Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-08-06

How PuGGLEs CORNERED A PARTY OF
WOULD-BE Washers.

Now it come to pass that the train that
goeth BY steam and glideth along two rails
Of iron did whoop along Eliza Jane and
within it sat many and divers persons from
all tribes and all lands, whose raiment
was not alike and neither their habits.
For some did lop over two seats and spit
tobacco in the aisles, and others did cast
their gaze without the windows and view
the strange lands with wonder. And the
peanut boy did wander up and down seek
ing whom he might devour. And the fat
woman with the pug-nosed baby did final
Is overcome her modesty and did give
unto the babe that for which he yelleth
which the same was hid under shawl OF
many colors.
And in the s'smoker" there were gath
cred together a party of travelling men
who did smoke and sing songs OF great
gladness and did take cough mixture out Of
the sample case of q liquor man. And they
did boast of their mashes. and did poke
one an other in the ribs and did pull out
photographs and did compare them (and
the same they had bought at book stores.
yet gave they not the snap away.) And
one did say: Woe unto the village
maiden who gazeth upon me. for my hair
hangeth in ringlets, and my teeth are as
the pearls of Ophir (Ky.). Mine eyes
are like unto the lightning. and my limbs
are shapelv as the cedars of Lebanon, and
when | open my mouth to speak the taffy
drippeth down as drippeth the sugar-house
molasses barrel on hot day."
Now. this man who had spoken did hail
from indianapolis and was blowhard OF
great merit. and when Pugg!es (Which the
same travelled for an Evansville house did
hear him, he set himself about to put him
to shame. Yet wOt he not how he would
do this thing. for Puggles was not hand
some nor was he masher of merit. And
while yet he was thinking within himself
a woman did get upon the train and did
HE herself unto seat in the last car.
And she saw not the party OF travelling
men, but when Puggles eyes tell upon
her great smile did come unto his face
and a great scheme into his head.
And when the indianapolis man and the
rest did see her, they did gaze with de-
light for she was fair to look upon and
comely to the sight. And with one ac-
cord thew said Amt she a daisy?
Wonder who she isp Wonder if she is on
the flirte"
And Puggles said: "You bet she's
daisy, vet methinks she seemeth not on
the mash even though she traveleth alone.
But to We who are Washers, now is the
appointed time. Modest am of speech,
and backward, therefore | will wait until
the last. but go ye one at time and try,
and to him who maketh the greatest mash
the rest will each give box OF cigars
And they said it was good. and did be-
gin with haste to roach" their hair and
throw out their chews of tobacco, and pull
their boards that the sandwich crumbs
might fall out. And they did go one at
time into the ladies' car. some tor a
drink of water and some to find the train
boy, and some because it was cooler Gin
their minds). And they did sit nigh I'M
to the woman and did cast Sleeps eyes at
her and did offer her books and peanuts
and oranges. and did offer to raise her win
dow or to fix her seat. Yet looked she
coldly on them all and gave unto them no
token. And they were cast down in
spirit and retired in disorder to the smOk-
ing car.
Then said Puggles: Verify, since We
all failed fear to approach unto her, for
if she looketh with disdain upon ye who
have beauty and grace. truly will she
gaze with anger upon me who am plain
and homely."
And they did joke him and laugh ''haw-
haw" and did say ''Out upon thee for a
snide. Verify will she fire thee out of the
window, for thou hast nothing to COM
mend thee"
And Puggeles appeared cast down and
10th to 90, but after he had communed
with himself he took heart and said {:
Double the bets and I'll try. If strike
luck want to be big winner. and If |
lose don't care" Then laughed they
louder and did haste to double the bets.
and did bet him wine also. and hats, and
one did bet him ten broad pieces of silver.
And when the bets were told unto the con-
ductor he said it was good, and when
Puggles had told him to collect the bet
and keep half if he won, he said it was
better. get saw they not that Puggles
did wink at the conductor. and that while
Puggles was fixing his hair the conductor
did approach the woman to take up her
ticket, and did mutter to her in low tone.
Nay. they saw this not.)
Now soon went Puggles in and sat down
near the men, and the travelling men did
gaze with admiration from the back WIN
dows of the next car. And he did smile
upon her and she did look coldly at first,
but vet did not seem averse to him. but
rather seeking to know him better. And
soon did she smile back, and
when Puggles did offer her an orange
she did gaze graciously upon him and
did make room for him beside her. And
the others were astonished.. But
when sion they saw him take her hand
and press it and put his arm upon the
back OF the seat and saw that she did lay
her head upon it as the sick kitten layeth
up against the hot brick. they were dumb
with amazement. And they plucked their
boards in modification and did pinch
themselves that they be certain they were
not slumbering. and did say with one &C
cord, "well, I'm burned
And when the train had stopped at the
next station, the woman did arise and did
hand her wraps to Puggles and did hast.
en- to depart from the train. and Puggles
did follow close after with JOY in his face
And as he was about passing out he whisp'
cred unto the others: 'She says l may
go home with her and tarry the night
Pay the bets to the conductor"
Then with anger and envy did the res,