Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-23
SHE OUTWITTED HIM

You wouldn't suppose 1t possible, ncW'
would you. to take four or five-miie car
rage ride in Washington for the reason
able, not to say inconseQuential, sum OF
quarter" inquired the yivacious depart
mental woman Of group OF women
friends. But that is just the sort OF an
enjoyable vehicular tour of Washington
that / had only few days ago upon my
return from my vacation. However. 1t
wasn't usual. I knew that. But didn't
enjoy it any the less for knowing it.
Rather more. If anything. You see, the
deep and Machiavellian black proprietor
and driver of the carriage took me for
stranger in Washington.
II arrived at the Pennsylvania station
from New York early in the afternoon, ana
1 wanted to do a bit of shopping before
going home. Don't laugh. l hate shopping
In New York. and l didn't go near the
stores while there. I'd rather shop here In
little old Washington any time than In the
biz lummoxy city. where the women push
and haul and elbow and step on one.
Il attended to my baggage on the 9Th
street side Of the station and then stepped
OUT on 9th street to take the hrst venice
I could find for the little drive over to
Market space, not far from 7th street Ia
have taken a car. only 1t seemed so foolish
to get on car for ride Of two squares
more foolish. 1t seemed to me- than to take
a cab. Anyhow l had heavy bag ana
"A very black. elderly Jehu got me for
a passenger In his somewhat seedy, but de-
c:dedly comfortable. open brougham;
II want to go to the shopping district,
/ told him. There are some places on Mar
ket space are there not?
II really don't know why put the ques-
ton to the man in that way. considering
that I've been living and shopping In wash
ington for something like q quarter OF a
century. The only way l can account Tor
1. is that had what the men folks call a
feminine intuition that this ebony-hueo
Jehu was a deep one and that the dormant
find out what he would do with me should
he suspect meas he instantly DID, OF
ccurse-of being stranger In washington.
"'Yes'm,' he replied. briefly. Anil tex
yo all t Market Space, lady, and he de-
posted me and my bag in the comfortable
open brougham and clucked to his horse.
You will observe that made no dicker
whatever with him as to the ride. really
did not consider that necessary, the ans
lance I meant to go was so short. Men
tally, had quite decided. however, that a
quarter would be ample for the short haul
Of two squares or so.
Well that deep black man proved to me
almost Immediately that he had taken me
for a stranger in the city, and as soon as
found out what his intentions were l lay
in the open brougham and started In to
enjoy myself heartily.
He took ME along B street. back or the
market, to 9th. and then he drove over to
Pennsylvania avenue and up the Avenue to
18th street. thence up 18th street to the
Avenue again. Thence he began to convoy
me toward Washington circle. AS 1 say. l
enjoyed 1t all immensely, lolling back in
the brougham in the fresh sweet air, after
the confinement of the stuffy parlor car on
the ride from New York. The deep sum-
mer foliage of Lafayette square never
looked more attractive to me than it did
when 1 passed it by then, and the White
House grounds also appeared unusually
beautiful. On we went till the driver
reached Washington circle. Then he pointed
his nag in the northern direction, and went
over to P street.
AT P street he started back toward the
east. driving straight along street until
he reached 18th, down which he pointed till
he reached F street when he once more
turned eastward until he reached 9th, when
he again took the southerly course
when he reached 9th street and Penn
sylvania avenue, the black driver and pro-
prietor of the rig turned around in his seat
and asked me if dey was any place special
whut Aid lax t visit
Yes. there is 1 replied. quickly, and
l named the establishment l had In mind
for my shopping purposes.
The black driver looked considerably
surprised to note that 1 had the name Of
the place so pat in my mind. Perhaps it
began to somewhat undermine his belief
that I was a stranger in the city
When 1 stepped down from the open
brougham at the esta blishment through
Wncn snOuid nave been prowling nearly
an hour before had that driver not de-
termined to gouge me on the strength of
his assumption that I was a stranger 1
stepped down with my bag and put on my
most amiabIe ma amer
" I've had most delightful ride I said
to the black man, whose jaw kept falling
most astonishingly as 1 progressed with
my little talk. 1T was most generous
on your part to give me all Of that de-
icious, breezy tour of the city in the
place of the haul of two squares or so
which l directed you to give me when /
took your vehicle and 1 handed him a
quarter and walked toward the entrance
to the store.
The crafty black man looked at the
quarter in a panied sort of way and
scratched his head. Then he remounted
his seat and drove off. l felt good deal
sorrier for his horse than / did for him
And 1t was a revelation to me that such
an essentially New Yorkesque trick as that
should have been practiced in Washing
ton. especially by a black man who was
nothing If not native to this or adjoining
SOIL