The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1871-05-20
NO. 49,.

Yes, SIR" I answered, touching my
cap; "only been in force this month
SIR"
"Oh," he said, and began reading his
book again.
At this instant the bell for starting
rang. and the guards began TO bawl out
ANY more going on?" but there was
plenty of time for me. I dashed back to
the little room, but hang mel if there
wasn't guard in there, feeling among
the great coats, and swearing horribly, as
could hear, at some of his mates, for
moving his particular coat out of its
place. l stool behind the long double
ladder they wheel about to clean lamps.
took off the poor fellows coat aud cap,
and flung them down by the door. put on
my own cap, aud hurried across the plat
form as though had just come from the
refreshment room. The station doors
were closed, but guard catching sight
of me shouted "Now, sir, this way, or
you will be too late |" He opened car
riage door and pushed me, just as the
whistle engine sounded its whistle, and
the tug came which moved us on. was
in the carriage with the Dean. There
Was nobody else there, as well knew
and really felt very uncomfortable. /
didn't at all suppose he would recognize
me, but yet there was a sort of feeling
which made me wish that the guard had
put me anywhere else. However, there
was no help for it now, aud | made up
my mind to see at once if there was any
danger of recognition; so the FIRST time
he put down his book, although it was
only to cut some leaves, / offered him a
newspaper. He declined it; but had
obtained an opening, and l followed up
my offer with few remarks about the
weather, ste.,-quite enough to let me
see that he did not at all remember my
voice. couldn't sleep, but | pretended
to do SO; and on we went, scarcely an
other word having been spoken on either
side. until the train slackened speed;
aud | knew we we're near the station
where they examined tickets. and where,
OF course the murder would be out
When the carriages drew up alongside
the ticket platform. and 1 could hear
the familiar "All tickets ready" L
feigned to be reading my paper very in
teutly, although in reality, was watch
ing and listening with all my might.
saw the Dean look up curiously when he
first heard the shouts; he listened, too
with puzzled air, and took off his spec
tacles and wiped them. as If that would
help him to understand it; however,
have no doubt that he thought the notice
did not apply to him, SO he calmly put
his glasses on again. At that moment
a guard-a regular one this time, l
thought to myself looked in, and OF
course said: Tickets. if you please"
/ gave him mine. which he merely CLAN
ced at and returned; aud then l screwed
myself into corner, rs much out of the
light as could manage. The old clergy
man had. of course, done norhiug Now.
sir. if you please" said the guar.i.
'sEh r. returned the old Dean. look
iug round, and pushing up his spectacles,
which seemed to be habit with him.
Tickets, sir, tickets look alive, II
YOU please sir, answered the man.
Tickets tickets ~ echoed the Dean
''mine is all right. have given it up.
"Not to me, sir" said the guard "and
no one else has been near this carriage" "
''Oh, but gave il I'D before we start
ed" explained the old gentleman; cit is
a new rule-has only been in force this
month"
Upon my word, thought should
have burst with laughter here, the Dean
explained this so innoceutly.
New rule, sir y said the guard mo
such thing. We examine the tickets
here, and take them at your journeys
end"
Now, Popkinsl' shouted a superior of
some kind; haven't you finished with
that carriage yet r
"Come, sir, look sharp with that tick
ct, urged the guard.
what do you mean?" demanded the
clergyman, who was clearly getting an
given up my ticket to one Of your men,
aud / am rather inclined to think it was
yourself"
Popkins was now shouted at again
very augrily. and his answer brought
two or three others round to the carriage
door.
Now. what's all this delay about p
said a man in staggering tone | sup
pose he was in some authority there)-
whats all this about, Popkins2"
"Why. said the guard, this party
hasn't got ticket lie says he gave il
up at London; and not satisfied with.
that, says be gave IL TO me
NAY, nay; / am not crtain about
that" said the old gentleman. Il only
say Lgave it up to some guard, who told
me it was new rul and he was such
another man ms YOURSELF.
'.Oh. that won't do, said the chief-l
officer very bsrshIy I'VE must have your
ticket. or your money. or else we shal
remove you from your carriage, We
have these games tried on US very often
DO you. indeed p said the old gen
fleman. DO you. indeed ?" There /.
my card, sir, aud l shall leave you 10
take your own course"
Well, when they saw who he was, they |
cooled down biz, and grew
more civil; but by this time the other
had got anxious, sapd were
putting their heads out of all the win !
dows. and asking what was the matter.
"Perhaps this gentleman" says the
guard, meaning, of course, myself. who
must have been in the carriage at the
time, can tell you something about IL
You didn't give up your ticket, sir, be
cause / have just examined it.
'Unfor tunately," said the Dean, speak
ing before could answer. this gentle
man was not in the carriage; he came IN
just as the train was starring, and after
the collection Of all the tickets"
The men looked at one another, and |
could see they did not believe the story
at all.
II am afraid, sir. you are under great
said the chief one; ''and We |
shall be 8mpelled to write to you for
this money. If you do not pay now We
can't keep the train here all night 60
you must do as you please, a.. of course,
ne aan hnra nnr ranad " q naincf un1x ~