Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-04-11
Gitcrarp Selections.
From Household Words.
THE RAILWAY COMPANION.


able companion at the commencement Of
long and fatiguing journey; if he has
ear-faps to his cap and a neat portman-
teau made to 90 under the seat, so much
the better, for they mark the traveller who
is almost always more worth knowing
than the stay-at-home. Before the train
has cleared the platform he has made a
pleasant observation in a CHEEKY friendly
way, and going on to break lance with
ns in wit, or to make a pet quotation of
our own, he exhibits generally little mug
gets on the surface which may promise
any amount of gold-feld underneath.
On the other hand, if he grumbles at
she light, or gives us sHrly answer, or
sits on one newspaper while he engages
himself with another, how the milk of hui
man kindness curdles within US We
say in our haste, all men are bears alike.
The greatest one l ever travelled with
was on a short journey from London to
Brighton, when was a wicked young
cadet at Sandhurst, and in company with
two others at the same college. We
three had been, Of course, late for the
train; and, while it was on the move,
bundled into the first carriage we laid
hold of, and it turned out to be the den of
white bear. He had white hat and a
white great-coat, and growled in polar
manner at our sudden ineursion. I was
but fifteen, and felt inclined to beg his
pardon, but Darau and Goitt were older
and stiffed-necked.
" SIR said the former, after minute
or two, have you any objection to our
smoking in this carriage?"
I'D like to see you at it," was the
grim response.
I" our wish, sir" answered my friend,
is our law" And his cigar was alight
in a twinkling.
: Have a weed yourself, sir?" said
Goit, generously; but he did not dare look
the infuriated animal in the face.
For my part, I had enough to do in
the judicious management of my Havana
for although I smoked regularly at that
time because it was forbidden, the amuse-
ment nearly made me i'll. So l said
nothing.
Presently Darall produced a pack oi
cards, and appealed to our companion,
sense of duty to induce him to take {
hand at whist, For otherwise, he pa
thetically concluded, 'we shall be posi-
lively reduced to play dummy"
@Never mind, younggentlemen-neve1
mind was the answer; "we shall see
when we get to Reigate who has got the
laugh on their side.'
On approaching the station we pru
dently threw away our cigars. And no
too soon; for the instant we reached tn,
platform, the white bear rushed between
US, and, putting his head out of the win
dow, called Justify for the guard. 9"
give" said he, with immense excitemen
- give these boys in charge, for smo
king in my carriager'
" Gentlemen! what have you to say t.
this ?" said the official
@Simply," replied Darall, while shud
dered at his presence of mind simply
that it was not we who were smoking a
all-it was the white gentleman himsel
smell him Is it not so ?"
We assented to this monstrous state
1nent with eagerness.
Sand, moreover" continued our leade
he wanted US to play at cards with hil
for money"
At this the old gentleman absolutel
foamed at the mouth. This gave a colc
10 our next proceeding, which was to ia
our foreheads with our forefngers, and
whisper in chorus, @He is mad, we think
The foe, being overpowered by weight
evidence, and in the state we had d
scribed him to be, got straightway int
another carriage.
l told Aunt Dorothy these circur
stance, and she said we ought all thr,
to have been whipped-perhaps, indee
IT was for my sins on that occasion tn
l have been so unfortunate in my railw,
companions since. I have been twice
my life shut up with a stark staring ma
man ; one Of them particularly stark
asmuch as he had not single article
clothing on, except his boots and an enc
nous cavalry cloak, which he took
early opportunity of dispensing vii
There were several other people prest
however, and he was secured withc
much resistance. But the other bu
mess was a far more serious one.
was seated in frst-class carriage of
cypress train about to start from p
aington, when, to me, as the plays S,