Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-07-31
ONE PENNY.
BY EVA BEST.


that led from the city's limits to its busy
centers.
People from the same suburbs usually
possess a passing mountaineering with
those whom they meet daily in the pub
lie conveyances, Gh3 had nodded &c
this, that, and the other fellow passen-
gers and was about TO open the ball of a
subdued conversation with my next
neighbor when the driver, Just as we
had entered the hither end of the long
iron bridge that spans our historic river.
gave the brakes a twist, and the car
stopped in order tC permit a richly
dressed woman 10 enter and become one
of us. We knew who the newcomer
was, every one of US, but as it happened,
we were none of us on speaking terms
with this fair neighbor who had but re
Gently made our suburbs her home. As
the car again started on its way, she
settled her rich and elegant draperies
about her, and sank into a seat vacated
for her comfort by a gentleman aboard.
A pocketbook of soft leather was
opened by the perfectly gloved hands.
and, from among a goodly store of gold
and silver coins, vulgar nickel was ex-
tracted and was about to be placed in the
hand of agentleman nearest the fare box, (,
when there was the sound of dropped
piece of metal and dingy little penny
was seen TO roll across the floor of the
car, and, with that atexasperating exhibition
which cunning things inanimate have SO
often been known 10 manifest, hide itself
quite from view.
To our astonisnment, down went my
ladys hands to grope for it upon the dirty
hoor-to grope for it in vain. With an
expression upon her face that surprised
us who had seen tnat it was but penny
that had dropped, and who knew that the
loser of the coin paid larger taxes than
any other woman in our pretty wealthy
community, that she possessed houses
and lands galore, and that her income
was notoriously splendid one, she begged
that we would all stand up and allow hei
to see If, by any chance, the missing coin
had rolled under our feet.
We women, with smiles that we took
no particular pains to conceal, arose and
grasping the leathern straps above our
heads. stood swaying backward and for
ward as the car pitched down the decliv.
ity leading from the pier, while the five
gentlemen aboard assisted the fair bond.
holder to look for the penny.
After lengthy search, humping of
heads, a crushing of hats, and a soiling of
clean digits in dusty corners. the gentle.
men, red faced and perspiring, conscious
of being slyly laughed at by all the mem
1ers of the fair sex aboard-save and ex.
rept the loser Of the penny-gave up the
earch, and we all, with sighs of relief,
'esumed our seats upon the cushions.
Never mind. said the cause of all our
discomfort II shall go on to the car
tables, and the driver can then turn the
'lats over. We shall be sure to find it.
Thank you all so much.D
Ii was difficult to reconcile the gentle
cultured voice speaking words of sincere
courtesy with the evidence of so pitiful
m exhibition of avarice as that we had
Just witnessed, and more than one of us.
,fter the polite words were spoken, and
We, to all intents and purposes, seemed
o have been forgotten altogether, stole
urtive glances at our wealthy fellow
passenger, noting the elegance of her
ieweled bonnet, the exquisite quality of
he laces of her wrap, the beauty of the
exture of her gown. But, more than
II, we noticed the expressive features.
hat told us her thoughts were fixed
rpon the copper piece she had had the
misfortune to drop, and since she ignored
rs utterly, smiles that were not the
peasantest 10 look upon wreathed the
faces that her fellow passengers, now and
again, turned toward her.
A disdainful uplifting of the delicate
nostrils of one, the arching of the black
brows of another, the scornful curl of a
third persons lips, and amused glances
from all showed with what contempt was
held her exhibition of penuriousness.
One by one the passengers left the car
rs it gained the uptown streets. /. my
aef, being the last to leave our vexed
friend to go upon her pilgrimage to the
car stables, yet good two miles away.
1t chanced, upon returning home, that
boarded the same car that had taken me
into the city, and when we reached the
bridge again and started to recross it l
found myself its solitary occupant.
Naturally / grew to dwelling upon the
lost penny, and, being intensely feminine.
my curiosity mastered my every other
emotion, and as the driver entered the
car to lower blind upon the sunny side
of it, ] ventured, with a smile which had
for its ingredients equal parts of amuse-
nent and disdain, to ask our Jehu if the
lady had found her penny.
Fully expecting to see a reflection of
my grin upon his honest countenance. /
awaited his reply. To my surprise he
tnrned a serious face toward me, and the
following was his answer, gravely given !:
Yes, ma'am, found the penny for
her. turned over the stats as she asked
me to do, and exactly under the place
where the two floor Stats come together
| found it. She gave queer sort Of
sound when she took it, more cry than
anything else, ma'am, and pressed the
cent TO her lips, while the tears ran
down her face. Then seeing me looking
at her bit curiousIy-which couldn't
have helped doing to save me, ma'am-
she sits right down here close to the
open door where were driving, and, as
we started toward the city again, she
tells me why this little copper was SO
precious to her. Seems IL was the first
penny her little son, who is dead, ever
owned, and he gave it to her TO keep foI
kim ard wr~s4E. E4klo Nrsrvx, 1.Io