St. Landry democrat., 1882-07-15
The Pleasant Passenger.

lie had evidently gone home very late
the night before and found Mrs. Caudle
wide awake and inclined to converse,
for he was in such a state Of cheerful
ness that, had he found a tive-dOllar bill
on the street, he would have grumhled
because it was not ten. He waited I'M
til the street car got nearly past him be-
fore he signaed for it to stop, and then
swore at the driver because the car was
not brought to stand-still at the cross
inc. He took Il seat next the door,
threw his right knee over his left, and
set about fourteen inches of muddy boot
osciHating across the passage-way so
that every lady who entered or left the
car could help herself to wet clay.
''Ting-a-ling," went the driver $ fare
box.
Ring, and be darned If you want
my fare, you'll come and get it!''
growled the happy man to himself.
Fare, sir.'' said the driver, opening
the front door and thrusting in his head.
eff you want it, you come and get it.
Pm not paid to be a conductor of your
darned bob-tail cars!''
The driver took a hasty look out
ahead to see if there were any children
making mud pies between the rails,
twisted his reins around the brake and
came in for the nickel. The amiable
gentleman deliberately thrust his right
hand down into the depths of the cor
responding pocket of his pantaloons, as
deliberately Withdrew it, and then start
ed on an exploring expedition with his
left hand
Hurry up, please said the driver,
glancing out forward to see if the old
milk woman was going to get across
the track in time to avoid a collision.
well, if you be in too much of a
hurry to take my fare jest you drive
along without it," said the humorous
passenger as he drew forth a handful of
coin, from which he slowly selected
four pennies and handed them to the
driver.
zone more,' said the driver. Here S
only FOUR
That's all the coppers I've got -
said the passenger, as he ratified the
coin back in his pocket.
Then give me a piece of silver.
You've got plenty of it there said the
driver
THAT all you'll get out of me this
morning, so walk oh!''
you'll have to pay your fare, OF
get off the car said the driver, firmly
"Oh, will, eh! Jest you put me of
if you can! I'll not get Off, and yor
can't put me Oft! Now what are yot
going to do about it.'' said the pleasant
gentleman in a bullying tone.
The driver evidently wasn't going te
do anything about it, for he went for
ward, dropped the four pennies into the
box, and as he resumed the reins anc
slammed the door behind him, mutterec
something about the pleasure he should
feel at meeting the passenger il
some out-of-the-way place on darl
night.
"None of your impudence!" yelled
old mud foot. ''Ill have you discharged
off the road! see if | don't. What are
you giggling at, you Internal little
fools?' remarked he, iocularlv. to {
couple of school girls near the front o.
the car, who were smiling at his mirth
full remarks to the driver.
"Will you please take down YOU
foot" said lady who wished to leave
the car, indicating the undiscovered
cowhide monstrosity.
"No, I'll not! If you can't step ovel
that foot, jest you walk around it!''
"Smackr'
A little fellow, weight about one hun
dred aud twenty-five pounds, hat
reached across the car and left the pat
tern of his right hand upon the pleasan
! gentleman's face.
"Let me out of your Internal carl
yelled the funny man, as he jumped
up and made for the door. "Pl no
ride with such a gang of loafers and'-
"Plunk!r'
It was the little fellows boot this time
and it has assisted the passenger t.
alight.
:Thank you,' said the lady as sh
tripped through the door.
"Quite welcome, | assure you. AM
so is he," said the little fellow as tn
car rolled along with the giggling o
those ''infernal little fools. '--Detroa
Free Press.