Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-06-21
AN EDITOR IN A SLEEPING CAR.

AN AAAAUA IN n 9AMMA AAW Nhha
Have you ever taken sleeping car for
q long ride on any Of our Western and
Eastern railroads It is very curious
experience. To the old traveller such
journey is full Of incidents. Accustomed
to the trip between Philadelphia and Wash
ington, never make it without gathering
material for amusement and reflection
The best course is to secure q full lol0er
berth, about thirty minutes before the rush
begins, and from your rOost you can, un-
observed, hear much and see many odd
sights. The conductor is q constantly per-
picked parsonage. He is scolded, question
ed, and importuned by turns. He must
explain, apologize, and expostulate. In
this melee it is marvellous how he preserves
his temper
"Mr Conductor says breathless pas
senger, who has just got in by the New York
line, give me a sleeping place"
Have you ticket sir?'
ayes, have my through ticket"
"Sorry, sir, but you must have a sleep
ing ticket. You can get it at the Office in
the station house; but you must hurry up
or you will lose your chance"
And away goes the passenger, with about
ten chances to one of being too late.
81 have taken places for two" says a
soft-spoken, handsome young fellow with
q blushing woman on his arm.
Yes, sir, said the polite master Of GER
emonies," 'the lady can sleep below, and
you in the upper berth.
HBut she is my wife, and eRnnst sleep
alone or with anybody but me-
"Sorry, my dear sir, but our rules are
absolute-I can put another lady with
herr
But she is my wife, I tell you, 4" indig-
nRntly responds the gentleman.
al do not doubt you, sir, but l do not
know it,Rnd to avoid trouble we have made
an absolute rule to keep the ladies and gen.
tlemen sepsrate y
And there is no remedy but to submitOr
to throw up their tickets and take another
car. Frequently family enters-mOther,
father, nurse, baby. The same struggle
ensues on the temporary divorce of husband
and wife; but the dispute is more readily
reconeiled, and the parties pile in. After
q while the matrOn gently asks:
Are you comfortable, Augustus, my
dearT'
Perfectly" is the smothered reply from
an upper tier.
HDo cover up your throat, dearest, you
know you are not welfare your feet
warm"
aAll right, 'gasps the husband, like man
on the top Of hay loft.
GJane, what is the matter with the baby?
Can't you keep him quiet? Bless me, he
S choking. Hand him over to me-" and
hear sqUalling package passed over to
h. - N
rest
Enters fat man, weighing about three
hundred Avoirdupois. "ConductOr, where
is my berth y
You have but one ticket, and viii please
get in alongside of this gentleman who
happens to be a delicate dandy, Immediate
II above me on the second shelf, and who
rains down upon me a perfect shower of
mingled perfume. The heavy passenger
gets up and in, after q struggle, in which
participate to the extent Of seeing huge
pair Of legs, like twin anacondas, hanging
before me, and hearing series Of angry
groWls and grunts; and when the mass
settles on the slender wicket bed, it shakes
the whole vicinity, and leaves me in doubt
whether il can hang suspended, or will fall
and crush me.
God bless me, sir, says the exquisite,
but you are a very large man-you have
pinned me to the WALL shall suffOcate."
Can't help it, sir; Ipaid for my ticket,
and intend to get my moneys worth
Imagine the fat ones sleep, and snore,
and sweat, and the miseries Of the nice
young gentleman. Some Ofthe inexperienc-
ed travellers unboot and uncoat themselves,
which is always a mistake. Bundle in
as you are" this is the true theory Of a
sleeping car. At last we are disposed of.
The whistle sounds; the engine shrieks
the bell tolls; and the great train plUnges
into the outer darkness. A voice opposite:
"Hesvens, how hot it is. Conductor,
there is no air. Open the door,"
81 object" shouts & consumptive Con-
gresBman; " am not well and don't mean
to contract another cold"
Another voice "Charlie pass me the
task :" and then hear q gurgling sound,
and presently perceive an aroma Of Cognac,
which excites two persons Of various opin-
ions little in the advance.
stranger" said The first, "pass me your
task and I will return the compliment
when we reach Williard's !" which I can
hear is being very promptly done.
"What disgrace it is, says the pro-
testing temperance man, " that this place
should be turned into rum shop"
By JOve," cries the owner Of the flask
here is Cough, the great lecturef-have
a smile my eloquent friend2' at which
there is a general laugh, and the conse-
quent subsidenoe Of the heroic opponent Of
Bacchus.
Before the sleepers finally adjust their
hard pillows, gather up their scanty cover
ing and ascertain whether their bedfellows
il they have any, are friends or foes, some
nice solilOquies and dialogues take place
among those who have not accustomed
themselves to this method Of transporta-
ton.
AZ, this moment hear dulcet tones in the
sacred and secret end Of the car.
conductor, dosdraw the curtain while
descend from my berth to take the air.
Our treasure, the baby, now begins to
make q loud appeal to its sleeping foun-
tain.
"Good heavens, ejaculates evidently
bachelor, there is that child again. Why
don't people keep their children at home
when theT 20 traveling2n