Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1880-10-02
and he could find no words in which to

and he could find no words in With to
reply.
"Would you Kindly lend this lady
your rug repeated, the gentleman,
rather astonished.
"Hoo!" growled Mr.. Chucker, in
voice like bears. It had just occurred
to him that the safest way to get out OF
his difficulties would be to sham being
mad. A Frenchman would have quiet
ly beckoned the gentleman to the other
side of the carriage, and would have ex-
planned the dilemma with laugh But
Englishmen are persons full of niceness,
and Mr.. Chucker dared not confess to
stranger that lie had no trousers on. He
repeated "Hoo!' two or three times
over, and bis stratagem succeeded per-
fectly, for both of bis acknowledgements
became convinced that they were trav-
cling with lunatic.
The lady began to scream. Her nerves
were so unstrung that she could not
stand this extra shot; and that foolish
Mr.. Chucker made things worse by the
fixity with which he stared at her. The
gentleman armed himself With an nm.
brella to protect bis wife. Mr.. Chucker
entered into the spirit of the part,
caught up his umbrella and brandished
it. The travellers were in these atti-
tudes of vigilance and menace when the
train once more slackened speed and
Hanwell was reached.
Instantly the gentleman jumped out
on the side of tue line, So as not to pass
Mr.. Chucker, and helped out his wife,
whose screams had given place to
ftof shivering. Mr.. Chucker thought
himself we'll rid of his mess, for the train
would 20 on again, and he would be able
to complete his dressing. BY the way
Of insuriug privacy for the remainder Of
his journey, he began pulling the car
riage blinds down.
Alas! he who was not to get off 90 east
~ as he had anticipated. Already there
was connection on the platform. The
husband of the fainting lady had ex-
planned matters to the station-master;
some porters and guards had overheard
him, and the rumor circulated that there
was a lunatic on board the train. Some
passengers, poking their heads out of the
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. The station.master was
obliged to pacify these murmurers by
striding toward the alleged naniac's car
rage. The Unconscious Mr.. Chuckel
was rudely aroused by the door being
suddenly opened and a grutf voice ex'
claiming:
Now, sir, what's the matter with
you!"
"Nothing's the-the-mstter with me.
stammered Mr. Chucker. "Why should
there be! ?" But so saying, he Rugged biz
rug closer to him with guilty look.
"Would you mind stepping out, sir!'
"Why should II Ny ticket is fol
Windsor"
"Change here for Windsor, sir, replied
thu guard, who was quite convinced b!
this time that he had queer character
to deal with.
"Well, man, since YOU put me to it
I've no trousers on" confessed Mr.
Chucker, lowering bis voice; whereupo1
the station master echoed in amazement
"No trousers and the crowd behind
caught up the words mo trousers"
Hes throwed 'em out of the win
dow suggested the porter,
Perhaps he had zone on when be 60
into the train" opined another.
"Had you any trousers on when yo'
got into the train!' then inquired tn
station-master.
"Ofcourse had, man. I've two pair
with me now. Let me alone that ma
put one pair on faltered Mr.. Chucke'
intimidated and Disguised by the sigh
of so many staring at him.
But while he was speaking some 10,
churl, Selling corner Of his rug, gave i
a twitch and abruptly exposed MI
Chucker's dishabille to view. There wa
shout of mingled laughter and disma
from the passengers; some of whom, bt
ing ladies, deemed it expedient to squea
"Out you GOMEZ" reared the blushn
station-master in paroxysm of indigns
ton and he clutched Mr.. Chucker by tt
, wrist.
"Well! but-but-let me dress first
r pleaded the victim, as he felt not onl
bis arms but his legs in the grasp of di
, ferent hands. He made short strugg
but this did not improve his position