Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-08-23
THE WIDOW OF SMITH.

L
straps that allowed it to swing with q
was diagonal, though in fact it was not
dag onal at all. One moment we found
ourselves sliding toward the foremost
corner on the left, as the wheel on that
side dropped heavily into some almost
bottomless hole; the next instant we
would be flying with pleasant unanimity
through the rear window on tie right.
ana again seeking TO force an outlet
through the roof or floor. But the re-
sultaut of these motions, put together,
added, and divided, is almost nearly des-
cribed by the word diagonal, and SC
diagonal it is.
All five of the passengers were riding
inside, for it was day in November
cold and cloudy, and light snow was
spasmodioally falling, as if really uncer-
tain whether to stop or go on, but, on the
whole, rather in favor of going on, it be-
ing characteristic of western habits
never to give up anything for any cause
whatever, once it is begun So, while g
seat outside Just at that time was better
than no seat at all, it was by no means
so desirable as seat inside.
The road we were to traverse led through
the mountains of Colorado, from the min
ing camp of Greenwood Though why
Greenwood, none can say-it was far
above timber line) to Leadville. It was
fairly good wheeling, as that word is
understood in the Rockies, but six stout
mules had all they could do to manage
the coach. One moment they were
grooming and straining up some steep
incline; the next fairly lifted from their
feet aswe dashed furiously down hill,
our spee-. only partially checked by the
brake, which Tommy, the driver would
frantically apply.
Every one in the west has title of
some sort, no matter whether he has a
right to it Or not, and tho five in the
coach were known as the colonel, the
major, the Judge, the doctor and the pro
fessor. 1t is surprising how soon one
becomes acquainted with his companions
in such a place. Whether this is due to
the community OF sensations that govern
the passengers, as the vehicle lurches to
the right or left, or the sociability of the
men themselves, cannot say. The fact
remains, however, and in less than half an
hour after we had started was on famii-
lar terms with the past history, present
occupation, size of pile, and name OF
each or my fellow travellers.
On the coach was an express box, said
to contain $4,000 in bullion, the product
of the Greenwood mines. In rack neal
the drivers feet hung two Colts revolvers
and Winchester rifle. The road was
considered safe enough, for no robbery
had occurred there since the camp hao
been in existence, still the stage company
preferred to take reasonable precautions
Hence the weapons.
After we had exchanged our names ano
such parts of our personal history as We
felt free to give, we relapsed into silence
The westerner, although sociable animal
is not talkaJive animal; he converses in
heats. For time our quiet was un
broken, save by the grooming and creak
ing of the coach, the cracking OF the
drivers whip and his rapidly uttered
oaths.
Perhaps it is well that Justice can never
he done = in print to the profanity OF
the western mule driver. It is as impos.
sible to describe as the singing of some
beautiful aria by some sweet voiced sing.
er. Not that the two can be compared in
any way; merely wish to illustrate the
utter inadequacy OF words in type to re-
present the sounds.
1t was at the end of one OF Tommy's
fowery periods, (which came to our rescue
when the coach stuck fast at the foot of 6
veritable hill of difficulty, had at last
been dragged up by the mules, inspired
by the ouspouring) that the gentleman
occupying the middle seat Qeft) broke
the silence, We knew him as Professor
Blood, "the hull owner of the Black eye
mine, of Greenwood, and several Others
1t was at the close of Tommy's exhortion
l say, which began slowly and softly, then
gradually increased in volume, speed and
power, until the flow was simply over
whelming, that the professor" remarked
pleasantly:
Tommy seems to swear tal'ably easy
I'm thinkin'. It's great gift; wonderful
what twill do sometimes. When I was a
teamin' it Up to Leadville, I would bet
willin' l could cuss a dead mule up to
six hundred-foot grade, with load, an
by all the parts o. speech. It's just like
anything else though-tak es practiced.'
'Those were great days though" he
went on with a retrospective sigh, "great
days. We was gettin' twenty and thirty
,ents pound for stuff, and maxim
slatbers o. money; an losin' it too" he
added with a laugh. 81 member comm
down over the divide one night alone.
with three thousand dollars in my peck ct
when ID read agent held me up an
cleaned me out. 1 was pretty blamed
mad, but 1 had to ante"
"I'd like to know" said the doctor
show one or two men cap stop and rob g
dozen, all well armed. It looks as If they
had no nerve. I don't think I'd stand
it,"
The judge whistled softly at this re-
marked; the major smiled and made 8
pretense of wipipg the window with his
coat sleeve and looking out, the colonel
expectora' ed mournfully; the professor
alone was calm.
"Pardner," said he, looking the doctor
in the eye and tapping him gently OH the
kneee as he spoke, was you ever held
up?"
The doctor shook his head.
81 though likely" said the professor
significantly. Gust lock here: when
you are stopped you ante quietly and per.
iitely. It's runnin' too much of risk to
object. If any man is lookin' fur a
chance to climb the golden stairs, through
BARN of his buzzum for his fellow crea
tures-without compensation let him
u am III NY iine, u prebty sure. an
so l say if you're ever held up you jest
fork over without any back talk-i.'s
really the cheapest, and long way the
safest
These sentiments seemed to meet with
universal approval from the other occu
pants of the coach, and the doctor, quite
crushed by the weight of opinion against
him, relapsed into silence.
After this conversation became desul-
tory. Now and then e passenger would
volunteer a remark, which sometimes
elected reply and sometimes did not
Often, Is the road led up some incline
we wor,IH O eft OHt and walk. 10 rsstore b.