Eastern times., 1856-03-06
G9e storp Gfller /,
From Arthur's Home Magazine.
DINING THE PASSENGERS.

The scene described in the following sketch,
took place some few years back, when rail-
roads were luxury but little known 10 the
traveller, and the passage of the Alleghanies
in a numbering Troy coach was an event TO be
remembered
Persons who staged it good deal, in
those days are aware that the eating houses
along the pixies were not always the best
houses. The following brief dialogue between
driver on the National road and landlord
whose establishment was the most uninviting
one to be met with in ten miles round, will
partly elucidate this matter.
The name of Boniface is Screwler, and that
of the driver Lewis
See here, sir, said Screwler one day, as
Jehu came in for his glass OF grog, after
watering his team, 'why can't you push on
little faster, and dine your passengers here Z
Well, dino. We've dined at Parker's so
long that the passengess all expect to stop
there'-throwing down his three cents for the
liquor as he said this.
20, no-never mind that. Drink whenever
you come along said Screwler, pushing back
the change, which Lewis pocketed without
any compunctions Il don't intend charging
stage drivers anything after this
: 1 wish old Parker was only as considerate,
the driver remarked half aloud.
'Old Parker's hog - said Screwler, with
curl of the lip. Hes got rich out of the
passengers, and thinks he's safe for them Just
as long as he chooses to keep his house open.
! don't know how that'l be- Jehu re-
turned musngly. The passengers grumble
good deal, sometimes, at his fare
He don't know how TO set good table.
He never was fit to keep tavern
I'm half of your opin-'
Halo. nrIver! Are you going to keep US
here all day!' screamed out an impatient pas
senger, at this stage of the confab.
Don't burst your buttons off, Mister 7
muttered the driver. Then. resuming-
I'm half of your opinion. The fact is, the
old scamp is getting crusty He is got above
himself
Take another drink, Lu.' And the land
lord set out the bottle again.
Lu, nothing 10th, helped himself freely.
Driver! Hallo!' roared out another pas
senger.
Wen talk this matter over again, when
you come down. can make it TO your inter-
est to dine here
Very well, landlord
Lu walked very leisurely out, and mounting
his box, cracked his whip, and was off.
When he came down, Screwler met him at
the door, all smiles and attentions. The host
Ter was ordered to give the team water, while
Lu was taken into the bar, and freely piled
with the best.
Well, landlord, I've been thinking of that
matter good deal since l saw you, and don't
know but one objection. | never get along
here before hafpast three, and that is so late.
The passengers will grumble like anything.
Breakfast, to throw customers in Wilford's
way, who is agent, you know, is at six
o'clock. From nine 10 ten hours is long
time. And then Grimes must have them
10 supper, and he is only two hours and
a half from here. raally don't know how it
will work. Grimes, you know, is an agent
also, and will take care 10 tea the passengers.
And besides, his consent 10 any change must
be gained
Grimes Oh you can manage him.
Howi'
Tell him if the passengers dine here, they
can't eat so much supper. Ha ha it'll be
the very thing for him'
So it will, by Jingo! But. then, l shall
have my hands full to get on with stage load
of hungry, grumbling passengers
Never mind, sir And Screwler patted
him on the shoulder. Your grog shan't cost
you cent here. And that's something
The driver still hesitated and the landlord
debated in his own mind whether he ought not
to make a more liberal offer. AT length he
said
sl'll tell you what, sir. If you'll manage
10 get Grimes TO consent 10 make this the din
ing place, instead of Parker's, I'll give you a
ftp head for every passenger you bring
'Agreedn quickly replied Jehu. fl'll do
it,
iHow soonr
SIN a week. | know Grimes. Every man
has his price, if you take care not to offend
him when you make the Offer
Sure enough, in week Parker was notified
by the agent that he need not provide dinner
any longer, as the stage would 60 on to Screw
ler's Parker, of course, fumed and fretted
but Screwler got the feeding of the passengers,
who, if the truth must be known, profited lit
tie by the change. Via
1t was not long, however, before he discov-
cred that, what with the per centage to Lewis,
and the keen appetite of the passengers, who
tasted.nothing from six O'Clock In the morning
until half-past three in the afternoon, he was
advancing backwards instead of improving
his purse BY the operation. This both troub-
led and mortified him.
Il don't know, Lu; I'm afraid shall have
to give up dining the passengers. IT'S los