Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1907-08-07
A Gentleman Cabman.
@999.39@9@39@98%3<3s9@9:.Gs>:
GOriglnall

Of the others attentions and neither
intentions were serious. When they
became aware of the fact, they had &
good laugh over it.
But the day came when girl came
between the Wicketts. She did not
move in their exclusive circle, for SHE
made her own living. Her family hal
been wealthy, but that was before hel
time. Wicket senior forbade the
bans. The couple were married, and
the father and son became as strangers
There was nothing to do but fol
young Mrs Wicket to retain her posi-
was not fitted for business. He tried
several subordinate positions and failed
at them ALL At last he grew desper
ate and resolved on some congenia
work, no matter how humble He was
very fond of horses, and livery stable
keeper offered him the post of assist
ant manager. He accepted 1t. 81
can't go with the swells any more,
he said, 80 it doesn't make much diff
ference what do"
Despite the difference between the
position of a liveryman and society
man Bob found his work endurable
Had it not been for this difference be
would have found 1t to his taste. AS
1t was, he was in constant terror OF
being recognized by some Of his for
mer associates.
Meanwhile Frederick Wicket was
having a dull time of 1t without his
chum son. Arrived at an age when
new Intimacies are hard to make, he
pinned for companionship. He would
have married, but congenial marriages
are as difficult to make to order as
friendships. All he could do was to
spend the most Of his time driving,
automobiling or at his club, but at
neither did he find those with whom
he could obtain enjoyment.
One day Bob Wicket had a run OF
bad luck. While all the drivers were
out there was telephone call from a
lady, one of the best customers of the
stable, for a carriage to drive her to
catch a train. Bob was directed to dc
the Job. When returning from the
station he saw ON the sidewalk one of
his old friends approaching. He drew
his coat collar up about his chin and
pulled his hat down over his eyes. In
this way, though the former friend
looked straight at him, Bob passed I'M
recognized.
Scarcely had he escaped one morti-
fication than he fell into another
Hearing a sharp "Heyp on the side
walk, he drew rein and turned his
head. There stood his father.
Free for awhile?" asked Mr.. Wick
EFT.
Bob was about to say mo" when II
occurred to him that his father would
recognize his voice. He said nothing
but, quickly turning his face to his
horses, pulled up to the curb.
"Athenaeum club" said Mr.. Wicket
senior, stepping into the carriage.
Bob experienced a singular sensa-
ton at having his father inside to
drive whittier he liked. Various plans
passed through his head, but none got
q foothold. He thought Of driving to
his humble apartments to show his
father how miserably he lived, hoping
to touch his heart, but he feared II
would rather offend his pride. He
reached the club without having hit
upon anything feasible His father
alighted, took out his pocketbook and
handed up the fare. His eyes met
Bob's, and he recognized him.
The two men stood looking at each
other without speaking. There was q
strange expression In the fathers eyes
Many time they had been driven to
gether. Many time one or the other
had handed the fare to a coachman.
The father thought Of this and more,
He saw his boy mounting his pony.
He saw him later, in fashionable at
tire, astride his horse In the park, adj
mirable alike for his handsome face
and figure and craftsmanship. Then he
went back to the beginning and saw
the babe in his mothers arms.
"Come in and get something warm, y
said the father, in the tone he would
address q coachman.
Bob left his horses standing in the
street and followed his father into the
visitors room in the club. The father
kept the bearing of gentleman to his
coachman: the son maintained q coach.
mans reserve.
waiter, pint Of champagne"
The waiter, though astonished al
such call for a coachman, was toe
well trained to show his surprise. He
disappeared, and when he returned the
gentleman was striding back and
forth, while the cabby was standing
as beftted his grade, with bis whip
in his hand. The waiter opened the
wine, poured out a single glass, moi
supposing for moment that the gen
tleman would honor cabman by drink
ing with him. Then he left the room
Ten minutes later the waiter saw Mr.
Wicket leave the club with the coach
man, get into the cab and speed away
Entering the visitors room, he noticed
two empty glasses standing together
Up to that moment he always had sup
posed Mr.. Wicket to be real gentle
man. But few evenings later, when
Mr.. Wicket had q couple for dinner
in the ladies' annex, and In the young
husband in evening dress-lncluding
white silk waistcoat with gold buttons
he recognized the cabman with whom
RI. Wicket had drunk, he dropped O
soup tureen and was reprimanded fol
his carelessness. -
Young Mrs. Wicket became the
mainstay Of the father as we'll as the
son. NATHAN WHITE HOWE.