Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-09-20
w AITED FOR.

passing cab, I could not help wishing
that I had taken my wife's advice, and
gone to Downley by an earlier train.
The weather had grown worse instead of
better, and not only did the wind blow
as boisterously as it had done all day,
but its gusts now drove before them q
heavy rain which would have wetted one
through in very few minutes. As a
rule, disengaged cabs crawling slowly
past my house were q nuisance, and now
I had waited fully quarter Of an hour
without seeing one, and I knew that the
margin beyond the number of minutes
absolutely necessary for getting to the
station was growing dangerously narrow.
There was howl there was deluge
l could never walk to the station in this.
All ;! there was one. In answer to the
mans hail I dashed through my little
garden, and in few seconds was inside
four-wheeler.
"Great Southern, sir? yes, sir, said
the man, as he stood at the door, the
rain pouring from his oil-skin in streams.
can uncommon nasty night, sir"
So it was, and SO should fancy the
poor fellow foundit; for when he opened
the door for me to aight at the station,
a complete ring of water formed where
he stood. We we're in pretty good time,
after all, and I got my ticket and was
seated comfortably in the carriage for
some minutes before the time of start
ing. There were very few passengers in
any of the carriages, and in the one by
which l travelled there was but two or
three, and l was the only occupant OF
my compartment. The last bell had
rung, the whistle had sounded, the pro-
monitory scream from the engine had
been given, and then, of course, had fol-
lowed the first tug, when I heard voice
shout:
"This way, sir, this way"
A guard tore along the platform, fol-
lowed by a belated passeng ger; my door
Was unlocked, the stranger jumped pant.
ing in, the door was slammed to, shill-
ing changed hands rapidly, and we swept
from the station.
"By Jove," exclaimed the new conner,
wiping his forehead as he spoke, "by
Jove, that was a close thing.
"Very,, 1 assented, "and the last
train, too"
"The last train, certainly" said my
companion. "I believe there is no way
whatever Of getting to Downley if you
miss this train"
"There is noue,' - I replied, (which is
very inconvenient.
sob, excessively so,' returned he.
Have You any objection?"
OF course, as he said this, he exhibited
his cigar-case, and finding / had no OBJ.
lection, he pressed cigar upon me,
which, may remark, was one of the
very best I ever smoked, he reclined
with his eyes closed, as though in deep
thought.
He was tall, good looking man, with
fine beard and mustache, very black and
full. But could not help thinking that
his head was little too much like head
from hair-dresser's window, and his at.
tire was a trihe too much like picture
from fashion book. Somehow, every.
thing was too new and glossy to please
me entirely, and his jewelry was also too
profuse, but it could not be denied that
his cigar was capital one.
Isauk into reverie as deep as his own;
indeed I rather suspect had begun to
doze, when J was reused by the stopping
of the train. My companion reused him
self, too. I was on the side nearer the
platform, and looked out.
"A rough night still, isn't IT ?" he
said.
"Itis, indeed" 1 replied. "Just put
your head out, and try how the wind is
blowing"
mo, I thank you," he returned,
with smile, &c will take your word for
it."
I laughed in reply, and was about to
close the window, when the guard looked
in. The official passed on, but returned
In q few seconds, and stared somewhat
curiously, fancied, into the carriage.
The scream and the tug came again, and
on we went.
''That fellow had good stare at you, u
said my companion.
"Well, fancied he looked chiefly at
you" said; "but the fact was, have
no doubt, he smelt somewhat powerful
odor of tobacco, and he wished us to see
that he did," s.r.: ..F%
II shouldn't wonder said the
stranger, throwing himself back with
the languid air of one who takes no in
terest in conversation. "Do we stop
again before we arrive at the Downley
branch p xs..u.. - ;~s4 :,
"No," I replied. ss*sT'3@. VII -
every good, then," he continued;
let us make ourselves comfortable. >
And by way of doing this he unlocked
black valise he had with him. and drew
out q couple of bottles of champagne,
which proved as good in quality as his
cigars He next produced contrivances
for glasses. which shut up with mere
ring. With these appliances we very
merrily journeyed over the twelve miles
which remained of the main line, when
"Downley Junction !" was shouted now,
and as soon as we came TO a stand our
carriage was detached from the train.
All tickets ready, if you please, 2
said the collector, appearing at the door.
As we handed orr pieces 81 pasteboard
to the man, the same guard who had
TWICE before looked IN peered over his