The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-04-04
Origin OF Blue Envelopes.

"The blue envelope has been the en-
blem of misery on the New York Gen.
trail since 1862" said q conductor on
that line whose service has extended
ever a period of twenty-five years. at
was twenty-five or thirty years ago."
said he, refiectively, "when to be con
ductor was to have a berth which was
sure to land you safely into compe-
tency. Of course, don't mean to say
that the opportunities for what is termed
knocking down" made the difference,
although there were dishonest men
among us then as now. But the times
for ten years preceding the war were
fiuster then they have been since. Peo-
pie were not SO careful about change.
About half the travellers used to pay
their fares on the trains, as it was not
then the rule to have gate-keepers and
door-keepers. That, like the duplex
coupon, is a modern innovation of rail-
road traffic. The old-timers have told
me that many's the day that they had
overpay to the extent of s. and SO.
Passengers were in the habit of hand
ing bill to the conductor and asking
no change. 1t was the custom, and all
conductors recognized it. Without rob-
bing the company picavune he could
make nice wages off these perquisites.
And nothing was thought Of accepting
them. The conductors in the early
days were higher-toned lot OF
men than they are to-day. So there was
no disgrace in accepting these little ex-
tras. The through trains to New York
and back again were the best to have.
know a conductor who used to run
ont of Albany south. before the Hudson
River was consolidated, who got rich
in seven years He lives at Poughkeepsie
now in elegant style. although a man
over eighty years. don't believe he
ever stole cent. They tell me that
along about 1860 the road was overrun,
however, with fellows who used to di-
vide with the company. From Albany
to Buffalo their families are to-day liv-
ing on the fat of the land.
"A good story is told of one of the
crowd, now a resident of Rochester. He
had been on the road about five years
when one day he received a dispatch
saying his presence was urgently de-
sired in New York. Proceeding there
he found that Commodore Vanderbilt
sought the interview. The old fellow
was IS cross as blazes that morning.
$50 you are Conductor So-and-Soa'
he said, rs he sized up his man.
"-ies, Commodore was the reply.
"-How long have you been running
on nay roadp"
""FiTe years"
"-Humph! And you carry a better
watch than do the Commodore said,
spying ponderous chain on the vest of
his employee.
"'It isn't, is it, said the conductor,
cody removing it, and exhibit nc a
fime-piece that he said had cost him a
round $500.
They tell me You have a farm Just
outside of Rochester, said the Commo-
dore, quizzingly.
$50 they say 1t is pretty fine
piece of property, as YOU may guess, for
l paid $4,000 for it without a bnilding
On it a yearago.'
keep any horses?'
Nobody in Rochester can give me
their dust when I'm up behind my pair,
was the proud rejoinder.
Five years o., the railroad medi-
tated the railroad king; and how much
of this show did you have five years
ago.
Mary bit. Why, 1 borrowed
money to get from rochester to SYRIA
cuse to ask Superintendent Crittenden
for a Job
don t you call Dat stealingg'
."'No. sir, said our friend. knowing
by Shis time that his days were num-
bered, and getting independent in con-
sequence, and what is more. youdon't.
1t will cost you as much again to tell
me it is
1.-The next day he got bfue en-
velePe. From that day 10 this the color
has never varied. The company had
several lawsuits, l believe, for having
discharged conductors under suspicion.
The blue envelope was hit upon by
Vanderbilt to avoid trouble. A line in
side states that further services are not
required. When conductors first began
to get them they used to demand an en-
PLANTATION. Never was one granted.
The bl&e envelope has its meaning
was The only reply--dLbamy Journal.