Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1858-04-21

Just then the fog cleared off little, and
exhibited to both fare and driver the curious
fact that they had been going back, the
horses head being turned towards Holborn.
The true state of affairs. however. being thus
ascertained, cabby wheeled about. and was
going along at a spanking pace to make up
for lost time, when another dense mass of
fog loomed over, and all was again in total
obscurity. This was most provoking, for
the time was getting on; yet to advance be-
yond walk was impossible.
'Pray, push on, cabby," said Thompson,
again popping out his head, ''or we shall be
too late for the train, after all; push on, and
I'll see if can't find an extra half-crown for
you"
Thompson had strong conviction that half
crowns, in number suited to the occasion,
could do anything; and cabby, by his increas
ed efforts, proved the infueece of the stimu-
lus. But it would not do the old difficult
ties recurred, and finally while Thompson
getting desperate, was alternately pursuadirg,
threatening, and limiting at even additional
half-crowns, St. Paneras' clock struck nine.
1t was all over; the last train was starting.
What ,vould Mrs: Thompson say?-what wo'd
his visitors think ?-and what was to be done?
But Thompson was never long in dilemma;
he was man of business be was not an in
dividual to be beaten by fog; aud SO, rely
ing that his ''vehicle" would come to meet
- hot h.
rive by the nine o'clock train, he agreed with
cabby to drive him toward Harrow -on-the-
Hill as fast as he could Between the cab
and the vehicle" the distance might be
managed. he reckoned, in about an hour and
quarter, or say an hour and twenty min
utes, (business men, especially those who
travel by railways, always calculate to III
c.ty,) so that he would still get home before
supper; and the bargain for two shillings a
mile, and glass of brandy and water by way
of an extra FLIP, was at once concluded.
The Harrow Road was reached in less
time than could have been hoped ; and Thomp
son now suggested to cabby the probability of
even a second glass of brandy and water, if
that pace were kept up. But as they came
upon the open country road, it was so extre-
mely slippery that such a pace was dangerous
and at the foot of the hill at Kensal Green
they were once more reduced to walk. Up
that steep bit of ROAD, glazed with layer OF
frozen snow. there was no hold for the horses
feet and the fog, driven by a keen east
wind, was rapidly enveloping the north -wes-
tern suburbs, and even the country beyond.
| where, mingliDg with thick white mist,
caused by the sudden frost in moist atmos-
phere, it became even more dense than 1t wal
in London. This greatly increased the dit
fculty of getting up the hill; and the horse
at last, after slipping. straining, and plung
ing. lost his footing, and fell.
whip him up cried Thompson, who
though not cruel man, looked upon the mat
ter from a purely business point Of view, IL
which the fall appeared kind of breach
contract that ought to be dealt with in
summary manner. Without deigning re
ply, cabby jumped down, and proceeded t
loosen, by hole or two, some of the harness
to lift the shafts little, SO as to take th
weight from the shoulder, and in other way
to assist the fallen horse. But nobhing woul
avail; there was no hold for his feet on tn;
slopipg sheet of ice after each effcrt th
struggling animal fell again, and at la'
gave up the attempt. and lay perfectly still
Thompson, who was not mau to stand b
and do nothing, let himself out ; and gropin
his way round to the driver, whom he coul
not see in the fog, put the searching question
what he meant to do 2
| .sTheres only one thing as'll ever get th;
, hoss up again this blessed night" said cal
, by.
I "And what's that ?"
"Why, something as we haven't got"
| "Wcll, what is it 2" repeated Thompson.
"Why, hoss-cloth," replied cabby, :"
= blanket; or any ways. if it wasen't bla
, ket, just great-coat; you haven't grea
: coat to spare, have you sir -
r well, it's not exactly the night to lend
e horse great-coat," said Thompson. ''B
O what is it for?''
e 'Wby, you see, if could put summst
d that sort down under his forc-feet, he'd get
It hold, don't you see-he'd get hold, and
e up in twinkling."
g Now, Thompson's great-ooat was 60
g one but the affair with him was merely
@ matter of business Was the result aeo'
the damage likely to be done was the pit
: question put to himself BY rapid proc'
% of mental arithmetic he assessed the probal
injury, estimated the advantage to be deriv
It per contra, and with his usual business Ii
/ CELEBRITY, decided that it 'oes. In anotl
. mirutecabby was spreading Thompson gr
/ coat under the feet Of his prcArate steed.