Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1899-09-07
HE WAS CROSS-EYED.,
n Stage Driver Who Mixled the PEG.
PIE by His Criss-Cross
Chances.


The cross-eyed stage driver in Fifth
avenue causes great uncertainty as to
his intentions in regard to possible pa
irons of his stage. They stand on the
corners waiting until he nearly reaches
them, and then the frantic gestures be-
gin. The first time they signal they do
not notice that he is cross-cycd, but as
he approaches nearer and nearer The
uncertainty grows upon them. They
arc not sure he saw them at all, or does
see them or will see them. The past
present and future arc in Il middle. and
while it is certainly his business to be
en- the lookout for patrons it is not at
all certain that he will. Evcrvcnc
knows by experience that the drivers of
public convcyanccs do not always l<cc;,
their business eye on the corner, and
who can tell where cross-cvcd driver
may be looking?
As rode on the top Of the cross-cvc,i
drivers stage the other tlnv | noticed
the drmoraiizing effects Of lis chances.
y bloatcd bondholdcr lifted his cane
slightly as the stage ran toward him.
lie was quiet and dignifcd, but. not lie
ing able to sec his cane himself, he was
taken with the idea that the crossc-cvcs
had not perceived it either, nnd SO he
lifted 1t again and again, five times,
each time little higher, until it was
waving frantically aloft. The stage
stopped exactly where It would have
stopped had he simply signalcd once.
4 he next passenger was tall and thin,
gaunt and prim, and wore spcctnc!.s.
She had a gayly trimmed hat and q
tigh,ly-1itting tabernacle costume,
She held her hnndbag-n Boston bag
tightly In one hand, und raised he OH
or stltl1y from the elbow, holding one
finger up She then jcrllcd it back
again. as if it were on springs. No 9TH
er rnrt Of her body moved, but Ecr
eagle eye was on the face Of the driver
soon, in quick succession, she icrlcd
that finger up five times moro, her face
becoming stcrner each time. 1t seemed
as if She were thinking: Il wonder If
he saw mel" II do not believe he din."
Il am sure he did not!" lie is not
even looking ut mel" "'I1c sees me
now No, he does not; that eye IS
looking across the street," But sud
denly the stage stopped right in front
ST her.
Another woman run to the corner and
threw her whole arm up ut once. Then
she raised it again and waved it fran
tically in swinging movement in the
air until the driver stopped.
A woman who looked as If She had
Just taken leave Of a big family Of chii-
drcn and had not gotten through way
ing the baby "by-by," lifted her arm
and waved her fingers up und down as
If she were also saying ''by-by" to.1hc
driver. Each time she increased the
number Of little waves ana smiled
swcctly and nodded her head pleasant
ly. Her amiabiity was irresistible, and
OF course the stage stopped for her.
IN fact, the stage stops exactly at the
right hand lower corner for every pas
scngcr. i would stop just the same il
only one signal were given. but the pas
scngrrs seem to forget that it is the
business of the stage to stop for them
and that the driver plans to get Il focus
on the corner Of every block. although
the exact mathematical combination Of
sight rays is not divulgcd to the intcnd-
ing patrol.---N. Y.IIcrald.