The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-04-27
A Seat In a ParlOr Car.


way of Boston and Albany railroad, if
two parlor cars attached thereunto, with
all the appurtenances thereunto apper-
tanning, including porter with whisp
broom in one hand and place for a
quarter in the other. Now, the two par
Tor cars are twins, differing only, as is
the case with twins, in their manners.
The last time went out that way, which
was only o few weeks since, one OF these
cars Governor Hawley, and the other
was "Tother Gov'nor," I don't remem-
Der who.
All went we'll nntill we reached
Springfield. There the usual halt of
five or ten minutes was made, the parlor
car was switched off to its proper train
and we went laundering on to Hartford
Before we were well out of the depot on
old gentleman confronted me. Round
faced, well-dressed, quick-spoken, lit.
tie crusty and a general air of authority
about him.
young man." he said, sharply, "out
of that p
"Out of which?" I sid, in innocent
surprise.
'!Out of that chair" snapped the old
party "Come, be lively, want to sit
down"
L was puzzled and annoyed and STAN
mered something about this being par
lor car
"Yes, yes" he said, impatiently; 81
know all about that; this is a parlor car
and you've got my seat. Get up and get
out of it now without any more words.
Get seat of your own somewhere, and
don't go around appropriating other peo-
pies chairs when they've gone to lunch.
Get out, young fellow"
I am naturally very meek man, but
1 did make one more desperate effort to
retain my seat I said had occupied
that seat
Ever since I got out Of it at Spring
field" snarled the old man. II rode in
that seat all the way from Boston, and
the minute left it you jumped into it.
And now you jump out of it,and no more
words about 1t, or I'll make the car full
of trouble for you."
It began to dawn on me then just how
matters stood. In fact, knew, but L
was nettled. Everybody in the car was
laughing at me, and do hate to be
laughed at. I determined to wait for
my sure revenge. I said: you'll be
sorry if you take this chair" He snorted
fiercely, and abdicated without another
word in favor of the testy old jumper of
chairs who thus summarily elected me.
I arose, gathered up my hat, overcoat,
lap tablet, newspapers, book, big valise,
little valise and arctics, and thus bur-
dened, walked meekly to the rear of the
car and sat down on the meanest, poor
oek x,oek 1,1o oaok IN tho
train, the upholstered bench under the
big mirror. The wood box in the smok-
ing car is an easy chair in comparison
with that bench By and by the old
chair grabber called out:
young man, where is that little red
hand bag left here?"
I meekly said II hadn't never touched
it" and he roared out that it was there
when took his chair. But just then the
conductor came along and glanced at his
ticket while the old party explained how
I had made way with his little red hand
bag. "That young man there" he ex-
planned, twas in my chair when l re-
turned. and my overshoes and little red
leather hand bag is"
The conductor, q brisk, taciturn man,
full of his own business, here handed
back the old party's ticket.
Wrong train" he said, brusquely.
"Get off at next station. This train for
Hartford and New York"
The old gentleman's face was a study.
"For Ha-Ha-wha-what he
shouted. 81 know better! Told me at
Boston this car went through to
Albany"
Lem see parlor car ticket" said the
conductor, briefly. Eyes, that's all
right, your on wrong car; this ticket for
the other car. Your baggage half wayt'
Albany by this time. Get off at Hart
ford"
"Well, when can I get train back to
Springfeld?" walled the jumper Of
chairs.
Tonight" said the conductor, and
passed on to the next car.
Then I arose. I gathered up in my
weak and long-suffering arms my hat,
overcoat, lap tablet, newspapers, book,
big.valise, little valise and arctics, and
walked back to that chair and stood be-
fore the most crest-fallen man the immor-
tai gods ever pitied. I didn't say any
thing; didn't make gesture. just
stood up before him holding my goods,
personal effects and railway chattels in
my arms and looked at him. he arose
and vsmosed the claim. And as l set
tied down in my recovered possession /