The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-04-25
From the London Society,
An EXnensiYe Journey.

One fine morning last winter, /, Laura
Fillingham. found myself at the Retford
station, waiting the arrival Of the up train
from the North.
1t was warm, bright day, the beginning
of December, everything, even the fiat Not
tingshire landscape, looked dreamy and
pretty in the soft yellow haze, and l felt
quite glad had journey before me-
was altogether in happy and comfort
able state of mind, for had taken the tick
cts, provided myself with a new book, seen
all my luggage, consisting Of three black
boxes, and a small hat case, placed safely
together, and, above all, l lad so far kept
under my eye my maid and my dressing
case and knew they we're now both safely
in the waiting-rooom, at the door of which
| was standing.
People often talk of the inconvenience of
travelling alone, but have come to the
conclusion that it is far less troublesome
than being hampered with maid In the
first place, you have only yourself to look
after, and your luggage, which, if you see
it properly labelled, and then let it alone is
perfectly safe. But unfortunately you can
not label a respectable and rather fashiona-
ble-looking young. woman, who, to the
grosest ignorance of railways and every
thing to do with them, unites a very fair
portion of self conceit, and great faith in
her own abilities.
Now, in the common round Of everyday
life, Benson, my maid, is a useful young
person., possessing an average amount Of
brains. But take her on a journey, once
get her to a station, and she becomes neither
more nor less than an utter fool. Whether
the guards and porters engross her thoughts
or whether the sandwiches aud apples she
makes point in consuming Immediately
after we have started, disagree with her,
know not, but anyhow it is an odd an un-
deniable fact: aud from what have OBJ
served imagine that this popularity is moi
confined to my OVID specimen, but it is q
failing common to most of the race.
As for mine, twice has she forgotten tc
get out at the proper place, and has beer
conveyed on, heaven knows where; three
times has she got out too soon, and beer
left behind Only this morning did CONT
up Just IN time to have her forcibly extract
ed from a train on the point Of starting 70
Sheffield. Add to this, that she has neve
any idea how long it will be before she ha
to start, that she is never ready when thu
train comes and that she invariably lose
the luggageif 1T is committed to her charge
and the reader will perceive that she is ia
more trouble than assistance.
However, as a maid is supposed to be tn
correct thing, and as | young lady with
certain amount of money, and a certain pc
sition to maintain, | am, though perfect
able to take care Of myself, obliged to pu
up with the infiction.
Therefore, as she is really good girl,
thought | would begin the rather hopeless
task of improving her. So l commence
by first telling her roundly of her faults an
then by committing to her charge IN
dressing case, which thought she wou
try to be careful OF, as she knew it contain
ed good many valuable jewels, beside
money. DO not imagine that | was run
ming any great risk in so DOING, for kne
our train was the express, which only stol
ped twice before we reached London; so If
once saw her in, and kept sharp lookol
at the stations, l knew | was pretty SAT
and it would be a capital beginning
Just as had explained it all to her, Il
train came up, and with my lecture fresh
head, she did her best to make good star
for she rushed at the train the instant
stopped, never thinking of the luggage, al
having first tried a third-class carriage, al
then first, L saw her at length safely
tablished in second, with respectful
woman next her, and my dressing-case
der her feet
Then saw that the boxes were all rigl
and, with sigh of relief took my seat
When we We're fairly off, and | felt 81
that Benson was safe until the next static