The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-05-11
SMALL POX IN A RAILROAD CAR.


SMALL P0X IN A RAILROAD CAR.
Quite nh amusing scene occurred in the
cars. some time ago between New Brunswick
aud Princeton (; aud as was an eyewitness |
consider it too good to be lost f; so, through
your columns, ] will present it 10 the public.
When the cars stopped at the Princeton
depot, a gentleman and lady, with considera.
BILE baggage, entered the one in which was
sitting after having their baggage safely lock-
cd up in the baggage car, with the exception
ofn small bandbox, which the gentleman
brought into the cars with him. They took a
seat ncnr me, the gentleman facing the lady (;
the bandbox he placed OF seat behind her.
As she was rather good looking than other
wise, took the liberty Of enquiring ofa gen.
tlemun sitting near me, who they were, and
received the information desired. The train
had started, nnd thought no more Of the
above mentioned couple, but was gazing out
Of the window Of the Cur, when heard u
voice exclnini, "Sir"
This was spoken rather loudly, and with
considerable emphasis. looked around, and
my eyes fell Immediately OH the ludy and gen.
tleman before referred to. saw at glance
that there was something wrong, for the lady
looked pale, her lips quivered, and sho was
the picture of distress.
"Wlat did you say,sr--what did you say p
cried the lady, while from the change Of her
co,intenancr, felt assured that he had said
something that went against the grain.
"Thc small box is behind you, lna'am," said
the young gentleman, with look ofsurprise
at the young lady's altered appearance.
THE small pox behind me-" screamed she,
at the top Other voice. "Where-where, MIR.
Y.-where have never been -"
"Behind YOU, ma'anl, on the next scat be-
hind yo,," said the young gentleman, in
loud tone, for the cars made such rattling
that he could not have been heard IL he hnd
attempted to speak lower.
"Oh ! Mr. Y, for heavens sake, save me
do-oh, do l know sllnll catch il. never
had il. never have been vaccinated-an
oh, let me out, let me out; oh, let me go IN
another carl can't stay here e-l-l-i--Pll
surely catch it. Yrs-yes know Twill, there
is no help for it-I feel it already its com.
ing yes it's coming ough-ough." Then
calming Iiersclffor moment, she said, very
coaxingly:
"Oh Mr.. Y, won't you let me get out Of
this carl have never been vaccinuled and
-"
The young gentleman looked astonished.
He had been trying to get in word edge
WAYS, but il was of no use. AT last lie made
il out; "What under heaven is the matter
with your" said he, as she stopped to take
breath.
81 he small pox, Mr.. Y, the small pox-
where is il? where Is ii"
"The small box il on the seat behind YOU,
,bndcred Mr.. Y. This was enough. From
the nlannerin which, Mr.. Y.spoke, she thought
| lr was frightened too, so with bound she
cleared the scni aud made for the door. Scvc-
raj gentlemen, thinking she meant to kill her
self rushed to her, and Detained her from go.
ing out of the car.
"I.et 90 OF me-" she said, al tell You let go
of me- will 20 out, know III catch il. ]
tell you never had il, and never have been
yaccinnted, and i'll catch it III die-yes, !
know will-olI, let me out-plense let me
ont, have never been vaccnated-l-" and
the tears began to run in great proillson.-
"Nlr. Y, call on you for protection" scream
ed the ailiightcd young lady. ooh, let me
ont. let me out, feel il coming, yes ] do, oh,
oh, ha. hcc--hcc," cried the young lady, while
the tears gllshch forth like rain. 81 lave new
er been vacciuntcd-lct me out let me out -
I'll catch the small poy."
"Whut does all this mean :" exclaimed sew
eral gentlemen; but no one knew. AT last
MIR. Y. got near the lady, and said in voice
like thunder, "Therc is 10 smu pox in the
cars " What under the heavens are you max.
ing all this fuss about?
"No small pox in the cars, sir, no small poS
in the cans! Why, you told me that-that-
the small pox was on the seat behind me; !
know have got il {; / tell you never have
been vaccinated. Oh Mr.. Y, It is all your
fault, you seated me there, and you knew i,
I'll tell my parents Of you. too--let me out"
said she, while her eyes fairly glistened will,
rage.
81 tell YOU ma'an,, the small pox is not in
the cars, and haves not said Il was. II is the
small BOX" said he with great deal Of EN-.
pnsis at the same time holding up tho band
box before her. She stood gazing at the box
for some minutes, during which time not n
word was spoken: and it it had not been for
the noise of the cars, as they sped OIL their
way, one might have heard pin drop.
At last she drew long breath, and said :
"Oh, l am 10 glad thought you said small
pox, and have never been vaccinated-but
but" and remembering where she was
without finishing her sentence, she sank down
| in the seat nearest to her, and did not rnise
her head again until she arrived at her place
of destination, when she took her departure
from the cars, with her head hanging low, nor
did she raise il uutil the cars had got nearly
ont of sight. Those who witnessed the laugh
able scene of the small bandbox will never
forget it, and many a jolly laugh have had
over it, rs repeated the story to my friends.