Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-11-29
BAD FOR THE EYES.
Modest Man. agoniIing Experiences N
street Car,


al have no objection TO the horse car
OIL general grounds" said the mudest
boardcr; and as he said il he blushed
up the roots of his hair, in his con-
fusion at finding himself the cynosurs
OF every pair Of optics aroGnd the
table. and he actually began to butter
hIs PIE. but WAS fortunately stopped in
time by the landlady. who never loses
her presrn'e of mind. IL have no OBJ
Jeetlon> to the horse car on general
gr"un Is. he began again; but l do
wish the seats We're arranged in q less
embarrassing manner"
Everyhod, wondered what he meant
and 1t is averred (though not generally
believed) that in the excitement of the
moment the landlady was entirely
ohlINiouS OF the fact that the salow-
faced boarder who sits al the foot of
the table had been helped twice to cake.
1t Is con ended by those who best know
her that she WAS perfectly aware of
what was going on; that the cake had
been served 80 many times. and had t,e-
come 50 dry. that nobody but the sal
low-faced man would touch it, and that
II was 4 paying investment for her il
the sallow-fa ced man could be induced
t. ill up on the cake. which was drug,
so To speak, i'll the market. rather than
upo the biscuit, for which there WIS a
demand more than mmensurate with
the supply.
Hut be this as it may, there can be no
doubt that the remark of the modest
boarder had awakened an unusual and
universal interest After much encour-
agement, he went on:
''ln a horsc-car." he said. lone has
to sit fac to face with the passengen
ou the opposite seat, which-to me, at
least-is very awkward. Right in front
of me, Tor instance. is a middle-aged
lady with most forbiiding counte-
nance. | am attracted by it, as the
bird is fascinated by the serpent, and
though ] try not to do it | find rnvsaN
staring at her in the rudest and most
reprehcnSible manner. She returns .
look that withers my very soul. and nv
ewes seek the floor in utter abasement
But though can not see her, feel her
scar hing gaze, and l almost wish
were dead.
Il finally pluck mp courage to lift
nv eyes. but | dare not let them rest
upon her. But. there is no help for it,
they must rest upon some other face.
They happen TO fall upon the visage of
the gentleman in the corner seat, he be-
ing the farthest away from the dreaded
Gorgon. He is presently conscious of
my gaze. and he gives me a look that
makes ME feel that he is my tailor. that
| owe him for the clothes | sit in. and
that be is about to call out. before the
whole car-full. and ask me If ever in
tend TO pay up.
.'Of course shift my point of vision,
and NV eyes meet those Of a young
woman Her eyes light up with q
royuish twinkle. which sends the warm
blood mounting to nv forehead, and
makes me feel as though l were all on
fire. and causes me 10 look like a red.
red rose
Il turn elsewhere for relief, only to
find myself staring at another young
woman with fearful intensity: and
when she turns 10 her companion with
a most iautalizing giggle and the re-
mark, which everybody can hear. that
she hopes | will know her next time |
See her. | am overwhelmed with confu-
son. which is nowise removed when.
upon acing halfway round. l gaze It
short rrn.r into the eyes of the dazzling
beauty hes de me. who has discovered.
rs can plainly perceive, that my linen
is not SO fresh a. when il came from the
wash. five DAYS ago.
by this time even the two little
II
cushion. have discovered nv intirmitv
my embarrassment, YOU understand
and appeGr to enjoy it. j can look at
them but an instant. for they have an
unpleasant habit of making mouths at
mr-somcthing which is always annoy
ing- and ther fore urn for relief to
the small boy who sits Just above them.
But the small boy is in league with all
my other tormentors, apparently. and
resting both hands on his knees, he
leans forward, with chin protruded. and
strreS at me with an efirontery that
only the small boy. aware of the advan-
tsge of numbers in his sympathy, can
put on.
.'Of course, | retire from the field
vangui-hcd. That is TO say, look else
where. But. alas, with what relief
None whatever. / must look at some-
body. and that somebody happens tn
time 10 be workingman. Judging from
his dress. and IN lrishman. if his face
does not deceive me. He stands my
stare h, rnicallv for q few moments;
pres nlly he grows weary OF my
attention. and he cries out, in hoarss
whisper. >etting all the other passen-