The Taxi Lady from Welkom

Catherine Nicolette;
I recently visited Welkom where I spent much of my youth. My brother Jo and I spent happy hours being chauffered around by Mom in her venerable car, Gertrude. As Gertrude sailed  stalwartly around the Welkom circles like a galleon in full sail, Mom driving with her usual Amsterdam verve, we eventually bypassed a spot in the road near the Welkom clock tower. (To all you Wellies, yes; the clock tower next to where the Library used to be, next to the Horseshoe).


 And, in a moment, I remembered many years ago...


I was all of seventeen, with long hair and great youthful dignity. Mom had hailed a taxi, and it was one which had been driven for years by a lady.
I had seen her many times, and Mom used to always stop and speak to her. They were great friends. 
We climbed in the taxi and, as we drove along, the lady turned to me at the very spot in the road of which I have just reminisced. and said to me,
"My, but you've grown so big. 
I remember you when you were just that height, why you must have been very young when I first saw you." 
Mom nodded, "Yes, she was five years old."
"Well," continued the lady, "I have forgotten many passengers, but you I'll never forget.
As I was driving, I looked back at you. You were so small and self-possessed in the back of the car.
I said to you: "Little girl, do you have anything to say to me?" 
And your little voice piped up from the back of the car,
"Home, James, and don't spare the horses." "


*Photograph of the beautiful Free State outside of Welkom taken by Catherine Nicolette.  Please feel free to use copyright free for any worthy purpose