Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-09-28

lady who had just got in began to moan
and shiver, saying that she felt cold all
over. Her husband sought to quiet her
but it was all of no use, for she was
really i'll. At last the poor man cast a
look Of despair at Mr.. Chucker, and
said:
excuse mo for taking great liberty,
sir, bnt would YOU 10 SO kind AS to lond
my wife your rug? We started in Il
hurry and forgot to bring ono. As it is
not u cold day, perhaps You would not
mind obliging rs rs far as Slough,
where shall be able to buy a rug!"
"Eh7' gruntod Mr.. Chucker, stupefied.
The request completely staggered him,
and he could find no words in which to
reply.
"WouM you kindly lend this lady
your rug?" repeated the gentleman,
rather stOnisho1.
"Hoo" growied Mr. Chmckor, in a
voice like boar's. 1t had just occurred
to him that the safest way to get out of
his difficulties would DO to sham being
mad. A Frenchman would have quiet
ly beckonel tho gentleman to the other
side OF the carriage, aud would have OK
planned the dilemma with u laug But
Engiishmcn are persons full of niconess,
and Mr.. Chuckcr dared not confess to a
stranger that he had no trousers on. He
repeated "lloor' two or three times
over, and his stratasem succeeded per
fectly, for both Of his fellow passengers
became convinced that they were tray
cling with u lunatic.
Tho lady began TO scream. llor nerves
were 50 nnstrung that she could not
stand this extra shot; and that foolish
Mr.. Chuckcr made things worse by tho
fxity with which he stared 1T her. The
gentleman armed hin self with an UNI
brella to protect his vito. Mr.. Chncker
entered into the spirit of the part,
caught Up his umbrella and brandisled
it. The travellers were in these att
tudcs of vigilance and menace when the
train onco more slacltcnod speed and
Hanwoll WAS reached.
INSTANTLY tho gentleman jumped out
on the side of tho line, SO as not to pass
Mr.. Chucker, and helped out his wife,
whose screams had given place to
a fit Of shivering. Mr.. Chuckor thought
himself well rid of his mess, for tho train
would go On again, aud he would be able
to complete his dressing. BY tho way
of insuring privacy for the remainder Of
his journey, he began pulling tho car
riago blinds down.
Alas! ho who was not to get off so cast
lyas he had anticipated. Already there
was q com,notion on the platform. Tho
husband Of tho faintiDg lady had On
planned matters to the station master;
some portcrs and guards had overheard
him, and tho rumor circulated that there
was a lunatic on board the train. Some
passengers, poking their heads out of tho
carriage windows, protested against ira
yelling in the company of man who
might commit some mad act--set the
train on fire, throw himself out, or emit
awful noises. Tho station master was
Obliged to pacify these murnlurers by
striding toward the alleged maniacs car.
riage. Tho all unconscious Mr.. Chucker
was rudely aroused by tho door being
opened and gruff voice OK
"Now, sir, what's the matter with
You ?"
"Nothing's INSTRUMENTATION with NO."
stammcrcd Mr.. Chucker. "Why should
there be 2" But so saying, he Rugged his
rug closer to him with guilty look.
"Would you mind stepping out, sir?"
"Why should /? My ticket is for
Windsor"
"Chango here for Windsor, sir" replied
the guard, who was quite convinced by
this time that no had q queer character
to deal with.
"Well, mau, since you put mo to it,
Eve no trousers on" confessed Mr..
Chucker, lowering his voice; whoreupon
the station master echoed in Amusement,
"N0 trOuscrsW and the crowd behind
caught up the words, "No trousers!"
"He's throwcd 'em out of the win
dow" suggested the porter,
perhaps he had mono on when he got
into the train" opined another.
'llad you any trousers on when you
got into tho trainw then inquired the
station-master.
"Ofcourse | had, man. Eve two pairs
with me now. Let me alone that may
put one pair on" taltered Mr.. Chucker,
intimidated and Disguised by the sight
of so many staring at him.