New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-24
the NEW CONDUCTOR.
HIS EXPERIENCES IN TWO cITrEs-RUNNrNG n
GAUNTLET OF STRIKERS.

| HIS EXPERIENCES IN TWO CITrEs-RuNNrNG n
GAUNTLET OF STRIKERS.
"Fares, If you please, gentlemen called the new
conductor q Fou7thave. street-car as II started
from Park Row uptown He wore the regulation
conductors cap and badge but otherwise he appeared
out Of place and as though he should have been
passenger. Ills voice. Ike his hands, had not yet
adapted itself 10 the situation. The hands face and
neck red from exposure the car platform to
the sharp wind; his ulster and trousers were much
worn, but had a Renaissance of fashionable cut,
and his thin CATERS appeared to be in the last stages
of consumption. He young man, though he
gold speetacles: tall and slender, with clean
shaven intelligent face, and he seemed 10 take his lot
| in a philosophical manner.
Eyes; Pm one Of the -ew men, he said checrfuly
| in response to passenger The work Is not great
mental stran but there good deal Of calisthenics
| in 1t for a new man. Ringing the bell thousand
times a day is little severe on the muscles for
day or two. The third day could hardly lift up my
arms and had pain I'm the back as II had been
carrying brick Getting better now-I beg your par
doL madame, this is GTandst II you wish to get OUT
"The striken continued the conductor, was
piece of good fortune to many poor fellow who had
been ramping the streets and waiting like Micawber
for something to turn up. 1t was new deal; but
am sorry for those who got out 1 know how IL Is
myself came to the city three months ago from
Chicago. have been answering advertisements and
appying for situations since, till this came, and
with little success. First applied to the Brooklyn
Railroad when the struck there. 1t was not
pleasant over there The applicants had to run n
gauntlet of strikers while the police shut their eyes
But as l wore silk hat the strikers took me for
reporter and let me go through. Tnere
we were under siege. Mr.. Richardson's peopm
furnished US with sandwiches and coffee, which was
square meal for some of the applicants volunteered
to 20 to the stables aud changed my silk hat for
.AokI In 81
little out Of keeping Aston Place called the con-
ductor, ringing the bell for an old man to aight
MY stable experience short" resumed the con-
ductor, smiling, as the rolled "We got there.
q dozen new men, at dark. with guard OF hve police
men, and mob Of several hundred collected about the
stables and frightened the police They advised US
to escape by side door or the mob would come In
after u.s. We finally took their advice, but the mob
saw us and gave chase. It caught all but one two,
rolled them in the mud and gave them terrible beatngs
I ran into house and down q cellar One feuow
followed me, but pulled out my spectacle-case and
pointed 1t at him, he went back TO his friends for
help Then lighted a match and found door lead
ing into yard, from which made my way out,
over the back fences into another street.
Naturally did not care to go back to Brooklyn.
and the next day. when the strike broke out IN New
YORK, got back my sIlEhat and applied to the COM
panles here. The Fourth-ave line made the first
start, and 1 was Of the first Of the new men-
Union square mo, there are not many ola rsiiro3o
among the applicants Some, like myself, ara
new to the business and 1t comes little odd to
novice when the people on the Bowery yell 'scab' at
him. and the In white caps In Madisonave. smile
at him. But the passengers, even tho women, throw
in a pleasant word, so we can stand the hard abuse
and savage looks from the poor fellows who are
Flfteenth.st MADAME you are leaving your pack.
age.p The new conductor raised his capp when the
pretty young returned her thanks with .
blush Then his face became scarlet and he rang
the bell with nervous jerk.
oh, yes" he continued, the New-york police
give us ample protection. Crowds have more respect
for them than they have for the Brooklyn police.
The New York force Is moro effective one. believe,
than that OF either London PaIThs is Seventeenth
ST.. Madame and the blue car will take you to the
Hoboksn fairy.
81 have come to know the city like native in
Have been the other sides Yes. passed nearly
year In Europe. most Of the time In England, with
relative That was before had any expectation OF
taking the platform bellrnger The new men
on the road come from all places The strikers keep
Up watch for them at distance from tho stables,
but the company has taken good care OF u.s. Every
day good hearty dinner Ia prepared In the ofioe
for the men. But doing good deal of talking
here. which is not think, according 10 rilo, though
we have not had any regulations yet In few days
shall probably receive our instructions, and tho
uniform aud gold braid OF fuiLhedged conduoD u--
Good day. sr."