St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-11-13
THE YELLOW CAB.


and its number was 1876. 1 remember
he number distinctly. and L will tell you
ow it happened that its number and colol
ave- stuck like buITS to my memory.
When l got out Of the door of the
freemasons' tavern Ton the night OF
reb. -. 1861 where the dinner
f the Benevolent Superannuated Night
Porters' association had been held
md called a close cab from the stand, as
he cabman got slowly down from has box
nd opened the door for me, with the natty
wist audtug peculiar TO the craft, looked
inside and saw that one of the cushions
was torn nearly in half and that the foot
mat was kicked mp in dirty heap IN one
corner, Upon which, and observing the
number of the cab to be 1876, and some
what. perhaps eXhiarated by the "BenOv-
Olent Night-Porters,' l remarked good
naturally that zone might expect to find
things at skies and Seyens in cab 1876. .
The cabman grOwled something in return,
but he made no other answer.
We're to, sir?" said the cabman. forcing
the door with great difficulty into its proper
place. and then with all his strength grind:
ing down the rusty or bruised handel.
ITO 4 De BeauvoiT terrace, DOWnham
Green. Hammersmith."
And how many miles do you make it?''
said the sullen rogue again, as he rudeiy
thrust his rough face in at the window,
speaking with a sour, hard voice.
I replied that l called it not quite five.
Not much less. " said the man bitterly.
with growl. as he put one foot on the step
to mount to his coach box.
And mind it's double fare, sir. after 10, F"
he added, returning again to carefully pull
NJ both windows, and to reopen and reSlam
the opposite door of the cab. l did not like
the vindictiye look he gave me as he did
this: but | said nothing. for | knew his
number. and the wine made me reckless Of
all dangers, but | did not know the motive
OF all that care then.
''Will you go on I cried, with your
m-shackle cab. or I'll get out and take
anOtheT-a better One.'
Veil go on fast enough presently"
growed the ill-cOnditiOned fellow, with a
peculiar emphasis. as he jumped up on his
seat The horse sputtered about for mo-
ment on the stones, struck out spark or
two with its hoofs. and then sprang for
ward The waterman, flinging down his
bucket, took off his hat ironically to my
driver. l heard voice behind us calling
for "cab, quick"
gentleman" cried out policeman, and we
were off. The lamps of Long Acre passed
us in quick procession; it seemed but a
minute. and we were in st. Martins lane.
At that instant the guStY wind bore across
the road the half-paSt twelve struck by the
bell of st. Martins church.
The driver. thinking of his Over-fare,
turned. and tapping at the window, with
brutal leer asked me ii heard 1.-The clock
a-striking;" but did not reply. for l had
taken a strange dislike to the man, and my
only wish now was to get as soon as possible
to my own home and rid myself of fellow
probably half intoxicated, and evidently de-
termined to be eXtortiOnate and trouble
some.
By this time it had begun to rain fast;
the mist. before wavering and wandering.
now fell in long, laShing lines. that beat
fiercely against the. cab windows, covering
them with a moving surface of water, that
rendered it impossible for one to see out of
either glass. The wind, too, beat against
the cab and few bowling before US up the
street Still we drove on fast and steadily
up Regent street. where now nothing could
be seen but a stray policeman covering up
in a doorway.
Through pleasant haze the past hours
StGIlENl AGAIN ~ tlNiiiC DtiOlO LiNs NOlll
through all the moments from the time the
man at the door gave me The ticket for my
hat u the time that l gave it back again to
the same man and told the waiter to call
ne a cab from the nearest stand. l remem-
bered all the bows and handshakingS of the
committee room. and how at last, in an If
regular body. we moved into the dancing
hail, marshaed by the jolly-loOking, portly
stewards. with blue rosetteS at their button
holes. ! remembered the buzz as old
Lord FoptO0dle. our noble chairman,
arrived and took his seat. l re-
membered, too, with smile.
the bursting out of Down Among the Bar
ley" from the professional singers Just as
the dessert was set upon the table. Then
came the procession round the table of the
''Superanuated Night PorterS" and the ire
mendOus auctioneer'S blow of the toast mas
ter's hammer that heralded the first toast.
Again seemed to hear the speeches, the
inSincere compliments. the ridiculous praise,
and the eXtravagant self-laudatiOn on the
mutual fatterv system. Again through a
din OF tongues and a gathering of plates,
heard the treasurer read those tireSOme, end
less items, such as:
Twenty pounds from Lord FoptOodle."
[CheerS.
Ten pounds from the marquis of Che
shire" Renewed cheers.
Again, too, for the twentieth time,
l heard the treasurer thank the secretary,
and the secretary thank the treasurer;
and then, at last, not little Hurried, !
rose myself to propose The Ladies, u
who smiled upon us from the gal
lery-I all the time thinking only
of pretty little Nelly Pledgett, my doctors
daughter, whom L saw beaming and radiant
in front seat. got quite eloquent on the
subject of female beauty, and sat down
amid tremendous applause. was replied
to by the good doctor, who. thanking the
meeting on behalf of the ladies, begged to
propose the health Of one of the best friends
of the socety-need he say he alluded to
''Osbert Wilkinson. Esp" Cheers.
But suddenly. through all these motley
recoIlections. there flashed a painful thought
"a suspicious apprehension of | scarcely
knew what coming evil 1t seemed, when
] think of it now. almost like a PRESENT.
ment of what shortly after happened. l re-
member that, as | sat down, somewhat
heated from my speech, and was pouring
myself out glass of that excellent sherry
to wind up with, my old friend. the doctor
who. by the way, sat opposite me at
dinner-leaned across the table and gave
Ino Peculiarly hOch anu ScdICHluS lOOk
from under those thick gray eyebrows OF
his.
what does that detectives look of
yours mean, doctor?" said l, pleasantly
enough.
lit means that you must take care of
yourself" said he in a grave voice. and no
more passed between us. for at that mo-
ment rose to leave, having some business
that would call me up early i'm the morning
He followed me out. though, and when We
shook hands in the doorway am not sure
that he did not hold his stop-watch in one
Lanl anl faal Ial,Icn .,.ith