Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1867-03-08
Caught a Tartar.

A few years ago, we were jus
leaving New York for Boston, by on,
OF the Fall River boats, and were
seated with few friend upon tht
promenade deck of the steamer. look
ing down the pier, watching the las
arrivals and preparations for depart
ure, when, just as the last bell was
ringing, a carriage dashed down the
Wharf, the driver leaped from his box
and a nicely dressed gentlemanly
looking man rather under the medium
size, lcaped out, grasping a leatheru
valice in one hand. while the other
encased in yellow kid glove,extend
ed a half dollar to the driver
Coachy, however, Indignantly refused
the coin, and demanded a dollar for
his services.
"a dollarT said the passenger
"why you have only driven me from
the head of Courtland street; it's not
a five minutes drive
Cant help that, sir" replied the
driver, seeing that the time was prec-
ious. 1--WE always charge a dollar
when gentleman takes his valice in
side"
Take the half dollar or nothing, -
said the passenger, his eyes sparkling
with anger, as he observed that prep
arations were making to take in the
steamers gang planks.
The driver made a spring forward
and rudely seized hold of one of the
handles of the valice, saying as he did
/ so:
mo you don't yct-don't take that
ere baggage away till yer pays a
/ dollarw
The yellow-kidded palm that was
OutStretched with the halfdOllar clos
ed over it, and in a second the closed
fist was delivered in the hack drivers
face with a force that dropped him
like a shot. The next instant he was
on MS feet, with clenched fists and
eyes OF dire intent-a strong rough
looking customer, much heavier than
his plucky little antagonist. who had
sat down his recovered valice ierked
off the short cloak he wore. and who
with tall beaver hat.and kid gloves,
as he struck an attitude, rather excit-
ed laugh at his facing such an adver-
sary, with an idea of anything except
annihilation at the first onset. The
knight of the whip sprang forward,
and aimed a blow which would have
Settled his fare. had it taken effect.
/ 4 slight movement of the head to one
side, quick horizontal eXtention of
the passengers arm, and down went
coachy again, amid the shouts of the
spectators on the promenade deck,
and the delighted exclamation of one,
that was devlish straight counter
hit
But jarvey wasn't satished-up
again-more cautious-he still look
ed upon his little antagonist with
contempt, and was determined to re
pay, with interest, the damage he
sustained. Another rush, with the
intention Of getting in a smashing
blow, was encountered in a different
style. The left foot was Slipped aside :
a slight dodge to the left, and the
hackman's fist went far past its desti-
nation, while the arm of his opponent
came down directly across the lower
part Of his neck, whirling him half
way round, and bringing his back
close up to the left thigh of the little
man. There was mOmcntary strug-
glc-the next time up went the driy-
er's heels in the air land down he came
for the third time bang upon the
pier, thrown by movement known
f among the fancy as cross -buttock.'
"All this happened in less time than
it has taken to tell it and during its
performance the steamers ropes were
5 cut off. and, as the driver fell, the
l gang planks were drawn in, prepara
: tory to starting. The passenger no
I ticcd this; so, seizing his coat and
: valicc, he threw them upon the boat
} and with a run and a jump, alighted
J ION board, amid the outstretched arms
e Of the dock hands, to whom he hand
5 ed the halfdollar, which he had KEPT
, clenched IN his hand during the en-
= counter; while, as we steamed away
his late adversary, with his face sadly
n battered, was seen standing upon tn,
= pier, shaking his fist in impotent rage
e at the fast rcceding steamboat.
e Were you not afraid to go 81
o largo a man ?" asked gentleman, a
n the little game cock made his appear
V ance on the promenade deck amon|
y the passengers.
$ "Oh no, sir, said he,quietly cockin!
his new hat little more jauntily, an,
d tightening his gloves that had bee
it somewhat disarranged-"not at all
been to school, gcntlemen!'
A GoLDLN THOUGHT.-We knO'
IL not the author Of the following, br
it is one of the most beautiful produ
Il tons OF the human mind we hay
1T ever read:
re Mature will be reported. A
le things are engaged in writing the
Id own history. The plant and II