The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-07-08
A Case of Mistaken Indemnity

I
small boy in the Indians avenue car IS Il
swung around lake street on TO state
vesterdey afternoon. As it turned on
Madison street the ladies, most Of them
fatigued by chasing after summer dress
bargains in the stores, began to file In
and one BY one the men rose and gave
up their seats
At Twelfth street there were twenty
six ladies, one large old gentleman and
the small boy seated, while row Of able
bodied citizens developed their muscles
by dangling from the ends Of straps
The large old gentleman seemed to be
watching the small boy, buI the small
boy was not watching the large old gen
tlemen. He sat with his hands in his
pockets, fdgeting upon his seat and anon
whistling in q penetrating undertOne. As
each lady got in he favored her with
penetrating stare, which performance
caused the large old gentleman to scowl.
At Eighteenth street two more ladies
entered the car and reached for straps.
The old gentleman instantly arose and,
with a eourtly bow, surrendered his seat
to the first Of the ladies. Then he look
ed around for a seat for the other, and
suddenly his eyes fell upon the small boy
still seated and eontentedly whistling to
himself
A psined expression spread over the
old gentleman's face and startled gaze
guickened on the boys features as
hsnd-a large, firm hand-reached his
arm and 2 panied voice said
William, get up this instant and give
your seat 70 the lady. Great goodness. (.
That should live to see boy Of mine
sitting and whistling while a lady is
standing What viii your poor old
mother say when tell her this2 VIII
liam, am going to teach you here and
now never to disgrace my name again"
The small boy listened open-mouthed
TO the general TRADE, and Intellectually
trying TO Eriggle out of that firm grasp,
now suddenly found himself elevated
face down, over a large broad knee.
he had just time to gasp, Il amt no
boy of yours" when there ensued what
is described as one of the grsndest and
symmetrical Ehacking ever administer
ed in this OF any other age.
During the performance the small boy
had repeated theoriginal statement three
times IN three different keys and then he
was set upon the floor.
The conductor, a man Of deliberations
evidently here thought it his duty 10 in
terfere.
Here he said, you shouldn't lick
that boy # he's no relation TO you"
Il never seen him before" whined the
boy.
@What? what?" cried the old gen.
tleman. ''Does the young rascal deny his
own father?''
Then he put on his glasses and his ex-
preston Of astonishment was beautiful
to SEE.
why, bless me, he exclaimed, why,
thought it was my youngest boy, VIII
liam. Dear me 1 hope I haven't incon-
vezieneed you, young sir you'll excuse
me, won't you?7
Here the car was running merrily past
Twenty-sixth street, and the boy said
something that sounded ike police"
"Oh, you want to go to the police sta
tom said the old gentleman, benevo-
lently. Been carried too far, eh We
will rectify that mistake at once"
And that. large, kindly old gentleman
took the small boy by the collar, helped
him gently over the hind platform and
I dropped him.
The boy was 50 bewildered that be
stood in the road until he was almost
run over by a hanson, while the old gen
tleman stepped back into the car, where
the men all touched their hats, while six
ladies arose and quarreled with each
other 10 give him 4 seat.-Cltioago Inter
/ Ocean.