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Chapter 35 Jerry Barker I never knew a man better than my new master.
He was kind and good and as strong for the right as John Manley.
A good-tempered merry man that few people could pick a quarrel with.
He was very fond of making little songs too and singing them to himself.
What he was very fond of was this.
Come father and mother,
Sister and brother,
Come all of you and help one another.
And so they did.
Harry was as clever at stable work as a much older boy and always wanted to do what he could.
Then Polly and Dolly used to come in the morning to help with the cab,
To brush and beat the potions and rub the glass while Jerry was giving us a cleaning in the yard and Harry was rubbing the harness.
There used to be a great deal of laughing and fun between them and it put Captain and me in much better spirits than if we'd heard scolding and hard words.
They were always early in the morning for Jerry would say,
If you in the morning throw minutes away,
You can't pick them up in the course of a day.
You may hurry and scurry and flurry and worry,
You've lost them forever,
Forever and I.
He could not bear any careless loitering and waste of time and nothing was so near making him angry as to find people who were always late wanting a cab horse to be driven hard to make up for their idleness.
One day,
Two wild looking young men came out of a tavern close by the stand and called Jerry.
Here cab,
Look sharp,
We're rather late,
Put on the steam will you and take us to Victoria in time for the one o'clock,
You'll have a shilling extra.
I'll take you at the regular pace gentlemen,
Shillings don't pay for putting on the steam like that.
Larry's cab was standing next to ours,
He flung open the door and said,
I'm your man gentlemen,
Take my cab,
My arse will get you there alright.
He shucked them in with a wink towards Jerry and said,
It's against his conscience to go beyond a jogged trot,
Then slashing his jaded horse,
He set off as hard as he could.
Jerry patted me on the neck,
No Jack,
A shilling won't pay for that sort of thing would it old boy?
Although Jerry was determinedly set against hard driving to please careless people,
He always went a good fair pace and he was not against putting on the steam as he said,
If only he knew why.
I remember one morning as we were on the stand waiting for a fare,
A young man carrying a heavy portmanteau trod on a piece of orange peel which lay on the pavement and fell down with great force.
Jerry was the first to run and lift him up,
He seemed much stunned and when they led him into a shop he walked as if he were in great pain.
Jerry of course came back to the stand but in about ten minutes one of the shopmen called him over so he drew up to the pavement.
Can you take me to the South Eastern Railway said the young man,
This unlucky fool's made me late I fear but it's of great importance,
I shouldn't lose the twelve o'clock train,
I'll be most thankful if you could get me there in time,
I'll gladly pay you an extra fare.
I'll do my best said Jerry heartily,
If you think you're well enough sir.
The man looked dreadfully white and ill,
I must go he said earnestly,
Please open the door let's lose no time.
The next minute Jerry was up on the box with a cheery chirrup to me and a twitch of the train.
Now then Jack my boy,
Said he,
Spin along,
We'll show them how we can get over the ground if only we know why.
It's always difficult to drive fast in the city in the middle of the day,
The streets are full of traffic but we did what we could and when a good driver and a good horse who understand each other are of one mind it's wonderful what they can do.
I of course could be guided by the slightest touch of the rain and it's a great thing in London among carriages,
Omnibuses,
Carts,
Vans,
Trucks and cabs,
Some going one way,
Some another,
Some going slowly and others wanting to pass them.
You have to keep in behind the omnibus and then you think you see a chance and manage to get to the front and then you go along a bit but find yourself in a long train of carts and carriages.
If you want to get through London fast in the middle of the day it wants a great deal of practice.
Jerry and I were used to it and no one could beat us at getting through when we were set upon it.
I was quick and bold and could always trust my driver.
Jerry was patient and he could trust his horse which was a great thing too.
He seldom used the whip and I knew by his voice and his click click when he wanted to get on fast.
Now the streets were very full that day but we got on pretty well as far as the bottom of Cheapside where there was a block for three or four minutes.
The young man put his head out and said,
I think I better get out and walk I'll never get there if this goes on.
I'll do all that can be done sir,
Jerry replied.
I think we'll be in time.
This block can't hold up much longer and your luggage is very heavy for you to carry.
Just then the cart in front of us began to move on.
In and out,
In and out we went as fast as horse flesh could do it and for a wonder had a good clear time on London Bridge.
There was a whole train of cabs and carriages going our way at a quick trot,
Perhaps wanting to catch the same train.
But at twelve o'clock we whirled into the station with many more.
Thank God we're in time said the young man and thank you too my friend and your good horse.
You've saved me more than money can pay for,
Take this extra half crown.
No thank you sir,
Said Jerry,
No thank you all the same.
I'm so glad we hit the time sir,
But the bell is ringing,
Here Porter take this gentleman's luggage.
Jerry often talked to himself quite loud enough for me to hear when we were not moving.
On Jerry's return to the rank there was a good deal of laughing and chafing at him for driving hard to the train for an extra fare.
They said it was all against his principles and they wanted to know how much he pocketed.
A good deal more than I generally get,
Said he nodding slyly,
That'll keep me in little comforts for several days.
Preaching to us and doing the same himself,
Said another.
Look here mates,
Said Jerry,
That gentleman offered me half a crown extra but I didn't take it.
It was quite paying off for me to see how glad he was to catch that train.
If Jack and I choose to have a quick run now and then to please ourself,
That's our business and none of yours.
Well,
Larry replied,
You'll never be a rich man.
Most likely not,
Said Jerry,
But I don't know I'll be less happy for it.
I've heard the commandments read a great many times and I notice none of them said thou shalt be rich.
A good many curious things said in the New Testament about rich men I think would make me feel rather queer if I was one of them.
If you ever do get rich,
Said Governor Grey looking over his shoulder,
You'll deserve it and you won't find a curse come with your wealth,
Jerry.
And as for you,
Larry,
You'll die poor.
You spend too much time in whipcord.
Well,
Said Larry,
What's a fellow to do if his horse won't go without it?
You never take the trouble to see if he will go without it.
Your whip is always going as if you had the smittiest dance in your arm.
And if it doesn't wear you out,
It wears your horse out.
You know you're always changing horses,
Aren't you?
And why?
Because you've never given them any peace or encouragement.
No,
Just not a good luck,
Said Larry.
That's where it is.
And you never will,
Said the governor.
Good luck is rather particular who she rides with and most prefers those who've got common sense and a good heart.
At least that's my experience.
Then Governor Gray turned round again to his newspaper and the other men went back to their cabs.
