te official, as he turned to the dignified
gentleman, and stated the case.

Mr. Collingsby glanced at the old lady, and shook his head, with a
deprecatory smile.

"I have not the pleasure of the lady's acquaintance," said he, after a
hasty glance at her face, as he turned his attention to his newspaper
again.

"She says her son is your partner in business," suggested the
conductor.

"That may be; but I don't know the lady. I am not aware that I ever saw
her," answered the head of the firm, without raising his eyes from his
paper.

"What is your name, madam?" demanded the conductor.

"Don't he know my name? Don't he know the name of his own pardner?"

"I asked your name, madam."

"My name's Whippleton--Mrs. Whippleton; and my son's his pardner."

"She says her name is Whippleton, and that her son is your partner,"
said the conductor, again appealing to the dignified head of the firm.

"I don't dispute it, sir," replied Mr. Collingsby, coldly. "My
partner's name is Whippleton, but I don't know that lady. As I said, I
am not aware that I ever saw her before."

"Shall I trust her for her fare?"

"Do as you please. As I don't know her, I cannot vouch for her,"
replied Mr. Collingsby, in a tone which implied that, if the conductor
knew what he was about, he would not disturb him any further on the
disagreeable subject.

"Mr. Collingsby does not know you, madam."

"That's what I call mean!" ejaculated Mrs. Whippleton, bitterly. "I
don't believe he'd know his own father if the old man didn't wear a
fashionable hat."

"He doesn't dispute what you say; but he doesn't know you. I must have
your fare, madam."

"I keep telling you, I hain't got no money."

"Then you must get out here."

"You don't mean so!"

"Yes, I do. Shall I help you out with your baggage?"

"But I'll pay you when I get to Chicago."

"That won't do. In a word, madam, I don't believe you lost your
ticket."

"Goodness! Do you think I'd lie about it?"

"I'm sorry to say I do think so. If I mistake not, you have tried this
game on before."

"What imperance!"

"Come, madam, be in a hurry!" persisted the conductor, reaching forward
and taking the old lady's largest bundle from the rack.

"I should like to speak to you a moment, Mr. Conductor," I interposed,
unable any longer to contain my indignation.

"What do you want?"

I rose, and requested him to go with me to the rear of the car.

"Speak quick, young man. Do you know this