Show the cabman wag afraid mr walter besant tells the following story of a disputed cab fare A friend of mine drove from piccadilly to some place in the outside the radius on getting down he tendered three shillings and sixpence for his fare this was a little over the proper fare the driver wanted five shillings the passenger re fused td like to fight you for it said the driver the very cried my friend who had never in his life put on a boxing glove and was almost as ignorant as mr pickwick even of the fighting attitude the very capitala Capi tall well have the fight in the back garden my brother will look on hold the stakes and see fair play the cabman got down slowly 1 I was pleased continued the narrator to discover that he appeared almost as much afraid as I 1 was myself perhaps if that vas possible even more he followed into the back garden where thera was a lovely little bit of turf quite large enough for practical purposes I 1 placed my five shillings in my brothers hands took off my coat and waistcoat and rolled up my sleeves all with an appearance of cheerful alacrity now my friend I 1 baid 1 I am ready a eoon as you are the anxiety of tle moment was I 1 confess very great but it decreased as I 1 watched the mans face express successively all the emotions of bounce surprise doubt hesitation and abject cowardice no he said gamme the three and six I 1 know your tricks both of you ive been done this way before and so grumbling and swearing he drove away |