The Cooperstown courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., N.D.) 1902-1913, 1904-07-14
50 The Californian.
8A By William wescott Fink! M8
8 99
WITH rumble and jar suggesting
wv an accident tho train came IN

WITH rumble and jar suggesting
IN an accident, the train came to
a halt between stations, startling the
passengers, and the conductor, who had
been taking fares, went forward to
discover the difficulty. A slight fe-
male figure in black, surmounted by
an old-fashioned poke" bonnet, sat
still as though nothing unusual had
happened, and small elderly man
with white hair and blue eyes placed
his book gently, almost caressingly
across his knee and looked curiously
at the passengers. To all appearances
he was a student, dreamer of dreams,
one little accustomed to the ways of
the business world. He sat in the
third seat behind the little figure in
black; while just across the aisle 4
big fellow with long, bushy beard and
dressed in the garb of the typical Cal
ifornia miner of those days, seemed
interested in finding room for his long
and restless legs, or in twisting his
broad shoulders into q more comfort
able position, than in learning Of any
possible accident to the train.
The conductor soon returned.
Break in the engine-take an hour to
fix it." he CURLY replied to q passenger
as he went on taking fares. When he
reached the figure in black, he assumed
even more than his usual brusqueness.
Fare" he demanded harshly, but
the woman did not move.
Ticket" he insisted, touching her
sir" she queried in tremulous
startled tones.
"Fare-fare. Pay your fare" His
voice was loud and strident.
All the passengers were looking and
listening. The elderly man sat quiet.
1y watching with an expression Of
sympathy on his kindly face. The big
fellow with the SLOUGH hat and tanned
beard Strengthened up in. his seat II
an attitude of curious attention and
with q slight Tightening Of the cords Of
his neck. u
''You took my ticket when we LEFT
Albany" said the tremulous voice. Y !.
Il did not" fatty asserted the con
ductor.
The elderly man looked on with as.
tonishment and the Californian
scowled.
Where are y on going?" asked the
conductor impatiently.
ITO Skerrytown."
'Well, haven't taken up a ticket
for that station on this trip. Five
dollars and seventy-flve cents, please
20 sir! I did pay my fare and you
took my ticket. I have no more money
j or I would give it to you, for I must 60
on"
''Well, you can go If you pay; Il
you don't, you can't; and i can't wait
here all day, either"
Would you make all these people
think am a thief?" said the old lady
piteously.
A deepening hup of sympathy rar
through the car, but the Californian
springing to his feet, demanded:
Didn't you take that lady's tickle
before?"
What's that your business?" sneeret
the conductor.
':I'll make it my business. How
much is her fare?'
"Five-seventy-fve" ~
Here's. the cash.. Give the lady .
check, and see that you don't try Il
make her pay third time"
20 sir!" exclaimed the cid lady, g
am not subject Of charity. I will re
pay you as soon as get home"
eyes, yes," he answered kindly ::
know that will be all right. Let m,
tell you no one thinks you are trying
to run your face on this road" 6
'.And let me tell you,'> growled tn,
conductor, that if I hear any more o
your insinuations I'll throw you OF
the train.''
1T was amusing to see the big Cali
.fornian's face. A prolonged whistl
escaped his lips. Then he spoke quiet
1y:
''well, now, won't insinuate' an,
more; but I'll tell you plainly tina
you are a thief-a man that collect