Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-05

freight cars;~one coach divided half and half between baggage and smoker, and day car occupied by two silent, awk- ward women and child. In the smok- CT lounged dozen men. They were of various sizes and descriptions, but they all wore heavy blanket mackinaw coats, rubber shoes and thick German socks tied at the knee. The air was so thick with smoke that the men had difficulty in distinguishing objects across the length of the car.
 The passengers sprawled in various attitudes, and their occupations were diverse. Three nearest the baggage room door attempted to sing, but with out much success. A man in the cor ner breathed softly through a mouth organ, to the music of which his seat mate, leaning his head sideways, gave close attention. One big fellow with a square beard awaggered back and forth down the aisle offering to every one refreshment from quart bottle. It was rarely refused. Of the dozen r probably three-quarters were more or 1 less drunk. After a time the smoke became too dense. A short, thickset fellow with an evil, dark face coolly thrust his heel | through a window. The conductor, who, with the brakeman and baggage master, was seated in the baggage van, heard the jingle of glass. He arose. Guess I'll take up tickets" he re- marked. Perhaps it will quiet the boys down a little."
 | The conductor was big man, raw boned and broad, with hawk face His every motion showed lean, quick, pantherlike power. F..
 "Let her went" replied the brake man, rising as a matter of course to follow his chief.
 The brakeman was stocky, short and long armed. In the old fighting days Michigan railroads chose their train officials with an eye to their superior deltoids. The two men loomed on the noisy smoking compartment. .. - Tickets, please" clicked the con ductor sharply.
 Most of the men began to tumble about in their pockets, but the three singers and the man who had been of ,fering the quart bottle did not stir.
 
 ductor. Come on, nowy'
 The big bearded man leaned uncer- tainly against the seat. ,..
 ''Now, look here, Bud," he urged in wheedling tones, 'I afn't got no ticket. You know how it is, Bud. blows my stakes" He fshed uncertainty in his pocket and produced the quart bottle, nearly empty. 'Have drinkY
 "No," said the conductor sharply.
 "A right" replied Jack amiably. 'Take one myself" He tipped the bot tie, emptied it and hurled 1t through window. The conductor paid no ap- parent attention to the breaking of the glass.
 If you haven't any ticket, you'll have to get off, said he.
 The big man strengthened up.
 You go to blazesr' he snorted, and with the sole of his spiked boot deliv- cred mighty kick at the conductors l thigh. The official, agile as a wildcat, leap ed back, then forward and knocked the man half the le11gth of the car. You It see, he was used to it4 Before Jack could regain his feet the official stood over him.
 The three men in the corner had also risen and were staggering down the ! aisle intent on battle. The conductor took in the chances with professional rapidity.
 "Get at lem, Jimmyv' said he. And as the big man finally swayed to his feet he was seized by the collar and trousers in the grip known to ''bouncers'' everywhere, hustled to- the door, which some one obligingly open ed, and hurled from the moving train into the snow. The conductor did not care straw whether the obstreperous Jack lit on his head or his feet, hit a | snow bank or pile of ties.
 The conductor returned to find roll 1 ing, kicking, gouging mass of kinet.c energy Knocking the varnish off all one end of the car. A head appearing, he coolly batted it three times against corner of the seat arm, after which he | pulled the contestant out by the hair and threw him into seat, where he lay limp. Then it could be seen that Jimmy had clasped tight in his en- brace leg each of the other two. He hugged them close to his breast and 1 damned his face down against them to protect his features. They could pound the top of his head and welcome. The only thing he really feared was kick in the. side, and for that there was hardly room. , The conductor stood over the hear, at manifest advantage. l You lumber jacks had enough, or do 1 you want to catch it plenty?"
 | The men, drunk though they were, realized their helplessness. They sig nified they had had enough. Jimmy thereupon released them and stood up, brushing down his tousled hair with 1 his stubby fingers. -'- IL -e
 Now, is it ticket or bounce?" inquir | ed the conductor. t.
 After some difficulty and grumbling the two paid their fare and that of the third, who was still dazed.s .. ;
 The interested spectators of the little