Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-05-30
The Leisure Hour.
n R.sILW.sI' .N.sRRaTIpR.
as this seat engaged, sir?'

1 glanced up from the paper / was read
ing and met the smiling regard of genial
looking man in the very prime OF life.
1T is not, SIR
with your permission, then, and he
seated himself beside me.
The train started on, and the conductor
presently made his appearance collecting
the tickets. Reaching us he detached the
appropriate coupons from our tickets,
handing back the remainder with the usual
Cheeks
Pardon me- said my companion, but I
perceive you place your tickets in your
wallet.
Yes
1T is unwise and unsafe
'Why do you consider it SOP inquired
with curiosity, returning my wallet TO my
pocket.
Suppose, through carelessness or we
may say accident, your wallet may bo lost
your pocket picked for instance
Yes
your money and your ticket are both
gone. Possibly you don't appreciate the
beauties of such position. do not think
it possible except by experience
1T would certainly be an undesirable
situation, 1 can see that clearly enough.
Pardon the question naturally suggested
were you ever so placedr
'Once-once only
'How was that?'
You wish TO profit by my experience;
well don't know that mind telling you
the story. 1t may serve to amusc you, if
nothing else.'
1T occurred number Of years ago, and
is of no consequence. / had taken the
early express train, and being some what
tired and altogether sleepy, had stretched
myself on q seat for comfortable nap as
circumstances would permit. 1 slept
soundly, for / could in those days sleep
sonndly anywhere, and did not awaken
until the conductor came for my ticket. /
was positive I had purchased ticket. in
deed 1 remembered distinctly having
shown it to the baggage-clerk at 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
book had been stolen, and in proof of my
story showed him my baggage check.
1T was of no use. If you have Travelled
much you are aware that virtuous con-
ductOr takes no mans word in lact all
men have designs on the company's divi-
dends but himself. 1t was perfectly natur-
al therefore, that the faithful steward in
question should say:
THE check is all right, but how do I
know it belongs TO you? 1 will take the
money for your fare, or stop the train and
put you off, just as you choose.
What could / do? Protestations a
mounted to nothing, and fellow -passen-
gers, with the usual tenacity to trample
upon fallen man, showed clearly by their
looks and expressions that they thought
me a sneakiDg rogue who would steal
ride if he could. They paid their money,
why should not pay miner Few men
would ever see heaven If judgment was
rendered by jury-except themselves.
MY search for the lost ticket brought TO
light just dollar and eighty cents. This,
l told the conductor, was every cent / had
about me. He said ii was fifty cents short
or than the usual fare to Lauderdale City,
but Il at he would pass me through for it
rather than stop the train. From Lauder
dale, a city OF much importance, l could
write to my partner for money. 1t would
certainly be as well as tramp ten or twelve
miles back 10 the city had left, and where
l should be no better of, being equally a
stranger there.
IN due time l found myself in Lauder
dale, went TO the hotel, telegraphed for
money, and wrote an explanatory letter TO
my partner.
This business attended to sailed out
to see what sort of place Lauderdale was.
There was nothing TO do but amuse myself
Iise best l could until the money should
come. AS best strolled leisurely up the
main street, a newsboy started out print
ing Office crying out loudly;
DAILY Banner-extra edition-all about
the murder-great excitement on the Il
road, etc., Have an extraH
Il took the sheet and thrust my hand
into my pocket for the money without
moments thought.
You may imagine my feelings when
compelled to return that two penny bit of
paper back TO the boy, with the muttered
excuse that had no change and the utterly
contemptuous expression on the boys face
as he received it. 1 Immediately stepped
into the Office of the Banner aud wrote
paragraph of my recent mishap, taking
care to make it as amusing as possible.
| When completed handed II to the clerk.
He read 1t, laughed, and took 1t into the
private office. Coming back a few min
utes aiter, he told the book-keeper to give
me fifty cents. II was not much, bat more
than expected.
. well, I continued my walk until finally