Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1872-02-16
A Travellers Story.

collecting the tickets. Reaching us, he de-
tached the appropriate coupons from our
tickets, handing back the remainder with
the usual checks
pardon me-" said my companion, "but
perceive you place Your ticket in your
Wallet
sYes"
''It is unwise, unsafe
"Why do you consider it So? l in
quired, 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 and ticket are both gone.
Probably you do not appreciate the mani
fold beauties of such Il position. ! do not
think it possible except by experience"
at would certainly be an undesirable
situation. l can see that clearly enough.
Pardon the question naturally suggested
were you ever so placed
"Once; only once"
Glow is 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 4 number of years ago, and
of no consequence. | had taken the early
express train, and being somewhat tired
and altogether sleepy, had stretched myself
upon Il seat for as comfortable a nap as cir
cuInstances would permit. | slept soundly,
for could i'll those days sleep well almost
anywhere, and did not awaken until the
conductor came for my ticket. The essen
tial piece of pasteboard could not be found.
/ was positive l lIad purchased ticket :;
indeed, | remembered distinctly having
shown it to the baggage clerk az the time
Of checking my trunk.
The conductor grew impatient, passed to
the other end Of the car and returned to
me. / had made the discovery that my
pocket-beok had been picked, and in proof
Of my story showed him my baggage
check.
1t was useless. Ii you have travelled
much you are aware that 4 virtuous con
ductor takes no mans word; in fact, all
men have designs upon the company s
dividends except himself. II was perfectly
natural, therefore, tl,at the faithful steward
in question should say:
"The check is all right; but how do
know that il belongs 20 you? [ will take
the money for your fare or stop the train
and put you off, just as you choose"
What could do" PrOtestations amount
ed 10 nothing, and my fellow-passengers,
with the usual tendency OF humanity to
trample upon fallen man, showed clearly
by their looks and expressions they thought
me sneaking rogue, who would steal a
passage if he could. They paid money,
why should not ] pay mine? Few men
would ever see heaven if judgment was
rendered by jury--eXcept themselves.
My search for the lost ticket had brought
to light about dollar and eighty cents
This told the conductor was every cent
had about Inc. He said it was about fifty
cents short of the usual fare to Lauderdale
city, but that lie would pass me through for
it rather than stop the train. From I4alI-
derdale, city OF much importance, could
write to my partner for money. 1t would
certainly be as we'll as 10 tramp ten or
, twelve miles back TO the city had left, and
where should he nn better off, being equal
ly a stranger there.
In due time found myself at Lauder
dale went to the best hotel; telegraphed
for money, and wrote an explanatory let
ter to my partner. This business attended
to, | sailed ont To see what sort Of place
Laudertlale city might be. There was moth
ing to do but amuse myself as best | could
until the money should come so ] deter
mined to make the most OF my voluntary
holiday. As | strOled leisurely Hp the
main street a newsboy daItFd out Of 4 pa
per office, crying
Daily Banner-eNtra cdItIOn-all about
the Jnurder-great accident OH the E
road" etc, etc. Have an extra >"
took the sheet and thrust my hand in
my pocket for the money without n mo-
ment's thought. You may imagine my
feelings when compelled TO return that two
penny bit OF paper TO the boy, with the
muttcred excuse that had no change, aud
the utter contemptuous expression on the
boys face as he received it . [ inmedi-
ately stepped into the office of the Daily
Banner and wrote a paragph OF my recent
mishap, taking care to make it as amusing
as possible. When complete handed II
to the clerk. He read it, laughed, and
took it inlo the private Office. Coming
back few minute after, he told the book
keeper TO give me fifty cents. it was not
much, but more than l expected. Well,
continued my walk until finally reached
the end OF the street which terminates at
the $ river, here spanncd by a long
covered bridge. L crossed the bridge and
was surprised TO see upon reaching the OPP
posito side that would be required to pay
toll. \ young girl caIne to the door OF the
little Office as | stepped mp and inquired
how much should pay, drawin" forth my
solitary shinplaster.
90, said she, with smile and slight
blush, I'VE do not charge ministers any
thing.
1t was not bad joke, but | suppressed
the laugh that rose TO my lips and thanking
her for the consideration shown to tho
clergy, turned about and retraccd my
steps to the hotel, not without slight twin
ges of conscience for allowing the mistake
to pass and taking the advantage of it.
My first duty next morning was to seek
some knight OF the razor. ] had noticed a
pleasant little shop at 10 great distance
from the hotel in my walk the previous day
Thinking that should do no better by
looking further, l repaired to that. There
was in attendance boy about twelve year!
of age, who stated that his father, the pro
prietor of the shop, had gone TO neigh
boring city, and would not return before
noon. Without any hesitation | asked fol
the loan OF razor, and proceeded TO Ope
rate on myself. Willie thus occupied, the
customers began 10 present themselves, eX
pressing great dissatisfaction on learning
! how it stood. Now, although am a PROUD
man, ] am not, thank God, cursed will
! that species of vanity which prevents {
mans doing certain kinds Of honest labOt
simply because they are not genteel. Here
! was All opportunity afforded me to at leas
earn the price Of my breakfast. / took ad
/ vantage of it. Told the first man who ell
tered after ! had completed shaving my
self would shave him. did so. IA fact
. I did quite brisk business for couple o
hours and if any of the unfortunate indi
viduals who came under my hand had any
doubt Of my fitness for the business they
certainly expressed none. At the expira
ton Of this time l began TO think haC
done sufficient, and feeling rather hungry
having had no breakfast, divided the pro
ceeds with the boy and prepared to return
! to my hotel. But / was not done yet. A!
was brushing my hat young dandifieC
specimen of humanity came III. Resolved