Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1874-05-14
To Stop by Signal.

aWhat station Is this, Wilson," cried
an old gentleman, looking out of the win.
dow.
His servant, demure-looking man, In
black, who had just got out of second
class carriage, touched his hat, and re-
piled 81 don't know, sir; I'll ask the
guard. Yes, sir, Sloughton station, sir. /"
There ought to be a board with the
name on it," cried the old gentleman,
testify. "Guard, why isn't there board
to this stationt"
$50 there is, sir, at the other end of the
platform"
"Then why doesn't the train stop where
people can read its How am to know
when we get to Pugborough, Wilson,"
ave shan't be at Pugborough for this
hour, sir" cried the guard. Come,
Jump in, sir,p TO Wilson, who resumed his
seat. The whistle sounded, the train went
on.
At the very next station they came in
the old gentleman put his head out Of the
window again. "Hi, Wilson,
Wilson jumped out of his carriage and
came to his master, and touched his hat
once more.
sis this Pugborough, Wilson,
"No, sir! This is Much Munkton."
"Now, take your seat cried the
guard; for only one passenger had
alighted, and none had entered the train.
At the next station the same scene was
repeated.
leone, sir" cried the guard, who was
tired of hearing the old mans voice,
" don't trouble yourself any more. I'll
be sure and let you know when you come
to Pugborough."
"Will your" cried the old gentleman,
apparently much gratified. upon my
word, you're very Kind. didn't like to
ask you, for know how much you have
TO do.n
ats only my dooty, sir, )" says the guard,
slamming to the door.
Eli, guardp cries the old gentleman.
eyes, sir" replies the guard, impa-
tiently, returning to the carriage door.
"You're quite sure, now! you're quite
sure, eh you won't forget me at Pug
borough 7"
con, no, sir" said the guard; that'll
be all right"
"And Wilson-where's Wilson s-Oh,
here, Wilson, you won't forget my box,
Wilson, when we get to Pugborough ?"
"No, sir" says Wilson, scrambling
into his seat once more.
Troublesome old chap that" said the
guard, as he swung himself into his van.
81 mustn't forget him at Pugborough.
There's no other passenger for there"
Now, PugbOrough was one of those
mysterious places that are marked with a
cross or dagger in Bradshaw" and if you
succeed In unearthing corresponding
dagger in some obscure corner of the
page you will find "Stops at Pugbor-
ough TO take up and set down first-ciass
London passengers only"
Whether it was that the guard, in his
excess of anxiety to remember, had
blunted his faculties, or that some spite
full Puck had given his wits bewilder-
ing shake, know not; but somehow it
happened that the guard forgot to warn
looked up from his parcels he found, to
his dismay, that the train was flashing
along some half mile past the little Pug
borough station.
To signal to the driver and put on the
brake was the work of an instant. The
train was brought to a stand-still and then
slowly backed to the station, amid the
fierce denunciations Of the through pas
sengers.
The guard himself was much out of
temper-aHgfy with himself for his for.
getfulness, angry with the old gentleman
for having given him so much trouble.
snow, them" he shouted 10 the man.
servant. "Sharp! Look after your mas
ter's traps. Here you are, sir" he cried,
opening the first class carriage. "Here's
Pugborough. Now, sir, if you please"
The old gentleman was asleep, aud
couldn't BIC reused to u sense of the situa-
ton for some time. He growled and
grumbled; at last, fully reused, he stared
at the guard with lackluster eyes.
Peterborough, is 1t PugborOugh? Thank
you, guard; remember Where's Will
sonS Wilson! Wilson! where's my boxg"
Never mind your box, sir--I'll see to
the luggage. Jump out quick, please"
Jump outi' cried the old gentleman;
Jump out Why should / jump outs
Who said anything about getting QUIT"
"What" cried the guard, aggrieved TO
the very verge of desperation. Haven't
you been bothering about Pugborough
ever since we left Eustonr"
"At your own request, guard" said
the old gentleman, calmly, 81 intrusted
you with the duty of warning me of my
arrival at PugbOrough. / should have
preferred'to leave the task to my own SER
want All! here's the box. Thank you,
Wilson," said the old gentleman, taking
from his servants hands small pink
box.
"The fact is" said the old gentleman,
calmly opening the box and looking at
the excited guard, that my daughter
gave me the most particular injunctions.
Mind, papa she said, be sure you take
a pill at Pugborough.'
The old gentleman could never under
stand why the carriage door was dashed
to with such terrific violence, the whistle
sounded with such fiendish yell, and
Wilson whirled into his carriage without
being permitted to take charge once more
Of his masters pill box.-C Chambers Jour
nal.