The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1909-02-11
Tom Murphy y'SFare.

tCopyright, 1909, by American Press Asso-
ciationl
Tom Murphy, cabman, sat doing
on his box before the st. Charles ho-
tel in New Orleans. II was near mid
night, and there were few people pass
ing. As town clock struck 10 the
cabman felt a touch on his shoulder.
About that touch there was something
singular-Yery singular. IL was as II
the finger that tapped his shoulder
was an icicle and at every tap was
driven deep into the flesh, distributing
over the body deathly chill, Start
Ing up, the cabman saw n young man
beside him with narrow box about a
yard long under his arm. He was
dressed peculiarly. lie wore beaver
hat very high In the crown, a stir high
shirt collar, coat with brass buttons,
small in the waist and flowing In the
skirt; pantaloons- skin tight and strap
ped down over his boots. Without n
word the fare stepped into the cab,
saying as he did so:
"The oaks"
The oaks were a grove situated on
the outskirts of the city where In ante
bellum days, when New Orleans was
a hotbed for duels, the bloods OF the
town were accustomed to settle their
disputes. The cabman knew very well
where It was and, threading his way
till he came to the shell road, traversed
II till he drew up under the branches
OF one Of its great trees. The gentle
man stepped out and, with the injunc-
tion to the cabman to walt where he
was. still carrying the box under his
arm, plunged into the heart of the
grove.
"Well, Orll be jlnged" remarked
the cabman as he watched the retreat
ing figure. "OiNe seen a plctur' o.
that fella somewheres, and | can't
tell where" 1t was on fashion plate
In tallor's window giving styles for
1880. Look at the fuzzy yellow hat
on himw
While he was medltatlng another
cab came along, passed IN hurry and
turned into the grove farther on. Cab
by listened TO the sound of the wheels
deadened by grass and fallen leaves
and In few minutes heard II no more.
His curiosity was excited. II another
cabman could drive In among the oaks
he could. Touching his horse with his
whip, he turned In between the trees,
proceeding cautiously. But It was dark
in there and he soon came to a sud
den stop by his front axle striking a
tree. He backed out, tried II again and
was coming upon an open space when
he drew rein.
The full moon, which had been hid
den under a thick cloud, suddenly aD~
peared and shone upon the space re-
ferred to. Two dim figures stood In
its center, while two others stood apart
At first they were all comparatively
distinct, and Murphy could see the cen
tral figures, each putting himself In nm
attitude of defense, as II about to fight
while the others were looking on. Then
another cloud rolled over the moon.
and all was dark again. But he could
hear the clash of steel. Presently there
was a woman's Shrek, and all was
still.
Murphy felt all the horror he expe-
rlenced when his fare touched him on
the shoulder. Jumping down from his
box, he ran a short distance, then, pull
ing himself together went back, and.
taking his horse by the bride, got him
out to the tree under which he had
stood. Remounting his box, he sat
waiting, crossing himself and mum
bling Paternosters and Ave MarIas
He was there perhaps ten minutes
when he heard the sound of approach
ing wheels, and when they came near,
the moon again appearing from behind
cloud, he saw a carriage pass In
which We're two people. one lady,
young and beautiful By her side, her
arms about him and his head resting
on her shoulder, was a young man on
whose face the moon shining showed
1t TO be white as death and under his
open vest blood on his shirt front. Her
costume was peculiar, especially In her
headgear, which was bonnet, an artl-
Gle Murphy had never seen. They
passed like flash, aud he was recalled
TO himself by his fare opening the cab
door and uttering the single word:
"Backw
The cabman drove to the city and up
TO the steps of the st. Charles hotel
He supposed that the gentleman who
had not thus far troubled him to open
the cab door for him would alight
of himself. After waiting moment,
hearing no movement within his cab,
he got down from the box aud opened
the door still hearing no sound, he
peeFed into the darkness, but could
see nothing. He had been shlvering
all the way home and now did not dare
to put his head inside his cab. The
idea that there was no one there was
appalling. But, being ut last convinced
there was not, he poked with his whip
handle. 1t met no resistance except
from the cushions.
There is one ruling passion In us
all-self interest Allied to this is
DISLIKE at being beaten out OF our hnn-