The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-08-05
THE DIAMOND DOLLAR.
Which Illustrated the Ups and
Downs Of journalism.

"Worst thing in the world for weak
eyes, young woman"
The young woman looked up from
the magazine in her lap and smiled at
her gray-bearded mentor on the oppo-
site side of the street car. She smiled
with her whole face-dimpled chin, red
cheeks. full lips; even the eyes behind
the convex glasses of her princenes
twinkled.
sThank you," she said, shutting the
book softly, Il know it. I was merely
giancing at the pictures.'
Then she turned her amused glance
toward the front part of the car, and
met the eyes of the driver staring
straight at her. His face lighted up
when her glance met his, and with his
rough glove he patted the left side of his
coat as though it shielded something
which concerned her.
Theoar was one of those little-wheeled
boxes locally known as the Pound
Gap Bobtails,' which ply. between
Cincinnati and its Kentucky suburb,
Newport. The driver, sole autocrat,
dividing his time among the mules, the
passengers and the small BOYS who
eyerywhere mark bobtail cars for their
own, was muffied to the mouth in an old
oil.skin coat, belted at the waist with a
kather strap. His cap was pulled down
70 shield his face from the rain, into
che teeth of which he was forced to
dfive, and when he entered the car to
collect the fares his heavy cowhide
Doots completed grotesque picture,
which would have attracted attention
even in Castle Garden. Evidently he
aared less for style than for comfort.
What is the fare to Newportp''
.Ten cents, please
1started at the musical voice, and
looked at the man closely.
.'Wh-ara-t?'' | said, ''not Ferguson,
Of the GaseAe?'
Same party. dear boy, same party"
he laughed in the honest, whole
soaied way that I knew SO well, rang
me bell OF his punch twice, smiled at
sne pretty girl, who seemed to enjoy
my surprise, and then clattered out to
MS place at the brake, where present
y joined him.
This is rough, Ferguson, deuced
rugh-twelve dollars week and
seventeen hours day! Can't you do
better than this?"
Classical occupation, dear boy.
Meof the children of Greek mythology.
sou will remember, aspired to drive a
his fathers car, but while his route
was trifie dryer than mine''-
IT was not necessary to make guy
q himselfin cow-hide boots. That girl
inside is laughing at you"
= know it. She always does when
she rides with me-
dc looked through the glass door of
me car, and again patted the side of
Gs coat when he met the young
Noman's eyes. The gesture seemed to
please her.
Another case Of the maiden and the
soachman," remarked Ferguson, as he
nowed up to take on a passenger.
EVIDENTLY he had lost none of his high
sprlts since he had drifted out of jour
nalism into the street-carservice.
mt seriously now, don't you know
NO, / can not say that Ido,' I said,
eeyerely.
That's Virginia
looked again at the girl. She was
Charming specimen of young
manhood as is often met with even
y me cultured parts of Kentucky.
ae lniantile cheeks and dimpled chin
gnea down the severity of her eye
s..sses, and from the brown plume in
~ nat to the narrow toe of her shoe
~ vas what is popularity known as
q s.!hsn. Du Maurier might have
spIea her pose for that of one of his
algh-bred women.
g; sir. that's Virginia. You have
NJ Eaeo at my verses to her three years,
~ Nv J. We drop all the passengers before
snd oi the route is reached / will
lssy ls yoa inside and present you. She
taltss yon by name already. I have
.;snss a with her about you a hundred
ssas' She likes that little story of
;ssa The Cruise of the Mermaid, ;
e,lsaseiy, and always looks up your
M1 Mun ,hc first thing in the Clarion :
ii. lun s. ne seemed to drift into another
laes' sir, it is rough" he said.
Ill zen hours day, seven days in
eek. is t 3 MANY honrs for = man
out. thank God. / am donel