New-York tribune., 1903-06-15

funeral guests alighted he worked me very
skilfully before him into the drivers view. hav-
ing taken care to set the coach door wide on
the off side.
IT'S understood that you wait all o. ye." said
Mr. Jope to the driver.
The man lifted a lazy eye. Take your time
ne said; don't mind me I hope'-he stifened
himself and, suddenly relapsing, murmured. II
know gentleman when 1 sees one"
Mr. Jope turned away. and from that mo-
n1ent ignored my existence. The coffin was
dashed and lowered from the leading coach; the
clergyman at the gate began to recite the sacred
office, and the funeral train, reduced TO decorum
bv the sound followed him he turned and
trooped along the path toward the mortuary
chapel 1 moved with the crowd to its porch.
drew aside to make way for a lady in rouge and
sprigged muslin and slipped behind the chapel
wall The far end of it hid me from view OF the
coachee, and from it a pretty direct path LED 10
a gap in the hedge and a stile Reaching ana
crossing this I found myself In by-lane lead
ing back into the highroad- There were no
houses with windows to overlook me- 1 saun-
tered around at leisure, took the line Of coaches
in the rear and craw1ed back to my hiding
place-it astonished me with what ease. Every
driver sat on his box. and every driver slum-
bered.
The mystery Of this was resolved when-it
seemed an hour later. but actually. 1 dare say
BiII's obsequies took but the normal twenty
minutes or so-A1r. Jope shepherded his nock
back through the gates. and, red-eyed, ad-
dressed them. while he distributed largess along
the line of jarveys-
at thank We. friends" said he in a muffled
voice which at first I attributed to emotion
''The fare home is paid to the foot Of George
+bo+ vxyI+b iOb-raSter,
and this here little gift is private. between me
and the drivers to drink Bills health And
now I'll shake hands" Here followed sounds CT
coughing and choking, and he resumed IN
feeble, gasping sentences: Thank ye. my dear;
I've brought up the two guineas. but you've
made me swallow my quid O baccy. However
you meant It for the best. And that's what
had mind to say to ye au''-his voice grew
firrner-"you're pleasant lot. and we've spent
the time very lively and sociable. and you done
this here last service to Bill IN a way that
brings tears to my eyes Still, If you won't
mind my saying it. little Of ye lasts long
time. and I'm going home TO live clean So
here's wishing all well, and goodby.'
Not one of the party seemed to resent this dis
nissal The women laughed hIlariously and
called him a darling. There was suacking
exchange OF kisses; and the coaches. having
been packed at length started for home to the
strains of the cornet and amid round after
round Of cheers Mr.. Jope sprang in beside me
and, leaning out Of the further window. waved
his neckerchief for while, then pensively re-
adjusted it and called to the drtvert
"St. Budeaux?
The driver, after moment, turned heavily
in his seat and answered: "Nonsenser'
at tell ye. want to drive TO St Budeaux. by
SaItash Ferry"
And I tell you. get out! ST. Budeauxi The
idear'
why, what's wrong with st. Budeaux?'
ooh, I'm not goin' to argue with you." said
the driver; 'Pm goin' home"
And he began to turn his horses head Mr.
Jope sprang out upon the roadway. The driver,
with sudden and unexpected agility. dropped of
on the other side.
Look here, it's grindin the faces Of the poor"
he pleaded. breathing hard.
''It will be- assented Mr.. Jope. grirnly.
''I been up all night-at a ball"
"If 1t comes to that, so've lat Symonds's."
Mine was at Admiralty House" said the
driver. 'I WASH dancin'."
What about the horse?"
THE horse? The no. Oh, take your
rneanin'i The horse is all right; he's fresh one.
Poor I may be- he announced inconsecutively,
but wouldn live the life of one Of them there
women OF IaSDlOUs uOL lot iulIiIou VI lLOney.
He ruminated for moment did I say a
mIIion%'
You did"
well, don't wishaggerate. don't If you
understand me. wish-to-exaggerate. So Wen
put it at half a million"
"An right-jump upr
To my astonishment. no less than to Mr..
Jope's Cwho had scarcely time to skip back into
the coach) the man scrambled up to his seat
without more ado. flicked his whip, and began
to urge the horse forward. At the end of five
minutes or so, however. he pulled up just as
abruptly.
'Eh?" Mr.. Jope put forth his head "Ah. I
see!-pubHc house"
He alghted and entered; returned with a pot
of porter in one hand and a glass Of brandy in
the other; dexterously tipped half the brandy
into the porter and handed up the mixture The
driver took it down at one steady draught
The rot and glass were returned and we
logged on again. We were now well beyond the
outskirts of Stoke and between dusty hedges,
over which the honeysuckle trailed Butterflies
poised themselves and hickered beside US. and
the sun as it climbed drew up from the land the
fragrance of freshly nnown hay and mingled it
with the stuffy odor of the coach. BY and by we
halted again. by another roadside inn, and
again Mr. Jope fetched forth and administered
insidious drink.
.If this is going to last" said the charioteer.
dreamilv may have strength to see the end
o'tr'
did not catch this prayer, but Mr.. Jope re-
ported it to me as he resumed his seat with an
il-timed laugh. The fellow. who had been gath
ering up his reins, Iurched round suddenly and
gazed through the glass front.
you was sayin'?" he demanded.
Nothing" answered Mr.. Jope. hastily. I
-.,s +oIlriDg N myself that's all