Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-01-20
HIS CAUSE FOR ANXIETY

No wonder That the Conductor Was
clustered and Rang up Fares heck-
lessly.
The conductor looked tired and Wor-
ried as he swung himself along the size
of the open car, collecting fares one
warm Sunday afternoon late in August
The dust blew in great clouds about
tbe car. settling upon the passengers
and causing them 20 cough and sneeze,
and an of them were thoroughly I'M
comfortable and cross. The worried
ovDresslon on the face Of the conductor
was evidently not caused by either the
bea+ or dust Indeed, he seemed ut
trrlv Oblivious of both. Something.
however. was disuacting his attention,
for he rang up extra fares quite rech-
less1v and allowed more than one pas
eenger TO leave the car without paying.
co deem was his abstraction that he
fDoIlv forgot TO run ahead of the car ct
o. e~r.ade crossing. and had to be called
Inv the motorman. AS he swung him
ec1f ON the front platform that worthy
said angrily:
Vow look here. Jim, this won't do.
lust s'pose o spOtter IS on board
where'd YOU be-
you're right; but, Pete. I can't help
g. You know where my thoughts are
to-day" 81.
A svmnathetic look came into the
keen ewes of the mOtorman as he an
swered. Yes. I know il, my boy, but
lust wait until"
"Oh. hold your jaw was the quick
r7sponse. you've been saying that I'M
nh I'm sick of il. Just give MS a rest
will YOU? I'm not you. am
Not yet. replied the motorman.
The conductor only grunted and
swung himself to the rear platform.
T1s was such a bOyish-looking Fellow
scarcely old enough to wear the unl-
form but he was evidently not 100
,-ornq 10 feel the weight of the anxiety
which was proving upon him. During
The entire day. as the car changed
sIong he kept an eager outlook for o
certain window high up i'm fiat build
t-,or Two streets back from the car track.
v.bicb was visible from IT, Each time
tbe car passed this point be eagerly
e+roiDed his eyes. only TO be disap-
roipred. evidently, for he would sign
doeDlv and resume his duties with the
,,.,.,..sd EXPRESSION deepened.
sunday being a particularly busy
5sv with the street cars, the men sell
dom have an opportunity 20 eat their
Iuncb except as they can grab bite
Sro,n 81 sandwich carried in an outside
Docl,et. but Jim seemed to nave no de-
sire for such refreshments
At LAST as the car was approaching
,be mint where the window could be
go, for the sixth tine. Jim jumped on
me front platform, and grabbing the
motorman by the arm, whispered;
"Sav. Pete. just give a sQulnt at that
window. / can't Is there anything
in ito ~. 800. ,..,
The motorman raised his eyes and
looked carefully az the window indi-
Gated Finally he said slowly;
Yes there's a rag in II.
The conductors face blanched to a
deathly pallor and he grasped the hano-
rail with q grip sufficient to break IL,
"What's the color, Pete-what S the
co1or9" he gasped "They said they'd
mn mn @ red Tag If IL was all right and
q blsclx one if" And his voice
chOked. .-.,,.u,,-
inrlv as he returned brisky;
STbat's an right. old fellow-it's q
red rag. sure as you're born.
Thank God. murmured me con
ductor. relaxing his hold ON the ran
and raising his own eyes TO the VIM