Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-09-28
CHUCKER'S PANTALOONS.

solved in tho negative i'll continental
countries, when guards Walk along tho
foot boards and collect tickets while the
train ~ in motion. But In England ~
passenger who likes TO change his attire
in first class compartment, is pretty
secure from interruption; at least so
thought Mr.. Barnaby Chucker, as no
alighted from d bansom at Paddington
and rushed across the platform, holding
"a railway rug and carpet bag, which
contained acomploto change of raimeut,
to wit {: dress clothes.
Mr.. Chucker had received an invita-
ton to dine Mt Windsor with some
friends Of influential position, but being
Il busy man, he had not found time to
dress at bis Office in the city or at his
chambers in tho west end. Stepping
into the train, he slipped shilling into
the hand of tic guard and said: "Kcop
mo this compartment, please, rs want
to dress" 'All right" answered the
guard, aud the noxt moment tho train
started. Mr.. Chucker then unlocked
his carpct-bag and drew out Il clean
shirt with other equipments necessary
to his perfect adornmcnt.
1t must not DO supposed that he did
this without reluctance, for no was a
great stickler about all the proprcties
of life. He objected to seoins things
out OF place or doing things out of sea-
son. II ho had caught his best friend
changing his pantaloons in d railway
carriage, no 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. "lf an acct
dent occurred unused he, as no re-
moved his coat and waistcOat. 81 won
der what would BIO tho thought of mo
for being half addressed in q train ?"
This reflection made him redden. He
was a shy, middle aged man, with red
ears and a fat, ford face. Tho effect
Of pulling off his boots always suI1used
his countenanco with crimson, and did
SO now, insomuch that, what with the
color that came from physical oxertion
and that which resulted from a troubled
conscience, Mr.. Barnaby Chuckcr looked
truly distressed. Having removed his
boots, he dcnudod himself of his trous-
ers. This was 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"
Tho trim was stopping in effect, as
Mr.. Chucker mi ht have foroseen that
it would do, since ho WAS not travelling
by express, but he had boon SO cnwrap-
pod in bis solf-upbraiding thoughts that
he had not even noticed tho first slack
enihg of the engines speed. llo now
found himself in tho midst of q very
litter of clothes and with no time to re-
dress himself before tho train stopped.
He had to decide hastily whether he
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 bis lower man with his rail
way rug. This done, he collected as
many of his belongings as he could into
his bag, kicked his boots under seat,
aud tried to look digniiied. Tho train
had come to stand still, now, and the
guard opened the door of the carriage
in which our poor hero was sitting, and
cried, There's room here, sir, for you
and this lady,
ellie, guard" exclaimed Mr.. Chuclor,
leaning out in horror, "you told mo
should have this compartment TO my
SELF
Unfortunately for our modest friend,
tho guard to whom he had given the
shilling was not tho one appointed to
travel with this train. These little mis-
takes oiton occur and lead to unpleas-
ant consequences. The present guard
SAID, bluntly:
Il can't give You compartment to
yourself unless you pay for it, sir. It's
against the rules. Here, Madame, step
in, please
A lady who looked in very delicate
health got into tho carriage, and gen
tleman with her. Mr. Barnaby Chucker
tolt ready to swoon. Before he could
inform tho guard of his readiness to nay
for whole compartment, rather than
have his privacy intruded upon, tho
train was off again, and Mr.. Chucker
fell to rejecting how he should effect
his change of carriages at Slough, now
that he was in no fit to step on TO q