Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1889-09-12

because there are more ways OF steal
ing rides than by hanging on behind
in the small-boy fashion. And | mean
stealing a ride. for these people 90 in
for that purpose. Though it is theft
on a small scale. still it is theft
just imagine a well-dressed man
and woman sitting bolt upright on a
front seat in the car. with their faces
turned sternly to the front. not daring
10 glance to either side or to the rear
for fear OF attracting the attention OF
the conductor.
They must be agitated with intense
emotions Of hope and fear all along
the route. and when they arrive Mt
their destinations they no doubt hcave
n sigh OF deep relief. How absurd it
all i,
Fancy n stout. diSniied. elderly
man. perhaps 4 little pompous in man.
ners and appearance. standing on a
street corner mile err after car passes
him until he sees one on which the
conductor is engaged in some Occupa-
tion which prevents him from seeing
the rubicund pirate spring onto the
car.
Painting and out OF breath the port
ly individual hastily takes 4 vacant
seat. and while the perspiratioa pours
down his cheek he does not bulge.
He does not use his handkerchief
through fear OF attracting the con
duetor's attention. and remains on
needles until he gets to where he is
going.
Yet that man. for there Is just such
a man. has plenty OF money and could
afford To ride in a private coupe To his
business if he so desired. To see
him sweat and roll his eyes is n droII
sight.
One could laugh at il il il was not
so disgustingiy ridiculous. Why men
OF means will thus lower themselves is
a profound mystery to me.
There Is 4 demure-looking little
miss. with great. innocent blue eyes
who gets on at Ann street. All, she's
a terror. | don't believe she pays a
fare once n month. and don't think I
exaggerate it in the least"
The conductor was frequently inter-
rupted in his narration when it was
necessary to assist a lady from the car
or to collect fares. but rs he was in d
talking mood he did not let these mat
tiers disturb him
We'll. that little girl. for she wasn't
over sixteen. as I'm living. was as cum
ming As they make en- How she man.
aged to get On the ear | don't know.
She would just glide up TO il and in an
instant she was ensconced on one of
the seats without disturbing any one or
stopping the car.
she did not scramble in. like the
fat man. when the conductor was busy
and not looking. but she went in right
under his-I am using the third per-
son; perhaps | should say my-eyes.
yet for all this she was very Iady-Iike.
she dressed modestly. and was the
daughter of mighty good people Her
parents live in n brovu-stona front.
and are we'll OF in the way of the
worlds goods. But this don't surprise
me II the old folks are rs sly as the
girl.
How deceiving were her looks.
Whom the conductor would walk up to
her and call out, with studied emphasis
and brevity:
Pare What did she dos Vel.
you can feel assured that she did not
produce the fare She Just turned
toward the conductor and lisped. a
she rolled her heavenly blue eyes:
why, I've paid you. sir
He couldn't tell her she lied. nor
pitch her OF the ear. 80 he bit his lip
with vexatiOn. and retired to his perch.
>he was n terror | have often
watched for her. and once caught sight
OF her a block aheaL Then laid for
her. and when she took her seat | was
right there with her.
That tiu.e she paid. and has fell
out ever since l expect Bot when
she opened her wallet | saw a roll OF
sreeuoaeNs as thick as my thumb. 81
she didn't have To beat the car CON.
pany. not she. while poorer and mo-4
honest girls we're paying their fare,
promptly and without effort 70 hold
any thing hack.
But that's the way The poor peo-
pie would disdaia 70 rob the
Of a nickel even while it was a hari
struggle to make both ends meet. vet
those who doa't really need the money
are Overquicx To save it They don,
care how they do the saving. Just 50
the money remains with them
Then too. these sum must amount
10 4 good deal ut the end OF the wear.
But confidently believe thai there i
4 ride-stealing mania The people
couldn't really want to defraud the
company. They just go in for a little
mild excitement and the fun there i
in il.
Young men. giddy boys. sometimes
attempt the trick. bat we don't mind
sitting down upon them. When we
catch n young fellow in the act We
make up for all our past forbearance.
but now the boys pay their fares. and
the conductors voice faltered a.
though n Of Iife's few pleasures was
gone. and gone forever. = Chicago
Times.