Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-08-31
The Peril Of Changing Linen III
the Cars.


good story came in with The overland
train on Monday night. Among the passen-
gers was young man possessed of a iudicious
spirit of economy and paTdouable share Of
vanity. The judicious economy WAS made
manifest TO the other occupants Of the car by
the fact that the young man wore plain cloth
ing and a single CheYiot shirt all the way from
Chicago, and for the pardonable vanty-well,
how that became apparent is where the joke
comes in. lie had only been to the East on
visit, and the girl he left behind him had been
notified in advance Of his approach, aud in
company with a few other friends was TO meet
him st Niles station Visions of rapture float
ell through his brain, aud seating himself in
secluded corner Of the car, he poured forth his
spirits in gladness in a gush Of melody, some
what as thus A...
" Home again, home again,
From foh-hOh-riegn shore;
And, o. il nils my sO-o-oul with JOY,
To me-he-eat my friends once more"
Suddenly he hushed his notes Of joy and reach
cd Tor his carpet-bag.
The appalling idea flashed across his mind
that the shirt which had done him such SER
vice-which had clung to him during the toll
some journey across 1000 miles of mountain,
plain and dcsert-was not exactly the thing
to appear in when one wished to intensity an
already good impression. 1t certainly wouldn't
be the clean thing, he said himself-it wouldn t
be justice to the shirt. SO he resolved to change
it. But how ? The csr contained several lady
passengers, and they watched everything that
was going on around them, with an assidui-
ty that did honor to the sex. All, ha str-r-
rateSy, my boy !" said this resolutc young man
unto himself. "The tunnel-we are approach =
ing the tunnel. With go)d management can
do the deed in the long tunnel just beyond
Sunol, and with heavy smile on his manly
features, he gracefully lifted his carpet bag
from the floor, unlocked it, and drew forth q
snowy shirt, with frilled bosom. Then from
another recess he drew little packet, coutain-
ing pair Of handsome sleeve buttons and a set
Of studs, which were quickly adjusted in their
proper places Casting careful glance from
tue window, be saw the train was not far from
the tunnel where the metamorphoss was to
take place, aud so be turned his back upon
the other passengers and began to loosen sun
dry buttons-in short, prepared to shuck him
self. Presently the eyentful moment Came
| The iron horse plunged into the dark recesses
| ofthe tunnel, and the car was shrouded 10 i'm
penetrable darkness. Presently ray Of light
cleaned in fantastic shapes along the rugged
walls Of tho tunnel, aud by its faint glimmer a
struggling figure was disceruable in the drec-
ton of the young mans seat. AS the light
became stronger its gyrations grew moro fran
tic. It's great long arms, ncassd in white,
thrashed wildly about as though in the agony
of despair, and inally, when with a shrek Of
joy the engine dashed into the dazzling sun
light, j, sank into its SCAT apparently crushed
with modification aud chagriu.
The ladies screamed with terror and bid
their bushes at the unusual apparition.-
Strong men crushed their haudkerchisfs into
their mouths and nearly choked with emotion.
The figure recined motonoss on the soft cush-
ion, until some one, with more Courage than
the rest, advanced to ascertain who and what
it was. Finally, the terrible truth was reveal
ed. The white covering was lifted, and from be-
meath appeared our young friend, clothed with
carnations richest huo. The mystery was soon
explained. He had gotten the Cheviot OF,
but alas in bis hurry aud excitement hO had
forgotten to undo the collar fastening of the
elegant white frilled front. Horror 1t would
not 20 over bis head.