Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-02-21
THE LOST DIME.
BY JENNIE P. ARNOLD.


York friend ,indulging in an after dinner
chat, when the subject of horse car
strikes was mentioned and my friend re-
marked: II believe l understood both
sides of the story pretty we'll, for | was
conductor On the avenue line for near
ly year.
"Youa conductor," l said in surprise,
81 never knew that before, but then"
added, "as our acquaintance extends
only over a little more than two years
you might have been highwayman be-
fore that for all know to the contrary"
~ hardly think car conductor can
be classed with that fraternity, though
perhaps some of the bosses think they
are little better, when they abuse them
of having so much of the company's
money stick to their fingers; but never
speculated in Wall street or bought a
brown stone front with my accumula
tions in that line. l came to New York
about four years ago with the promise of
& situation IN the Office of the - Avenue
Horse Railroad Company, but there was
no vacancy at that time, and, as nothing
better offered, l accepted place as con-
ductor while waiting; but nearly year
passed before they were ready for me in
the office, and in the meantime | had an
opportunity of learning considerable of
the ms and outs of the business. Iadded
something to my knowledge of human
nature if not to my bank account"
His oldest child, a bright-eyed, mis-
shievous little sprite of eight years,
came up at that moment and laid her
cheek against his Shoulder, while her
hands tightly clasped his arm.
'sAh, Puss!" he said, catching her up
snd giving her toss in the air, then
setting her on his knee as he resumed:
YOU'D be surprised at all the ingenious
devices to beat a conductor out of
fare. from the we'll dressed gentlemen
who have left their pocket books in the
other trousers pockets, to the half
drunken hummer who never has another
pair of trousers to leave nickel in, but
who rides as far as he can and when put
off for non-payment Of fare, halls the
next car and so keeps on until he reaches
his destination. But the toughest of all
is when a woman claims to have lost her
purse, or something of the kind, and
her helplessness appeals to fellows gal
lantry. / used to ring in fare out of
my own pocket at such times until
caught some of the schemers laughing at
my softness, then I decided I wasn't so
green as to get so!d that way again
The company was very strict, it was
al fellows place was worth
paying fare, no matter what the circum-
stances; our orders were to compel
women, as we'll as men, to leave the car
unless they paid. If we felt in the least
lenient in enforcing this order we could
never tell which passenger might be a
"spotter," or how soon we might get
/ called into the office and discharged
/ I'll never forget one case of the kind. 1t
was a cold day in December, and the
President of the road was in the car
what. he was there for 1 never knew, but
he occasionally rode up and down, for
inspection, suppose. At Grand stree'
two nicely dressed ladies got on, who
paid their fare out. of weil-flled purses
not very common occurrence where
ladies are returning from shopping at tn
Grand street bargain stores, eh Fanny
with laughing glance at his wife, VIII
was rocking in an easy chair with the
bab fine plump little fellow yea
old, in her lap.
.You ought to know best was tn
response, ''seeing you had q year t
study up the subject.
II shouldn't have noticed these s
particlarly only for what followed. A
the next crossing woman was waiting
saw that she was young, was dressed
black, and had very sad expression
, She had large bundle and feeble-looI
, ing baby in her arms, while holding to b
. dress was three-year-old toddler wit
round rosy cheeks aud bright: :blue.eJe