The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1879-08-28
INCLINED no BF. sOCIABLE.
The Man Anna Dickinson Encountered On'a
Railway rain.


quered the catch and received a mouth
full of fresh air, abandoned his seat on
the opposite side of the car, crossed and
planted himself in front of me and the
partially opened sash. Presently ne
stirred, shrugged his shoulders, turned
up his cOat-collar, and remarked, - It's
chilly" As the announcement was ap-
parently made TO creation generally, [
felt no call to respond. Dissatisfied at
the silence he faced round and in
quired:
q Would you like have me shut that
window?''
''No,'' said I, g 1 wouldn't"
For a space, silence.
- Did you want that window open?''
g 1 did, responded 1, q and i do. -
g faint so warm over here as it is by
the stove.''
A pause.
90 l said 'twant't so warm here as over
to the stove where was a-sitting You'd
just better let me shove that down.
persuasiyely, and stretching out a
brawny hand.
"NO. =
But 1 tell you the cold comes in
lively, " surveying the crack, half filed
by the magazine stuffed into it, leaving
open mere mouse-hOle. I'm not as
comfortable here as l was over by the
stove.''
"Why don't you 90 back, thenP'' 1
charitably suggested. - 1t wasn't nee
with
Another pause A fresh charge
g say, amt you cold?"
mo-
CANT you afraid of taking cold?"
Mo-
q You haven't got any thing the mat
ter with your lungs. have you?"
MOI
Throat all right?"
eyes"
A cessation of hostiIities. Truce soon
broken.
81 say, hadn't you better let me put
down that Window
"No."
A breathing space, a vigorous hitch
to the coat-c0llar, a longing look toward
the fiery dragon of iron and coal.
1" Ind you amt afraid?'
"Noi'
H-h-h-m-you call yourself strong
minded, now don't you?''
81 would be sorry to call myself
weak-minded.'
"speak. Don't you?''
Make lecturesPn
d" Yes"
Sect paid pretty well?"
- Yes
q Ever talk any?"
Yes -
a fellow whether you ever speak more'n
one word at time?''
"That depends upon circumstances, -
judicially pronounced. ''At present
prefer not to talk at all. :"
At which he stared, pondered, looked
at me, at the air-hole, rubbed his side
whiskers, pondered again for enlighten-
ment-got it.
Meaning me? Oh, you needn't
apologize. L can take a hint as well as
another fellow. l never put in where
amt wanted, not if l know it. No. =.
Where might you hang out your shin
gle?
q said where might your home be?''
Philadelphia
" Philadelphia? You don't see much
of it, reckOn?''
- No"
Old folks Iiving?"
Silence.
81 said hoped your pa was lively
yet, - insinuatingly.
No.
90 You don't mean to say he's dead?''
A nod-in despair.
| g Sho! we'll! It's natural. People
do die. Ma to home?"
- Yes
q Ever travel round with you?"
:. N Ne, And she amt afraid to
have you travel round alone? No? 1
reckon, then, you're a chip of the old
/ CT fC hac no D.,
| l am too busy about the much dis
cussed window to make reply.
. asked whether your ma was like
you? Has she got 90 to her?"
/ am not yet done with the window
and my dumbness.
"Well, we'll let the old lady drop.
! You don't like my talking about her, l
reckon-from the color of your face.
Got temper, haven't you?"
| Yes. -
q thought so. Got it from your pa
or map
q Got it from being compelled to see
and hear such people as YOU" L de-
| fined.
More ruminatiOn, side-whisker again
rubbed, situation faced boldly.
" Brothers and sisters like you? May
| be you haven't any. How many broth
ers and sisters might you have?n
81 might have fifty growl l, g but
l haven't
"No? Lost some 90
A relapse again into a silence fast
verging on imbecility.
"Don't like to talk about your family,
mebbe. Some people don't. I don't
mind. Leave talk about my folks as not. |
Got any objection to my asking how old
you are?''
- None in the world.
A nod and prolonged pause.
- You haven't told me-"
- You haven't asked me-
More meditation. This time resulting
in no enlightenment.
81 did, but don't mind asking you
once again. How old are yOu?''
''Old enough to mind my own bust |
ness, and to tell other people to mind
theirs. You viii really do me a favor, |
my friend, by asking me no more ques-
tiOns.'
The irrepressible seemingly settled in |
to profound reverie, and l thought my |
purgatory was ended. Vain thought; |
he came up to the next round, smiling. |
Lecturino's your trade, ain tit? You |
make your bread and butter by it, don't |
you?''
Ny tired head nodded what served for
an assent.
..Wen, now. ais grist that comes to
your mill, then? One fellows stamps
ares goods as another's, hey?"
l am forced to admit it.
We'll, now," growing emphatic and
dragging out some greasy looking bills
and currency, q Look here. You'll
never lecture in our town. It's too
darned small. But I'd like to hear what
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