Yet the drivers
always seem easy and nonchalant. First,
there is large four-wheeled oaken truck,
with seat in front ten feet above the
level Of the ground; behind 1t Is another
truck, somewhat shorter, but still enor-
mously stout. These are fastened togeth-
er and loaded with from ten TO fifteen tons
of freshly sawn lumber--boardsa and joists.
This mass is drawn by six or eight mules
or borses, guided by reins and a prodigious-
ly long whip. The first wagon has pow
erfnl brake, worked by a long iron lever
BY the driver upon his seat The driver
is man of nerve and courage. His skill
must be of the highest order. Il will
not do for him to take fright even If in
imminent danger, and be must know to a
hairs breadth where he can go, and where
he cannot. Towering up far above the
road, overlooking the most stupendous
depths, and guiding with few slender
lines tremendous force, he must need be
an adept and a tireless one. But behoider
-ignorant of the danger that constantly
surrounds him-would say that his work
was simple, and that he managed matters
with ease. True, he seems 90. With his
broad-brimmed hat shading his sun burned
face, his sinewy hands holding the reins
with carelessness, his legs outs.retched.
with one foot feeling the all-important
brake, he jogs onward with his monster
charge without trouble or concern; the
bells upon the horses breasts jingle little
tune; the great wheels crush the stones In
the path; the load creaks like ship's hull
in sudden gust; wild birds sweep down
into hazy, sunny depths below; vet the
driver seems to take no heed But let
scare take place; let herd of runaway
cattle appear at bend and set the horses
wild, and then see what will happen.
The day dreamer will become giant of
strength; he is up in fasb he shortsns
his hold upon the reins, and feeling his
wagon start up beneath him, places yoot
OF iron on the brake. The horses snort
and rear and surge; tho harness rattle, the
dust arises, the load shricks again, and
tho huge wheels turn fatally faster and
faster. An instant may harl the wagon
down into the valley with lis strueeiing
train--a mad rush to the other side 81 the
way may end all In one horrible plunge.
Muscle, eye, brain, skin are then brought
to work 30 splendidIy together that ths
peril is averted, and the Iooker-on, who
kpows not the way Of the land regards the
leamster with profound respect thereafter.
--sSdn Ftaacisco Aygus.