Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-23

The Peril of Changing Linen in the
Cars An Embarrassing Predica.-
ment.
From, the San Francisco Chronicle.
A good story came in Tittt the overland
train on Monday night. Among the pas
sengers was a young man possessed of ju-
dicious spirit of economy and pardonable
share of vanity. The judicious economy
was made manifest to the other occupants
of the car by the tact that the young man
wore plain clothing and single CheviOt
shirt all the way from Chicago; and for the
pardonable vanity-well, how that became
apparent is where the joke comes in. He
had only been to the East on q visit, and
the Girl he left behind him had been noti-
fed ia advance Of his approach, and In
company with few other friends was to
meet him at Niles station. Visions OF rap
ture floated through his brain, and seating
himself in a secluded corner of the car, he
poured forth his spirits gladness in a gush
Of InelUdyj somewhat as thus:
s'Home again, home again;
From a fOh-hoh-reign shore;
And, o! it fills my sO-O-oul WithJoy
10 me-he-eat my friends once more"
Suddenly he hushed his notes OF joy and
reached for bis carpetbag.
TIE appalling Idea flashed across his mind
that the shirt which had done him such
service-which had chung to him during
the toilsome journey across 1000 miles OF
mountain, plain, and desert-was not ex-
actly the thing to appear in when one
wished to intensity an already good impress
sion. 1t certainly wouldn't be the clean
thing be said tg hirnself@it wouldn't be
Justice to the shirt. So he resolved to
change it. But, how? The car contained
several lady passengers, and they watched
with an assiduity that did honor to the sex.
"Ah, ha! str-r-r-rategy, my boy" said this
resolute young man unto himself. "The
tunnel-we are approaching the tunnel.
With good management can do the deed
in the long tunnel just beyond Sunol;"
and with heavy smile on his man
ly features, he gracefully lifted his
Carpet-bag from the floor, unlocked it, and
drew forth a snowy shirt, with nice frilled
bosom. Then from another recess drew he
little packet, containing a pair of hand
some sleeve-buttons and set of studs,
which were quickly adius' ed in their proper
places. Casting careful glance from the
window, he saw the train was not far from
the tunnel where the metamOrphosis was
TO take place; and so he turned his back
upon the other PASSENGERS and began to
loosen sundTy buttons-in sort, prepared to
shuck himself Presently the eventful mo-
ment came. The iron horse plunged into
the dark receSses of the tunnel, and the
car was shrouded in impenetrable darkness.
Presently ray Of light cleaned in fantastic
shapes along the rugged walls of the tunnel,
and by its faint giimmer 9 struggling
figure was discernable in the direc-
ton of the young mans seat. As
the light became stronger its gyra-
tions grew more frantic. Its great long
arms, incaSed in white, thrashed wildly
about as though In the agony Of despair, and
finally, when with shrek of Joy the engine
dashed into the dazzling sunlight, it sank
into its seat apparently crushed with morti-
fCation and chagrin.
The ladies scseamed with terror and hid
their bushes at the unusual apparition.
Strong men crushed their handkerchief
into their mouths and nearly choked with
emotion. The figure reclned mOtionless
on the soft cushion, until some one, with
more courage than the rest, advanced to
ascertain who and what it was. Finally,
the terrible truth was revealed. The white
covering was lifted, and from beneath ap-
peared the features of our young friend,
clothed with carnations richest hue. The
mystery was soon explained. lie had got
ten the Cheviot of, but, alas! in his hurry
and excitement be had forgotten to undo
the collar fastening Of the elegant white
frilled front. Horror! Itwould not 60 over
his head.