Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1875-02-11

"TIprINa" THE PORTER, on ny RAIL THROUGH
LoNDoN-THE ENGLISH SYSTEM AND 1Ts DIFFER-
ENcEs FROM OUR OWN.
Contributed to the CONNER. ial by Cliphant.l
Nothing astonishes the traveller so much OH
paying his first visit to England az the custom
Of "tipping," or giving grstuites to railroad, and
other public attendants, that is prevalent there.
When first went to I4ondon / was greatly
bored by the bareiacfd opportunities of
titse individuals. Tie American system of
forwarding passengers luggage through the
agency Of duly appointed baggage masters, is
totally unknown on English railroads, and the
| traveller is obliged to SEQ his own luggage la
belled, and put into tho traH-to scramble for
| it, and Sec ii daily ro labelled every time he
changes cars, and to Zoe porters innumerab!c,
without beng at a!l cure OF finding it at tho end
| of his journey.
My first experience on this subject was gained
by arriving, with two trunks in my possession,
at the Paidington terminus OF tho "Great West
ern Hallway where it WAS my misfortune to
change cars first to the " Underground and
subsequently from that 60 the "North London
line in order to reach my final destination. To
find my way to the platform Of the" Underground
depot was by no means an easy task, for your
English railroad official above the rank of por-
ter, is usually very bumptious sort of person,
who sails ma jestically by you, and imagining
himself an absolute embodiment of tho com
plainly AZ tho airs he puts on eau possibly do
30 90 Common public unit dare You address
being like me ~ and accordingly he answers you
or passes You disdainfully by as may seem fit to
his great and lofty soul
After good deal of inquiry which was met
but by few civil answers, and sometimes by
none ut ALL | discovered that by ascending and
descending certain s,arcases, and passing
through certain winding passages l might, If
pleased, arrive on the platform wanted, but as
| va Hytremply q III. that ttuuka t!,nuIi
arrive there too, l began seeking porter tn
convey them FOR mo, and soon bad the happiness
to find one WHO was "gIaciously pleased to un-
dertake the task.
With this terrible burden off my mind SAINT.
cred away through the winding passages till |
found myself in the depot OF the " Underground
Hallway where was soon met by the porter,
who costng Inc in u confidential tone said
"l've wheeled your luggage from the other side,
sir, and now I'm going to put it in the tran
SIR" and turning half round, at the same time
placing his hand to his back, pain upwards,
something in the shape OF 4 spoon, he added,
with knowing wink, ''is it any use to meution
1t, sir." "Use to mention it; no."
sad 1, puzzled for moment, but pres
entity guessing his meaning dropped sXpenee
into tho spoonlike PALM and as turned away !
could almost feel tie fellows tidelong glances,
as he looked FIRST at tie sixpenoe and then at
me, apparently dissatisfied with the smallne ts OF
the atuount.
Tho train was but a moment before starting;
and rafting away through the dark tunnels un
der streets and Under houses soon arrived at
III CT; terminus OF this wonderful railroad, where
| | had again to change cars for the North London
line, which was about quarter OF mile OF.
requested q porter to carry my luggage up the
steps into the street, where hailed cab to con-
vey it to the North London Depot. The cabby and
and porter, who seemed to understand, each other
perfectly. soon bundled my boxes on top Of tho
cab, and jumping inside, called out, " North
, London, 'nnoccntly supporting the cabman would
Immediately drive of, but cabby understood his
business far too well for thai, aud was suddenly
porter, half-protruding through the doorway.
"Well, what you want :" asked l.
"Why II yon please, Sir, said he, "you've
| forgotten the porter, sir"
Forgotten the porter; what do you mean p
"Beg your pardon. sir, hope there's no Of
Tense, tir," replied the man in that half-obse-
quious. haIf-iMpudent manner 10 well known
to the European traveller but gentleman Gem
pliasiziDg the world AZ have boxes usually make
| it Il practice to remember the porter eir."
son; do they said ], drawing ont another
sixpence and handing 1t to him, wlea he had no
sooner received than stepping back he signal
lied the cabby,w who, true to his instincts, at once
drove OH. and AZ We rode away ii occurred to me
that it was far moro difficult to forget than to
remember 30 obtrus!ve an individual as the
"porter."
Arriving at tho depot the cab-door was i'm
meiiately opened by another Of the fraternity,
y bmlfklnG. .IaWhlES Individual, VINO, DOWlnk low,
and otherwise dstorting his ungainly body by
the most extraordinary antics, partially intend
ed by him for politeness and partially,no doubt,
in III ticipatlon OF the coming gratnty, COM
menced Ills inquiries with almost breathless rap
idity, and in a kind Of running commentary
sail
"Where for, sr-Bow, sir-oh, yes, sir leave
it to me, sir-Ill put you right, sir easy to &c
wrong, sr--look out for you on the platform, sir
; I'm sure to see you, slr."
Sure to SEQ me-" thought l I; "yes, Oh thai
. subject have no earthly doubt" for was b,
! !, this time becoming somewhat initiated into the
= meaning Of these mysterious remarks.
= True to his prophecy. short time b fore tht
train started, my friend the porter, tapped mt
;, on the shoulder, aud rubbing his hands togeth
er, smilinely assured me that it WAS san right
J sir" "Of course you know, sir, continued he
pcrsuasively, that it's great assistance to
traveller when wo take little tr uble for him
but don't mention it. sir we never think it an.
trouble to work for gentleman, SIR" l nevc
8 hal mentioned it, but being anxious to get rit
~ Of the follows cringing opportunities gave hin
Q q shilling, glad enough to sec the back OF thil
II servile specimen Of railroad humanity
!. Az tho train moved out OF tho station l begai
It to congratulate myself on having entered on th
!. last stage OF my journey-there WAS but ON
), more porter to pass and should be free for tina
i day At least, yet the thought OF meeting eye
that one caused shud2er at the possible intiit