The Stagecoach Stop
A story of Phineas Burton
Early settler to Barnegat and Egg harbor areas)

The old man paused by the steps of the Inn and shaded his eyes to the West.
Then sat to await the stagecoach to arrive - affording his weary bones rest.
Two young boys came down the road rollin' their hoops and paused for awhile in their play.
For, they knew the old man and figured he may welcome comp'ny to help pass the day.

Now, the old man had tales that he liked to unfold, wond'ring back to his youth in his mind.
Youngun's begged for his yarns, for they told of a time as exciting as any they'd find.

"I was born up in Boston," he'd always begin. "We lost Pa; I was still babe in arms.
Ma's kin lived in Barnegat - bid us come down; said she could raise me on their farm.
So, we settled down here but when I was half grown I was promised to learn weavin' trade.
At the Lippencott's house, here in Egg Harbor Town, the move here's the best I could have made.
These were the times that war raged in the land. The colonies strife reached our ears.
I tried to sign up for my service to give, but - refused for my immature years.
So, day after day my mind flew faraway as I sat passin' time at the loom.
I would rather be battlin' for freedom by far, than stuck in that stuffy old room.
Then Pinerobbers and Refugees came to these parts and we had to keep watch 'long the shore.
For, they coveted much and possessed all they chose, as their rights - in the name of the War.
Now, if there were items folks fancied to keep, they couldn't leave them lyin' around.
So folks took to hidin' their treasured effects in trenches they dug in the ground.
One day Missus Lippencott took their good clothes and folded them up in a sack.
Me and my pal was to bury it down near the 'meaders', and cover our track.
But imagine our fright - when we'd finished the task - to see shadows and know we'd been caught.
On raising our eyes to armed robbers of the War, we feared that our work, was for naught.
My hair stood on end, and the thumpin' I heard was the beat of my heart in my throat.
But, they semed not to notice our guilt or our fear; requesting we get them a boat.
They promised us pay - a cart wheel* apiece - to row them to the Isle 'cross the Bay;
not willing to wait 'til we got hats or coats to stave off the cold of the day.
And so we, in haste, found the boat they required, and rowed 'til our arms became sore.
And when we'd accomplished the journey they set, tossing coins, they then scrambled to shore.
Now, the folks, when we hadn't returned to the house, were wringing their hands in their fear.
For they sensed something bad must have happened to us, and suspected that danger was near.
As fast as we could we returned to the folks - in excitement we showed them our pay.
And tho' many moons, as they say, have passed by, I remember it like yesterday."

The boys winked their eyes at each other and grinned, for the old man showed pride in his age.
Then he watched - as they rolled their hoops down the dirt road - for the dust that would usher the stage.

*a silver dollar

-Lillian Arnold Lopez "Pineylore"

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