Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1876-06-07
From Belgl avia.
THE CONDUCTOR.

The CONDUCTOR.
When [ was a school-boy and used to
go to London for the holidays, among
my most pleasing recollections on my
return to Mr.. TaHse's academy were
the cries Of the omnibus conductors.
With two forms piled one on the other,
sympathizing school-fellow perched at
one end as driver, it was my delight to
hang on to the extreme end and act
the cad" with greater f1uency than
accuracy, and ignoring strict topo-
graphical unities. | would rattle out a
long list of destinations in the most ap-
pro we'd sing-song. [ would "run in /"
ina ginary old ladies, and defraud
equally unsubstantial stout old gentle
men out of their change. I would ex-
change gay chaff with rivals, and hurl
satlrlcal remarks at visionary police
men.
1t was not, however, my early in
Gin ations that led me into the path of
hfe [ at present follow, but rather a
hard necessity-the inability to earn
my living In any other way. [ am an
unfortunate person. [ am sober and
industrious, and possessed of some
little perse cution. [ made an enemy
Ii, early life, and can trace the effects
of sinister influence at every step of my
career.
My boyhood's home was comfortable
and genteel. My mother was widow
with a sufficient income. I was an only
son, with but one sister who was five or
SIX years older than myself. I was the
spoilt child Of the ablishment. At
fourteen | was merry mischief-loving
boy, somewhat of a nuisance, daresay,
TO my elders, but Thoroughly happy and
self -satisfied. Then an evil influence
appeared upon the scene-a stout pom
derOus man, dressed in black, with
fabby pendulous cheeks and eyes sunk
en- but bright like pigs's. 1 hated
him from the first, and he returned
my aversion with interest. He con-
cealed his sentiments, however, till he
had fairly established his footing in our
family. When heard he was to mar
~ my sister Caroline my rage and in
dignation knew no bounds. [ abused
him frightfuliy. disgraced myself, [
dare say; but still, though the manner
might be ooi ectionable, the matter was
true enough. He was beast, and his
name was Baker.
He was in the drug trade, I believe,
and struggling man at the time. He
had a family, too, being a widower.
My sister Caroline's portion set him up
In business for himself, in which he af-
forwards amassed a considerable for
tune. His eldest boy came to see us
once, and [ thrashed him one day
soundly. He was spiteful sneak, and
got into nice trouble through him,
whilst he never forgave me that thrash
lngg-neither he nor his father.
Everybody, however cried shame up
on me for my conduct in respect to
Garry's engagement; for people hadn't
found him out as [ had. When he
nearly broke his neck over a cord I had
styly stretched across the garden path,
and avoWed and gloried in the deed.
it was generally said that I ought to
have been sent to prison. Instead of
that, however, my mother consented
that he shohld give me horsewhip-
ping. He tied me up with cords and
hrashed me awfully; bull 1 have the
satisfaction of thinking that managed
to get hold of his leg with my teeth, and
left mark upon him for his life.
When the wedding day came, al
though was forced to go to church,
yet resolutely turned my back on the
proceedings, and made faces expressive
of scorn and contempt at the little
boys in the gallery.
After the marriage Baker ruled our
house in everything. My mother was
q gentle, weak woman, and Caroline
~orshiped him One of his first i'm
provements was to send me to ware
house in the city of London, where
had to sweep the floors and make my
self generally useful.
/ was not likely to do much of this,
and after putting up with it as long as 1
could, [ ran away and went back to
mothers house. There, as luck would
have it, my sister Caroline-he always
made use of our house as hospital
was beng laid up with an infant. She
went into mysteries about me, and |
was hauled off and taken back to Lon
don like criminal. Then, of course,
owing to Bakers suggestions, my en-
ployers gave very bad account of me
and refused to take me back, so that
Baker, to get rid Of me, placed me on
board an emigrssnt ship bound for
Australia, that belonged to a friend of
his Here [ was treated like a dog.
and as soon as we reached Melbourne /
ran away to the diggings. And now 1