Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1909-03-03
Tom Murphy Fare.
copyright. 1908. by American Press Asso-
ciafion.I


ing. AS q town clock struck ~ the
cabman felt a touch ON his shoulder.
About that touch there was something
singular-very singular. 1t 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 young man
beside him with narrow box about a
yard long under his arm. He was
dressed peculiarly. He wore a beaver
hat very high IN the crown, a stiff high
shirt collar. a coat with brass buttons,
small I'm the waist and flowing In the
skirt; pantaloons skin tight and strap
ped down over his boots. Without a
word the fare stepped into the cab,
saying as he did so:
1.-THE oaks"
The oaks were a grove situated on
the outskirts Of the city where in ante
bellum days. when New Orleans was
hotbed for duels, the bloods of the
town were accustomed to settle their
disputes. The cabman knew very well
where 1t 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 wait where he
was, still carrying the box under his
arm, plunged into the heart of the
grove.
"Well, ORR be jingedf' remarked
the cabman as he watched the retreat
ing figure. "Oive seen a pictur' o.
that fella somewheres, and l can't
tell where" II was on a fashion plate
in a tailor's window giving styles for
1880. Look at the fuzzy yellow hat
on himP'
While he was medltating another
cab came along, passed In a 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 a few minutes heard Il 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 1t was dark
in there. and he soon came to a sud
den stop by his front axle striking
tree. He backed out, tried It 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 APP
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 GEN.
tral figures. each putting himself in an
attitude Of defense, as IL 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-
Fienced when bis fare touched him on
the shoulder. Jumping down from his
box, he ran 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
q cloud, he saw a carriage pass In
which were 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
Il to be white as death and under his
open vest blood on his shirt front. Her
costume was peculiar, especially in her
heSdgear, which was bonnet. an arti-
Gle Murphy had never seen. They
passed like dash. and he was recalled
70 himself by his fare opening the cab
door and utterlng the single word:
''Backf'
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 allght
Of himself. After waiting a moment,
hearing no movement within his cab,
he got down from the box and opened
the door, Still hearing no sound, he
peered into the darkness, but could
see nothing. He had been shivering
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
but. being 1t last convinced
there was not, he pOked with his whip
handle. II met no resistance except
nom the cushions.
There Is one ruling passion In US
all-self interest. Allied to this Is a
dislike at being beaten out OF our hon.
est dues. The moment Murphy began
to recover from his horror he ex-
claimed:
The spalpeeni Ghost or flesh and
blood. he's a beat"