The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1901-05-30

surrounded her, and Selling her horse,
one of them demanded, in harsh
tones:
Have you license?"
Marietta had none; in fact, she
never heard of such a thing before,
and, unable to understand what they
wanted, retorted equally CURLY:
Leave my cab alone. My cab is
numbered and my lamps are clean!"
Eyes, yes" said the official, but
have you a icense?"
mol"
"Well, then, follow us to the CEN
trail police station"
''To the police station?" repeated
Marietta, growing pale. And, trem-
bling with fright, she dropped her
whip on her horses back, causing
him to start suddenly and jerk away
from her prosecutor.
''1 es, come down from your seat i'm
mediately, and let us take the horse
and cab!" insisted the official, in an
authoritative tone.
Marietta began to shrek and
scream and soon the street was flied
with motley crowd of idlers, who,
when they beheld the driver, burst IN
to laughter. a woman cocher!
Truly that was something new. Many
at once recognized the driver as Mari
eta, the street-snger, who continued
to shrek and moan and cry, but could
not be disiodged from her seat The
crowd began to espouse her cause,
and the officials looked bit anxious
at the turn affairs were taking. And
when they insisted there arose Kisses
and cat-calls and scolding; arms were
raised menacingly, hats were thrown
into the air, and the crowd jostlvd
and shifted to and fro.
| Suddenly a young man elbowed his
way through the throng, and. after
| great effort, drew near the cab. His
clothes were threadbare, but neatly
! brushed, and at a glance one could
see that he was far from prosperous.
"What is the matter?" he asked,
breathlessly. Has she no license?"
| "No"
"Well. | have one-but unfortunate
| ly no cab. Let me take the cab. May
-" he added, addressing Marietta,
who was still holding tightly to the
seat. And with this, he handed g The
policeman a large. rather soled docu-
mcnt which he took from his coat
pocket. Marietta was so excited and
| confused that she understood moth
! ing.
! THE gentleman has license and
wishes to take your place" explained
the policeman, who, as he glanced at
! the excited moE, congratulated him
self on the possibility of settling the
matter thus easily.
He wants to marry me, you say?'
She asked, as her eyes filled with
tears, and she broke down completely.
A tremendous laugh echoed through
the crowd as this question was asked.
THAT | do not know" answered
he sergeant, grinning. perhaps the
gentleman will accommodate you.
But first of all you must transfer
your cab to him, for even if you had
4 license you would not be allowed to
lrive about Naples. DO you accept?''
YES" answered Marietta, smiling
through her tears.
4 simultaneous shout of "Viva
iva!" went up to the blue Sky from
he noisy crowd, delighted ut the out
'ome of this amusing street drama
nd eager express their admira.
ION for the maid and the man who
rad shown himself so brave and chiv.
,!"ous.
In the meantime Marietta stepped
lown and offered both hands TO her
eescuer, who looked kindly into her
beautiful black eyes.
"But you must go with me any
way" said the sergeant. turning r.
hem, so that the number of the cat
AN be changed on this license. The
Won may depart"
VERY WELL" said Marietta, glanc
ing proudly at her champion, whose
slender figure, swarthy complexion
and erect carriage at once had wor
her fancy.
"Step into the cab" ordered tht
sergeant. The driver sprang 20 hi!
place on the seat and Marietta set
lied down comfortably, not in thu
proud manner with which She wa
accustomed to drive on Sundays, hu
with a satisfied air, nevertheless
make way, gentlemen!' cried tn,
policeman.
With some difficulty a pathwa'
was opened through the solid mas
of shouting people, and, at a SLOW
pace, the cab was driven to the 20
lice station, accompanied by an i'm
posing array of municipal guards, 20
licemen and detectives and n strug
cling mass of curious pedestrians
The formalities of the law were quick
~ complied with, and Marietta. wh'
had no license, and could obtain on
under no consideration. wilingi,
transferred her newly-acquired pos
sessions to the cabless cocher.
The arrangements pleased all con
cerned, and the terrible ordeal whic
threatened at one time to result in
: catastrophe really proved BLESSING
, in disguise For, eight weeks later