Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1908-03-10
WAS SOCIABLE
ANCIENT LADY
AMUSING STREET CAR INCIDENT
ON A CLUSTERING DAY IN THE
EAST. -'-

1t was cold, clustering day-one
of those days when people did not
walk if it were possible to ride. Quit
a crowd had collected on one side of
the crcsstown transfer corners and
when the belated car came along it
filled up rapidly.
One of the last to enter was stout
well dressed elderly woman, who, all
out of breath, sank gratefully in a
small space of seat near the door
The conductor soon came for her fare
the paying of which was prolonged
task for the old lady. Her chan;
was in the bottom of a handbag, which
also contained her handkerchief, card
case, watch and innumerable other
articles, which had either to be push
ed back and forth several times or
entirely removed from the bag befol
long looked for nickel could be found
The conductor showed no impa
tience, being one of those rarely af
fable officials occasionally met with
even in New York surface car, and
smiled benignantly upon the old lady's
look of apologetim annoyance. As
she handed him the fare she as
in a pleasant Way.
DO you like the West Side?''
Receiving a reply in the affirmative
she evinced keen interest in con
tinuing the conversation.
Il don't" she retorted firmly. "The
East Side is a great deal nicer.
like the eEast Side; never did like the
West Side; too sold over here; toe
| near the Hudson"
Here the conductor had to assist 9
passenger from the car, but on re
turning to his place just inside the
door the conversation was resumed
DO you like the Hudson River:
Guess you must have lived in New
York for some time Where were
you born? In New York? What's
that? Eighth street? Did you say
Eighth street or Eighteenth street!
Oh, West Ninth street, near the Hud.
son. Well, that explains why you
like the Hudson river and the West
Side"
Here she paused for a moment to
get breath for the next onslaught
while the passengers within hearing
distance were smiling with genuine
amusement.
Did your mother live here long?
Guess you were a nice boy; YOU look
as if you were. Are you married ?''
and the embarrassed conductor, blush.
ing like a schoolboy at this volley of
questions, looked anxiously toward the
front of the car, hoping that someone
would ask him for a transfer.
We'll, l am sure you have a nice
wife, continued the talkative old lady
with kindly tone. Does she get
up early in the mornings? At 4
o'clock? Well, that's fine. Does all
her work and gets you breakfast SO
early? Well, she's a nice woman;
anyone who gets up early is nice
Now, | get up every morning at 5 |
o'clock. Have all my life I'm over
SO and never had sick day. How old
is your mother? Sixty-six? Why
she is three years younger than am
no mean older-yes, she's three
years older than | am. never could.
stand people who can't get up early
in the morning. Have you any child.
rem? No? Well-Oh, here we are TAT
the Plaza; nice big hotel, amt it? III
want to get off on the other side of
the street. Cold day, yes; and so
windy"
Here the car stopped and the com
mllnicative passenger got off the con.
ductor assisting her graciously.
Mice old lady, wasn't she? So soci-
ible!" remarked one of the women on
the opposite seat, and then the spirit
of conversation died out.-New York
Times.