Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-02

What has become of an odd specimen of an
eXtOrtlonate cabman whom 1t was our 10. to en-
counter three years since? II he be still in the
trade, some of our readers may have CHANGED
upon him, and may recognize him by our brief
description.
The man was a char cteT, and his method of
procedure, at least in the instance winch we are
about TO quote, was novel and original. He was
a short, bull-necked man of some fifty years OF
age, with a red and nubbly counlenance, and
two small, twinkling grav eyes. set very far
back in his head; he was lame, and wore
black glazed hat, like French coachman 5; his
language was fluent, personal, and marked with
the strongest adjectives; and there was rum in
his whole system when we CHANGED upon him,
jogging along in distant suburb, NOttng-hilI
way, at five in the morning. We mad been at
friends party, and had not provided for the re-
turn journey; we were discOnsolate, and SIN IN
number; and the man saw our position, and
volunteered with a considerable amount OF po-
likeness tnen to drive us homeward. The cab
was roomy cab, and would hold the SIX OF us
quite comfortable; only try it. We did try it,
for there was dliZzling rain descending, and
no help in sight. We gave our address and
were driven off, a mass of distorted humanity,
until we finally arrived at our destination in the
broad daylight, with the reproachlul eyes Of
policeman upon us as we struggled from the
vehicle and Stroye to assume our natural con-
formations.
The settling-up question came, and we are of
ppluiOH IUdJ Il very handsome QUnatlO1, tllitI
made amends for extra distance, extra weight,
and left decided margin for the driver, was
rendered on that occasion to the eccentric being
whom we are never likely 10 forge But, even
with policeman before him, he fell into posi-
ton, and launched his language at us.
He wouldn't touch it; he wouldn't lay hand
upon it. He wanted double the money, Just
double the bessed-he did not say blessed-and
measly-he did say measly-lmount which had
been offered him. Settle the case at the next
blessed station house!-which, however, was
not blessed on that occasion by the disputant-
not he; though there wasn't an inspector in all
the land who wouldn't give the decision in his
favor. Ask the policeman present what he
considered was Il LEGAL claiml of course he
would. But when the policeman went into cal
culation, and thought that we might have given
him something like three shillingS too much,
no pen is powerful enough to describe our cab
man rage and modification, and general state
oil wounded feelings. He tossed his shiny hat
in the roadway; he executed 4 maniacal dance;
he cursed us for hiring him, and himself for
being hired; he startled his observers consdera-
bly, by drawing from his pocket 3hugc clasp
knife, which he opened and lourshed round his
head, as an Indian savage might have brandsll-
ed it when scalp-collecting.
Pm hot agoing to hurt YOU" he said TO the
Policeman, "or them. Not |. | knows my
place too well for that. Pm not a-gong to take
their blessed '-pleaSe consider blessed was
MOI tue adjective employed a9aln-"allu mcASlY
money | make 'cm Il present of it, there! But
amt a-going to have this poor animal INN
posed upon. He shau't have the mislortun' of
drawing such measlv lot over again, Pm
a-@oin9 TO cut his fhrOat!'
He went with solemn strides to the front of
his horse, as Vir4nius might have done toward
his daughter, seized the bride, held the knife TO
the animals iugular region, and paused
Are you gong to pay up?' he asked in
tragic tone.
No, we are not going to pay up any more.
Then this poor critter must have his throat
cut You amt a-going to draw such a measly
lot again, old horse; it isn't worth your while
it isn't worth your living for"
1t was impossible to resist burst of laughter
Mt this pathetic address. The policeman, whose
beat had possibly been dull that night fairly
doubled himself up with hilaritY. The cabman
paused again, with his knife against the horses
throat, as though he were shaving it.
viii you give me eighteen pence morc?"
"No"
win you make it a shiliing?"
"No"
Not siXpence? not a mcasly sixpence?
Not a sXpence"
Then give us your money; and, mind you,
I'LL never take you anywhere again. not il the
whole measy lot of you was dying!'
lie closed and pocketed the knife picked ND
his hat, received his money, mounted his box,
burst forth into fresh and forcible adiectives,
and drove away, hurting his imprccations on
our heads, till his voice was lost in the distance
into which he took his cab and his objectionable
self-Belgacia.