Evening star., 1923-07-30

travelers-invited to drink with them
he took swig out OF his private
stock of cold tea with gusto and
charged them fifteen cents for the
privilege; but as for the poor taxi
driver, well. they did not belong to
the same herd, that was all.
Rebuffed in this direction. the
driver turned eagerly to the latest
conner, Greg. There was something
almost pathetic in his anxiety to
make friends. Every soul has those
moments of desperate lonesomeness.
Greg was not at all backward in re-
| spending. The driver was spare
| little man in an overcoat sizes TOO
big for him and almost reaching me
| ground. Greg was reminded of an old
! illustration of the Artful Dodger- lie
| had a sharp. humorous, apeltke race,
| much scanned, and i'll his eyes was a
light at once childlike, impudent and
| deprecating Taxi drivers, that is to
say "owl drivers" like this one, wear
no uniform. but they are unmistak-
| able. 1t may be their overcoats which
| are full of character. This one was
incredibly worn and shapeless. Win
| It went a round cloth cap with a nap
| let down behind to protect the
wearer's ears and neck
Say fella." said this individual
with engaging impudence; drink
with me, will yeh, II It's not
! iliberty?"
| sure" said Greg. 'if youll have
another with me after.
What are you drinking"
RYE high ball.
We'll, don't gen'ally dilute my
! liquor but Just to be gh-toned-say
Jack. Two rye high balls"
! The refreshment was duly served.
| Greg noticed that as the taxi-driver
lifted his glass his hand trembled, yet
| he was a young and healthy-looking
man. Greg wondered momentartly II
| No had
| forgot about it.
They exchanged opinions upon the
! quality of the whisky and the rot
6snness Of the weather weather outside outside.
| tionalities. not to speak OF two high
! balls apiece. opened the way for
more personal communications. They
decided they liked each other.
driver "Christened Robert at birth.
but Hickey because came from the
! country, though that's fifteen years
ago. and I'm like to die before see
i ahan't tell you my name" said
Greg. Meaning no .offense, you
! understand. but it's been ir the
papers lately and | want it to be for
sure. that's all right" said Hickey.
What's in a mans label. anyhow
| 'tain't guaranteed by no poor feud
law" He glanced sideways at
| Greg good clothes. on re Dill
off your regular beat tonight, amt
| you
I'm sailing on the Savoia"
The hell you say! Well, some
guys has all the luck"
Greg laughed shortly. He expert
! enced a sudden desire to talk about
| himself. to put his case before dis
| interested party who did not know
| him and whom he would never see
| again: 1t would help him to grasp
! his own situation, he felt. During
tho last difficult weeks he had not
| talked to any one.
II don't know as anybody would
call me lucky" he said. I've lately
| had d good crack over the head.
Maybe it was good for my character.
| but it hurt. just the same.
| oh, we all get those" the other
! replied SentcntiouSly.
My dad died when ] was a kid.
! Greg went on He left us well
! fixed as things go. The property
| was all in the hands of his partner
| as trustee. Well since then I've
/ been accustomed to sucking my sill
| YER spoon. as you might say-went
! to the most expensive schools and
| college,. and didn't learn much except
| how to drive Il racing car. can
drive a car but that's not going to
lay up any bonds in a safe deposit
| vault.
We'll, it's an old story, but. believe
| me- when II happens TO yourself II
has all the effect, If not the charm
of novelty! A month ago our trus-