The sun. (Fayetteville, N.C.) 1883-188?, 1884-06-17
HOME CIRCLE.
An Express Messengers Ad-
venture.

| always knew | served the com
pany in dangerous capacity, but !
had been ali express messenger fol
so many years that | thought little
or nothing of the risks | ran. NV
route was through a rough region,
too, after | was changed from the
Central Pacific to the Southern Pa
cifc Road; a region but :half-settled
and civilized, where Indians and
rutfians were as plentiful as China
men in Frisco.
My run" was long one, through
a new country where railroad sta
tions were often one hundred miles
apart: and the loneliness of the
scenery, combined with solitary con-
fnement in an express car, which
looked more like d cell than any
thing else, made four days of every
week hang heavy on my hands,
though [ was often kept busy for
hours at time.
[ generally had a mixed assort-
ment Of express matter, with plenty
of gold and silver in bricks and spe-
Gle; and occasionally, not much to
my liking, coffin or two going
eastward, each enclosing a dead body
[ would not mention this. but it is
necessary as will be. seen further
| left Los Angeles every Monday
morning at $50; and from that time
until the following Thursday | did
not leave my express Car, having to
go to Ell Paso and return fer my
weeks work, distance of nearly
fifteen hundred miles!
This may seem a long ''run,' and
so it was; but as the stations We're
few across the southern part of Ari-
zona and New Mexico, | had oppor-
tunities to take my much needed
rest, which | did after became ac-
customed to the situation. ! was
always glad to get back to Los An
geles, however, for travelling ninety
six hours without any change is ex-
tremely tedious, even III drawing.
room Car. =. -f. ;5-','
Imagine the contrast between rid
ing that way and riding III heavi-
" loaded express car, with two small
barred windows to took out of, and
YOU may form some idea of the mo-
notony of my trip. ...s
The miles passed slowly after |
had assorted and billed the express
age: my pipe was. kept burning, and
the constant roar and rumble OF the
train so11aded during the day, and
lulled met to sleep at night, when
the windows were securely fastened,
the lamps lighted, and several rifles
and revolyers hung aroumd'in case
of an emergency. .-.--.. .. .-.
ran as express messenger sever
., ve, rs without being III railroad
q, "ac;Jaot or having the train stopped
h.''ro hv robbers. Some Of my brother
ny m ct with adventures On
nearly every trip, but for long time
1lea'y 7 mas unmolested. until ! began to
disregard the dan,er altogether.
During that time became acc''S-
toned to every phase OF NY : r.
ton, and although my o.oeiy l'te
gave me a very silent and ta'>ltnih
habit, | enjoyed my two days at hos
or at Santa Monica se''-
bathing, as much as my more for
tuuate friends, who ran north over
the Tchochapi1ass, and were at home
every night, enjoyed their rests.
Train robberies had lately been
f,eouent. and while / did not expect
70 he attacked, ] learned to be on the
lookout. ! had a SET, Of signals with
the bell rope to let Tire train,heh'
knew when | was ia danger. Rob
beries were often made while the
trains were in motion, and the ez-
nress messengers were either bound
hand and foot, or killed, the robbers