The Washington times., 1911-04-07

| There are regulars and irregulars VINO
travel in the night hawk cars OF the
| Smith street line, which runs from
Park row to Coney Island. The reSu-
lars. composed mostly of newspaper
workers and other night toilers, are
known TO the conductors. II so inclined.
the regulars may go to sleep and forget
the cares of the world, knowing the
conductor will rouse them when they
reach their destination.
With the irregulars it is different.
They have to take chances should they
fall asleep. 1t is safe TO say that so per
cent of the irregulars have been out en-
joying themselves, and the moment they
get aboard the car >they proceed to tie
themselves up into knots and give ini-
tatiOns of automobile horns They also
indulge in gymnastics painful to behold.
There are scenes of animation when a
sleeper who Is not a regular wakes up
suddenly, ruos his eyes 'anu asks,
Where am I?' When the information
one OF two miles beyond his destination,
and he then starts in TO say harsh
things to the poor conductor for not
waking him up at his street or avenue,
the whole proceeding being part of
diaboliCal scheme on the part of soul
less corporation to get an extra nickel
out of him for a ride back.
The conductor tries TO explain that,
never having met the gentleman before,
and inwardly hoping he may never meet
know just what particular street or
avenue he hOnored with his residence.
Had he possessed this information he
would have stopped the car gently at
the proper corner and assisted the gen.
tleman 10 alight. The irate passenger
contends this is no excuse. The con-
duCtor should have known an about
him, or made inquiry to ascertain who
he was. Hundreds of people knew him.
and were proud of the fact.
His Threats.
At the next corner the angry one as
sembles himself together and leaves the
car. after informing the conductor he
ill Eave him discharged during the day
The ccr<uctor has heard remarks like
this before, so shouts, Beat it, and
gives the signal to go ahead. leaving the
marooned one standing In the deserted
street.
But there is one wise night hawk con-
duCtor on the Smith street line who
rarely has troub lie with the irregulars,
owing to a system OF his own. He never
IS invited TO step ashore and have his
block removed. He goes among the
snoring ones. shaking them by the
shoulders, saying: Here you are, sir,
Second avenue" or Wake up now,
dorchester road next" and SO on.
How can you tell wrere they want to
get OFF," he was askeu.
Il ask them when they get abroad the
car" he explained.
Yes, that's a good scheme-but here
are eight men-total strangers to you,
asleep in this car at this very moment
How can you tell just the right street
TO stop at for every individual case?"
BY my system. The gentleman who
is sitting on his hat wants to get off at
Cortelyou road. and the man with the
red WhIskers leaves us at Church ave-
nue.. Those are my first calls. After
having disposed of them | will consult
my book and get ready for the next
call"
Your book -,- 20.
''Tes. TcalI It my tank book. It oper-
ates this way. When a man gets aboard
the car can tell at glance whether ne
Is going 70 go to sleep or not. So ask
him politely where he wishes to get off
in case he should be overtaken by slum-
Der. So soon as he gives me the infor-
nation | write 1t down in little book
| keep in my side pocket"
But how do you identify each man
with this particular getting-off point? -
IN coming to that AS soon as get
his destination my eyes follow him until
he is seated, and then | carefully note
the advertising sign above his mead. II
he has told me he wants to leave the
down under the pickle sign, enter il in
my book Pickle, Prospect Park West
From that moment he is known TO me
as Pickle. and he continues Pickle un-
til he leaves the car
How 1t Worked.
Now observe" he went on The
gentleman who is sitting on his hat is
under the Mercerized oats notice When
we get TO Cortelyou Oats will leave
the car right at his destination" Here
he pulled out his little book. I'VE have
also with us on this trip the following
sleepers, designated by me as follows:
Sliced Bacon, booked for Beverly road;
Blooming Petticoat, who departs at
Foster avenue; Bottled Beer who bids
US farewell at Avenue J: Knock Out
Ammonia who steps out at Avenue n;
Dog Biscuit who quits the merry
throng at Avenue P. and High Grade
SausageS, who saws ia. ia, at Kings
Highway. Floral designs goes through
to NDney. So don't worry about him"