The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1902-03-21
A RAPID =
PROMOTION
BY w. r. ROSE.


The car windows were all open and the
swift motion created II pleasant draft that
carried no suggestion OF coughs or colds
with it. Ii was car No. 511 of the main
line, and the conductor was No. 3S1.
| He was a pleasant appearing conduct
or, was No. 3S1. young and well built.
with bright gray eyes and his cap tilted
back on his head in true boyish fashion
He was an alert conductor, too, and keen
ly alive to the responsibilities of his place
He helped old ladies and children aboard.
he made the passengers sit closer, he kept
sharp supervision over all the details.
There was tail man with gray hair
and a white mustache on the back plat
form. a very well dressed man. who
seemed deeply interested in the trip. He
had bonrded the car while No. 3S1 was
inside collecting fares, and, as this collect
ing process took some time, the gray
haired man had chance to make a study
of the roadbcd as the car rumbled along
He was looking over the platform rail
when No. 3Sl tapped him lightly on the
shoulder.
Fare. please"
The gray haired man slipped his fingers
into his change pocket and drew out a
half dollar. AS he pushed it toward No.
3S1 he slightly turned his head.
George" He couldn't repress a little
start of surprise.
Hello, father" said No. 3S1 as he
thrust the coin into the proper pocket
"Tickets?'
"No." replied the gray haired man with
some sharpness. He stared hard at No
3Sl as he counted out the change and
thrust it into his hand.
"Transfer"
mo" snapped the older man.
GLOW are you. father?
"Wel enough. How Is 1t with you'll?
Fine" laughed No. 3S1. Then he
looked little wistfully at the gray haired
man. 81 wouldn't mind shaking hands
with you. father. It's four years. you
know. since had the chance"
The old man slowly put out his hand.
and No 3S1 gave ii a warm pressure.
Getting down TO the huShs. GeorgsT"
"IIusks. father? Oh. | remember now.
| You ailude to the unfortunate young man
In the Sunday school lesson. the young
| man who lived on husks and tended
swine Yes. yes. But there have been n"
husks on my menu. father, and the end
seat car hog is the nearest approach t"
the porkers No. get three good meals
| n day and carry home my So every Sat
urday night" He laughed he said 1t.
his eye on the interior of the car.
but can't you get something better
than this?'
Haven't tried. You see. this was the
best | could do after being thrown out OF
n better job by the burning of the bicycle
factory, and | promised the trolley super
intcndent that would stay in the employ
| of the road ut least n year If they'd take
| me on, and just six months of il have
passed Change here for the Ellinwood
belt line"
The old man followed No. 1871 with his
keen gray eyes that were very much like
| the conductors. though deeper set, and
| a new light came into them.
You arc married. George7"
81 wrote you that | was, father"
There was n little silence.
"And have little boy. father. three
| years old. wish you could see him.
Why can't your We live at No. 81 Corn
wall street. close to the end of this line.
You'd he very welcome. father"
The face Of the old man hardened. and
he shook his head.
81 have very little time" he said. 81
nm here on important business"
Every we'll" said No. 3S1 quietly.
You'll be welcome any time" Then he
added: 81 take the down car here. Good
| by" He leaped off caught the rail OF the
approaching car. waved his hand and was
| gone.
The old man sighed as he turned back.
Somehow he seemed to have lost all In
terest in the condition of the roadbed.
| When the end OF the line was reached.
he stepped from the car and looked about
him. Then he walked over to the start
er's little station.
"Will you kindly direct me to No. 81
| Cornwall street," he said.
Ten minutes Inter the gray haired man
knocked Mt the door of the little cottage
on Cornwall street. A neat young wom-
an responded 1t was not a favorable
hour for calling, but the young woman
bore trim appearance. her hair was
| nicely arranged and there was an mir Of
| refinement in her greeting that the old
man liked.
This is the home of No. 3Sl, | bc.
lieve." he said as he raised his hiatt
mean of George Glazier."
"Ycs. sir hut he Ia not at home. lie
will not he home until q"
| al have come some distance to see
him. said the gray haired man.
She looked at him with new interest.
He was an old man. and she fancicd h"
| looked tired.
"Will you come in and rest ?" she asked
IN her gentle voice. perhaps you can
| leave u message.
Thank you" he said and followed her
into the pleasant little parlor His keen
gray eyes Travelled about the room and re-
| turned to the woman. 81 beg your par
don" he snid but would you mind CIV
ing me a little of your time?'
She looked mt him wonderingly and
then seated herself.
"You can't really be happy here" he
said abruptly.
She started NJ the suddenness Of the re
mark
IL do not know what you mean," she
said
81 mean that this little house. this lone
some neighlorhnod. the lack Of nice
clothes, the fact that your husband Is but
poorly paid employee the desire for
those things that just little money
would secure. must make you discomfort
ed at times"
Her color rose She held her dimpled
chin n little higher.
DO ! look diScontcnted?" she asked.
Gould he discontinued with so much to
be thankful for? We have our health. we
have coy home. we have our little
Stephen"
| .,L'I, ~ crinI the old man "You have