Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1883-12-26
The Railroad Hog.
From the Boston GIebe.l

1t was a day when everybody was
tired and anxious TO sit down that a
large mah, carrying a grip6ack, board
ed an eastern railroad train, and, after
walking through several crowded cars,
finally found the one vacant seat, and,
seating himself, packed his bag on the
cushion at his side. Just as the train
was about to start another man entered
and made the same journey in search of
a seat. AS he stopped to inquire before
the large man, the latter said: "This
seat is engaged, sir; man just stepped
out, but will return in a moment; he
left his baggage here to claim the seat.
+" Well" said the second traveller,
frankly, "I'm pretty tired, and if you
don't object I'll just sit down here and
hold his bag for him till he returns, "
and without ceremony this he proceeded
to do. Then the large man, who was
bound for Lynn, earnestly prayed with
in the inmost chambers OF his little
heart that his companion might get of
atSomerville or Everett or Chelsea-any-
where but Lynn or a station beyond.
And the tired man thanked his stars for
every moments rest, expecting every
moment to be ousted by the owner Of
the grIpsack.
The train moved out from the station.
In vain did the large man endeavor to
read the strangers ticket to see what his
destination was. Somerville wasreached,
but the stranger sat quietly in his place,
and the large man grew nervous. The
train stopped at Everett, and still the
stranger gazed peacefully ahead, never
budging, and the large man began to
perspire. Then came Chelsea, but the
stranger still held fast to the bag and
never offered to stir. The agony of the
large man was simply frightfal, but he
saw that he could do nothing but grin
and bear it, and get out Of the fix as
best he could. But the stranger had by
this time fully grasped the situation,
and, although thankful for his seat,
determined to punish the unaccommo-
dating pig for his selfish deception. So,
when Lynn was reached the large man
put forth his hand for his bag, but the
stranger drew back the same with an ex-
preston of surprise, saying: 81 beg
your pardon, sir, but this is not your
baggage.
"But it isn't yours" stammered the
owner, blushing.
- 10. be sure; but propose to see 1t
returned to the proper person. Here,
conductor; here's man who wants to
run off with this baggage that doesn't
belong to him. Somebody put it IN
seat to secure place, and evidently got
left at Boston, for he hasn't claimed it,
ana now this man wants to run away
with it, " and he gave the conductor
wink, and as the official knew the stran-
ger personally, he understood the wink
nd promp tly l, piled:
The only thing to do is to return
the bag to Boston, and store it among
the unclaimed baggage.
But "-expostulated the large man.
"HOld on there !" said the conduc-
tor, showing police badge; "none of
this. What kind of a man was it who
left the bag?"
And then the stranger and the conduc-
tor and one or two sympathizing passen-
gers combined to confuse the large man,
and be-. hating to confess his piggish-
ness and knowing not what to do, pre-
cipitately fed, amid the frowns and signs
of the observers at his wickedness.
But the stranger, with happy, con-
tented smile, had the bag returned to
Boston, where the large man had to
come next day and identity it.
Tho moral to this true tale isohvious.