The Lincoln County herald., 1871-07-13
A DAY AS A HACKMAN.

"Heish no, McGreerl What in the
world are you swearing at so furi-
Uusly 2" l usked, entering the livery
stable Of the above named person amid a
volley of oaths that might have shocked
his satanic majesty.
"Oh good morning" replied the man /;
"excuse me, Mr.. Morris. was talking
rather too strong, perhaps but the fact
Is, sm 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
dapples are the best, and to my eye, bet.
ter than his own but there is not man
belonging to my stables dare drive them
but Cary, and he is down with the fever.
The other horses are all out or engaged,
and don't know what the"
There, tLere," said mo oaths. l
have nothing on hand, and really believe
should like to play hackmau for day
10 Now York"
"Surely, Mr.. Morris, you are joking"
calculated the man in amazement.
mo; am in earnest" for the idea
was 30 novel, that I, loser Of adventure,
became every moment more determined
TO try it.
IL 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 aud hat.
Now leave me in the Office for moment
but stop! don't let the men know who
am and by the way-l almost forgot
it-have our team seut round in about an
hour"
Left alone, l proceeded to alter my
appearance as much MS possible, assum.
ing the habiliments Of driver. made
6rst.rate Irishman of the higher grade.
The metamorphosis was hardly COM
pleted when Mr.. McGreer entered.
"Mr. Nor"
"Miohsel, ye manc," interrupted |;
"shure there's no reason why should be
cheated out of q name." Wo both
laughed, and l received congratulations
upon making . good son of Erin.
Stepping out of the Office l mounted
the box. gathered up the rcins and was
of. The horses were unusually gay, bu,
had them iu good trim by the time l
stopped before Mr.. Elmore's residence
II may be we'll to state that Grace FL
more was not the least inducement for
assuming my present position. All
winter she had been q dream idol OF
mine. or rather a half one, for l really
could not tell which I preferred, Grace
or Maud de Morris, young French lady,
who Was spending the winter in New
York with her parents. Both we're be-
witching, and l embraced every opportu-
nifty Of being with either.
Spriuging from the box / rang the
bell, and presently assisted Miss Elmore
and her two friends into tho carriage
The day was warm for March, and tho
four windows were open, Grace sitting
on the seat nearest me.
Ground the pleasant streets, driver.
Anywhere for ride" she said.
We started, and for q quarter Of an
hour the ladies' chit.chat was Of no
account to me, when suddenly Miss
Fannie exclaimed:
by the way, Grace, rumor says you
are engaged 70 George Morris, and the
soe.a're on your fore finger appears to
confirm it" c., -
u sRamor hoaors me-" was the reply.
"Now, Grace" chimed in the third
lady, "stop your nonsense, and tell US
scssdidly, are you engaeed?" ~ ~
swell, I'm arraigued before . court
dor some terrible crime, and commanded
70 answsr guilty or not guilty 2 is that
'tr was the half laughing, half annoyed
response. ......
v "No," replied the third lady, "only to
crafty friendly curiosity" ~
= swell, tho truth is, I am not at Eberty
TO say oil l wish but this much will
acknowledge tho ring you mentioned
did oncs belong to George Morris."r
Was there ever such an abomin able
falsehood told. every word Of which is no.
srue : ] thought angrily, as I heard tho
esuusats upou my money, person, pa
seats, sto. That girl had led shem 90
suppose that ws we're engaged, and there
y . riag - prove it--a ring she took
nom me 10 sport . few evenings since,
Aa4 which : iatended 20 secovcs upon
0of NAs4 1essiAse WsHn xAsss is ~ps