Middletown transcript., 1884-03-07
The Blue Envelope.


ssThe blue envelope has been the en-
blem of misery on the New York Cen
tral since 1862 said conductor on
that line whose service has extended
over a period of twenty-five years. A
train on which Journal reporter was
going west the other day was in his
charge. The story he told of the
original of the envelope beguiled the
tedium Of the journey.
s'It was twenty-five or thirty years
ago." he said, refectively, "when to
be a conductor was to have berth |
which was sure to land you safely into
a competency. OF course, l don't |
mean to say that the opportunities for
what is called knocking down. made
the difference, although there were dis
honest men among us then as now.
But the times for ten years preceding
the war were fusher than they have
been since. People were not so care
full about the change. About half the
travellers used to pay their fare on the
trains, as it was not the rule then to
have gatekeepers and doortenders.
That, like the duplex coupon, is
a modern innovation Of railroad traffic.
The old timers have told me many's
the day that they have had over-pay
to the extent Of SIS and $40. Passen-
gers were in the habit of handing the
conductor bill for their fare and ask
ing no change. 1t was the custom, and
all conductors recognized it. Without
robbing the company a picayune he
could make nice wages off OF these
perduisities. And nothing was thought
of accepting them. There was no dis
grace in accepting these little extras.
The through trains to New York and
back again were the best to have. l
knew a conductor who used to run out
of Albany south, before the Hudson
River was consolidated, who got rich
in seven years. He lives at Pough-
keepsie now in elegant style, although
an old man over so years. | don't
believe he ever stole a cent. They tell
me that along about 1860 the road was
overrun, however, with fellows who
used to divide with the company.
From Albany to Buffalo their families
are to-day living on the fat of the land.
A good story istold Of one Of this crowd,
now a resident Of Rochester. He had
been on the road about five years, when
one day he received a dispatch saying
that his presence was urgently desired
in New York. Proceeding there he
found that Commodore Vanderbilt
sought the interview. The old
fellow was as cross as blazes that MORN
ing.
"s So you are conductor So and So ? y
he said, as he sized up his mau.
&C Yes, Commodore, was the reply.
How long have you been running
on my road p ?
90 Five years. !"
"Humph And you carry better
watch than I do, the commodore said,
spying ponderous chain on the vest Of
his employee.
1t isn't, is it q said the conductor,
coolly removing it and exhibiting time
piece that he said had cost him a round
| $500.
"'They tell me you have farm just
outside of Rochester r said the Com
modore, quizzingly.
$3.50 they say. 1t is pretty fine
piece of property, as you may guess, for
I paid $4,000 for it without building
on it year ago.
"E Keep any horses ?
Nobody in Rochester can give me
their dust, when Pm up behind my
pair was the proud rejoiner.
Five years on the railroad, medi-
tated the railroad king. 'and how much
of this show did you have five years
ago ?"
"'Nary bit. Why, borrowed
money to get from Rochester to Syra-
cuse to ask Superintendent Chittenden
for job
"'Don't you call that stealing y
"'No, sir, said our friend, knowing
by this time that his days were num-
bered and getting Independent in conse-
) qvence, and, what is more, you don't.
It will cost you as much again to tel
: me that it is
"The next day he gotta blue envelope.
) From that day to this the color has
f never varied. The company had sew,
5 eral lawsuits, believe, for having dis
) charged conductors under suspicion.
, The blue envelope was hit upon by
Vanderbilt to avoid trouble. A lire
inside states that further services are
! not required. When the conductors
: first began to get them they used to
, demand an explanation. Never was
:, one gratifed. The blue envelope has
its meaning was the only reply. They
: have been rather scarce for the past
b three years. 1 see that several have
!, been distributed lately. No one can
tell whose turn will come next. y
. AJbdnu Journal