Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1872-09-12
CHE Stutp Teller.
THE ONE-EYED CONDUCTOR.

that have many times thought should like
to write it down, to see if anybody could give
me satisfactory explanation oft. My hus'
band, however, until lately, has been averse
to my doing 80 but last Christmas Eve
when there were number of US met together
at Grandfather Lorrimer's, singing songs,
telling stories, and so on, I told my story, and
it created such sensation-so many questions
were asked, so many theories broached, and
everybody, in fact, seemed to be so much in.
terested-that Joseph, that is, my hus band,
came to the conclusion that it was better
story than he had before thought it; and a
day or two afterward 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, l
am glad to do 80. hope this little article
may attract the notice of some one who can
give me rational solution of an event that
has perplexed me for years. Such an expla-
nation would be great relief to my mind,
and shall be glad to hear from any respon-
sible person on the subject. My address is :
"Mrs. Joseph Lorrimer, Harrisburg, Penn
sylvania."
Nv acquaintance with the hero of this story
arose during my bridal tour. My parents
were, and still are, Philadelp phians, but Josephs
people live in Harrisburg, and he himself is
overseer in the Crosby Iron Works, just out
side of that city.
Our wedding was very quiet one. ihere
was no money to spare on either side, and, at
ter family breakfast, we went directly to the
cars, and started for our future home.
1 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 look back upon
that day so many years agone
The very trip-from Philadelphia to Har:
risburg-commonpla as most people woulu
think It, was wonderful event to me, who
had never taken longer than an hours ride on
the cars before in my life.
Viewed with eager, interested eyes, the coun-
try through which we passed, and all that was
going on around me; the passengers, the car
itself, with its fixtures, the conductor and the
brakesman, were all objects whose novelty
gave me plenty of food for thought; and my
thoughts, in those days, were very apt to evlnce
themselves in eager, unreserved chatter.
We thought we we're conducting ourselves
with all imaginable ease and dignity; yet l
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 a
fine, portly-looking man, with 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 exterior of the eye, save that
it was sunken and expressionless, retaining its
original appearance. The remaining eye was
brig ght and blue, as jolly and sparkling as the
rest of his pleasant, good-humored face.
AS he came to collect our fare, Joseph han
ded him bill.
"For yourself and wife, suppose sir p he
asked, with smile.
Joe turned very red, and bowed digni6ed
assent.
AS for mel confess it turned my head
toward the window, and Uttered. Very ridic-
ulous, 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 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 entered the car,
ushering in an old lady in Quaker carb, be-
meath whose deep bonnet was visible kind,
plump, rosy face, with bright, spectacled eyes.
She glanced around on either side, as she
advanced up the aisle, in search ola 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. l
commenced gathering up the shawls and pack
ages that lay upon the vacant seat. that it
might be turned to its proper position, but
the old lady checked me.
"Don't trouble thyself, friend; can sit
Just as we'll with the seat as it is;;' and with
out further ceremony she ensconced herself
opposite me, while the one-eyed conductor de-
posted large covered bandbox at her feet,
and paid her many little attentions, at the
same time addressing her in so familiar and
affectionate manner, that saw at once she
was no stranger to him.
A glance at the kind old face opposite soon
told me 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, could not
resist in making some overtures toward ac-
quaintance by asking if she was quite comfor-
table.
"Quite so, thank thee," she answered at
once "but am afraid I have discommoded
thee somewhat"
"Not at all" assured her; and the ice
once broken, we chatted together very freely
and 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 kind-heartedness,
that when-after we had left the next station
the conductor approached US, we really felt
as ifw were already acquainted 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 together.
He proved to be an intelligent man, who
had seen great deal of life, particularly on
railroads, so his conversation, to me, at least
was vastly entertaining.
Among other interesting things, he explain.
ed to US the signs and signals used by railway
officials upon the road. One oft these signals
the only one I need mention here-he said
was as follows:
When person standing in the road, in
front of or by the side of the car, throws both
hands rapidly forward, as if motionng for the
cars to 20 backward, he means to give infor
nation that there is danger ahead"