The Virginia star., 1881-04-30
On the Street Car
BY {" JOYCE

By "JoYcE."
"What is your objection to the
girl 7" I asked, feeling q little re-
sentiment against her because OF hel
implied disraragement of the sex.
aWell, you see, my old man, who
is right smart learned, has been
a.reading in the noosepapers latel,
how that Ginral Grant is sich fine
man, how that he's been most round
the world Though how be could do
that being we live IN the world |
can't see) and how that English folks
think him sich a grand gentleman,
and every body idllize hlm-so | just
said to my old man Jim, we'll name
Malinda AIMS boy Genral U. S.
Grant and. behold the boy was gal.
Convulsed with laughter ard al
most ready TO yell in the little VIC
mans face. ! was greatly relieved
when the car stopped and drew her
attention from me. "r'hat driver T"
we heard a portly, pretentious man
growl !, he knows nothing of his bus
iness-he ought to Re turned out of
his place" and the great bear having
growled, the cubs took up the cry OF
complaint. Urged by a touch of
the whip, the horses started forward;
with an effort pulled the car from
the depths of snow, and we were
again on our journey.
"Ting, ting, ting that Big cross
man is gong to get out, and a few
satellites are following in his train.
Some men bounded across the street
and those inside the car jocosely cry
"Come on, there's plenty of room
though it is still crowded. "Halloo!
don't go yeti big boy, drawing
little girl on sled and followed by
two other small girls, waves his
hand to the carman. He lifts the
lame child with the patient, pinched
face into a seat, while the others sit
beside her, and Charlie, as they call
him, bids his little schoolmates good
by. One, I can easily see, Is the pet
of parents In eaay circumstances;
and, with her crimson cap and cape,
her round blue eyes aud flaxen hair,
she appears a modern "Red Riding
Hood. The other little one has
look painfully wise and shrswd for
one OF her years, look that suggest
ed early acquaintance -@1ith want and
woe. She is ca.astrong healthy little
crea.ttaaif though, and IS as careful
and tender OF Edith's comfort as our
sweet Red Riding Hood.
The car moves now at a jOlting,
irregular rate. The little woman in
drab looks out and exclaims, "Why
we're off the track! Sure enough
we are; and presently the car stops,
and the driver looks in and despe-
rately announces that not another
step can he 60, unless the passengers
all get out and the car is lifted on
the track. Each one looks at his
neighbor in blank dismay. and then
there is general movement towards
the door. The little woman in drab
catches up her basket, saying 81
must save Malinda AIMS eggs!' and
out we plunge into the snow and
drizzling rain.
The little lame girl is coming too but
grave dlgnifed gentleman, whom |
had not before noticed, interposes.
"This little girt must not 60 out,
he says to the driver who mods his
snow.tfecked head In approval, and
then the kind gentleman wraps the
dry straw on the floor around the
poor littlh heroine's feet. All is moi.
sy talk and busy confusion outside,
until this clear-brained man appears
and gives his crisp, concise directions.
A, when In tumults rise the ignoble crowd,
Mad are their motions and their tongues
are loud;
If then some grave and piOus man appear.
They hush their noise and lend listening
ear.
Strong mems arms lift the car on the
track, and again we crowd inside.
(To be contInued)