The Washington herald., 1907-04-28

first; anybody may sneeze in our climate
A young girl gave delicate utterance, her
face in her handkerchief a stout old man
eehoed her with resounding emphasis a
baby startled itself. INTERPRETING, and two
or three elegant ladies suffered distress
ing abrupt perturbation ia the midst OF
their d-gnlhed calm. Then gradually it
became apparent to the vaguely awak-
ening ear that good sport was abroad A
perceptihle wave of attention swept
through the crowded company, working
genial relaxation. There was prob
ably 40 event IN the world which could
SO easily have reduced that assembly Of
technical strangers TO their natural basis
OF friendIiness as just this, so human. so
vulgar besetment this ridiculous malady
So vulgar-that was the exquisite point
II appears that the searching tests Of good
humor are not elaborate situations IN
which one may stand on his dignity but
the commoaest accidents Of day life
Perhaps It IS better, In the long run,
to grade ones dignity 10 the common lev
eli then one can walk, not stand, on IT,.
One IAN even safely fall down.
The Spectator took an absorbing in
terest in watching the different occupants
Of the car serve their turns with the ma
iiCi0us plague Some Of them were quite
frankly pleased; they contributed their
ejaculation to the sum Of the general
humor with a laughing good will. Sew
efaI were shyly embarrassed, deploring
the public attention. But one or two
were superbly scornful. and, Of course,
they furnished the best fun of all. one
magnificent gentleman in q high hat and
fur-lined coat held himself grandiy
aloof In his manner, expressing a high
disdain. well. OF all the vulgar. dis
gusting proceedings" his profile said
quite explicitly. as he hung on his strap
and gaZed ont of the window. The hope
ful Spectator would not for the world
have taken his eyes from him. Present
iy tiny trem0rs began 20 agitate the ma
jestic calm Of the classic c0untenauce.
The Spectator received an ecstauc poke
from the market woman who neighbored
him. Hes a goner." she chuckled he
audible tones. The proud lips frightened
c0nvulsively. the fine eyes blinked very
fast; he had heard that chuckle. he tried
his best be would not, he would H0t-RO
At=t- away went N-lN rsAAtE -i4l " va
glasses on the spring of the most en-
phatic sneeze that the car had get
brought forth Laughter The people in
the street turned 20 look. smiling vaguely
IN sympathy. "A Sunday school plcnic2'
they asked one another. But the gentle
man Ia the fur-lined coat pulled the bell
strap and dism0untcd, purple with in
dignati0n.
PATS All On COmmon level
The most Of the passengers were now
chatting amiabIy together The eager
ness of their intercourse had pathetic
significance. considering the stolidity with
which they usually travel So repressed
are they by convention, poor things, The
social atmosphere Of the ear was present
~ that of an afternoon tea-a very demo
cratic afternoon tea, including all class
es and ages, The Spectator remembers
that he received excellent advice from his
neighbor, the market woman, az 10 the
care Of hens in winter
The initial impulse TO friendllness mean
time held on its tossing way. The char
ter members OF The trip-if one may call
them that-ceased to deride one another
for their involuntary ejacuiations; but
they banded together 20 watch neWcOm-
ers with a delighted expectation. The car
stopped and a young woman got on. She
was very pretty. The Spectator rose.
urged by a sudden protective desire 70
save her from her fate. II would surely
be going too far TO laugh al this fair
young gentle thing. But she took his
seat with an inclination OF her graceful
d.
her face begin 10 CULVER. Alas He
would have implored The people, If there
had been time and means But she
sneezed in her film Of a handkerchief and
all the people shouted The Spectator viii
not soon forget the startled look Of those
blue eyes up into his face. What was
the natter What had he douet Then
an inspiration seized him. lie took of
his glasses and sneezed I'VE times with
elaboration. punching q young man ou
the next strap with his elbow. the while
''Sneeze. you fool.' be exhorted The
young man sneczed and the whole car
sueezed, as we'll as ii could, for its laugh
ter. As for the young woman. It Is not
known how much, II anything she under
stood of the peculiar circumstance: hut
it is known that she had a frank and gen
eTous heart In which no pride or resent
iitHL 4Al AEAt iti size Jflltch lll tlit Etlitl
al laughter until the tears stood in her
eyes.
All, Well that was a famous trip, The
Spectator looks back on IL wistfullv, and
almost resolves 30 carry a pepper-p0t in
bis pocket 10 sprinkle all sIreet-car aislcs
withal. Il seems "a pity. when so very
little Is needed 10 break down polite bar
riers. that that little should not be sup
Piled. We have set ourselves a curious
task of strangeness and silence. The
Spectator supposes We might ride in
street car 10 the promised land of brother
ho0G-if we only would