The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1900-04-28
She Had Smiths Money
Young Woman look His Last Quarter.

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stores, which combined practically all
the other functions of trade. At the
end he found himself possessed of a
sensation of temporary contentment
and rs cents in cash. The sensation was
distributive, but the cash was all in
one piece, and its proud proprietor held
it in his hand as he waited for the troll
ley car which should bear him home Tor
one five-cent fare. To be able to re-
turn to Mrs. Smith, tell her that all bills
were settled, and heap the minted
richness of rs cents surplus in her lap,
would be indeed a proud achievement.
Trolleys leomed and neared and
passed, but not Smiths trolley. One
of the virtues that goes with residence
in Brooklyn is patience, and the troll
ley system does much to foster it.
Smith waited patiently. Presently a
tall young woman of majestic but dis
tinctly ornamental presence ap-
preached with no little speed, and
Smith, CHANGING to make a side-step
at the moment, she came IN contact
with his back with such force that
he was jolted into the gutter. Look
ing up with some wrath Smith met
pair of serene eyes, and on the spur
of the moment apologized humbly.
The next moment he wondered why he
should apologize for being knocked off
the curb by young woman who could
just as well have had all the rest of
the sidewalk. The apology didn't seem
to have taken, either. The young wom-
an looked at him as If he were a bug.
Then she turned her back without
deigning to respond to his apology.
marched out to the track and stood
waiting, says the New York Sun.
Smith marched after, not that he
particularly yearned for proximity, but
because he saw down the street troll
ley car which looked like the one he
wanted. No sooner had ne come to
halt behind the young woman than
she turned and swept him from head
to foot with look that chilled and
amazed him. He pondered what he
could have done to merit such treat
ment and presently it flashed upon
him that she was one of those curl
Gus female phenomena who pass
through troubled existence under the
painful oppression that every man in
sight is trying to fiirt with them. This
theory so satisfied Smith that he
chuckled. He would have sworn that
he heard low but penetrating snort
of contempt in response. The car came
and it wasn't Smiths after all. Meth
er was it the young woman's. They
both stood waiting and the car
passed on.
To fidget is human. In Smith fidget-
ting took the form Of manipulating
whatever CHANGED to be in his hands
at the time. He began to flip the lone
quarter in the air and catching it. At
the third or fourth trial he misfiipped
and the coin, soaring easily over the
edge of the high turnup collar upon
the young woman's coat, disappeared
from view. The young woman started
and turned. Smith hastily looked the
other way, and began to perspire.
Could he get it out without her per-
ceiving it? Certainly, he couldn't, as
long as she kept her basilisk eye upon
him. To make matters worse, another
car was approaching, and he was sure
it was his. He mustered up his cour-
age.
II beg your pardon" he began,
but"
"Sir!" interrupted the young wom-
an with such ferocity that the unfor-
tunate man fairly jumped. But it was
a two-mile walk home, and he tried
again.
IF you will let me explain"
"Sir-r-r!"
Madam, / am very sorry"
"Sir-r-r-r!" The young woman
was beginning to look around as if for
help.
''Goodness!" said Smith to himself.
This isn't girl. She is one of those
automatic dolls. If I'd touch the right
button. she'd play tune; know she
would
Just a word,Y he said aloud. 81
don't wish to-"
sSir-r-r-r-r!"
"Oh, blazes!" cried Smith in utter
desperation. do you think I'm
spending all this time trying to fish up
an acquaintance with you? want my
quarter
look of fright came over the face
OF the young woman. She began to
tumble at her purse.
"Oh, I'm not a beggar,' growled the
enraged Smith. Il don't want your
money; want mine"
Fulton street car! All aboari!"
In his excitement Smith hadn't no.
to- the arrival of the car-his car.
Ie young woman hurried aboard.
Smith followed. He took seat across
from her and she glared at him. hut