The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-03-21
A BEAUTIFUL BE1NG IN 4 stage
Little Mishnpa or q stormy Day That Failed to
Disturb His Serenity.

Disturb His Serenity.
There is n popular impression that the Fifth
avenue stages have no conductors; but that Is all
a mistake. They have conductors. but it is a vol
untccr service. Every man who rides downtown
on the stage has the blessed privilege of being
useful to his fellow passengers; and If he doesn't
appreciate it, that is because lac is lacking in the
first principles OF chivalry.
One man on a certain wild March day had tho
stage all to himself until it got down to Fifty
second street, where n shabby -gcntecl young
woman with a strapful OF teachers books
climbed in. The rain was pouring in torrents,
and 1t Is no easy matter for a woman, with her
petticoats, umbrella. and a bundle, to get into n
Fifth avenue stage. unless she has gone in for
acrobatics in her youth. The young woman had
been looking drearily forward TO the struggle.
and 1t was a relief TO have some one hold the
door open and take her umbrella and books.
When she had settled herself in the opposite
corner OF tho stage she naturally looked at her
benefactor.
He was good to look at-tall and broad,
shouldered and handsome. His carefully
trimmed beard and mustachc suggested tho
foreigner; his self-satishcd air and general glory
said actor; but his splendid chest proclaimed
singer. Yes, she labelled him n beautiful bari.
tone being. His frock coat was immaculate per-
lection; tho violets in his hut;onholc were
rarest Parma; his patent feathers were radiant;
his silk hat was splendid. Tho damp. shabby
young woman tucked her muddy boots under her
drabbled skirts, ana cast a furtivc glance out OF
the window. Surely she must have been mis-
taken about the March storm; hut no. there was
the pouring rain. Evidently this Respondent
vision was waterproof.
The stage stopped. Two elderly women fell in,
and escaped hopeless ENHANCEMENT only through
the efforts OF the beautiful being. who unwound
them from their umbrellas and his feet, smoothcd
them out, and picked up their scattered belong.
ings as gracefully as though they had boon bOu-
Quets thrown TO him across the fo0tlighis. The
ladies bowed; he lifted the silk hat with royal
manner. Could he put their fare in the boxi
They needed change. He would lie happy 10 at
tend to it. lie rose-and filled the stage. In
fact, the stage wasn't high enough for him and
his silk hat, and the latter came to grief;
hut II tho hat was rIiiicd, his serenity
wasn't. lie paid the fare, returned the change,
executed another regal bow-and held the door
open for four matinee girls. who scrambled in,
abusing the weather and lamcnllnS over their
wet gowns. One Of them pulled out n purse up-
side down and sprinklcd the. muddy floor win
small change. The beautiful being rescued tbs
silver at woiul c2st 10 Ms ]spotlG's ;!o{c7 'nl
returned it. 10 the blushinG maiden with an air
which reduced ali four girls 10 II stat" OF Anjr't
alteration.
A diminutive hoy with a wet, woolrn drcss
box climbed in at Th.rty.thir1 ,tT"tt. llc
knocked Tho box against the beautiful beings
lcg-, and set ii down upon the radiant patent
feathers; but hat could not disturb the Olyn
plan composure OF the victim. The boy looked
hOpelessly at the he'll strap dangling tar nboye
his head. The II. II. rose once more, with the air
oil a gracious deity. and said:
Let me get your chnntc. You are a trifc
too small. my man Tn. .t. waited looming
huge and magnificent, t.,..c the rain b-Atin
upon him through the open slide, and the driver
settled a prOfanc dispute with "a cab driver.
The stage tllod with women. thu Is. Is. helped
them oil in, paid their fares, gave up his -e1j.
and stood, slightly STOPPING to accommodate tho
hat, but regal stiI. AtTwenty. ninth street the
two elderly ladies got out; thy ID. u. opened the