AN EXTORTIONATE CABBY.

Western Star, 15 September 1911, Page 4

AN EXTORTIONATE CABBY.

“My father,” (writes Alexandre Dumas, Junior) “possessed extraordinary strength of muscle, evidence of which I had for tlhe first time when about fourteen or fifteen years of age. One day he took me to the Gymnase Theatre. "‘As we came out it was raining ‘cats and dogs. ! I followed him to a solitary cab, which was standing on the boulevard. He gave his address to the driver, who stood beside the cab, and we were about to get in, when the man put his hand on the door, saying : “ I’m not going to stir from the spot in this weather under five francs a fare.’ “ ‘You won’t, eh ?’ >• 'No.’ “ "For the first, second, and last time.’ “Cabby made no reply, but stood there with his hand on the door. Then my father got hold of the man round the middle, lifted him from the ground, hoisted him on to his seat, and said : “ ‘Perhaps you’ll go now !’ “And stepping into the carriage, he said to me ; “ ‘Remember in future how you are to deal with refractory cabmen.’ “I still fancy I see that cabby,with his heavy cloak all in a heap, jerk up into the air like a feather, and flopping down on the scat like a lump of lead.”