Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-02
CHUCKER'S PANTALO0NS.

CHUCKER'S PANTAL00NS.
How far is it expedient to convert
railway carriage into dressing-room'
is question which would be quickly
solved in the negative in continental
countries, when guards walk along the
foot-boards and collect tickets while the
train is in motion. But in England a
passenger who likes to change his attire
in first class compartment, is pretty
secure from interruption; at least so
thought Mr.. Barnaby Chucker, as he
alighted from a hanson at Paddington
and rushed across the platform, holding
a railway rug and carpet bag, which
contained a complete change Ornament,
to wit: dress clothes.
Mr.. Chucker had received an invita-
ton to dine at Windsor with some
friends of influential position, but being
o busy man, he had not found time to
DRESS at his Office in the city or at his
chambers in the west end. Stepping
into the train, he slipped shilling into
the hand Of the guard and said: Keep
me this compartment, please, as want
to DRESS" "All right" answered the
guard, and the next moment the train
started. Mr.. Chucker then unlocked
bis carpet-bag and drew out clean
shirt with other equipments necessary
to his perfect adornment.
1t must not be supposed that he did
this without reluctance, for be Was a
great stickler about all the proprieties
of life. He objected to seeiug things
out Of place or doing thugs out Of sea-
son. If he had caught his best friend
changing his pantaloons in a railway
carriage, he would have thought mean
ly Of him for being of disorderly habits,
and so now he judged himself with q
candid severity for not having better
regulated his own time. IF an acct
dent occurred" unused be, as he re-
moved bis coat and waistcoat. II won
der what would be the thought OF NE
for being half undressed in train p
This reflection made him redden. He
was shy. middle aged man, with red
ears and fat, ford face. The effect
of pulling off his boots always suitused
his countenance with crimson, and did
so now, iDsomuch that, what with the
color that came from physical exertion
and that which resulted from . troubled
conscience, Mr. Barnaby Chucker looked
truly distressed. Having removed his
boots. be deuuded himself of his trous-
ers. This was a trying moment, for if
an accident had happened then. why,
why, dear me- calculated Mr.. Chucker,
at this stage Of coagitations, "I-think
the train is stopping"
The tr in was stopping in effect, as
Mr.. Chucker might have foreseen that
it would do, since he was not travelling
by express, but be had been SO enwrap-
ped in his self-upbraiding thoughts that
he had not even noticed the first slack.
ening of the engines speed. He now
found himself in the midst Of very
litter of clothes and with no time to re-
dress himself before the train stopped.
He had to decide hastily whether be
would steam along Ealing platform in
his shirt sleeves or minus his panta.
looms. He chose wisely in budding on
his coat, which he buttoned up, while
he covered his lower man with his rail.
way rug. This done, be collected as
many Of his belongings as he could into
bis bag, kicked his boots under seat
and tried to look dignifed. The train
had come to stand-still, now, and the
guard opened the door of the carriage
in which our poor hero was sitting, anc
cried, THERE'S room here, sir, for yor
and this lady"
'Hie, guard!' exclaimed Mr.. Chacker
leaning out in horror, "you told me
should have this compartment to my
SELF
Unfortunately for our modest friend
the gna;A 70 whom o. had given tn
shilling vas not The one appointed t,
travel with this train. These little mis-
takes often occur and lead to unpleas
ant consequences. The present guar
.saId, bluntly
II can't give you compartment t
yourself unless you pay for it, sir. IT
against the rules. Here, Madame, ste
10, please" -..
A lady who looked in very delicat
health got into the carriage, and ger
tleman with her. Mr. Barnaby Chucke
felt ready 20 swoon. Before he coul
inform the guard of his readiness to pa
for whole compartment, rather tina