Date: 1888
6 of the great clock point to 1.30, the "express" from Liverpool comes thundering iuto the station, and for five minutes all is bang, rush, steam, and general commotion.  Then the carriage-doors are slammed, the steam ceases to roar, the engine snorts ominously, and slowly gathering up its strength, speeds away with its long train on the route to the north.  A little man clad in clerical attire is left standing on the platform, looking around as though in some per plexity.