Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-08-07
A Misunderstanding by Rail.

FROM the Rochester Democrat
Last night If the story of Rochester passen-
ger who came down from Buffalo may be be-
neVcd, there was an amusing and somewhat
exciting incident on the train. An Ohio farmer
from the vicinity OF Cleveland, had been riding
In the first coach back of the smoker ali the
way from the city last named. He wore home
spun blue pants and coat which he had evil
Gently purchased ready made. On his head
lecK there was the unmistakaDle paper
collar, permeated with perspiration. At
Buffalo young lady IN a brown travelling
dress. Win an apparent abundance OF the
new-fangled, spread-eagle crinoline beneath
IL, got aboard the same car and common nnd
casting about for seat With that Character
!slc selilshless which marks the American
Traveller OF to-day, nearly every man in me car
who had not lady or another man In the seat
with him, had placed his little satchel On one
SIDE OF fhe seat and himself on the Otner, to
carry the idea that the Whole seat was takea,"
The darnsel wriggled through the car and then
started diSCOnsolately to walk back. She ,ln't
reached the middle OF the car when or Ohio
nlend hitched his shoulders with marked indi-
vldualty, twisted his shaggy head around on a
large. thick sun-burned neck, to see if any body
else was In the same predicament, lifted his
carpet-bag from the outside OF the seat to the
floor, coughed nervously, and said to her:
want seat"
She did want one and she wasn't too bashful
TO say so. They had Travelled side by side till
they passed Croft,s station, when freight train
suddenly came alongside and ratified by them
In the opposite direction. The first crashing
sound OF the freight reminded the Ohioan of
death ara disaster, no doubt. for he turned his
head with jerk toward the window. Then
observing that there was more scare than dam
ger, he sat down somewhat embarrassed. But
me sudden movement had been too much for
f fatT p pa Coilar II was all broken up His
la!r companion had spotted him as 4 p6nd-
souleo Oh gentleman, and she laid aside her
ietnlhg disposition when she observed his am.
oaIrassInent In the dlsjointing of the collar.
she rose very politely and said: "i
cant pin 1t for you. sir?'
III reckon YOU kin, eff you're mind to.n
salo he, locking her squarely In the face and
becoming Teassured to such an extent that he
then the watchword between the two. and he.
fore the two had reached Batavia one WouId
nave mistaken them for an old widower and his
gushing young BRIDE so thoroughly did they
improve the time chattng-he about 1.-The Gals
at nome" and she about everything.
The conductor had been through and taken
up tne tcke1s tns side of Batavia, and the
uainSeiS small talk, like toy watch which ia
wound every hour, had about run down Fin
ally she took out her embroidered handkerchief
ana yaWned oenind II: Then she began to wink
very slowly as II by effort, and finally began to
NOD. Feeling quite as much acquainted as If it
had been his own niece that sat beside him the
Ola gentleman put forth his hand to nudge"
few miles further" Fatal movement for him,
He touched her In about the locality of pocket
In her cloak. Sprlnging to her feet like young
ugIesS aroused, size exclaimed In tones ap-
proachlng scream, which few OF the sleepy
passengers failed to hear
Don't you dare to touch my port-Inonaie
again. | might have known you were one of
those sharp young railroad swindlers disguised.
They always put On paper collar, poor clothes
and wig, to deceive people and steal their
puTSes."
All this was said about as rapidly as the words
could be put together. But the astonished re-
ply came as quickly as 1t could follow
Thunder and l1ghtn1n! Who are you a.
talk1n TO miss? But you can't blackmafl me
all took In! Now get your seat whar you kin!n
And he planted the carpet-bag back beside him
on the seat.