The Osceola times., 1883-10-13
RAILWAY EXPERIENCE.
The Effect of "a Book on Mixed Train Pass
engers.
n. Y. Mercury.


One dreary day Of snow and slect, |
boarded railway train Of deliberate
tendencies. 1t was what the weste rn
peop,2 call "mx" train, made up of a
long string of freight cars and battered
passenger coach.
Long before the time of starting the
passengers crowded into the coach, obvi-
ously with a view of getting a seat while
such possibility was left open to the
general public,
We rolled along more like country
wagon than railway train. One face
tious old gentleman asked the conductor
if he were quite certain that he could
keep the right off way, and when the
car jolted tremen dously, the old gentle
man declared that the railroad people
would be arrested forjumping their land
grant.
Just in front of me sat an old ma l,
whom took to be a minister of the now
almost extinct type. Ills family and
several neighbors had accompanied him
to the station in a wagon drawn by a
yoke Of steers, and although the differ
cncc in speed between the wagon could
not have been great, yet he seemed un-
easy at his impctuole flight over the
country. Turning to me, he said:
"Don't it look to You like this things
goin' tri1e peart for saGcty?
assured him that we were not max
ing more than nine miles per hour, and
that he need have no fears.
"But won't she slip up when there's
so much sleet an snow on the track"
Here the facetious old gentleman, who
| had ioked the conductor remarked that
if the train would only slip forward the
snow might be considered blessing.
took out "a Princess of Thule" and
| began TO read. | was soon at the "Lewes. -
listening to Shiela's Highland songs and
/ the squealing of old Johns Iipes.
could see the grizzly beard on the face
of the King of Borva, and could almost
hear the soft words of the ardent Lavcn-
der and the sententious warning of In
gram.
Would you mind lcttin' me see that
book" he asked.
handed him the volume, and turn.
ing around he began to skip about among
its pages. Finally he found place that
seemed to claim his attention. | wait
ed patiently for the return of the book,
but with one knee propped against the
seat in font of him, he sat deeply inter
ested. He was such an oil and venera-
bic looking man that did not feel dis
posed to request the volumes return: and
| awaited his pleasure.
Hours passed aud still he held T.,
book ON his knee. | went back, stood
on the rear platform and smoked a cigar.
Returning, | found the old nan, holding
the book with the same exhibition of
profound interest. Evening came. and
the dingy lamps were lighted. | was
vcxed. All day had been cheated out
of a pleasure to which had looked for.
ward. ! could stand il no longer. Tap
ping the old man on the shoulder, said:
Excuse me, sir, but are you done with
my book"
He did not reply. ] arose and con-
fronted him. He was sound asleep. |
touched him and he awoke with start.
Here's your book, mister. I've been
asleep ever since took holt it. an eff
you'd wanted it, you mout er had il soon.
er. Now. wife, she can read all day an
spank the children without changin'
conntenqncc, but when | git holt of
book, there's nothin' in the community
that can keep me from dozin'."