Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-12
COULDN'T STAND ANGEL CHILD.
The Stout Passenger Vehemently Ex-
pressed His Disapproval.

The regular riders in the street cars find
opportunity for the critical study of human
nature if ones propensities are inclined in
that way. AS great class car riders are
quiet and absorbed in their own thoughts
when not engaged in conversation and the
perusal of the newspapers.
Anything out of the usual run, however
at once attracts attention, whether it be
the loud talker of either sex, the painfully
evident bridal couple, the pompous gentle
man and the officious lady, or the fond par
ent and angel child.
The fond parent and the angel child have
been much in evidence during the recent
holiday eason. For the study of child-life
on a circumscribed scale the interior of
street car affords the right place Some
children, clasping their amusing little Teddy
bears in their arms with a grip which be-
speaks their thought of ''Ill-die- before
Tll-let-go, are quiet and wel-behaved and
manifest their home training by their de-
meanor; others also make similar mani
festation. but along ~ecidedly dissimlar
lines of demeanor
1t Is the latter species of the genus angel
child that is holy terror to the passengers
1t is never still for two consecutive seconds
and when not sQuirming and twisting on
the fond parents lap, is fighting for a win
dow position or crawling over the knees of
the adjoining passengers
A few afternoons ago healthy specimen
OF the doting mother and angelic offspring
entered one of the new side-seated cars on
the 18th street line. The lady and her prize
package of childish sweetmeats dropped
into a seat just behind a stout gentleman
The prize-package clutched in one chubby
fist a small flag and stick, and in the other
fairsiZed drumstick with one end COW
cred with chamois ball. BY beating con-
tinuous tattoo upon the window pane, his
mothers smiling and pleased features and
the back of the seat in front of him. this
particular angel child soon held the center
of the stage in the little street car entr'acte
which was pulled off then and there. Final
ly he brought both fag-stick and drum
stick down upon the stout genteman's head
with a resounding whack, knocking off the
latter's hat.
Look. look. mamma-papa's head"
shrieked the angel, in wild glee. bringi~g the
chamois-end of the stick down upon the
stout gentlemans bald head the second
time for good measure.
Mammals darling shouldn't do that said
the mother. with that very evident pride of
her offsuring which attaches to some moth
ers in such instances, though she offered no
apology to the stout gentleman.
For answer mammals darling dropped
both flag and drumstick, buried his tiny
fists in mammals hair, and pulled and bit in
that unaffected childish but vigorous way
common with such earthly angels. until the
tears came to the mothers eyes. Then the
prize ckage let loose a yell and a kick
with both feet that landed squarely on the
stout gentlemans left This was too
much for the stout gentleman, and he turn
ed angriy upon the struggling pair behind
him. and said
Madam, IL that child were mine, l would
administer the proper punishment"
Don't you dare to lay your hands upon
my child" exclaimed the mother, indig-
nantly.
at Is not likely that I shall do So mad
am responded the stout gentleman. whose
features were rapidly becoming apoplectic
"I'll call the conductor and have you put
off for insulting a lady" said the mother.
while the angel yelled the louder in posi-
tive enjoyment of the good time he was
having at the stout gentleman's expense.
DO so, madam, do sou cried the stout
gentleman, handing the lady to her very
evident Amusement. what was undoubtedly
his card, land I will be furnished with an
additional reason for thrashing your hus-
band and administering to him what the
proprieties prevent from handing out
to your little savagei"
For once fond mother awoke to the
fact that she and her angel were in a street
car and not at home, and that the stout
gentleman wasn't papa" Without a word
of apology. however, she gathered her prize
package closer in her arms, pressed the cleo
trio button and left the car at the next
crossing.
The stout gentleman nursed with his hand
his nfiamed ear until he left the car a few
blocks farther on and the passengers, who
had enjoyed the scene to the utmost won
dered if the angels papa would take up
the stout genteman'S def"