The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1873-07-22
AN ANXIOUS PASSENGER.
7 VNoRMERLY we could never tell why 50

steamboat captains and clerks. We un-
derstand in our early days, and can read
lily see how contact with all sorts of people
naturally bring awkward positions to those
frequently brought in contact with all man
ner of characters. Gradually the good
things are now falling to the conductors
railroad travel having almost brought the
steamers to the banks. And of the con-
ductors of the Georgia railroads, it seems
that those on the s. w. r, R., while they
have possibly, the most pleasant general
run, suffer more from outlandsh folks,
travelling southwark to see kin-follSs, than
any class which have noticed. Some
days since, just before the train ran from
the car-shed in Macon, l was disturbed
while readinga morning paper by the en-
trance of an old lady, who was slightly
deaf and wondrously fussy, and fearfuly
made in fact, very fearfully made for an
old lady. Chignon, pannier, flounces, and
all those indiscribabe things which the
younger of Fashions devotees so Ipatiently
bear were hung around her in profusion
rare. After the train moved out the con-
ductor appeared at the door, and "Tick-
ets'' came reveIberating down the aisle. /
took advantage of the occasion to find out
for what point Mrs. Joiner was bound, and
saw the ticket she handed the conductor
was " from Macon to Americus," but she
requested the conductor to let her know
when the train arrived at Stewards cross
ing which is about four miles above Amer
icus. This he of course readily agreed
to do.
1 engaged the old lady in conversation
and found that she had been married to
Mr. Joiner about two months, that she
was his third wife and he her second hus-
band. Furthermore, found that she had
some relations in one of the lower counties,
and that visit to them was the object of
her journey. She seemed anxious to make
as good impression ON them as possible,
as she told me in the innocence of her
heart, because they were not as well pleas
ed as they should have been at his third
marriage, especially as he married rather
an old lady. We chatted pleasantly until
we reached Jackson-about the third sta
tion from Macon, think, when left the
old lady to her meditations. The next
station was Powersville, and when she
reached that point she called the conductor
to her and asked if that was Stewards
Crossing. He replied that it was not, and
told her to give herself no trouble that he
would tell her when they reached Stewards
Crossing. In fact that it was not.a regular
station, he would come to her before they
| got there and let her get ready in time. ]
could see, however, that she was nervous,
restless and excited. The train stopped at
Fort Valley when she grabbed her reticule,
and calling the conductor, wanted to know
if that was Stewards Crossing. His reply
was very brief, but to the point
"It is not, madame"
of went the train again, and as the
whistle sounded for Marshalville the old
lady again grabbed the precious reticule
and called the conductor.
"Mr. Conductor, is this Stewards Cross
ing?"
"No ma'am, will tell you when we get
there, was the amused conductors reply.
Away we sped, and Marshalyille vanish
ed only to bring us, somewhat behind time,
however, to Montezuma The reticule was
grabbed again, and again the conductor
called. In he came.
sis this Stewards Crossing, Mr.. Con-
ductor ?"
"It is not, if you please, madame, l will
certainly let you know when we get there !;
so you need not ask me, said the irritated
conductor.
oglethorpe was passed without the an
hoyance, but when Andersonville was
sounded the old lady was in the highest
pitch of excitement, and as the conductor
was assisting lady with three babies
through the car she grasp his sleeve with
one nervons hand and her reticule with the
other, and asked with all the earnestness
of her excited nature
"Mr. Conductor, amt this Stewards
crossing9''
The usually good-natured public func-
tionary was vexed you could see it all
over his smoothly shaved face.
"No, ma'am, this is not Stewards Cross
ing. Ihaye told you I would tell you when
we get there, SO be quiet and give your
self no uneasiness.''
The old lady was twitching all over with
excitement as we steamed away and left
Andersonyille vanishing behind. The con-
ductor came and took seat by me and
while discoursing on tho comparative mer-