The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-07-17
THE BOY FROM THE COUNTRY.

The boy stood on the street corner and watched the long line of cars slow ly pass. It was the busiest time of day the going-home time-and there had been blockade somewhere and the line extended a long distance up and down the street. There was very little interval between the platforms and the pedestrians who were obliged to cross the street found it somewhat hazard ous venture.
 It was a new sight for the boy. He came from town where street cars had not penetrated and where block ades were impossible, He was a coun- try boy, boy of perhaps eighteen, well built and well featured, but show ing his rural origin both in his appaa"- | ance and in the interest he displayed in what to city boy would have been an everyday sight. Presently he looked at his ancient silver watch. "Five-fifteen," he murmured haif aloud. T must be getting out there. l Ezra said 1t would be a twenty-five minute ride. That wouldn't be fa- at the rate these cars are going. Wonder is my car is among 'em?"
 He walked along the curb until he came close to a stalwart policeman who was guarding the crossing. Officer" he said after a moments hesitation, ''I wonder how soon the pro- cession will pass?" The big policeman looked around at the lad. His glance took in his old fashioned appearance. He smiled slow ly.
 Want to get across?" he asked good naturedly.
 The boy shook his head.
 Want to cross the street?" Nope" he answered. "One sides just the same to me as 'tother. What I want is to catch sight of my car" "Is yours private carp inquired the big policeman with a twinkle in his eye.
 Private. of course" the boy replied
 Didn't take me for a general, did you?" ''-
 The policeman laughed.
 Guess you're all right" he said.
 Guess am," said the boy. But I want to be right before I go ahead. This isn't what they call rapid transit, is it?''
 "No," the officer replied, "this is what they call congestion"
 Looks to me like creeping paraly- sis,' said the boy. The big policeman laughed again and then turned to pilot a nervous woman across the highway. When he came back the boy was still there.
 Guess you're from the country, aren't your" he said.
 Tt don't take a Sherlock Holmes to find that out" laughed the boy. "They all seem to spot me-"
 Good many temptations in the city for g. country boy"
 That's what I've heard"
 Good many bad men always lying ir wait for him."
 i've heard that too"
 "They are clever fellows. these ras. calls"
 "Yes."
 They'd steal the very clothes of your back"
 They wouldn't steal these clothes.
 If you have any valuables about yor you'd better go back and leave them il the hotel safe"
 Whats to prevent 'em from stealing the safe?''
 "The safe is watched and it's weigh makes it difficult to move."
 "Who watches it?"
 "The hotel clerk"
 'Wtho watches the clerk?' l ar,Y1cod Ya0Iioa,,ooo Il, question.
 "Then there are footpads to hold yo1 up, and confidence men to deceive yo1 ! end back platform robbers to take you watch and money.
 "Yes. We read the papers more o less down our way"
 "Supposing you were on the bacl platform and knew man had his han in your pocket. What you'd you do?
 "1'd wait" the boy replied, land se what he got.'
 The big policeman chuckled merrily What car do you take" he asked.
 "Tt's called the Sunnymere car"
 There's one now. Take care c yourself"
 Thank you," said the boy. q kno1 who to come to if I find the job to r.uch for me. Good-by."
 "Good-by,' the big policeman calle after him and waved his fal hand. ! The boy swung himself on to the ca and nodded to the conductor. The back platform worne's haven come aboard yet, guess" he said | . the fare taker.'
 "N,." replied the latter with littl chuckle. They get on la"el'"
 Guess I won't take anr chances, said the boy. "I'm going inside.'
 "Step right in," was the conductor . affable response. You wont find ali of the seats reserved. A nickel admit | to the whole show. The perforlnanc is now going on Don't has:tatc'
 He was a bright looking young fe , low, this conductor, and the boy like
 his smiling face and his merry tall , He gave him friendly nod as | q passed into the car It was a combination car, so-callr | with one long seat against the side ar ' a dozen or more short seats that wou !, hold two passengers at right angles .. the long seat. The hoy found one 7, these short seats empty and seated hir ! self next to the window.
 The car rapidly filled up as it swnr
 into the main retail street. and almo 1 immediately passe lgcr took the se