Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1868-02-12
A Railroad Incident.
BIZ AUNT ALICE.

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Where?"
The young girl just entering the de-
pot with Il guitar case In her arms"
All, yes, rather pretty, but she might
carry the guitar from here to Jericho be-
fore [ should relieve her by taking charge
of it."
How so? You are usually very po-
lite to ladies. | have seen you carrying
one child and leading another for ladies
twice the age of this one"
That may be, but you have never yet
seen me holding guitar-case, have you? ?"
No, can't say that | have and if
thereby hangs a tale, let US have it, as we
must sit here full hour before our train
leaves
"Well, so be it; here then is my ex-
perience
Some years ago | was employed as an
agent or runner for a firm in New York,
and business called me out West very often;
where l was unknown except to very few
business men. One stormy night, late in
the fall, | was waiting for the cars in
dismal little depot in the great prairie
state, and | was becoming very impatient
indeed, as | wished to be IN Chicago early
next day | read all the flaming adver
tisements on the dingy walls, ofrival routes,
patent medicines, and hair-dyes, and
last resource had begun to decipher sIindry
names of some poor tired mortals, who,
like myself, had once waited here, and
had traced their names or those of their
friends, upon the doors and window cas-
ing :; and few apt quotations took my
fancy. In red chalk, high up on the door,
was scrawled
Home sweet home"
Below in pencil was
IT'S home wherever the heart is.'
And next traced with pin,
" Ny heart Asrt.'
| had Just fallen asleep. trying to think
up something smart to add to the depot
literature, when the rumbling of the ap-
preaching train reused me, and | had
only time to stumble out in the darkness,
reach the platform by the help of the
brakeman, when we were off, and | had
not yet entered the cars. When | did so
| thought my chances rather slim for a
seat You know how cross the passengers
feel about midnight and after; they have
settled themselves for the night by this
uOuI, anu lOOh ali lOM NOiACio dS liitl
Heads were bobbing about, some nestled
lovingly on the broad shoulders of escorts,
some leaning against the car windows,
while their feet stuck out in all directions,
making the passage-way rather hard
road to travel. Two lone females had each
appropriated double seat apiece and |
did not dare to encroach on their premises
One woman, with three wakeful young
children all crowded in single seat, did
move up as if she was willing to give
me room if possible. The poor, you
know are always generous. Two men just
across the aisle grinned as | paused near
their double seat, but did not offer to make
room.
| At last, near the back door, | found a
seat containing only an overcoat, carpet
rack overhead, and placing my own valist
between my feet, | took my seat, pretty
well content with my success.
The train thundered on, and the one
dim lamp became more and more hazy
for was sinking into dreamy state
when again the train paused for moment
a name was shouted, the door slammed
and again we were going on faster thai
ever, when [ looked up and beheld stand
ing, with her back braced against the door
a young woman with long box in hel
arms. A wandering minstrel, thought l
hope she can find seat.
Not soul moved, and the girl looked
helplessly around at the sleeping passen
g9rs. l was wide awake now, but as i'm
movable as the sleepers. | was in hop,
the conductor would enter and find tn,
lady more comfortable seat than l coulc
offer; but it would not do to let her stant
there. So, clutching at the seats to steady
myself-for with the motion of the cars
and want of sleep felt rather shaky-l
approached the young lady and offered tc
carry her box, and lead her to nv seat
The box she would not yield to me, bu
} gave me her little gloved hand, and to
gether We trotted along nearly the Who'll.
f length of the car OF course, l gave hel
the inside seat and placing myself besid,
her l again offered to relieve her of he
guitar-case. But no, she again refused t.
give it up into my hands, but soon sh,
stopped down and very carefully placed i
under the seat, just back of our feet, say
ing as she rose up, {" Will it Inconvenience,
you there?
"Not at ALL" answered. And now
} was in hopes that might while away tn,
: tedious night by having social chat will
, my new companion.
, She, however, seemed in no mood fo