| Citation |
SCAGG.771.051
30 Sep-7 Oct 1771:13 (14/677)
London, July 5. The following circumstance, says an evening
paper, is a matter of fact, which happened but a few days
ago. A lady, last week, near one of the squares, paid an
afternoon visit to a friend in the city, where she spent the
evening. Being remarkable for a sweet voice and happy in
the talent of singing, she was desired to favour the company
that way. She sung several songs. When finding the time
drawing near twelve she begged the servant might call her a
coach. As she was pressed for two or three more, the
coachman was ordered to wait in the passage. The company
happened to be in the parlor adjoining. While she was
singing the coachman was observed by the servants to be very
attentive, but particularly with one song. After the lady
had taken her leave, as the man was driving her home, she
found he went somewhat out of his way. He stopped short in
a narrow bye-lane, got off and opened the coach door with
his hat in his hand [and] said "Madam, don't be frightened!
Be assured I will neither hurt you myself, nor shall anyone
else whilst I am able to guard the door. You have been
singing several pretty songs, but one in particular I wish,
and should be much obliged if you would sing it over again."
The lady, as may well be imagined, was much frightened being
alone, but finding she could not prevail with him to carry
her home, and having repeated assurances of his care for
her, recovered herself and began three or four. At last she
hit upon the coachman's favourite song, which when finished,
he bowed, expressed his thanks, shut the door, mounted the
box, and drove her not quite to her house, but within a door
or two, and desired to be excused going any farther. The
lady suspected his reason, got out, and going to pay him his
fare, he would not stay to take it, wishing her a good
night, telling her "that he had already been paid double the
fare by the pleasure of so charming a song."
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