Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-07-29
STAGE COACHING.
How the New Way Differs From the
old.--The Center Stage"

=
old yellow bodied closed coach, rattIing
and swaying over the country roads be-
hind four horses that became four pranc-
ing steeds whenever hamlet appeared in
sight. To draw up to hotel or postofice
with great flourish Of tossing names
and mincing hoofs was part Of equine
education, and the intelligent coach
horse knew as well as his driver the ex-
act spot on the road when the crack of
the whip called for the Transformation
from plodding tail-dropping head hang
irg nag to a cavorting high-spirited
charger.
At present lighter two or three seated
covered wagon has replaced the mere pic
turesque old coach and one pair OF horses
instead of two pairs furnish. motive pow
er. But still, though shorn of much of
its pomp and glory, stage coaching mas
not lost all of its charm.
One watches the vehicle being loaded at
the depot with boxes OF express, trunks
and bags piled high in the rear. solidly
packed and roped securely to prevent
their falling off or slipping in an ava
lanche onto the passengers head should
their equilibrium be disturbed going
down or up some steep inclines.
Next one casts a curious eve over the
prospective passengers and, without any
regard for the stage drivers financial
prosperity, fervently trusts that travel
will be so light three on a seat will not be
necessary. A bulky individual, perfectly
inofiensive except for his size, is viewed
with particular disfavor as he settles
slowly down in the middle and the ssend
men" are squeezed half over the sides of
the seat in the inevitable displacement.
Genial soul, he is doubtless pazzled al the
morose silence which greets his good ma
tured efforts at sociabiIity and the cold
hshy stares that his friendly glance en-
counters. Not until he remarks that il
he we're sure it were going to rain, he
would postpone his journey, does be re-
ceive any response. Then the volubility
and unanimity with which rain is imme-
diately prophesied would seem to indi-
cate the near approach of Good, and the
poor heavyweight is fairly washed out OF
the coach in torrents of representations.
The driver, accommodating person,
scurries around the stores filing his
pockets with yeast cakes, spools of thread
and small packages Of groceries and dry
goods to fill the urgent commissions OF
patrons along his line living at some dis
tance from commercial centers. At the
postofiice the stage with its load of pas
sengers and freight is closely scrutinized
by q crowd Of representative citizens on
the postoffice corner actively engaged in
waiting for the mail to be changed and in
keeping themselves we'll informed as to
current local events. "Be you going
somewhere?" the passengers are interro-
gated il reasonably sure guess cannot be
made as to their destination and proba.
BILE business, and by the time each one
has satisfactorily accounted for his travel
ing as "fur and wide as Randolph Cen
ter or Brookfield, the United States mail
is ready to be hoisted on board and the
stage is OF.
Over the covered bridge it clatters, ont
through Central street and across the Ho-
bart bridge alta fair rate of speed until at
the foot of the Slack bill the horses settle
down for a steady climb OF two miles to
that aerial place Of habitation known as
the Center. Strangers making the trip
for the first time might be pardoned for
expecting to see the road gradually melt
into the Milky Way and to imagine that
some of the post bags on this star route
must be labeled Mars, Jupiter and Nep-
tune.
deer nibbling by the roadside vaults
over two or three fences for the fun of il
and to show how easily it is done. A
couple Of woodchucks chase across q
meadow to an underground retreat and q
startled partridge perhaps rises with q
whirr. Cunning little pigs racing
around pen in sheer Joy of living are
enthusiastically admired, while a glance
at more mature members OF the pig fami-
ly causes fastidious passenger to regret
that they should ever have to grow up.
All the way along the driver has been
7 80
boxes, and shedding yeast cakes, thread
and needles, ETC., until his pockets begin
to assume q less conspicuous bulge.
At the Center the stage is awaited by
; another company OF interested citizens
seated on the postoffice steps. They are
also busy waiting for mail, express or
Just to see W ho comes and 4 hat for. The
breezes are playing around this village set
on a hill and it would almost seem as
: though there could be no cobwebs left in
: the brains or rats in the hair of the city
, visitors who seek renewal of health or
strength at this favorite resort.
Changes are made in cargo and, posi-
bly,, in passengers, another consignment
of mail bags and rural route packages are
> taken on and the stage pursues its
3 journey to Brook6eld.
J At the left unfolds a noble view oil
: mountain ranges stretching in undulat-
! ing beauty before the eye for miles. In
! the foreground are broad meadows, hand.
: some fields OF grain or corn and the cozy
comfortable farm houses that make one
I long to turn agriculturist at once and en-.
, Joy life.
g But evidently care and worry are moi
: entirely banished even from this peaceful
e scene, for out of the door rushes an
q anxious housekeeper to hail the stage
\ Company has Unexpectedly arrived, the
e larder is low and the stage driver is FOL
o the nonce an angel of deliverance as h'
1 takes down an order for eatables to bring
. on his return trip in a few hours.
. More yeast cakes are carefully distrib
o uted, numerous little bags of mail are de
Z posted in the right reeeptacles, Brook
I. field Center is passed and finally Brook