THE HACKMAN’S PROMISE.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 410, 5 October 1875, Page 3

THE HACKMAN’S PROMISE.

(Detroit Free Press.)

“Your name is—is -what?” asked the court. “ Davey, sir—George Davey.” “And you work at—what?.’ “Drive hack.” “Ah —ah!” smiled his honour, acquiring sudden interest, “ this is worth twenty dollars to me. You are one of those men avlio stand on the edge of the walk at the depots and shout ‘ Hax ’ at the people.’ “ I have to get passengers, sir.” “Don’t sass me back, Mr Davey—l know all about you ! Only the other day, as I returned from a May-day party in the country, there were one million five hundred and sixty-five thousand three hundred and ninety-two of you on the curbstone, and every one of you yelled ‘ Hax’ at me. One seized my satchel, another grabbed at my coat, and another pulled me backward by the coat tails. I believe you are that man.” “’Deed, sir, I haint.” Well, it is barely possible that I am mistaken; but here’s a charge that you were lying on the walk drunk.” “I wasn’t sir ; I was sitting up alongside a house. ” “ That’s too fine a point to argue. Were you drunk?” “Only spuing, sir; only a little sprung.” “ That’s just as bad in the sight of the law, and I ought to fine you 700 dollars.” “ Grashus ! but I could never pay that !” “No ; my object would be to keep you in prison all your days.” “Oh, let up on a feller,” pleaded the prisoner ; “ this is the first time, and it shall be the last. I’ve a large family, sir, and they need my wages to get their bread.” His honour took a long time to think, and then replied It’s wrong to let you off. The citizens will condemn me, and the newspapers will blow at me, but I believe I’ll give you a show. You may go, but I shall keep watch of you. You must mend your ways right off. Instead of yelling ‘ Hax ’ at a man, do you smile, and softly whisper, ‘ Sir, can I have the pleasure of conveying you to some designated point ?’ Promise me this.” The prisoner promised, and was allowed to disappear, limping sadly with a sore heel.