Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1872-02-07
A Travellers story.

ing gentleman 10 the prime Of life.
II is not, sir"
With your permission, them as be seat
ed himself beside me.
The train had already started and presently
the conductor made his appearance collecting
the ucSets. 1ecsossiag ~ he icfdcnec tire
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 wal.
let
YES"
IL is unwise unsafe"
Why do you consider it so 2'' inquired
with curiosity, returning the wallet to my
pocket.
Suppose through carelessness, or we may
say accident, your wallet is lost, or your
pocket may be picked, for instance
Yes"
"Your money and tickets are both gone.
Probably you do not appreciate the manifold
teautles Of such position | do not think
1t is possible except by actual experience"
1t would certainly be an undesirable Sit
uation. | can see that CLEARLY enough. Par
don the question naturally suggested, we're
you ever 10 placed p
Ouce, ony once
" How was that ~
&" You wish to profit by my experience
Well, don't know that | mind telling you
my story. 1t may serve to amuse you, if
nothing more
1t occurred a number Of years ago where,
is Of 20 consequence. had taken the early
express train, aud being somewhat sleepy, had
stretched my self upon a seat for as comfort
able nap as circumstances would permit. |
slept sloundy, for in those days could sleep
well almost anywhere, and | did not awaken
till the conductor came for ny ticket. The
essential piece of paste.board could not be
found. | was positive that | had purchased
a ticket, indeed, remembered distinctly hsv-
ing shown it to the baggage clerk at the
lime of checking my trunk.
The conductor soon grew impatient, passed
to the other end Of the car, aud returned to
me. | had made the discovery that my
pocket had been picked, and in proof of my
story | showed him my baggage check.
1t was useless. Ifyou have travelled much
you must be aware that a virtuous conductor
takes no mans word In fact, he thinks all
meu have designs upon the company's divi-
deuds, excepting only himself 1t was per-
iecily natural. therefore, that the faithful
steward in question should say
:" The checks all right, but how do know
/ il belongs to you ? will take the money for
your fare, or stop the train and put you Of. u
Vast could | do Proestations would
" ,oosae 1nsGaf ses~snj, nv f..lln~ nvssenners
u SSan fallen man, showed very clearly
pseir looks and expressions, that they
saS Mt me a sneaking rogue who would steal
/ z tssage If he could. They paid money
i'Shy should | not pay mine 2 Few men would
ever see beaven il judgment was rendered by
jury.
My search for the lost ticket had brought
to !ight about dollar and eighty cents
| This, | told the conductor was every cent
had about me. He said that it was about
| ilty cents short Of the usual fare to Lander
dale. But that he would pass me through fol
it rather than stop the train. From Linder-
lae, city of much Importance, could write
to my partner for more money. IL would
certainly be as well As to tramp ten or twelve
mles back to the city had left, and where
[ should be no better off, being equally a
stranger there.
Ia due time found myself at Landerdale;
went to the best hotel telegraphed toI
money and wrote an explanatory letter tc
my partner. This business attended to,
sa liel out to sec what sort Of place Lander
dale city might be. There was nothing tc
do but amuse myself as best | could unit
the mouey should come, so | Determined
to make the most of my involuntary holi
day. As strolIed leisurely up the mail
street, a newsboy darted out of paper OF
fee, crying;
. Daily Banner-extra edition all abou
the murder-gIelt accident on the E.
7 road Have an extra 7"
| took the sheet, aud thrust my hand IL
J. my pocket for the money without moment
0 thought You may imagine my feeling
J when compelled to return that two penny bi
i of paper to the boy with the muttered ex
cuse that had no change, aud the utter con
temptuous expression on the boys face MS b
received it Immediately stepped iuto tn
ohice of the Daily Banner and wrote para
e graph Of my mlshap, taking care to make
e as amusing as possible. When complete,
} ,aye il to the clerk. lie read it, laughed At
e took il into the private office. Coming bac
j few minutes after, be told the bookkecl
d er to give me fifty cents. IL was not muc
but more than expected. Well continue
my walk until finally reached the end
Z the FIRST street, which terminates at the s.
river, here spanued by long covered bridg
| crossed the bridge and was surprised to $
o upon reaching the opposite side that | wou
u he required to pay toll. A Young sirl can
up to the door Of the little oihee, as | stel
m ped up aud inc 6uired how much should pa
s. lrawng forth my solitary shln-piaster.
90" said she with a smile and sligl
= blush, ave do not charge ministers an
thing.'
Ii was not bad joke, but | suppress'
~ the laugh that rose to my lips, and thank'
hsr for the consideration shown to the clerg
!. turned about aud retraced my steps to Il
l. hotel, not without slight twnges OF consclen
J. for allowing tho mistake to pass and taki'
:, the advantage Of it.
)" My first duty next morning was to se'
some knight of the razor. had noticed
y pleasant little shop at no great distance fro
;, " the hotel, in my walk the previous da
~ Thinking that | should do no better by loo
ing further, repaired to that. There W
in attendance boy about twelve years
e. age, who stated that his father, the propr
u tor of the shop, had gone to a neighbour
nj city, and would not return before noe
Without any hesitation | asked for the 10
10 OF razor, and proceeded to operate on m
81 self While thus occupied, the customers
h. gan to present themselves, expressing gre
It. dissatisfaction on learning how matters stoc
Now, although am proud man, am n
thank God, cursed with that species OF vani
gs which prevents mans doing certain kin
q, OF honest labor simply because they are
lgenteel,