The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-07-15
WITH a rumble and jar suggesting

WITH a rumble and jar suggesting
wy 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 a 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 a
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 a 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 a 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
arm.
t'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
ly 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 in
an attitude of curious attention and
with slight tightening of the cords Of
his neck.
you took my ticket when we LEFT
Albany" said the tremulous voice.
Il did not" fatty asserted the con
ductor.
The elderly man looked on with as
tonishment and the Californian
scowled.
Where are you going?" asked the
conductor impatiently.
ITO Skerrytown."
"Well, l haven't taken up tickle
for that station on this trip. Fiv,
dollars and seventy-five cents, please.
80 sir! I did pay my fare and yol
took my ticket. have no more none!
or I would give it to you, for must &c
on"
"Well, you can go if you pay; i
you don't, you can't; and l can't wal
here all day, either"
Would you make all these people
think l am a theft" said the old lad!
piteously.
A deepening hum of sympathy raj
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?"
"Fiye-seventy-five"
Here's the cash. Give the lady
check, and see that you don't try t.
make her pay third time"
20 sir!" exclaimed the cid lady, &c
am not subject of charity. l will re
pay you as soon as 1 get home"
eyes, yes" he answered kindly. &c
know that will be all right Let m
tell you no one thinks you are tryin
to run your face on this road
"And let me tell you,' growled tn
conductor, that if l 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
ly:
well, now, won't insinuate an
more; but I'll tell you plainly tina
you are a thief-a man that collect