The Sentinel. [volume] (Trenton, N.J.) 1880-1882, 1882-07-08
In the Wrong Seat.
Taking the Fuss Out of Crusty Old Fellaw

AS you go to Boston and Hartford
by way of Boston and Albany railroad,
II you take the morning express there
are two parlor cars thereunto at
tached, with all the appurtenances
thereunto apperaining, including a
porter with a wisp broom in one
hand and a place for a quarter
in the other. Now these two parlor
cars. are twins, differing only, IS
is the case with twins in their
manners. The last time [ went out
that way, which was only few weeks
since, one of these cars was Governor
Hawley, and the other was some other
governor.
All went well until we reached
| Springfield. Here the usual halt of
five or ten minutes was made, the par
Tor car for Albany was switched off to
its proper tram, ana we went thunder
ing on to Hartford.
Before we were well out of the depot
an old gentleman confronted me.
Round faced, well-dressed, quick
spoken, little crusty, and a geseral
| air of authority about him.
young man." he said, sharply,
tout of that"
"Out Of which," I asked, in limo
cent surprise.
"Out of that chair" snapped the old
party. Come, be Lively, I want to sit
down.
was puzzled and annoyed and
stammered something about this being
parlor car and
eyes, yes" he said impatiently, ~
know all about that, this is a parlor
car and you have got my seat. Get up
and get out of it now without any
more words. Get a seat of your own
somewhere, and don't go around APP
propriating other peoples chairs when
they have gone for lunch. Get out,
young fellow"
am naturally bashful man, but
[ did make one more desperate effort
to retain my seat. / said that had
occupied that seat.
ever since l got out of it at Spring
field" snarled the old man. 81 rode
in that seat all the way from Boston,
and the minute left it you jumped
nto it. And now you jump out of it
and no words about it, or L will make
the car full of trouble for YOU"
1t began TO dawn upon me then Just
how matters stood. In fact I knew,
but [ was nettled. Every body in the
car was laughing at me, and do hate
to oe laughed at. 1 determined to wait
for my sure revenge. He snorted
fiercely, and abdicated without an
other word in favor of the testy old
jumper of claims who thus summarily
evicted me, and took my goods and
chattels to seat in the rear end OF
the car.
Presently along came the conductor
to take up the tickets. When he came
to the old gentleman, the conductor
passed back the ticket he had given
him.
Wrong train, sir" he said. "Get
off at next station. This train for
Hartford and New York;
The old gentleman's face was 8
study.
For Ha-Ha-wa-what!" he shouted.
I know better. Told me at Boston
this car went through to Albany"
"Lem1 see the parlor car ticket"
said the conductor briefly. Eyes,
that's all right, you're on the wrong
car; this ticket for other car. Your
baggage half way to Albany by this
time. Get off at Hartford"
"Well, when can I get train back
to Springfield ?" walled the jumper of
chairs.
'"To-night," said the conductor, and
he passed ON to the next car.
Then L arose. gathered up in my
weak and long suffering arms my hat,
overcoat, lap tablet and newspapers,
and walked back to that chair and
stood before the most crest-fallen man
the immortal gods ever pitied. ]
didn't say anything; didn't make
gesture; 1 just stood up before him,
holding my goods, personal effects and
railway chattels in my arms and look
ed at him. He arose and vamosed the
claim. And as I settled down in my
recovered possession I made only one
remark. said to the poor old gentle
man:
81 thought you would be sorry if
you took this chair"
And he marched back and took
seat on the upholstered bench, to the
merry laughter of the happy passen-
gers. And the last time I looked
around-oh, browning woe-the con-
ductor was making him pay quar-
| ter for his seat in the palace car.