New-York tribune., 1896-02-04
THE FEATHERS FIRST Nv MIND.
THEN THE WOMAN THOUGHT OF HER INJURED
WRIST

Two women got aboard a Putnam-ave. car the
other evening in a somewhat agitated frame Of
mind. 1t easy to from their appearance
and actions that something out OF the ordinary had
occurred The time was about y. m. and the car
wos In the neighborhood of Cumberland-st or Carl
ton-ave.. when the unexpected happened. From
the agitation OF tn. women the nervous way In
which they examined their coats and gowns--not 10
mention their hats aso-and their plainly audible
remarks. II not difficult, In the course OF few
minutes TO make cut 4 fairly connected story OF
what had taken place
IT appeared that while awaiting the approach OF
the car they had stepped out on the pavement and
stood directly under an arc electric light sud
denly one OF them became aware that something
had struck her hat. and second later she con-
scious through two OF her five senses-hearing and
smeling-that the ostrich plumes with which her hat
was adorned on fire. She thrust up her hand
hurredly at the same time calling to her friend.
and rs she did So shaking her head vigorously mean
while. piece OF burning coal flew up the sleeve on
one of her arms. burning her wrist. In her agfta-
tion she flung her out wildly 20 rid herself Of
the offending cinder when. fate would have II. 1t
was thrown plump into the folds Of her companions
dress. burning 1t in two or three places.
1t was at this point that the right arrived. ana
the women not too confused to hail it and
climb aboard. As they were seated they
began to take account of stock and estimate their
damages The burnt wrist. Nigh. suppose
wculd be the first Item In the account. Not so
however. The hat and the dress first claimed at
tention. and absorbed each one In the In
jIrcs she herself had sustained that two or three
minutes passed before either could give any atten-
ton TO the other
Naturally the sympathes Of the other PASSENGERS
especially those OF the same sex. were speedily
aroused. and In time questions the causes Of the
mIshap and consoln tory remarks offered.
The wcarer OF ostrich pumes had her hat on her
lap even before the conductor had called for the
fares, and wofully contemplating the shabby
condition Of OF the feather ends. The hot Goa!
had indeed done considerable damage. How 1t came
there was at first a mystery, but the sufferers soon
cleared mp all doubt by insisting that II had fallen
from the electric light under which they had taken
their stand 1t was piece OF carbon. about half an
inch long. and rcdho at the time It's presence was
first detected from the sizzling and smoking feathers
The DANA ged dress was also examined with care;
there the cnder had burned three four holes but
the owner audiby rejoIced In the fact that she had
enough Of the goods left to enable the mischief TO
De repaired. As f0r the ostrich tip that was pro-
nounced irretrievab.y ruined
Finally the scOrched wrist exposed to View as
the last Item In the inventory and there were sym
pathetic glances and words az a handkerchief was
gently wrapped around the tiny wound. Even the
hard hearted men who had gone on reading their
going examination looked up with interest when this
operation was being performed
and the usual calm OF Brooklyn troey-car had
been restored. when one Of the two women suddenly
exclaimed.
'Oh. how careless were not to save that thing
from the electric light Now we have nothing at all
/ to show for it."
We'll. said the other. with little spitefulnos' in
hcr tone; ~ you knew how hot 1t was. - ! & d.
here the injured wrist pressed sympa tcally
4 don't think you would have cared to pick 1t up
{ ana bring II along
That %. dear" was the answer; II don't see
why didn't think Of that before"
After the ogr passed Murcy-ayc the two women
got on the other passengers looking after them with
friendly Interest. A. they gave the signal to the
conductor - stop they were engaged I'm somewhat
animated discussion of the question whether they
could hold the electric Hight company Or the city
responsible FOR III. damages they had suffered