The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1908-08-27
straightforward


II was the time OF the return OF the
workers: the trains were steaming OUT
OF Broad street station heavily freight
ed In a packed thlrd-class carriage,
occupying a corner seat, was Joe Null
Inns. a ruddy-faced. MISUNDERSTANDING
young fellow OF the boness coster type (;
opposite sat Ill Rubens, evidently
factory hand. smart and gOod-looking
Of her class.
Al Haggerston the train drew up
with a Jerk, shaking the standing pas
sensers. who had not even the benefit
OF strap wherewith TO steady them
selves.
A blind man got Into the central
compartment. and as the train moved
again a concertina squeaked forth the
prelude 10 Ring Down the curtainl l
Can't Sing Tonight" the blind man
also doing the vocal part
The song ended. and his companion.
glrl-precocious. pushful. little
woman before her tme-took on his
hat add held II before the passengers,
CRYING out: '.Pify the blind. Remem-
Der the blind" Faces were hastily
buried in papers. and the gloomy seen
cry OF the gasworks became suddenly
very fascinating 20 the occupants OF
the corner seats: but a few pence found
their way 70 the hat, and the girl
called for a volunteer TO take the offer
tory n the farther seats. There was
no response, till Joe Mullins reached
Tor the hat and shook It before his
nelghbors. saying as he put In his cop
per: Things is bad. but here yer are. =
The girl opposite gave him CRATE
ful. appreciatiye glance as she also put
In her mite
Joe Mullins was in the same train
the following evening. having been TO
the city 10 make bid for some timber
from a building that was being demol-
ished. He was a wood-chopper, and.
being steady. his governor had entrust-
ed him with the ticklish Job Of making
bargain.
As the guard gave the fright awayI"
III Rubens. the girl OF the previous
evening. came into the compartment
brcathless. All seats were taken, 50
Joe at once proffered his seat, which
was accepted after a coy pro est
They both got out at Bow, and. with
remark about the elements. got into
conversation.
When their ways parted he asked her
these young men OF the East End can
be very gallant-"Can have the pleas
ure OF yer company at the concert on
saturday night at the Peoples PalaceT
She was there. so was Joe. with a
bunch OF yiolets, which Iii pinned In
her blouse.
rhey had their I'll OF music by the
interval. and left for a stroll and chat
Fancy you turning up" he said. Il
believe yer going ter like me-"
Il liked yer soon as seed yer take
blind Jim's hat" she replied.
He told her he was working at the
wood-choppers shed. but times were
bad.
"rlose Church Army chaps and the
'omes is playing old AIRY with us, and
we are 'arnng next to nothln'."
She was machine ruler in a book
binding factory. standing from s $3.50 In
the morning until Z 80 In the evening
with Just the midday interval for rest
Wasn't glad when yer gave me yer
seat in the trainl l should ha' dropped
II / had to stand all the way"
Thus their courtship began, and pro-
crossed In the straightforward. rough
and-ready methods OF this style OF
couple.
Joe did not consider himself engaged
'srhink I awt to be dahnright 'shamed
OF meself. angling up to yer when my
joh lis so played aht"