Omaha daily bee., 1891-12-06
LAMENT OF A BELL-pUNCHER.
Story Of a M tor Conductor Whose Lot is
Mo- a Happy One.
PECULIARlTlES OF SOME PASSENGERS.
This One offered 3 Cents for His
Fare and Secured a Package
of Philosophy with
His Change.

With q look OF ineffable scorn the naughty
conductor handed back the modest coin limo
Gently rendered him in payment of one fare
on the motor. The passenger thought it was
a dime; he had taken it from a motor con-
ductor for that In change. But this sharp
eyed young manipulation OF the bell punch
knew 1t was a Scent piece. He did not &C
cuse the passenger of dishonesty, but a smile
OF superiority lighted up his unshaven face
as he watched the abashed patron of the
company return the yagrant coin to his
pocket al fish out another that was a sure
enough dime.
Lots of 'em get stuck on those Scents"
was the inelegant manner in which the per
spicacious young conductor opened a conversa'
tion which developed into the i'm
parting OF considerable information.
In his band the conductor held q 81
bill, which he had taken from a ruddy faced
German maid servant aud, being unable to
change 1t, he held 1t as a guarantee that the
maid servant aforesaid would not get her
ride free.
~ got n couple of women not long ago."
he continued. 'They got on together out by
Hanscorn park. l didn't go into the car for
fares until we got pretty near Leavenworth
street. Then as 1 passed through one of
them said:
"Let me pay. I've got a dime.'
"'No; said other, Tve got some pennies
here | want TO give him.
II walked up, and the one with the pen
mics counted out live and gave them to me.
4 pulled the bell, and the other gave me a
dime. l handed her the five pennies.
"'Here / don't want these. she said.
"'Neitder do Il | replied, and / left her
looking at her friend. Then-I wonder if
that old fool thinks l can wait here all day."
and he impatiently jingled the bell to hurry
up an old lady who was trailing slowly across
the street TO tho train.
When he had collected the old lauy's fare
he resumed; You give that Scent piece to
some one after Dark. 1t won't be noticed.
The con. who gets IL won't care, for he'll
pass 1t on the next man who gives him q
quarter. We handle plugged nickles and
everything, just the same rs a bartender.
It's easy enough. Put u J-cent piece on top
of a nlckle ana hand IL to "a man In a crowd.
He'll put 1t into his pocket and never notice
IL. or course II we get one we have to get
rid OF 1t. Tine company won't take it and the
terRed the bell. A young and pretty
lady with 4 child started for the
door. With q winsome smile the
young man jumped down and gallantly
assisted the young lady to alight. Another
lady, neither young nor pretty, also with a
child, was allowed 10 get on without assist.
ance and the car was started. again. 1--WE
mere fares were rung up, and then the flow
OF philosophical comment on peoples pecu-
liarities was resumed.
Sec that woman in there-the one in gray
She can't SIT still. She wants to get of on
Dodge street, That's a mile away, but she's
AFRAID | won't stop for her when we getthere.
Look at that Dutch girl. She thinks she
won't get any change for that bill. Well,
she will. It's the first she's had in a month,
l reckon, and she's anxious. Wait till we
get to the bank, and I'll fix herr
Several more passengers were added 30
the load and their fares went To
sw ell the total to be accounted for TO
the company according TO the snd-voiced but
vigilant bell-puueh. A few desultory re-
marks about the company's cupidity and the
stupidity of people who ride on its cars filled
ina block or two, and y bank was reached.
Now. I'll soak the bill" and tho accom-
modatinR conductor stopped the train and
1arted away to get the bill changed. In :