The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-05-05
Wrecked in Port.
BY THE HAwKEYE TRAVELLER.

As you 90 to Boston and Hartford by
way of the Boston and Albany Railroad.
if you take the morning express there
are two parlor cars thereunto attached,
with all the appurtenance thereunto ap-
pertaining, including a porter with Il
wisp broom in one hand and place for
quarter in the other. Now these two
parlor cars are twins, differing only. rs
is the case with twins, in their manners.
The last time I went out that way,
which was only few weeks since, one
of these cars was Governor Hawley, and
the other was "'Tother Gov nor"
don't remember who.
All went well untilw reached SPRING
field. There the usual halt of five or
ten minutes was made, the parlor car
for Albany was switched off to its prop
er train, and we went laundering ON TO
Hartford.
Before we were well out Of the depot
an old gentleman confronted me. Round
faced, well-dressed, quick-spoken, lit
tie crusty, and general air of authori-
ty about him.
young man." he said. sharply. "out
of thatr'
"Out of which," I said. in innocent
surprise.
"Out of that chairr' snapped the old
party. "Come, be lively; l want to sit
down."
was puzzled and annoyed, and stam-
mered something about this being par
lor car, and
ayes, yes" he said. impatiently, II
know all about that; this is 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 some-
where, and don't go around appropriate
ing other peoples chairs when they've
gone for lunch. Get out. young fell
low"
am naturally very meek man, but
1 did make one more desperate effort to
retain my seat l said had occupied
that seat
'Ever since 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 into it.
And now you jump out of it. and no
more words about it, or I'll make the
car full of trouble for YOU"
1t began to dawn upon me then just
how matters stood. In fact knew. but
was nettled. Every body in the car
was laughing at me, and do hate to be
laughed at. l determined to wait for
my sure revenge. I said, You'll be
sorry if you take this chair"
He snorted fiercely, and I abdicated
without another word in favor of the
testy old jumper of claims who thus
summarily evicted me. l arose, gath
cred up my hat, overcoat, lap-tablet,
newspapers, book, big valise, little va
lise, and articles, and thus burdened
walked meekly to the rear of the car,
and sat down on the meanest, poorest,
most uncomfortable seat in the train,
the upholstered bench under the big
mirror The wood-box in the smoking
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
handbag l left here9:''
meekly said II hadn't never fetched
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 had made way with his little red
handbag. THAT young man back
there" he explained. 'was in my chair
when returned, and my overshOes and
little red leather handbag is"
The conductor, 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 gcntleman's face was astudy.
'For Ha-Ha-wha-whatr he shouted.
Il know better! Told me at Boston this
car went through to Albany"
LEM see parlor car ticket" said the
conductor, briefly. "Yes. that's all
riohI: you're on wrong car: this ticket
way t Albany by this time. Get off at
Hartford"
well. when can get train back to
Springfield" walled the jumper of
chairs.
"T-night," said the conductor. and
passed on to the next car.
Then arose. 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 crestfallen man the i'm
mortal gods ever pitied. I didn't say
anything; didn't make gesture; l
just stood up before him, holding my
goods, personal effects, and railway
chattels in my arms, and looked at him.
He arose and vamosed the claim. And
as settled down in my recovered pos.
session made only one remark. Isaid
to the poor old gentleman:
II told you you'd 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 passengers. And
the last time l looked around, o! crown