The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-02-15
MISCELLANEOUS.
HOW I LOST MY WHISPERS,
CHAPTER |.


"Do you object to smoking, sir?"
ThiS asked in my blandcst manner
of an old gentleman, who sat with his
face hidden by newspaper, opposite TO
me in railway carriage.
All the seats in the carriage We're
| filled; | and four others were on our
way from Cambridge to enjoy the
Christmas vacation. Our spirits were
high, for there is delight in baniShing
for Il time all thought of comic sections,
Newton's Principia," and little-go,
and entertaining in exchange, vision OF
"hops," skating parties, and all the
orgies which every right-minded family
hold at this season in honor of King
Christmas.
But l must introduce you to my
chums, for chumS we We're, although
our tastes did not lie in the same dircc-
ton. Jack Stirrup is Tor rather was at
that period) a riding and hunting man,
and. was frequently to be seen at
Newmarket! Stretchcr, on the other
hand, loved boating, and preferred the
sight of Il well developed biceps to that
of the best bred hunter, and would Oft
en- remark to Jack GLOW on earth you
can say you would rather see the 'TwC
thousand than the 'Time-racc' in the
'Colquhoun Skulls l cannot for the life
of me make out" Edwards was poor
and reading man, but whose wit and
talents rendered him universal favor
ite; whilst Davies was a rich, open
handed, good hearted fellow as even
lived. For my own part, onot think
! had any well defined popularity, but
did little of everything. l read Il lit.
tie, rowed a little, hunted little, had q
fair income-in short, if had any char.
actcristic at all, ii was love Of lazincs'
and practical jokes.
We congratulated ourselves in getting
q carriage to ourselves with the eXcep'
ton ofthe old gentleman have named
for we intended to keep out the cold
and beguilc our journey with sundry
pipes and cigars. We had our cases on
and were preparing to light up, as
matter of course, when we were aston
ished by my ris-a-rjs dashing away tht
newspaper which had hidden his tacn.
"Do l object to smoking? Yes, sir,
do object very strongly, sir and / hog
that you will instantly replace your ci
gars in your pocket. l insist on having
no smoking in this carriage"
lpal-nI ngrhas+ n hi znIIGn Inn
of old-gentleman!y wrath.
4" Might ask if you intend travelling
far on this line sire" inquired Edwards
in his comically polite tone.
"What is that to you, sir? Wha
business is it Of yours where ! am going
to-"
~ merely wished to suggest, in cast
of your travelling far, that, pleasing an(
delightful as it would be for Us to enjo.
your agreeable society, yet, nevcrthe
less; we would try to bear the loss
should you prefer to change carriages Il
the next station"
"No doubt you would wish to get rio
Of me; but no, sir! do not move m,
Sctl, anu lliG hlot bAlN NllNN 'iAASNN' d 49,
port to the guard"
In that case, / fear we shall b.
obliged painful though it be, to tea
ourselves away" I said. as we drew n
at a small station.
Fortunately we found the next com
!. partment empty, and as we startc,
c again we pulled out our cigarcases, TIN
+ time to light their contents.
c "The old boy has certainly got out {
r bed the wrong side this morning." sal
J. 1, putting away.
c "Or has made a mistake in his hei
$, ting book" remarked my sporlih
Is friend. Gwen give him benefit nov
i at any rate; vote we take it in turn
topuir smoke through the lamp holt
" Let's look at him; hn! cooled down
to little, is about to compose himself
10 sleep. I'll trouble you for his nightcal
come and look NJ it Fred