Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-04-28
CITY AND DISTRICT.
THE HORSE CAR POET.
Rhythmtcal Ride With the sweet
singer of the ssBob Tailo

singer OF the sSROb Tail.S
The subject Of this sketch Is a born poet and
throughout his strange life has been a favored
child of the graceful Polyhymnia graspinc,
souless monopoly has for many years kept this
modern Milton hid away amid the rubbish Of a
bob-tsil car, wasting bright gems of imperish-
able truth and virtue, carelessly tossed to the
common herd who daily hear but do not appre-
ciafe the choice cadences Of rhythm and beauty
that fall from the liDs OF this sweet sinner of
the bob-taii car. The statement that the Jehu
OF No 49, is an inspired genius is not a mere
unsupported assertion. The poet is proved by
his work.
1t was the afternoon of Nav dav-cloudless
SKY, soft Zephyrs. bright flowers aud warblinC
Duus-when passenger on the bob-taiI hav-
ing put IN one share OF stock of the six he had
just bought for twenty-five cents passed TO the
'front.' and put himself Just behind the horse and
alongside the poet driver. Not realizing the
majestic presence in which he stood the uncon-
scious passenger broke the monotony OF the
Gathering hoofs and tnkling bell by polite but
trite remark-''Fine day"
Then came the revelation which has continued
from That day To this. at sweet intervals, lung
TO sleep the struggling passions of the baser
man These were the words of the bard in
reply:
."My friend remember
When lrcczeS bl w
AG.' the sun Shh's warm,
The grasses CROW
RlIe? Rde? Ride? Whoa!"
sweater is changeable
In :, ring or fail,
lew little blows
Mly make a hig squalL
r. L? Whoa! CT Ep.r
Surprised. but not displeased. the PASSENGER
fmity ventured the question: "Haye YOU
much travel on this TOutr:'
And again came the tuneful RESPONSE
MANY ride: but more walk;
Men smoke: and women TX;
Old and ugly. ri b and Door,
Come In al out that little door.
Change or tickets2 Rde?"
.of course when rain IS falling DOWN
OR snow has covered all the gToGni
The lldies crow in lap on lap,
And men the journey make bv strap.
whoa, Here's yGtr change Ride?"
This was followed by bit of philosophy
which fell in this shape:
"Queer people on a bob-raiI ride;
Some are pie fSInt, Others Chi lie;
lnlS man Is -lck from that mans smoke;
That man will swear at this mans Joke.
Tickets, madam or change? Ridn?"
The entranced ears of the passenger stood
fOrv ard to catch the words OF this favored son
of the Muses. At the intersection OF III and 18th
stree's lady swung in at the rear door. She
was handsome and stylish. and this was EVIL
IDENTITY her first trip with the Poet Jaurpate
After she had placed her pasteboard in the or
Rane1te IN the corner of the car. and the bard
had ground it OW. she requested him to put her
off al 7 street.
GAL right madam, Il shall b. done:
AIt@r we've had little rum
''Sir!" she said, what do Won mcans Please
put ne ont at street"
BE cain, my lady: keep your 50 t;
I'll dump You safely on III broad concrete"
She was more provoked than amused "a one
couid see from the nervous WAY in which her
flght foot worked an invisible sewing machine
but the CIiZZled philosopher of the crank and
brake was saddened at the sight of one so much
Ike poem Vet who failed to harmonic with
his own utterancps. He did ner h zard any
more aPhorisns till near the destination of the
lair passenger. As the rUmnl;ng wheels rolled
over K street he slowly opened the door and
gently WGrbled:
"Thts street 4 R. then 6. then T.
Way out there IS Jar - y1u can see"
fair hand graspHd the lcl-cord. and as the
cappeT struck the tell on the front platform.
The $500 worth of dry goods consigned to T
street was, by its fair owner. thrown off at r
with force enough to bend the corset springs
ana strain the Jersey. Alas, the poem had fed
while the poet and his Pegasus-the one sadly
the other slowly-journeyed on the Boundary
In the corner sat colored man who had q
basket OF clothes. which was without doubt
travelling on his nickel. This fact had caunht
points on free transportation and freight rates
and turning. ne wisely remarked:
fu; In the boX T. surely meant
~ pay The fare OF all the truck
Iney bring aiong-con1culd the lucki"
Thus this modern Shakespeare discusses the
Topics and people of the day in quantrans that
are beautiful in rhythm and sentiment and for
frne insight into human character and motives
show power only to be found in the papes of
the immortal William OF George Eliot And to
think that such talent should lie forced to stand
and work brake. drive horse. and listen to the
iangle Of a horse ear bell from the earliest pur-
ping OF the coming dawn till far past the mid
night hour. when 'the poorest snbiact sleensr,
Young must have wished for man like the
honest old driver 81 4SS, when he wrote:
"S,in@ angel guide M pencil while draw
HHat nothing les t.aE angel can exceed,
man on earth yrt@d 10 the skies,
Like ships on seas, while il, above the world. ~