San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-04-28
A MOUNTAIN STAGE RIDE.
How the New Driver Entertained
His Passc myers.

HIS SCngerS.
We had ridden three hours with
stupid stage driver, and | was cha
grined and disappointed. | had en-
gagged the front seat for two weeks in
advance, and had expected to have
chance to study one of the old-time
stage drivers on his native heath; but,
though it was said he had been on the
route twenty year. h. simply cheUed
a quid of tobacco and could not be in
duccI 10 talk. An occasional Trunt of
assent or dissent was the most he
vouchsafed us, and it was with a feel
ing of relief that VIC changed stages
at Murphy 5 and h@l another driver.
The drive from Murphy's to Angels
is over fifteen miles of dusty and un-
interesting road. and we had looked
forward to the prospect with pleasure,
but our new driver had an air of bust
ncss and a loOscncss Of tongue that
were very refreshing after the mum
miLc. silence Of the other man, and
promised well for cur entertainment
Then. too. VIC saw that we had made
q mistake about our first driver. The
second man was, of course, the old
stager, with his many thrilling adven-
lures and hairbreadth escapes, while
the first man was evidently novice in
the business. We took our seats and
prepared ourselves for a most interest
ing time.
Hope you're all comfortable.
ladies?' began our second man, in a
manner very different from the other
gruff bore. II do like mighty well to
have ladies in the front seat with me;
but I'm quite fav'rite with the ladies,
it seems-they always want the front
seat"
"Oh, see, you are the old stage
driver" l exclaimed, land you will
tell us some of your interesting stories
How lovely! What is your name?'
MY real name's-no matter But
they all call me Tennessee up here.
You see l come from Tennessee, an
I've got the southern twang, an when
l first come l talked a heap bout my
native state, an Dragged some, too, l
guess, coming from the south, you
know, an the boys like to josh fell
low. But I've travelled round so much
that I've lost most of my twang-
knocked bout considerable in my day.
Fellow can't help rubbing on some pol
ish, you know expect that's why I'm
such fav'rite with the ladies'
Its real funny how all the old
maids get stuck on me, an the widders,
1.--,.a,, ,lr,1-1,I
miny cricketts! Excuse me, if get off
q swear word now an them don't
! know which is the worst, old maids or
widders." Il took sly glance at my
companion, who was a young and
pretty widow who lived in San Fran
CISCO. I'm writing a book on my ex'
perience with the women"
why" said the little widow, 81
should think you would get married,
with so many to choose from"
well, it does seem that way. You
see, I did try it onct. I'm a widderer-
! got sons over twenty years old
wouldn't believe it now, would you?
Most people take me to be bout
thirty. I'm by rights over forty; but
great Jupiter hipstitch!-ex-cuse me,
we old stagers can't help a little pro
fanity-I wouldn't have any trouble
marrying. l most always propose to
the women before get through" MY
pretty companion began to look
alarmed.) The women like it-par-
ticular the widows. Now we're coming
to a little down grade. Got on a pretty
heavy load, so guess Well take it easy.
Go'long there, Suse - Nick, you old
rack a-bones!'
We rounded the brow of the hill, and
the horses began the steep descent
with gentle trot; but within few
seconds their speed had accelerated to
a hard gallop. The old Concord coach
rolled from side to side, and we seemed
in danger of upsetting, but our time
had not yet come, and we reached the
level road in safety. The widow and l
were gazing at Tennessee with admit
ration. How fearless he was! What
splendid driving! But timid man on
the back seat was the first to recover
his speech.
i think you had better use your
bra Ee, driver" he said in a querulous
voicA; that driving was altogether too
fast or heavy coach"
~ ssten to the old duffer," said Ten
L, soto voce Guess he never
IA hill before" Then he raised his