The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1904-02-11

s--'@~--@-5
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. man In the cor
ner breathed softly through mouth
organ, to the music Of which his seat
mate, leaning his head sideways, gave
close attention. One big fellow with a
square beard staggered back and
forth down the aisle Offering to every
one refreshment from quart bottle.
II was rarely refused. OF the dozen
probably three-quarters were more or
less drunk
After a time the smoke became too
dense. A short, thickset fellow with
an evil, dark face coolly thrust his heel
through 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 little"
The conductor was big man, raw
boned and broad, with hawk face.
His every motion showed lean, quick.
pantherlike power. t
"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
/ Nftrl,tuan v.ot t1rnudo that's frol -
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.
Ticket Jack" repeated the con-
ductor. Come on, noww
The big bearded man leaned uncer
tainly against the seat.
"Now. look here, Bud" he urged in
wheedling tones. 81 amt got no ticket
You know how II Is, Bud. I blows my
stakes" He fished uncertainty in his
poN ptSuuNNu thC Hudlt DOttIC,
nearly empty. Have drink"
NO" said the conductor sharply.
"a right" replied Jack amiably.
take one myself" He tipped the bot
tie, emptied II and hurled 1t through a
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 blazes!" he snorted, and
with the sole of his spiked boot delv-
cred mighty kick at the conductors
thigh.
The official, agile as n wildcat. leap
cd back, then forward and knocked the
man half the length of the car. You
see, he was used to it. 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 'em, Jimmy" said he.
And as the big man finally swayed
10 his feet he was seized by the collar
and trousers in the grip known to
"bouncers' everywhere. hustled to the
door, which some one O1ligingly 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.
ing. kicking. gouging mass of kInet!c
energy knocking the varnish off all one
end of the ar. \ 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 1t could be seen that
Jimmy had clasped tight In his en-
brace a leg each of the other two. He
kugEed them close to his breast aud
jammed his face down against them to
protect his features. They could pound
the top Of his head and welcome. The
emily thing he really feared was'a kick
In the side, and for that there was
hardly room.
The conductor stood over the heap.
at manifest advantage.
"YOu lumber jacks had enough, or do
yOu want to catch II plenty"
The men, drunk though they were,
realized their helplessness. They sig
nihed they had had enough. Jimmy
thereup0n released them and stood up,
brushing down his tousled hair with
his stubby fingers.
"Now, is 1t ticket or bounceY' inquir-
ed the conductor.
After some difficulty and grumbling
the two paid their fare and that Of the
third, who was still dazed.
The interested spectators of the little
drama included two men near the
water cooler who were perfectly sober.
One of them was perhaps past the best
Of life, but still straight and vigorous.
His lean face was leather brown In
contrast to long mustache and heavy
eyebrows bleached nearly white. his
eyes were q clear. steady blue and his
frame was slapder. but wlry. He wore
the regulation mackinaw blanket coat;
a peaked cap with an extraordinary
high crown and buckskin moccasins
over long stockings.
The other was younger, not more
thanNtwenty-six perhaps, with the clean
cut, regular features we have come to