The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-08-14

ING "OAdu WAS DSauLl1ul, well
dressed. and evidently, from her voice
and bearing, a gentlewoman. There
seemed only one thing to do.
Very we'll, madam" he was be.
ginning, when a stout, red-faced man
in the next seat burst into a disagree
able laugh.
Same old graft, conductor" he said,
with a coarse wink, diving one hand
into his trousers-pocket; but they al.
ways get away with it, the dears!"
The woman flushed scarlet, and
edged away from him, her face show
ing plainly the aversion and disgust
she felt at his words and action.
'Will you pay my fare for me, con.
ductor?" she asked.
Certainly, madam" replied the
young man courteously. He ignored
both the nickel proffered by the red.
faced man and the latter's sneering re-
mark, drew five cents from his waist
coat-pocket, and transferred it to his
coat. Then he rang up the fare and
moved on.
What is your name, please, conduc-
tori" said the woman, putting a de-
tanning hand on his arm.
1t was the young mans turn to flush.
THAT isn't at all necessary, mad
am" he protested.
Yes, it is" she insisted. Please
tell me-"
John Brewster"
Thank you"
He passed on, and a few blocks far
Their along the woman left the car,
giving him pleasant nod and smile
as he helped her off the step.
The red-faced man presently got up,
and lounged toward the platform, CIV
ing the bell-rope a jerk
Here, my man." said he, holding out
a f1ve-cent piece, take it. 1 can bet
ter afford to lose it than you can.
You'll do well hereafter to remember
that a favorite trick of that sort of
woman is to beat the road, the con-
ductor, or any one else she can stick
for the price of her fare"
Brewster drew back, an angry flash
in his eyes.
don't. want your money" he said
In low tone. But" he added, "you
will do we'll to learn how to tell lady
when you see one. If hadn't been
wearing the company's uniform, I'd
have thrown you off the car when you
spoke to her as you did"
"Oh, you would, would your" snarled
the other. We'll, we'll see just how
good your job is, Mr. John Brewsteri
I'll have you know that no whipper-
snapper of a fresh conductor can in
suit me with impunityi You wait and
seei"
Brewster thought no more of the
threat and it's maker until the next
morning, when summons to the SUI
perintendent's Office brought it forci-
bly, to his mind.
With feeling of uneasiness, he
complied with the order, and present
ly found himself face to face with the
superintendent, who looked up from
the pile of letters he was sorting and
favored the young man with a curt
nod
You're John Brewster" he said; II
received a complaint against you-a
man has notified me that you were in
solent to him yesterday-that you
threatened to throw him of the car.
What have you to say?"
Il didn't exactly threaten him, sir, /"
he said sturdily, "but / did tell him
that he deserved such treatment, and
If had been out of uniform / should
certainly have given it to him. He
insulted a lady, sir, and 1t would have
served him just right"
Then you admit the truth of his
story?"
IF you put it that way, yes"
In that case, you will turn in your
badge and uniform" remarked the SUI
perintendent.
Very well, sir" responded Brew
ster
He had expected either reprimand
or dismissal; but at the same time he
felt that it was pretty hard to be so
summarily turned off merely for act
ing the part Of a gentleman and re-
senting the insolence of the red-faced
man. He turned toward the door
"One moment, Mr.. Brewster" inter
posed the superintendent. There was
a twinkle in his eye. Courtesy is
such a rare plant that we must do all
we can to foster its growth. You will
report here tomorrow morning. There
is a vacancy in this office and 1 should
like to have a talk with you about
filling It.
You see," he added, with a smile,
as Brewster stood staring at him, too
dazed by his sudden good fortune to
utter a word, 81 heard the other side
of the story last night-from the lady.
She happened to be my wife,