The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1877-07-05
Louise Chandler MOu1tOn and the Lon.
don Cabman.

-Aall IAat OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES AOU G0zete.
Louise Chandler MOulton and the Lon.
don Cabman.
t'e'~ -
SHALL. ever forget my fret solitary ex.
perience of the tender mercies of Lon.
don cabby? had been here two weeks,
perhaps, and been driven here and there
in friendly company; but at last was to
venture forth alone. It was Sunday
afternoon Ia lovely June day, which
should have produced melting mood
even in the hard heart of cabby. had
been hidden to an informal five-o clock tea,
at the house of a certain poet, in certain
quiet :" Road" among the many Roads -
of Kensington. An American friend put
me sadly but hopefully into a hanson.
asked him how much was to pay, ami
was told eighteen pence. always ask
this question by way of precaution, but
1 have found since that there is usually a
sad discrepancy of opinion between my
friend at the beginning and my driver at
the end of the route; however, had not
learne.. that fact at this early epoch.
Eighteen pence" said my friend. al
think you'll be all right; but if there's
any trouble, you know, you must ask for
his number. and I'll have him up for you
tomorrow"
l thought he was pretty well cup" al
ready. Indeed, the up-ness, if may coin
a word, of the driver, is the most extraor-
binary thing about hanson.
l heard my friend announce the street
and number of my destination, and the
sweet little cherub that sat up aloft make
reply;
don't she ?" and then we drove away. To
me the drive did not seem long. AS
have said, it was day in June
Sweet day, 80 pure Sd calm, SO bright,
The bridal If the earth and sky.
l could not see much Of the sky, how
ever, but I caught, when I strained my
eyes upward, glimpses of great, deep,
blue dome, with white clouds drifting
across it now and then, like the wings Of
gigantic birds. AS we got little out of
the thick of the town, the sweet breath of
roses from gardens in bloom filled the air !;
in the gentle breeze the tree Ooughs waved
lazily; there was everywhere brooding
warmth and peace, which pleased my
democratic heart by thinking tina. cabby
must also enjoy. Was he not grateful TO
me, l wondered, for taking him little off
his accustomed track into these pleasant
paths: Suddenly my rcverie was broken
by his voice. He had opened the trap in
the roof, and was calling down to me from
his perch:
(Which o. them turns, ma'am ~
had never been in Kensingston before.
looked on in front, and down the cross
street at each side. Instinct failed me !;
had not even conjecture to hazard. /
answered, mildly:
"Why, don't know, I'm sure"
ooh, you don't know, don't you? Well,
then, I'm sure don't. The gentleman
said as you knew where you was a-goin',
or wouldn't a. took you"
Then spoke severely. The dignity of
free born American asserted itself. /
said:
~ am not driving this cab. wish to
go to 1853 Blank road, but it is not my
business to find the way. You can ask the
first policeman you see.''
But the peace of the June afternoon was
over. 1t seemed to me that the very han
som moved sullenly. We kept bringing
up with a jerk at some corner, while cab
by shouted out his inquiry, and then we
went on again. AT last We reached Blank
road. l saw the name on street sign,
and soon we drew up before 1853. l ex-
CISutCCA pCIlCC lily purse,
and handed it with sweet serenity to my
the contempt upon his expressive cOun-
tenance: He turned the money over in
his hand, and looked at it, as naturalist
in tone which implied great
sclf-control on his part:
Will yeu tell me what this ere money
is fur?''
cit is your fare,' said, with a smile
which should have melted his heart, but
didn't. 81.
"My fare, is it," And his voice rose
to wild shrek. "My fare, is it! And
you lake me away, on Sunday afternoon,
from beat where l was gettin' dozen
fOrsaken place, and then offer me one and
crown; and 'alf-a-crown is the very least
as I'll take" -
took out another silver shilling; and
handed it to him; but felt that had the
dignity of an American citizeness to
maintain. remembered what my friend
had told me, and said loftily:
"And now will take your number, if
you please
"Yes I'll give you my number. Oh,
yes, you shall ave my number and well
comet" and he tore off from somewhere
sort of tin plate, with figures on it. l had
been accustomed to the printed slip which
every French cocher hands you without
asking; and it occurred to me that this
metal card was rather clumsy, and that if
he carried many such about him they
must somewhat weigh down his pockets
but knew that England was q country
where they believed in making things
solid and durable, and supposed it was
quite natural that cables should present
their passengers with metal numbers, in
stead of paper ones; so, holding the thing
gingerly in my hand, marched TRANQUILITY
up the steps of my friends house.
l have seen in Italy and elsewhere vari-
GUS pictures Of the descent of the fallen
and condemned at the last day, but
think even Michael Angelo might have
caught new inspiration from the descent
of my cabby. He Plunged can think
of no other wOrd-duwn from his height,
tore the badge from my trembling fingers,
and shook his hard and brawny fist with.
in the eighth Of an inch of my tip-tilted
nose.
COW dare you," he screamed" 'ow
dare you be maxim off with my badge /?
I'll ave you up, hif you don't mind your
heye." s ~
And, indeed, thought my eye very
likely to need minding. But he mounted
his perch again, badge in hand, and
poured out imprecations like food, while
l pulled frantically at bell and knocker.