Evening star., 1909-05-16

most dangerous parts OI route VI course
the work had been pushed by the company
from the Pacific coast east rapidly as possible
also. and stages had been making the trip
through for sometime.
The monotony of our work was often broken
by brushes with the Indians, whereby we lost
some stock, but it was not until after had
reached the goal of my ambition and ended my
career as driver in order to become United
States guide, that had any serious experiences
with them.
The Big Express Wagons
A DESCRIPTION of the old Concord stage is
= entirely unnecessary, the Wild West
shows have kept them so constantly before the
public that most any child would recognize
one: but the wagons for carrying express are
not so familiar.
These were built so that they resembled the
closed ticket wagon of circus more than any
thing else, and were very strong and substan-
tial The express was always lntrusted to the
most reliable and experienced drivers who. as
well as the guards. went heavily armed While
there was more responsibility connected with
the express it lacked entirely the glamour that
surrounded the driver of the passenger coach,
who could be sure of an audience when he posed
as hero: for he always carried it with him
About halfway from the last settlements to
the mountains on Smoky Hill, where there was
fine pasturage and good natural shelter for the
stock | was instructed by the general superin-
tendent of the stage line to make an accumula-
ton point for both my fresh and disabled stock
The latter were placed in sort OF equine hospl-
tai and was given two men whose duty 1t was
to care for and nurse this stock. while dlstrlb-
uted the fresh animals.
In placing this stock 1T often became neces-
sary for me to go west on the coach to ind out
what was needed at the different stations On
these occasions always rode on the front boot
with the driver where | would watch with keen
ewes his expert handling of the reins and the
long whip. Often when we came to stretch of
good road. and especially if the passengers hap
pened to have plenty of remedy for snake
bites which they had generously shared with
the driver, he would condescendingly allow me
to handle the straps, while he availed himself
of the opportunity to take quiet snooze on the
mailsacks What glorious moments those were!
l could see myself in the near future full
f1edged stage driver, wearing plaid suit, fine
boots, hat and Plymouth gloves with Dig
gauntlets up to my elbows.
The stage drivers dressed with due respect
for their position, and | was saving my money
SO that when the time came need not fall be-
hind the best of them. When entering from
tier city, how gracefully | should swing my SIX
prancing horses round the corner, deliver my
mail at the postoffice, and land my passengers
at the leading hotel. where the girls would well
come me with smiles and waving handker-
chiefs! After slowing my long whip IN a safe
place should gracefully descend to receive the
thanks of my passengers and an invitation to
take something at the bar! / was popular
man at the hotel-in my own imagination!
Those were my boyish dreams. but alas for
the realityl How different when my chance
came for it arrived much sooner than had
dared hope
When l had all my stock distributed along
the line and had reached the settlements. |
took layoff Meanwhile the weather grew bad.
The coaches were behind time, and in order to
leave on schedule extra coaches were put on.
Brief Career as Sage Driver
I SAW my chance, applied for the position of
extra driver and got it. Immediately pur-
chased the new clothes deemed necessary for
my altered position, and late in the afternoon
drove out of town with proud heart and no
little skill for all the men at the station were
watching the new driver l handled the team
entirely to my own satisfaction and, fattered
myself, with the admiration of the bystanders.
But the night grew dark and stormy, and the
horses hated to face it; In boggy place they
suddenly Jack knitted" on me. The leaders
swung round, SO that l had apparently four
horses on the pole, only two of them headed the
right way, and the swings" or center span
were crosswise of the road
Here was dilemma had not foreseen and