New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-05-02
A TRAVELLERS STORY.


and met the smiling regard OF genial
looking gentleman in the prime OF life.
''It is not, SIR"
ssWith your permission, then" as he seated
himself beside me.
The train had already started, and presently
the conductor made his appearance collecting
the tickets. Reaching us, he detached the
appropriate coupons from our tickets, hand
ing back the remainder with the usual
"checks."
"Pardon me-" said my companion, "but
perceive you place your ticket in your
wallet"
"Yes."
cit is unwise, unsafe"
ssWhy do YOU consider il SOP" inquired,
with curiosity, returning the wallet to my
pocket.
''Suppose through carelessness, or we may
say accident, your wallet is lost-your pocket
may be picked, for instance"
"Yes.''
"Your money and your ticket are both
gone. Probably you do not appreciate the
manifold beauties of such position. do
not think it possible except by experience"
"Itwould certainly be an undesirable situ-
alton. can see that clearly enough. Par
don the question naturally suggested-were
you ever SO placedw
"Once; only once"
Glow is that ?'
eYou wish to profit by my experience
Well, don't know that / mind telling you
the story. 1t may serve to amuse you, If
nothing more.
1t occurred a number of years ago, and is of
no consequence. Ihad taken the early express
train, and, being somewhat tired and alto
gether sleepy, had stretched myself upon
seat for as comfortable nap as circumstances
would permit. Islept soundly, for / could
in those days sleep well almost anywhere,
and did not awaken until the conductor came
for nv ticket. The essential piece of paste
board could not be found. was positive 1
had purchased ticket indeed, remem-
bered distinctly having shown it to the
baggage clerk at the time of checking my
trunk. "a
The conductor grew inpatient, passed to
the other end of the car and returned to me.
I had made the discovery that my pocket
book had been picked, and, in proof Of my
story, showed him my baggage check.
1t was useless. If you have travelled much
you are aware that a virtuous conductor
takes no mans word !, in fact, all men have
designs upon the company's dividends except
himself. 1t was perfectly natural, therefore,
that the faithful steward in question should
say;
1.-THE check is all right; but how do 1
know that it belongs to you? will take the
money for your fare or stop the train and put
YOU off, Just as you choose"
What could 1 do? Protestations amounted
to nothing, and my fellow-passengers, with
the usual tendency of humanity to trample
upon a fallen man, showed clearly by their
looks and expressions they thought me a
sneaking rogue, who would steal passage
if he could. They paid money, why should
not pay mine? Few men would ever see
heaven if Judgment was rendered by jury
Ny search for the lost ticket had brought
to light about dollar and eighty cents. This
/ told the conductor was every cent had
about me- He said it was about fifty cents
short of the usual fare to Lauderdale city, but
that he would pass me through for it rather
than stop the train. From Lauderdale, a
city of much importance, could write to my
partner for money. 1t would certainly be as
well as to tramp ten or twelve miles back to
the city had left, and where l should be no
better of, being equally a stranger there.
In due time / found myself at Lauderdale !;
went to the best hotel; telegraphed for
money, and wrote an explanatory letter to
my partner. This business attended to, /
sailed out to see what sort of place Lauder
dale city might be. There was nothing to do
but amuse myself as best could until the
money should come so determined to make
the most of my voluntary holiday. As l
strolled leisurely up the main street news
boy darted out of a paper Office, crying: -
Daily Baaner-extra edition-all about the
murder-great excitement on the E. road,
etc., etc. Have an extra?'
/ took the sheet and thrust NV hand i'm nv
pocket for the money without a moments
thought. You may imagine my feelings when
compelled to return that two-penny bit of
paper to the boy, with the muttered excuse
that had nochange, and the utter contempt
uous expression on the boys face as he re-
ceiyed it! / Immediately stepped into the
office of the Daily Banner and wrote para
graph Of my recent mishap, taking care to
make it as amusing as possible. When COM
plete, handed it TO the clerk. He read it,
laughed, and took it into the private office.
Coming back few minutes after, he told the
book-keeper to give me fifty cents. 1t was
not much, but more than expected Well,
/ continued my walk until 1 finally reached
the end of the street which terminates at the
s. river, here spanned by long covered
bridge. 1 crossed the bridge and was sur
prised to see upon reaching the opposite side
that / would be required to paw toll. A
young girl came up TO the door of the little
Office as stepped up and inquired how much
should pay, drawing forth my solitary shin
plaster.
'Oh,' said she, with a smile and slight
blush, we do not charge ministers anything
1t was not bad joke, but suppressed the
laugh that rose to my lips, and thanking her
for the consideration shown to the clergy,
turned about and retraced my steps TO the
hotel, not without slight twnges of conscience
for allowing the mistake to pass and taking
the advantage of it.
MY first duty next morning was to seek
some knight of the razor. i had noticed a
pleasant little shop at no great distance from
the hotel in my walk the previous day.
Thinking that should do no better by look
ing further, repaired TO that. There was in
attendance a boy about twelve years of age,
who stated that his father, the proprietor of
the shop, had gone to a neighboring city, and
would not return before noon. Without any
hesitation asked for the loan of a razor. and
proceeded to operate on myself While thus
occupied, the customers began to present
themselves, expressing great dissatisfaction
on learning how matters stood. Now. al
though am proud man, am not, thank
God, cursed with that species of vanity which
prevents a mans doing certain kinds Of hon
est labor simply because they are not genteel.
Here was an opportunity afforded me to at
least earn the price of my breakfast. took
advantage of it. Told the first man who en-
tered after had completed shaving myself l