Morning journal and courier., 1883-01-04
The Difference s'AtVvixt Women EFrnm iha NaH York Sun


 sI gave you quarter sir D said an elder ly woman with an acid smile last Saturday as she glanced through her glasses at an old sea captain who had just deposited her fare in the cash-box of Madison avenue stage. He started up and rushed to the box just in time to see the quarter disappear through the trap. He turned around in confusion and said that he didn't notice the money, and that he thought it was all right. Then he hammered at the glass opening for the driver and asked for 20 cents in change, but the driver wanted to know how he was going to get down into the box and get out the quar- ter. He was sure he wasn't going to pay 1t out of his own pocket, and trust to luck to get it back from the company. If the pas senger wanted it she could go to the office and get t.
 The old mariner said, ''Blast your eyes, if you be so mean, I'll pay for my mistake" :" and he began to fish in his pockets for the money, while woman looked like a picture of injured innocence and asked another pas senger in 8 bitter tone of voice if the one who had taken her money was not connected with the company.
 ''Me?'' exclaimed the honest old blunderer whose confusion was increased because he don't belong on land. I'll pay you back this money, though but don't believe I've got a cent"
 He completed his vain search and, picking out an old memorandum book, asked her for her name and address, saying that he would call there that night and leave the mon- ey.
 'fOh, never mind,' said she in a mincing way; Git only teaches me lesson. Here, after Pll pay my own fare"
 "Oh, I'll bring the money, mann. I just happened to be out of it now" and he placed the memorandum book upon his knee and said politely: ''What's the name? I'll get the money to you"
 ''Oh, well, ""let it go. It's all right. I've learned lesson. I'll pay my own fare here after"
 She repeated this several times, with an air of one who knew she had been swindled, and wanted others to know it The old cap tain, with flushed cheeks, asked again for her name, and she at length gave 1t, but, as parting shot, reported that she had learned lesson.
 "Well, ma'am,'' he said, s'Tm ready to make all amends, but I get lesson too and while I'm not saying what it is so much, I've got it all the same"
 A pretty young woman with eyes that be- gan to snap beneath the shade of a big fur hat could not repress her delight at this, and she said in the softest tone of voice to the old captain: 'tIll tell you, sir, what to do. We'll collect all the fares that come into the stage now until we make up this sum, and that will save you further trouble" The
  umes of thanks. He was too happy to speak, and he kept an eager lookout. Here's one coming" IAs said. The stage stopped and well dressed ssss got in and opened Q sealskin purse. I5aneSS g girl ex- plained what had hapJ the new passenger said, ''WL, g .y" Five cents wentjnto the pug woman with an acid smAe 'sFifts@I cents more, now." said the old captain, shaking his head, land we're safe" :" He sighted two more passen- gers and his glee increased. They both laughed heartily in sympathy with the joy of the old captain, as he saw his debt decreased to five cents. The remainder was soon col lected from another passenger, and finally the injured woman alighted without a soft ened glance or parting courtesy. The old captain looked after her and said: ''That wor a stress of weather. I didn't go to do it, but I'd got her money to her this night. I didn't tell her the lesson I learned, but I hope she'll remember the one she learned" There was laugh, and as the young wo- man who first suggested the way out of the difficulty was about to leave, she smiled a good-by at the hearty old mariner, and he took of his hat and said "Thank you. Merry Christmas, miss" Then he leaned over and said in hoarse voice to a man sitting opposite:
 sWhat difference there is 'atwixt women; wonderful, ain't it?"