Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1891-09-05
ONE PENNY.
BY EVA BEST.

Hailing the street car, hurried on
board, and, in another 10 seconds was
being hauled, along with a carful of
fellow suburbanites, over the gritty rails
that led from the city's limits to its busy
centers.
People from the same suburbs usually
possess passing acquaintanceship with
those whom they meet daily in the pub
lie conveyances, and | had nodded to
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 twist, and the car
stopped in order to permit a richly
dressed woman to 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 seat vacated
for her comfort by a gentleman aboard.
A pocketbook of soft leather was
opened by the perfectly gloved hands,
and, from among goodly store of gold
and silver coins, vulgar nickel was ex-
tracted and was about to be placed in the
hand of gentleman nearest the fare box
when there was the sound of a dropped
piece of metal and a dingy little penny
was seen to roll across the floor of the
car, and, with that exasperatinge exhibition
which cunning things inanimate have SO
often been known to manifest, hide itself
quite from view
To our astonishment, down went my
lalys hands to grope for it upon the dirty
tloor-to grope for it in vain With an
expression upon her face that surprised
us who had seen that 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 notoriorlsly splendid one, she begged
that we would all stand up and allow her
10 see if, by any chance, the missing coin
lad rolled under our feet.
We women, with smiles that we took
'" particular pains to conceal, arose and
Fasplng the leathern straps above our
.i"ads, stood swaying backward and for
ward as the car pitched down the decIiv-
.ty leading from the pier, while the five
Gentlemen aboard assisted the fair bond
holder to look for the penny.
After lengthy search, humping of
'Hads, crushing of hats, and soiling of
lean digits in dusty corners, the gentle
men, red faced and perspiring, conscious
# being slyly laughed at by all the mem
rs of the fair sex aboard-save and ex-
pit the loser of the penny-gave up the
arch and we all, with sighs of relief,
resumed our seats upon the cushions.
Never mind, said the cause of all our
discomfort, Il 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"
1t was difficult to reconcile the gentle.
cultured voice speaking words of sincere
'ourtesy with the evidence of so pitiful
m exhibition of avarice as that we had
;ust witnessed, and more than one of us,
we, to all intents and purposes. seemed
. have been forgotten altogether. stole
urtive glances at our wealthy fellow
assenger, noting the elegance of her
'weled bonnet, the exquisite quality of
he laces of her wrap, the beauty of the
'xture of her gown. But, more than
II, we noticed the expressive features,
nat told us her thoughts were fixed
pom the opper piece she had had the
Misfortune to drop, and since she ignored
IS utterly, smiles that were not the
tleasantest to look upon wreathed the
aces that her fellow passengers, now and
i,gain, turned toward her.
A disdainful uplifting of the delicate
nostrils of one, the arching of the black
Lrows of another, the scornful curl of
.hird persons lips, and amused glances
| rom all showed with what contempt was
neld her exhibition of penuriousness.
One by one the passengers left the car
IS it gained the uptown streets. l. my
elf, being the last to leave our vexed
! friend to go upon her pilgrimage to the
/ car stables, yet a good two miles away.
/ 1t Glanced, upon returning home that I
boarded the same car that had taken me
INTO the city, and when we reached the
ridge again and started to recross it l
jound myself its solitary occupant
Naturally l grew to dwelling upon the
lost penny, and, being intensely feminine,
ny curiosity mastered my every other
motion, and as the driver entered the
ar to lower blind upon the sunny side
# it, ventured, with smile which had
Tor its ingredients equal parts of amuse-
nent and disdain, to ask our Jehu if the
Indy had found her penny.
Fully expecting to see a reflection of
NY grin upon his honest countenance, l
awaited his reply. To my surprise he
'nrned serious face toward me, and the
blowing was his answer, gravely given !:
Yes, ma'am, l found the penny for
..ar | turned over the Stats as she asked
~ to do, and exactly under the place
here the two floor Stats come together
! found it. She gave queer sort of
Il, 4, 4.