Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-05-31
00Orfesttr Daily Spp.
WAS IT ALL LUCKl


Before single sleeper on the Eastern Coun
ties railroad was laid down; before even that
line of road was marked out on a map at the
time when stage-coaching was at the summit
of prosperity, and omnibuses had not encroach-
ed upon the privileges of those pleasant con-
Veyances which were licensed to carry six
teen passengers, four inside and twelve out so
few, comparatively, of which remain to the
present day-my story takes date
One Saturday afternoon, Mark Anderson. a
youth about eighteen or nineteen, and a sub
ordinate clerk in some inferior government Of
hce, emerging from Threadneede street, and
hurrying on to the Four Swans inward.
mounted the box and seated himsefbesde the
driver of one Of the numerous coaches which,
IN those days. piled between the Flower Pot,
IN Blshopgate street and the suburban vii
lages on the Cambridge and other roads
branching outwards from Shoreditch The
time was summer, the day was drzzIy and
cherries, and the young man seemed some
what impatient of a slight delay to which the
coaehman was subjecting his passengers.
81 thought your time was half-past four"
said Mark, and pointed to the clock on the CD.
posite side Of the street, you are nearly ten
minutes behind"
Gust going to start, said the coachman, but
still he fingered; and the youth, having vented
his reproof tied handkerchief round his
neck, buttoned his frock-coat to his chin, and
drew up the box apron over his knees each
OF which precautions was very prudent, for
though an honest big drop of rain was not to
be seen, the misty drizzle was very penetrat-
ing.
"Going to Waltham 2" asked the driver.
"No: to Enfield Wash p replied the young
man, "and far enough, too, such day as this.
When are you going to move 2"
In a minnie - said tho MAJ, IooL;pr, ro,,,,J
and adding, ooh, here he comes Now then,
sir, if you please"
The last words were addressed to middle
aged stout gentleman, well wrapped up in
great coat, who, climbing to the top of the
coach, observed in an Indifferent tone
81 have kept you waiting, Davis, but can't
help it; business must be attended to. You
must step out a little quicker, that's ALL
All right, sir, said the coachman as the
vehicle ratified from the gateway of the -Four
Swans.
"Not quite right, l say" muttered Mark to
himself, ''to keep us sitting in the rain for his
convenience"
But his grumbng was inaudible, and the
cloud on his face soon cleared up
The elder traveller seemed destined, that af-
ternoon, to disturb Mark complacency. Be
fore the coach was off ''the stones" he unfurl-
ed large umbrella, and held it over his head.
L, IT.,
great discomfort of the youth, lust behind
whom he was seated, and down the back of
whom the droppings from the umbrella began
to trickle in a cold stream.
Gould you be so kind, sir" said the youth
looking round at his tormentor, "as TO hold
you umbrella a little more backwards 1t
gives me more than my share Of the moisture,
| think"
Cant help it," said the senior traveller,
|. IL, u
l can see, and if hold it at a different angle
all get wet; and don't mean to get wet. if
can help it. Every one for himself, that's
my motto, such day as this
Very good, sir, said the young man, good
humoredly, 81 only mentioned it, and did not
mean to offend you. | am sorry if | have"
mo offence, young man" replied the other, 4
'but you are wrong about the umbrella"
81 dare say you are right" said Mark
"These Scotch mists get into one before you
know where you are
Scotch or English, the mist gradually thick
ened, and by the time the coach reached Tot
tenham it mattered little to Mark Anderson,
that he had been spared the umbrella drop
pings. He was almost wet through on all
sides But he bore the Inconvenience with
good humor that seemed imperturbable. Pres
entity the coach stopped, and Mark got down
while the horses were being changed.
nalo, laws l say, laws, that you
smoking angrly shouted the elder traveller
from under cover OF his umbrella some little
while after the coach was again IN NOTION
mo SIR
81 am, though" returned the youth. CRY
ing your plan, sir-taklng care OF myself
And annoying your nelghbors, grumbled
the gentleman. THAT isn't my plan, my
young friend"
Mark had it on his lips to say that he some
what doubted the assertion, but he did not say
it. Instead of that.
'lf my cigar is disagreeable to you, sir,
said he, "Ill leave 1t of directly"
No, no. go on, by all means, said the
gentleman somewhat testify, every one for
himself; but its nasty habit that smoking,
and It cannot be very agreeable to anybody to
be stifled with tobacco-reek. 1t isn't to me,
know, so i'll just shift my seat, you'll draw
up for minute, Davis.
NO neeo Ior that, sir, rephed MARK quiet
~. I've DONE sir, and beg your pardon for
having annoyed you. dld not intend to do
ii" and as he spoke, he threw the halt-consum-
ed cigar into the road
Mark fellow traveller looked nan Vexed
and half pleased
81 didn't wish you to DO that he said, in
tone very different from that IN winch he had
before spoken. Il am Obliged to you, though
for to tell the truth, very much dislike the
smell OF tobacco But you should have saved
your cigar; it seems pity to cast away what
costs good money