Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-09-04
OF TRAVEL.
Some GCntIemanly Railroad
Men and n Brute ola Con-
duct0r.


A representative Of the LEDGER at
tended the recent great gathering at
Chicago, which has been so fully
described by the press of the country,
crossed over the lake to st. Joseph in
Michigan and spent a few days at that
delightful resort; made arun over the
entire length ofthe Wisconsin Central
railroad to Ashland, the terminus on
Lake Superior, and enjoyed the recre-
alton and companionship of old aud
new friends as only a newspaper mar
can. Among others to beremembered
aud who added greatly to the pleasure
of the trip is G. E. Rollins, formerly
a railroad man, but now the proprie-
tor of an extensive railroad printing
Office and publisher of an insurance
paper at 16l LaSalle street. He is
also a manager Of excursions to va
rious parts Of the country and bat
lately returned from a big trip to Cal
ifornia. Those who go over to St. 10.
will find a hearty ahd courteous
welcome from Mr.. W. H. Skinner
who furnishes boats, fshing-tackle,
etc., to tourists, and makes himself
generally agreeable and useful. On
the Wisconsin Central we fell in with
two model conductors, who did much
to render the trip a delightful one, go
ing and returning, MessrS. F. ?. Dun
bar and Peter Dewitt. These recol-
lections are, perhaps, more valuable
to the owner than to any n else,
but an occurrence on the return trip,
which we shall reach presently, con-
Germs a portion of the public as well
as several individuals.
The pleasure trip terminated virtu-
ally on the return 10 Chicago. The
fishing, the jauntings, and mere sight
seeing were over, and our representa-
tive was ready for a business trip to
the east. The route chosen was
over the P~ittsburg, Fort Wayne
and Chicago railway, which is really
an extension and part Of the great
Pennsylvania Central, one Of the most
powerful as well as one of the besi
managed corporations in the country.
AT the Chicago end Of the line we met
Mr.. B. F. Myers, the general passen-
ger agent, a thorough business man.
and withal a courteous and accOmmo-
dating gentleman.
Tuesday, August oath, at $50 pm.
we left Chicago for New York ovel
this road. The long train wal wei
filed, though not overcrowded. |
was impossible, however, TO engage
sleeper for the night when one wa
desired. However, this made no ma
terial difference. The road-bed beinl
( solid, the motion of the cars was easy
: the employees Of the road seemed Il
7 be thoroughly up to their bushes
: and all went smoothly and pl%easantlV
and new-made acquaintauces helpet
: to while the time away. At For
/. Wayne, just after supper, about
! pm, in passing through a car, ",
: observed a well-dressed but weary AMI
careworn old lady in charge of
very delicate and sick young man
evidently in the last stages Of con
sumption. They both occupied ont
seat and the old lady held the boy
, who proved to be her son, partly il
her lap. 1t was evident that his day.
q we're numbered, and that only a feebl'
spark of life was left. In response
e to a sympathetic inquiry, the ladl
stated that she was the wife of james
r. Cannon, a merchant Of Hunting
e don, Pa; that their son was a bright
d, ambitious boy, preparing TO be a law
yer, but a few months was ago smitteI
= with consumption. She had takeI
e him to Colorado Springs, in Colorado
but he grew rapidly worse, and she wa
taking him home to die. At KansaI
City he became SO weak that she haC
e to stop over several days, in order tina
, he could gain a little strength for tn
g rest Of the trip. 1t was impossible Il
t obtain a sleeping car, so they had h
make the long weary journey iron
: Kansas City to Huntingdon in an or
binary passenger car. An elderl.
gentleman from Pittsburg, in the mex
, seat, offered the lady his sea-, ia orde
that the dying boy might stretch gu
aud be made more comfortable, ais
, lhatshe might get a little rest.
And here occurred an instance
meanness and brutal disregard for tn
common feelings of humanity and de
%cencies Of life, which we hope has fe'
: parallels. AS soon as the cooductc
y came along he was politely asked I
unlock the seat occupied by tn
Pittsburg gentleman, SO that he migf
ID give it to the unhappy couple benin
Of him. This the conductor positivel
OF and dOgsishly refused TO do. Tt
er arguments aud entreaties of passeI
e. gers, and the wan and imploriug loo