完形填空

　　I believe honesty is one of the greatest gifts．I know they call it a lot of fancy names these days, like 　　1　　 and straightforward．And it's still what 　　2　　 a man a good citizen．This is my secret, and I try to live by．

　　I've been in the taxi business for thirty-five years, 　　3　　 there is a lot about it that is not so good．Taxi drivers have to be rough and tumble(乱作一团)fellows to be able to take it in New York．You've got to be 　　4　　 to fight the New York traffic eight hours a day．

　　Because taxi drivers are tough, people get the 　　5　　 impression that they are bad．Taxi drivers are just like other people．Most of them will act as 　　6　　 fellows．You read in the papers almost every week 　　7　　 a taxi driver turns in money or jewels or like that people leave in their 　　8　　．If they weren't honest, you wouldn't be reading those stories in the papers．One time, I found an emerald(翡翠的)ring in my car．I remembered helping a lady with a lot of suitcases that day, so I went back to where I had 　　9　　．It took me almost two days to wait for her in order to return her 　　10　　 to her．I didn't get as much as “thank you．”　　11　　, I felt good because I had done what was right．I think I felt better than she 　　12　　．

　　I was born and raised in Ireland until I was nineteen years old．I came to this country in 1913 where I 　　13　　 several jobs to earn a few dollars before joining the army in World War I．After being discharged(退伍), I bought my own car and have owned one ever since．It hasn't been too easy 　　14　　, but my wife takes care of our money and we have a good bit 　　15　　 for a rainy day(一时之需)．In all my years of driving a taxi, I have never had 　　16　　 with the public, not even with drunks．Even if they get a little headstrong(顽固的)once in a while, I just agree with them and then they behave themselves．

　　People ask me about tips．As far as I know, 　　17　　 everyone will give you something, because most Americans are 　　18　　 generous．I always try to be nice to everyone, whether they 　　19　　 or not．I believe in God and try to be a good member of my parish(教区)．I try to act toward others like I think God wants me to act．I have been trying this for a long time, and the 　　20　　 I try, the easier it gets．