“That was a large sum for injuries.”
“But the old fellow died. We go in here,” I added.
“You may, I will not,” replied Jones, as he leant against the railing of a bridge over a little stream.
“Well, do not stand there; if the board gives way and lets you down, you will have no remedy against the city; for it is not bound to keep up railings strong enough for idlers to lounge against, or children to play upon.[31] Look out, there is another sled!” As I rang the door-bell I heard Jones mutter:—
“Those boys ought to be indicted for obstructing the sidewalk in such a way.”
“True for you,” I mentally ejaculated, “I remember that one of those bewitched and besaddled wheelbarrow concerns, yclept velocipedes, was held to be an indictable obstruction.”[32]
In due time my servant met us with the sleigh, and off we went, bells jingling, horse prancing, dog barking, all joyous with the exhilarating influences of frost and sunshine.
“Look here, old fellow,” said Tom, “your horse seems pretty skittish to-day; let us settle the law as to our mutual liability for damages before we run into anything. Who will have to pay? You don’t seem very much accustomed to driving.”
“Never mind that. The law is clear; as you are merely a passenger in my sleigh, you are not responsible for any misconduct of which I may be guilty while driving; you have nothing to do with the concern.[33] Even if I had only borrowed the turn-out, and kindly let you take the ribbons, I still would be the party responsible for negligence.”[34]
“That’s satisfactory,” returned my friend. “But would it not be different if we had both hired the horse and cutter?”