Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-11-22
A Queer Scene in a Street Car.


The Louisville "Courier-Journal' tells
the following story of two divines who are
well known in Virginia:
Rev. F. B. Converse, editor of the
christian Observer, - entered Sixth land
Broadway car OH Ills Way home. at the cor
ner of Sixth and Market esterday after
noon. AS he walked forward to deposit
his fare L. lac nickel box. Mr.. Converse OBJ
served Rev. Samuel X. Wilson, of the
Presbyterian church, sitting lii one cor er
at the front of the car. TLvrewere iltlf a
dozen others OH board. On account of nu-
merOus newspaper publications concern
ing the disruption in tile First Presby-
terrain church four years ago, these two
reverend gentlemen had not met for some
time. When Mr.. Converse entered the
Car he observed that DR.. Wilson looked
him square in the face, and as he passed
thre ugh the Car he Was conscious that his
eyes were still upon him. Doubtful Of tue
| feelings with which the venerable preach
Ell gaz upon him, Mr.. Converse turned
his face toward hin and with polite bow
said:
''Good evening, DR.. Wilson,"
'Have you the impudeuce," said Dr..
| Wilson, shave you the ilnpudence to SPEAK
| to me, sir, after slandering and lying about
me as you have in your paper for the pas
| four years." gle5
Excuse me, DR.. Wilson, )" said MI. Con
verse, and quietly took seat in the real
DIR. Wilson turned toward him in his
seat and said:
"You have slandered me and lied about
me, sir!"
| At these words a lady accompanying
| Mr.. Converse, becoming alarmed, pulled
| the bell rope, and would have left the Car
lad not one of the passengers laid his hand
upon her shoulder, saying, IF were you
would sit still. There is no danger, and
then you will show more independence by
not leaving the car"
DR.. Wilson then arose to his feet, and,
addressing himself to the passengers in the
car, pointed to Mr.. Converse, and, accom-
panyins his wo'ds with eloquent gesticu-
ations, said: That man is Mr.. Converse,
the editor of the christian Observer" of
the "Courier-J ournaI'' ring, which has
Teen slandering and lying about mel for the
past four years. And yet he has the i'm
pudence to speak to me. He is liar and
slanderer! He is a liar liar !! =! a
liar !!''
AT er thus relieving himself of his pent-
up rage, he returned to his seat, and with
folded arms sat in silence. but with ap-
parently great agitation Of body as the Car
rolled along.
Presently The car stopped and lady en-
tered. Sue handed her nickel to DR.. Will
Son. Instead of placing it in the box ne
handed it. to the driver, and insisted on
having the change returned SO that he
might deposit the fare. The drivers as
surance that the piece of money was only
a nickel again drew the attention Of the
passengers to the rate preacher. and the
| feeling of nervousness which they had ex-
| perienced changed to the sensation of
mirth and the irrepressible smile passed
around from face to face. DR.. Wilson is
known to be Il bad-tempered and irritable
''old cuss,' but on this occasion he so com.
pletely lost his self-control as to make a
sad exposure of his weakness before Cal
| full of passengers.
The recent order of the Court of Ap
peals requiring him to restore to its right
flu. owner the stolen property at the cor
ner of Sixth and Green he has been hold
ing for several years, has evidently left him
in a sad frame of mind.