Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1880-07-30
MISTAKE ES.

How far it is expedient to convert a
railway carriage into dressing-room is
a question which could be quickly solv-
ed in the negative in continental coun-
tries where guards walk along the foot
boards and collect tickets while the train
is in motion. But in England passen-
ger who likes to change his attire in a
frst-class compartment is pretty secure
from interruption; at least, so thought
Mr.. BarnabY Chucker, as he alighted
from hanson at Paddington and rush
ed across the platform, holding rail
way rug and carpet-bag, which con-
tanned a complete change of raiment-to
wit, dress-clothes.
Mr.. Chucker had received an invita-
ton to dine at Windsor with some
friends of influential position, but being
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, sir" answered
the guard; and the next moment the
train started. Mr.. Chucker then unlock
ed his carpet-bag and drew out clean
shirt, with other equipments necessary
to his personal adornment.
1t must not be supposed that he die
this without reluctance, for he was {
great stickler about all the proprieties o
life. He objected to seeing things out o
place, or doing things out of season. [
he had caught his best friend changing
his pantaloons in a railway carriage, h
would have thought meanly of him TO
being of disorderly habits, and so now h
/ Judged himself with candid severit.
for not having better regulated his ow1
time. eff an accident occurred" mus
ed he. as he removed his coat and waist
coat, 81 wonder what would be though
9 of me for being half undressed in
! trainP"
This reflection made him redden. II
was shy, middle-aged man, with larg
n red ears and fiat, forid face. The e
fort of pulling off his boots always su
/. fused his countenance with crimson, an
J.. it did so now, insomuch that, what wit
the color that came from physical exc
ton, and that which resulted from
troubled conscience, Mr.. Barnat
a Chucker looked truly distressed. Ha
ing removed his boots, he denuded hir
y self of his trousers. This was a tryil
at moment, for if an accident had happen
then. "Why, dear mel" calculated M
Ill Chucker, at this stage of his cogitatior
a. IT. 81 think the train is stopping"
- The train was stopping in effect,
Mr.. Chucker might have foreseen that
would do, since he was not travelling
express, but he had been so wrapt in
self-upbraiding thoughts that he had
even noticed the first slackening of
engines speed. He now found hims
in the midst of a very litter of cloth
and with no time to redress hims
RS, before the train stopped. He had to
eide hastily whether he would ste
. alongside Ealing platform in his 81
sleeves or minus his pantaloons.
chose wisely in budding on his CO
which he buttoned up, while he cove
us. his lower man with railway rug. I
~ done, he collected as many OF his belo
;Oo Zoe; ings as he could into his bag, kicked
EAR. boots under a seat and tried to look
~, nifed. The train had come to a sta
;. still now, and guard opened the
oks of the carriage in which our poor
Hne was sitting, and cried: "There's II
here, sir, for you and this lady"
to "Hie, guard!" exclaimed Mr.. CHI
er, leaning out in horror; you told
should have this compartment to
selfn
Unfortunately for our modtst fri
the guard to whom chad given the
-. ling was not the one appointed to Il
with the train These little mis-
often occur, and lead to unpleasant
4 'he cumstances. The present guard
DIP. bluntly; II can't give you com