The story
“Conductors have their likes and dislikes. No. 786, on the suburban-metropolitan line, had nearly all his regular patrons ‘sized up.’ For instance, there was Gray, a crabbed old business man with never a kind word, whom he cordially disliked. Now, toward May Gray, his daughter, and Jack, her sweetheart, Conductor No. 786 entertained entirely different sentiments. Jack had volunteered to act as witness for No. 786 when an obstreperous passenger had threatened to make trouble, while May, by her winsome manners, had also won No. 786’s good will. The old conductor watched the progress of the courtship with favor. Coming home one night, who should get on the car but crabbed, old Gray. The old man watched the young couple for a while and then, angry at seeing them so happy, resolved to send his daughter to a boarding school. Next morning, Gray and his weeping daughter took No. 786’s car. While her father fumed in his seat, May stole an opportunity to tell the sympathetic conductor her troubles. No. 786 acted quickly. Pushing a plugged dime under old Gray’s nose and charging him with attempting to pass counterfeit money, he ordered his passenger to leave the car. A dozen blocks further on May left the car and telephoned Jack. And while Gray plodded along the muddy tracks a quick visit was made to the minister. Old Gray arrived on time to denounce No. 786, but the plugged dime was incontrovertible evidence against the crabbed old Gray, and with the young folks married—well, what could papa do?”
Summary from Reel Life · 25 April 1914
