The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1882-05-11
A Polite Mans Dilemma.

Now and then the passengers on
our little bob-tail cars are treated to an
amusing incident, but one which hap
pened last week rather goes ahead Of
anything we have heard in some
time.
Much has been said and written upon
the inconvenience to which the patrons of
this style of vehicle are subjected, yet
people continue to ride in them, and it
was through the mistaken politeness of
a gentleman in acting as conductor
which was the cause of all his misfor-
tunes.
Starting to 60 down town, he had
reached Seventeenth Street when enc of
the little three-cent cars jogging by
suggested the idea of getting aboard
instead of walking all the way. Acting
upon this thought he hailed it. and found
ON seating himself and making survey
of finances that he possessed the re-
quisite fare, three cents, ''only that and
nothing MORE" which he proceeded to
drop into the box. So far so good.
With sigh of relief he settled himself
in one corner of the car and prepared
for peaceful ride, there being besides
himself - one other occupant, a man
deeply engrossed in reading news
paper Scarcely had he ridden a block
when the vehicle came to halt, and a
fair young damsel entered. Our friend,
who is gentleman of the old school,
and susceptible at all times to beauty in
any form, more particularly so when
that beauty is embodied in the person of
a young lady, here arose, and bowling
politely, said: Permit me, madam,
to pass your fare.'' At the same time,
without looking at the coin given him,
seated himself. The young lady moved
uneasily, blusAed little, and then,
leaning forward ventured: THAT was a
ten cent piece gave you and the fare
is only three
''Is that really so? beg thousand
! pardons. Here, driver.' getting up and
hastily pushing open the door between
himself and that parsonage, Il have
made a mistake and dropped ten cents
into the box in place of three. 1t be-
longed to this lady there. How can
get it out?'
sect it out! You can't get it out al
all. It'll just have to stay there. You
can ride it out, if you like. There amt
no other way, unless,'' he added, with
an unfeeling chuckle, ''you expect me
to crawl down through that hole and lei
it for you"
Here the driver, overcome with hi,
own wit, closes the door with bang
and clapping his sturdy self, calculates
ga putty fellow / look, to crawl into ;
ticket-boXf'
Perplexed at the situation, iannoyed a
his own stupidity, yet outwardly al
smiling politeness, our friend here turned
saying:
Madame, the mistake was mine-s
very stupid one, l acknowledgement i
is not right that you should suffer. 9ol
will permit me to return to you the sever
cents" at the same time painfully con
scious that he had not a single penny
about him.
80, no; l wouldn't think of such s
thing. am sorry, but it can be helpec
now -....
Madame, | insist. Allow me-
making y deep and exhaustive surve,
of every pocket about him in the vail
hope OF catching somewhere stra,
coin. 1t is of no use; the money is no
there. and his hands not possessing tina
Midas power of turning all they toucl
into gold, it is not forthcoming. Here
feeble little voice says:
"Well, since you insist upon it, o
course -"
81 do insist upon it; insist upon i
most emphatically."
What is to be done. Already tn
great beads of perspiration stand on
, upon his forehead, and every time h
opens his mouth only seems to plung
him deeper in the mire. An idea sud
.nly strikes him, and leaning over t
i'm of the newspaper. whispers in hi
, ear: . Lend me seven cents, quick, t.
pay the lady,"