The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1906-04-20

q number, and the carriage would rol
up under the porte-cochere. Warbur-
ton concluded that it would be a good
plan to hunt up his rig. His search
did not last long. The bay and the
gray stood only a little way from the
gate. The box was vacaHr, and he
climbed up and gathered the reins
He sat there for some time. longing
intensely for cigar, good cigar, such
as gentlemen smoked.
Seventeen" came hoarsely along
on the wings Of the night. Number
II, and lively there!"
Warburton's pulse doubled its beat
His number.
"Skt!" the bay and the gray started
forward, took the half-circle and
stopped under the porte-cochere. War
burton recollected that a fashionable
groom never turned his head unless
spoken to; so he leveled his gaze at
his horses ears and waited.
But from the very corner of his eye
he caught a glimpse of two women,
! one of whom was enveloped in a Grim
son cloak. He thrilled with exultation
What a joke it was! He felt the car
riage list as the women stepped in.
The door slammed to and the rare
good joke was on the way.
"Off with you'll" cried the pompous
footman, with an imperious wave of
the hand. Number 99!"
'Ninety-nine! Ninety-nine!" bawled
the carriage man.
Our jehu turned into the avenue,
holding a tolerable rein. He clucked
and lightly touched the horses with
the lash. This was true sport; this
was humor, genuine, initiative, I'M
forced. He could imagine the girls
and their fright when he finally slowed
down, opened the door, and kissed
them both. Wouldn't they let out
yell, though? His plan was to drive
furiously for half a dozen blocks,
zigzag from one side of the street to
the other, taking the corners sharply,
and then make for Scott Circle.
Now, lad of six can tell the differ
ence between II and II. But this as
tonishing jehu of mine had been con-
spicuous as the worst mathematician
and the best soldier in his class at
West Point. No more did he remem-
Der that he was not in the wild west,
and that here in the east there were
laws prohibiting reckless driving.
He drove decently till he struck
Dupont Circle. From here he turned
into New Hampshire, thinking 1t to be
Rhode Island Mistake number two.
He had studied the city map, but he
was conscious of not knowing it as we'll
as he should have known it. but, true
to his nature, he trusted to luck.
Aside from all this, he forgot that |
woman might appreciate this joke |
only when she heard it recounted. To |
live through 1t was altogether differ |
ent matter. In an episode like this, |
womans imagination, given the
darkness such as usually fills q ear
uaman.
THANK you, sir."
And each passed ON to his affairs
Now for William; we must and !
William, or the joke will be ca Rob
ert"
He Unanswered his way through
the congested thoroughfare, searching
the faces of the grooms and footmen.
He lodged hither and thither and was
once brought to a halt by the mounted
police.
Here you! What dye mean by run
ming around HFe this. Lost your car
rage, hey? I've a mind to run we
In. Y know the rules relatfn' tn leav-
In of yer box in times like these. Been
takin' SLY nip, probably, an they've
sent yer hack down peg. Get gait
on ", now"
Warburton laughed silently as he
made for the sidewalk. The first man
he pumped into was William-a very
much worried William, too. Robert
,Ould' have fallen on his neck for joy.
All was plain sailing now.
I'm very glad to see you, sir said
William. 81 was afraid you could not
get my clothes on, sir. l was getting
/ triae worried, too. Here's the ear.
'lagG numDef.
Warburton glanced hastily at it and
stuffed it into convenient pocket
its 16 carriages up, sir; a bay and I
gray. You cant miss them. The {
Jay being a saddle-horse, is a bit rest
We in the harness: but all you have
O do is to touch him with the whip.
And don't try to push ahead of your
urn, or you will get into trouble with
he police They are very strict. And
lont let them confuse you, sir. The
numbers won't be in rotation. You'll
ear lis, and the next moment 35, like
S not It's all according as to how
he guests are leaving. Good luck to
on, sir, and don't forget to explain It
il thoroughly to Mr.. Warburton, sir"
Don't worry. william; we'll come
nut of this with colors flying" 4
Very well, sir. | shall hang around y
Ill you are safely off, and William \
disappeared. Y