Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-08-13
A sTAGE-DRIvER's LIFE.

GIVE sat on this stage six years, and
never missed day through my own fault, !"
said driver on the Fifth-avenue line to a
passenger who had climbed up beside him.
eyes, I've kept my stage longer than any
other driver on this line, l suppose. I
never dreamed once that should ever do
this kind of work, though. Get up there"
and he gave the reins vicious jerk, as
though some unpleasant thought had sud-
denly come to him.
"Vhy, eight years ago / was worth
$4,000" he said suddenly. 81 kept a
butchers shop over in Jersey City. Bust
ness was good and was prosperous. Then
| wasn't content to let well enough alone,
and l went and took in a partner. He
didn't know anything about business, and
incurred debts. It's the old story-we got
involved and the smash came and / was
left without dollar. Those were dark
DAYS then. And you know how it is when
{. man is going down hill-his friends are
all anxious to give him kick. None of
my old friends would help me. But there
was one that never failed me, sir, and that
was my wife. She never spoke discour-
aging or reproachful word when things
were going the worst What that woman
was u liiC uV OuC DuU huoWs
Lord, how the glare of the sun brings
the water into ones eyes It's few men
that get such wives, and that's why l al
ways speak of mine. Well, couldn't find
anything to do, and l came over to the boss
of this line and asked him for a job. Are
you used to driving?' he said. Mister,
I've lived with horses from my youth up,
and I've driven better pair of my own
than any you've got in your stable, says 1.
He grinned as though he liked my looks,
and said, Come round tomorrow morning
and we'll have place for you. So did,
and for six years since I've been on the box
nearly every day except Sundays.
It's long hours and exposure to great
deal of rough weather, of course, but
they're very kind up at the end of the
route and they change horses for me, with
out my having to get off the box. I was
rather ashamed at first, and don't like
the work now because you zee I've had a
good fair education, and it is not doing me
any good. But there's a chance to see
good deal of human nature up here, and
tell you human nature is pretty mean
thing. There are people, and women, too,
sometimes, as well as men, that will swear
up and down they've paid their fare when
I know they haven't. If there are others
in the stage they very often get ashamed of
their bluff and back down by saying they'll
pay their fare twice. Then there are the
hot-tempered people who jerk the strap SO
as to almost break my leg because the
stage don't stop at once, And there are
some who think the way to show their
superiority is to abuse anybody who hap
pens to hold an inferior position.
"But then there's another side to it.
have a good many regular customer
There are men up along the avenue whom
l pick up about the same time every morn
ing, and often bring back at night. Many
ride up here with me, and get to know
them and learn where to expect them. And
they're very kind. Last Christmas one
asked me to wait minute when he left
the stage at his house, and he brought out
fur cap and pair of mittens for me.
And / met another out sleighing in a snow
storm last winter. He bowed to me-they
all do that-and pretty soon drove up be-
side me and sang out Here's some
thing to keep your nose warm. 1t was
bunch Of cigars and matches tied
on the end of his whip. Another
one who rides with me often left V In
my hand one New Years when he got
down. These things make a man feel
good, you know, when they are done in
that way. Hi, there 7 as he guided the
stage by close shave between dray and
an express wagon.
Eyes, it takes good driving to get safely
up and down Broadway. But never did
nor received any damage yet. This your
street? Whoa, there Good day, sir. +"
And the horses suddenly started again,
shaking off the small bootblaek who " had
soft thing on the steps behind. New
York Tribune.