Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1894-05-11
"MY BEST FARE. "
A London Claimants Story Of How
He Got His Wife.


1t back when ! told him he'd made
mistake. There was bookmaker who
bet me pound to nothing l couldn't
catch Doncaster special at Kings
Cross, and who paid me two because
landed him in time, though damaged
my cab and got my number taken on
the road
But the best fare | ever drove was a
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, l should probably
have missed her altogether. I'd meant
to be in time to meet the $3.50 express,
favorite train of mine-only the other
day got newly-married couple up
for q 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 d.
rectly, miss?" said he as l came up
Here's the very best driver in all Lon
don at your service"
She was 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 l 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 as he handed me up her bit
of box. I've told her three shill-
ings is the proper fare. Halves in the
extra bob. Bill"
l nodded and drive off, not meaning
to charge the poor thing any extra
shilling, but knowing better than to
quarrel with porter over sixpence,
Come up, horse" said l as we
cleared the station gates Perhaps
we'll pick up swell on our way back;
and anyhow, we haven't had bad
day."
| was driving thoroughbred that
NV 30
won race at Alexandra park; and
though he was more than bit queer
on his off foreleg, 1t didn't stop him
when he warmed to his work He was
as sensible as u 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 AZ seventy-four he'd lost his pa
thence, and SO had !.
Now, miss" said 1, speaking
through the trap and rather sharp, las
soon as you can, please. My horse is
hdgety, and times money"
She gave little scream and Jumped
out as quick as if I'd dropped fire.
cracker down on her. In her hurry,
she managed to get her dress caught
somehow; and when she tried to undo
1t, she pinched her fingers in the door.
"OhF' she cried again; and, thinking
I'd never see the end of the Job if |
didn't lend hand, swung myself
down off my perch.
You amt accustomed to hansoms,
think, "said | as fumbled about with
her skirt.
II never was In one before" she re.
piled. "Tm very sorry to give you sc
much trouble. Oh, dear! ! hope your
horse won't run away"
Not he, miss" said |. Hell stand
for an hour If I'm not on the box
But there. Ais clear now, think"
THANK YOU" said she, taking out
her purse. Are you sure this is tn,
right number?"
why, yes" said l, getting her DO,
down. Anyway, it's seventy four
That's what you want, isn't it?"
Yes" she replied But it look,
like an empty house."
1t did; and 1t wasn't satisfied with
only looking like one rang the bell
till broke the wire, and then took 6
turn at the knocker; but it was no go.
The girl stood on the pavement with
her shabby little purse in her HAND
and her shabby little box at her feet
looking so miserable that hadn't the
heart to leave her to shift for herself.
Cheer up, miss, said l. "ru try next
door"
A waspy-faced little woman an
swered my knock. Mo- says she; "a
don't know nothing about seventy-four
anti 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 the
address"
"Oh no; I'm sure haven't" sh,
sobbed. Here's the lady's card" She
showed it me, and it had Mrs Staple
ton-Penrose" in the middle, and ~.
Blank street. Chelsea" down la the
left-haud corner as correct as any card
] ever saw.
Did they know you were coming by
this tramp asked.
Yes" she replied. when MrA Pea.