The Opelousas courier., 1895-05-18
"A MOUNTAIN STAGE RIDE
How the New Driver Entertained
His Passengers.

we Lldu Tluucu GLrce HOURS WlC1 a
stupid stage driver, and 7 was chal
grined and disappointed. I had en-
gagged the front seat for two weeks In
advance, and had expected to have a
chance to study one of the old-timo
stage drivers On his native heath; but,
though it was said he had been on the
route twenty years, he simply chewed
q guild of tobacco and could mot be in
duced to talk. An occasional grunt OF
assent or dissent was the most he
vouchsafed US, and it was with a feel
ling of relief that we changed stages
at Murphy's and had another driver.
The drive from Murphy's to Angels
Us over fifteen miles of dusty and I'M
interesting road, and we had looked
forward to the prospect with pleasure,
but our new driver had an air of bust
ness and a looseness of tongue that
were very refreshing after the mum
mifed silence of the other man, and
promised well for our entertainment.
Then, too. we 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 a novice in
the business. We took our seats and
prepared ourselves for a most interest
ing time.
Hope you're all comfortable,
1adies?" 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 a fav'rite with the ladies,
dt seems-they always want the front
seat"
"Oh. ! see, you are the old stage
driver" ] exclaimed, "and 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 / come from Tennessee, an
I've got the southern twang, an when
! first come / talked a heap bout my
native state, an Dragged some, too, I
guess, coming from the south, you
know, an the boys like to josh a 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-I expect that's why I'm
such a fav'rite with the ladies.
"It's real funny how all the old
maids get stuck on me, an the widders,
too" Tennessee chuckled. BY jim
miny cricketts! Excuse me, If I get off
a swear word now an them don't
know which is the worst, old maids or
widders." Il took a sly glance at my
companion, who was q 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, II
should think you would get married,
with so many to choose FROM"
well, it does seem that way. You
gee. did try itonct. I'm a widderer-|
got sons over twenty years old
wouldn't believe 1t now, would you?
Most people take me to be bout !
thirty. I'm by rights over forty; but
great Jupiter whipstitch!-ex-cuse me,
we old stagers can't help a little pro-
fanitVI wouldn't have any trouble
marrying. I most always propose to
the women before / get through" (My
companion began to look
alarmed.) 1.-THE women like it-par-
ticular the widows. Now we're coming
to q little down grade. Got on a pretty
heavy load, so guess we'll take 1t easy.
.o1ong there, Suse - Nick, you old
rack a. bones!"
We rounded the brow of the hill, and
the horses began the steep descent
with a gentle trot; but within a few
seconds their speed had accelerated TO
hard gallop. The old Concord coach
rolled from side to side, and we seemed
u danger OF upsetting, but our time
had not yet come, and we reached the
level road In safety. The widow and /
gazing at Tennessee with admi-
How fearless he was! What
splendid drivingl But a timid man on
back seat was the FIRST to recover
his speech.
4 think you had better use your
brake, driver" he said In q q~uerulous
roice;; that driving was altogether too
.ast for q heavy COACH
Listen TO the old duffer," said Ten J,
lessee, sotto vooe. Guess he never
zen q Hill before" Then he raised his
,oice. WELL, I did try he said,
glancing back. aWhy, Lord,
he brakes goner he exclaimed. i
We all looked at the real wheels in
The brake was gone in truth.
Well, we'll have TO go backr-that's /
plaln,' said the timid man