The Birmingham age-herald., 1920-10-14
M E N, w o MEN
 / A ND T H IN C s

and love of life keeps his work from
 getting on his nerves, for his days are
 apt to pass rapidly and pleasantly.
 I'm sorry for the man who is in a mis-
 nt job, but I congratulate the one who
 Is doing daily the things he wants to do. It's not possible for all workers to be able to do this, yet many if they use Ecommon sense and judgment, can have some choice in the matter.
 IL IS also true that an occupation may
 oe taxing and boring to another person, Of different temperament For example, i've never thought I could get much fun fout of being a street car conductor, but friend of mine seems to be able to do 1t without any trouble at all, as he is always in good humor.
 There is all the difference in the world l between conductors. I ride with some who radiate with good will, while others are perfect grouches. school of man. ners is needed in every business which serves the people, and in none more than in our public service transportation cor poratfons, as their popularity depends largely on the way In which their ser- wants handle the passengers.
 l am not talking of manners in the lChesterfieldian sense, for it is not ex- pected that the men who come from the farms and factories to take up fares shall have the polished deportrsent of so- ciety beaux or diplomats; but they can have the hearty. open way of dealing with people that characterizes those born and bred in the country; in fact there is a certain charm in the wholesome way in which those reared close to the soil meet and greet one another. There is freedom which never borders on familiar ! ity.
 l know men who have never been through college, and who have never been brought up in social circles where atten- tion is given to the little rules and cus- toms which governs the intercourse be- tween men and women in polite society yet who by their straightforwardness and perfect naturalness and hearty and whole some way of conducting themselves in the presence of others. make of themselves a source of delight, largely because there lis refreshing
 And so I know a street car conductor who is one of natures nobIemen for he is courteous to women, obliging to men and kind to children, and everybody on his run knows him and likes him. His greetings when you board his car in the morning send you to your work with a good taste for it, and his good-by at night when you step off the platform to make your way home puts you in the proper9 mood to meet the wife and the kiddies.
 am sure that he could find a better paying and an easier place, but am equally sure that he would miss the con- tact with his passengers. He has been on the run for years, and knows nearly every one who rides with him. He has had committed to his care the little tots ias they entered school, and seen them grow up and finish at the high school He knows the mothers and fathers. He is more than a street car conductor, for he is an institution and reflects credit on the B. R., |. & P. Co.
 He is himself father, and has a home, and coming from the country, keeps chickens, and pigs, and cows. and makes garden. If the old aldermanic system was in vogue and he lived in the ward in which he works I feel confident that he could be elected a city father without any trouble, now that women have the vote. If the children could trict I am glad, however, that there is no chance of spelling a good conductor by making him poor alderman.
 There are some people who are aiways hurried and Hurried, and who go through life in a series of jerks and spasms, and to see them at work one would think that they were extra dilligent by the fuss and confusion they make; but the con-
 
 do it silently with the least amount of friction My conductor friend is not only | courteous and obliging, but to see him ! take up fares and give transfers and | watch the stops and the other details is | to know that he is an artist in his line. He | works smoothly like well-oiled ma 1 chine, yet gives it a human touch which | is most agreeable.
 My friend is well posted, keeping in | touch with what is going on by reading | the daily papers, and frequently I try 1 out on him certain ideas for am con- fident that he takes a sane and sensi- l ble view of public questions. To tell | the truth. have been often surprised | that whom feeling was running high over certain local questions that he never lost 1 his head. but was able to look men and issues in the face and choose with out heat or passion between the true and | the false. have never seen him get excited. although from time to time his have sought to- get him into an argument He has his opinions, which he states with clearness and modera- tion.
 Now, have not invented this conductor friend to drape around him a story of my owr making. but he is a real character,