The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1872-01-03
TRAVELLERS STORY.


and met the smiling regard of a genial look
ing gentleman in the prime of life.
"It is not, sir.'s
with your permission, then," as h
seated himself beside me.
! The train had already started, and pres
emily the conductor made his appearance
collecting the tickets. Reaching US, he de
tached the appropriate coupons from Ou
tickets, handing back the remainder witt
| the usual "checks."
"Pardon me-" said my companion, "bu
l perceive you place your ticket in you
! wallet"
eyes"
1t is unwise, unsafe"
Why do you consider it so!n inquired
with curiosity, returning the wallet TO my
pocket.
Surprising, through carelessuess, or, We
may say accident, your Wallets lost. Your
pocket may be picked, for instance"
"Yes."
"Y' money and ticket are both gone
ProbaL you do not appreciate the mani
sold BEAUTIES of ssch position; do not
think it possible except by experience"
/" 1t would certainly be an undesirable sit.
uation. L Can see that clearly enough. Par
don the question naturally suggcsted-were
you ever so placed?"
"Once, only once"
"Hew is that?"
"YOu wish to profit by experience? Well,
/ don't know that l mind telling you the
story. 1t may serve to amuse you, if no.
thing more.
sit occurred a number of years ago,
where is OF no consequence. l had taken
the early express train, and being some
what tired, and altogether sleepy, l had
stretched myself upon seat for as COM
Pf1 Ia n ri f1r ynIt1I Inn
nit. l slept soundly, for l could in those
days sleep well almost anywhere, and did
not waken until the conductor came for my
ticket. The essential piece of pasteboard
could not be found. was positive | had
purchased a ticket; indeed, | remembered
distinctly having shown it to the baggage
clerk at the time of checking my trunk.
The conductor grew impatient, passed to
the other end of the car, aud returned to me.
| 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. IfyOu have travelled much
you are aware that virtuOus coniuc-
tor 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 ques-
ton should say:
"The check is all right; bat how do
know that it belongs To you? | will take
the money for your fare or stop the train
and put you of. jlst as you choose"
What could do? PrOtestations amount
ed to nothing, and my fellow passengers,
with the usual tendency ofhumani.y to tram
pie upon fallen man, shovel clearly
by their looks and expressions that they
thought me sneaking rogue, who would
steal a passage if he could. They paid mo-
ney, why should not |? Few men would
ever see heaven ifJudgment was rendered by
4 jury-except them elves.
My search for the lost ticket had brough,
to light about dollar and eighty cents. This
l'tOld the conductor was every cent | had
about me. He said it was about fifty cents
short of the usual fare to Lauderdlle 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. Ii would certainly
be as we'll as 10 tramp ten or twelve miles
back to the city had just left, aud wi ere
should be no better oil, being equally a
stranger there.
In due time found myself at J. aud derdale
vent to the best hotel telegraphed for
money, and wrote an explanatory letter to |
nv partner. This business attended TO, |
allied out 10 see what sort of place Lau.
lerdale city might be. There was nothing |
o do but amu.e myselfaS best could until |
he money should come, so l determined to |
make the most OF my involuntary holiday. |!
IS | strolled ieisurely up the main street, q |
lewsboy darted out OF paper office, cry |
ng:
"Daiiy Banrcr, extra edition. all about the |
accident on tEc E-Road," " |
&c. Have an extra? -
| took the sheet ard thrust my hand in /
ny pocket for the money, without mo
nent's thought. You may imagine my i
ceilings when compelled to return that
wo-penny bit OF paper to the boy,
With the muttered excuse that
had no change, and the utter contemptu-
us exprt ssion on the boys face as he re-
eived it. l Immediately stepped into the
,ffice Of the Daily Banner and wrote a para
,rsph of my recent mishap. taking care to
make il as anu sing as possible. When COM
,lete | handed il to tle clerk. He read il,
aughed, and took it into the private Office .
coming back, a few minutes after, he told
he bookkeeper 10 give me fifty cents. 1t
vas not mu n, but more than expected.
Veil, | continued my walk, until finally
cached the end OF The street. which termin-
ties at the s. river, here splnned ty Il
ong covered bridge, and was surprised to
ee upon reGcAing the opposite side that |
would De required 10 l,9y toll. A young girl
ame up to the door OF the Little cttice, rs |
tsppsG up and askel her how much |
h0uli pay, drawing forth my solitary shin
laster.
oh" said she, with Il smile and slight
lush, 1--WE do no: charge ministers any
hing"
1t was not bad JOKE, but | suppressed
he laugh that rose 10 my lips, and thanking
er for the consideration shown TO the cle--
y, turned about and retraccd my steps TO
he hotel not without slight twinges of con.
cience for allowing the mistake to pass,
nd taking the advantage of it.
My first duty next morning was 10 seek
ONE knight of the razor. | had noticed q
leasant little shop at no great distance from
he hotel in my walk the previous day.
thinking that should do no better by look
ng further, repaired to that. There was
a attendance boy about twelve years of
ge, who stated that his father, the proprie-
nr Of the shop, had go2e to 4 neighooring
ity, and would not return before noon.
Without any hesitation | asked for the loan
f a razor, and proceeded to operate on N.Y.
elf. While thus occupied, the customers
egan to present themselves, expressing
.reat dissatisfaction on learning how mat
ers stood, Now although l am proud
nan. l am not, thank God cursed with that
pecles of vanity which prevents q mans
oing certain kinds Of honest labor, simply
ecause they are not genteel. Here was an
ppOrtunity afforded me to at least earn the
rice of my breakfast. l took advantage O.
I. Told the first man who entered alter l
ad completed shaving myself, l would
have him. did so. In fact. did quite a
risk business for couple of hours; and If
ny of the unfortunate individuals who came
under my hand had any doubt of my fit