The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1911-04-23

while he is reading a paper. The beat
usually looks carelessly away as the con-
ductor comes around, as though he had
paid his fare, and often, while the con-
ductor suspects, he doesn't dare accuse
the passenger unless he is sure. Why,
there are lots of people who even try to
beat the conductor out of transfer,
which won't be any good to EN- when
they get to their destination. 1t just
tickles 'em to think they've done the COM
p'ny out of something that's coming to
it."
By this time Jim's car began to fill UP
and .he conversation was interrupted by
frequent fare-collecting trips inside.
Dye see that old man in the cornerT
he remarked after one OF these excur-
'sions. The old duffer tried TO slip bad
nickel over on me 1t was plugged and
worn shiny. When I wouldn't take it he
says, 7 got II from another conductor on
this line Now what do you think of
that? suppose If he gave another con-
ductor a two-dollar bill and only got
fund the other dollar And that amt any
more unreasonable than the things con-
ductor has pulled on him by passengers
every day. Why. the other mornin' a
woman asked me IL / could hold the car
long enough at the next corner for her
to run IN the drug store and mail a let
ter"
Nearly an Accident.
Just then Jim and The Herald man
were thrown heavily forward by the sud-
den stopping of the car. Recovering our
equilibrium we looked forward to see
what was the matter. There was Bill.
gazing In impotent rage at a vehement
pedestrian who had. without warning.
started to walk backward across the
track IN front of the flying car and had
Just been saved from humiliation by
Bills quickness. steadiness of nerve, and
presence of mind.
"why'n't you ring your bell?" yells the
irate foot passenger.
Bill. bond by the rules. can only muir
muir with forced politeness, go to tn
mule doctor an git pair o ears.
And Jim gives the double" twitch to
the bell cord and of we go again.
The truth of the incident was that Bill
had seen the pedestrian sauntering across
the tracks half block ahead. and had
kept up a steady tattoo on the gong all
the way down the block. Just before he
drew within striking distance the absent
minded walker turned completely around
and started back in the very path of the
oncoming car.
IF we'd hft that fool guy said Jim,
IAN he'd lived to sue the comp'ny there'd
a-been half n dozen witnesses ready to
swear that Bill hadn't sounded his gong
or slowed down an: that / had my back
turned and was readin' a newspaper"
At the next corner a large personage
smoking a huge cigar, boarded the plat
form. Jim collected his fare and said:
Smoking not allowed on these cars,
SIR"
What do you mean" demanded the
Messenger inperiously.
That's the rule, SIR continued Jim.
politely. NO smoking on the closed cars
on this line
I'D like to know why can't smoke on
this car when I've been smoking on this
line all my life"
This, of course. was pure falsehood.
The man knew that Jim knew 1t was a
falsehood. but Jim, bound by the rules,
could only say:
Guess there's some mistake, sir. Those
are my orders. and IL would cost me my
job II an inspector saw me letting you
smoke"
well. won't stop smoking. What are
you going to do about it?' demanded the
big passenger, belligerently.
Jim reached to the bell cord and gave
three short pulls. The car jerked up on
its four legs as Bill shut on the current
and spun the brake around. Jim pulled
the bell five times. and Bill, controller in
hand. clamberad down and came back to
the rear platform.
"wot's up?" he questioned
Passenger won't stop smoking" said
Jim, calmly.
Bill eyed the quarrelsome passenger
for moment.
Say, you" he said at last; IT amt
allowed to argyle with you, but II you
don't throw that butt away or get on
this car inside o. ten seconds something's
soin' to drop on yer, an 1t won't be no
Peace Monument"
Passenger Retires.
The passenger took a reflective pun.
looked Bin in the eye for a second, and
tossed the offending cigar over the gate.
"All right" he said surlily, but mean
line when can smoke on any other in
the city" Then he stamped into the car
and sat down. putting out his cheeks
ferociousiy.
Bill grinned at Jim and went back to
his platform.
Ding, ding, and we were on again.
THAT wasn't strictly accordin' to the
rules" said Jim. but it's the only way
you can keep your car goin' sometimes"
\ This. little trip back from the barns
with Jim and Bill topped on an interest
Ing inquiry into the workings Of that
branch Of the street car company which
engages and trains the men for the
service. The average citizen who uses
the street cars daily probably has the
idea that the men handling the cars are
picked up In q haphaxard manner and
put to work without any particular pains
being taken to train them for their posi-.
lions. One could not Be moro mistaken.
The superintendent Of transportation Of