The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-01-07


as few men know their dearest friends: for
was permitted to hear the story of his
life, and to see the influence that kept him
through SO many years on the front plat
form of a street-cur, till, like the framing
of an old picture, his natural position
seemed under the platform projection, the
lines in one hand and the brake in the other.
1t was very cold, sleety day, and the
horses, smooth shod, as street-car horses
usually are, had great difficulty in keeping
their feet 1t required considerable nerve
and activity for people to cross the crowded
streets, and weak and timid people prudent
ly waited for the escort of on officer, or the
strong arm of friend.
The car which Simon Lindsay was driv-
Ing was going north, and the wind and
sleet beat in his face, turning his beard tc
icicles, and his eyebrows to frosty ridges
was sitting near the front, admiring the
promptness with which he responded to the
conductors bell, and checked his horses
when vehicle, or reckless pedestrian,
crossed the track in front, when suddenly
the car stopped, and there was heard
crash.
Mr. Thomas Skinner, the president Of
the road, was on. the car at the time and,
leaping to his feet with a roar and an oath,
he tore open the door, and, laying his hand
rudely on the old mans shoulder, de-
| manded to know what was wrong
There was no necessity for the question, as
by a little exercise of his muddy brown
eyes, Mr.. Skinner could have seen q light
vehicle smashed to pieces near the track,
and two tipsy young men brushing the
Blush from their coats, while frantic horse
went plunging down side street.
The tipsy young men showed they were
not hurt by their profanity, and their loud
threats to pull the driver from the platform
and smash him up quite as fine as their
buggy.
With these terse utterances of the youths,
who had SO suddenly terminated their
"good time" for that day, were blended
sulphurous VOWS that the company should
be made to pay the damage they had sus-
tanned.
Simon Lindsay tried to explain - the
young men saw him coming and dashed
rccklessly in front Of the car.
That this was the fact I could have sworn
myself, and SO ventured to say; but, with
scowl at me for interfering, Mr.. Skinner
again laid his hand on the old mans collar,
shook him, and calling him drunken liar,
swore that should be the last trip he should
ever take on that line.
Simon Lindsay's old felt hat dropped
from his gray head, and look Of horror
came into his patient face, as he heard this
threat.
Mr.. Thomas SINNERS anger rose higher
and higher every second, and several of the
lady passengers cried "Shame" and one
little miss who sat near the door informed
Mr.. Skinner he was "a horrid beast"
Mr.. Skinner glanced at the girl, and
| utIulu Ld1UCuGl LIS utlll LII viz oAA iAltsiA D
collar.
In the meantime, tall, bronze-faced man,
with heavy beard, and very determined
stride, stepped out on the platform, and
facing Mr.. Skinner, he said, in a tone de-
void of ambiguity:
''We have had enough of this from you.
If you are incapable of being gentleman,
do not forget there are ladies in the car"
'Who are you, that dare come between
me and my drivers?" roared Skinner.
II am an animal you are incapable of un-
derstanding-a ma~! Now let 60 of this
old gentlelnans coat" said the stranger.
Mr.. Thomas Skinner responded by tight
ening his hold.
Not another word was said by the stranger,
and Mr.. Skinner had no time to comment,
if he had any inclination that way, for there
was an iron hand at his throat, and then he
was lifted and tossed like ten-pin ball
against the two tipsy youths who were
standing near by, the consequence being all
} tumbled down in the slush, to their great
discomfort and the joy Of the little miss.
| Mr. Thomas Skinner staggered to his
feet. and shouted "Police !"
The officers of the law were near at hand,
. and the tall stranger, without any re-
sistance on his part, was taken into Gus
} tody.
} Tie injured Skinner remained behind to
appear against the stranger, and the sad
: hearted old driver went or with his car and
his last trip.
| My interest was excited, and determined
to learn more about Simon Lindsay, and
help him, if in my power.
!, With this resolve, went out on the plat,
form with him, and assuring him of my
: sincerity, he told his story, as he drove tc
t the ether end of the line.