The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-04-14
A DAY As 4 HACKMAN.

Heigh no, McCireer! What in the
world are YOU swearing about 50 furious
" ?" asked, entering the livery stable
OF the above named person, amid vol
lev of Oaths that might have shocked
his Satanic majesty.
ooh 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 dapples are the best, ana. to
nv eve. better than his own but there's
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, there, said |, no oaths. |
have nothing on hand, and really be-
lieve ! should like to play haclman for
a 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 |, a lover OF adven-
ture, became every moment more de-
termined 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
tor moment-but stop! don't let the
men know who am, and 10y the way
| 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 lrishman of the higher
grade. The metamorphosis was scarce
ly completed when Mr.. McGreer en-
tered.
" Mr. Nor"
d" Michael, we NAME" interrupted ;
" sure there's no reason that | should
be cheated out Of name" We both
laughed, and | received congratulations
upon making good son of Erin.
Stepping out Of the office, | mounted
the box, gathered up the reins, and was
o.. The horses were unusually gay,
but ! had them in good trim by the
time ! stopped before Mr.. Elmore's resi-
dence. 1t may be well TO state, Grace
Elmore was not the least inducement
Tor assuming my present position. All
winter she had been dream-idol of
mine, or rather half a one. for ! could
not really decide which / preferred.
trace or Maude de Morris, a young
French lady, who was spending the
winter in New York with her parents.
RI !, ! L
every opportunity OF being with either
Springing from the box. rang the
bell, and presently assisted Miss E!more
and her two friends into the carriage.
The day was warm for Morch, and the
four windows were opcu-Grace sitting
on the seat nearest M.
" Round the pleasant streets. driver.
Anywhere for a ride" she said.
We started. and for quarter of an
hour the ladies' chit-chat was of no ac-
count to me, when suddenly Miss Fanny
exclaimed:
." BY the way, Grace, rumor says you
vou are engaged to George Morris. and
he sohtareon your iore-fnger appears
70 confirm il"
"Rumor honors me- was the reply.
Now, Grace" chimed in the third
lady, stop your nonsense, and tell us
candiolly, arc you engaged p
"Well. am arraigned before a court
for some terrible crime, and commanded
10 answer, guilty or not guilty ?-is that
il p was the half laughing, half annoy
cd response.
mo-" replied the third lady, only
to crafty friendly curiosity
"Well, the truth is, am not at liber.