Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1873-07-03
A TRIP WITH A GUARD.

A TRIP WITH A GUARD.
On reading the Troubles of a Ticket
Clerk" wondered, like him, whethe,
any of the numerous people with whom
1 am daily brought in contact would
care to knowanything of may grievances,
which, though perhaps not so large as
his, are still grievances. I am acting
guard on very large railway, and re-
ceive twenty-five shillings per week,
which, when my duties are taken into
consideration, will not be considered
too much. To judge properly of the
arduous and wearisome nature of my
duties, it will be necessary to accompany
me one trip at least, which will give you
a very fair idea of guards work. ]
am on middle turn, and am working
the ten o'clock express from London to
Rollington. After signing on, as it is
termed, I visit the train, inspect the
coupling of the carriages, see the lamps
all right, see that the communication
cord for passengersis properly adjusted,
and last, though not least, that the
communication between myself and the
driver is in good condition. I next
the packing of passengers
luggage in my van, let passengers into
the train, and wait for the signal to
start. I am accosted by very shabby
ooking chap, who says:
"Guard, I'll give you half crown to
post this letter in Rollington.
ct dare not; the Company's very
strict" and finding me ine1orable on
the matter, he walks away.
overhear passenger asking ques-
ton of porter "Do you know Toot-
Ingp"
"No, sir. Yes, there's Tooton near
Nottingham !" meaning Toton.
Ono, no; it's somewhere in the
suburbs"
"Never heard of the suburbs before,
sir, never" and at this last sally the
ceases his inquiries.
"Guard," says an elderly gentleman,
IA q very nervous manner, "does this
rain go to Camden 2"
"No, sir 1; this train goes to Poleworth
without stopping; the next train for
Camden"
A gentleman rushes up painting and
,ut of breath, and says:
"Ware ?"
Where?"
"Ware p he reiterates.
Where ?"
"Warep' he shouts at the top of his
7oice-"W-A-R-E |"
ooh, Ware. Your train is on the
eft, beyond the refreshment room,"
Ind off he rushes, wondering no doubt
1t the stupidity of railway officials.
The fve-minutes' bell now begins to
ing, and a cry of "Take your seats,
olease-going on, warns the passengers
hat they must not inger any longer in
he bar or in the waiting-rooms and
hey mostly take their seats, with the
of one or two obstinate ones,
Who never will take their seats till the
,ery last minute, and thus frequently
lelay the train.
Standing by the van door, I am ad-
lressed by lady: 90 guard, I want
ny boxes put far back, please am so
.fraid snything should be thrown upon
hem if they were in the front"
every good, ma'am; I'll put them
behind )" and just as I have finished
she rushes up out of breath, and says:
' Oh, my husbs1d has not arrived I
shall have to have them out ;" and ac-
,ordingly they gre got out with infinite
lificulty, in consequence Of their being
behind everything else.
A young gentleman asks me which is
he carriage for Lilly, and I am just
opening the door for him, when two
men touch him on the shoulder, and
one says, "Your names Johnston, I be-
ieve?'
eyes," he replies, looking round.
"Well, want you"
"You haven't been long about it"
"No, we never are" said the detec-
i've, quietly, and marches him away.
The signal is now given to start and
IS instantly countermanded by the sta
ion master, who, accompanied by the
ady, wants her boxes put in again, as
her husband has irst arrived; and l put
her and her husband into a carriage,
Ind leave her with her heed out of the
adjuring me to put those box
IS far behind; and after delay of quite
4 minute and half, we start, leaving
on the platform testy old gentleman,
who had got out of his carriage to en-
Joy the minutes delay, and walked
little too far. Aud now that we were
once started, there is plenty to do; the
passengers luggage to sort, the parcels
10 sort and check, letters to sort, and to
Keep a sharp lockout. So the train
goes on, rushing, screeching, grating,
ill it steams into Poleworth Station,
whele ten minutes are allowed for re-
and for the engine to take
water. The first person meet on the
platform is, to my great surprise, the
elderly gentleman who wanted to 60 to
Camden. :,
"This is fine thing, sir, to be over
carried in this manner"
"It's entirely your own fault; I told
you the train didn't stop; you re- about
torty miles away from Camden"
"Well, I know that; L Thought there
we're two trains, it's 80 confoundedly
ong. What all I to do?"
"See the station master, by all
Guard" says lady at q carriage
window, "can you get little milk for
I manage TO get j.; take it TO her, and
receive a shilling for my trouble. "a axe