The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-02-26

TAUGHT A 1ARrAR.-A few years ago,
we were just about leaving New York
for Boston, by one of the Fall River boats.
and were seated with few friends upon
the promenade deck Of the steamer, look
ing down the pier watching the last ar
rivals and preparations for departure,
when just as the last bell was ringing, n
carriage dashed down the wharf, the
driver leaped from his box, and nicely
dressed gentlemanly- looking m IN, rather
under the medium size, leapcd out grasp
ing leathcrn valise in one hand, while
the other, encascd in yellow kid glove.
extended halfdollar to the driver
Coachy, however, Indignantly refused
the coin, and demanded dollar for his
services
ga dollar" said the passcngcr-"why
you have only driven me from the head
Of Cortlandt street; it's not five min
utcs' drive
Cant help that, SIR" replied the
driver, seeing that time was precious
''We always charges dollar when
gen'elmnn takes his valise inside"
"Tako the halfdollar or nothing" said
the passenger, his eyes sparkling with
anger, as he observed that preparations
were making to take in the steamers
gang planks
The driver made spring forward, and
rudely seized holl of ono of the handles
Of the valise, saying as he did so:
'No, yer don't-yer don't take that
baggage away till yer pays a dolar!"
The yellow killed palm that was out
stretched with the half dollar closed over
it, and in second the closed fist was
delivered in the hack drivers face with a
force that dropped him like shot The
mex; instant lie was on his feet, with
clcnche1 fists and eye of dire intent
strong, rough-lookng, customer, much
heavier than his p!ucky little antagonist.
who had set down his recovered valisc.
jer&el Of the short cloak he wore, and
who, with lis shining beaver hat, and
kid gloves, rs he struck an attitude.
rather excited laugh at his facing such
an adversary, 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
'Scttie1 his tur,' had it taken effect 4
slight movement of the head to one side.
n quick horizontal extension o. the pas
senger's arm, and down went coaclv
again, amid the shouts of the sp'rt ,t,r,
on the promena1e-deck, and the delighted
exclamation of one, that was deyili.h
straight counter hit :"
But jarvey wasn't sati,iici-up again
more cnutious-he still looked upon
his little antagonist with contempt, and
was determined to repay, with interest,
the damage he sustained Another rush
with the intention Of getting in smash
ing blow, was encountered in quite a diff
fercnt style. The left foot was slipped
aside, slight de.lge to the left, and tie
hackman's fist went far past its desiina-
ton, while the arm Of his opponent came
down directly across the lower part of his
neck, whir,ing him half way round, AMI
bringing his back close up to the left thigh
of the little man. There was momen
tary struggle-thc next time up went the
drivers heels in the air, and down he
came for the t.ird time, bang upon the
pier. thrown by movement known
among the fancy as "cross butttock." "
"All this passed in less time than it has
taken TO tell it, and during its performance
the steamers ropes were cast off, and, as
the driver fell, the gang planks were drawn
in, preparatory to starting. The passcn-
ger noticed this; so. seizing his cloak and
valsc, he threw them upon the boat, and
with a run and jump, alighlcd on hoard
amid the outstretched arms Of The DICK
hands, 10 whom he handed the half dollar,
which he had kept clenched IN his hanl
during the encounter; while. as we
steamed away, his late adversary, with
his face sadly battered, was seen standing
upon the pier, shaking his fist in impotcnt
rage at the fast receding steamboat.
"'Were YOU not afraid of so large n
man ?" asked gentleman, as the little
game cock made his appearance on the
promenade deck among the passengers.
"'Oh no, sir" said he, quietly cooking
his new hat little more jauntily, and
tightening his gloves, that had been some
what disarranged-''not at all; I've been
to school, gentlemen H"-COm. bulletin.