Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-12-25

lie Dlt NE IN lUP udnSOO anu. JUMP
ing In himself. told the man to drive
rlowly MP the avenue. This would
give me time 10 decide npon the pres
snt and where Il should be purchased
was waverir: between set OF silver
for her Antoineite desk and pair of
green maiolica jars for her favorite
dwarf pines when our hanson was
caught in a block.
Directly abreast OF our hanson was
anoIher one. ours going north. our
neighbours coming south. and as turn
ed my head looked straight into moth
er's eyes. She was the sole occupant
Of the south coming cab.
Mother | shouted. oh. mother.
moi herr
"Billtey' she cried. We had both seen
each other together. just as we always
see everything together.
What is the trouble?" began father
when he too. turned his head and
looked into mothers lovely eyes.
"How-de-do. WHIP" she said softly.
saw father clinch his hands tightly,
then. "How-de-do, Nell?" he returned.
Awful block, isn't it?'
"Oh. very badr' said mother. but she
was looking at me sitting so proudly
at fathers side. and presently | caught
| the suspicion Of a tear in her eyes. Di-
rectly a big lump came In my throat
| saw how it was. Mother was think
\ ing of Christmas and OF her little girl,
and | was sorry. sorry for her and for
! father too. The surface cars banged
their bells. the policemen shouted and
the cabbies swOre. And all the while
our hansom WAS damned tightly next
to mothers. and we sat staring straight
ut each other and saying not a word.
Just then a policeman came up to
mot hers hanson and shouted to the
cabby. II seemed that the left wheel
of mothers hanson was locked I'm the
right wheel of another carriage in such
a way as to render it unsafe to pull
out. The policeman, who of course
knew 2othing of our affairs. said:
step across into the hanson next to
you. maam Its wheels are safe. and
I'm thinking the line will he moving
north first"
Poor mother flushed cruelty and said
not a word, but just sat there looking
with pleading eyes at father. But IA
Their didn't move. and neither did he
speak. so | took the situation in my
two small hands and said:
Father, won't you help mother into
our cabT'
Directly l spoke to father he was all
attention and pOliteness He stood up
and held out his hand to mother and
carefully helped her across into our
hanson. believe mother would never
have come only she knew that a great
many persons had heard me and were
watching us. and so she yielded grace
fully. as mother alone can.
When she was in our cab and sitting
down with me squeezed in between
father and herself she raised her eyes
and said quietly:
Thank you, Will"
moment later the line started
slowly moving northward. and our
/ hanson went with the others, father
and mother and were sitting side 10y
side. 1t seemed so good just TO thinL
Of it. although ! knew it all came OF
an accident alone.
After we had gone two blocks up
town, father spoke-very quietly an,
with tightly pressed lips.
e I'm speak to the man and tell hin
TO stop at the next corner. Then II
y get out and you and Billie can have tn,
l. cab to yourselves"
J. There is no need for you to get out
o WILL" mother told him quickly. 1T i
II l who am the intruder. Have him stOT
ii please. and ! will find another han
e som"
$ Il wouldn't have you do that for tn
world, he returned. Il shall leave yo'
Il at the next corner; that is settled"
Mother put out her hand and let
y rest lightly on fathers arm
"Wil," she cried. please don't max
* me feel worse than | already do.
was forced IN your cab by accident
Or is true. but nevertheless. | did allo'
~ you to help me enter 1t. But that wa
because-people wcre-watching us
r. and thought-it best Now that W
re are out of the tangle. must than
b. you aud ask you TO set me down;
once! Else shall never forgive you
! And they continued to talk. and IL
X hanson continued on its way. and n
= body but myself noticed that we hi
! got well uptown and were within Nv
e. blocks Of the apartment building
, Central Park West. where mother an
= live.
So. quite unobSrrv"d. | spoke up Il
Al tube to the cabby .'t.d said:
Y The Strathmorc. and quick. please
Il We turned down Il cross street IN
y another, and before one could 81
| Jack Robinson" we had stopped
| tho door of tho S.rnthmnra