Spring-Heel'd Jack, The Terror of London — page 208: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

210 “Of course you sympathise with those of your own class,” said Jack. ‘That is but natural ; still you must admit there is a great amount of reckless drivingin the streets of the metropolis.” “T know that; but still I say a man can’t always pull up at a moment, and I’m only sur- prised there ain’t more accidents than there are. If this here young gal says it’s her own fault, I’m blowed if she ain’t a curiosity as ought to be sent to the Museum—that’s all I can say.” — Jack smiled. “She certainly lays no blame upon the driver.” “She don’t ?” “No!” ‘Then, just look here, sir. I’m a poor man, with a large family to support, but blow me if I charges anything for driving her.”’ “Why not?” “Why not? ’Cos it will be something to say, that I have drove a female as was run over who said it was her own fault. Why, she’s a natural curiosity, sheis. [never knowed a woman as did anything wrong in her life, who didn’t blame everything or somebody else; an’ I’m proud of getting such a fare.. And blow me, if I don’t stick to what I said. I shan’t charge no- . thing at all—no, not a penny.” See ‘* ‘Then I can only say that you are the greatest curiosity I have ever come across,” said Jack. “And J doubt very much whether any of your fraternity would believe there existed a coach driver who would take a fare for nothing.” The man stuck his toneue in his cheek and erinned. | a ‘*"Tain’t many as would,” he said. a ‘* No, indeed ; for they have a propensity to overcharge,” said Jack. | “Well, sir, can you wonder at it?’’ said the man. “If we ask a fare a fair fioure, he is suré to want to cut you down; and as for the women, oh! they’re awful stingy, they are. Say you want five shillings, and depend upon it they offer you two. What’s a man todo? It’s not his fault if he sticks it on. If people would only deal fairly by us, we would do so by them; but they won't, sir, and I believe that one half think thank you enough for every ten miles.” “Well, perhaps to a certain extent you are. right,” said Jack. “1 know Lam,” said the man. sir?” " “Yes,” said Jack. And the driver turned his vehicle into the little dark street in which Mrs. Hendon resided. ‘Pull up here,” said Jack, as the vehicle reached the door of the house. , The man obeyed, and Jack leaped off the ‘box, and opened.the door of the vehicle. ‘“ Miss Hendon, we have arrived at your home. Hallo! the poor girl has fainted,” he added. “ Knock at the door, and ask for a light.” This was done, and the aged mother opened the door with a candle in her hand: Jack left the vehicle, and sprang to the old lady’s side. “ Your daughter, ma’am, has unfortunately ‘Down here, met with an accident; but do not be alarmed, as there is nothing to fear. If you will allow me, ‘Twill carry her to your apartments,” » 1h) - A EN Oe ee a OO LS Own eee y ~*~ - ru SPRING-HEEL D JACK : THE TERROR OF LONDON. \ , Ff - + Ne The old lady uttered a faint cry, and would - have dropped the candle, had not the driver taken it from her hand to light our hero. “Oh, dear! oh, dear!” sighed the old lady. “More trouble, more trouble. We are indeed unfortunate. What is it ?—where is she hurt ?— how did it occur ?”’ And wringing her hands, she tottered to the coach. “Do not be alarmed; she has only fainted,” said Jack, ““and will tell you all about it as soon as she recovers. Take the light, and show me the way to your room.”’ ; The old woman obeyed, trembling in every limb. And Jack, tenderly raising Mildred in his strong arms, said, addressing the coachman— “Do not go away. I will not be long, and then I will pay you.” | “JT said I wouldn’t take no fare,” exclaimed the man ; ‘‘ an’ I'll be as good as my word.” “ Nonsense,’ said Jack. ‘‘ I promised to pay you; and I will doso. Wait till I come back.” And so saying, he bore Mildred into the house, and up the stairs to her apartment, where he placed her still insensible form on the bed. As he turned, the old lady started. “Surely you are no stranger to me,” she said. ‘“ We have met before.”’ | “We have, madam; and under very painful circumstances, I recret to say.” *¢ At Clavering’s ? ”’ “ Yes.” “The villain ! ” uy Leave him to his Maker, before whom his | paltry soul has flown,” said Jack, ‘and look to your daughter. I may as well tell you that she as been knocked down by a horse, and that one — of her ribs are stated to be broken by the sur- geon into whose house she was taken, and who advised her removal to the hospital, but she preferred being brought hither. IL was fortu- nately on the spot, and accompanied her here. Is there anything I can do for you ere I seek for a medical man to attend upon her.” The old lady sank into a chair. » ‘““T wish she had gone to a hospital,’ she said ; “for heaven knows we cannot pay a doctor. We are very poor, sir. To marry that rascal, she gave up her engagement at the theatre, and she has been unable to procure any kind of employ- | ment since. We have struggled as well as we | could wich ovr poverty, but can struggle with it no longer. It is out of our power to employ a medical man. She must go to the hospital and I to the workhouse,” Fea And the woman suffered her head to fall in her hands as sobs shook her bosom. . Jack placed his hand gently on her shoulder. “Mrs. Hendon,” he said, ‘‘do not let the ex- pense of a doctor grieve you; and do not urge your daughter to go where she feels she would be wretched. I will send you a clever medical gentleman, and undertake to pay him myself.” The old lady started up, and dashed the tears from her eyes. y ‘Sir, I have no right to expect this kindness at your hands.” ik. “eee ‘‘ Never mind that. I will do it, and ask no thanks for so doing. I can sympathise with your own and your daughter’s misfortunes, an —— (E(o) am " rs a te & * Gbhooks:com — _