Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-09-30
A Scene in a Chicago Street Car.

SEVERAL admiring eyes had been turned
upon the magnificent basket bouquet which
quiet-looking young gentleman carried
on his knee in a crowded South Side car
last evening, and several very long drawn
nasal Inhalation attested the pleasure its
perfume afforded the hot and wearied CON-
pany. He had hailed the car as it passed
large and well-known floral establish
ment, and taken the only seat that was
vacant. Near by him sat gentleman OF
his acquaintance with whom he had
opened low-voiced conversation-not so
low but those in the adjoining chairs had
heard him say that the bouquet was in
tended for Lizzie" and that he had lust
paid twenty dollars for it. A beauty it
was indeed, made up of glorious, rare
flowers arranged with a modest taste and
refined "quietness" Of contrast that made
it look quite in the right place in his
hands, and carried an assurance that the
florists share in its production had been
confined to furnishing the materials and
tying the strings. By and by the car
stopped again, and there climbed into it
very faded middle-aged woman, worn in
look and in attire, Juggling a heavy bun
die that was evidently "a wash" She
looked around q moment and then, put
ting her burden down upon the floor,
caught by strap and prepared to ride
standing
6 | wish you wouldn't jam up against
me son' demonstrated a particularly dap
per young man, whose clothes were c IN
spicuously plaid. The car had not gone
more than three blocks and the woman
had been jostled by its humping over
stone.
l don't see why they let people carry
bundles on the cars" chimed in the dap
per party's companion, who was also
young, and wore a suspiciously cookbook
ing watch chain, to which was appended
pondrous locket.
Excuse me, sir" said the woman,
''Tm most used up, and the car jolted.''
The plaid one made no answer, but set
tied back in his seat with a look of an
noyance.
He of the boquet had caught the little
conversation, and looked around. 1t was
evidently his first observation of the
woman. He arose at once.
"Take my seat, madam, said he, with
a little motion of his hand
She was not alady, for she said, "Thank
We, sir" very earnestly, as she accepted
his invitation.
The two young fellows were of the
pachydermatous sort too common here,
but the sting of this reproof penetrated
even their hides, and they looked trifie
sheepish in spite Of the scowls they wasted
upon this gentleman-wasted, because be-
fore the woman was fairly seated he had
resumed his talk with his friend 1t was
nearly mile further on that he pulled
the bell-strap before an elegant house in
an elegant neigh borhood; and then, deity
pulling out two regal roses from the
bunch, he handed them to the washwOman,
with a smile and a bow, and as though
she had been a young girl of his own
circle. Then, with Good night
Harry" he stepped out, and the passen-
gers saw very handsome lady's face dis
appear from an open bay-window of the
elegant house aforementioned, to almost
instantly reappear at the. open door, all
alight with welcome.
To those who remained in the vehicle
it was as much of a treat to see the happi-
ness and pride of the poor woman with
her roses as to observe the very lima
tured awkwardness with which the fastidi-
Gus pair who had objected to her shambled
from the platform when they came to
cross-street whereon the houses were near
ly all of that kind known as hostleries
And at least one of those who saw the lit
tie play went home with grateful
thought that even if the hateful race of
snobs does flourish in this great city, the
race of gentlemen is not quite extinct and
gone out from among us.-Inter-Ocean.