The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1853-03-17
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Counties railroad was laid down before
even that line of road was marked out
on map; at the time when stage
coaching was at the summit of prosper
ity, and omnibuses had not encroached
upon the privileges of those pleasant
conveyances which were " licensed to
carry sixteen passengers, four inside and
twelve out" SO few, comparatively, OF
which remain to the present day-my
story takes date.
One Saturday afternoon, Mark Ander-
son, youth of about eighteen or nine
teen, and subordinate clerk in some
inferior government. Office, emerging
from Threadneedle-street, and hurrying
on to the Four Swans inn-yard, mounted
the box, and seated himself beside the
driver of one of the numerous coaches
which, in those days, piled between the
Flower Pot in Bishopsgate-street and
the suburban villages on the Cambridge
and other roads branching outward from
Shoreditch. Though the time was sum-
mcr, the day was drizz!y and cherries ;
and the young man seemed somewhat
impatient of a slight delay to which the
coachman was subjecting his passengers.
"I thought your time was half-past
four" said Mark, and pointed to the
clock on the opposite side of the street;
4" you are nearly ten minutes behind "
Just going to start" said the coach
man but still he fingered Il and the
youth, having vented his repreof, tied a
handkerchief round his neck, buttoned
bis frock-coat to his chin, and drew up
the box apron over his knees; each OF
which precautions were very prudent,
for though an honest big drop of real
rain was not to be seen, the misty drlzzle
was very penetrating.
"Going to Waltham :" asked the
driver.
"No; to Enfield Wash," replied the
young man sand far enough too, such
a day as this. When are you going to
move Z"
"In a minute" said the man, look
ing round, and adding, "Oh, here he
comes. Now then, sir, if you please. "
The last words were addressed to a
middle-aged stout gentleman, we'll
wrapped up in a great coat, who, climb
ing to the top of the coach, observed in
an Indifferent tone have kept you
waiting, Davis but can't help it; bu-
sines must be attended to. You must
step out little quicker, that's all"
All right, sir" said the coachman,
as the vehicle ratified off from tho gate
way of the Four Swans. Not quite
right, / say" muttered Mark to himself,
ito keep us sitting in the rain for his
convenience. But his grumbling was
inaudible, and the cloud on his face soon
cleared up.
The elder traveller seemed destined,
that afternoon, to disturb Marks COM
placeucy. Before the coach was off
. the stones," he had unfurled large
umbrella, and held it over his head,
much to his own comfort, no doubt, but
to the discomfort of the youth, just be-
hind whom he was seated, and down
whose back the droppings from the
umbrella began to trickle in a cold
stream.
I" Could you be so kind, sir" said the
youth, looking round at his tormentor,
@ as to hold your umbrella little more
backward : 1t gives me more than my
share of moisture, | Think
"Con't help it," said the senior
traveller, grufiy. My umbrella isn't
in your way, that can see and if !
hold it at a different angle, l shall get
vet; and / do not intend to get
wet, if l can help it. Every one for
himself, that's my motto, such day as
this"
VERY good sir" said the young man
good humoredly only mentioned 1T
and did not mean to offend you. l am
sorry if 1 have"
No ofense, young man." replied
the other I" but you are wrong abou,
the umbrella"
dare say you arc right, SIR" said
Mark. "These Scotch mists get into
one before you know where you are."
Scotch or English, the mist gradually
thickencd and by the time the coach
reached Tostenham, it mattered little tc
Mark Anderson that he had not been
spared the umbrella droppings He was
almost wet through on all sides. Blu,
he bore the inconvenience with good