Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1868-01-08
YOU CAN TAKE MY HAT!

We were once travelling over the railroad
from Washington city to Baltimore, when
We observed peculiar sort of man sitting
hard by-a tall, slim, good natui ed fellow,
but one who somehow seemed 70 bear the
impress of person who lived by his WITS
written on his face. A friend, who was with
me, answered my inquiry To who he was,
and at the same time asked HE to keep be-
tween the object of nay notice and himself
lest he should come over to our seat as my
companion said that he knew him, but did
not wish to recognize him here.
That is Beau H. said he, "a
man that is universally known in " ashing
ton as one of the most accomplished fellows
in the city, always ready to borrow of, or
drink with you. He never has any money,
however, and | am curious to know how he
will get over the road without pay ing, for
ne II do it some way.
Probably he has go. ticket-borrowed
the money to buy it with, Or something of
that sort, said L.
Not he. Beau always travels free, and
ioards in the same way. He never pays
money when wit or trick will pass current
in its place. SAID my friend, confidently.
What shocking bad hat he has got on, y
said /, observing the dilapidated condition
OF his beaver.
''lt's some trick of his, doubtless, for the
rest Of his dress, you observe, is quite gen
tee"
Yes, see"
My friend went on to tell me how Beau
alad done his tailor out of receipt In full
for his last years bill, and the landlady at
his last boarding place, and also various
other specimens of his ingenuity and wit.
He owed me ten dollars, " said my friend,
but in attempting to collectit of him one
day, I'll be hanged if he didn' t get ten more
uut of me, go | think shall let the matter
rest there, for fear of doubling the sum once
more.
At this moment the conductor entered
the opposite end Of the car to gather the
Ii kets from the passengers, and give them
checks in return. Many OF them, as is Of
ten the practice with travellers who are fire.
quently called upon on populous routes to
show their tickets, had placed theirs in the
bands of their hats, so that the conductor
could see that they were all right, and not
trouble them to take them from their pock
etsat each stopping place l watched Beau
to see what his expedient would be to get
rid of paying for his passage. As the con-
ductor drew nearer, Beau thrust his head
out the car window, and seemed absorbed In
contemplating the scenery on that side of
the road The conductor spoke to him for
his ticket-there was no answer. Ticket,
sir, said the conductor, tapping him light
y on the shoulder.
Beau sprang back into the car, knocking
his hat into the road, and leaving it in one
minute nearly mile behind. He looked
first towards the conductor, then out OF the
window after his hat, and in seeming tit
Oi rage exclaimed:
What the d do you strike man that tn.
way for? Is that your business? Is that
yrhot IL l,-oa ,,au for o''
Il beg your pardon, sir, 1 only wanted
four ticket" replied the conductor, meekly.
Ticket! Oh, yes, it's all very we'll for
you to want my ticket, but l want my hdtF'
replied Beau, bristling up.
Very sorry sir, really. | barely desired
to call your attention, and took the only
means in my power" said the conductor.
You had better use cane to attract
person attention next time, and hit MN
over the head with it if he happens to be
looking the other way y'' replied the indig-
nant Beau.
We'll, sir, am ready to apologize to you
again if you wish. / have done so already
once. said the now disconnected othcial'
Yes, no doubt, but that don't restore
my property, that's gone: TN
We'll, sir, cannot talk any longer, III
take your ticket, if you please, SAID the
conductor.
, Ticket? Haven't you knocked it out OF
the window, hat and alp Do you want to
add insult to injury ?" ,o,,
" Oh, your ticket was in the hat band r
suggested the conductor.
Suppose you stop the train and go back
and see, said the hatless Beau, with lndlg-
Aant seorn depicted on his face.
Well, sir, | shall pass you free over the
road then," replied the conductor, attempt
ing to go on with his duty.
The price of a ticket" said Beau, is
one dollar, my beaver cost me V. Your
coed sense will at once show you that there