Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-07-22
PoliteneSs in the Cars.

When st. James says, If any man Of.
fend not in word, the same is a perfect
man" he INDUCES in an Oriental figure !;
for a man may hold his tongue pretty sue
cessfully without being eminent in excel
lcnce. But the meaning is, that the thing
is so difficult that he who has moral strength
enough to manage his tongue, has strength
enough for any other purpose. Now had
james lived in our day and written upon
good manners, he would have said, L" He
that is polite in the cars is a perlec, gentle
man" and as the noble gender includes
both sexes, so it is true Of ladies aso.
Now aud then we do see a perfect lady,
perfect gentleman; but, oh, how seldom
White backbirds are plenty in comparison |!
II seems to be the universal understanding
that in travelling every one should take care
Of himself and neglect his neighbor. 4
gentleman in his own house will proiier you
the favorite place, the best chair; but on
the cars be wishes for the choicest spot,
jostling men, women or children, and
plunges into it, spreading himself in a man
ner that repels any one from attempting to
divide with him.
In such proceeding there is no sex Wo-
men who are ladies at home, once in the
cars, lay aside the superstitions and conyen-
tions Of politeness and troop with the men
in charge for the best places, and resolutely
exclude any new conner from a participa-
ton with them. This is not censurable if
man be uncleanly il-mannered, or sat
urated with tobacco smoke. Any one who
has been for an hour in that stye Of nasti-
ness, the smoking car ought not to be per-
mitted to 60 among clean and decent peo-
pie on the train.
But not upon any such grounds of taste
and decenoy is travelling selfshness prac-
ticed. 1t is simply a total disregard Of
every ones convenience but your own
Even those courtesies which are almost
universal between the sexes are scant and
rare upon the cars
To be sure, gentlemen have not the same
motives or rewards too often, which stimu-
late sacrificing politeness elsewhere When
an inexorably polite man, whom not even
the cars can disencbant Of good manners,
yields desirable seat to lady, it is taken
not only without a smile or thank, but with
the air Of one who turns cat or lap dog
out of chair where it has no business to
be found
a gentleman Of our acquaintance, aged
about fifty, took the cars for long ride.
He secured a good seat in not crowded
car, and put therein his bag and various
.av,,nrf.vaaa f.nr bI,,rn H.. l.g.
his scat for refreshments, leaving ample
evidence therein Of its occupancy On re-
turning to the train, he found highly
finished woman sitting in his place, and in
the midst Of what Western people would
call his plunder. lie paused at the en-
trance aud looked wistfully at the woman.
Do you wish anything, sir?"
"Yes, madam, my carpet bag, if you
please. Thank youl"
lie still waited and looked
Is there anything else, sir 7'
Yes, madam, my umbrella, ifyou please
Ah-thank you ~
Still waiting in a respectful attitude, the
lady grew restless.
ais there anything more?'
"Ycs, madam, | viii take my cane and the
papers, which fear you are sitting upon.
These were hastily offered, and as the
gentleman still stood respectfully at the en-
trance, she turned upou him with some EN-,
phasis
"Well, sir, what else are you waiting for p
Madam, l was waiting to hear you say
" Thank you for the seat"-N Y. Ledger