The Albany register. [volume] (Albany, Or.) 1868-18??, 1870-05-14
A Day as New York Eack-Man.

"Heigho, McGreer! what in the world
are you swearing about SO furiously?" I
asked, entering the livery stable of the
above named person, amid volly of
oaths that might have shocked his Satan
ic majesty.
'sOh. Good morning" replied the man;
6 excuse me, Mr.. Morris. I was talking
rather too strong, perhaps; but the fact
is, | am in desperate strait. You
see Mr.. Elmore's horses are both sick,
and he has sent for me to let him have
my best span and coach Immediately.
Well, the dapplcs are the best, and, to my
eye, better than his own, but there's not
a man belonging to the stables dare drive
them but Cary, and he is down with
fever. The other horses are all out, or
engaged, and I don't know what the
"There there!" said no oaths, T
have nothing on hand, and really should
like to play hack-man for day !"
"Surely, Mr.. Morris, you are jokingw
calculated the man, in amazement
No! | am in earnest for the idea
was SO novel that I, lover of adventure,
became every moment more determined
to try it. Il am really in earnest, Mr..
McGreer, so say no more about it. You
know l can manage anything. Just have
them hitched up, aud give me the livery
coat and hat. Now, leave me the Office
for moment-but stop! don't let the
men know who I am, and by the way-I
almost forgot it-have our team sent
around in about an hour"
Left alone, proceeded to alter my ap-
pearance as much as possible, assuming
the habllaments of a driver | made
frst'rate Irlshman of the higher grade.
The metamorphose was scarcely complet-
ed, when Mr.. McGreer entered.
GO Mr.. Nor"
Michael, ye mane," [ Interrupted.
GO Sure there is no reason [ should be
cheated out of me name" We both
laughed, and received congratulations
upon making so good a son of Erin.
Stepping out of the office, mounted
the box, gathered up the reins, and was
off. The horses were usually gay, but I
had them in good trim by the time 1
stopped before Mr.. Elmore's residence.
1t may be well to state, Grace Elmore
was not the least inducemcnt for my as
suming my present position. Ali winter
she had been a dream idol of mine, or,
rather, half a one, for [ could ot really
decide which l preferred, Grace, or Maud
de Merris, young French lady. who was
spending the winter in New York with
her parents. Both were bewitching, and
l embraced every opportunity of being
with either.
Springing from the box, I rang the
bell, and presently assisted Miss Elmore
and two friends into the carriage.
The day was warm for March, and the
four windows were open-Graee sitting
on the seat nearest me.
Ground the pleasantest streets, driver.
Anywhere for ride" she said.
We started, and for quarter of an
hour, the ladies' chit-chat was of no ac-
count to me, then suddenly Miss Fanny
exclaimed
"By the way, Grace, rumor says you
are engaged to George Morris, and the
solitaire on your fore finger appears to
confirm it,"
'' Rumor honors me-" was the reply.
'' Now, Grace" chimed in the third
lady, :" stop your nonsense, and tell us
candidly, are you engaged ~
Well, | aIn arraigned before court
for some terrible crime, and commanded
to answer Guilty or Not Guilty ?-is that
it?" was the half laug ching, half-annoyed
response.
NO." returned the third lady, I" not
at all, only urged to crafty friendly curl
osity."
Well, the truth is, am not at liber-
ty to say all l wish; but this much l
will acknowledge-the ring you mention
did once belong to George Morris!'
Was there ever such an abominable
falsehood told, every word of which is
true l thought, angrily, as heard the
comments about my money, person, par
ents, etc. That girl has lead them to
suppose we are engaged, and there is the
ring to prove it--a ring she took from
me in sport, few evenings slEce, and
which [ intended to recover upon our
next meeting. Well there was one thing
certain. Grace Elmore will never be my
wife; l could not trust such schemer.
This resolution was strengthened when I
heard her say, in confidential under
tone, to the third lady (Miss Fanny hav-
ing been left at her own house:)
"I have, of course, no feeling in the
matter, only school girls love; but think
George will make desirable husband,
while his wealth, with my own, will place
us above any change of fortune. Then
he is really very handsome, and have
decided to take him, don't know that
could do much better.
Pity have not arrived at similar
decision" was my mental sarcasm.
just then she called, affectionately
"Home, driver" Willingly dio place
her on the carriage steps and turned to.
ward the stables. "By Joye l wish ]
could have as good an opportunity to try
Maud de Merris /" / calculated, as ]
drove up to my station. McGreer was
waiting for me. There was gray haired
gentleman with him, but McGreer step
ped aside and asked me if / objected te
going further, at the same time oyerpow
ering me with thanks, and saying if the
horses were cooled down, he could give
them to some on else.