The herald., 1895-08-11
A STREET CAR INCIDENT
Told by Award ]. Moore

had just pulled out of Fourth street anc
headed its way up Spring street. one day
last week. when it was boarded by one
of that much talked OF and much written
about set of people. drummer. Hs
, seated himself near the center Of the
car. pulled down his vest adjusted hi:
necktie and settled back in eet-onto.
me-ain tia smooth people sort of way.
On the opposite side of the car sat a
fashionably dressed young woman. AS
the car progressed up Spring street sew
eral passengers got on, but none attracted
the attention of the drummer as did the
stylish young woman.
The drummer was young man, and
would pass for more than good looking.
He was evidently fully aware that extra
good looking men. as we'll as pretty wo-
mon, are at premium. One not familiar
with the ways Uf drummers might con-
clude from the young mans attitude
toward the lady passenger that it was a
case OF leve at first SIGHT, but it wasn't.
1t was only plain, everyday case of
mash. The young man was favorably
i'm pressed with the woman's appearance,
and he believed that the stylish fit Of his
clothes, added to his charm Of face and
figure, was sufficient to please almost
any member of the fairer sex. lie there
fore endeavored to make her aware of hi S
presence.
He made several attempts to catch her
eye, but always failed. She would look
out the big window of the car, glance at
the iudicator-in fact. her ewes wande cred
81 l., L,,k
rested on him, in spite of his endeavors
to have them do so. His admiration for
her was not lessened by the conclusion
he justly reached, that she would not
commit herself to any action that might
be presumed even to suggest the possibili:: |:
ty OF Irritation, He was about to give
up the game when the conductor came
through the car. the drummer gave a
little start as he noticed al exchange of
glances between the conductor and the
fair passenger. He was particularly at
tracted by the very warm look the woman
gave. The conductors eyes spoke more
than the how-I-would-like-t to-hug-you
look of the lover, and she replied with
look much more replete with meaning
than the why-don' on't-vou-kiss-me glance of
the summer girl. The looks exchanged
were such as can pass onlys between per-
sons OF intimate, very intimate acquaint-
ance. There was no mistaking the mean
ing.
The drummer was now more deeply in
terested than ever. All, those street Gar
conductors are sly fellows, and they firt
with every woman along their line who is
so indiscreet as to do such foolish and
dangerous things. they appear to be very
busy harvesting their perennial crop of
nickels, but if YOU observe them very
closely you will see them stealing side
glances at almost every attractive woman
WHO rides with them. They are ever on
the watch. and make mental note of
the participants in every filtration on
their car What lot of private detective
work street car conductors could do il
they only would. What lot of heart
breaking there would be if the conductors
told all the secret meetings. comings and
goings that come under their observation.
All OF this flashed through the nina of
the drummer, and tor mome en- the regret
ed that he had not become street car
conductor. He greatly envied that par
ticular one, but thought that if the young
woman would smile on street car
conductor she might do so on him, and
he resumed his endeaY ors to attract her
attention.
As before the lady would glance all
around. buI never at him. Presently she
went to the door and the drummer
thought that he detected moments
hurried conversation with the conductor.
He was sure of it when the conductor
glanced over the woman's shoulder ard
looked straight at him. The Young wo-
man alighted.
The drummer fairly hugged himself for
gladness. "Oh. my pletty bird I'm on
TO your flight. said the drummer to him
self. "Of course she wouldn't notice me
in the car and give the whole snap away
to the other passengers. But the cute
ness of her to leave a message with the
conductor for me. Boston girls amt in
it for cuteness with the girls out here.
Thus reasoned the worldly drummer. and
he fastened to the rear platform to re.
ceive the message left for him with the
conductor.
He passed the time of day with the con-
ductor, who carelessly nodded a recogni-
ton. Then followed silence.
"A Very fine looking lady," remarked
the drummer wishing to recall the mes
sage to the conductors mind.
do you think SOP" rep lieu he.
p "Well should say so. y. continued the
drummer.
Does she ride often on your car?'
"Oh, quite frequently. replied the con-
ductor. who began counting up his
change.
lie wants tip. thought the drummer.
who at once presented one of Bob Kern s
best three-for-ah half cigars.
"Do you know her name and address?'
asked the drum mer as he presented the
cigar.
We'll, should say l did" replied the
conductor, but no further information
WAS forthcoming. There was a pause in
the conversation and the conductor and
drummer cast side glances at each other.
Here's cigar you may like better, "
said the drummer as he pulled one OF NJ.
Polaski's big three e-for-a-dollar cigars
from an INSIDE pocekt.
An, er-wouid you mind telling me
her name and address," ventured he.
''Why, no; | don't know as she would
find fault with me for ttat, seein as its
you, was the reply.
''She need never know it," said the
other
We'll. she is Mrs. John Smith of
'Umptysteen Blank street, said the con-
ductor.
so she's Mrs. eh? What is her hus-
band business?'
He's conductor ON this car at pres
ent."
Selah.