The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-08-27

T HE Paris cabmen, that eccentric
 body, are library of life. a queer
 library, full of weird stories which nobody ever read for these living vol umes do not divulge their secrets. and have good reason not to do so. writes , Frances Kezzer, in the King
 The corporation of Jehus does not ex- clusively consist of men whom fate in tended to be born and die cab drivers We find among them clements of a diff ferent kind; men dropped off the social ladder, outcasts, unfortunate wretehes come to grief through their own fault, or possibly through that of others; cash tered officers, bankrupt merchants, doc tors, barristers, broken down actors--a motley crowd. The lady on her way to the BonMarehe little thinks that the man on the box has attended her re- captions as an honored guest; the officer does not recognize in his driver former messmate nor will it strike Mme. Sarah Bernhardt that the individual into whose dirty hand she puts pourbore was once a member of her company.
 l know of one talented musician, a second prize at the Conservatoire, and afterward first violin at the opera, who now holds the whip between his shaking fingers He was, and no doubt still is, a Worshiper of the green fairy''-as the absintbe bottle is poeiically called and she ruined him. Another, a former professor at one of the big public col leges. when he absorbed more than his average allowance. discloses his identity by addressing his fare in Latin Once he even startled an old English lady by har h t;...~ l,,- 4- scene from Hamlet"
 Then there Is the venerable poet, men of great literary ability, once brilliant journalist. If he is fortunate enougt to drive a young couple on pleas ure bent he surprises them with some prettily turned impromptu verses which, of course. secure him an extra franc, of which the nearest wine shop has the benefit
 The reason why these fallen stars have joined the driving brotherhood is not far to seek Ii is the only profession here that requires little or no apprenticeship for our aediles grant licenses to men who do not possess the elementary principles of driving. Hence the extraordinary mishaps we witness daily in the Paris streets.
 But the bulk of the eabmen. whence do they come? They hail from the provinces. chiefly from Auvergue, with a fair sprinlsling of Savoyards. The Parisian does not care for that kind of work-he finds it too dull but to the peasant from Sant-Flour it has wonder full attractions. He has become tired of his homely fare of bacon and potatoes, and has visions of enormous portions of s'boeuf aux ehoux" consumed in a com fortable and warm corner of the wine shop or, in summer, outside on the pave mont
 When tba vouno corn3rvn,a,, T, arr;x,as ,y, Paris he goes straight to the "Cabmens Academy" in the Avenue de Sugar He pays 70 francs. for which sum a pro- lessor takes him In hand. His education lasts about month According to the professor of that wonderful establish ment a through knowledge of the topog- Taphy of Paris is the all-important thing The art of driving is considered a triHing detail During the first fortnight the neophyte is sent every day on fourteen different expeditions, and these itiner- aries are arranged so as not to leave any part of the capital unexpored. The pupil starts off on foot. his hands in his pock- cts down a long thoroughfare-say the Rue de Rivoli-and he must remember every street, big or small. leading out of 1t. On his return to the academy he re- cites his lesson. and If he makes mis- takes he has once more to cover the same ground.
 These yokels appear to be gifted with a marvellous memory but this is attributed to the fact that the countryman's brain, never overtaxed is much fresher and more receptive than the muddled head of the townsman. A fortnight lafsr the candidate knows Paris by heart and Is then initiated into the mysteries of driv- ing. harnessing. grooming his horse. etc., and with his license in his pocket is let loose on the capital. But the subteties of the profession are not required at once. He has yet to find out the best spot to fish for customers. and to dodge