The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-04-15
Selert Stnry'. i


THE EXPRESS BOX.
( v'se z wekg
)ne Night in California stage
Coach. & GIG~s
1t was before the Union and Central
Pacific Rsilroads we're thought Of. In
he days when journey by stage from
virgnis City, New to Sacramento. was
81. svent--days when two stages, some
times three, six horses each, left the city
on Mt Davidson, loaded with silver
bricks, Wells, Fargo d Co.'S express
boxes filed with dust and coin, the Uri-
ted States mail and twelve or fourteen
passengers to each stage. Whsts jour
ney Ii was! a.:s
Across Carson Valley rich in its shades
Of lumber and bronze; up the eastern
slope of the Sierras, forever green and
snow-crowned.; 6rst through gently as
cending valleys, fragrant with pine and
cedar, melodious with dancing. ca,aracts.
and running golden water in the sluice-
boxes; then perilous winding grades
higher up, with misty spaces below and
gigantic houlders sbove-a night Of d;z-
zy accents In such theater of snowy
pinnaclee, domes and turrets. none can
believe but those who see--still on In
the dawn of the morning where the
grandeur OF the snow sum nits were kiss
ed then blushed in matchless crimson /;
down grades that whirled around spurs
and shelving mountains in wondrous cir
cults; hearty breakfast on Tahoe trout,
and on sgain down the Eureka side OF
the Sierras, past the witchery OF its
scenery to sunny Sacramento Valley
three days.! ~ slsa
Shake out blanket and robe; stretch
the limbs In blissful luxury; all in ell, ii
was worth a lifetime.
1t was cold, bleak night in early De-
cember. The Virginia coach was late
into Carson City. The horses were drip.
ping aud smoking as they drew up before
The hotel; the wheels were cloeged all
out of any resemblance TO their identity
With snow and mud--a combination ear.
" CsIifornians will fipd no difficulty in
remembering The passenger list was
gentlemen, who had grum-
oled from The minuie they took their
seats because the stage was not Q hotel; I;
,ne lady for Placeryille, and the writer.
.ollsd up in double blankets. Under the
,eals were seven leather sacks with red
seals on, each sack containing sesilver
prick, weighing more than q New York
could possibly lit. Wells
+ Fargo's boxes and the mail filed up
he front boot, and numerous boxes and
baggage weighed down the back boot
Supper over, fresh horses ready, and
sCurley Jim," . well-known historic
character and stage driver, in q huge
blanket overcoat, vas already on his
'eat. gathering into bis big gloved fin
yers, In miraculous fashion, the lines of
be restiye team. Muffled to the crown
,f bis head sat the express messenger on
he drivers left.
s.AlI aboardr'
Hold on a minute, Curley," shouted
he agent, running down The hotel steps
Ind climbing up the wheel, apparently to
whisper in Curley Jim's ear, il that ap
,endage could be found.
What was conveyed into that ear by
he agent no one ever knew, but the
whole town heard the divers volcanic
.eply, viz: i''e =. =
"Thunderation !"
At the same time his whip was slam.
ned heavily down upon the top OF the
roach, and the reins twisted in atwink-
ing across the handle, aud ahoye
he wind and sleet be was heasd to shout
o the stableman who was holding the
eading team:
"Hold that near leader thar and chock
Up old Fremont or he'll kick that trace
uto Jericho!" -
Then he descended from bis seat and
the door back, as q mite of
woman emerged from the crowd on the
'tpps and made her way to the coach
With a bundle in her arms. IN brusque,
put still kindly tone, Curiey Jim called
,ut:s -
"Passengers inside, make room for
and child las .ss
The .swoman," not much more than
child in physique, was helped into the
back seat by the writer, and small par.
,el, called "the baby" handed in very
gently by the rough voiced driver, say
ng, at. the same time;
aGet yourself fixed warm, ms'am !:
wrap that blankst round yer feet; it'll be
Did Ripper and lightning before we get up
he 6rst grade. Are ye all right now"
A plsIntive voice, almnst drownedin
The screeching of The wind, answered:
"Yes, sir; thank you for your coed.
ness"
"Ob, never mind my goodness" re-
.orted Curley $50 you're oil right"
Slam went the door, and in remark
,hly short time The same voice was heard
rom the drivers seat, shouting With lie
peculiar emphasis, as the whip snapped
over the team: s.4ftts s7eis1fe'
"All seti Let 'em gol Hit up Old
Vlrginny. there; she needs knocking
iown. Hi. there. you Piute dandyF'
md with groan OF pain the wheels
crashed through the snow and We rolled,
,ut OF Carson into one of the most dis
agreeable nights ever known on the
Eastern slope. -.
Until near midnight we rode slowly
,ut steadily on through The rain, wind
md sleet, upthe winding, slippery grades
nio the everlasting snows; through for,
,sts of cedar. bending their limbs to the
'ery groand. under sheets and plumes
II snow and sparkling icicles; the wind
mad with bitter acuteness, and
he constant anxiety and sympathy for
weary horses made the night horrible
With accompanying fear and apprehen-
ion. e'ls-
The male passenge inside alternately
,roaned, snored and growled. only vary.
ng these moods by striking match now
md then to consult watch or q email
bottle. The most silent passenger was
be little woman with the baby-no one
would have dreamed OF baby keeping
still Eve long hours In. stage coach.
,vao u,;fh a hottla IF ooCth;uo an ruy az