Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-03-02
A Travellers Story.
is this seat engaged, sir ?"

With your permission, then she seated
himself beside me.
The train had already started, and present.
ly the conductor made his appearance collect
ing the tickets. Reaching us, he detached
the appropriate coupons from our tickets.
I hanIiug hack the remainder with the usual
checks"
pardon me" said my companion, "hut
perceive you place your ticket in your wallet"
"Yes."
"It is unwise, unsafe"
Why do you consider it so ?" 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 aud ticket arc both gone
Probably you do not appreciate the mapif Id
beauties Of such position. do not think it
possible except by experience"
alt would certainly he an undesirable situ-
alton. can see that clearly enough Par
don the question naturally suggested-were
you ever so placed p
"0ncc only once"
How WAS that?
You 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 no
! consequence had taken the early express
train, and being somewhat tired aud altugeth-
er sleepy, had stretched myself upon seat
for as comfortable a nap as circumstances
would permit. slept soundly, for could in
those days sleep well almost anywhere, and
/ did not awaken until the conductor came for
my ticket. The essential piece Of pastbard
could not I've found. was positive had pur-
chased ticket indeed remembered distinct
| ~ having shown il tn the baggage clerk at the
time Of checking my trunk.
The conductor grew impatient, passed Ia
the other end Of the Car and 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.
II was useless. If you have travelled much
you are aware that a vi iriuous conductor takes
M 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 qu-s'io should say;
The cheek is all right hut how do know
that it belongs to you? will take the money
for yonr fare or stop the train aud put you of,
| just as you chose"
What could do? Protestalions amounted
To nothing, aud ny fellow passengers with tie
usual tendency Of humanity to trample upon
fallen man, showed clrarly by their hooks
and expressions they thought me a sneaking
rogue, who would steal passage il he could
They paid money. whYshould nut pay mine
| Few men would ever see heaven if judgement
was Rendered by jury-cxcept themselves.
Ny search for the lost ticket had brought
tn light about a dollar and eighty cents
| This told the conductor was every cent had
| about me. lie said il was about fifty cents
short Of the usual fare To Lauderdale city, but
that he would pass me through for il rather
than stop the train. From Lauderdale, a city
nf much Importance. could write to my part
ner for money. 1t would certainly he as well
as to tramp ten or twelve miles back to the
| city had left. and where should be no bet
ter off being equally stranger there.
In due time found myself at Lauderdale +;
went to the best hotel; telegraphed for money
and wrote an explanatory letter to my part
ner This business attended to, I sailed out to
see what sort Of place Lauderdale city might
be- There was nuthing to do but amuse my
/ self as best could until the money should
come so determined to make the most Of
my voluntary holiday. AS strulled leisure
ly up the main street newsboy darted out Of
paper ofice, crying
Daily Bdnnr-exira edition all about
the mhrder-great accident on the E
road. ETC., ect, -" Have an extraY
took the sheet and thrust my hand in my
pocket for the money without moments
thought. You may imagine my feeling when
compelled to return that two-peuny bit Of pa
per to the boy, with the mutiered excuse that
| had no change. and the utter contemptuous
expression on the boys face as he received it !
| Immediately stepped into the Office Of the
Daily Banner aud wrote a paragraph Of my
recent mishap, taking care To make it as
amusing as possible. When comple'e, la d.
ed it to the clerk lie read it, laughed. and
took it inte 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 finally reached the end Of the
street which terminates at the s. river
here spauned by long covered bridge. !
crossed the bridge aud was surprised to see
upon recalling the opposite side that | would
be required to pay toll. A young girl came
up to the door Of the little uffice as / stepped
up aud inquired how much ! should pay,
drawing forth my solitary shinplaster.
90" said she, with smile aud slight.