The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-06-18
4nberson Jntealgsrrtet*
ssAin,t this Stewards Crossing -


We find the following little narrative going
the rounds of OUT exchanges, and as there is so
much of shuman nature" in its uncultlvated
STAGES ~ we give it as related, as it is more than
urobable an actual fact. Here it is as related
by the author:
Formerly we could never tell why so many
good things were related of steamboat captains
and clerks We understand in our elder days,
and can readily see how contact with all sorts
of people naturally brought awkward positions
to those frequently brought in contact with all
manner of characters. 90.
Gradually the good things are now falling to
conductors railway travel having almost
brought steamers to the banks. And OF the
conductors on the Georgia railroads, 1t seems
that those on the Southwestern Railroad, While
they have, possibly, the most general run,
suffer more from "outlandlsh tolk," travelling
southwark to see kinfolk, than any class which
I have noticed.
Some days since, just before the train ran
ont from the car-shed in Macon, was dis
turbed while reading the morning paper, by
the entrance of an old lady who was slightly
deaf, wondrously fussy, and fearfully made;
in fact, very fearfully made for an old lady.
Ghignon, hounces, and all those indescribable
things which the younger of fashions devotees
so patiently bear, were hung around her IN
profusion rare.
After the train moved out, the conductor
appeared at the door, aud "tickets" came re-
yerberating adown the aisle. took advantage
of the occasion to find out for what point Mrs.
j was bound, and saw that 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 Stew
arts Crossing-which is about four miles from
Americus. This he Of course readily agreed
to do.
Hengaged the old lady in conversation, and
found that she had been married to Mr.. j
about two months; that she was his third wife,
and he her second husband. Furthermore /
ascertained that he 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 an impression on
them as possible, as she told me in the inno-
cence 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 left the old lady to medita-
tions. The next station was Powersvllle, and
when the train reached that point she called
the conductor to her and asked him IT that
was Stewards Crossing
He replied that it was not, and told her to
give herself 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 and let her get ready in
time. I could see, however, that she was ner-
vous, restless and excited.
The train stopped at Fort Valley, when she
grabbed her reticule and, calling the conduc-
tor. wanted to know if that was Stewards
Crossing. His reply was very brief, but to the
point:
'fIt is not, madam"
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 Crossing?"
''No, madam, will tell you when we get
there" was the amused conductors reply.
Away we sped, and Marshalville vanished,
only to bring US, somewhat behind zine, how
ever, to Montezuma The reticule was grabbed
again, and again the conductor called. In he
came.
ais this Stewards Crossing, Mister Conduc-
tori"
cit is not, if you please, madame will
certainly let you know when we get there, so
you need not ask me-" said the irritated con-
ductor.
Oglethorpe was passed without further an
noyance, but when Andersonville was sounded,
the old lady was at the highest pitch Of ex-
citement, and as the conductor was assisting a
lady with three babies through the car, she
grasped his sleeve with one nervous hand and
her reticule with the other, and asked, with all
the earnestness of her excitable nature
ssMr. Conductor, amt this Stewards Cross
ing?"
The usually good-natured conductor was
yexed-you could see it all over his smoothly
shaven face.
"No, ma'am, this is not Stewards Crossing.
have told you would let you know when we
got there, so be quiet and give yourself no un-
easiness"
The old lady was twitching all over with
excitement as we steamed away and left An
dsrsonville vanishing behind. The conductor
came and took seat by me, and while dis
cussing the comparative merits of broad and
narrow guage railroads, forgot everything else.
1t length he looked out Of the window, and
Immediately grabbing the bell line, said:
"Bless my life, we've passed Stewards at
Least mile"
Stopping the train, however, he had motion
reversed, and we ran over mile back to Stew
arts Crossing, when he went to the old lady:
"Stewart's Crossing, ma'am ?"
care we there?" she asked.
eyes, ma'am; hurry up and get off as soon
as possible we are behind time, and had to
run back nearly two miles for you"
The old lady seemed wondrously calmed, and
said with the greatest simplicity:
~ don't want to get off here. I want to 60
to Americus."
sDon't want to get off here?" thundered
the conductor; "what in the thunder did you
want US to stop here for?"
'I didn't want you to stop here" she meek
ly replied.
"What did you want to know when we got
here for, then?"
Because" smilingly said the old girl, "my
old man told me when l got to Stewards Cross
ing that 1t 0ould be time to put in nay teeth"
If you never heard a roar you ought to have
been on that train. Amid the fuss the bell
cord had some o. the most violent pulls it had