Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-06-18
MISCELLANEOUS.
WAS 1T ALL LUCK !

Before q single sleeper on the Eastern Counties
railroad was laid down bcforv even that line OF
road was marked out on q map at the time when
stage-coaching was at the summit of prosperity,
xnd oeanibsses had net encroached upon the priv
tIeges 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,
o. Saturday afternoon Mark Anderson,a youth
Of about eighteen or nineteen, and q subordinate
clerk in some inferior government Office, emerging
from Threedueedle ST., and h~urrying on to the Four
Swans inn yard mounted the box and seated him
self beside the driver of one Of the numerous
coaches which, in those days, piled between the
Flower Pot, in Bisbopgate ST., and the suburban
villages on the Cambridge and other roads branch
ing outward from Shoreditch. The time was sum-
uer, the day was driExly and cbeeriess, and the
young man seemed somewhati impatient Of a slight
delay to which the coachman was subjecting his
passengers.
, 81 thought your time was half-past four" said
Mark and pointed TO the clock on the opposite side
of the street, "you are nearly ten minutes De-
hind"
sJust going 10 START" said the coachman, but
still he fingered and the youth. having vented
his %reproof, tied a handkerchief round his neck,
buttoned his frock-coat to his chin, and drew ny
she box apron over his knees, each Of which pre-
cautions was very prudent, for though an honest
big drop Of rain was not to be seen, the misty
drizzle was very penetrating.
Going to Waltham ?" asked the driver.
"No; to Enfield Wash !~"replied the young man
''and far enough. too, such a day as this. Wher
are you going to move
"In q minute" said the man looking round, and
adding, "Ob, here he comes. Now then, sir, il
you please"
The last words were addressed to a middle-aged
stout gentleman. well wrapped up in a great coat,
who, climbing to the top Of the coach, observed in
an Indifferent tone
II have kept you waiting, Davis, but con t help
it business must be attended to. You must step
out q little quicker, that's ALL"
A right, sir" said the coachman, as the We
hicle ratified from the gateway of the Four
Swans.
"Not quite right, 1 say. "muttered Mark to him
self, ito keep US sitting in the rain for his con-
venience."
Blu, his grumbling was iraudible. and the cloud
on his face soon cleared up.
The elder traveller seemed destined, that after
noon, to disturb Marks complacency. Before the
coach was off "the stones" he unfurled o large
umbrella and held it over his head, much to hs
own comfort, no doubt, but to the great discomfort
of The youth, just behind whom he was seated,
and down the back of whom the droppings from
the umbrella began to trinkle in a cold stream.
"Could you be so kind, sir said the youth,
looking round at his tormentor, "as to hold your
umbrella o little moro backwards 1t gives me
more than my share of the moisture, I think"
"Can't help it," said the senior traveller, grufiy
my umbrella isn't in your way, that I can see
and if 1 hold it at q different angle 1 shall get wet
and 1 don't mean to get va il / can help it
Every one for himself, that's my motto, such
day as this" Sc --.-
very good. sir" said the young man, goot
hume. eddy, II only mentioned it,and did not NEAR
to offend you. 1 am sorry if l have"
"No offence, young man, replied the other, "bu
you are wrong about the umbrella"
81 dare say you are right, said Mark. "Thest
Scotch mists get into one before you know where
you are"
Scotch or English the mist gradually thickened
and by the time the coach reached Tot:enham il
mattered little to Mark Anderson, that he bad
been spared the umbrella droppings. He wat
almost wet through on all sides. But be bore the
inconvenience with o good humor that seemed
imperturable. Presently the coach stopped, ant
Mark got down while The horses were being
changed.
''Hallo, Davis /! 1 say, Davis, is that you smok
ing :" angrily shouted the elder traveller from
under cover of his umbrella, some little whil
r.. l. .z.ol -: - z..E.
"No SIR"
~ am, though" returned the youth. "Tryinl
your plan, sir-taking care of myself"
."And annoying your neighbors," grumbled ths
gentleman, THAT isn't my plan, my young
friend" o.,
Mark had it on his lips to say that he some what
doubted the assertion. but he did not soy it. In.
stead of that, d
'If my cigar is disagreeable to you, sir" SAID
he, "Ill leave it of directly"
"No, no 60 on, by all MEANS" said the gentle
man testify, every one for himself but it's
nasty habit, that smoking, and it cannot be yer,
agreeable to anybody to be stiAed with tobacco
reek. 1t isn't to me, I know, so I'll just shift M
seat. If you'll draw up for a minute, Davis"
N need for that, sir" replied Mark, quietly
ave done, sir, and beg your pardon for having
annoyed you. / did not intend to do it," and as
be spoke, he threw the halfconsumed cigar into
Ike road.
Marks fellow traveller looked half vexed and
half pleased.
"l didn't wish you to do that" he said, in a tone
very different from that in which he had before
spoken. II 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 q
pity to cast away what costs good money"
"lfs of no consequence. sir" returned Mark
''dare say you are right about smoking Ills only
% habit" t-
"a bad habit" said the gentleman very decid-
q sdls. II should say a very bad habit for a young
man like you, Bat it is nothing to me, he added,
in his former misanthropical tome" every one for