Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-05-18
MY BEST FARE. "
A London Claimants Story of How
He Got His Wife.

lhoOcdu VI IL ohlllluR, anu WOulun Jake
it back when I told him he'd made
mistake. There was bookmaker who
bet me pound to nothing l couldn't
catch a Doncaster special at Kings
Cross, and who paid me two because l
landed him in time, though damaged
my cab and got my number taken on
the road.
But the best fare ever drove was
servant girl. OF course | didn't class
her as any better than Indifferent when
/ picked her up at the Great Central
terminus; and If it hadn't been for a
block in the street, should probably
have missed her altogether. I'd meant
to be In time to meet the $3.50 express,
afavorite train of mine-only the other
day | got newly-married couple up
for a honeymoon out of it-but the
block made ME Just too late, and when
reached the arrival platform, it
looked as desolate as only an arrival
platform can when one trains backed
out and the next amt due for half an
hour.
All the passengers had gone except
the one girl, and there wasn't cab to
be seen. The porters-all but Sam
Sleeman were talking to each other,
nnd Sam was talking to the girl
Didn't | tell you there'd be one di-
rectly, miss?' said he as l came up.
Here's tbs very best driver in all Lon
don at your service"
She was a nice, fresh, pleasant
featured lass; and if I'd been taking a
day off into Epping Forest or down to
Hampton Court, I'd have been glad
enough to let her share the pony trap;
but pleasure amt business, and be-
gan to wish I'd stopped outside the
station. However, as | was there,
couldn't very well refuse her; so she
got into my hanson, looking as If it
wouldn't take much to make her cry.
"Seventy-four Blank street, Chelsea, "
said Sam us he handed me up her bit
Of box. I've told her three shill-
lngs is the proper fare. Halves in the
extra bob Bill"
nodded and drive off, not meaning
to charge the poor thing any extra
shilling, but knowing better than to
quarrel with a porter over sixpence
Come up, horse" said l as we
cleared the station gates Perhaps
we'll pick up a swell on our way back;
and anyhow, we haven't had bad
day."
l was driving thoroughbred that
day, own brother to a horse who once
won a race at Alexandra park; and
though he was more than bit queer
on his off foreleg, it didn't stop him
when he warmed to his work He was
as sensible as a Christian, too, and a
shake of the reins was enough to make
him do his best; but he didn't like pot
tering about searching for little streets
nobody ever heard of but those who
live in them Blank street was one OF
that Sort and by the time we pulled
up At seventy-four he'd lost his pa
tience, and so had ],
Now, MISS" said |, speaking
through the trap and rather sharp, "a,
soon as you can, please, My horse il
hdgety, and times money"
She gave little scream and Jumped
out as quick as II I'd dropped fire
cracker down on her. In her hurry
she managed to get her dress caugh
somehow; and when she tried to undo
1t, she pinched her fingers in the door
"Ohg' she cried again; and, thinking
I'd never Sec the end of the job if
didn't lend hand, swung mysel
down off my perch.
You amt accustomed to hansoms,
think, "said as fumbled about will
her skirt.
II never was in one BEFORE" she re
piled. ''Pm very sorry to give you s,
much trouble. Oh, dearl hope you
horse won't run away"
Not he, miss" said |. Hell stan,
for an hour If I'm not on the box
But there. Ais clear now, | think"
THANK you," said she, taking on
her purse Are you sure this is tn
right number"
"Why, yes" said l, getting her bo
down. Anyway, it's seventy -four
That's what you want isn't itP"
YES" she replied But it look
like an empty house"
1t did, and it wasn't satisfied witt
only looking like one, rang the bel
till | broke the wire, and then took
turn at the knocker; but 1t was no 20
The girl stood on the pavement wit
her shabby little purse in her han
and her shabby little box at her feet
lool,inu 81 miSera hla that boInst Al
heart to leave her to shift for herself
'Cheer up, miss" said |. "Tu try mex
door"
A waspy-faced little woman an
swered my knock No" says she; -
don't know nothing about seventy-foul
and II did, this amt private-inquir
office" And with that she shut tn
door in my face.
Don't give way, my dear" said
seeing the girl was beginning to cry
Perhaps you've made mistake in tn
address"
'0h no; I'm sure ! haven't" sh
sobbed. Here's the lady's card. Sh
showed it me, and it had Mrs Staple
ton-PenroSe" in the middle. and ~
BlNuk street Chelsea" down In tn
left-hSnd corner as correct as any car
ever saw.
Did they know you were coming b
this tramp I asked.
YES" she replied, when Mrs. Pen