Generally speaking, perhaps, he would as soon carry a fare safely to his destination, as he would upset him--sooner, perhaps, because in that case he not only got the money, but had the additional amusement of running a longer heat against some smart rival.

But society made war upon him in the shape of penalties, and he must make war upon society in his own way.

This was the reasoning of the red cab-driver.

So, he bestowed a searching look upon the fare, as he put his hand in his waistcoat pocket, when he had gone half the mile, to get the money ready; and if he brought forth eightpence, out he went.
The last time we saw our friend was one wet evening in Tottenham-court-road, when he was engaged in a very warm and somewhat personal altercation with a loquacious little gentleman in a green coat.
Poor fellow! there were great excuses to be made for him: he had not received above eighteenpence more than his fare, and consequently laboured under a great deal of very natural indignation.

The dispute had attained a pretty considerable height, when at last the loquacious little gentleman, making a mental calculation of the distance, and finding that he had already paid more than he ought, avowed his unalterable determination to 'pull up' the cabman in the morning.
'Now, just mark this, young man,' said the little gentleman, 'I'll pull you up to-morrow morning.' 'No! will you though ?' said our friend, with a sneer.
'I will,' replied the little gentleman, 'mark my words, that's all.