The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1872-10-25
Miscellaneous.
SMOKE.

SnOkEs
1 was proceeding to Alma Mater, at
the conclusion of one of the vacations,
and had taken my place in the train
which was to bear me thither. was
the sole occupant of the compartment,
and the train was on the point of
starting, when the door Of the carriage
was suddenly thrown open, and an old
gentleman entered the compartment
He was sour-looking old fellow Of
about sixty years of age, evidently bent
upon taking the utmost care of himself.
lie wore long great ccat, which reach
cd almost to his heels and over this was
thrown a short wrapper; his throat was
carefully swathed in the folds of a thick,
red wooden comforter. He did not ap-
pear to me to be at all the sort of person
with whom one could enter into colt
versation at a moments notice.
The train moved slowly out of the sta
tion, and the old gentl eman began to
make his arrangements for the journey.
He proceeded to unlock and open a
somewhat bulky, black travelling bag,
extracted al.skin cap, which he plac-
ed upon his head, DIR rawing the flaps
down over his ears and tying them un-
der his chin. He next produced large
fur slipper, into which he inserted his
ungainly feet. His bootmaker must
have been man no ordinary genius
for how he had contrived to induce the
coverings of the old mans feet to ac.
commodate themselves to the numer.
Gus krtb5 which overspread tn EN- in
the most unusual places has ever remain
ed a mystery to me.
Ha wing done all that he could for
those two extremities of his person, he
dived third time into the bag. "What
next?" thought, watching him with
a great deal of curiosity. An air-cush-
ion! This he inflated carefully and
placed behind his shoulder-blades. l
never could conceive why this was done,
for the back of the carriage was excel.
| lently padded. He then drew on pair
of thick knitted gloves, spread rail.
way rug over his knees, and appeared
to be made up for hejourney.
/ then proceeded to put my ideas Of
comfort in force. / drew out my cigar
case, selected weed, and had just
struck light, when L heard slight
movement proceeding from my com
panion. / looked up; his eyes were
fixed intently upon me; he was closely
observing my actions. This did no
trouble me much so proc eeded to ligh
up, and in another moment was blow
ing splendid cloud.
Presently heard a cough-"Ahem!'
| l looked at my fellow-traveler.
81 object to smoking" he said.
swell now," l thought, "this is cool
to say the least of it,"
In order not to infringe the bylaws G
the Company, ! had been careful to sc
lect n carriage on the door of which wa
hung board marked Smoking Com
: partment." / suppose the old gentle
man, in his hurry, had not observe
this notice, which placed me in the righ
and him in the wrong. l did not lik
his appearance at all he was a nasty
crusty old fellow, l could see, so l mad
up my mind not to enlighten him as [
his mistake. 1 admit my conduct wa
, rude, but ! replied;
"II'm, some people do, believe"
lie had not waited for any respon,
$ froL: me after having made his ohje
tion, but had returned to the perusal
= his paper. Apparently he expected n
! ! to pat out my cigar. This, however, i hs
i not the slightest intention of doing.
i About three minutes elapsed, and /
then addressed me a second time:
t al think you cannot have heard m
IS sir; | informed you just now, that
e had great objection to smoking"
e 80! l heard you distinctly enoug
sir" l replied; ''and 1t seems to L
n hardly necessary for you to repeat il
" There was short pause, and then
'e renewed the attack.
"Do you mean to say, sir, that y
are going to continue smoking, in de
10 ance of what l have said he asked.
> 81 shall not put this cigar out un
e. it has become too hot for my lips
" hold" replied.
ii lie appeared greatly astonished at l
a a, cool audacity.
", "Very well, sir" he replied, A"
ID. shall see whether this company will
7 low its bylaws to be infringed and
passengers annoyed with impunity
y Unless you eXtinguish that cigar
: shall, the next time we stop, info
q the guard of your conduct"
"As you please sir" l returned, 9
Cd continued smoking, Shortly af
wards the train slackened its spe
y and my fellow. passenger, who sea
. himself on that side of the carri
h farthest from the down platform of
stations along the line, removed
2 railway rug from his knees, slipped
knObby foot out of the gouty look
slipper, and moved to the seat in
RS, opposite corner, in order, l suppose
hail some official for the purpose OF
e ] . | puoei mo- hin, IA ha,rn ma ro,nnxo,l