Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1901-08-15

COL. MATT GRUBBENS, of Little
L Rock, Ark, was mixed up in a
little occurrence which could never
be repeated-that is, in the original
latitude-for, few weeks later, the
narrow gauge railway was opened
between that point and Malvern, on
the Iron Mountain road, and the
stage coach that used to connect the
Springs with Little Rock was hauled
off forever.
Zone day." said the colonel, "the
stage leaving Hot Springs for the
capital of the state was several hours
later than usual. The fact is, it
ought to have set out at an earlier
hour in the forenoon, but it was de-
tanned by couple of accidents that
threatened at one time to postpone
the journey until next day.
eve made the start in time, but
on the outskirts of Hot Springs the
hind wheel went down with crash,
and we climbed out very much in a
hurry. However, no one was hurt, and
the company were always prepared
for that kind of an accident. We
walked back a short distance, the
team dragging the crippled coach to
q point where a new wheel was fitted
on. Then we clambered into our
places again and were off, in as high
spirits as ever.
"a half mile out of town what
should the coach do but collapse
once more This time it was the
front axle, which snapped in two
like a pipe-stem.
"The horses plunged, and but for
the skill and GOODNESS of Burt Bunker,
the driver, some of the passengers
would have suffered.
"This accident was so serious that
couple-I being one of them-ad-
vocated giving up the trip until the
morrow; but the other three, as well
as the driver, were anxious to go on
and Burt declared that he would land
us in Little Rock if he broke down
a half dozen more times on the way
though of necessity he would be sew
eral hours late in reaching our desti'
nation.
"That ended the discussion. Once
more we climbed out, and prepared
to make ourselves comfortable until
the return of Burt with new axle
the provoking feature being that he
generally carried one of those indis
pensables with him, but happened tc
have none on that day.
"Burt rode one of the horses, an6
told us he would not be gone more
than an hour In the Office of tho
company at Hot Springs, as well as
Little Rock, was every part of {
stage coach, so that a breakdown
was easily remedied, since, as 1 have
said, it was the custom of the coaches
to carry a duplicate of the principa
parts of each vehicle.
81 must now tell you about oul
passengers. They consisted Of three
gentlemen, besides myself and lady
The last was a handsome brunette
with the finest eyes l ever saw, anC
she was as bright as a new dollar
She chatted and laughed, and made
light of the accident, and became ;
general favorite before we were on
of sight of Hot Springs. Indeed, L an
satisfied that the insistence of thu
others that the Journey should b.
continued in the face of all discour
agements was mainly due to the an
ticipated pleasure of her society al
the way.
81 couldn't blame them, for Their
was no denying that Miss Griersol
was one of the most charming of he
sex. Had 1 been 20 years younger
and without a wife of my own,
think that I should have succumbe'
before her fascinating self.
Zone of the men was Maj. Dacres
an old army officer, like myself. H
was suffering from so many wound
that he walked with great difficulty
through the aid of heavy cane, bu
he was one of the grittiest soldier
that went through the late war.
= '"The third gentleman was dudis
] Young man with large nose, no chill
eyeglasses and an effeminate voice
He was dressed exquisitely, and it wa
evident that he was completely car
' tured bv the charms of Miss Griersor
3 "The fourth male passenger was Nj
: Hawley, also a young man, nne-iooi
ing, plainly dressed, but ditfident'
learned that he was on his way
= San Antonio, whore he had an II
: valid brother, whom he intended
bring back to his home in st. Louis.
mo doubt he was as much smitte
:, by the sweet young lady as was tt
II foppish Mr.. Holbrook. who loudly al
n nounced that he was on his way
the Lone Star state to look after
= ranch which he thought of buyir
', ind presenting to friend of his.
u fact. Holbrook did most of the tai
IN inr. Mr.. Hawley contenting himse
with sly glances at the lady, and o
- casional chats with the rest of US.
4 "'Now, if 1 were superstition
N said I, when the driver had at la
repaired the coach and we started TO
- ward again, Il would say that tn
II second breakdown is ominous
D. evil
ss ooh, pshaw!' remarked Holbroo
in his airy manner, as he Tipped b
trousers legs with his thin cane, al
3 g. man who believes in signs, as they a
called, is simply fool, that's all
49, "'But this road is not without
" real DANGERS remarked Maj. Dacr'
ID You may have heard that the Jam
q. ~ and Younger boys stopped this We