The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-10-20
MISSED A TREAT.
Too Late the Sleepy One Learned Who
 His Companion Was.

From the Denver Field and Farm.
 A Denver mining man who was an old time Californian tells the following rather interesting narrative: Some 30 years ago l was traveller In a stagecoach on a trip into the Sierra. There was but one other passenger, and he knew how to talk. could see that he was no ordinary pill grim, but I was tired. l had had little or no sleep for three nights. took 1t for granted that we would be together the next day, and l resolved that l would show him then that I could listen. He seemed quite inclined however, to be communicative. l fell asleep in the midst of several stories which I knew were away out of the ordinary stagecoach tales. But in spite of this, when I would rouse myself my fellow traveller would start on another story. While wondering how the previous one had ended I fell asleep in each succeeding story.
 Somewhere on the mountain road the storm passed, or we passed it-1 don't know which. I remembered I looked out and saw the stars. I looked up and saw the snow was glinting on the mountain tops. Then I noticed that my companion was gone. In his place was another pas senger. I recognized him at once as the driver. or he who was on the box when we left earlier in the evening. He seemed to be asleep, but I was now wide awake. I shook him. It required some effort to bring him out of his stupor. What are you doing In here?' I asked. He replied that he was trying to sleep and did not know why he should not be permitted to do so. Where is the passenger who got in here with me?' l inquired. 'Drivin up there. He knows the road,' was the an- swer I got.
 Does the company allow its drivers tn t1Irn fha rains fn mi Q Q who comes along, and does it permit it's drivers to ride in the coachesY I asked somewhat indignantly. TO tn @ mischief with the company he replied. The man that's out there on the box knows more about this country than the whole stage company He's hu- man, and that sorts skase. Under stand? When we stopped back yon- der to tighten 8 nut he got out and gimme a hand. We'd been thar yit but fer him. Then he fell to a-questionin' me, and when he finds out l ain't had no lay off in purity nigh fifty hours he says to me, "Git inside thar and I'll see that we git thar he says. "Go in,' he says, "or I'll leave you on the road" So l got in. He got up. That's all there is to it. How do you like it? Amt skeered, are your I made no re- ply. I crouched down in my corner and closed my eyes.
 Tt was daylight in the mountains when I awoke. The summits were aglow with sunshine. I was alone. Then we pulled into another wooden town, similar to the one we had left the night before. l got out and sh ools myself while the relay was being made. Where's your partner who drove for you? I asked the driver, who was biting off q section of long plug. He left me some miles back was the reply. Said he had to do some business for fthe state. Said to give you his-I don't just remember what it was.' 'Compli- ments" ] inquired. That sounds somethin' like 1t. Reckon it was. Said for me to give you this when you woke up, if you ever did He handed me card as he spoke. I did not re- cognize the name then, but l put the card away as a souvenir of the journey. Some years later in looking over d bundle of papers 1t turned up. The signature was a trifle dim. but there it was written diagonally. Francis Bret flarte. The card Is under a glass pa . perwelght on my desk in my office. Money couldn't buy it. But think of what l missed in not staying awake"