The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-22
THE DIAMOND DOLLAR.


magazine in her lap and smiled ut her
gray bearded mentor on the opposite side
of the street car She smiled with her
whole face-dimpled chin, red cheeks,
full lips; even the eyes behind the con-
vex glasses of her pince nez twinkled.
tsThank you," She said, shutting the
book softly, II know it. was merely
glancing ct the pictures"
Then she turned her amused glance
toward the cront part of the car, and met
the ewes of the driver staring straight ut
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. ,
The cur was one of those little wheeled
boxes locally known as the 'Pound Gap
Bob-tails,' which ply between Cincinnati,
O., and its Kentucky suburb, Newport.
The driver, sole autocrat, dividing his
time among the mules, his passengers and
the small boys who everywhere mark bob
tail cars for their own, was muffied to the
mouth in an old oilskin coat, belted at the
waist with leather strap. His cap was
pulled down to shield his face from the
rain, into the teeth of which he was
forced to drive, and when he entered the
car to collect the fares his heavy cowhide
boots completed grotesque picture, which
would have attracted attention even in
Castle Garden. Evidently he cared less
for style than for comfort.
sWhat is the fare to Newport?'
''Ten cents, please"
I started at the musical voice, and
looked at the man closely.
II rnsl Inn
The Gazetteer
"Same party, dear boy, same party"
He laughed in the honest, whole-souled
way that knew so well, rang the bell of
his punch twice, smiled at the pretty girl,
who seemed to enjoy my surprise, ana
then clattered out to his place at che
brake, where presently Joined him.
''This is rough, Ferguson, deuced
rough-S12 week and seventeen hours
4 day. Can't yp'l do better than this:'
"Classical occupation, dear boy. One
of the children of Greek mythology, you
will remember, aspired to drive car-hls
fathers car, but while his route was
trifle dryer than mine"-
ssIt was not necessary for him to make
q guy of himself in cowhidc boots That
girl inside is laughing ut you"
~ know it. She always does when she
rides with me-
He looked through the glass door of the
car, and again Patted the side of his coat
when he met the young woman's eye.
The gesture seemed to please her
"Another case of the maiden and the
coachman," remarked Ferguson as lie
slowed up to take OH a passenger Evi-
IDENTIFY he had lost none of his high spirits
since he had drifted out of Journalism into
street car service "But seriously now,
don't you know her:'
''No I cannot say that do" l said,
severely.
''That's Virginia"
I looked again at the girl. She was as
charming specimen Of young woman
hood as is often met with even in the cul-
tured parts Of Kentucky. The lnfantlle
cheeks and dimpled chin toned down the
severity of her eyeglasses, and from the
brown plume in her hat to the narrow toe
of her shoe she was what is popularity
known as ''stylish.n Du Maurier might
have copied her pose for that of one OF
his high-bred women.
eyes, sir, that's Virginia. You have
laughed at my verses to her for three
years, and if we drop all the passengers
before the end of the route is reached
will take you inside and present you.
She knows you by name already. l
have talked with her about you hun
dred times. She likes that little story of
yours, THE Cruise of the Mermaid i'm
mensely, and always looks up your COL
umn the first thing in The Clarion"
Then he seemed to drift into another
line of thought.
ayes, sir, il is rough" he said; "eight-
teen hours day, seven days in the week,
is too many hours for man to work;
but, thank God, am done! This Is my
last trip. 1 have something herc"-he
tapped the left side of his oilshn coat
again-''which has put me on my feet.
Virginia and I had several blocks, alone,
together, this morning, and she knows.
That's what we are SO gay about You
remember that Diamond Dollar!'"
Did remember it9 1t was that "Dia-
mond Dollar" that cost Ferguson his desk
on The Gazette. Not more than two
months ago he was as dapper, well
dressed and apparently as successful
man as there was in the Cincinnati repor-
torial fraternity. His duty was the cover
ing of the news along the river fronts of
the Kentucky towns facing and above
Cincinnati, and, being graceful writer,
he managed to get in q column or two of
breezy special matter on miscellaneous
subjects each week, every column Of such
matter hcng clean addition of 50 to his
not princely salary.
It was 9 O'Clock one Thursday night
when word came over the telephone wires
from the fire chieftain's office that the
towboat Greyhound was burning at her
landing, three miles above Newport. In
fifteen minutes came the supplementary
report that her entire tow of seven barges
was doomed and that John Stacey and
'iStumpy," the cook, were missing-prc-
sumably burned with the wreck.
'sFerguson can have two columns for
that complacently remarked the city
editor. ''Here, Newport, get Il rig; Jump
out there; find Ferguson and help him.
Get in Us much us possible before -,
and, if it promises good matter after that,
wire the facts. We will dress them up"
~ L.