The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-11-09
R0ckt1nd EEaclimen.
[From the Kennebee Journal.l

have never seen anything equal TO the
vigor with which the Rockland hack-driver
prosecute their business. I have travelled
some-am quite familiar with the style of
hack-drivers in various parts of the world !;
have seen some enterprise displayed by them
ia New York, San Francisco and st. Louis;
have run the gauntlet of double file of them,
with good sized valise in my hand, many
time, and come out without scratch; have
had some experience in a Sacramento three
card-monte house; have been through whole
block of New York Jew dealers in ready
made clothing; and know something of the
active business habits of New York Peter
Funck auction shop. But for smartness and
dash in their employment, commend me to
the Roekland hack-men.
l embarked in Portland for Rockland in the
steamer Richmond last Friday night, with my
wife and little boy. Arrived at Rockland
about four O'Clock the next morning. Beside
ourselves, there was but one other passenger
for Rockland-an old lady. The boat having
touched the wharf, we started for the gang
way to step ashore-wfe on one arm and
leading my boy by the other. AS we came
out of the saloon | was instantly seized by
tulcc StOul lueI, Willie dHUbuer SelZSu my DOy,
and several others my wife, and great many
others surrounded us in the darkness, ait
shouting, and screaming, and pulling and
hauling, in a jargon and confusion truly ter
rife.
"What means this mob,' shouted-"w
have done to deserve this treatment" as l
was pulled away from my wife and boy
Louder and fiercer were the yells, and l now
distinguished a shrek of Stree ride to the
A. HouseW and another superhuman
scream of "to & House, free ride and tree
rum" In vain hung back, bawling till l
was hoarse that did not want to 90 to either
the A. House or the Z House; my re-
sistance was useless in the brawny hands of
three Rockiand hack drivers, and my voice
was drowned in the demoniac yelling of the
eighteen hack-men who had come for us four
passengers, ard were bound to have us-dead
or alive-whoe or in pieces. They meant
business. was unarmed, and my wife and
the old lady could render no assistance. "My
trunk p l shouted, "et me see to nv trunk"
At this two other hack-men dashed through
the crowd that surrounded me, and thrust
their hands into my pockets. l shouted for
the police, supposng them to be pick-pockets.
"Your baggage check, we want your check"
and they got it in less time than it takes me
to tell it, but not in season to avoid pair of
black eyes which one of them got, from a
AuCIy utlNCiCu piOW NY OuO VI luC iASIi nav
ing me in charge. He evidently considered
me his game; no opposition house could pick
me with impunity. was then boosted into
a coach and guard was stationed at each
door to keep me from escaping. looked ont
into the darkness and shouted for my wife
and boy. All my screaming was useless. The
crowd of enterprising hack-men were surging
up with yells and cries to which ''pandemoni-
um let loose" must have been feeble, pum-
oI. G-A.
stocks. Above the din l heard woman's
shrill cry. As the crowd approached nearer l
dscerned the old lady borne upon the shoul
ders OF several of the vigilant hack-men of
the "a House." whilst the equally enter
prising drivers of the 'Z-- House" were
making dashing charge for her recapture.-
They had already taken her bonnet travelling
bag, parasol, shawl, and all the other loose ar
ticles OF clothing she had on, and we've now
making gallant dash for the body The per-
severance and business like promptness with
which both sides managed the affair was sur
prising, but the superior agility of the "Z--
House" men triumphed. The passenger was
torn from the other side, thrown into hack
and away it dashed at lightning speed into
the darkness. have not heard from the old
lady since, although L have carefully scanned
the obituary notices of all the papers of this
vicinity.
The coach in which I was confined was
next attacked and my rescue attempted by
the opposition. and.l am certain L was only
saved by the feetnesS of the horses which
dashed away, and in their course crushed a
light carriage for the 81 ------- House," and
ran over one OF their drivers. l was landed
at the "A-- House." The driver generous
ly refused any fare. Five very polite gentle
men waited upon me out OF the carriage, urg-
ing me strongly to enter the house, breakfast
| and boots BACKED gratis.but ascertaining that
my wife ana child were not there, l peremp-
torily refused their hospitality, and went forth
| in search of them. My wife heard from dur
ing the day. She had been hauled ito the
'Z-- House." but refusing to stop at that
hotel without her husband and boy, although
they offered to pay her three dollars for so do
ing, the enterprising driver had gone to st.
George with her for fear she would 90 to the
"a House" My boy l have not yet
found, but it is thought he may beIin Waldo
boro' or Bath, as beth OF these places are in
cluded in the route of some of these drivers,
and the passage entirely free provided the
passenger is taken from the steamboat.
This is the way the Rockland hack-men do
business. Their vigilance is unsurpassed. =
Their industry will doubtless be rewarded
but it is difficult for stranger like me TO see
Where the reward comes in. IL is vigorous
style OF enterprise, but it has lis little draw
baaks to the traveller. 1t is pleasant to see
honest industry pushed, but the zeal of a
hockland hackman is too ardent Tor the real
enjoyment OF the passenger who happens to
| nave any inclination of his own as TO what he
would like to do with himself and his wne
| and children. In fact, the Rockland haek-
men are toe obliging-too accommodating. Il l
| have no doubt they prosper. Such energy VIII
| have its reward. Such generosity VIII be re-
| paid. and when they can no longer afford TO
rnn free hacks, have no doubt the travelling
public will be wiling to pay them reasona'
| bic fare.