The Trimmed Lamp, and Other Stories of the Four Million — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The Trimmed Lamp, and Other Stories of the Four Million
John Stuart Mill · en
“I’m stewed, Remsen,” said O’Roon to his friend. “Why do they build
hotels that go round and round like catherine wheels? They’ll take away
my shield and break me. I can think and talk
con-con-consec-sec-secutively, but I s-s-stammer with my feet. I’ve got
to go on duty in three hours. The jig is up, Remsen. The jig is up, I
tell you.”
“Look at me,” said Remsen, who was his smiling self, pointing to his
own face; “whom do you see here?”
“Goo’ fellow,” said O’Roon, dizzily, “Goo’ old Remsen.”
“Not so,” said Remsen. “You see Mounted Policeman O’Roon. Look at your
face—no; you can’t do that without a glass—but look at mine, and think
of yours. How much alike are we? As two French _table d’hôte_ dinners.
With your badge, on your horse, in your uniform, will I charm
nurse-maids and prevent the grass from growing under people’s feet in
the Park this day. I will have your badge and your honor, besides
having the jolliest lark I’ve been blessed with since we licked Spain.”
Promptly on time the counterfeit presentment of Mounted Policeman
O’Roon single-footed into the Park on his chestnut steed. In a uniform
two men who are unlike will look alike; two who somewhat resemble each
other in feature and figure will appear as twin brothers. So Remsen
trotted down the bridle paths, enjoying himself hugely, so few real
pleasures do ten-millionaires have.
Along the driveway in the early morning spun a victoria drawn by a pair
of fiery bays. There was something foreign about the affair, for the
Park is rarely used in the morning except by unimportant people who
love to be healthy, poor and wise. In the vehicle sat an old gentleman
with snowy side-whiskers and a Scotch plaid cap which could not be worn
while driving except by a personage. At his side sat the lady of
Remsen’s heart—the lady who looked like pomegranate blossoms and the
gibbous moon.
Remsen met them coming. At the instant of their passing her eyes looked
into his, and but for the ever coward’s heart of a true lover he could
have sworn that she flushed a faint pink. He trotted on for twenty
yards, and then wheeled his horse at the sound of runaway hoofs. The
bays had bolted.
Remsen sent his chestnut after the victoria like a shot. There was work
cut out for the impersonator of Policeman O’Roon. The chestnut ranged
alongside the off bay thirty seconds after the chase began, rolled his
eye back at Remsen, and said in the only manner open to policemen’s
horses:
“Well, you duffer, are you going to do your share? You’re not O’Roon,
but it seems to me if you’d lean to the right you could reach the reins
of that foolish slow-running bay—ah! you’re all right; O’Roon couldn’t
have done it more neatly!”