The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-19

"'H m, some people do. believe
He had not waited for any response from me
after having made his objection, but had returned
10 the perusal of his paper. Apparently he ex-
pected me to put out my cigar. This. however, l
had not the slightest intention of doing. About
three minutes elapsed, and he then addressed me
q second time:
al think you cannot have heard me, sir in.
to smokfDg.'
"'0l l heard your remark distinctly enough,
sir replied; and it seems TO me hardly neces-
sary for you to repeat it. am not prepared to
engage in a controversy as to the merits and de-
merits of the habit. On your enlightening me as
10 your opinion on the subject stated that be-
lieved there were others in the world who shared
your objections
There was a short pause, and then he re-.
Dewed the attack.
"'Do you mean to say, sir, that you are going
TO continue smoking. in defiance of what have
said he asked.
al didn't mean to say anything of the sort, sir, ,
replied, although | proposed to continue my
present occupation; but, as you put the question
pointedly, see no harm in informing you that
shall not put this cigar out until it has become
too hot for my lips to hold
He appeared to be greatly astonished at my
cool sudscity.
Livery well, SIR he replied we shall see
whether this company will allow its bylaws to be
iDfrDged and its passengers annoyed with impu
nifty. Unless you at once exunguish that cigar, |
shall the Iext time We stop, inform the guard of
your conduct
"As you please, sir replied, and continued
smoking. shortly afterwards the train slack.
tned speed, and my fellow passenger. who
had seated himself on that side of
the carriage farthest from the down
platform of the stations along the line, removed
the railway rug from his knees, slipped his knOby
foot out of the equity looking slipper, and moved
TO the seat in the opposite corner in order sup
posed, to hail official for the purpose of re-
guessing him to have me removed. The train had
hardly come 10 dead stop before down went
the window, and out popped the seaiskin cap
."Gusrd, guard heard him exclaim.
But no guard replied to his summons.
Evidently fearing that the train would move
of before he had accomplished his purpose with
regard TO me, he bawled out again at the top of
his voice:
Guard; guard, porter why don't you come
when calll'
o. This last question was addressed to the ap.
preaching form OF the first named individual.
My companion, seeing that he was about to
receive attention, drew his head into the car
rage again and resumed his seat, | concluded
in order that the railway official might obtain
a clear view Of me; In another moment
the head and shoulders of the guard
showed themselves at the window. The old
gentleman was on the point Of speaking when
forestaed him.
&C guard, (" said very quietly, here's al old
gentleman who has an objection TO smoking-some
mistake in the carriage, suppose. Would you be
so good as to find him a seat in another compart-
ment?n
1.-The guard smiled, and the old gentleman
stared ct me in amszement. He did not under
stand his mistake.
"'What do you mean by this impertinence, sirg'
he asked, fercely. Guard, / order you to turn
this man out of the carriage he has been annoy
ing NE with smoking, in spite of my having re.
peatedly asked him to desist If you do not do so,
G. -. - l.. L
moned before the magistrates, shall report you
"'C Can't do it, sir was the guards answer.
The gentleman's perfectly right; you have got
into wrong compartment: this is smoking
carriage
Smoking carriage!' said old crusty; appar.
emily he was not aware Of this recent stride in
civilization made by the railway companies.
"'Ies, sir. Now, sir, If you're going to change
your seat, you must be quick about il we can't
wait here all day.
Handing his black bag and other traps to
the guard, he hobbed out Of the carriage, casting
a glance full Of malignancy on me as he passed.
When he had alighted on the platform, saw him
scrutinize slowly the board which notified that
the carriage in which l was seated was devoted
TO the use of those who INDUCED in the habit of
smoking.
&c could not resist saying, "Good day, sir:
you'll know a smoking carriage another time, |
think, when you see it, After that | saw no
more Of my old friend, though looked out of
iu6 WlnuoW at every etduOu az WDlcn
we stopped, for the purpose Of seeing If he
slighted. Apparently, however, his journey was
a longer one than mine, for reached my destina.
ton without getting another sight of him.
my college career was closed and | came up
here tn read for the har as you al know Ahnnt
Fix months ago, Amy Harris was stopping with
the Ashtons, with whom you are aware that
have always beenssierms of grestintim acy. Con-
sequently, during the young ladys stay there saw
a great deal of her; the fact is hardly day passed
without snpndtup a nOrfiOn of nj Aoh-
tons house. The more saw of Amy Harris the
more desired TO see of her; and as this could
rot well be without my giving her nay name, |
made her an offer; you know with what result, -
she referred me to Papa Papa, I was informed,
resided at Lesborough, a small place about thirty
miles beyond Oxford. To Lesborough, therefore,
in few days, | repaired, having been preceded
by Amy ard also by a letter from Frank Ashton
(who was well acquainted with Mr.. HsrTis,) say
iDg that was well of, of respectable family and,
in fact, in every way desirable son-in law. Mr.
Harris was therefore prepared TO receive me very
graciously. | believe the organ of individuality
to be very deficient in my brain, for | have al
ways had the greatest difficulty in recognizing
faces, and it only alter repeated interviews that
] become master of the appearance Of my different
/ believe ] make many enemies
through this deficiency; for people, feel sure,
often imagine thatI am cutting them Intentionally,
when they are entirely out of my thoughts.
" On being introduced to Mr.. Harris, who was
a man well past the prime of life, there was
something about him. could not tell what. that
told me we had met before; but the how. when
and where of our meeting was gone from me.
| tried hard to tax my memory with the circum-
stances under which we had previously met, for
that this was not our first meeting, felt con.
WINGED. But 1t was of no use-the treacherOus
elf memory refused to render me any assistance.
/ did not like Mr.. Harris's expression; thought
he seemed to scowl at me in a peculiarly I'M
pleasant way. He, however, gave no sign Of hav-
ing seen me before, and our interview proceeded.
Every thing went smoothly enough, Mr.. Harris
giving his consent to my engagement with his
daughter; and / was congratuating myself that
the business bad been so satisfactorily trans
acted, when Amy's father said, with a sour at.
tempt at a smile:
~ must ask you one question, which have
little doubt your answer will prove 10 be an ua-
necessary one. 1t is simply this: Are you a
smokerp
Z" ] can even now see the mans look Of hendish
delight as he put the question. | knew him then;
he was my fellow passenger whom had so uncer.
enormously caused TO be removed TO another rail-
way carriage three years previously. when he had
raised an objection to my smoking lie mad imme
disteiy recognized me- and determined to pay mo
of for my want of courtesy. thought 1t showed