Evening journal., 1902-03-19

Morris. These were run by the railroad
company.
It was in 1926. or thereabouts, that
travel from and to Wilmington was by
coaches. The town at that time had a
population OF about 5000, ana had any
thing but metropolitan air. Everybody
Travelled in stage coaehes-the rich in
their own richly caparisoned coaches
with their outriders, and the poor in the
public coaches. The trip from Whining
ton to Philadelphia consumed about six
hours. including the stops at the various
taverns along the route, for change of
horses and refreshments. The start was
made at z o'clock I'm the morning, and
Philadelphia was reached about 1 o'clock
in the afternoon. The trip cost 81, exclu-
sive of refreshments en- route. In those
days a merchant devoted about three
days to business trip to Philadelphia,
when in these times he accomplishes
about three times as much in as many
hours. lie took one day for the trip
there. devoted another to the purchase Of
his wares. and returned home the third
day. These trips were made about four
tlmes'a year.
The trip TO Baltimore was a more am
bilious undertaking. The start was made
from Philadelphia at 1890 a. m, and
stops were made every six miles to
change horses. The really first stopping
place was Chester, the next Wilmington
and the next Newark. 1t was a full days
Journey from Philadelphia to Elkton.
Md. AT the latter place the stop over
night was made and all the passengers
were obliged to sleep in one unventilated
room, in rude unfurnished beds. Natu-
rally, women did not travel in public
coaches.
The start was made at 8 o'clock in the
morning and by the weary traveller had
arrived at Hayre de Grace, which had
the reputation of having the best accom-
modations along the entire route At 4
O'Clock the same afternoon Baltimore was
reached.
To persons accustomed ITO the luxurious
coaches and conveniences and the quick
time between Philadelphia and Balti-
more, now, "A glimpse of the stage coach
of We olden days would give him a feeling
akin to horror. The coaches boasted of
four benches. three i'm the interior and
one on the DulSlue. Eacu IN the interior
would seat three persons, but the tenth
passenger had to sit outside with the
driver. There was a light roof, supported
by eight pillars, and from this roof fell
curtains. which were lowered or rolled
up at the pleasure of the passengers.
There were no windows, and when the
curtains were lowered the coach was in
comparative darkness. When raised, II
in winter the passengers We're in danger
Of freezing There was no space for bag
sage, which had TO be stored under the
legs of the passengers to the best possi-
bic advantage. To add to their discom-
fort, the benches were absolutely with
out backs or cushions or springs; and the
roads, In those days. mostly were rough
and rocky.
Entrance was from the front, over the
drivers seat and those arriving late, had
to climb. not only over the driver, but
over the first arrival as well. who usually
chose the front seats as the most desir-
able.
one may talk In regretful accounts Of
the good old days" but when on'
takes the subject into serious considera
ton. there are many things to reconcil,
one to life in the twentieth century.
Ellen orr.