Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-20
Penniless Passengers Often Saved
From Inconvenience.

The lady In blue was really very pretty,
and it was really APPLY that she had for
gotten her purse at home and hadn't even
so much as nickel in the folds of her
new fall suit, but she hadn't the price OF
a car ride. and it was up to her to take
her prettyface. her stunning suit and fetch
ing hat off the car forthwith and hike her
little feet homeward, unless someone in
the 18th street car in which she was riding
antied up a car ticket it's equivalent in
cash for her.
There. were four men and seven women
in the car at the time, and a small boy
in far corner who smiled an appreciative
grin of delight. All of the men made pro-
nounced or surreptitious finger dives into
change pockets, for the ladys charming
glance of perpleXity went to the right spot
with the men, but not one of the remain
ing members of the fair sex budged an
inch.
The conductor settled the matter by ring
ing up the lady's fare and handing her a
small empty change envelope upon which
his number was marked. The men re-
sumed the perusal of their papers, the
seven ladies took in the pretty lady's new
clothes from head to foot with expressions
which may best be left to the imagination
while the conductor returned to the rear
platform and made this confidence to a
Star reporter who happened to be stand
ing there:
THAT sweet smile may be all I'll get
out Of It," he said, though l would rather
lose the smile than the ticket l have got
to make good to the company at the end
Of this run.
Yes, some conductors will thus pay a
lady passengers fare, and infreuuently
a mans fare, when such an instance as
this may arise, and other conductors make
1T a rule not to do SO. The fact that the
lady was well-dressed and was cookbook
ing didn't cut any ice with me. / would
done readily
in fact, for in the few cases where 1 have
been thrown down when l have done the
bountiful provider act to penniless passen-
gers 1t has come from passengers whom
we may designate as the better class.
1T may have come from forgetfulness
and 1t may not, but lost the nickel just
the same, whatever the motive Al, con-
ductors will tell you the same story though
! am glad to say that as great rule the
passengers we thus aid are careful to
inclose a ticket or nickel in the little
them to some other conductor on the line,
who in turn will see that they get into
the right hands. Some passengers make
a note of our name and number, and mail
while there will be inclosed an acknowl-
edgment of thanks for our courtesy.
While the first way of getting us back the
money Is as effective as the second, yet
the latter makes US feel that all persons
are not unmindful Of friendly act, though,
of course, we expect no gratuity.
Il did this spontaneous combustion act
of kindness once for lady, and, though
she was afterward frequent rider on my
car 1 never got the price of that ride l
gave her free. OF course, it may be that
she handed the ticket to another con-
ductor, or mailed it to me at the car house,
but never saw the color Of her coin. L
never afterward spoke of it to her, nor
did she say word to me.
IT have been on this line for fourteen
years, and during that time I have paid
the fare of many passengers, and espe-
cially some of my regular riders whom l
know by sight and sometimes by name.
am out about half dozen tickets in con-
consequence, as most people in this re-
spect try to be honest, though some people
will fake fare if they can