The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-04-19
THE RAILWAY COMPANION.
From Unys,hoH Words


discovery, that one has got an agreeable CON-
panion at the commencement of long and
fati gning Journey: if he has ear-haps to his
cap and a neat portmantcau made to 90 under
the seat so much the better. for thev mark
the traveller who is almost always more worth
knowing than the stay-a'. home. Before the
train has cleared the platform he has made a
pleasant observation IN CHEEKY, friendly
way. and going on to brcai- d lance with rs
he exhibits generally litte nuggets on tie
surface which may promise any amount of
gold-field underneath.
On the other hand. if he crumblcs at the
light, or gives us surly answer. or sits on
one ne wspaper while he engages himself with
another, how the milk of human kindness
curdles within us, We say in our haste. all
men are bears alike III reatest one 4v.
er travelled with was q .l>,bort trip from
London to Brighton, when | was a wicked
young cadet at Sanlhnrst, and in company
with two others Of the same college. :
We three had been. Of course. late for the
train: and, while it was on the move. bun
died into the first carriage we laid hold of.
and II turned ont to be the den of white
bear. Tie had a white hat and white creat
coat. ami Srowled in a polar manner at our
sudden incnrslon. | was but fifteen. and
tclt inclined to beg his pardon. but Darali
and Colt were Older and >ti.lr ncckrd.
Sir SAID the former. attrra minute or
two. have v"u any objection to our smoking
in this carriage: -
I'D Ike to St" You at it was the grim re-
Spon>r.
our wish. sir answered our friend, i.
onr law. Amt his cigar WAS al.ht in twink
lnG.
Have a weed vour~elt. sir - said Goit,
generously: bat he did not dare look the in.
turia;r animal IN the f,.e
For my part had cnour', ~ 10 in the in
d,I"uS mina.rmrnt OF NV U,vana: for. a!
Though | smoked regularly AT that time be-
cause It was forbid len. the amusement near.
lv always n,'ir mr ILL., 50 SAID norlinc
Presently Dnrah produced = pack OF
cards and appealed I" our companions sens,
OF duty tn induce him 20 t.kc hand at whiS,
For otherwise. h. pathrticallv concluded,
we shall be positively reduced 10 play dunn
nv
Never mind. vonnr gentlemen never
m'nd. was IN" answer we shall see whcr
We get to felgate who has got the laugh or
their SIDE.
On approaching tina. station we prudent
" threw away our cigars And not too soon
TOR the instant We reached the PLATFORM III.
white bear rushed between us. and puttinc
his head out Of :ilc window called Justify TO,
the guard. Il give sad hc with immense
excitement; 4 .;ve these bows INTO charge
tor smoking IN my carriage"
''tnicn'n, what have YOU to say to this
said the official
SIMPLY, replied pirai. while ,hulI,ler
ed At his presence of mind 'S,np.v, that i
was not We who were >mokin. at all
was t'ic White -";,lc:,.en himself - smell
him. j. il not SOP
We a~scntrd to this monstrous Statement
with "a.crncSs
'hr wanted us 10 play At cards with hlm fo
money
At tins the old gentleman absolutely foam
ed at The mouth. This cays a color to ou
next proceeding. which was to tap our tore
heads with our tor'iingrrS. and to wli>y,rt
IN ch"rn>. lie Is mad. we think tn,
toe. BEN" ovcrpowerci lv wc.h: of ev,
dtncr, and IN the stare we bad describe,
hun TO he, got >tra -h;way INTO another car
rIarr.
told Aunt Doroihv these circumstances
and She sad We ouyht all three to h,v.
been well whipped perhaps. indeed. il va
Tor my SINS on that occasion that ! htv,
been 50 unfortunate in my RAILWAY rompan
IONS since. have been twice shut up witt
stark staring mailman: one of them par
tIcUlarly stark. lnasmuch as he had not
single article of clothing on. except Ia
boots ami enormous ravairv cloak, which h
took An early opportunity of di>pcns;n,
with. There were several other propl
present. however, and he was secured will.
ont much resistance. Bat the other bu>i
ness was far more serious one | W..
seated III t.rS:-c!a>s carri.rp of an cx
press tram about 20 start trom Pad,!inrton
when, TO me, as the pays say, entered
tail gentleman, with his coat butoncd ii yht
" over his chest in the military stylr. am
apparently padded in front Directly we be
: gan to move he asked in a quick, decisive
and rather imrertin"nt. style
! :" here are you gong to, sir,-whcre ar
You going =
= TO Bristol replied quietly.
'Hri>toI. sad he, was burnt TO the croun
last night whole of it burnt to ashes
Nv hat. sIr-noncsrn>e is impossible:
10 have considerable property there,
Il am Glad Ot ap.,c.r.J H.,
: Kissing between his clenc!cG teeth; its a
burnt
Then. ofcour>e, knew that he was ma
" man. lie Kept Watching me eagerly, Ink
c an annual IN act to spring. but tried not
j. look afraid, and made. conversation as car,
; les>Iy as couid, but dare say it was n,
/, very brilliant. In passing IIanwell, for il
y stance. remarked forgetting altogether tn
's purpose to which it is devoted) How we
. Hanwell looks from the railroad. sir y
, At this he placed his hands upon his knee
stared at me straight IN the face, and replic
& very deliberately:
'Ah: You should see how the railway lool
. from llanwellr
a cold perspiration broke ont all over m
a as | replied. 'Ah, indeed. and made an abo
V tive attempt TO yawn. | confess never fe
y less sleepy, nor more interested in anv 60,
!: versation in nv lite lie kept onite oui
~ for mile or two. only regarding me with
"a wI>ttul and curious countenance, whi,.b yra
'r ually changed to an expression of DISCUS, ar
=, ANNOYANCE.
:, SIR said he, at last emphaticallv, like
y man who has made up his mind upon the su
lect. i don't like your nose. But Ihave o.
something here UappIrg his breast) tt
= eighth wonder OF the world, and we'll G,
Your nose Oft and substitute that
G | sad. IN order to cain time. that shou]