Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1872-04-23
Dan6nO.

Railroad to Gosport, where | struck
the Louisville, New Albany and Chi.
cago road. I didn't strike it with any
alarming suddenness, for I was obliged
to tarry in Gosport about nine hours,
the train being delayed by a freight
off the track. l found deciplc of
Ben. Franklin at the depot in the
person of the agent.
"Can get my trunk checked to
Chicago ?" l inquired. -r.-,
Don't see how you can" said the
agent. "You sec, the train is behind
time; it won't be here till after mid
night, and l won't be here TO take a re-
ceipt for the trunk"
"Why not ?"
"Why not? Indignantly Mustn't
a man sleep? I'm going to shut up
and put TO bed-ought to've been a
bed afore. Ben. Franklin says five
hours sleep is as little as man can
get along with"
"But what am to do ?" ''
dunno wait on the platform, if
you like, I'll set your trunk out there,
and I reckon the baggage-mastcr will
take it on, if you ask him. l can't
check it, COS L won't be here, don't
you see, to take the receipt. Reckon
it'll 90 through all right"
Don't you ever stay up for passen-
gers when the train is behind time p
"Never;I must have my five hours
sleep, anyhow, No man can be
healthy withoutit. Ben. Franklin"
ooh, blow Ben. Franklin; check
the trunk, anyhow, and never mind
the receipt
Cant do that; it's agin the rule.
You'll have to chance it without a
check. Amt going to lose my five
hours sleep for no trunk"
Fortunately for the security of my
feelings regarding baggage, a couple
of Gosportly ladies arrived as the
agent was about shutting up, and
shutting myself and trunk out in the
darkness and the cold to keep solitary
watch for the train. They wanted to
take the train also, and defcrance to
his neighbors' wives obliged him to de-
lay his departure until the train ar
rived, although he was visibly dis
turbed at being compelled to break
vital rule of the late b. Franklin.
/ recall an adventure with a night
clerk once, in Western town. 1 re-
tired, leaving directions to be called
for the express, which came along at 3
o'clock in the morning. 1t was i'm
portant that I shouldn't miss that
train, and with this idea weighing up
on my mind, I couldn't sleep much.
Waking suddenly from doze, | con-
suited my watch, and found it was
nearly 3 o'clock. l dressed hurriedly
and going below found the night clerk
asleep, with his feet on the stove and
half-consumed cigar in his mouth.
shook him, and the following dialogue
ensued:
Traveler-Won't the omnibus be
here soon?"
Clerk (gappirg fearfully)-"Wha'
ON bus ?"
Trav.-"Why, the omnibus for the
Eastern Express"
Clerk-"No ON bus (gap) run that
train"
Trav growing excited at the pros
pect of being left)-"How far is it to
the depot?"
Clerk Qazily striking a match to re-
light his cigar)-"Bout mile
Trav.-"Well, call up the porter and
send him down with my baggage, and
and I'll walk. Come--no time to
lose
Clerk-"Por'er won't get up. He
goes to bed for keeps"
TRAY. dancing around with nervous
excitemcnt)-"How am to get that
train, th:n p
Clerk ia long gnp)-"Damfno."
TRAY. diplomacy necessary
"Would half dollar induce you to
go down to the depot with me and
carry my baggage ?"
Clerk-(springing to his feet with
great alacrity) Certainly, sir, / will
light lantern and jog right along"
The depot was mile from town
lonely place, with no other building
near. No friendly light glimmere'
from its windows, the agent probabl.
enjoying his necessary FIVE hours sleep
Good bye said the night clerk, a
he received his half dollar and wa
about to return, leaving me to watcl
out in the cold for the train.
"See here" said l "is this train ui
ually OH time y
aIInrdlu eyer known 10 be ON time