Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-02-13
BIG TIM
AND FAITHFUL
"OLD READY"
By AUGUSTUS SHERWIN
20. 1874. western Newspaper UnlOn)

n Vi Ills HlAuAlEit va NhN
~ drivers seat of his old-fash-
Toned four-wheeled hack. Then
he took a red MISUNDERSTANDING apple
from his pocket.
NO" he said suddenly, drawing II
back as he. was about to sink his
teeth in Its juicy depths-"Old Ready
will cheer up bit If l give 1t to him
and he deserves it-brave, loyal fell
lOw!'
So Tim got down from the seat,
broke the pippin In half with his
strong fists and fed the sections to the
horse. The latter tried to express his
appreciation of the cheering feast. He
munched at the last shred Of the tooth
some dainty, his eye fixed gratefully
on his master and then rubbed his
frowsy cheek against that Of Tim.
ITS all right, isn't lit" chlrped Tim.
Ever the best Of friends, hey, old
scout2 What chums we've been nigh
on to twenty years. And now-ah
mep
Tim sighed, and well he might. The
good old days were gone indeed.
Square by square. mile by mile, laws,
ordinances, the police had pushed the
old cab stand farther and farther from
the city center New centers had been
formed, but chauffeurs and automO-
biles and electric cabs had intruded.
Thus for over year Tim and Ready
had been obliged to make their night
stand at the present corner-a street
car junction. An occasional fare came
along. There were some exigency
midnight calls from doctors, the hos
pital, or some belated convlvlalists.
Tim had grown old and hardened in
the service. Ready was dropping and
gray. The hack had seen both Its
best and Its worst days. There was a
family Of four at home. Tim knew
nothing but driving a hack, so he was
fast going down hill with a failing
business
"If only had the capital to buy an
electric cab" he unused longingly.
"And new suit. Then me for a
fashionable hotel stand or the depots
and good rest for you, old Ready.
Fare, sir?"
Tim, always on the lookout for bust
ness, as feature of routine hailed a
man who had suddenly appeared, look
ing about him as though in a hurry
or anxious to hurry others. He was
well-dressed handsome young fellow
and he seemed fiustered and excited.
The stranger looked over Tim, then
his hack. and then old Ready. 1t was
apparent from the disappointed ex-
preston of his face that the layout
was not encouraging.
"See here" he said rapidly, SIS
there a public garage anywhere near2'
"Mile down the avenue" vouchsafed
Tim.
Again the man looked over Tim and
his equipment
Are you ready for hard rum" he
inquired.
"Well, SIR" replied Tim, "as you see,
old Ready is no race horse, but If it's
a sure steady plugging gait he can't
be beat"
"Get up on your box and follow or
ders, then" directed the stranger
you shall have good pay, only do
just as direct you" and to Tins
surprise the man got up beside him as
though resolved to act as pilot direct.
He pulled his coat collar well up
over his face and spoke crisply, nerv-
ously when he spoke at all. After
devious turns and wlndlngs he ordered
Tim to drive slowly down dark lane.
Behind a three-story brick house he
whispered an order to halt.
Then he was lost In the darkness Of
the yard beyond for some minutes
When he returned. to the amazement
of Tim, he carried In his arms a girl.
fish form wrapped up In a great water
proof coat.
"See here, mister" exclaimed Tim,
aghast, whats this-kidnapIngT
mo" fared out the young man
breathlessly, "villainyl Poor dear|
and he held the form more shelterlng-
ly. "Get us away quick, If you want
to help good cause"
The man disposed OF the senseless
form of the girl within the vehicle.
Then he spoke hurrledly and definite
ly to Tim. He wished to reach GER
tain point, a little suburb eight miles
distant.
mo traversed roads," he explained
You must cut across the pralrles
west Of the city"
'ItTI be slow work for this old rig,
that" reported Tim obviously.
"Do your best-you shan't lose" as
sured his fare.
II was, indeed, slow work, and UNI
pleasant and yenturesOme at that. The
old vehicle wobbled and creaked as
they left the paved streets. Old Ready
stumbled, pulled and had to halt fire.
quently for a rest. Then a mile or
less from their destination, wheel
broke of In a rut. The hack nearly
pitched over Ready gave final gasp
and sank down smashing the shafts
and lay in the mud and mlre, col
lapsed.
This Is pretty serious" grumbled
Tim. II hope you'll see to the dam
age"
"DOubly over, my man." promised
the fare. "Ah" he exclaimed joyful
ly, looking within the vehlcle-"Aida,
II In l. We have escaped" and he
haste ned over some explanations. II
will he back as soon as get my
charge TO the town Just beyond here
he assured Tim and half supporting