The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-02-19

she found the fare from Holloway to Vic
toria and back severe tax on her purse.
The same bus that took her down at 8
brought her back at 10. During the first
journey the bus conductor stared at
Amenda; during the second he talked TO
her; during the third he gave her . cocoa
nut during the fourth he proposed 70 her
and was promptly accepted. After that
Amenda was enabled to visit her cheese
monger without expense.
He was q quaint character himself. Was
this bus conductor. I often rode with
him TO Fleet street. He knew me quite
we'll II suppose Amenda must have
pointed me out to him) and would always
ask me after her-aloud. before oil the
other passengers, which was trying-and
give me messages to take back to her.
Where women were concerned he had
what is called "a way" with him, and
from the extent and variety of his female
acQuaintances. and the evident tenderness
with which the majority OF them regarded
him, l am inclined to hope that Amenda's
desertion of him (which happened con-
temporaneously with her jiiting Of the
cheesemonger) caused him less prolonged
suffering than might otherwise have been
the case.
He was q man from whom derived .
good deal of amusement one way and an
other. Thinking of him brings back to
my mind somewhat odd incident.
One afternoon l jumped upon his bus
in the Seven Sisters road. An elderly
Frenchman was the only other occupant
of the vehicle "You vii not forget me, "
the Frenchman was saying a. entered,
u desire Sharing Cross"
II won't forget yer" answered the con-
ductor, you shall ave yer Sharing Cross.
Don't make fuss about it."
that's the third time 'ee's arst me not
to forget 'm." he remarked to me in .
stentorian aside; zee don't Civ yer much
chance of doin' it, does ZEE 2"
drew up, and our conductor began to shout
after the manner Of his species: 'Charing
Consolidating Cross-'ere yer are-Come
along, lady-Charing Cross.
The little Frenchman jumped up and
prepared to exit; the conductor pushed
him back.
"Sit down and don't be silly" he said /;
''this amt Charing Cross"
The Frenchman looked puzzled. but COL
lapsed meekly. We picked up few pas
sengers, and proceeded on our way. Half
q mile up the Liverpool road q lady stood
on the curb regarding US Is We passed
with that pathetic mingling Of desire and
distrust which 10 the average woman's at
titude toward conveyances Of all kinds.
Our conductor stopped.
"Where dyer want to 60 OF" he asked
her severely-omnibus conductors have a
manner of addressing all pedestrians as
though they were lost children or sus-
picious loiterers - STRAND - Charing
Crossp"
The Frenchman did not hear or did not
understand the first part of the speech.
but he caught the words 'Charing Cross. "
and bounced up and out on to the step.
The conductor collared him as he was
getting Oft, and jerked him back savagely.
''Carnt yer keep still minit?" he cried
Indignantly; blessed if you don't want
II wont to be put down at Sharing
Cross" answered the little Frenchman
humbly.
You wont to be put down at Sharing
Cross" repeated the other bitterly, as he
led him back to his seat. II shall put yer
down in the middle of the road if ave
much more of yer. You stop there till
come and sling yer cut. l amt likely ia
let yer 60 much past yer Sharing Cross,
shall be too jolly glad to get rid o. yer"
The poor Frenchman subsidized, and w
| jolted on. At the Angel we, Of course,
stopped. "Charing Cross!" shouted the
conductor. and up sprang the Frenchman.
'"Oh, my Gawd." said the conductor.
him down into the corner seat, "wot am
! to do? Carnt somebody sit on 'im?"
He held him firmly down until the bus
started and then released him. At the tor
| Of Chancery lane the same scene took
| place, and the poor little Frenchman be-
| came exasperated.
HE keep on saying Sharing Cross
| Sharing Cross" he exclaimed, turning to
| the other passengers, land it is not Shar.
| ing Cross. He is fool.'
| 'Carnt yer understand" retorted the