The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-11-18
rae oME-EYED CONDUCTOR.

y
strange that l have many times thought |
should like to write it down, to see if any
body could give me satisfactory expla-
nation of it. My husband, however, until
lately, has been averse to my doing so
but last Christmas eve, when there was
number of us met together at Grandfather
Lorrimer's, singing songs, telling stories,
and so on, told my story, and it created
such eensatiOn-so many questions ask
ed, so many theories broached. and every
body, in fact, seemed to be SO much inter-
ested-that Joseph, that is my husband,
came to the conclusion that it was a better
story than he had thought it was; and a
day or two after he said TO me, if l 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,
l am glad to do 80. | hope this little
article may attract the attention of some
one who can give me rational solution
of an event that has perplexed me for
years. Such an explanation will be a
great relief to my mind, and shall be
glad to hear from any responsible person
on the subject. My address is:-Mrs.
Joseph Lorrimsr, Harrisburg, Pa.
My acquaintance with the hero Of this
story arose during my bridal tour. My
parents were, and still are, Philadelphians,
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 a very quiet one.
There was no money to spare on either
side, and after family breakfast we went
direct to the cars and started for our fu-
ture home.
was young thing then-just eighteen
and my dear Joe was only three years
my senior; two shy, happy children we
were, it seems to me now, as | look upon
that day 80 many years ago!
The very trip from Philadelphia to
Harrisburg-common-p as most peo-
pie would think it, was wonderful event
to me, who had never taken longer than
an hours ride on the cars in my life.
/ viewed, with eager, interested eyes,
the country through which we passed, and
all that was going on around me (; the
passengers, the car, with its fixtures, the
conductor and brakemen, 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 ca
ger, unreserved chatter.
We thought we were conducting ours
selves with all imae Unable 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 u genial,
brown whiskered face and bushy hair ;
he would have been really handsome
man had it not been for the loss of an
eye; it had been lost by disease-the ex-
terror of the eye, save that it was sunken
| and expressionless, retaining i;s original
appearance. The remaining eye was
bright and blue, as jolly and sparkling
| as the rest of his good humored face.
As he came to collect our fare Joe
handed him bill.
'sFor yourself and wife, suppose, sirs''
he asked with smile.
Joe turned very red, and bowed dig-
nified assent.
AS for mel confess it-I turned my
head toward the window and Uttered.
Very ridiculous, was it not!
The car had not been nearly full when
we started, but people dropped in at va
rious 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 various hand baggage was
placed.
AT Lancaster the ears stopped some
| time for dinner and just as they were
| about TO start again, our conductor enter
ed the car, ushering in an old lady dressed
in Quaker garb, beneath whose deep bon
net was visible kind, plump, rosy face,
with bright spectacled eyes.
! She glanced around on either side, as
she advanced up the aisle, in search of a
seat, and, in obedience TO nudge from
me, Joseph rose, and beckoning TO the
conductor, said:
''There is a seat for the lady here"
Smilingly the old lady approached.
commenced gathering up the shawls and
packages that lay. upon vacant seat
that it might be turned to its proper posi-
ton, but the old lady checked me.
''Don't trouble thyself, friend can
sit just as well with the seat as it is = and
without further ceremony she ensconced
herself opposite me, while the one-eyed
conductor deposited a large covered band
box at her feet, and paid her SO many
little attentions, at the same time address
ing her in SO familiar and affectionate a
manner, that [ saw at once she was no
stranger to him.
a glance at the kind old face opposite
soon told me that they were wonderfully
alike, especially in the open, cheerful ex-
preston.
My heart was drawn toward her at
once, and, as the conductor moved on, l
could not resist making some overtures