The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-18
A Misunderstood MAN.

A misunderstood MAN.
Martha knew perfectly well that il was
J not at all the proper thing for her 10 be
sorry for drunkards. In moments OF nedi-
tatlon III the privacy of her own room she
! resolved not TO be again. But the sight of
the object Of he Tnedftations always took
her Cnawares- That was why her face
wore iooK OF tenderness and sympathy
While the stage waited 20 take on a pas
senSer who was too drunk 10 be an agree
able companion from the conventional
standpoint That attitude was obviously
, taken by Deacon Hubbard He looked ex-
acdy as Martha knew ne ought 10 look
The old irishman mounted the three stems
with as many motions as would be re-
quired for the number that they appeared
to him 10 be. He lifted one foot after the
other cautiously TO an unnecessary height.
then plunged it inside as if he were wad-
ing into a canal. Then he sank down
near the door. drawing his feet well up
out of the water. There was relief as well
as genuine eordiaiity in the genial saIuta-
ton that he extended to all his fellow
passengers.
But as the stage moved on the pleasant
smile faded from his face. He soon began
TO look anxiousiy at the fare box Drop
ping his eyes, he felt in the pockets OF his
and then ne slowly steered his attention
to the box again. He seemed TO be meas
uring the distance with his eye and max
ing some calculations with regard TO IT,
A somewhat protracted study Of the floor
and afterwards OF his feet appeared 10
give him no light on the difficulty. He sat
back, however, and resumed his bland
smile, as if resolved, come what would,
10 be cheerful. At this point Martha no-.
IiClnlr q rSfH fms arf,a a
dime, held out her hand and took it, She
did II so gently that he did not resist
though her eyes followed her rather anx-
iously- Personally she handed him
nickel. AT this unexpected Development
his face radiated with joy He could not
understand it, but he rejO;ced as fully as
if he did. II was too good. He had but
OHGGNnotut. Glsvooheheat ETAOINSHR
looked at the money box and the kind
lady had brought him some money.
SHANK you. Gay kind" he drawled in
soft sing-song. Deacon Hubbard drew
down the refractory corners OF his mouth.
Martha became the object of an intermit-
tent gaze of admiration, which the Irish
man made a praise-worthy effort to keep
steady, whit murmurs of Shank you"
were occasionally heard.
Gradually the stage filed. The woman
who was obliged to take a seat next the
whenever she glanced at her, had TO pat
tern the corners of her mouth after Dea-
con Hubbards. At University street the
French professor stepped in. He bowed
low TO Martha, greeted her effusively, and
as he wedged himself into a seat beside
her, gallantl.' relieved her of her parcels.
But the last was more than the Irishman
could stand. During the display of cor
diality (all unobserved by the innocent
offender) he had been writhing in his seat
opening and shutting his mouth convul-
sively, drawing his feet up further out OF
the water, and showing other signs of agi-
tated Indignation. Now he lost control
To see the kind lady robbed was more
than he could bear. Don't you touch
That LADY," he shouted. She's been kind
to me. That ladys kind to me. HI
and he clenched his fists menacingly. The
French professor ignored the interruption
and went on talking redundantly in his
own tongue. Neither his manner nor the
smiles of the spectators sothed the Irish
man. Enraged at the futility of his effort
to defend his benefactress, he uttered a
few desperate gasps. Then his voice died
down in hopeless humble Suddenly he
looked up as if with a new purpose. If
he could not right one wrong he could an
other; he would pay his fare Determined
to do this, he set out on the long and diff
cult journey to the box. But the driver
interfered: You've paid your fare once,
he said.
I'll pay me fare cried the Fighter of
wrongs
You've paid it, I tell you," cried the
driver
II can pay me fare as good as anybody.
can pay me fare as good as you can"
was the retort.
Sit down will you?" shouted the driver.
Don't be falling around on the ladies'"
II amt fell meself on nobody" and the
Irishman was in tears at being misjudg-
ed. I'm pay me fare" he assured him
self as he made his way, baffied through
obstacles manifold. back 10 his seat. For
a moment complete detection sat upon his
face. Then a timely thought came 10
cheer him: 'Zhat driver" he appealed to
his hearers as he mentally ran over his
stock for a fitting epithet-"Zhat driver"
he looked at Martha for special inspira
ton, That driver he announced as one
who spoke with authority, THAT driver
is dun goat; he is So His selection
to afford him entire satisfaction;
he repeated the statement several times
for the benefit of all whom it might in
terCst. Then, that no duty be neglected.
he went the length Of the stage again,
this time firmly, and gained the ear of the
driver himself before he repeated the fat
tering assertion. The French professor
stepped nimbly forward at this point and
made a peremptory complaint Every
body except Martha looked annoyed and
rather scared. She discovered. much TO !
her modification that she had inadvert-
emily smiled. 1t was lucky that Deacon |
had reached the end Of his ride
a few minutes before. She tried to look !
the way she thought he would have look /
ed. The driver kept casting his glance /
backward. obviously screwing up his /
10 put the Irishman off the stage. /
But he was saved the trouble by the con- !
scientious Hlbernian himself. who insisted /
upon ending a ride for which he was not /
allowed TO pay. There was a very tender /
look in Martha's face as the stage rum /
5lcd on. and as she really did not try very 1
hard not 10. she smiled.
1t is altogether shocking for you 70 be I
so annoyed. said the professOr.-RutE I
Graft in y. Y. Post.