OCR Text |
Show 194 TALES OF THE COLORADO PIONEERS. fine looking man, in natty suit, broad brimmed hat, and bran new kids, politely inquired of us if we were going to Frisco. We replied in the affirmative. Whereupon he tipped his hat, and said, "allow me to assist you into the coach." To our utter amazement "the coach" was a large three-seated spring wagon, painted in black and "old gold," and strikingly suggestive of an undertaker's rig. I bounced to the front seat, eager that my chat with the driver should not prove a delusion also. The pleasant-faced landlady invited us to come again, and the porch was crowded with new-made friends, who waved us good-by until we were out of sight. It was perfectly delightful to be treated that way; we felt at peace with the world and ourselves. » The driver swung around town gathering up his load, and when the last "all right" was given, he counted noses and found he had nine passengers. " A little too thick for comfort," said he, "but some of them will stop at the first station." It was a sort of variegated crowd; there was a big man, who created a stir when he got in; they said he was a candidate for . He had rather a ruddy complexion and a rubicund nose, the effect, I suppose, of being so near the sun. I regarded him with a feeling of commiseration, for nose sun-burn is so unbecoming. He got out at all the stations and seemed to know everybody, for there was a real old-fashioned handshaking, and they all went inside and followed him out again with their handkerchiefs to their faces. I was particularly interested in a cow-boy, one of the features of this western country. He wore a dust-colored sombrero, which drooped all around; pants stuffed in boots that were high enough for leggings; a blue-flannel shirt, |