Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-03
Good Mr.. Sprue.

tickets, gentlemen! shouted mar
in blue a coat and brass buttons
with the company's badge on his
coat.
There was general scramble fol
the head of the line, and hurried
falling back to less eligible places by
those who failed to secure the first
l never had any luck in gaining {
good place in crowd. A tall man
with high hat, always would go ir
between me and whatever sight was
to be seen. If it rained at the cir
Gus, the inevitable fat woman, with
the green umbrella, always bounded
my horizon. In the rush to hear q
popular preacher, I have been fortu-
nate enough to secure camp-stool
at the far end of the aisle, but most
commonly have had to put up with
standing-room" in the third or
fourth rank, catching here and there
word of discourse, but not a
glimmer of sense.
This time l Jared as usual. Ell
bowed out at every attempt to gain
better lodgment, found myself at
last at the extreme end Of the queue.
Hurry up, say" kept shouting
he in brass and blue.
But in spite of all, the line short
ened slowly. 1 was getting nervous.
The next day was Thanksgiving,
which had agreed to spend at Dsa-
con Patchin's, between whose
daughter Polly and myself certain
tender negotiations were then in ac-
tive progress. TO miss the train
involved the choice of either giving
up my visit or waiting several hours
and arriving just in time to find
Polly in the pouts and take long
ing look at the cold remains of that
especial turkey Of whose growth in
fatness Polly's postscripts had kept
me from time to time advised.
Hurry up!-less than o minute
till the gate closest" admonished the
blue and brazen official as at last 1
reached the ticket window.
Ticket to HuSginsport," l said,
hurriedly.
"Two dollars" replied the ticket
man, slapping down his stamp on a
piece of cardboard with the heel of
his hand.
"I've lost my pocketbook," I ex-
claimed, Withdrawing the hand sent
in search of it.
Here was fix! 1 had started
with liberal supply of the one
thing needful for Thanksgiving-at
least, so far rs material pleasures go
and here l was without penny
to pay my fare, and not half a min
ute of spare time!
l looked around helpless,y.
4 perceive your embarrassment,
sir said IL grave-looklng gentleman,
whose white choker and long skirted
coat left no doubt Of his calling" l
perceive your embarrassment, sir,
and shall be happy to relieve you of
it. Get your ticket out Of this; you
can hand me the change and remit
the rest"
AS he spoke bo placed a twenty
dollar bill in my hand.
But my dear sir" 1 began.
Pray don't wastetime in compli-
ments. My name is r v. Speedwell
Sprue of Chapelton, to which ad-
dress you can remit the tritling sum
advanced. ask no better guaranty
than your countenance.
accept your favor" replied,
with warmest thanks. My name
is Hodiah Trmbley. white goods
clerk with Twist & Bobbin, of this
city"
"Come, sir, do you wish the
ticket or not q demanded the man
at the window, with his thumb on
the spring that held up the slide.
I threw down the bill. He hastily
counted out the change and handed
me it and the ticket. The former 1
passed to the obliSing stranger,
whose hand 1 had barely time to
press in parting, as left him wait
ing for another train.
The gateman was in the act of
closing the passage and the last bell
was ringing as l hurried through and
Jumped aboard, with views of human
nature considerably elevated by the
trusting confidence shown by Rev.
Speedwell Sprue-though doubted
whether it would do to sell white
goods or the same credit system.
From Mr.. Sprue and his childlike
faith my thoughts gradually turned
to Polly Patchin, and l had already
laid the ground plans of several
fairy cottages, i'll which, with love
and Polly to lend their charm, ]
could have laughed at the proudest
prince in his palace.
"Dickerville.' sang out the con-
ductor, rs the whistle blew and the
train slowed up at the first stopping
place.
Two men with lanterns-it was Il
night train-came busting through