Weekly Trinity journal., 1873-07-12
AMT THIS STEWARDS CROSS.
ING.

Formerly we could never tell why SC
many good things were related of steam
boat captains and clerks. We understand
it in our elder days, and can readily see
how contact with all sorts of people nat
urally brought awkward positions to those
frequently brought in contact with all
manner of characters. Gradually the
good things are now falling to conductors,
railway travel having almost brought
steamers to the banks. Some days since
just before the train ran out from the car
shed in Macon, / was disturbed while
reading the morning paper by the en-
trance of an old lady, who was slightly
deaf, wondrously fussy, and fearfully
made; in fact, very fearfully made for an
old lady. Chignon, pannier, flounces,
and all those indescribable things which
the younger of Fashions devotees so pa
tiently bear, were hung around her in
profusion rare. After the train moved
out the conductor appeared at the door,
and Tickets" came reverberating down
the aisle. took advantage of the occa-
sion to find out for what point Mrs. Joiner
was bound, and saw the ticket she handed
the conductor was from Macon to Amer
Gus, bnt she requested the conductor to
let her know when the train arrived at
Stewards crossing, which is about four
miles above Americus. This he of course
readily agreed to do.
/ 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 he
had some relatives in one Of the lower
counties, and that visit to them was the
object of her journey. She seemed anx-
ious to make as good an impression as
possible, as she told me in the innocence
of her heart, because they were not as
we'll pleased as they should have been at
his third marriage, especially as he had
married rather an old lady. We chatted
pleasantly until we reached Jackson
about the third station from Macon, /
think, when l left the old lady to her
meditation. The next station was Pow
ersvile, and when the train reached that
point, she called the conductor TO herand
asked if that was Stewards Crossing. He
replied that it was no trouble, as he would
tell her when they reached Stewards
Crossing. In fact, that as it was not
regular station, he would come to her be
fore 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 con-
ductor. wanted to know if that was Stew
arts Crossing. His reply was very brief
but to the point:
" 1t is not, madam"
Off went the train again, and as the
whistle sounded for Marshalville, the old
lady again grasped the precious retcule
and called the conductor.
"Mr. Conductor, is this Stewards Cross
ing ?"
"No, madam, will tell you when we
get there" was the amused conductors
reply.
Away we sped, and Marshalvile van
ished, only to bring US, somewhat behind
time, however, to Montezuma. The ret
icule was grabbed and again the conduc-
tor was called. In he came.
" Is this Stewards Crossing, Mr.. Con-
ductor ?'
at is not, if you please, madam. l
will certainly let you know when we get
there; so you need not ask me-" said the
irritated conductor.
Oglethorpe was passed without annoy
ance, but when Andersonville was sound
cd the old lady was at the highest pitch
of excitement, and as the conductor was
assisting 3 lady with three ba bies through
the car she grasped his sleeve with one
nervous hand and her reticule with the
other, asking with all the earnestness Of
her excitable nature: