The National tribune., 1888-11-29

g single hole, three inches ACROSS. 10 shoot
through, and Its stout, wooden top added what
would have been considered unnecessary weight
in a passenger wagon, for iu that II it had a
top at all. canvas would have taken the place
Of wood IN sides and roof.
Every sort Of wagon that carries passengers
or the mail is called a stage on the Plains
and in the mountains Of the Far West, al
though it does not attain the dignity OF q
coach unless il has top. Ihetoncord coach
such as cur fathers Travelled between New York
and Boston or Philadelphia IN, or westward
over the National ROaQ, IS rarely seen beyond
the Missouri River. Il is too heavy, not as to
It's ruuniBg-gosT, but as to its upper works.
The rate i0r carrying express packages and
baegase, especially on the longer routes, ale so
high that it d0esu' pay 70 haul any unneces-
sary dead wood framed into wagon. The t9ps
Of the best class Of coaches, therefore. above
the body, are generally formed Of light but
stout frames covered with thick canvas, which
soon becomes weather beaten and dingy-
neither beautiful nor picturesque
UNCOMFORTABLE TRAVELLING.
The larger Of these coaches have seats for 13
passengers, nine inside and four on the top,
and carry besides from two 10 four tons OF eX-
press matter and baggage packed upon the rack
behind and on the roof and several hundred
pounds of mail. which is generally slowed in
the boot beneath the drivers feet. The seat Of
honor is by the side Of the driver, and in mild
and pleasant weather there is likely 70 be a
sharp contention for II among the passengers.
The seats inside are generally placed SO close
together that the sharp edge Of the middle one
comes against the knees of tie passenger on the
back seat, who, beng wedged IN bis place by
his two feiloW-travelers. is unable 20 change his
position. This becomes extremely tiresome
after day or two Of continuous travel, with
only three or four opportunities during the q
hours 20 Get out and stretch ones limbs and
untangle the knotted muscles and cords.
Technically, q coach of this description Is 8
"mud-wagon.r From fouI TO eight horses are
required 10 haul il, and the speed attained is
about five miles an hour, except over steep
mountains or where the roads are heavy with
sand OF mud
On routes where the amount of business is
not so great the mud-Wag0n gives place 10 the
'jerky, which, in mode OF construction and
general appearance. resembles the former. but
is smaller. Ii carries only four passengers in
side and one on top with the driver, and is
drawn sometimes by two. Sometimes by four
horses. HING upon leathern th0rougbbTaces,
il is exceedingly uncomfortable to ride IN. Il
5olts and jumps ab8ut when the wheels strike
the stones, especially Ii the load IS light, ike q
farmers wagon over a badly-kept corduroy
road.
I was fellow passenger one night IN the
mountains Of Montana with q commercial tray
eler from the East, vino was getting his first
experience in Western stage-coaching. Oar
conveyance was 'ierky.S and its load was
light. During the first half Of the night Mr..
Drummer rode with the driver and ] inside,
and tie burden Of bis conversation was one
endless gr0s7i "a the rougLHazs OF the road aud
the careiessness Of the driver ia running over
stones. lie complained OF being so badly
bruised that he could hardly move, and at mid
night, when we stopped Al 2 stock station 10
change horses, made Up his mind to try an
inside seat and take nap.
The driver Winked to me- and I climbed up
70 2 seat II his side. When we started he said
that he was tired OF the grumbling of that
stenderloot fool +" and now that he had him
inside be proposed te rock him 70 sleep The
road was a pretty level one with plenty Of
stones 20 be found If one looked for them. the
team lively, and as / have said, the lead light
And We lost no time upon The road. A skilful
use OF the whip brought the horses into a 10 or
12-mile gait, and there was 10 stone that could