The Weston Democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1875-current, 1876-05-29
THE CONDUCTOR.

When l was schoolboy and used to
60 to London For tho holidays, among
my raost pleasing rocol!ections on my
return to Mr.. Tawsu's academy were the
cries Of the omnibus conductor. With
two forms piled ono on the other, q
sympathiziug scliooifellow petched Mt
ouu eul rs driver, it was my delight to
hang on to the extreme end and act the
"cad," with greater fluency than nc.
curacy, aud ignoring strict Typographical
uuities. Iwoull rattle out Il long lis.
of destinations iu tho most approved
siug.song. l would "ruu in T" imaginary
old ladies', aud leiraud equally unsub-
ssantial stout old gentlemen out OF Their
change. I would exchange gay chat
with rivals, and hurl satirical remarks at
visionary policemen.
II val not, hu;vevar, mJ carly inclina-
tious that led ma into the path Of life ]
ut present follow. but rather a hard
necessity-the inability to earn my living
in any other way. I am m unfortunate
person, I am sober md industrious,
aud possessed of some littlo ability; bu,
everything has gone wrong with mo, and
I can't help thinking that I have been
the victim o; some little persecution. ]
made m enemy in caly life, Il eau
trace tho effects OF his sinister iItluence
at every step OF my career.
My boyhOod's homo was comfortabl
and gentcel. Ny mother was widow
with sufficient income. was Nn only
son, with but one sister, who was five or
six years older than myself. l was the
spoiled child Of the establishment. al
fourteen l was merry mischief loving
boy, somewhat OF nuisance, dare say,
to my elders, but thoroughly happy and
solf-satisied. Then M evil influence
appeared upon tue scene-a stout pom
dcrous man, dressed in black, with
1abby pendulous checks, aud eyes
suuken but bright like pigs. hated
him from the first, and ho returned my
aversion with interest. He concealed
his sentiments, however, till he had
fairly established his footing in our
family. When I heard that he was ia
marry my sister Caroline, my rage and
indignation knew no bounds. I abused
him frightfully. lisgrced myself, l
dare say but still, although the manuor
might be Objectionable, the matter WIS
true enough. He was n beast, and his
name was Baker.
He was in tho drug trade, l believe,
aud struggling man at that time. He
had n family, too, bciug widower. Ny
sister Car0linn's portion set him up in
business for himself, in which he after.
ward amagsed q considerable fortune.
His eldest boy came to sec us once, and
I thrashcd him one day soundly. he
was a spiteful sneak, and I got into nice
trouble through him. whilst ho never
forgave mo that thrashing-neither lie
nor his father.
Everybody, however. cried shame
upon me for my conduct in respect IN
Carry's engagement; for people halu't
found him ont as l had. When he had
nearly broken his neck over n cord had
sly!y stretched across tue garden path,
aud ayowed and glorisd in tho deed,
it was generally said that l ought to
have been sent to prison. Instead OF
that, however, my mother consented
that hc should give me good horse.
whipping. He tied me up with cords
and thrashed me awfully but have
tho satisfaction of thinking that man
aged to get hold Of his leg with my
teeth, aud left mark upon him for his
life.
When the wedding day came, although
I was forced to go to church, yet I reso
lutely turned my back on tho proceed
ings, ard made faces expressive Of scorn
aud contempt at tho little boys up in the
gallery.
After the marriage Baker ruled oul
house in everything. My mother was
gentle, weak woman, and Caroline wor
SHIPPED him. Ono Of his first improve
mcnts was to send me to warehouse il
tho city of London, where ! had t.
sweep ont tho floors and make mysel
generally useful.
was not likely to do much at this
aui after putting up with it as long as
could | rau away and went back t
mothers house. There, as luck woult
have it, my sister Caroline-he Away
made use OF our house rs a hospital
was being laid up with M infant: sh'
went into Mysteries about me, and wl