The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-09-07
THE ONE.EYED CONDUCTOR.

A very strange incident happened to
me once, q good many years ago-so
strange, that l have many times thought
should like to write it down, to see if
anybody could give me satisfactory ex-
PLANTATION of it. My husband, however,
until lately, has been averse to my do
ing so but last Christmas Eve, when
there were number of us met together
at Grandfather Lorrimer's, singing songs,
telling stories, and SO on, told my story,
and it created such sensation-so many
questions were asked, so many theories
broached, and everybody, in fact, seemed
to be 80 much interested-that Joseph,
that is, my husband, came to the con-
clusion that it was better story than he
had before thought it; and day or
two afterward he said to me, if still
had a mind to print that little adventure
Of mine, he would not object to my do
ing 80.
On account of the reason I gave above,
/ am glad to do so. hope this little
article may attract the notice OF some
one who can give me a rational solution
of an event that has perplexed me for
years. Such an explanation would be a
great relief to my mind, and I shall be
glad to hear from any responsible per-
son on the subject. My address is
Mrs. Joseph Lorrimer, Harrisburg,
Pennsylvania"
My acquaintance with the hero of
this story arose during my bridal tour.
My parents were, and still are, Phila-
delphisns, but Joseph's people live in
Harrisburg, and he himself is overseer
in the Crosby Iron Works, just outside
of that city.
Our wedding was very quiet one.
There was no money to spare on either
side, and, after family breakfast, we
went directly to the cars, and started
for our future home.
was young thing then-just
eighteen-and my dear Joe was only
three years my senior; two shy, happy,
foolish children we were, it seems to me
now, as l look back upon that day so
many years agone
The very trip-from Philadelphia to
Harrisburg commonplace as most peo.
pie would think it, was a wonderful
event to me, who had never taken longer
than an hours ride on the cars before in
my life.
I viewed, with eager, interested eyes,
the country through which we passed,
and all that was going on around me ;
the passengers, the car itself, with its
fixtures, the conductor and the brakes
man, were all objects whose novelty
gave me plenty of food for thought ;
and my thoughts, in those days, were
very apt to evince themselves in eager,
unreserved chatter.
We thought we were conducting our
selves with all imaginable ease and dig
nifty; yet do suppose now, there was
not an individual who looked at us that
did not guess at glance our recently
assumed relationship.
am sure the conductor did. He was
fine, portly- looking man, with genial,
brown whiskered face and bushy hair ;
he'would have been a really handsome
man, had it not been for the loss OF an
eye; it had been lost by disease-the
exterior of the eye, save that it was
sunken and expressionless, retaining its
original appearance. The remaining
eye was bright and blue, as jolly and
sparkling as the rest of his pleasant,
good-humored face.
AS he came to collect our fare, Joseph
handed him bill.
"For yourself and wife, suppose
sir Z" he asked, with a smile.
Joe turned very red, and bowed dig
nified assent.
As for mel confess it-I turned nv
head toward the window, and Uttered.
Very ridiculous, was it notY
The car had not been nearly full when
we started, but people dropped in at
the various way-ststions, so that by the
time we reached Lancaster nearly every
seat was taken. We, at starting, had
taken two seats, turning one to face us.
upon which our various hand-baggage
was placed.
At Lancaster the cars stopped some
time for dinner and just as they were
about to start again. our conductor en-
tered the car, ushering in an old lady in
Quaker garb, beneath whose deep bon
net was visible kind, plump. rosy face
with bright. spectaeled eyes.
She glanced around on either side, al
she advanced up the aisle, in search OF
seat. and, in obedience to nudge from
me. Joseph rose, and beckoning to the
conductor, said;