Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1902-11-13

Wester, and slicker; and a sharp-nosed
horse jockey in corduroys-the worse
for liquor
With much good-natured banter they
secured seats and arranged their mani
fold parcels and packages. Then
nought was heard except the low mon
otonous hum of their voices, the head
splitting buzz of steam in the engine.
and the Earring bump of trunks tumb-
ling from the baggage van.
Ralph looked at his watch-and
again yawned. He was a young man
of eight and twenty, straight and ath-
letic, with brown hair and eyes and q
dark dramatic face-whateVer that may
mean. His clothing was neat-f1tting
and stylish, from the patent-leather
shoe protruding into the aisle, to the
black derby hat that lay upon a gray
top coat carelessly flung over the back
of the seat.
For the want of something better to
do, he turned and peered out of the
window. But he could see nothing, al
though he shaded his eyes with his
strong white hands and fattened his
nose against the cool pane. He was on
the side of the car opposite the lights
OF the station, and all without was
blackness impenetrabIe. The glass,
backed by the wall of gloom, was a
mirror upon which drops of rain, like
globules of quicksilver, sparkEed and
trickled
Cali aboardt" bawled the smut-faced
brakeman bounding up the steps and
into the car-closing the door with
bang.
A snort-a start-and they were on
The engine eoughed and wheezed. The
low rumble of wheels grew to a deafen-
ing road and rattle. Dancing lights flew
past the windows as the train crossed
the principal streets of the village,
numbered through the outskirts, and
reached the open country. The brake
man shook the water from his cap, and
Steady1ng himself against the wOOd-bOX
sWayed with the lurching car. Gro
tesque shadows by the juggling
lamps-staggered drunkenly along the
aisle. The conversation of the passen-
gers was a drowsy murmur. The smoke
Of a vile cigar added pungency to the
close atmosphere; the bibulous sorse-
man was openly and WiIIfuIIy violating
the rules of the road.
The door opened and shut; and the
conductor-his short legs far apart, his
cap perched rakishIy on the back Of his
head, and his blonde mustache drip
ping moisture-stood in the aisle, sniff
fling suspicious1y and scowling. But he
skillfully thrust his lantern into his
armpit and quietly began to take up
the fares
Marlowe pl1cked the blue sleeve as
it brushed past him, and inquired:
'How fare are we from Babylon?"
''Ten miles-neXt stop but one.
And the uniformed taker of fares
savagely punched an old farmers bit of
pasteboard-but kept his eye upon the
pimpled face of the putting Jockey.
Slowly down the aisle he moved. The
natty drummer smiled across at Ralph
and winking slyly jerked his thumb in
the direction of the retreating conduc
tor Ralph smiled and nodded in re-
turn. Other passengers taking in the
situation grinned broadly. All CONVEX
satiOn ceased-the Iull before the gale.
eff you want to smoke, go forward
into the smoker" growled the con-
ductor as he reached the Jockeys side.
GO where?" returned the horseman,
as he Strengthened up in well assumed
surprise and indignation.
Into the smoker" repeated the con-
duetor in a louder tone. This isn't
the smoker"
The passengers twisted their necks
and held their breath to catch the re-
ply; .. :
tipsy leer.
'.No, it isn't. "-Angrily.
"We1l, who said it was" -With a
| fine show of dignity.-"D'you think
amt onto my job-say? OF course this
amt no smoker; it's a stock care. I'm
the smoker. See?"
! And he nodded his head and pursed
his lips contemptuously.
A litter rippled through the coach.
The conductor flushed, but manfu11Y
controlled himself.
mo nonsensei" he said severely
"Put out that cigar or go into the
smoking car.
'tThis amt no cigar; it's stogie- -
Putting vigorously and blowing tho
smoke into the others eyes.
''Listen!" Numbered the exasperated
/ conductor. ''Put out that cigar, go into
the smoker, or I'll put you off. :"
"Say, OF man, you amt preachfn' nc
sermon to deaf an dumb asylum"
"Do you understand ?''-takfng him
by the arm and shaking him roughly
"WeH?"
"I'm in the smokin' ear"
''You are not"
/ 'It's a smokin' car when l smoke II
it, amt it-hey?"
Don't get gay, now" the conductor
| Kissed menacing1y, placing his Lantern
upon the floor and pushing up hi:
sleeves.
"Oh." calculated an elderly woman
with a catch of the breath. sThey'r'
going to fight"
i The other passengers ceased to smile
the comedy was assuming a serious
i aspect.
Il Don't be scared" whispered the red