The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1871-07-20
Selett Storu.
A DAY AS A HACKMAN

" Heigh no, McGreer! What in the
world are you swearing about so furious
ly| asked, entering the livery stable
of the above named person amid volley
of oaths that might have shocked his
satanic majesty.
"Ohl good morning." replied the
man; "excuse me, Mr.. Morris. | 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 wants 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 man belonging to my stables dare
drive them but Cary, aud he is down
with the fever. The other horses are
all out or engaged, aud | don't know
what the"
There, there" said |, "no oaths.
have nothing on hand, aud really believe
l should like to play hackman for day
in New York"
"Surely, Mr.. Morris, you are joking"
calculated the man, in amazement.
No; am in earnest" for the idea
was SO novel, that l, a lover of adven.
ture, became every moment more deter.
mined to try it.
am in earnest, Mr.. McGreer, say
no more about it. You know | can
manage anything. Just have them
hitched up, and give me the livery coat
and hat. Now, leave me in the office
for moment-but stop! don't let the
men know who am, and by the way
1 almost forgot it-have our team sent
around in about an hour"
left alone, proceeded to alter my
appearance as much as possible, assum.
ing the habiliments of driver. made
a frst.rate Irishman Of the higher grade
Thsmetamorphosis was hardly completed
when Mr.. McGreer entered.
Mr.. Nor"
Michael, ye mane," l. interrupted /;
"sure there's no reason that should be
cheated out Of name" We both
laughed, aud / received congratulations
upon making good son Of Erin
Stepping out Of the office, mounted
the box, gathered up the reins and was
off. The horses were unusually gay.
but | had them in good trim by the time
stopped before Mr.. Elmore's residence.
1t may be well to state, Grace Elmore
was not the least inducement for assum-
ing my present position. All winter
sha had haan n draan, ;lot oc -. =
rather half one, for l could not really
decide which | preferred, Grace or
Maude de Morris, young French lady,
who was spending the winter in New
York with her parents Both were
bewitching, and | embraced every op.
portunity of being with either.
Springing from the box, rang the
bell, and presently assisted Miss Elmore
and her two friends into the carriage.
The day was warm for March, and
the four windows were open-Grace sit.
ting on the seat nearest me.
" Round the pleasant streets, driver.
Anywhere for ridc," she said.
We started, and for quarter of an
hour the ladies' chit chat was of no &c.
count to me, when suddenly Miss Fan.
ME exclaimed:
" by the way, Grace, rumor says you
are engaged to George Morris, aud the
softta're on your fore. finger appears to
confirm 1t"
Kumor honors me" was the reply.
"Now, Grace" chimed in the third
lady, "stop your nonsense, aud tell us
candldly, are you engaged 7"
Well, I'm arraigned before court
for some terrible crime, and commanded
to answer, guilty or not guilty ?-is that
itr was the half laughing, half annoy.
ed response.
No, replied the third lady, only to
gratliy friendly curiosity"
Well, tho truth is, / am not at lib.
e'ty to say all wish; but this much /
will acknowledge-the ring YOU men.
ris."
Was there ever such an abominable,
falsehood told, every word Of which i
truef | thought angrily, as | heard
the comments upon my money person.
parents, etc. That girl had led them to
suppose that We we're engaged, and there
is ring to prove tia ring she took
from me in sport, few evenings since,