Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1859-06-17
is c f L L A n Y .
WAS 1T ALL LUCkl

WAS 1T ALL LUCKi
Before a single sleeper on the Eastern
bunties railroad was laid down; before even
at line Of road was marked out on a map
the time when stage-coaching was Mt the
mmit of prosperity, and omnbuses had
bt encroached upon the privileges of those
easant conveyances which were "lcensed
carry sixteen passengers, four inside and
velve out" so few, comparatively, ofwhich
main to the present day-my story takes
hte.
One Saturday afternoon Mark Anderson,
buth of about eighteen or nineteen, and
bordinate clerk in some inferior government
ficc, emerging from Threadneedle ST., and
lrrying on to the Four Swans inn yard,
ounted the box and seated himself beside
be driver of one of the numerous coaches
hich, in those days, piled between the
lower Pot, in Bishopeate st., and the subur-
hn villages on the Cambridge and other
Pads branching outwards from Shoreditch.
he time was summer, the dav was drizzlv
hd cherries, and the young man seemed
Pmewhat impatient ofa slight delay to which
be coachman was suhjecting his passengers
81 thought your time was half-past four"
id Mark. and pointed to the clock on the
pposite side Of the street. "you arc nearly
IN minutes behind
"Just going to START" said the coachman,
ht still he fingered; and the youth, having
pnted his reproof, tied handkerchief round
is neck, buttoned his frock coat to his chin,
nd drew up the box apron over his knees,
ich of which precautions was very prudent,
br though an honest big drop of rain was
OF to be seen, the misty drizzle was very
penetrating.
"Going to Waltham ?" asked the uriver.
"No; to Enfield Wash replied the young
nan, "and far enough, too, such day as
his When are you going to move?"
"In a minute" said the man looking
ound. and adding, "Oh, here he comes.
low then. sir, if you please"
The last words were addressed to middle
Igcd stout gentleman, well wrapped up in
Ereat coat, who. climbing to the top Of the
Eoach, observed in an Indifferent tome
81 have kept you waiting, Davis. but
amt help it; business must be attended to.
You must step out little quicker, that's
Ill.,"
"All right, sir" said the coachman, as
he vehicle ratified from the gateway of the
Four Swans.
"Not quite right, say" muttered Mark
b himself, "to 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 complacency.
Before the coach was off "the stones," he
unfurled large umbrella, and held it over
his head. much to his own comfort, no doubt,
but to the 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 cold stream.
could you be so kind, sir, )" said the youth ,
looking round at his tormentor, "as to hold
your umbrella little more backwards? 1t
gives me more than my share Of the moisture
! think
Cant help it," said the senior traveller
grufly. "My umbrella isn't in your way
that can see, and if hold it at different
angle !. shall get wet; and don't mean tc
get wet. if I can help it. Every one for
himself, that's my motto, such day as this. .
every good. sir" said the young man,
good humoredly, 81 only mentioned it, and
did not mean to offend you. I am sorry il
I have"
'tNo offence, young man." replied tn,
other. "but you are wrong about the umb
rella"
81 dare say you are right" said Mark
These Scotch mists get into one before yol
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 spared the umbrella droppings
He was almost wet through on all sides. Blu
he bore the inconvenience with a good hum
or that seemed impertura BILE. Presently tn
coach stopped, and Mark got down while tn
horses were being changed.
"IIallo. Davis, say, Davis, is that 20
smoking?" angrily shouted the elder trave
Ter from under cover of his umbrella, som
little while after the coach was again l
motion.
"No sir"
liam, though, )" returned the youth Try
ing your plan, sir-taking care Of myself
"And annoying your neighbors," grun
blei the gentleman. "That isn't my plan m
young friend"
Mark had it on his lips to say that he som
say it. Instead of that.
"1f my cigar is disagreeable to you, sir
said he, IN leave it of directly"
"No, no; 60 on by all means" said tt
gentleman somewhat testify, 'every one {
himself; but it's nasty habit, that smokin
and it cannot be very agreeable to anybody
be stiAed with tobacco reek. 1t isn't to n
! know, so III just shift my seat, if you
draw up for minute, Davis"
"No need for that, SIR" replied Maj
quietly. "I've done, sir, and beg your p'
don for having annoyed you. did not
tend TO do it," and as he spoke he threw
hait-consumed cigar into the road.
Marks fellow traveller looked half vex
and half-pleased.
~ didn't wish you to do that" he sa
in tone very different from that in which
had before spoken. 81 am Obliged to 70
though, for to tell the truth, | very mu
dislike the smell of tobacco. But you sho,
have saved your cigar it seems a pity
cast away what cost good money"
'lts oil no consequence, sir" return
Mark; 'dare say you are right about sm
ing; tbs only habit" :.
"a bad habit" said the gentleman, v
decidedly. IL should say very bad hal
Tor young man like you. But it is nothi
10 me" he added, in his former misanthr
zeal tone, "eyery one for himself"
That seems rather favorite motto
yours, sir" said the youth, respectfully