The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-01-13
THE STATION MASTER
HE WHO BOSSES THE CITY HALL
 TERMINUS.
Buffer for the Crowds in the Rush Hours, Bombarded by Question CTS and Target for the
 Many Troubles of Others.

many 4TOUUlSS VI SthSAS D. New York Sun.
 It requires man of patience and self contro Ito fill the job of station master at the City Hall terminus of the Third Avenue elevated road. It is easy to take care of the station in the day time and late at night, when the travel is light; but when the rush hours begin there's a pack Of trouble. A pertore of The Sun watched the station master the other evening between the hours of and $ o'clock and the reporter wouldn't ex- change his job, with ali it's attendant woes, for the bossipg of the City Hal station.
 The station master, well fed and genial faced. stood just beyond the ticket-chop- pers where he was mark for those wno desired information or had tales Of woe to tell. There were many who thirsted for knowledge and many more with griev- ances. Yet after going through the or deal, when the hustle of thousands ceased, the station master leaned against the rail and actually chuckled:
 Can you tell me. sir?' vas the first auestion he had encountered. It was snapped by an old mall who carried hand satchel. What train do l take to get to the Jersey City ferry?"
 There is no way to reach 1t, madam. was the reply, .'uniess you go to ..,atham Square, then change to South Ferry train and change again at the Battery to a Sixth or Ninth Avenue train for Cort- landt Street."
 'Is there no train here direct?''
 NO. madam!
 Where do I go?''
 Down stairs, If you wish, and walk
 
 But I've dropped my ticket in the box!''
 'I know it, but that can't be helped. I have nothing to-"
 Just then man carrying trunk on his shoulder tried to push his way past the ticket boxes.
 "You can't carry that on the cars!" exclaimed the station master. It's against the rules!' "Who'n stop me?' roared the trunk carer. I've bought ticket" Against the rules!' said the station | master again. Step aside, you're block l ing up the passageway!" Get out of the way:' yelled half a ! dozen men in the rear. It looked as If there would be a free fight, but the suave station master soon had the trunk carrier under control and he stepped | aside. "Is this the Brooklyn bridge?" asked | a thin little woman who had two small boys with her.
 ''No, madam! The bridge entrance is in the other direction" | Are you sure?"
 "Yes. madam, you'll have to go back"'
 "l'Il do nothing of the kind. I've paid my fare and I want to go to Brooklyn. | They said this was the bridge" The woman would have been there yet had not the station master been a man | of such persuasive eloquence. She went | away satisfied that she alone was to l blame.
 Say. young fellow" growled a short. thick set man, whose nose was of bril- liant hue and whose voice was so husky that he could hardly make himself heard above the din. "I wanted go ter Forty second Street. How long does it take?''
 About eighteen minutes!"
 "Kin come back this way?"
 Why, certainly"
 (Which train does take?''
 Either traln!"
 Well, yer needn't git Swolled up about 1t. young feller, cause yer wears a uni form!'
 Go along, now, and be good!''
 "Td like ter take a fall out'n a fresh geezer like yVu"' l GO on! to on!
 Fur two pins IT put one over on yer jaw and make per gold teer crack, wOuld!'
 "oficer!" the station master blurted, Here's gentleman who seems to need assistancel'
 In tho twlnkling Of an eye hurley cop had the woullbe fighter by the nape of | ihe neck and with 8 football rush had hurled him onto train.
 Hold on, therel Hold on! Don't crush that way! Somebody's got my pocket bonk!'
 It was a fat woman who startled those around her with this cry. "oh. Mister | Policeman, catch hnnv And the woman grasped the station masters arm. He s got my pocketbook! I saw him take it!'
 Which one was it?' asked the station master and 8 policeman both at once. The woman looked helplessly into their faces and walled:
 He's gone, but do get the pocl1etbook!'
 What did you have in it?' they asked her
 II don't know. but he's got it!'
 What are you steppin' on' my foot for, you loafer?' howled @ middle-aged man who had his arms filled with bundles. He directed his remark at youth who was rushing pellmell through the crowd.
 "Aw, go take a jump in the river, re- torted the youth. as he inadvertently bumped into the station master.
 You'll stop this or go to the street" " said the latter, ''ThNre must be no rough house here"
 'I'n nck you and thesOld codger, tool remarked the youth. But before hostili- ties could begin he was swept on by the crowd.
 There was a sudden cornmouon at the ticket boxes. A woman was gesticulating wildly and the crowd behind her was swelling in size every moment. No crowding here,'' the station master remarked as he hurried to the spot.
 T dropped a nickel in the box!'' shrielt- ed the woman, and here's my tlcket!I T didn't see no nickel go in" growIed the chopper. She's fakin'.'
 T want my nickel!'
 Madame, you will have to put your ticket in the box and then make an ap- plioation to the company for your nickel. | It will be returned to you when the box has been opened
 "Tn do no such thing! want my nickelH'
 Here take this nickel for heavens sake" cried a man who stood behind the woman T want to catch train at Thirty-fourth Street" I'm no beggar. I don't want your nickel"
 | ..Tben get out of tn way. Out of the