The diamond drill., 1921-03-05


had not yet sifted down from Club
land and by standing a few drinks he
soon found himself made free Of all
the technical information he needed
and some more that was so ultra-tech-
nical that II could beat the brains that
Invented the delicate mechanism OF
| the taxlmeter. He also established
part ownership In comfortable room
I'm house very much on the wrong or
west side OF Broadway, in fact within
smelling and almost splitting distance
OF the North river
While he was still In funds he
bought himself a wooden khaki over
coat with one OF those enormous col
lars which look like an inverted
bucket when they are up and surpass
I'm efficiency the traditional black mask
so beloved by illustrators OF the week
ly press. He also had speaking slot
cut In the glass OF the cab window
| just behind his best ear and subse-
quently removed and lost the slide
that had been fitted over II with con-
siderable skill and trouble.
During the next few nights he pro-
| ceeded TO have the time of his life; so
much so that he was constantly over
whelmed with wonder at his stupidity
In not having become a taxi-driver
years before IL should be remem-
bered that Mr.. Randolph was OF New
York Yorky; he knew everybody cas-
ually. from Mr. Mllyuns and his
daughter. Eileen, down TO the latest
addition TO the pitIful ranks OF the
midinette. More than that. so broad
was his acqnaintanceship that as
sporting gent he had once or twice
been tipped or as TO the where and
when OF q proposed guD-play.
In addition to being by right OF birth
an integral part OF all the social strata
of Manhattan. he knew the surface of
the island aud OF the adjacent com
/, moner soil Of the mainland consld-
erably better than he knew the palm
of his own hand. In fact, he could
scarcely ever have been conscious that
he had a palm, even as a map OF per-
sonal fortune for he who is completes
ly satisfied with the present never
worries about the future and Mr.. Ran
| dolph had been born content.
With such an equipment, Is IL 10 be
wondered at that he found the taxi
field rich with unexpected and sur
| prlsing blooms? Fair flowers, he had
known heretofore TO nod only over tea
tables and solid silver appeared sud
denly transplanted TO his cab and
ready TO nod on a stalwart shoulder
Strong male tiger-lilies OF the money
market, grated TO the cushions OF
taxi, became complacent pillars upon
which some elinging Ivy twined.
In six nights he learned the sound
! that a banker makes when slender
fingers tickle him under the chin the
gasp OF girl, first-klssed; the cry Of
young man upon discovering the alb
sence OF grandfathers gold watch. his
since graduation day; the cluck OF
| top-hat fairly sat upon In the excite
ment OF q moment that else would
have been tragic. the exasperating tap,
tap, tap OF hen-pecking tongue that
| explained and condoned a murder mys-
terry In the next mornings papers, and
| the sob OF ruined youngster who had
| played with borrowed money.
All these Incidents took place with
people whom Mr.. Randolph knew or
knew OF and just 60 show what an ex.
tremely honest young man he was. let
Il be said that II did not once occur to
him that he need never be poor while
humanity. supposedly in good stand.
ing. continued to lay itself open TO
biackmail at the rate OF case night.
| At the same time. he was not stupid
and occasionally tapped out missive
loaded with dynamite on the garage
! typewriter when no one was around.
Here Is a sample.
"Mr. PoIndexter MacGuler Sir: As
| I was driving you and Miss II. n
larst night who was foster-motherei
by an aunt OF friend of a friend Of
mine. heerd you talkin 20 her and
all I got TO say Is II l see you out
/ with her again short OF the bands OF
matrlmony I'll get another friend Of
| mine TO get Mr.. Robert Herv Ran
dolph 10 tell what he knows about
1 you cheaten M cards on Dec. % last"
| Nights that gave birth In the morn
ing to euNn hilttfhfy uNpits cOuiu
scarcely be called duh. but II was not !
long before Mr.. Randolph found him I
| self threatened by an unexpected mo- |
notonons employment. Unfortunately |
for his entertainment. his reputation
as the one par excellence ST. Bernard |
] llfesayer 10 the lnebriate elite spread |
| rapidly throughout the Force so that |
the telephone was constantly burdcned |
| during the wee hours with the follow
ing: SAY. Is slim Hervey on the iobf |
Well. when be comes In tell i'm ! got /
another tallor-model drunk here what /
has lost his home address from his
mind"
With suspicious suddenness Mr..
Randolph proceeded 70 forget half his !
school and eliminates and cold.blooded- Z