New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1871-12-07

THE ONE-EYED CONDUCTOR.
A very strange incident happened to me
once, good many years ago-so strange that
| have many times thought l should like to
write it down, to see if anybody could give me
a satisfactory explanation of it. My husband,
however, until lately, has been averse to my
doing so but last Christmas eve, when there
were a number of us met together at Grand
father Lorrimers s, singing songs, telling stories,
and so on, L told my story. and created such
sensation-so many questions were asked, so
many theories preached, and everybody, in
fact, seemed to be so much interested-that
Joseph, that is my husband, came to the con-
clusion that it was a better story than he had
before thought it and day or two afterwards
he said to me, if still had mind to print that
little adventure of mine, he would not object to
my doing so.
On account of the reason gave above, am
glad to do so. hope the little article may at
tract the notice of some one who can give me q
rational solution of an event that has perplexed
me for years. Such an explanation would be
. great relief to my mind, aud shall be glad
TO hear from any responsible person on the sub
jet. My address is: "Mrs. Joseph Lorrimer,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania"
My acquaintance with the hero of this story
arose during my bridal tour. My parents
people live in Harrisburg, and he himself is
Overseer in the Crosby Iron Works just outside
Of that city.
Our wedding was a very quiet one. There
was no money to spare on either side, and,
after family breakfast, we went directly to the
cars, and started to 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
Qaarn tn mo NJ, Il haa npnnn
that day so many years ago!
The very trip-from Philadelphia to Harris
burg-commonplac most people would think
it, was 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 brakeman, 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 ourselves
with all imaginable ease and dignity; 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 whis.
kered face and bushy hair; he would have been
really handsome man had it not been for the
loss of one eye; it had been lost by disease
the exterior of the eye, save that it was sunken
and expressiopless, retaining its original ap-
pearaDce. The remaining eye was bright aud
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 ?" he
asked with O smile.
Joe turned very red, and bowed digpifed
assent.
As for mel confess it, turned my head
toward the window and Uttered. Very ridicu-
lous, was it not?
The car had not been nearly full when we
started, but people dropped in at the various
way-statiOns, 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 hand baggage was
placed.
At Lancaster the cars stopped some time for
dinner; and just as they were about to start
again, our conductor entered the car, ushering
in an old lady in Quaker garb, beneath whose
deep bonnet was visible a kind, plump, rosy
face, with bright specialized eyes.
She glanced around on either side, as she
advanced up the aisle in search of a seat, and,
In obedience to a nudge from me, Joseph rose,
and bockoning to the conductor, said:
80 There is a seat for the lady here"
Smilingly the old lady approached. l CON-
menced to gather up the shawls and packages
that lay upon the vacant seat that it might be
turned to its proper position, but the old lady
checked me.
Don't trouble myself. friend; can sit just
as well with the seat as ii is" and, without
further ceremony, she ensconced herself Oppo.
site me, while the one eyed conductor depos.
tied a large covered band-b at her feet, and
paid her so many little attentions, at the same
time addressing her in so familiar and aztec
tionate manner that l SAW at once she was
no stranger to him.
A glance at the kind old face opposite soon
told me that they were mother and son. for the
two faces were wonderfully alike, especially in
the open, cheerful expression.
My heart was drawn toward her at once,
and, as the conductor moved on, 1 could not
resist making some overtures toward acquaint-
ance by asking if she was quite comfortable.
'.Quite so, thank thee" she answered at
once "but am afraid l have disconnected
thee somewhat
mot at ALL" assured her; and the ice
once broken, we chatted together very freely
and quite pleasantly.
As had surmised, the conductor was her
son, and very proud and fond of him the old
lady was. She told us so many tales about
his wonderful goodness, his kiud.heartedness
and unsel6shness, that wben-after we had left
the next station-the conductor approached
US, really felt as If We were already &C. |
quainted with him, and were disposed to be as
friendly with him as with his mother
He stopped to exchange few words with
her, and, as she was talking with us, We very
naturally all fell into conversation to-
gether.
He proved TO be an intelligent man, who
had seen great deal of life, particularly on
and his conversation, TO me, at least
was vastly entertaining.
Among other interesting things he explained |
TO US the signs aud signals used by railroad
officials upon the road. One Of these signals |
the only Que 1 need mention here-he said was |
as follows:
When a person standing in the road i'm front |
of or by the side of the car, throws both hands |
rapidly forward, as if motioning for the cars |
to 20 backward, he means TO give information |
that there is danger ahead"
when you see that signal given, ma am," |
said our conductor, if the cars don't obey it |
by backing, do you prepare yourself for flying |
cap; for the chances are that you have TO /
practice it before long"
He spoke lightly. bat, noticing that the ideas |
suggested were not very pleasant ones to me, |
he changed the subject aud soon forgot the |
title feeling Of discomfort his words had &C.
asioned.
The old lady did not travel with us far. She |
topped at "A way station some twenty I've miles
vest Of Lancaster, where, she informed us, she
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