Omaha daily bee., 1883-03-31
A STAGE ADVENTURE.

SheAANu u hhANAl ~ NhN v AhiNN
The completion of the Frisco rail-.
road from s.. Louis to Van Buren,,
Ark, Is a practical abolition of the old
stsgs line from Fayetteville to Alma
on the Fort Smith and Little Rock
railroad. Tnis old route, passing
through the virgin forests Of Western
Arkansas and over two ranges of
mountains, Is replete with the most
beautiful scenery as the road winds Its
ragged course over mountains and
valleys for nearly q hundred miller.
Even the far. famed Land of the Say"
cannot boast of more diversified at.
fractions. About two years ago, hav-
ing enjoyed the season at the justly
celebrated Eureka S brings, aud hear.
so much about this wild, pictur-
que country, l concluded to en-.
oure the hs~rGships of the long
stage ride and return home
by this route. At Fay e~tteville l trans.
ferred myself from a Pullman to q seat
10 the cumbersome stage; tho mail.
bags were pafely stored away, and
promptly at 2 p. m. the driver took
his seat, and rs our four horses start
cd In q lively trot we realized that our
journey had begun. There were two
other passengers. One was a mild.
eyed gentleman Of di9nified reserve,
who proved to be a college professor,
while the ether wore q flannel, check
cred cvershirt, and his pantaloons
were tucked into q pair of very heavy,
coarse boots, evidently q lsborer. The
professor explained that he was I'm.
ploying his summers vacation in Sc
curing specimens to enrich his entomo.
logical and botanical collections, and
every time he saw a curious bug or
flower he would want to get out and
secure 1t, until the driver finally de-
clared that he couldn't lose the time,
and refused to humor him further. As
Captain Cattle would express It, he
was "chock full O. science" and when
he found he couldn't collect ''speoi-
mems" he began an in~terminsble scien.
tiic dissertation that was about al
monotonous and interesting ~ the
pattering of rain on the house top.
We reached the summit of the first
range of mountains Just at sunset,
and paused until the sun sank beneath
the horizon, the most gorgeous
scene I ever Witnessed. No
one can boast of having seen
q glorious sunset until he has Viewed
one from Q mountain top on Q clear,
summer evening. We resumed our
journey, and directly the noon arose
like q great ball of fire, that lighted up
mountains and valleys with indescrib.
able beauty. l had taken my seat on
the box with the driver that I might
the better enjoy the view, and at the
same time escape the learned jargon
of the professor, who was focusing his
learning upon our friend of the check
cred shirt.
In making a steep ascent we passed
along a very narrow ledge overlooking
a chasm 80 deep that the light of the
moon failed to penetrate the cavern
ous darkness. We paused to admire
the awful grandeur of the scene, and
while the professors head was stuck
out Of the window in silent admiration
his silk bat fell off, struck the ground,
bounded over the brink, and dlsap
peared from view In the darkness be-
low. He jumped out and appeared as
though inclined to follow 1t, and
begged US In the most pitiful manner
to get 1t for him. Considering
the trivial loss of the hat his
anxiety appeared most ridiculous.
We finally discovered it caught in
some bushes, about ten feet below,
and entirely beyond reach. Upon the
professors offering $25 for Its recoy cry
the driver took the reins from his
horses, tied them together, and seour
Ing one end to q tree and the other
around his body let himself down, and
presently appeared with the hat, to
the great Joy Of the owner, who cheer
fully paid the reward. He then ex.
planned that he had been boarding up
two years salary In anticipation Of his
summers excursion, and as we all
seemed honest friends he did not mind
owningthat he had 81. 100 sewed In the
lining of the hat. Renewing our
journey, about midnight we reaohedthe
summit of the Boston mountains,
where we changed horses and ate sup
per. The stages going and returning
usually met In the valley about six
miles beyond this point, and not more
than ten days previous to this time
both stages had been waylaid and
robbed, put the robbers had been sub
stquently captured OF the Iron Noun.
tain railroad. We discussed the in.
cident and congratulated ourselves
that the band hsa been broken up,
aud that we were In no danger of be.
Ing called upon to part with u valu'
sbles. Starting with a fresh team we
ratified down the long, rocky descent
at a lively rate, crossed the valley, and
our team settled down into a walk, al
they began tho ascent on the other
side. Suddenly from behind q tree
sprang an object that seized the reinl
of the horser, while from behind an,
other appeared q man with a shotgun.
Promptly at the word of command
our hands went above our heads. AID
vancing closer and keeping us within
range he called out:
"Pitoh down that mail and express
and he quick about it,"
Toe driver appeared parslJ z,d with
fear, while l replied as coolly az
could under the circumstances, as tn,
follow was very near and the bore o
his pun looked f~earfully large.
"We have nc treasure on board"
At the same timeI was swaylng from
side to side to keep out of range.
"Does she look like a couple of can
non2" said thefellow holding the horses
with an ugly grin.
"Yes," said I, recollectIng an alma