40 
THAWING PETER. 
narration, I will, for the benefit of all unfortunate “mail- 
coach” i)asscngers, relate the devices Ave resorted to to 
overcome his lofty reserve of manner, — i, e, the stupid air 
of importance which small people filling small stations 
often assume towards better people who are for the time- 
being at their mercy. Who is there Avho at some time 
has not been offended, has not had his comfort uselessly 
interfered with, by the conductor of a I'ailroad, the mate 
of a mail-steamer, or the driver of a “mail-coach” ? 
In the first place, then, knoAving that I Avas driving oA’^er 
a strange road Avith a liungry note-book in my pocket, I 
saAv the necessity of being on communicatiAm terms Avith 
some person Avho could answer questions; and, as Peter 
was the only one in the coach Avho coald answer said 
questions, he “was the man” to be thawed. Noav, as soon 
as I had brought the doctor to my way of thinking, Ave 
commenced the attack, I being armed AA’ith the ability to 
ilrive even four “animals” in hand, and Avith a bunch 
of cheroots; Avhile the great me<licinc-man shook aloft a 
much more terrible Aveapon of oftence in the shape of a 
pocket-pistol, — not one of the murdering inventions of 
Messrs. 8harpe, Colt, or Allen, but a reasonable, single- 
barrelled felloAAq Avho on]y had one true aim, Avhich Avas to 
keep always full of good old brandy. 
AVith these as our Aveapons, wo soon overcame the 
enemy's reseiwe, I having ofiered to drive for him while 
be poured out the doctor’s brandy, and subsequently 
handed him a cigar Avith an OA^ercoming suavity of man- 
ner. Our ammunition Avas not half expended before his 
face AA'as Avreathed in smiles and his tongue loosened into 
absolute loquaciousness. 
