Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-08-15
The STORY Teller.
A MOUNTAIN STAGE RIDE.
How the Driver Made It Interesting
For His Passengers.

We had ridden three hours with 6
stupid stage-driver, and L was cha
grinned and disappointed. I had en-
gagged the front seat two weeks in ad'
vance, and had expected to have 9
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 20 years, he simply chewed 6
quid of tobacco and could not be in
duced to talk. An occasional grunt
of assent or dissent was the most he
vouchsafed US, and it was with a feel
ing of relief we changed stages al
Murphy's and had another driver.
The drive from Murphy's to Angels
is over 15 miles of dusty, uninterestine
road, and we had not looked forward
to the prospect with pleasue; but oul
new driver had an air of business and
a looseness of tongue that were very
refreshing after the mummified silence
of the other man, and promised we'll
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 hair-breath escapes, while
the first man was evidently novice
in the business. We took our seats
and prepared ourselves for most in
teresting time.
"Hope you're all comfortable, Ia.
dies ?" began our second man, in 8
manner very different from the other
gruff bore. III do like mighty we'll to
have ladies in the front seat with me
but I'm quite fav'rite with the ladies
it seems-they always want the from,
seat"
"Oh, see, you are the old stage
driver" I exclaimed, "and you will
tell US some 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
I first come I talked heap bout my
native state, an Dragged some, too, !
guess, coming from the south, you
know, an the boys liked to josh q
fellow. But I've travelled round 80
much that I've lost most of my twang-
knocked bout considerable in my day
Fellow can't help rubbing on some
polish, you know-I expect that's why
I'm such q favorite with the ladies'
It's real funny how the old maids get
stuck on me, and the widders, too" "
Tennessee chuckled. "By jimminy
cricketts! Excuse me, if I get off a
swear-word now an then-I don't
know which is the worst, old maids or
widders." II took sly glance at my
companion, who was a young and
pretty widow who lived in San Fran
cisco.) ~ am writing book on my
experience with the women"
"Why," said the little widow, ~
should think you would get married,
with 80 many to choose from"
"Well, it does seem that way. You
see, did try it onct. I'm widderer
got sons over 20 years old--wouldn't
believe it now would you? Most
people take me to be bout 80. I'm
by rights over 40; but great Jupiter
whipstitch-excuse me, we old sta
gers can't help little profanity-1
wouldn't have any trouble marrying.
T most always propose to the women
before I get them through" (My
pretty companion began to look
alarmed.) "The women like it-par-
ticular the widows. Now we're COM
ing to a little down grade. Got on a
pretty heavy load, so guess we'll 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 I were gazing at Tennes-
see with admiration. How fearless
he was! What splendid driving |!
But timid man on the back seat was
first to recover his speech.
~ think you had better use your
brake, driver" he said, in querulous
voice; "that driving was altogether
too fast for heavy COACH"
"Listen to chat old dufer," said
Tennessee, sotto voce. "Guess he
never seen hill BEFORE" Then he
raised his voice. "Well, I did try"
he said, calmly, glancing back. "Why,
Lord the brakes gone! ~ he exclaim-
ed.
We all looked at the rear wheels in
dismay. The brake was gone in truth.
"Well, We'll have to 90 back-that's
plain" said the timid man.
"What! pull up that hill ?" said
Tennessee, with disgust; "not if I
know myself. Well be all right. I
never had an accident in my life.
Why, last week I had IL people on
board-two women an kid here in
front, an one of the front wheels
rolled off right on this down grade,
an rolled a hundred yards down the
road, an we just settled down kind of
comfortable like. an I never smiled