The Worthington advance., 1878-07-18

+ call the guard. Inc flrSt-ClaSS sMOk-
ing compartment is full. Well, what's to
be done? A small business transaction
between the guard and myself; beginning
with my hand in my pocket and ending
with his in his; and he suggests that as I
am all alone and by his favor likely TO be
so, may as we'll smoke where I am. 1
light up amidst evident operations for a
start, and am quietly settling down to the
enjoyment OF my cigar when the door hur-
riedly opens and have a companion--a
man about my own height and age, al
together not very unlike me. q am of
that mediocre mould in which nature has
formed SO many of my fellow.creatures.)
am to have a companion after all.
Well. 10 much the better. It will be
somebody to tax to aud pass the time.
l wonder if he is as taciturn as my COM
panions at the outset of the journey. Evil
IDENTIFY not; he is recovering his breath
sitss sls.. b: =. epEE' .na |'step'sp.t|ns TO 'd-
"lll trouble you to put that cigar
out, sir! object to smoke
.sBut, sir"
s'Here. guard! tell this person to put
out his cigar at once. This is not a
smoking compartment s
"Plenty:of room insthe next. carriage,
sir. Would you mind stepping in
there2''
"Yes would mind. Bylaw No. Z say
.etc.r etc -, ,, says my. companion, standing
blocking up the doorway and. arguing
with the guard.
VERY sorry, sir; but you must put out
your ciger.''
Cant I 60, into the next carriege?"
Two ladies insthem, slr-old ladies I"
"Have you an empty compartment"
"We're just of" says the guard, slam
ming to the door, and the next minute
we are spinning on our way to Peterbor-
ough.
Shall I put out my clgarG have
been alluded to as "person." l have
been addressed IN a d1ctatorial manner
which has the very reverse Of q soothing
influence over me. feel rufflad and OBJ
stinate. Had been asked politely, my
Havana would have been out Of the
window in twinkling. Shall I put it
out or infringe bylaw No, 7, and be
fined forty shillingsa I wiW finish my ci-
gar, and abide by the consequences.
My compar ion is evidently as unac-
costomed to opposition as am to dicta
ton. and for few minutes he stares at
me dumbfounded, then he lets fly his
own version of King James 'Counterblast
against Tobacco. On my part preserve
an obstinate silence. My companion
pulls up the window on his side; l put
up tnat on mine, which produces q
violent fit of coughing on his part, when
down go both windows in hurry.
We arrived at Peterborough, and the
guard is again called. I have almost
finished my cigar, and throw the end
away. My companion cannot let the mat
ter rest, however, and when we are start
ed again he reads me another lecture,
couched in such unacceptable terms that
for reply lighted another, cigar.
'"Sir, here Is my card; and I insist up
on knowing your name and address,"
l take his card, open my card-case,
put his card in, and return the case to
my pocket without giving him my card
in exchange. l finish my cigar amidst
volley of threats of getting my name and
address by force.
We are at Finsbury Park now, and
tickets are being collected. This is the
nearest station to my home, and here 1
intend to leave the train. Ny compan-
ion follows me up tho platform, and calls
the guard to take my name and address.
Being under the scrutiny of the other
passengers, who evidently think have
got into trouble for card sharplug, and
having made up my mind to pay the
penalty, lose no time in giving my
card.
At home am received with open arms
and lam hdrriedinto th1 dinuing room
by my boys to inspect as1evicesoTer the
sideboard for my espacisl benefit swell
come" in blue letters on a white ground.
My wife is full Of inquiries after all our
Ijos;ney1 II III Tsd sfE7ssSsssy m u "
Having informed her that individually
and collectively all our friends are as we'll:
aecould bes expected, considering the
wintery weather: they have lad, md that
all were as kind and hospitable as ever, I
briefly tell her of my smoking adventure.
my wife. -'.'i til :fh1GC
now SOOulu kuOWs
why yon have bis card;1
ITO be sure; quite forgot that" says
!, producing my card-case. l search it
through carefully, but no card, other than
my OVID, can lind.
Il know put it in here: Why, bless
me! must have giyen il. to the guard
Sinstead oi my own. How eddH. - .-1
I have almost dismissed the adventure
from my mind, when a lew days later
my wife, in skimmisg over he paper at
the breakfast-tabls, breaks out into a
merry laugh. What on earth can she
find 30 amusing in any other than the
"Agony" column, which see, is, not the
portion under perusal. It Is the political
reports, and she hands me the paper,
pointing out the place for my attention.
"Atttc-Police Court, j--B
of Verantah House, Crouch Hill, was
summoned by the Grest Northern Rail-
way Company for smoking in a carriage
not smoking carriage. to the annoyance
Of other passengers. The guard having.
proved identity, and tie aceslaad's. card,
given up by himself, being pat in Is coz:
borative evidepce, themaSistlsate asked
the defendant if he had anything to say
in reply Anattenpt was made to prove
3plaint, andhe hid gRea 'Sad to she
real offender; ;-Fhich the magistrate char
actefizedr ~ ~ ilhpak9snt lame defence.
and fined the defendant in the full pom:
salty of ofy shillngss'T ~ - j,
~ my dear \ ssyss ny s1ae.s Ij-!
+" We'll, my dear" l respond.
=" !erandah House is that pretty place
that just had been flushed . little far.
ther up the hill. Don't you think you:
behaved .!, in rather en pppeighborly maj