Conduct of life -- Fiction; Railroads -- Fiction; Swindlers and swindling -- Fiction
"The boy is right," said a young lady sitting directly behind the
passenger with whom Fred had his difficulty. "I saw this man take the
package and put it in his pocket. I have waited with some curiosity to
see whether he would persist in his attempt to cheat the boy out of his
money."
There was an instant revulsion of feeling. The attempted swindler
looked as if a bombshell had exploded at his feet.
"There is some error," he stammered. "The young lady is mistaken."
"I am not mistaken," said the young lady positively "If this man will
allow his pockets to be examined, the package will be found."
The man rose from his seat and prepared to leave the car.
"I ain't used to being insulted," he said.
"Gentlemen," said the young lady, "you have only to look at this man's
side-pocket to see that it contains the package."
The passenger wore a sack coat, and it was plain to all that the young
lady was right.
"I will pay for the package if the passenger is not honest enough to do
it himself."
"No, miss," said a rough-looking man who looked like a western miner.
"This man must pay, or I'll pitch him out of the car myself."
"I think you had better pay, sir," said the pompous looking man with an
air of disgust. "I took your part, because I supposed you were a
gentleman."
The other, without a word, drew out a dime from his pocket and handed
it to Fred. Then, looking very ill at ease, he left the car hurriedly,
and went as far forward as possible.
"Do you have many experiences like this?" asked the young lady, with a
smile.
"Yes, miss, quite frequently," aid Fred, "and it isn't the poor
passengers that try to cheat me. Sometimes I travel on emigrant trains,
but I never lost a cent by an emigrant. It is those who are able to
pay, like this man, who try to take advantage of me."
"Do you make good pay?"
"I average about a dollar a day."
"I suppose that is fair pay for a boy of your age."
"Yes, it is; but I need it all. I have a mother and brother to
support."
"Have you, indeed?" said the young lady sympathetically. "You can't all
three live on six dollars a week."
"Mother earns a little by sewing, but that isn't paid very well."
"Very true. So you sometimes get into difficulties?"
"We are in difficulties now. The rent is due, and we lack three dollars
to make it up."
"That is easily remedied," said the young lady. "It is my birthday
to-day, and I shall allow myself the luxury of doing good. Here are five
dollars which you will use to pay the landlord."
"Thank you, miss," said Fred gladly. "You have lifted a weight from my
mind. Our landlord is a strict man, and I was afraid we would be turned
out on the street."
"Miss, will you let me shake hands with you? You're a trump!"
It was the western miner who spoke, and he had come forward impulsively
from his seat, and was extending a rough, sunburned hand to the young
lady.
She did not hesitate a moment, but with a pleasant smile placed her
hand in his.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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