The Toledo chronicle. [volume] (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1873-1924, 1878-01-17
The Rackman's diplomacy.

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horse. London Society.
The Haekman's Diplomacy.
. It has been frequently suggested that
II the hackman Of the period would be
less violent and rapacious and more &C
commodating and gentlemanly, he
would get along better. Doubtless he
is better posted on this question than
we are. He may have tried the expert
ment to his own satisfaction, though
we are convinced that nobody ever
heard Of it. He has all kinds of people
to deal with. and he finds as general
thing that they are desperately mean
and grasping themselves. He might
compromise by distinguishing between
gentlemen and cheats to some extent;
but perhaps he has no time for that,
and constant contact with persons de-
termined to suspect him of meanness
may have hardened heart that was
naturally tender-if he ever had one.
He imagines himself driven to doing
business with two classes-the man Of
the world, whom he must fight; and
the innocent person, whom he must
rob. This conclusion is not just, and
the hackman really has no reasonable
excuse for it. He understands human
nature probably as much as any other
class; and his diplomacy is at times
really admirable, or it would be but for
the hard-headed, never-give-down prin-
ciple when he makes the rule Of his
life. We remember a hackman. He
would have been Napoleon had he
been in the military line. His strategy
was of the highest order, and his cour-
age, if an exceedingly brazen face is
any criterion to go by, was remarkable.
"By Jover' said this hackman, sud-
denly looking at his watch and drop
ping his jaw till his cigar-stub pointed
downward, "it's 1875, and l prom
ised to be at number blank Smith street
half an hour ago. Family want to take
1890 train and told me to get 'em at
the depot half an hour in advance.
Never mind. Train amt in yet. I'll
fetch 'em yet. ] shall get my little
dollar anyhow-see if DON'T
This hackman whipped his horses,
and started at great pace for number
blank Smith street. The horses heels
flew, and the mud covered the estab-
lishment like cloud People turned
and looked to see the hack go. The
driver looked self-possessed and conf
dent, his cigar-stub standing straight
out like Gen. Grants. He approached
corner near the number he desired.
He suddenly slackened his gait and
turned the corner at snail's pace. He
drove his steeds up to number blank
Smith street. Hellor' he remarked
cheerfully to an anxious watcher at the
door "All readyP''
Ready for whatP" was the i'm
patient answer. "The train was due
ten minutes ago, sir. We have been
dressed and waiting for you nearly an
hour. Why this delay, STRIP
This hackman elevated his eyebrows
with profound surprise. Then he as
sumed look of injured innocence.
Then the look resolved itself into con-
tirmed suspicion that the anxious
watcher was a dodger, a mean felloH,
a cheat, ETC., the suspicion showing it.
SCA Ou CtcI lluCdIuCuL VI HIS COuuto-
nance. Then his face assumed a hard,
harsh GOODNESS and his upper lip went
out to the imminent danger of the
cigar-stub. Then he sat upright. and
the butt of his whip dropped heavily to
the floor of the box, and he folded his
arms, as much as to say, "Some argu-
ment is necessary here, expect. Well,
I'm in no great hurry. l can sit here
and talk all night if necessary
lay he said firmly and aggressively.
:" was told to be here at 1890, and
I'm here. What re you going to do
about itp''
.sXou were told," said the anxious
watcher, "to be here nearly an hour
ago." He hesitated moment and was
half inclined to think he had done this
hackman some injustice in some I'M
known manner. He scanned the I'M
flinching countenance of this hackman
and felt as if there had been mistake
of some kind and he-the anxious
watcher-was to blame for it. Has
the train come imp he asked, as a
slight relief from a very awkward
silence.
'.The train has not come in,'' re-
piled this hackman. with icy dignity.
The anxious watcher reflected mo-
ment, and said to himself, "This is
most extraordinary. must have hurt
that mans feelings somehow. l feel as
if l had been stealing his hard-earned
money. wonder if ever killed one of
his children
can what's more pursued the
hackman, with some distant evidence
of a gentle nature, which would not be
harsh under the circumstances, which
would forgive and forget, provided the
anxious watcher would be reasonable
:" an what's more, my friend, if you
propose to get the train tonight you'd
better be moving
The family were tumbled into the
hack witlPgreat haste, and the establish
ment reached the depot just in time to
take the train, which was fortunately
half an hour late.
81 My benefactor,n exclaimed the anx-
ious watcher at parting, 81 cannot
bear to leave you. 1t breaks my heart
to think of it. Your firmness has saved
me much profanity. l proposed to do
You violence when you drove up to my
mansion. Your firm conviction that
you were right and was wrong dis
armed me. Your persuasive ways took
all the wicked thoughts out of my head.
| feel that l Rave injured you. l hr-
bored a suspicion at one time that you
had imposed upon my confidence. l
know better now. You are an angel
of light, sir; and II feel as I were a
fiend in human shape, and likewise a
mostinsignifcant, contemplate person.
Can you forgive me, sir?"
"Oh, certainly said this hackman,
with an immovable countenance, and
putting out his hand, Zone dollar, if
you please, sir. Rochester IN "
Democrat.