Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1880-11-23
Reeds Gilt Edge Tonic assists digestion
HIS NEW FRIEND.
How Florence Was Vic;imiEed
During a Western Tour.

lar lame, writes the following for the
New York Clipper:
Once, during u tour in the western
states. an incident occurred in which
| rather think | played the victim.
We were en- route from Cleveland to
Cincinnati, an eight or ten hours
Journey. After seeing my wife com
fortably seated, | walked forward to
the smoking car, ard, seating myself
in the only %unoccupied place, | pulled
out my cigar case and offered a cigar
to the person next TO me. He was a
man about sixty years of age, gentle
manly in appe. rance, and Of a some
what reserved and bashful mien. He
gracefully accepted the cigar, and in a
few moments We became engaged in 8
conversation.
Are you going far west?o 1 in
CURED,
Merely so far as Columbus" said
he. Columbus, | may explain, is the
capital Of Ohio.) And you, sir2" he
added interrogatively.
i am Journeylng towards Cincin-
natl. | am a theatrical man, and play
tomorrow night at Cincinnati" |
was quite a young man then, and fond
Of avowing my profession.
"Un, indeed? Your face seemed
familiar to mo as you entered the car.
[ am confident we have met before. "
II have acted in almost every state
of the union" said | in a half pat
ronizing tone. Mrs. Florence and
myself are tolerably well known
throughout the northwest"
Bless me" replied the stranger in
surprise. rs this Mr.. Florence, the
comedian? | have seen you act many,
many times, sir; aud the recollection
OF Mrs. Florence's Yankee Girl, with
her quaint songs, is still fresh in my
memory"
DO you propose remaining lorg in
Columbus2" | asked?'
Yes, fer seven years" replied my
companion.
Thus VIC chatted for an hour or two.
At length my attention was attracted
TO a little red faced man, with small,
sharp-lookiDg eyes, who sat immedi-
ately opposite US, and amused himself
by sucking the knob Of a large walk.
ing stick, which he carried nursippl,
in his arms. He had more than once
glanced at me in a very knowing man.
ner, and every now and then given 4
sly wink and shake Of the head at me
as much as to say, "Ah, old fellow,
know you, too.
These attentions were so marked
that | ultimately asked my fellow.pas
senger ifhe bed noticed them.
That man acts like a lunatic," sale
/, soto Yoee.
la poor, half witted fellow, posi-.
bly," replied my companion. "In
your travels through the country
however, Mr.. Florence, you must bav,
often met such strange characters"
We have now reached Crestline
the dinner station, and, after thank.
ing the stranger for the agreeable wa,
IN which he had enabled me to pas,
the journey up to this point. | asked
him If he would join Mrs. Florence
and m~yselfat dinner. This produced
an extraordinary series of grimace,
and winks from the e -faced party
aforesaid. The invitation TO dinner
was politely declined
The repast over, our train sped on
towards Cincinnati. | told nv Wifi
that in the smoking-car | had met 4
most entertaining gentleman, who wa,
well posted in theatricals. and was or
route for Columbus. She sseoestet
that i should bring MIN into q car
and present him to her. returned
to the smoking car, and proposed tina
the gentleman should accompany m,
to see Mrs. Florence. The propose
made the red-iaced and small eyet
party undergo a species of spasmodi,
commissions which set the occupant
OF the car into roars of laughter.
No, / thank you" said my friend
1 am really obliged TO you for you,
courtesy, but | prefer the smoking
car. Have you another ciear2"
Yes, said /, producing another
Partaga.
/ again sat by his side, and ono.
more our conversation began, and ".
became quite iraternal. We talke,
about theaters and theatricals, thel
adverted to political economy, tn
state ofthe country, finance and com
merce in turn, our intimacy evidentl,
aifording intense amusement, TO thI
foxy-eyed party neal us. Finally. thI
shrill sound Of a whistle and the en-
trance ofthe conductor indicated tina
we had arrived at Columbus, and til,
train soonfpulled up in tho station.
Come, said the little red. faced in
dividual, now rising from his sea
and tapping my companion on th,
shoulder.
My friend rose with some diff.
Guilty, dragging his hitherto CONCEALED
feet from under the seat, which 70,
the first time / discovered that h,
was shackled and was a prisoner h
charge Of the sheriff, going for sever
years 10 the state prison AZ Columbus