The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1894-06-26
HE HAD HIS RIGHTS.
He Wanted an Open Car Window And Per-
sisted in Getting 1t.

There is nothing like demanding ones
right. The average American will fight
for his rights if you tell him that he can
not'.have them, but if you say nothing
about them you can appropriate them
with impunity, and he has nothing to
say. An exception to the rule put him
self in evidence the other day, however.
Everyone who travels on railroads knows
what a car window is. A Georgia mule
is not to be mentioned in the same
breath with it. Wherever it is, there it
stays. If it is up it is like Banquo's
ghost about downing. If it is down
wen, it is down, and down it stays.
The American who knows his rights
and insists upon having them got into
his car and settled back into the seat to
read. 1t was warm and stuffy in the
car, as it always is in cars and he at
tempted to raise the window. Il did
not bulge and he took a firmer hold and
gave strong tug. The window stayed
right where it was. The man got a lit
tie red around the neck and gave hard
er pull than before. OF course the win
dow was made to stay down and it per-
formed its proper function. For an in
slant there was a wild look in the mans
eyes. He leaned back as if he was gong
to have that window open if he had to
pull out the whole side of the car. He
half rolled up his sleeves and his lips
were closed tightly. Then he suddenly
sat down and calmly picking up paper
began to read it. His eyes were intently
fixed on the page when the conductor
came along.
"Tickets please"
The passenger raised his eyes and there
was gentle questioning light in them.
Will you be good enough to have some
one open the Window" he asked.
Certainly" answered the conductor
"I'll open it for you myself" But ne
didn't. "Oh he said good naturally at
sticks a little. I'll have brakeman
open it, Ticket please"
If you don't mind" said the passenger
with smile "I'll have the window open
before give up my ticket"
You will have to give me your ticket"
said the conductor firmly.
"Bur1 won't" replied the passenger
until the window is OPEN"
"Pll have to put you off this ttrain."
"Very well then put me off,"
"But | tell you I'll send man to open
it" cried the conductor in disgust
And tell you" answered the othe
quietly that when he opens it I will
give up my ticket"
The conductor looked savage but
thinking better of his original intention
he passed on without another word. In
a moment brakeman came in.
Excuse men he said until open that
window
With pleasure" responded the passen-
ger affably.
The brakeman gave quick sharp jerk
with little shake. 1t was the trick of
the expert. the skilled window opener,
the past master in his art, but the win
dow did not move. 1t just stayed.
The brakeman went down the car,
tried several windows, found one that
would open, threw it up and returned to
the passenger.
would you mind changing your
seat?" he asked.
"Not at ALL" was the answer, and the
"man; s-right" man moved down the
aisle and took his new seat next to the
open window.
THANK you," he said to the brake
man.
"You are welcome" answered the
other.
just then the conductor re-entered the
car and took in the situation &C a glance.
"Ticket, please" he said politely.
Certainly" answered the passenger in
his calm voice. Then he went to reading
again, while fresh breeze came through
the window and made the pages of his
paper futterirg in a sort of yankee
doodle doc" way.-N. Y. Tribune.