The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-01-03
A Wilted AutOcrat.

A Wllted AutOcrat.
doubt if ever man made himself
more obnoxious to the travelling public
brought into contact with him than did
Jason Warrenton, whilom station-master
on the Maine end on the Atlantic and St.
Lawrence Railroad. This man Warren
ton had, in former times, kept small
public house in the post-vllage of Pin.
hook, and when the railway was opened
through the place he managed to obtain
the position of station master, or "depot-
MASTER" as they are more frequently
called in New England.
Simply, Jason Warrenton was tyrant
and Il housing sneak. He was pulled up
and arrogant. He strutted up and down
upon the platform of his station like
hero.
In this mood Jason Warrenton was
strutting up and down the platform on
the afternoon of bright June day, on
the lookout for the through train from
Portland to Montreal. By and by the
train came laundering up, and came to a
stop.
A few passengers got off who were des-
tined for that station, and few, as Is
usual, got off Just to look around. Among
the former were a gentleman and lady
man and wife-for whom a wagon was in
waiting. Among the latter WAS a portly,
middle-aged man, habited in a garb Of
coarse Scotch gray stuff, and looking
every inch the comfortable English gen
tleman.
The man first mentioned led his wife
to the wagon, and then went forward to
look to his baggage, which consisted of a
trunk and II common flour barrel. The
barrel was an old one, evidently contain
ing various packages. The autocrat of
the depot got his eye upon it,and "smelled
big mice"
"Aha!' he exclaimed, tipping the bar
rel partially over, and shaking it.
"What We got here?'
"That is part of my baggage, sir" an
swered the traveller.
AYE, but what We you got in it9"
"They are goods | bought in Portland"
"What kind of goodsi'
81 don't see how it can be any of your
business, SIR" said the owner, with con-
siderable feeling. He knew the autocrat
and despised him.
soho. We don't, d ont ye? Well see !.
Bring me an axe, Somebody
At this juncture, the man in Scotch
gray came up, and in very gentlemanly
and modest manner informed the depot
master that he would avouch for the
honesty of the package.
"Who asked for your servces?' de-
manded Warrenton, with towering in
dignation. you'll speak when you're
spoken to- Where's that aXei'
Just here, while the autocrat was look
ing for the axe, the mau in gray motioned
to some of the train hands, and in re-
spouse to his order they took up the bar
rel and placed it in the wagon, and the team
was being driven off when Warrenton
came back with Ratchet. He was in a
furious passion. He wanted the name of
the man who had dared to interfere with
his official business.
~ will send you my name by and by,
nv dear sir," said the Englishman.
you will excuse Inc now, as the train
is in notion
And so it was. The man in gray
! jumped on board and the station master,
fairly boiling with wrath, saw him smil
ing upon the platform as it wound out of
sight beyond the long line of wood
| houses.
"Who-who is that MANI Does any
body knowl"
That said spare engineer Of the
road, who bad stopped there for the pur-
pose OF uperintendng the fixing of a
stationery engine used for wood saving
''that," he repeated, with apecuiar wink
ing and twinkling lis Mr.. G. j. Bridges
Mercy how pale became Warrenton's
face, aud how his legs shook beneath
him 1t was the general manager of the
road
And on the following day Jason War
renlou learned the name of the man in
gray officially. 1t was attached to a
brief note informing him that his SER
vices We're no longer required by the
management of the road Signed
"Rcspectiully, c. j. Bridges. ~. Y.
Ledger.