Riding Freedom

Ebeneezer’s company in Rhode Island is called “What Cheer Stables.” Charlotte is his best and most popular driver. One morning she sees Mr. Millshark’s name on the passenger roster. She sees Mr. Millshark waiting for his ride and notices he is wearing “fancy boots with high heels that made him look bigger than he actually was” (71). She feels nervous because she knows that if Mr. Millshark recognizes her, he will tell everyone who she is and her career will be over because “customers wouldn’t ride with a woman” (71). Charlotte tells Ebeneezer that she can’t drive, and he understands it’s because of Mr. Millshark. Rather than give her the day off, he tells her that she will drive anyway. He convinces her that Mr. Millshark won’t recognize her, saying, “you are what you are. And what you are is a fine horseman. And the best coachman I ever saw” (72). Charlotte takes heart and loads up her passengers, but Mr. Millshark requests to sit up front with Charlotte, offering cigars as a tip.

The passengers sit comfortably in a coach with padded seats, while Charley and Mr. Millshark share a wooden bench up front. She drives the horses well, and when he comments that she is going too fast, she replies, “I know my horses by heart and I’m not one for bad drivin’, so hold tight!” (75).