Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-05
LOST LANGUAGE OF cAeMEN.

LUIS LANGUAGE OF CABMEN.
Charles Dickens tells us of a certain
| cheerful hue or blend of colors only to
and Herewith something of their COM
plcXion-pcrehance but pale refee-
ton, like moonshine in comparison
with the glorious sun--descended to
the faces of the bus drivers. And now
they, too. with their vehicles are pass
ing, or have passed. We have lost
herewith not only the complexion, but
also much vigorous, stimulating, pic
turcsque, and humorous conversation.
The 'pus driver has been a great per-
sonage in recent facetious stories Was
it not the bus driver Who asked of his
fare-and let us remember that he was
considered lucky above his bus-fel-
lows Who secured the seat beside the
driver and the privilege of the drivers
talk-Was it not one of this eminent
fraternity who asked in carly days OF
telegraphy, And what may the cleo
trio fluid be like. if you please sir? Is
it anyways resembling beer, for Ct
ample?" And did not the great Lord
Kelvin sc down to his grace frankly
confcssing that even he knew no ade
quate answer to the question.
Again, was it net the bus driver,
hitching a little loop in the lash of his,
whip and holding it ny significantly
to one Of his own fellowship as their
big carriages We're locked together in
crush, who said II the much privi-
legged fare beside him, See that man,
sir" noddng his head towards him
who deliberately ignored the signal OF
the looped Whip-lash. See that man.
'oW GUM e looks. Amt got no sense
% hLmor, e aint-'is father was ungi'
surely there must have been Il Wilfui
and wicked lack of response about this
man who refused To smile at SO fe-
licitous and delicate a joke as the
EooseG lash.
Really the time has come when one
has the energy and leisure should 60
on his knees beneath the Spreading
chestnut-tree and gather together the
fallen fruit--the varied pearls eff the
lips of eabmen and bus drivers-be-
fore limbo gathers them. wv hat the
bus driver said" is title, | may pei
haps suggest, and will offer. without
claim OF copyright, 10 any who VIII
undertake this bene5icent task. There
with / will throw MIN III, gratis, the
nuts above and even add to them
third-the suggestion in the title Is
that the ,tus drivers sayings shall in
clude those of the cabman, as tie
greater includes the less. 1t was yet
again in one of those brushes OF the
vehicles, telescoped up behind po-
policeman's arresting arm, when an in
nocent four wheeler found Itself back
ed into, most aggressiveiy, by han
som in front; whereon the driver OF
1i elf in the
wrong. and willing to right himself
by the Well-recognized method OF as
suming the offensive when you have
no defence. called to the driver OF the
fourWheeler.
Now, thea, wherever are you a.
coming to with that there old-rappit=
'utch ?" The passenger in the Tour
wheeler, obse.vant OF al that happen
ed and virtaously indignant, put ms
head out of the window. ana fepiied
to the handsom- driver, NOW sd"
the whole incident. There was no one
to blame but you. If there's any dam
age | shall report the matter to the
police" Whcreto the hanson man re
piled with a pleasant surprise no
Bunny, Is that you
Probably we shall hear our little
gems of language still, though 50 mueh
is lost. We shall not have to say, All,
all are gone, the old familiar phrases,
but very much that is picturesque mas
vanished. Still, the great and almost
all suffieing adjective OF the brltlsH
masses holds it's place, though even
that is being threatened. AS man WAS
explaining to his mate, in motor ou5
that he had dropped a penny anu aSs-
ignatine the lost coin with the me
,itable epithet, lady opposite salu
Handy, "Oh, I've just picked up
penny en- the floor, but | don't THINK Ii
can be yours And why Shoudnt 1t
be mine, if you please, num-? he ASH
ed. well" the lady replied, IRON
what you said | thought there must
be Some blood on yours, and don
sec any on this" He appeared to DC
a lust man, for he admitted that his
words might bear this Interpretation,
but explained that it was only way
of saving, SO to speak, and, win
that. expressed gratitude, and took the
penny. The passing Of the horse.
drawn cab is doing much to make the
language i'll our streets less lurld. IL
we could but persuade the people 10
the use of some less rudy adjective
for their common needs there would
be but little left. i'll tins line, Tor Us /
to work or hope for.-itoface liutchlit-
son. IN the Westminster Gazette.